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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

Crime In Stereo

Selective Wreckage
Bridge Nine (2008)

If Selective Wreckage would have came out after the Troubled Stateside instead of ...is Dead no one would of batted an eye. Most of the songs on Selective Wreckage are more in the vein us Crime in Stereo fans were used before the band decided to take an unexpected turn into brand new (ha ha ha) territory of emotive pop … Read more

Shorebirds

It's Gonna Get Ugly
Rumbletowne (2008)

When you consider the potentially high profile of Shorebirds, it's surprising how quietly they operated. Singer/guitarist Matt Canino was in the much-loved Latterman and bassist Chris Bauermeister played in Jawbreaker. With all the hype this could have created, Shorebirds instead laid low, putting their records out on Canino and co-owned label and establishing almost no presence on the Internet. And … Read more

Banner Pilot

Resignation Day
Go Kart (2008)

With a pedigree including Rivethead and Off With Their Heads there are certain expectations behind Banner Pilot's debut full length. In addition to their resume, the band has received a number of rave reviews that boost these lofty expectations. Resignation Day largely proves the buzz correct. What Banner Pilot delivers is nothing groundbreaking: they play rough pop-punk much like their … Read more

Gods and Queens

Untitled
Robotic Empire (2008)

Following the untimely demise of Versoma, Gods and Queens springs forth from those ashes (Tombs is another band which formed in the wake of Versoma's death) to create another logical progression within a similar vein or style of musical sound. In fact, prior to Versoma forming, Gods and Queens had a short existence which resulted in a nascent version of … Read more

Overcast

Reborn to Kill Again
Metal Blade (2008)

I would say ninety percent of the fans of the current bands (Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, Seemless) that the members of Overcast are in weren't even out of diapers when these metalcore rippers were originally in action. While the members have seen significant success with their current musical endeavors, it is the time spent crammed into a van touring the … Read more

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