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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

Escape the Floodwater Jug Band

Wrong Doings and Done Wrongs
Whiskey For Breakfast (2008)

With the recent surge of former and current punk rockers playing folk, roots rock, bluegrass, etc. of course there is going to be some interest in other related genres. However, I was quite shocked to receive a CD by a jug band for review. My exposure to jug band music is somewhat limited. I grew up with a mother who … Read more

Morrissey

Years of Refusal
Lost Highway (2009)

How does one introduce Morrissey? By no means am I intending to put the seasoned vocalist on a pedestal of godlike caliber it's just that, well, pretty much everything that can be said about the man has already been said, or in this case, written. Rather than waste time with some whimsical anecdote, I'll instead jump right into his latest … Read more

Freshman 15

Throw Up Your Hands for One Night Stands
Standby (2009)

This is a tough one. At some point, there was a crossover between cheesy melodic pop-punk and the worn-out "scene" image of white belts and devil locks. It became cool to sound like Simple Plan as long as you listened to August Burns Red, and constantly posted pictures of how tough your band looks. I've done my best to avoid … Read more

The Loved Ones

Distractions
Fat Wreck Chords (2009)

The Loved Ones' popularity took off quite a bit last year with the release of Build & Burn. This had the band taking a more basic rock-n-roll approach than their debut Keep Your Heart, which is one of the best pop-punk records to be released in recent years. The band's latest EP, Distractions shows the band going in the same … Read more

Dead to Me

Little Brother
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)

Dead to Me is one of those bands that has been generating a lot of buzz since their debut Cuban Ballerina . I never understood all the fuss. I thought they were okay, but nothing on that album really stood out to me. And I didn't listen to it enough to have it really grow on me, as some people … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Red Eyed Legends

Wake Up, Legend
File 13 (2008)

First full-length from this Chicago band fronted by Chris Thomson (ex-Circus Lupus). Dense, multi-layered rock that will require repeated listening. That's really because it will require some thinking on the listener's part. "Je M'Appelle Macho" is currently the song on here that's getting repeated playbacks. Maybe since these are some of the few French words I retained from five years … Read more

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