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)

Old Canes

Early Morning Hymns
Second Nature Recordings (2004)

Imagine waking up and stepping outside of a small cabin. The sun is just rising over the trees on a cool autumn day, the dew on the grass is still there and the sun is reflecting off of it. The leaves are catching a breeze and calmly whispering. Small songbirds are singing back and forth to each other and the ferns and bushes are moving back and forth together in a rhythm as if they're listening and dancing to an orchestra. You stand there and take everything all in, you just listen and admire nature's early morning hymns. I don't mean to sound like Henry David Thoreau but this is the feeling I get every time I listen to this album. Old Canes is unique blend of upbeat folk, indie-rock and blue grass. Early Morning Hymns is composed of ten tracks, and all ten are standouts, weaving a fictional story about a man and his wife with their share of marital problems. It is completely beautiful, and you can't help but smile and have a feeling of joy come over you when you hear it. Chris Crisci (of the infamous band from Lawrence, Kansas The Appleseed Cast) has a way … Read more

Pelican

Live in Chicago 06/11/03 DVD
Hydra Head (2005)

2005 sees the now Los Angeles-based label Hydrahead Records embark on yet another new endeavor, this time into the realms … Read more

Fantômas

Suspended Animation
Ipecac (2005)

As a youth, my Saturday mornings were characterized by two things: tuning in to watch the newest episode of my … Read more

Minus Story

Heaven and Hell
Jagjaguwar (2005)

Following up what was my #1 record of the year last year, Minus Story recently released an EP titled Heaven … Read more

Beck

Guero
Geffen (2005)

For over a decade, Beck Hansen has staked his name as one of music's most eclectic and eccentric songwriters. Since … Read more

General Patton vs The X-ecutioners

General Patton vs The X-ecutioners
Ipecac (2005)

Each morning as I make my way to work, I find myself flipping through the various local radio stations and … Read more

Browse our review archives

Reviews by year

Choose a year to view reviews of albums released in that year.

Reviews by artist name

Choose a letter to view reviews ordered by that letter (band name first).

Review categories

200 Words Or Less

749 reviews

Book Review

42 reviews

Classic Album

25 reviews

Multiple Authors

300 reviews

Review

4878 reviews

Video/DVD Review

19 reviews

One from the archives

Manatees

The Forever Ending Jitter Quest of Slow Hand Chuckie: An Introduction to the Manatee
Motive Sounds (2006)

I slept on Manatees' promotional disc for a very long time and I'm extremely sorry I did so. Their untitled release, or the lengthy The Forever Ending Jitter Quest of Slow Hand Chuckie: An Introduction to the Manatee is an ethereal and simultaneously heavy release. Their press sheet sums up the band's sound quite well: "The band name was chosen because of the eponymous creature's size and weight, yet grace and placidity - a sleeping giant, and a dying species under threat." The music of Manatees is in the same vein of Isis, but does not mimic their sound in the least bit. The band cites groups such as Swans, Neurosis, Pink Floyd, Old Man Gloom and Boris as their musical influences; using these artists as their musical guides, Manatees … Read more

More album reviews

Set it Straight

My Favorite Words
West Coast Worldwide (2005)

My Favorite Words is the debut album from Set it Straight, a straightedge band from Redding, CA. This CD gets you pumped, it inspires you, and the intro to "Conversation" will be stuck in your head for hella days. The CD is nine songs and clocks in at only 20 minutes. The length is perfect for this kind of band, … Read more

Hot Snakes

Audit in Progress
Swami (2004)

Where are they? Where did they go? Did they pull an At the Drive-In, or should I say a Jehu? Did they sink with California? No, unfortunately California is still a float. Those were my first thoughts about the whereabouts of Hot Snakes. I guess it had only been two years, though it seemed longer, so I decided to send … Read more

Iron and Wine

Woman King
Sub Pop (2005)

Judging an artist based on another's artistic merit is an unfair and pretty bogus way of looking at music, but whenever I listen to Iron & Wine (and/or almost any other artist that could be considered part of this whole "neo-folk" mini-movement), I honestly can't help but think: "This is pretty good, but it's no Will Oldham." It's difficult to … Read more

