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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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

Malady

Malady
Level Plane (2004)

This may seem like an overstatement or an overdramatic reaction to the task of reviewing a record, but honestly, reviewing Malady's self-titled record is probably one of the hardest things I will ever do. This band is, to say the least, sensational. Comprised of some of Virginia's finest dirty carefree musicians, Malady cranks out some of the catchiest, yet difficult-to-put-into-words music that I have heard in recent years. Chris Taylor, a self-proclaimed non-musician, handles vocal duties very well for this style, especially considering he doesn't see himself as a performing artist at all. I find this funny considering Taylor is a key member of Mannequin, and Malady, not to mention was an important fixture in the late Pg. 99. His unique sing/yell style isn't one that would win him a Grammy or catch him a spot in the Icelandic Choir, but it fits the depressing, droning, and melancholy sound that is Malady so well, that I don't think any other vocalist could ever fill his shoes. Too many bands try so hard to be depressed and write "sad" music, but no sad song has seemed this genuine since Elliot Smith's "Roman Candle." Backing up Taylor are the remains of City … Read more

Aereogramme

Seclusion
Undergroove (2004)

Aereogramme have released two albums on Matador, been media darlings over in the U.K, and has even gotten Aaron Turner … Read more

Say Anything

...is a Real Boy
Doghouse (2004)

Sometimes a simple idea for a record can be injected with such brutal honesty and wit that all simplicity is … Read more

Panda Bear

Young Prayer
Paw Tracks (2004)

Though Young Prayer is intended to act as a eulogy for Animal Collective member Panda Bear's (a.k.a. Noah Lennox) recently … Read more

Engine Down

Engine Down
Lookout! (2004)

One of the most memorable experiences of my time in Chico was seeing Engine Down live. Their music isn't what … Read more

Q and Not U

Power
Dischord (2004)

Mike Watt famously said that the Minutemen "divided the whole world into two categories: there were flyers and the gig. … Read more

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One from the archives

Ash Borer

The Irrepassable Gate
Profound Lore (2016)

Haunting, mournful, and soulful, Ash Borer dials in with a killer new slab of music with The Irrepassable Gate; and the band tosses down the gauntlet with a densely layered album that breathes and stretches and smolders and seethes in a gorgeous cacophony that hints at mystic imagery and hidden arcane knowledge. The four members of the band seemingly take their previous efforts to a new stage with this album, as the music is undeniably Ash Borer and forges their own path through the ether; but the songs have a wider palette of sound with rich tones and wicked riffs that stick with listeners for days, leaving us all with yet another slab to with which to feast, dine, and yes, maybe even laugh at death.Moments exist in the waves … Read more

More album reviews

Oceansize

Music for Nurses
Beggars Banquet (2004)

For Oceansize, 2004 has been quite a delightful year. The band saw the re-release of their debut full-length, Effloresce, here in the US as well as a mini-tour that followed. They were able to conquer our fair country despite the geographical distance from their home. And with the most recent release of their new EP, Music for Nurses, they are … Read more

Welcome The Plague Year

Welcome The Plague Year
Turnstile (2004)

The introduction of a review is usually a chance to capture the reader with something funny or even insightful. Considering it's 2:27 AM and I can't go to sleep, all that's on my mind is this Welcome the Plague Year album and how much it's going to suck when I have to get on an airplane in 5.5 hours. There … Read more

Moving Units

Dangerous Dreams
Palm Pictures (2004)

Moving Units played at last year's Sunset Junction Street Fair, which had an impressive line-up of indie pop and rock bands, including Guided by Voices, Rilo Kiley, and Earlimart. I groaned when I first heard Moving Units' debut Dangerous Dreams, because I anticipated an indie pop or rock band instead of a dance punk band; dance punk, or whatever you … Read more

Taking Back Sunday

Where You Want to Be
Victory (2004)

