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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Food

Food
Molsook (2009)

Do you know the old bit of folk wisdom that goes something like "Never judge a book by its cover"? Well, substitute record for book, and the old axiom becomes apt the same way. Food's self-titled record is an example of this axiom working in this situation. At first, I completely mistake the cover image for something else because at first glance the cover looked rather muddled to these jaded eyes. But, after sitting in my desk for several weeks, I look at the cover in completely different light and noticed some unspeakable quality to it that piqued my interest in the album. Food has some seriously fuzzed out guitar tone that just immediately slaps listeners in the face, and the slower tempos, like what one can hear in "The Captain," definitely shows that sound off well. The band reminds me a bit of Cavity (only without the visceral rawness that band had) with the cutting guitars and strong rhythm section that are all soaked in some sludge-y dirge-like material that mixes in some uptempo parts to keep the songs interesting, even the broken vocals has a vague resemblance as well. The whole record conjures images of desperate people beyond … Read more

Celan

Halo
Exile on Mainstream (2009)

Celan is an intriguing collection of musicians that is comprised of members of Unsane, Oxbow, Einsturzende Neubauten, and others. Just … Read more

Down-Stares

Cobras & Matadors
T.Rex Ate My Face (2008)

A couple of years ago, through my involvement with this website, I crossed paths with Down-Stares' independently released album The … Read more

The Black Heart Procession

Six
Temporary Residence (2009)

Can anyone truly describe the sound of The Black Heart Procession? At times there is an audible melancholy that seems … Read more

Defeatist

Sharp Blade Sinks Deep into Dull Minds
Willowtip (2009)

I really hate bringing up the ex-members of thing when talking about records. No, seriously I do. Defeatist is the … Read more

Sunny Day Real Estate

Diary / LP2 (Reissues)
Sub Pop (2009)

When it comes to album reissues, it is actually a much more difficult task to write a fair and unbiased … Read more

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One from the archives

Lycia

A Line That Connects
Handmade Birds (2015)

Lycia was a band that always seemed to me like they were flying a bit under the radar. With a career spanning for almost thirty years now, the act from Arizona released a series of excellent full-length albums, with A Day In The Stark Corner and Cold particularly standing out. What is more, their presence in the scene was constant and Lycia were very active when it came to putting out new music. They would release a new album every two or three years, and in cases when they would take more time, for example between the release of Estrella and Tripping Back Into The Broken Days, they would put out some EP, as was the case with The Time Has Come and Gone. However, after their 2003 album, Empty … Read more

More album reviews

Strung Out

Agents of the Underground
Fat Wreck Chords (2009)

Strung Out's Blackhawks Over Los Angeles was a record that had a lot of ups and downs. The album showcased the band's improving musicianship and songwriting but the production really brought the record down. Singer Jason Cruz's voice felt processed in too many areas and it restricted the power that his vocals usually have. I also felt that the band … Read more

Fall of Efrafa

Inle
Halo Of Flies/Denovali/Sound Devastation (2009)

Fall of Efrafa proves further that there is still a great deal of inventiveness in existence within the underground music scene by basing the entire concept (from band name, to topical song material, to artwork) around a singular work of literature by exploring the themes and moods and the mythology within Watership Down. Inle is the final installment in a … Read more

Rise and Fall

Our Circle is Vicious
Deathwish Inc. (2009)

Progression in music is never an easy thing to accomplish without getting mixed reactions; the hardcore community seems to be especially critical. You're always going to have that fan base that talks about how the older material is better, which in some cases, that is true. But in other cases, development and experimentation can lead to superior songwriting and material. … Read more

Kingdom

The Rage That Guides
Eulogy (2009)

Remember the mid 1990's and the vegan straightedge hardcore scene with its horribly over-sized clothes (big pants, basketball jerseys), staunch politics (hardline anyone?), and some of its more notable bands (Earth Crisis, One King Down, Morning Again, Culture, Birthright, Unconquered, and tons more)? I ask this question because not only do I, but because Kingdom is like a huge nostalgic … Read more

The Casualties

We are All We Have
Side One Dummy (2009)

Yes, this is the same Casualties which have been producing album after album of spiky haired "drunk" punk for some years now. But first, please allow me to digress and paint a picture for you. Turn the dial on the way back machine and sidle up with a steaming cup of coffee for a little "fireside" chat. My first exposure … Read more

Folsom

Hammer Lane
Ghost Town (2009)

Since hitting the scene with a monstrous demo, Folsom have kept themselves busy with a full-length, couple of EP releases, and sporadic touring. The Las Vegas hardcore group return with LP number two, which follows up their 2008 EP, Neon Light Nights. Folsom continue to churn out punishing metallic hardcore that mixes in a little bit of the beatdown flavor … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Streetwalkers

Vile Thoughts
Six Feet Under (2009)

It seems as though Six Feet Under is showing its punk roots. Not so surprisingly, so are some collected members of Ceremony. This short release works pretty well in relation to the Broken Patterns release I also reviewed. This takes a more classic hardcore punk route. Back in the mid '80s punk and hardcore got along mostly and the sound … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Broken Patterns

Broken Patterns
Six Feet Under (2009)

There's a couple ways to start this one. We could examine the ex members of pedigree, which normally would give you a hint at what is included. While I, just like anyone who was into hardcore in the earlier part of this decade, was suitably excited the band member pedigree (Knife Fight, Tear It Up, Cut The Shit, etc.) that … Read more

200 Words Or Less

In Desperation

Ghost Town, America
Independent (2009)

Decent enough modern hardcore that reminds me of a sped up Modern Life is War or a less metal Killing the Dream. Someone is itching for a Deathwish deal. They have really nice catchy melodic parts with some really un-needed signing... but I digress. If this band came through my neck of the woods I'd probably go see them and … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Redemption

Demo
Independent (2009)

Wow. Here's a first: a Christian hardcore band that doesn't annoy the piss out of me. Someone mark that down on a calender somewhere. Anyhow, Redemption play mid-pace hardcore that reminds me of mid-period Endpoint mixed with some Champion and chug-a-chug parts ala Trial to end up with some pleasing results. The lyrics are positive and tinges of emo white … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Mothra

Dyes
Self Made God (2009)

Noisy manic hardcore from Poland in the vein of Deadguy, Botch, or Norma Jean. Once again completely not my thing but Mothra seem to know what they are doing with their mathy assault. I wish I had more to say about this but I really don't have any frame of reference and it's too easy for me to make Polack … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Billy Club Sandwich

The Usual Suspects
Dead City/Rucktion (2009)

Besides some brilliant use of Photoshop to interpose the band members of Billy Club Sandwich in some memorable movies of the past 20 years there is really nothing else redeemable about The Usual Suspects. I never thought I heard a band that'd have worse cave man vocals than 25 ta Life but Billy Club Sandwich takes barking and grunting typical … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Bankrupt

Rocket to Riot City
Piar (2009)

Wow. I am sick to death of reviewing bands from across the pond. This time it's Hungry. One of my favorite uh adult actresses of all time was from Budapest. Michelle Wild...yeah...she was a dirty girl. I guess she got married and found God or something. Oh well. ANYHOW, Bankrupt are a very typical punk rock band that I had … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Collison of My Axioms

Veritas
Spook (2009)

Completely predictable chug mosh from Italy. If you like xLiferuinerx or live in my state of Minnesota you probably think this is the shit. The stop and starts on this four-song EP are giving me a headache that may lead to a grand maul seizure. If I hear one more song that starts off with a two-step part I am … Read more

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)