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Sugar Eater

Nine Songs
Eyephat (2005)

There's obviously a fine line between the hyper-clich' badge of 'the next big thing' and the less fortunate one of 'what should be the next big thing.' In discussing this, it's easy to get very cynical very quickly. But at the end of the day, isn't it really the music that matters? Sure, I'd be na've to assume that every … Read more

Cursive

The Difference Between Houses and Homes
Saddle Creek (2005)

The release of Cursive's The Difference Between Houses and Homes: Lost Songs and Lose Ends reminded me what it was like to be excited for an album to come out. I was giddy like a kid waiting for Christmas; eagerly counting down how many more sleeps it would be until I was able to get my small, greasy, hands on … Read more

Hail Social

Hail Social
Polyvinyl (2005)

With independent music, you don't usually have the case of one hit wonders. This is mainly due to the fact that most independent music isn't being played on commercial radio and MTV. But, with Polyvinyl's recent signee, Hail Social, I have a feeling this will not be the case. Having toured with Interpol and Secret Machines, and sharing a sound … Read more

Edie Sedgwick

Her Love is Real...
Desoto (2005)

Taking his moniker from the notorious Andy Warhol actress and one time girlfriend of Bob Dylan, Justin Moyer of El Guapo/ Supersystem has created for himself a whole new persona. Dragged up, transvestite sheik is Moyer's game, like a revamped Ziggy Stardust for the post- LCD Soundsystem generation. His aim? To derail celebrity worship, or perhaps just to make you … Read more

Fischerspooner

Odyssey
Capitol (2005)

#1 was such a fantastic, yet ultimately superficial, electro-pop album. Brimming with hits and infectious dance beats, it certainly helped to solidify the iconic duo of Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner as the leaders of this new-found "electroclash" genre. I've never understood what exactly was "clashing," but that is a moot point." Built up by scenesters, musicians, Capitol Records and, … Read more

Down to Nothing

Splitting Headache
Thorp (2005)

With their debut, Save it for the Birds, the Richmond, Virginia straightedge outfit turned quite a few heads with their high-octane approach to hardcore. The furious noise assault was teamed with vocalist David Wood's straight-to-the-point lyrical approach - I recall the episode of The Simpson's where everyone 'tells it like it is.' With a combination like that, the recipe for … Read more

The Duke Spirit

Cuts Across the Land
Polydor (2005)

There are two kinds of reviews for The Duke Spirit's Cuts Across the Land - enthusiastic endorsements that focus on Liela Moss and her throaty, sensual vocals, or accounts of the sheer unadulterated indifference this most recent effort from the London-based group provokes. Unless, of course, you're that guy on Amazon.com who refuses to hedge his bets, and just plain … Read more

The Gibbons

Hope, Inc.
Salinas (2005)

Hailing from Detroit, The Gibbons hold a special place in my heart. Not to mention the fact that they play the style of music that first got me into punk rock. This record is quite a bit less poppy than their earlier releases, harking back to the days of The Broadways and the first Lawrence Arms album; bands that created … Read more

Mountains

Mountains
Apestaartje (2005)

Ambient music is a genre that I have been a pretty big fan of for some time now. Something I have found with Ambient music though, it's not exactly the easiest accessible music out there. Small record labels putting out releases are everywhere. Just when you thought you knew quite a bit about the genre, you find 15 more labels … Read more

Twenty Inch Burial

How Long Will We Laugh and Smile?
Immigrant Sun (2005)

Like all of you, when i think of Portugal, I think of three things: the architect Miguel von Hafe P'rez, tungsten mines, and metal. I know what you're thinking - I'm biased. Sure, we're all familiar with bands like Holocausto Canibal, Acromaniacos and Bizarra Locomotiva - all of which are named after famous Portuguese papal candidates. But no, be strong! … Read more

British Sea Power

Open Season
Rough Trade (2005)

2005 has been a good year for British bands so far; it seems that for the first time since Brit-Pop that British artists are cracking the American market with the likes of The Bloc Party and The Kaiser Chiefs getting play listings left, right and centre. With the follow up to their brilliantly titled debut The Decline of British Sea … Read more

Career Suicide

Invisible Eyes
Feral Ward (2005)

Let's be honest; Canada is pretty fucking cool.. First sentence and I've already used a semicolon...so very Canada-esque. Who's been to our neighbor that borders our Northern borders? Not I...which makes it even more mysterious and wondrous and just plain cool. Their laws are different. Their president is called a "Prime Minister." Their land is colored orange according to the … Read more

Rise and Fall

Hellmouth
Surprise Attack (2005)

This quartet hails from Belgium and obviously has better taste in music than a good portion of the people I cross paths with each day. Whether it is through random conversation, looking at what others are purchasing at records stores, or just flipping through channels on the radio, I keep an ear open to what music people are into. And … Read more

Ten 33

Nightmare on Grace St.
Blood & Ink (2005)

Yeah, I can get behind this. Speedy, straightforward hardcore punk with some youth crew influences and breakdowns. Sound like your thing? If so, I'd recommend peeping Ten 33's Nightmare on Grace St. or at least add them on Myspace or something. With eleven songs in just over 20 minutes, the record has no real flaws. Hell, it doesn't have time … Read more

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