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Monikers

Wake Up
Kiss of Death (2008)

2008 was a year I kept hearing Monikers' name without knowing a thing about them. They turned up on split releases, message boards, and year end lists before I really familiarized myself with them. It turns out they live up to the endorsements received, not to mention the bonus points received for having an ex-Discount member. "80 Proof" kicks off … Read more

Koufax

Strugglers
Doghouse (2008)

My preconceptions about Koufax are somewhat idealized. I put them in the better, earlier days of Vagrant Records, before Dashboard blew up beyond belief and before they started signing bands like Senses Fail. I remember first hearing "Younger Body," from their second full-length Social Life, on a compilation and being inexplicably drawn to the melodies and simplicity of Koufax. They … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Bon Iver

Blood Bank
Jagjaguar (2009)

Bon Iver's 2008 release For Emma, Forever Ago was made in troubled times. Supposedly, after suffering the loss of a band and girlfriend while dealing with poor personal health, singer Justin Vernon spent three months of the winter in his father's cottage, located in a remote area of Northern Wisconsin. His time spent in isolation birthed the album, a haunting … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Coconut Records

Davy
Young Baby (2009)

Jason Schwartzman is in a number of my favorite movies. He was the self righteous student lead in Rushmore, the soul searching environmental activist in I <3 Huckabees, and the likeable meth user in Spun. He also played drums for the now defunct Phantom Planet, best known for what is arguably the greatest theme song of all time: The OC's … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Transitions

Positive Hardcore
Independent (2008)

This CD is a three song demo of 90's hardcore on the posi tip (obviously). It sounds like a cross between Mouthpiece and Undertow. So you probably already tell I like this. It's a complete throwback to when I got into hardcore and not breaking any new ground but for three tracks you really can't complain. It's heavy with simple … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Mi Barrio

Good Job
Panda Empire (2008)

I'm stoked that bands out there are gluttons for punishment and seek me out to do a review of their album. That's cool. However, I have a meager complaint from now on; no more CDR copies of your release. If it's a full-length like Good Job it gets the 200 Words or Less treatment. EPs will probably be ignored completely … Read more

200 Words Or Less

All for Nothing

Solitary
WTF (2008)

More hardcore from across the pond. This time it's The Netherlands. Neat. All for Nothing sound like they want to rewrite the first Comeback Kid album in five tracks. You know the sound - fast hardcore, silly breakdowns, and shouted vocals. Oh yeah this time the vocals are handled by a lady. She sort of reminds me of Mike Ski … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Smoking Popes

Stay Down
Appeal (2008)

Can't say that I was too familiar with this band's music. But after seeing them at a recent intimate club show, I walked away convinced. A break-up of many years has done nothing to dull their songwriting chops. This record is brimming with catchy songs right from the first note. "Welcome to Janesville" kicks things off with a power pop … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Springhouse

From Now to OK
IPR (2008)

This is the third release from these Brooklyn shoe gaze popsters. Twelve songs full of rich textures and somber moods that took ten years to complete. Thankfully it's not a bloated opus like that other release, something about democracy? Which took even longer to come out. Solid arrangements, swirling harmonies, and just a plain old fashioned emphasis on making the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Satellite State

Satellite State
Independent (2008)

Four-song EP from this U.K. band that will be sure to make waves across the globe. Imagine yourself driving down the highway, maybe a bit too fast. This would be a perfect companion on a moonlit night. Not that the band condones breaking the law at all! "One Small Step" is a top notch rocker, but all the songs here … Read more

Lords

Fuck All Y'all Motherfuckers
Black Market Activities (2008)

It's been an interesting road for Lords since their formation by Chris Owens about five years ago. Initially boasting members of underrated The National Acrobat and other notable Louisville groups, from the get-go the band delivered an unrelenting concoction of noisy hardcore that the city's scene is often noted for. Along the way members have come and gone, most recently … Read more

Mischief Brew / Joe Jack Talcum

Photographs from the Shoebox
Fistolo (2008)

Photographs From the Shoebox is a split between two Philadelphia artists that mean a lot to punk music. Mischief Brew are technically a band, but it seems safe to say all elements of their music are merely an extension of guitarist and songwriter Erik Petersen. Petersen also runs Fistolo Records, so this is a self-release in a way. Joe Jack … Read more

Swingin' Utters

Hatest Grits: B-Sides and Bullshit
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)

If the name isn't clear enough for you, the Swingin' Utters' new record, Hatest Grits: B-Sides and Bullshit, does not contain new material. It also does not contain greatest hits, which is a little less clear. Instead, there are (surprise!) b-sides, demos, three Cock Sparrer songs, and other unreleased odds and ends. If you're new to the band, they've been … Read more

Energy

Invasions of the Mind
Bridge Nine (2008)

Massachusetts' Energy is a band that showed great promise with the 2007 EP Punch the Clock. The band's fusion of the classic punk sounds of The Misfits and Ramones with that of more modern punk and hardcore outfits like A.F.I. and Ignite brought them a lot of attention. But with that initial success came high expectations that would be tough … Read more

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