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Green Day

American Idiot
Warner Bros. (2004)

Like too many of their musical peers, Green Day, the longtime bay area punk/pop heroes, have thrown down their challenge to the American government with their bluntly titled seventh album. Upon learning the name of this record, I have to admit that I felt a little concerned that everyone's favourite pop-punkers had decided to become 'political' - didn't they learn … Read more

Further Seems Forever

Hide Nothing
Tooth & Nail (2004)

With the release of their third album, Further Seems Forever presents us with...you guessed it, another lead singer. The evolution goes as follows: Chris Carraba, Jason Gleason, and now John Bunch (formerly of Sense Field). Overall, this is a pretty impressive roster but unfortunately for fans, it's difficult to remain faithful to the band when each album has a completely … Read more

Björk

Medúlla
Elektra (2004)

Pop music usually isn't something that offers much variety in terms of groundbreaking artistic expression, innovation, and, when it all comes down to it, quality. In the MTV generation of plastic creativity, few dare to venture into the realm of experimentation for fear of losing that ever-so-valuable celebrity clothing line, and dropping off the Top 40 charts. For every Björk, … Read more

Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez

A Manual Dexterity: Soundtrack Volume 1
GSL (2004)

Fans of the bespectacled Omar of At The Drive-In/Mars Volta fame will already have an idea of how this record will sound thanks to Rodriguez-Lopez's creative and original guitar work in both bands. More notably in The Mars Volta (where Rodriguez wrote most of the songs) his passion for synths, drum machines, strange vocals and heavily effect-laden guitars was documented … Read more

Sahara Hotnights

Kiss & Tell
RCA (2004)

Perhaps the name of Sahara Hotnights singer Maria Andersson's boyfriend rings a bell - Howlin' Pelle Alvmquist of the Hives. Or maybe you just know Sahara Hotnights, because you swear you've seen the name somewhere; that would be the press' fault. Sahara Hotnights has been dubbed "the next big thing" by several sources since the garage band explosion. They all … Read more

Head Automatica

Decadence
Warner Bros. (2004)

It was merely a few years ago that I, a young teenage boy, was sitting in my bedroom watching the Howard Stern show on E!. On this particular episode, as on every particular episode, Stern was giving away a pair of saline boobies to whichever lucky girl would humiliate herself the most. I don't remember the particulars, other than that … Read more

Lights Out

Get Out
Youngblood (2005)

When was the last time you were angry? You're on a computer at the moment, so maybe you have a sticky key that really pisses you off. Or maybe your computer speaks to you in a really sarcastic tone, and you...just...can't....take...it...anymore. At any rate, anybody can relate to anger. Hey...you also like music, I bet. Crucial music you say? Well … Read more

Washington Social Club

Catching Looks
Badman (2004)

"Move the flipping* Audi [away from the front of the club]!" shouted one of the members of the Washington Social Club to the audience. They drew quite a crowd -including an Audi - for a headlining show at the Black Cat in Washington DC. I was not intrigued at first impression; I was there to see another local band and … Read more

A Day in Black and White/Black Castle

Split
State of Mind (2004)

Splits are ideally awesome, with two bands combining their sounds for one album. Often times though it ends up that one side has a great band while the other has some weakness that jumped on. While Black Castle doesn't have as much to offer as A Day In Black And White, the two forces combined make a decent split. If … Read more

Joan Of Arc

Joan Of Arc, Dick Cheney, Mark Twain
Polyvinyl (2004)

It's strange to think that Tim Kinsella has been at it for about decade now, using his inexplicable charms and off-key personality with groups like Cap'n Jazz, Make Believe, Owls, Friend/Enemy, and his long-standing Joan Of Arc project to create an impressive and utterly distinctive catalog. The man's certainly prolific, releasing at least one new addition to an extensive body … Read more

Set Your Goals

Set Your Goals
Straight On (2004)

Recently, the scene of hardcore-punk has become a stagnant cesspool of monotony. Out of the thousands of bands playing "hardcore" music, there is only a hand-full that have the audacity to do something different. California's melodic punk/hardcore hybrid Set Your Goals is one of those bands and upstart label Straight On Records (The Warriors, Go it Alone) has taken notice. … Read more

Rilo Kiley

More Adventurous
Brute (2004)

It was kind of shocking when Rilo Kiley decided to leave Saddle Creek in pursuit of their own record label, Brute/Beaute. In the whole history of Saddle Creek Records, no one has just decided to leave the label. Ever. Somebody had to do it sooner or later. There are no contracts, so any band can leave with ease. Rilo Kiley … Read more

Cut The Shit

Marked For Life
Gloom (2004)

By the time you read this, Cut The Shit will have already finished their final west coast shows and be on the way to breaking up. Their final show will no doubt be off the hook, but for those of us who won't be able to attend said event, we are blessed with ten and a half minutes of near … Read more

Funeral For a Friend

Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation
Ferret (2004)

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