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Muse

H.A.A.R.P.
Warner Bros. (2008)

Muse is a band that has long had their music overshadowed by comparisons to the giants that are Radiohead, U2, and Queen. Rather than worry about dispelling said comparisons, Muse have taken the allegations of being a "rip-off" and "lacking originality" in stride and maintained its artistic credibility while continuing to deliver what many, even the most crass of critics, … Read more

Diamanda Galás

Guilty Guilty Guilty
Mute (2008)

Diamanda Galás is unlike any artist in music. Take a moment and think about this. That statement is not embellishment. It is not fanboy bias. It's a simple fact. She is a singular artist with a singular vision and whether or not you appreciate her art is irrelevant. Her genius cannot or, at the very least, should not be disputed. … Read more

Moving Mountains

Pneuma
Deep Elm (2008)

Let me get this out in the open right off the bat; I wanted to hear this because the band's name is similar to a great album by The Casket Lottery, and there is no shame in saying that at all. However, considering the recent track record of their record label (Deep Elm), there is a slight tinge of worry … Read more

Plain

Different Not Strange
Independent (2008)

One could say Lugano, Switzerland’s Plain is a risk-taking collection of artists simply for the sheer bravery (or stupidity) of giving themselves that moniker. For those that wouldn’t care for their brand of music, professional critics and aural consumers alike, the door is wide open for the same kind of juvenile puns that your typical Garbage naysayer would dish out. … Read more

Jonquil

Lions
Try Harder (2007)

As a staff member here at Scene Point Blank, I get to choose the promotional discs that I review. Bands from across the globe send in their EP's and LP's so we can give them our input. I chose Jonquil's Lions, because the press sheet said they have played with A Silver Mt. Zion, formed by members of Godspeed You! … Read more

Gnarls Barkley

The Odd Couple
Atlantic (2008)

Since the arrival of the 80's and the consequent death of the era when there were true funk/soul titans, each passing unit of time discouraged any hope of a similar era ever resurfacing. No offense to R. Kelly and Alicia Keys, but the modern acts would get eaten alive by the likes of Curtis Mayfield and Funkadelic. Plus, I think … Read more

Tides / Giant

Split
Teenage Disco Bloodbath (2007)

Level Plane Records and Teenage Disco Bloodbath Records have partnered together as they team up two extremely underrated artists, at least in my eyes. Originally released on vinyl format last year, this split release is finally available as a CD (from what I can only assume to be the success of the vinyl version). For this offering Tides, now hailing … Read more

H2O

Nothing to Prove
Bridge Nine (2008)

Time lapses between albums can be a tricky phenomenon and this tends to ring especially true for punk and hardcore bands. The conventional wisdom holds that return albums are lackluster and leave longtime supporters wishing the band simply played shows and left their recorded legacy in tact. But H2O never adheres to convention. Their widespread appeal is a result of … Read more

Polar Bear Club

Sometimes Things Just Disappear
Red Leader (2008)

Every once in awhile a new band comes down the pike and reaffirms your love for music. A couple years ago it was Crime in Stereo before they decided to become Brand New. This year's candidate is Rochester, NY's Polar Bear Club. It's not that Sometimes Things Just Disappear is an adventure into new musical landscapes as Polar Bear Club … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Farmers Market

Surfin U.S.S.R.
Ipecac (2008)

Those familiar with Ipecac Recordings know that regardless of the release, whether the listener likes it or not, it will, above all else, be different. Farmers Market is a Norwegian band specializing in Bulgarian folk music presented at an even faster tempo, with a smattering of just about everything else you can think of. The result can most assuredly be … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Primordial

To the Nameless Dead
Metal Blade (2007)

When I think of "folk metal," I think of the scene in This is Spinal Tap with the dwarf dancing around the tiny Stonehenge. This is because I'm incredibly immature. The term is actually used to define any metal band that incorporates its country of origin's indigenous sound within their own. Within this framework, Enslaved, Bathory and later year Burzum … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Delicious

The Delicious
Independent (2008)

Recently signed to Joyful Noise Recordings, The Delicious is a Bloomington, Indiana quartet that just bug the shit out of me more with each subsequent listen. This super-fun-happy cuddle-core twaddle is not good. They want to be The Pixies. Bad. You can almost see that desperation stink wafting from every sad little note like a little green cloud floating from … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Shit Outta Luck

Family Tradition
Organized Crime (2007)

Not to be confused with Hayward's Shit Outta Luck, a ska band - this is Milwaukee's Shit Outta Luck, a meaty, Midwest "hardcore" band. The quotes are for the mere fact that the hardcore term is thrown around with such carelessness these days as to render its true meaning useless. Is S.O.L. hardcore? Not quite by my definition, but they … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Dust is Everywhere

Attics and Catacombs
Creeping Vine (2008)

Dust is Everywhere. D.I.E. Get it? [cough] Anyway it could be worse. Ask their labelmates, Rumplestiltskin Grinder. D.I.E. is a band in the black metal ilk, somewhat on the amateurish side, Attics and Catacombs provides a look into the deep, dark recesses of um, Havertown, Pennsylvania - pop: 36,711. Featuring the musical stylings of "Dust" on "Chains, Shackles and Screams" … Read more

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