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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)

Torche

Healer/Across the Shields
Hydra Head (2009)

Following up their much acclaimed full-length, Meanderthal, Torche gives the Healer/Across the Shields twelve-inch EP and DVD to tide fans over until their next record. The record contains two tracks on that full-length as well as two additional songs (their last with recently departed guitarist Juan Montoya) which are new and a DVD with the videos for the two album tracks. Interestingly, this serves as a nice bookend to close the band's existence as a four piece, and while the DVD is nice, the real bonus is the two new songs which the band has here. Besides "Healer" and "Across the Shields" (two of my favorite songs on Meanderthal), Torche offer two other tracks on this short EP. Both of the songs have the poppy vocals that one can hear on Meanderthal and are similarly short and sweet. "Mash It Up" contains some up tempo guitars and the drums are quickly pounding; vocally the song is not unlike other Torche material, but the biggest shock is the space rock sounding guitar part that kicks in over the last half of the song. "Sugar Glider" also has a similar feel, only this time it kicks in immediately rather than later in … Read more

Maniqui Lazer

I Learn Everything on TV
Soundsister (2008)

I don't know much about music along the US-Mexico border, and the name Maniqui Lazer and the cartoonish sketches on … Read more

Two Tongues

Two Tongues
Vagrant (2009)

When the news of Max Bemis (Say Anything) and Chris Conley (Saves the Day) collaborating to create Two Tongues was … Read more

Past Lives

Strange Symmetry
Suicide Squeeze (2008)

The hiatus and eventual breakup of The Blood Brothers in 2007 left many of their fans heartbroken. But honestly, with … Read more

Multiple Authors

Mastodon

Crack the Skye
Reprise (2009)

It's really hard to place Mastodon into one genre. Yes, they are mainly a metal band but what sub-genre? Sludge … Read more

Multiple Authors

Mastodon

Crack the Skye
Reprise (2009)

Water. Earth. Russian monarchy? While Mastodon's previous albums Leviathan and Blood Mountain deal with two of the four elements, their … Read more

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One from the archives

Dead Bars

Dream Gig
No Idea Records (2017)

Reading that Dead Bars never meant to be a band explains a lot of things. They started as a one-off project to go on a tour rather than to share their art. It turned out to be fun and they stuck with it. After a series of 7”s, the Seattle now-band finally releases their first full-length in 2017, titled Dream Gig.The reason for the introductory bio is that Dead Bars’ approach feels spontaneous. The lyrics aren’t bad by any means, but they meander feel like an undercurrent to the real power of the band, which is the chord-driven punk rawk. It’s more about energy and emotion than poetry. In a way, it reminds me of the similarly-formed Too Many Daves but with less of a gimmick. Besides sharing many stages … Read more

More album reviews

Red Stars Parade

Lutine Belle
Thirty Days Of Night (2008)

Bands that are difficult to pin down to a particular genre are great. They might have a distinctive sound and there might be comparisons that can be drawn, but you can lose yourself in the safe knowledge of something fresh and abstract. Then some idiot music critic comes along and ruins your day by inventing a name for it, so … Read more

Jump the Shark

Staring Death
Dead Truth (2008)

So the other day for lunch, I decided to try a new sandwich shop in the Skyway. I'd heard decent things about it, and when I walked past it on my way to other establishments for lunch, they definitely were busy, and people apparently liked it. So I ordered their house specialty sandwich. What I got was a perfectly passable … Read more

The Cure

4:13 Dream
Geffen (2008)

A new album by The Cure. This always makes me nervous. One of my favorite bands from old times (my favorite band full stop, according to my Last FM charts), The Cure are pretty damn high in my esteem. Having said that, I am more than aware of Robert Smith's ability to disappoint me. The last couple of decades of … Read more

Kids Like Us

The 80s are Dead (Reissue)
Eulogy (2008)

I might as well start this review off by saying I have never liked Kids Like Us. There is nothing about their music that enthralls me. Actually their moshy "skater jams" annoy the living piss out of me with their juvenile lyrics and token mosh parts. There has been countless stories of lame debauchery that this band has caused on … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Steel Nation / Crucified

Split
Double or Nothing (2009)

Two very promising bands take on each other with this split 7": Steel Nation hailing from Pittsburgh while Crucified call the Bay Area home. Both offer menacing metallic hardcore that is not to be passed over. Steel Nation delivers two brand new tracks, their first since parting ways with their vocalist and having the remaining members share the vocals. In … Read more

200 Words Or Less

These Arms are Snakes / Tropics

Split
We-Be (2008)

Here we have another limited edition split 7", this one that was issued in support of These Arms are Snakes and Tropics European tour together. You get one exclusive track from each artist. These Arms are Snakes offer up "Meet Your Major," which is very much in tune with the band's latest full-length offering, Tail Swallower and Dove. You get … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Mass vs. Cali
Heart In Hand (2008)

This 7" compilation partners two Massachusetts bands on one side and two California bands on the other side. Each band contributes one track each; with each band honing in on their own take of hardcore. The Effort leads off the Massachusetts side with "Steps Ahead." Musically they seem to fall between Modern Life is War and Shai Hulud. It's fast … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Until Your Heart Stops

We are not Coming Down
Heart In Hand (2009)

The Bay Area of California was one of the original breeding grounds for hardcore not to mention a hot bed as of late - so it really isn't a surprise to hear new and impressive bands emerging on a monthly basis. Until Your Heart Stops is a fairly new group that has something new to offer, yet is closely tied … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Caleb Lionheart

Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk
Farewell Party (2008)

New York outfit Caleb Lionheart's first proper offering Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk is a bit of an odd title. Thankfully, the band does not play the mosh-influenced hardcore version of pop-punk of A Day to Remember. Instead the band's fast-paced punk is much closer to Lifetime and Bouncing Souls. Musically, I enjoy what Caleb Lionheart has to offer quite … Read more

P.O.S.

Never Better
Rhymesayers (2009)

The unique style of P.O.S. continues to come together - from the disjointed and experimental Ipecac Neat that caught Rhymesayers' attention, and the slightly more mainstream Audition in 2006, Never Better continues to build and unify P.O.S.'s distinct and witty brand of hip-hop. To get it out of the way early, P.O.S. is also in the hardcore/mathrock band Building Better … Read more

Sleepingdog

Polar Life
Gizeh (2008)

It's a rare delight when music completely unknown to you pops out of thin air to become one of your favorite releases of the year. Not that I intend to give away the ending of this review or anything. Like most music of genuine quality, the sound of Polar Life is a tricky one to define easily. The lead is … Read more

Wolves in the Throne Room

Malevolent Grain
Southern Lord (2009)

Each song of the Malevolent Grain EP, "A Looming Resonance" and "Hate Crystal," comprises one side of an exquisitely packaged 12". Both songs are top-notch examples of the more hypnotic and earthy side of black metal. "A Looming Resonance" builds from a somber clean melody to some kind of operatic, backwoods hymn to the forces of nature. "Hate Crystal," however, … Read more

The Blackout Argument

Remedies
Lifeforce (2009)

Germany's The Blackout Argument are one of the many new hardcore acts being spawned in the scene today. In their short career as a band, they have already released three EP's and a full-length and they have been building their reputation as one of the hardest working bands out there today. They recently faced the challenge of finding a new … Read more

Anchor Arms

Cold Blooded
Fail Safe (2008)

These days everything reminds me of The Fest. Today's memory comes from release FSR001 by Anchor Arms, reminding me that I missed the Fail Safe warehouse show last year because I couldn't find a ride across town. While that intro had all too little to do with the band themselves, Anchor Arms do call Gainesville home and they utilize 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)