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The Catalyst

Marianas Trench
The Perpetual Motion Machine (2007)

When The Catalyst made a stop in D.C. over the summer, Mass Movement of the Moth's drummer perfectly described the band: "Welcome to Headbanging 101 with your instructor's, The Catalyst." The Catalyst then proceeded to break necks, and more than likely got drunk doing it. Rewind a few hours before, a front porch full of D.C. straight edge vegan punks, … Read more

End of a Season / Many Men Have Tried

Split
Refoundation (2007)

I've always enjoyed sampling international hardcore or punk. Sometimes it's nice to have a reality check. It seems like sometimes we're under the impression that hardcore is an expressively American creation or tradition, and though the genre certainly manifested itself in the states, predominantly, often times international bands have perfected it. I'd never heard of either of these bands before … Read more

Pet Genius

Pet Genius
Hydra Head (2007)

Stephen Brodsky is a shape-shifter. Throughout his musical career, the oftentimes-enigmatic frontman has been the main songwriting force behind numerous projects of all realms of music. He's tackled everything from metal and hardcore to acoustic and indie with Cave In, Kid Kilowatt, New Idea Society, The Octave Museum, and even his own solo recordings. Pet Genius is the latest project … Read more

Woods

At Rear House
Shrimper (2007)

It may seem a bit unproductive to review an album that came out in the early stages of this year, but that's part of what makes Woods the band they are: silently create an album that is noteworthy, but flies below any conventional form of radar. Just as their debut How to Survive In + In the Woods was filled … Read more

Radiohead

In Rainbows
Independent (2007)

What Radiohead have done with the release of In Rainbows will be talked about for years to come. At best, and only time will tell, it will be looked at as changing the industry as we know it, giving the consumer more power than ever before. At worst, it will be known as a failed experiment, but still remembered with … Read more

Jena Berlin

Quo Vadimus
Jump Start (2007)

Quo Vadimus is the sophomore effort from Philadelphia's Jena Berlin. Unfortunately, odds are that most of you reading this are unfamiliar with the group despite releasing an extremely promising debut in 2005. This, in my opinion, makes the title of the album all the more fitting. "Quo vadimus" is Latin for "Where are we going?" On the surface this phrase … Read more

The Great Deceiver

Life is Wasted on the Living
Deathwish Inc. (2007)

The Great Deceiver is the long running project of Tomas Lindberg, also of Disfear and formerly of At the Gates, The Crown, and others, and Kristian Wahlin of Necrolord. There is a great deal of parallels to Lindberg's past work in At the Gates, with a bit of commonality in the guitar sound but with a bit more simplicity and … Read more

The Polyphonic Spree

The Fragile Army
TVT (2007)

Calling The Polyphonic Spree a Flaming Lips knockoff would be lazy and unfair to the Spree's aesthetic, but the similarities are so blatant. Not using The Lips as a point of reference seems just as criminal. So what roads to both these bands walk? To begin, Spree vocalist Tim DeLaughter sings in a manner much like Wayne Coyne. It's the … Read more

Today is the Day

Axis of Eden
SuperNova (2007)

I don't think I have ever felt as polarized about a record as I feel about Axis of Eden. I think a large part of the reason is that I really want to like it, but I just can't overcome its overbearing flaws. Today is the Day is almost inarguably one of metal's most revered and tenured metal acts (and … Read more

Jovian Oblivion

Frontier of Darkness
Independent (2007)

Due to this self-produced album's near industry standard professionalism, you'd never know by only listening to it and paying no mind to the liner notes that Jovian Oblivion is mainly just one guy with a few helpers pitching in here and there. Brent Matney is the mad scientist behind this project; he wrote, arranged, performed and mastered these fifteen songs … Read more

Shipwreck A.D.

Abyss
Deathwish Inc. (2007)

Let's be honest about things. Deathwish has hardcore locked down and Shipwreck A.D. is a key part of their commanding roster. After two self-titled 7" releases that have fueled the band with a fair amount of hype - which isn't always a bad thing - Shipwreck A.D. have brought forth their debut full-length, Abyss. Abyss begins with "Squall," a song … Read more

Eastern Blok

Folk Tales
Independent (2007)

World music is a funny thing. It begins with the purest of intentions: to invite the listener to explore the country of its origin by providing an aural guide to its history, its peoples, its struggles and its victories. The thing is, almost the entire genre has been co-opted by new age douchebags seeking to show their eclecticism by having … Read more

The Weakerthans

Reunion Tour
Epitaph (2007)

Few of us lead the jet-set life, so when television and tabloid magazines glorify the lives of celebrities it often leaves us feeling ordinary and under whelmed. Could our lives be that anti-climatic? Where does meaning lie in the routine? Is there anything extraordinary about everyday life? John K. Samson wouldn't answer the question straight; instead he'd tell you a … Read more

A Step Behind

This is What We've Become
Independent (2007)

I knew this was bound to happen. I feel slightly invaded by the fact that it has. I've never been one to shun a good pop-punk record, but I can't remember the last time I found a rock band whose music I can enjoy on the most base level, that being the level where it inspires absolutely nothing except the … Read more

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