Recent reviews

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

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

Merauder

God is I
Regain (2009)

Oh hey what do you know, Merauder is back. For those that don't remember, Merauder put out the classic crossover album Master Killer in 1995. Master Killer set the stage for what would become a metal soaked final years of the last millennium for hardcore, especially within the confines of New York City. I didn't even know Merauder put out any albums after Master Killer, but apparently they did, which completely ruined my early opening paragraph where I go on and on about bands that really need to just hang it up after too many years away from the game. Oh well, everyone reading this is stoked they didn't have to put up with another one of my rants anyhow. God is I isn't what I would consider a crossover album due to the progression of metal during the last decade. There isn't a crossover of sounds these days as you could easily put Merauder in the same league as Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, or any other band that I don't pay any heed. The only thing that separates God is I from the plethora of other "made for Headbanger Ball" acts is the fact that Merauder still has … Read more

Cub Country

Stretch That Skull Cover and Smile
Future Farmer (2009)

I honestly did not think that Jeremy Chatelain was still active as Cub Country seeing as how it has been … Read more

Water & Bodies

Water & Bodies
Rain City (2009)

One of the newest bands to come out of Portland, Water & Bodies are looking to make an impact in … Read more

Polar Bear Club

Chasing Hamburg
Bridge Nine (2009)

Polar Bear Club is essentially the musical version of the story, The Little Engine that Could. Here we have a … Read more

Cable

The Failed Convict
The End (2009)

Exciting is a good term to use to describe the feelings from Cable putting out another album, particularly after they … Read more

Jon Snodgrass

Visitor's Band
Suburban Home (2009)

Jon Snodgrass used a sling a guitar in Armchair Martian and Drag the River but decided to go with the … Read more

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One from the archives

Flotilla

Disaster Poetry
Independent (2006)

Taste is a strange thing. You start to form an opinion on something from the first contact with it. Take Flotilla for example - a four piece indie-rock band that includes a classically trained harpist and, according to their press release, "a noted composer of contemporary concert music." Now to be honest, the first thing flashed into my mind was Charlotte Church - the well known child prodigy that went from Opera to pop in a blaze of mediocrity - and the first parts of my taste was beginning to warn me off. However, I persevered and found the band's album, Disaster Poetry, to be a somewhat enjoyable and engaging album, if somewhat fitting into the dreaded category of music you would play at a dinner party and could easily … Read more

More album reviews

For.The.Win.

The Black & The Blue
Asian Man/Solidarity (2009)

The Bay Area has always been known for producing some great punk acts. One up-and-coming band is the newest addition to the Asian Man family, For.The.Win. This three-piece play a pretty solid mixture of melodic punk and positive hardcore on their debut album, The Black & The Blue. What we have here is about twenty minutes of sometimes hardcore, sometimes … Read more

Andrew W.K.

55 Cadillac
Skyscraper Music Maker (2009)

If I were to comprise a short list of individuals that I would love to sit down and just have an open-ended conversation with, Andrew W.K. would be at the head of that list. No doubt in my mind. For whatever reason, everything that he does has me on the edge of my seat. The multi-talented W.K. returns with 55 … Read more

Wino

Punctuated Equilibrium
Southern Lord (2009)

What is more difficult to believe? That Wino is releasing his first solo album in his music career or that his music career is as long and solid as it has been? A pillar of consistency with stints in the Obsessed, St. Vitus, Spirit Caravan, The Hidden Hand, and the coming soon Shrinebuilder (along with members of Neurosis, The Melvins, … Read more

True Colors

Rush of Hope
Powered (2009)

The European hardcore scene has always fascinated me, and for many reasons. But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the world of hardcore on the other side of the Atlantic is that it always comes of as very nostalgic. I don't mean that in a disrespecting way, but more times than not, it seems as though the Euros go out … Read more

Pussygutt

She Hid Behind Her Veil
20 Buck Spin (2008)

Pussygutt is a two-piece ambient droning doom outfit. Well, not exactly but a more accurate description may be given as Pussygutt is a group that works their magic with two actual members and a revolving cast of collaborators as its two masterminds (Brittany McConnell and Blake Green) see fit. She Hid Behind Her Veil is the third album from the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Lanterns

Apocalypse Youth
Independent (2008)

Apocalypse Youth, this EP from San Diego band Lanterns is best described with one word: rich. It's a pop album that is rich in sound and rich in harmonies. The five songs here are surprisingly noisy for a band playing such a delicate kind of music, booming from every corner with loud drums and feedback. The guitar slings echo deeply … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Black Market Fetus / In Defence

Split
Give Praise (2009)

Split 7" releases are great when both bands are good. And luckily this time both Black Market Fetus and In Defence are good underground groups and this nasty little piece is as sweet as it is short- seven songs pass by hastily but it's certainly good enough to warrant repeated listens. Another positive is that both bands differ slightly in … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Useless I.D.

The Lost Broken Bones
Suburban Home (2009)

The Lost Broken Bones is the first release on Suburban Home for this four-piece from Israel. This is my first exposure to this band, but they have been together for quite some time. Recorded at The Blasting Room, sonically all the right buttons are pushed. Sometimes the vocals veer into Unwritten Law territory, but I guess this is a chicken … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Red Light Driver

…and Now We Can Be Ourselves
MFT (2009)

Get out the lava light kids, and get ready to take a trip! Okay, maybe not that wacked out, but the influence is there. Produced by Paul Mahern (of Zero Boys fame), this band's debut full-length hits all the right buttons. Fans of 90's rock will hear Ride, Echo & The Bunnymen, maybe even a little Julian Cope. It's hard … Read more

Mother of Mercy

III
Six Feet Under (2009)

How did I sleep on this band? I remember hearing about Mother of Mercy when their No Eden 7" was released, but I never took the time to follow up. Hailing from the greater Philadelphia area, this band took me by surprise with their debut full-length III. Mother of Mercy comes from the ashes of the now-defunct Let Down, who … Read more

Boxcutter

The Ill Testament
Screaming Crow (2009)

I'm probably the last person that should be do a review on the latest album from Pennsylvania's Boxcutter. I haven't had a rough life. Both my parents raised me. I've never seen a friend die. Moreover, even though I wasn't the best kid in the world I never had any run ins with the law. Even today I live in … Read more

Frank Turner

Poetry of the Deed
Epitaph (2009)

There are a slew of musicians who take the role of singer-songwriter after the break up of their former bands. At times this can showcase the talent that drove the bands to their success, or alternately show the need for collaboration to flesh out their ideas into worthwhile songs. Frank Turner fronted the mildly successful post-hardcore act Million Dead before … Read more

Over Stars and Gutters

Consider This Your Curse
Independent (2009)

The whole Midwestern punk sound is something you either love or hate. I, personally love most of the main bands that have come from this genre but when it comes to newer bands, they have to do something to stand out among the others. It's a given fact that I'll enjoy the band but will I be telling my friends … Read more

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

The Century of Self
Richter Scale (2009)

Texas rockers ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead return with their sixth full-length effort, The Century of Self. The band's newest long player is the follow-up to So Divided, which was a polarizing album for their fans. Following the release of that album Trail of Dead eventually split from their relationship with Interscope Records. As a … Read more

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