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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Gordon Ivy & The Jaybirds

Happy Couples Never Last
Cock Suck (2008)

I have never been a big fan of bands from the Island Nation of Japan. They were always so over the top and the "Engrish" lyrics were never worth anything than a couple of giggles. Oh, I am such the ignorant American. Anyhow, one would think that a band called Gordon Ivy & the Jaybirds they would sounds like the following: a sleazy Vegas lounge act, a pop-punk band with a surf/50's flair, or a dirty 70's rock band. Yeah well, once again, this band is from Japan, where nothing makes sense and you can buy panties from vending machines. Gordon Ivy & The Jaybirds actually sounds like every NYHC band from 82-88. Awesome. Gordon Ivy & The Jaybirds play fast and know what a good breakdown is. However, fifteen tracks is a bit much to wade through especially when almost every song on Happy Couples Never Last follows the exact same formula of slow build up, insanely fast part, breakdown. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. At least it's something I wasn't expecting. Read more

Goldfinger

Hello Destiny
Side One Dummy (2008)

Men in their late-thirties making vague statements about the future's uncertainty under the guise of it being punk rock, there's … Read more

Testament

The Formation of Damnation
Nuclear Blast (2008)

Since the mid 1980's Bay Area thrashers Testament have persevered in the world of heavy metal, undergoing numerous lineup changes … Read more

Eugene Robinson

Fight
Hydra Head (2008)

Okay, so the more that I thought about this, the more ridiculous this concept feels to me, books on tape … Read more

Russian Circles

Station
Suicide Squeeze (2008)

Russian Circles' Enter was practically a life-changing album for me. Never had I heard a heavy instrumental band with such … Read more

The Ocean

Precambrian
Metal Blade (2008)

Robin Staps, The Ocean's high-striving frontman must be one hell of an easy person to work with. It's either that, … Read more

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One from the archives

Eagles of Death Metal

Death by Sexy
Downtown (2006)

The Eagles of Death Metal are back in action and are kicking all notions of a sophomore slump to the curb. Death by Sexy is thirteen tracks of sassed up garage rock that makes for the ideal Summer soundtrack. So pick up a copy of this album and plan a get-together, because if there is fun to be had, this is an essential album to have handy. Eagles of Death Metal jumpstart Death by Sexy with their first single off the album, "I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)." The song picks up where the band left off on their previous full-length, Peace Love Death Metal. The music is catchy, upbeat rock-n-roll that'll no doubt get your foot tapping and your butt shakin'. The lyrics are just as infectious, … Read more

More album reviews

The Tim Version

Decline of the Southern Gentleman
No Idea (2008)

At The Fest last fall I saw a lot of bands, most of which I had a previous idea of what they were about beforehand. One band I didn’t know, but lucked out to see because they were slotted before Bloodbath & Beyond and Tiltwheel, was Tampa's The Tim Version. Decline of the Southern Gentleman in the group's newest release … Read more

Up the Fury

Behind Every Mind
Detonate (2008)

Screw you with your Crime in Stereos, your Capitals, your Agents, and your Thieves and Assassins. Seriously, take a long jump off a short pier into Long Island Sound. Every week there seems to be a new band coming from that damn island that of yours that just feels the need to completely floor me. Is it something in the … Read more

Pyramids

Pyramids
Hydra Head (2008)

So Pyramids is one of a slew of new bands making their debuts with Hydra Head recently. However, this outfit seems to have either a much lower profile than the label's most recent output or Pyramids completely flew under everyone's radar, and thus allows this self-titled album to be quite the surprise. After hearing their samples available in certain notorious … Read more

The Gaslight Anthem

Señor and the Queen
Sabot Productions (2008)

New Jersey The Gaslight Anthem's Sink of Swim was one of the most over-looked album last year on Scene Point Blank. So to make up for our obvious dumbassery I'll review their latest EP from the label that never fails, Sabot Productions. Every time I listen to The Gaslight Anthem I always feel as though they are just a vehicle … Read more

H2O

Still the Same Fellas
Bridge Nine (2008)

There is no doubt in the sincerity of Toby Morse's declaration that H2O have nothing to prove. And while their canon of endlessly catchy and inspiring melodic hardcore songs speaks for itself, their return has generated intense speculation about whether we're getting an album of melodic New York hardcore or poppier leaning tunes a la Go. While I've never fully … Read more

Carrigan

Young Men Never Die
Radar/So Good Music (2008)

Hailing from Vermont, Carrigan plays ambient post-rock, but more structured and upbeat than you would think. Although the group is a duo now, they had a couple transient members formerly from Drowningman and The Cancer Conspiracy during 2003. The Drowningman connection intrigued me; an old heavy gem that I hadn't heard anyone mention in way too long. The duo did … Read more

Forfeit

Visions
Reaper (2008)

Heavy, stomp worthy, pissed off mid-tempo to fast in your face hardcore. If you like anything from Agnostic Front, Buried Alive, to the almighty Integrity then there's no reason why this five-song 7" shouldn't be in your collection. You also get some horrible sung parts that would make George from Blacklisted blush, but it all adds into the evil fun … Read more

The First Step

Connection
Rivalry (2008)

My favorite revival band of the revival youth-crew bands is back with another four-song platter so I can mosh around my apartment, pointer fingers extended and with couch dives in full effect. If you have any love for fast, fun, old-school hardcore then you probably own this and your sofa has already paid the price. Seriously, go cut off some … Read more

Carry the Torch

Dead Weather
Detonate (2008)

Carry the Torch are yet another over-emotional hardcore band that play fast, somewhat tuneful, a little bit metal, and quite moshable hardcore. The one-sheet says they would appease the fans of Strongarm, Cave In, and Taken when in actuality they only had to mention Shai Hulud since Carry the Torch tries to do their best of impression of A Profound … Read more

Down and Outs

Friday Nights, Monday Mornings
Dead & Gone (2008)

Down and Outs have been shaking things up for going on four years now. Unfortunately, I really didn't start paying attention to the band until last year when they offered up a split 7" with Death is No Glamorous. Despite my ignorance, Down and Outs have amassed a small discography through a variety of releases - both in CD and … Read more

Slingshot Dakota

Their Dreams are Dead, but Ours is the Golden Ghost
Independent (2008)

A few years ago I went to one of those parties that a lot of us have attended. There was plenty of PBR flowing and occupants had their fair share of scarves on. Yes, it was a hipster party and I was miserable. The girls there were all too young for me to bother hitting on and all the guys … Read more

Various Artists

Generic Insight Radio Volume One
Eternal Hope (2008)

Generic Insight Radio is a weekly Internet radio show that airs on Wednesday nights from 10:00 PM until midnight EST. I personally have never listened to the show because I'm usually in bed by 9:00 PM CST. Not to mention my computer has a hard time playing the pinball game that comes with Word. I can only imagine what streaming … Read more

Born/Dead

The Final Collapse
Prank (2008)

Ah, Born/Dead is one of the more notable crust/hardcore bands in the vein of groups like Tragedy (kind of but I would not say this is a good comparison as Born/Dead is a beast all to themselves. They also adhere to a heavy political message in their songs. Touring is also a huge part of this band as they play … Read more

Capillary Action

So Embarrassing
Pangaea (2008)

There is a small set of musicians that I would consider to be more than just your average artist. When it comes to composing music, the arrangement and execution of these pieces, as one is a feat that only the most talented of individuals can excel at. The most obvious choice to me is Mike Patton. Anyone that has witnessed … Read more

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)