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Agent

I Wouldn't Trade That for Anything
Iron Pier (2006)

I know many of you out there don't remember the grunge explosion of the early to middle 90's. After Nirvana's "sudden" success, major labels swooped down on the rain drenched city of Seattle and signed everyone from Soundgarden to Seaweed in hope that maybe their label would find another alternative rock goldmine to strip for all its worth. Well, for … Read more

MSTRKRFT

The Looks
Last Gang (2006)

MSTRKRFT (Master Craft, for those of you who - like me - didn't catch on right away) is the brainchild of Death from Above 1979 bassist Jesse F. Keeler and producer Al-P. An electronic two-piece in the same vein as veterans Daft Punk and relative newcomers Hot Chip, the pair first made their name by flexing their mixing muscles on … Read more

Jeremy Enigk

World Waits
Lewis Hollow (2006)

If you're not familiar with the name Jeremy Enigk, I have only one conclusion: you've been living under a rock for quite some time. Enigk is best known as the frontman for Sunny Day Real Estate - a band whose reputation should precede themselves - and The Fire Theft - an offshoot project of Sunny Day Real Estate. In addition … Read more

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly

The Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager
Atlantic (2006)

Raise your hands if you've ever spent time as a teenager, on the brink of stepping out into the world at large, uncertain of what awaits you. Keep those hands up if you've ever questioned your place in that world, not just on a personal level, but if you've ever wondered what you can do to affect what's around you. … Read more

Pretty Girls Make Graves

Élan Vital
Matador (2006)

When Pretty Girls Make Graves released their 2003 album The New Romance, I didn't think there was any way for it to not make the majority of critics' top 10 lists. It made some, but an album that cracked a window long painted shut and let the air flow through the tomb of modern music deserved better. There were many … Read more

Coliseum / Young Widows

Split
Relapse (2006)

First off, the packaging on this limited release is top notch. It's a screen-printed, foil stamped, cardboard "case" that is all folded like a bit of origami (not really, but it is cool nonetheless). It is a tour CD (you might be able to get from the Auxiliary web store) that served as a teaser for the Young Widows' full-length … Read more

Paris Hilton

Paris
Warner Bros. (2006)

Though I'm sure none of you indie elite need to be reminded, but allow me to assert that Paris Hilton is a piece of shit. It's an obvious statement, sure, but one that is central to wrapping your head around this omnipresent, miasmic phenomenon in our media and celebrity-centric culture. Too often, the question we thinking people - anyone with … Read more

Harvey Milk

Special Wishes
Megablade/Troubleman Unlimited (2006)

In 1955, photographer Robert Frank received a grant from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to travel the country photographing the American people in all their multiplicity and uniqueness. He was unable to find an American publisher for the resulting book, The Americans, and had to have it published first in France - the reason being that his pictures portrayed … Read more

The Neon Hookers

Calling All Creeps!
Cabal (2006)

Calling All Creeps! is the debut EP from The Neon Hookers. Okay, so the band's choice in name isn't the greatest, but 1) most band names suck and 2) haven't you ever heard the phrase "Don't judge a book by its cover?" On their debut, this five-piece outfit from the hardcore factory of Massachusetts serves up seven tracks of rock-influenced … Read more

Multiple Authors

Fear Before the March of Flames

The Always Open Mouth
Equal Vision (2006)

According to guitarist Adam Fischer, "The Always Open Mouth is the person in the crowd who, when you say something, they yell out 'Fuck you, play another song'." With this in mind, it's not hard to imagine what to expect from Fear Before the March of Flame's third album. Raw and scathing, this is an all-out attack on the ignorant … Read more

Multiple Authors

Fear Before the March of Flames

The Always Open Mouth
Equal Vision (2006)

Very few bands, after putting out two records that made me cringe, put out a record that moves me. Not very few, make that zero bands, except for Fear Before the March of Flames. Odd How People Shake and Art Damage were both unappetizing attempts to reach some sort of plateau where they could rain down shit on everyone around … Read more

Multiple Authors

Final Fight / Life Long Tragedy

Split
Deathwish Inc. (2006)

A quick warning before you read this review: This will be the most biased review I've written for Scene Point Blank. Remove from the equation the fact that I have business relations with one band. Remove from the equation the fact that both bands I consider to be some of the best friends I've ever made in the hardcore "scene." … Read more

Multiple Authors

Final Fight / Life Long Tragedy

Split
Deathwish Inc. (2006)

The vast majority of hardcore that's described as "heartfelt" comes off sounding "cheesy," "uninspired," and "contrived." The "emotive" vocals as "whiny." You get the idea. Southern California and Northern California's respective Final Fight and Life Long Tragedy are two vital exceptions, pioneering their own brand of modern hardcore. With their debut full-lengths in 2005, Under Attack and Destined for Anything, … Read more

Circles

When the Big River Floods
Well Below (2006)

When the Big River Floods sounds like Circles recorded it in a basement while drunk. Rough and ragged, the influences that are melted together to form the seven song mini-album slur their way along through confused drum-rhythms, low mix horns and a hell of a lot of rock, country, folk, and jazz. But not in a way that's ever really … Read more

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