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Jack's Mannequin

The Glass Passenger
Sire (2008)

A lot of artists resist fame. I've done interviews with bands for nearly five years now and have heard countless times from both nameless and recognizable acts that there were never any aspirations for a hit radio single or a gold album. For these people it seemed when something reached a point of popularity it lost authenticity. By acknowledging the … Read more

Makeout Party

Lengths and Limits
Make Music Collective (2008)

I'll admit it; I have a few musical guilty pleasures. I have a few albums that I'm embarrassed to own but I still love nonetheless. Makeout Party seems like they could be one of those bands. The name alone is a little off-putting, whether it reminds you of the awkward middle school gathering or the quick-lived internet group sensation. The … Read more

Terror

The Damned, The Shamed
Century Media (2008)

Since forming in the year 2000, Terror has been unleashing a punishing assault of metallic hardcore punk to the masses. From the get-go with their four-song demo the band has delivered an intensity, especially that of frontman Scott Vogel, that is unmatched by any of their peers. The evolution of Terror may seem like nothing dramatic to the casual hardcore … Read more

Various Artists

Our Roots Our Pride
Still Life/Youth Crew (2008)

This is a piece of history, as the name of the album might suggest. Our Roots Our Pride: History of Italian Positive Hardcore and Straight Edge Movement 1989-1995 contains thirty-two songs by six different artists that were all prominent during Italy's straight edge hardcore movement from the early-to-mid 90's. All of these bands are a completely new introduction to me. … Read more

Aussitôt Mort

Montuenga
Level Plane (2008)

I've been waiting to hear Aussitôt Mort's first full-length since this spring. Montuenga's release kept getting pushed back, but at least three months after the intended date, it's finally here. Aussitôt Mort parted with their vocalist who appears on the 12" demo, so their songs have taken on a more instrumental quality. The songs lend themselves to minimal vocal accompaniment, … Read more

Vessels

White Fields and Open Devices
Cuckundoo (2008)

Post-rock is a peculiar beast; it's seemingly very difficult to achieve a unique sound in the field, especially after the pioneers managed to diversify into a set of forerunners creating the inevitable chorus of copyists. Given that the only two real distinctions of the genre are a generally low use of vocals and the abandoning of a typical verse/chorus structure, … Read more

Zozobra

Bird of Prey
Hydra Head (2008)

Originally planned as a whole other project of Caleb Scofield under the moniker Heatseeker, Bird of Prey is instead the second full-length release from the Cave In/Old Man Gloom member's Zozobra. Joining Scofield this time around is Isis drummer Aaron Harris, who also engineered the album, in place of the departed Santos Montano. The decision to release this album under … Read more

Aughra

Proof of Dark Matter | Light the Lights
Magic Bullet (2008)

Ambient music is (in the words of one Brian Eno who is usually credited with coining the term) music that can be either "actively listened to with attention or as easily ignored, depending on the choice of the listener," and that exists on the "cusp between melody and texture." Aughra is the solo ambient/electronic/experimental project of one Brent Eyestone (proprietor … Read more

The Wayward

Overexposure
Magic Bullet (2008)

Overexposure should be listened to with a) an instrument in hand, b) a beer in hand/several beers in your stomach, or c) a turntable. Why a)? Because you will look down at whatever instrument you have chosen to hold - maybe with intentions to play along with the music you're about to hear - and realize that the music is … Read more

Day Without Dawn

Understanding Consequences
Fallen Empire (2008)

I remember The Postman Syndrome; their lone full-length, Terraforming is a hidden gem chock full of references to the landmark Japanese anime Neon Genesis: Evangelion and intricate songs which contain equal parts fret board gymnastics and melody. Day Without Dawn is the product of that band minus one member and quite a bit of a challenge, which a band can … Read more

Bridge and Tunnel

East/West
No Idea (2008)

If there has ever been a band that you would expect to be on No Idea Records that doesn't feature any bands that were ever on the No Idea roster than it would be be Bridge and Tunnel. Honestly, this co-ed four-piece from New York City doesn't even sound like any band on No Idea besides some gruff vocals belted … Read more

The Measure [SA]

One Chapter in the Book: A Collection of Standard Waits and Measurements
Kiss of Death (2008)

New Brunswick, NJ seems to be bringing the rock lately. The Measure [SA] is one of the town's hard working bands with a slew of releases. One Chapter in the Book: A Collection of Standard Waits and Measurements compiles many of them in one place, with the album title being nearly as long as the record itself. What follows is … Read more

Suicide Note

Empty Rooms
Hawthorne Street (2008)

Some things just get better with age. Suicide Note is one of those things. As the band has progressed over the past ten years they are gradually refined their sound and improved their songwriting. With each new release came another step forward. And now with the release of their latest full-length, Empty Rooms, the band is nearly at the pinnacle … Read more

IAMX

Kiss + Swallow (Reissue)
Metropolis (2008)

When a press pack goes on and on about an artist's former band and all you can remember about them is a single that maybe cracked the Top 20 (but you're not sure), you know they're clutching at straws. So it is with Chris Corner, former member of Sneaker Pimps and the mind behind IAMX. Kiss + Swallow, his debut … Read more

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