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Isis

Wavering Radiant
Ipecac (2009)

More than ten years have passed since the first time that these eyes witnessed Isis and man does it ever make me feel old. That brash first performance to which I am referring (Paper Weight Fest in New Jersey) was an eye opening and ear deafening experience which literally changed my perceptions on music in one fell swoop. Fast forward … Read more

Make Do and Mend

Bodies of Water
Panic (2009)

I'm just going to be honest here and let you all in on a little secret of mine. The thing is there aren't really any bands that have come down the pike in the last five years that I have actually really liked. Oh sure, there's been a heap of albums that have graced my ears in the half decade … Read more

Agoraphobic Nosebleed

Agorapocalypse
Relapse (2009)

The background of this band shouldn't need explaining - if you're at all tuned in to the world of grindcore and other extreme music styles, you've probably already heard Agoraphobic Nosebleed. If you haven't, just imagine the most obnoxious and abrasive mixture of lyrical obscenity and overdriven drum machine lunacy you can fathom, and that should suffice for now. The … Read more

Landmine Marathon

Rusted Eyes Awake
Prosthetic (2009)

One of the biggest pleasures of listening to Rusted Eyes Awake was to hear the music and not walk away with the opinion that this is just another modern U.S. metal band labeled with the death metal tag that actually plays nauseating post-millennial death-core. Landmine Marathon still does have some of those influences interspersed but for the most part the … Read more

Prefuse 73

Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian
Warp (2009)

For those of you who don't know Prefuse 73 A.K.A. Guillermo Scott Herren, this guy has been putting beats out since I was in middle school. And I'm not talking just about Prefuse 73: Herren has been active with his record label, Eastern Developments Music, and multiple artist collaborations on top of releasing new albums under several different aliases every … Read more

Silversun Pickups

Swoon
Dangerbird (2009)

It didn't take long for Silversun Pickups to become a hit with listeners anywhere. Their debut album, Carnavas, spawned two top-ten singles and their 2009 release, Swoon has been one of the most anticipated albums of this year for good reasons. Their sound can be easily compared to alternative rock bands of the 90s such as The Smashing Pumpkins, but … Read more

The Night Marchers

Mystery Machine
Swami (2009)

One really has to hand it to John Reis; he surely keeps his work interesting with consistent releases and frequent offerings. Mystery Machine is the second tour-only 7" from his latest band, The Night Marchers. Just like the previous tour-only seven inch, Mystery Machine is like a short reminder of the band's existence and a nice memento from their shows. … Read more

Austin Lucas

Somebody Loves You
Suburban Home (2009)

When O Brother, Where Art Thou sold over seven million copies, you knew that people were listening and that the soundtrack would have an influence on future music. Where you probably didn't expect that influence to show was in the punk rock world. Seven years later, we have a label named after a Descendents song releasing Somebody Loves You by … Read more

Deathright

The Collapse
Independent (2009)

In spite of its low profile, the Pittsburgh hardcore scene is one of the better currently running, consistently churning out outstanding and original bands. Because of its circumnavigating of hype, the bands that do emerge from the Pittsburgh area carry with them a sincerity not found in most bands. They never seem to succumb to trend-hitching, instead perform music that … Read more

Little Brazil

Son
Anodyne Records (2009)

Musician Landon Hedges spent the better part of the late nineties/early two thousands playing along side Saddle Creek's most prominent singer/songwriters Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes. Desaparecidos) and Tim Kasher (Cursive, The Good Life). Looking for a more personal creative outlet, Hedge's began writing songs under the moniker Little Brazil. While originally planned as a solo project, Little Brazil quickly evolved … Read more

Living With Lions

Dude Manor (Reissue)
Adeline (2009)

Dude Manor was originally released two years ago on Black Box Recordings in Canada but it's now being re-released on their new label, Adeline Records where their full-length, Make Your Mark will also be re-released very soon. This up-and-coming band is looking to follow in the footsteps of former Adeline label-mates Broadway Calls as the label's next rising star and … Read more

A Storm of Light / Nadja

Primitive North
Robotic Empire (2009)

This split is completely unexpected but still very appropriate as both A Storm of Light and Nadja seem to be rather complimentary in several different ways, but, quite honestly, the record packaging for this is sure to grab you. A double LP that includes the CD of Primitive North with some rather unique looking artwork, which goes against the grain … Read more

Last Lights

No Past No Present No Future
Think Fast!/Mightier Than Sword (2009)

So often music defines our lives. We hear a song at a moment in our lives that no matter where we are from then on, we immediately recall the memory of when we first heard it each time it reaches our ears. We use songs and their meanings to help evoke how we are feeling when we might be unable … Read more

O Pioneers!!!

Neon Creeps
Asian Man (2009)

With their Asian Man debut, Neon Creeps, O Pioneers!!! is trying to make a name for themselves while upping the ante on stupid punctuation in band names. What I hear is a sloppy three-piece punk band with hints at a more minimal and sometimes folk-punk style. I call them a three-piece, but the band is clearly Eric Solomon's baby, as … Read more

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