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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)

Buried Inside

Chronoclast
Relapse (2005)

My first encounter with Buried Inside involved a friend convincing me over AOL Instant Messenger (I get paid for that plug) that Buried Inside is "Hella sick!" BEGL00 sent me a few songs from Chronoclast, but I didn't listen to them right away due to my busy lifestyle. Coincidentally, that very night I saw Buried Inside. I watched as they, in unison, kept building up, reaching the ceiling and flooding the room with their energy. I wanted to yell, "Raise the roof," as my palms pushed the air towards the ceiling. Instead I stood in awe of Nick Shaw, the singer, beating a cymbal with a gong. I've never seen the birthing of a child, but I'd guess the experience would be similar. When I got home the first thing I did was toss the 12" I purchased that night on my record player. This chain of events led to me obtaining/listening to the best record of 2005 so far. Chronoclast is released under Relapse Records so you might expect some extreme metal with even more extreme double bass. But this is not the case, my future friend. Instead ten songs riding on a chariot of flames are presented, melded … Read more

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 … 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

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One from the archives

Architecture in Helsinki

In Case We Die
Bar/None (2005)

Prog-pop: the new dancepunk/freakfolk/fleeting indie scene trend? Unlikely, but I suppose possible if enough bands found themselves with exceptional amounts of time and instruments on their hands. Blueberry Boat, The Fiery Furnaces' prog-pop behemoth, made quite a splash in '04, much to the unfiltered joy of some, myself included, and disgusted chagrin of others - probably including you. The Australian octet known as Architecture in Helsinki seem to want to carve out a niche for themselves in this bizarre, yet fantastic little sub-genre, and they do so magnificently with this year's In Case We Die. The inclusion of the term "prog" in the title "prog-pop" may lead one to believe that the genre is bloated, pretentious, and perhaps not unlike stuff that your dad would totally dig, but Architecture in … Read more

More album reviews

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 select one based upon my mood. If I am feeling that I need a jolt to get me going I may stop on a college station; they're great for punk and metal even at 5:30 AM. But if, on the … Read more

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

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