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Lucero

1372 Overton Park
Universal (2009)

Lucero is a band that people feel passionately about. You either love them or hate them. Their fans are very adamant about which record is their favorite, and subsequently, the best in their eyes. With 1372 Overton Park Lucero has gone on to make what is one of the most fully realized albums of their career. Unfortunately, Lucero's vision for … Read more

Shrinebuilder

Shrinebuilder
Neurot (2009)

Holy supergroup! Even as that term is overused, for underground metal and heavy music, Shrinebuilder is just that when you read the members that comprise this group: Scott "Wino" Weinrich (The Obsessed, St. Vitus, Spirit Caravan, The Hidden Hand), Scott Kelly (Neurosis, Tribes of Neurot), Al Cisneros (Sleep, Om), and Dale Crover (The Melvins, Nirvana). These four notable characters got … Read more

Nothington

Roads, Bridges & Ruins
BYO (2009)

In what might be an early contender for "Most Improved Band of the Year," Nothington brings us their second studio album, Roads, Bridges & Ruins. Now, when we last left the band they released their debut record, All In. While it was a fun listen, it didn't carry much lasting value and I wore it out after a few spins, … Read more

Florence and the Machine

Lungs
Island (2009)

In a U.K. pop scene increasingly dominated by uncertain female electro-pop princesses or paltry imitations of Rihanna or Beyonce, it's refreshing and exciting to see the dominance of a genuinely interesting and invigorating talent. Twenty-three year old Florence Welch and her four accomplices - The Machine - present us a gift wrapped collection of thirteen buoyant, ethereal and enormous songs. … Read more

Gaza

He is Never Coming Back
Black Market Activities (2009)

Following an impressive debut album is never an easy undertaking, and Gaza did deliver an impressive debut with I Don't Care Where I Go When I Die. So with that in mind we find their sophomore effort from the four-piece hailing from Utah in the United States. He is Never Coming Back is a definite product of the environment from … Read more

Thrice

Beggars
Vagrant (2009)

The release of Thrice's latest album, Beggars came as a big surprise to a lot of fans for a couple reasons. One reason is because the band released the last two volumes of The Alchemy Index only last year and they were quick to the studio to record it's follow-up. The other reason is how quickly it leaked onto the … Read more

Sick Sick Birds

Heavy Manners
Toxic Pop (2009)

Sometimes life gets in the way of good music. When the Thumbs disbanded in 2003, Mike Hall and Bobby Borte needed a new outlet. They formed Sick Sick Birds, but families and education have slowed the band's production, leading them to release their first full-length in 2008. Heavy Manners isn't a far stretch from their previous band, but Sick Sick … Read more

King Khan & The BBQ Show

Invisible Girl
In The Red (2009)

In his two-piece with Mark "BBQ" Sultan, King Khan & The BBQ Show brings garage rock as it's meant to be played: layered with harmonies and catchy choruses, but oozing with distortion and dirty, sleazeball rock and roll. King Khan & The BBQ Show have perfected simple, fun rock and roll. When "Anala" first hits your player, it's not a … Read more

Rabid Rabbit

Rabid Rabbit
Interloper (2009)

As certain styles of music catch hold and thus become revered and oft emulated, making or doing something to makes one's band stand out amidst an ever burgeoning horde of groups (that range from those that find their own voice to those that come off as half rate clones) becomes a much harder obstacle as time moves forward. Rabid Rabbit, … Read more

Lipona

Pigeonholed
Independent (2009)

In what's already been a solid year for punk releases, Lipona's new self-released EP, Pigeonholed might fall under the radar to most listeners but if you do come across it, I would strongly suggest giving it a listen. Pigeonholed is a short but sweet EP of some nicely executed punk rock with a bit of a hardcore edge. The lyrics … Read more

Eagle Twin

The Unkindness of Crows
Southern Lord (2009)

Gentry Densley is somewhat of a living legend in the metal world. Unfortunately I am not as familiar with his work in Iceburn as I should be, but I've known him as an indispensable part of the Southern Lord supergroup Ascend. Ascend took experimental metal to new heights, but his latest project Eagle Twin, while moving in a similar direction … Read more

Nadja / Black Boned Angel

Nadja / Black Boned Angel
20 Buck Spin (2009)

Having these two notable monikers teaming up for a second collaboration is just right up my alley, particularly because their previous collaborative effort, Christ Send Light is one of my favorite recordings from both Nadja and Black Boned Angel thus far. This second effort (actually recorded around the same time as their previous collaboration) is two pieces of sonic manipulation … Read more

The Get Up Kids

Something to Write Home About (Reissue)
Vagrant (2009)

The release of The Get Up Kids' debut full-length Four Minute Mile is something that I recall with the greatest of ease. My sister won a contest from a record store, getting a slew of just released CD's for free. Amongst the various punk compilations and releases from bands on Epitaph, Fat Wreck, and Lookout! was said album from The … Read more

Aidan Baker

Gathering Blue
Equation (2009)

The amount of work that Aidan Baker produces is absolutely staggering. Besides solo releases like Gathering Blue he releases records as part of Nadja and Whispering Room as well as collaborations with Tim Hecker, ThisQuietArmy, and others. A double LP, Gathering Blue is one coming via Equation Records and in limited quantities (so much so that these might all be … Read more

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