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Throwdown

Vendetta
Trustkill (2005)

Haymaker is one of the worst albums, hardcore or otherwise, I've ever heard. We're talking 'makes-Hatebreed-look-like-Converge' bad here. I honestly cannot fathom a duller, more cliched, and more mentally aggravating record ever coming out of any music scene (with the possible exception of post-rock). It was a harrowing, monstrous disappointment from a band who has managed to put out a … Read more

Bane

The Note
Equal Vision (2005)

Remember in high school when big ass dudes would ask you if you knew where the beach was, just so they could flex their muscles and say "that way"? I don't know if that made your underpants moist, but The Note is Bane flexing, and I am currently sitting in a puddle. Has Bane ever done anything bad? Ever disappointed … Read more

Four Tet

Everything Ecstatic
Domino (2005)

There is nothing quite like having to follow up a great record. 2003's Rounds was such an album; engaging, beautiful and charismatic. And for an electronica album, or "IDM" if you must, that was really something. Ironically, it was even released in the same month and on the same very label as Ulrich Schnauss's latest attempt to create the perfect … Read more

Autolux

Future Perfect
Red Ink (2004)

Are My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, and perhaps Fugazi cool with you? Do you have an incurable fondness for spacey, fuzzed-out guitar rock? Do you suffer from chronic jock itch or something equally unpleasant? If so, you should indubitably investigate Autolux's Future Perfect pronto. There's no denying that the album is positively derivative, but its eleven nuggets of joy are … Read more

The Starting Line

Based on a True Story
Drive-Thru (2005)

I am glad that i am not a radio personality because my voice is less then stellar from being that guy you see in his car trying to sing along with his CD player. Yes, the album is that good. It's been 3 days and i already have the first half of the album memorized. I don't think we could've … Read more

Gorillaz

Demon Days
Virgin (2005)

It's been four years since Gorillaz, the world's first animated group, debuted with Gorillaz, a wacky blend of pop, rock, and hip-hop. A fun, terrific debut guided by one of the best single's to hit MTV in the past half-decade, "Clint Eastwood." I myself am not too overzealous when hearing a great single, but damn, that track sucker-punched me pretty … Read more

Say Goodbye

Misanthropy
Western Front (2005)

Say Goodbye isn't one of your run of the mill, "fast pissed off hardcore bands." These guys give something more that makes them stand out in the style of hardcore they play. This is the third release for Say Goodbye, and I was very excited to hear this record. But I had high expectations for this record since I liked … Read more

Folsom

If You're a Viper
Spook City (2005)

Last year Folsom released their debut full-length through Westcoast Worldwide Records, a label that I would describe as a "word of mouth label." The larger hardcore labels are able to promote their releases in prominent music magazines and have their records distributed by larger entertainment chains such as Best Buy, FYE, etc. Westcoast Worldwide, instead, must rely on the closely … Read more

The Unseen

State of Discontent
Hellcat (2005)

I like punk rock. A lot. I listen to some punk bands that are far from extraordinary, who play contrived music, but make it fun (both for them and the listener). I am no expert on the scene; I've been involved with punk since I was 8, but I've always got more to learn. That being said, this is one … Read more

Triple Threat

A New Chapter EP
Livewire (2005)

This record is so funny I almost shat my pants. Not ha-ha funny, mind you, but "fuck, this is so fucking old school" funny. Well, maybe not even that. Maybe more like "god, this is so old" funny. If you were hoping for innovative or experimental, you will not get it from A New Chapter. One might say this is … Read more

VNV Nation

Matter + Form
Metropolis (2005)

In my experience there are generally three kinds of album. The first, and most commonly encountered, is the one that has little musical merit. The second, and less ubiquitous, is one that has good songs and forms a combined piece. The third and final is the most rare of all. That is, the album made from good songs that have … Read more

This is Hell

This is Hell
State of Mind (2005)

This Is Hell was unavoidable in 2004. Whether it was This Is Hell's demo that quickly sold out, their rabid touring or people uttering, "This is hell..." after President Bush was elected, the band couldn't be ignored. Well boys and girls, This Is Hell will even be harder to ignore in 2005 with the wheels of the touring juggernaut beginning … Read more

Never Enough

Dead Set on Destruction
Organized Crime (2005)

I first heard about this band in the summer of 2003. I was buying a 7" from a band on tour when their merch guy told me about his band, Never Enough. He said they were a cross between Negative Approach and American Nightmare. He gave me a demo CD-R. Never Enough was just the sort of thing I wanted … Read more

Fall Out Boy

From Under the Cork Tree
Island (2005)

Selling out. Trying something new. Maturing. Call it what you will, but a substantial number of underground artists have become fairly well-known after changing up the musical scene they are involved with. First there was Ian MacKaye leaving behind Minor Threat for Fugazi, and eventually The Evens. Others followed suit. Gorilla Biscuits guitarist Walter Schreifels went from playing in one … Read more

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