Cursed

II
Goodfellow (2005)

Cursed - the movie or the band? Well considering one is likely a story lifted from a Goosebumps book and transferred to the filmscreen, I don't really think there's much up for debate. I can guarantee you that Cursed, the band, will not just entertain you but will knock you to the floor with their intense hybrid of hardcore, punk … Read more

With Honor / The Distance

Split
Martyr (2004)

Two of the best bands in Connecticut doing a split together? "Sign me up!" I think to myself, and how right am I after listening to this? Dead on. With Honor and The Distance both contribute three tracks each to this split, and both bands show growth from their previous efforts. With Honor starts with "Gun for Hire", a song … Read more

The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower

Love in the Fascist Brothel
Revelation (2005)

In 2003, San Diego's Plot to Blow up the Eiffel Tower unleashed Dissertation Honey upon an unsuspecting crowd of jerks with messy hair. The release mixed elements of jazz and post-hardcore seamlessly, making it one of the most exciting albums of the year. Love in the Fascist Brothel is the Plot's second full length, a record that, logically, should fully … Read more

The Number Twelve Looks Like You

An Inch of Gold for an Inch of Time
Eyeball (2005)

2003 might seem like forever ago for some, possibly even two years ago for the majority of us. There were many good releases in those twelve months. Put On Your Rosy Red Glasses was one of these. So naturally I was very excited for The Number Twelve Looks Like You's next release. The first thing I noticed on An Inch … Read more

Multiple Authors

Queens of the Stone Age

Lullabies to Paralyze
Interscope (2005)

Tornadoes, while not traditionally known as positive forces in the world, certainly provide for some excitement, amazement, and entertainment. Much like a car accident, we all want to see what happened, the ensuing destruction, and if we're lucky, a body or two. Exhibit A: Twister. No matter how many times I watch this flick, I still come back just to … Read more

Multiple Authors

Queens of the Stone Age

Lullabies to Paralyze
Interscope (2005)

Before Lullabies to Paralyze could even be committed to tape, frontman Josh Homme was faced with several important choices. And none was going to be more crucial than his decision to fire close friend and bassist Nick Oliveri. Was it the appropriate decision to make? I don't think we'll ever know. All we can really do is take the music … Read more

E. Town Concrete

Made for War
Ironbound (2004)

Let me start off by saying that E. Town Concrete is the only band I know of that can mix hip hop and hardcore and not come out looking like idiots. Their last release, Renaissance was a solid release, equal parts rap with equal parts hardcore. Made for War, on the other hand, leans more towards the hardcore genre and … Read more

The Joy Circuit

EP1
Independent (2005)

The Joy Circuit formed out of a unique situation; they were the backing band Ken Andrews hired on for his most recent space/indie/rock outfit Year of the Rabbit. Despite releasing what I considered to be two quality releases, the band fell into shambles. But rather than go their separate ways, drummer Tim Down, bassist Solomon Snyder, and guitarist Jeff Garber … Read more

Bonnie "Prince" Billy & Matt Sweeney

Superwolf
Drag City (2005)

What an album cover! It's the kind that would fit perfectly with the whole music sounding like album cover mantra that makes for a great last resort when you can't really come up with a good description of the music within on your own. With enough embellishing, it can work for almost every album ever created. But alas, Will Oldham … Read more

Repercussion

And the Winner is...
Spook City (2004)

While this album has been out for a little while now, it's somewhat coincidental that I am reviewing it as television is graced with The Contender. Just like the 16 boxing contestants that are competing for a chance at a lump sum to change their life, Repercussion is completing with the ever-increasing number of tough-guy hardcore bands fighting for our … Read more

Comadre

The Youth
Bloodtown (2005)

Whoever said there's only so many different ways to say you like something lied. Actually, I don't remember anybody ever saying that. But here we are, and I get to attempt to convey to you why I think this album is worth your time to listen to because I like it. Not only do I like it, but it has … Read more

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