Recent reviews

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

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

Stalaggh

Projekt Misanthropia
Autopsy Kitchen (2007)

When John Zorn released his Kristallnacht album, it contained one track of sheer horror, anger, and sorrow all rolled into one. Entitled "Never Again," Zorn did his utmost to convey his interpretation of the "Night of Broken Glass." The track is essentially just that: over eleven minutes of the unbearable sound of glass shattering. Zorn even went so far, though not in a sensationalist way, of warning the listener against repeated or prolonged plays for fear of damage to the unwary listener's ears. The same such warning should have been included with Projekt Misanthropia. This is the final work of the collective known as Stalaggh that also serves as the final nail in humanity's coffin - bringing about an aural apocalypse that takes thirty-five minutes to hear and a whole lot longer to forget. What can only be described as extreme, this one-track cacophony of destruction and anger and despair leaves an indelible impression unlike any structured album you're likely to hear this year. Stalaggh can no longer be referred to as "ambient," unless in addition to the traditional definition of "surrounding" and "encircling" you include "stifling" and "oppressive". Take everything you heard about black metal hatred, everything you've read … Read more

J Church / Flamingo 50

Split
Los Diaper (2007)

Oh J Church how I love you and your noisy simple pop-punk brilliance. And thank-you for doing a good cover … Read more

I Rise / Soul Control

Split
Eightfold Path (2007)

This split 7" features two of the most exciting hardcore bands that have been hitting the fest circuit this Summer. … Read more

The Ergs! / Lemuria

Split
Art of the Underground (2007)

More of The Ergs for you. More pop-punk. More songs about girls and this time a rather decent cover of … Read more

I Adapt

From Town to Town
Six Feet Under (2007)

When I think of Iceland I don't think of hardcore bands. Actually, I don't think I ever thought about Iceland … Read more

Attitude

Turn into Stone
1917 (2007)

Turn into Stone is a new three-song platter from the upstate New York hardcore band. "Turn into Stone" has decent … Read more

Browse our review archives

Review categories

200 Words Or Less

749 reviews

Book Review

42 reviews

Classic Album

25 reviews

Multiple Authors

300 reviews

Review

4868 reviews

Video/DVD Review

19 reviews

One from the archives

Tenement

Blind Wink
Cowabunga (2011)

Appleton, WI’s Tenement are a busy beast. The two-plus-piece band (featuring numerous guest musicians) released Napalm Dream in 2011, which I gave a heavy Replacements recommendation on. December 2011 saw the band already unleashing another record, this time the collection Blind Wink, available on varied formats from the likes of Cowabunga (LP), Hang Up (CD), and Dead Broke (cassette). With the newer record, the band explores similar songwriting—but in a very distinct and growing way. Opener “Vicious” is likely the most similar song, a noisy, sloppy romp of guitar punk that lasts under a minute. From here, the band takes their layered, noisy style and explores a new terrain, bringing in different instrumentation, dynamics, and tempos. The band drops things down a few beats with songs like “Dreaming Out Loud … Read more

More album reviews

Seasick

Awakenings
Brain Drain (2007)

Seasick play fast pissed off political hardcore with plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested. There are some nice little breakdowns and some Integrity-like guitar solos. It reminds me a little bit of the stuff that Ebullition was hawking in the mid 90's but a lot more fun and catchy. I could see kids that use their dogs … Read more

Barbara

Peger
Heart & Crossbone (2007)

"Peger" is transliterated Hebrew for "corpse" or "carcass," so you know what you're getting into here. But Barbara, a bass/drum duo, compares themselves to everybody from Lightning Bolt to Today is the Day, and I'll confess that the idea of an Israeli Today is the Day had me curious. Peger is a bizarre record, alternating between blizzards of distortion and … Read more

Tyvek

Fast Metabolism
Whats Your Rupture? (2007)

I got interested in Fast Metabolism after seeing it billed as "fast, loud and weird" punk rock from Detroit - three adjectives close to my own heart. Oddly enough, Tyvek isn't all that fast, loud, or weird, but they kick up a surprisingly enjoyable and inspired racket nonetheless. Tyvek play a simple, unaffected kind of garage punk, drawing comparisons to … Read more