When I started my own zine as a sophomore in highschool (I am now a freshman in college), Victory would send me all their releases to review. Honestly, I stopped reviewing Victory releases because I was tired of making fun of every record I had to review. Although 96% of Victory releases are awful, sometimes, between Freya, Snowdogs, Atreyu, Catch … Read more

Isis

Panopticon
Ipecac (2004)

Despite what the calendar may tell you, Christmas has arrived early this year, though much earlier than expected. To my doorstep came a US Postal Service delivery man bearing a package with my name and the Hydrahead logo on it, instantaneously I knew exactly what dwelt inside. I politely thanked Santa, who apparently goes by the name of Tom these … Read more

Wolf Eyes

Burned Mind
Sub Pop (2004)

Listening to Wolf Eyes is not what I'd call a traditionally pleasurable experience. Unless you consider having your face ravaged by a two-by-four while masturbating to an execution an enjoyable experience or, to a lesser extent, tonguing a blister you got from drinking hot soup, I'd advise you to skip over this review and check out what Zed has to … Read more

Old Man Gloom

Christmas
Tortuga Recordings (2004)

After an extensive delay, the rabid and hopeful fans sporting various Hydrahead affiliated t-shirts can finally rest. Old Man Gloom's Christmas brings an end to a three year drought since the simultaneous release of full-lengths Seminar II: The Holy Rites of Primitivism and Seminar III: Zozobra back in 2001. The delay is excusable due to the busy schedules of the … Read more

Earlimart

Treble & Tremble
Palm Pictures (2004)

What does coping with the death of Elliott Smith sound like? It sounds poignant and pretty; in essence, it sounds like Smith's spirit is living vicariously through Aaron Espinoza. Music is a catharsis for many artists and the finest music is produced when songwriting is used to expel intense emotions. On Earlimart's fourth full-length album, Espinoza deals with tragedy and … Read more

Multiple Authors

Interpol

Antics
Matador (2004)

Turn on the Bright Lights is a great debut album. The guitars are compelling when paired with Paul Banks's jarring vocals, letting bizarre lyrics like "subway is a porno" slide. The bass lines are far from boring and the drumming is precise and deliberate. All this talent was fused into a euphoric experience that was warmly received by the press. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Interpol

Antics
Matador (2004)

Well Scene Point Blank-ers, I've got some bad news: there will be nothing shocking in this review. The reason for this is that there is nothing surprising about the new Interpol album. I know that's what all the other reviews are saying as well, but I'm going to have to agree with them on this one. I could lie to … Read more

Architecture in Helsinki

Fingers Crossed
Bar/None (2004)

Architecture in Helsinki are not your everyday indie-pop group. Sure, they are compared to Belle and Sebastian a lot, but these comparisons aren't very good. Sure, both bands boast a high number of members from varying genders. But where these two bands differ is that Belle and Sebastian just aren't good and Architecture in Helsinki, well, they just are. Hailing … Read more

Isis

Oceanic Remixes Volume III
Robotic Empire (2004)

While this may seem repetitive to say, before you listen to Volume III, it would be in your best interest to purchase the band's last full-length, Oceanic, before you listen to these remixes. After absorbing the full-length, these reworkings of tracks will make much more sense. Side A starts off with Mike Patton's rendition of the track "Maritime." Patton always … Read more

The Thrills

Let's Bottle Bohemia
Virgin (2004)

Foreign territories naturally exude mystery and romance. Dubliners the Thrills found California so intriguing that they wrote their whole debut, So Much for the City, about it. Their blatant references in song titles, from "Big Sur," "Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far)," to "Hollywood Kids," and their Beach Boys-influenced pop made them the best California band that wasn't from California … Read more

These Days

Death Sentence
Run for Cover (2004)

Before we begin I'd like to officially admit that I have a problem. I have an obsession with the Nor Cal hardcore scene. So if this review seems a little biased, it really isn't my fault. Especially since the Bay Area and surrounding areas have the most promising scene in hardcore. The latest rising star to come out of the … Read more

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