Reptoids

Park a Tiger
RRRecords (2005)

Chicago's Reptoids, signed to RRRecords, play a female brand of grunge/punk rock. This six-track EP, clocking in at sixteen minutes, shows a fairly wide-ranging sound, taking in early Nirvana, through to a more rock and roll/punk sound reminiscent of 70s acts mixed with grunge vocals. Singer Kay Oh often reminds me of Courtney Love, but musically the band provides a … Read more

Skyscraper Frontier

Moonlit Behavior
Coming Home (2006)

If I told you that Skyscraper Frontier was another band out of L.A. playing an 'eclectic' mixture of songs, you'd probably get that glazed look in your eyes and change the subject. You've heard it all before. But what if I told you that this six-track EP really was eclectic? Beginning with "I Just Need You," we get ambient 80's … Read more

The Last Car in Alaska

Comfort
Independent (2006)

South Carolina trio The Last Car in Alaska play a sort of melodic emo-core that must be pretty popular with the Warped Tour audience they've played to. Some of it sounds pretty amateur in parts (mixing on the first track, "I Like You Man... You're Crazy", features some strange contrasts in vocal volume, and the whole EP has vocals that … Read more

Down to Nothing

The Most
Revelation (2007)

Ryan Groat should be presented with some sort of award for the riffs he came up with on The Most, Down to Nothing's third full-length and first for Revelation Records. Seriously, not only are the riffs thundering and inventive, they get stuck in your head for weeks, even months on end. Mr. Groat I award with this Riffy for Most … Read more

Ruiner

Prepare to be Let Down
Bridge Nine (2007)

There was a time when I thought that Prepare to be Let Down was never going to be released. The album was slated to come out via 1917 Records before the band and label amicably agreed to go their separate ways. Well, after a brief stint without a label, Ruiner have finally brought Prepare to be Let Down to the … Read more

Aesop Rock

None Shall Pass
Definitive Jux (2007)

Aesop Rock could be considered the resident Dadaist of the hip-hop community. Many consider him a hyper literate linguist (despite the fact he admits that he doesn't read much), blending modern pop culture phrasings with slang of the last ten years to create complex rhymes that actively reflective on the modern world. Others argue just the opposite; despite his ability … Read more

Dear Tonight

We're Not Men
Red Leader (2007)

It's been three years since Brooklyn's Dear Tonight released their debut EP These are Wires. Since then the band has toured regularly, went to Europe with Boy Sets Fire, and honed their sound in order to release We're Not Men, the bands first full-length and only their second release as a band. While These are Wires was much grittier and … Read more

Massacre of the Umbilical Cord / Control

Split
Magic Bullet (2007)

Having never been exposed to Massacre of the Umbilical Cord, I find myself wondering exactly what to expect from half of this split album. Control, on the other hand, I am familiar with what they do and am excited by their contribution to this record. Control is one of a slew of newer bands that are utilizing sounds brought to … Read more

Ultra Dolphins

Mar
Robotic Empire (2006)

Opening up with an old-time accordion intro, you could be forgiven for expecting Ultra Dolphins to play Iron & Wine-esque 'American gothic' folk rock. However, forgiving is probably the last word you could use to describe Richmond's Ultra Dolphins, who play a kind of post-hardcore noise over the thirty minutes Mar lasts. Kicking off properly with "Town Goat," we get … Read more

Balboa / Rosetta

Project Mercury
Level Plane (2007)

Project Mercury is the latest output of material from two of Philadelphia's underground sensations: Balboa and Rosetta. The split features original material from each band as well as a collaborative piece - much like the Harkonen and These Arms are Snakes split put out a couple of years back. Project Mercury is a dynamic adventure in music, much like that … Read more

Calico System

Outside are the Vultures
Eulogy (2007)

Sadly it seems that this review took a little too long to finish and the band that was to be reviewed has called it quits. But Calico System have arguably left an impression and their LP Outside are the Vultures is a must listen for those who like run-of-the-mill music. This review will start with the bands mission statement explaining … Read more

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