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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)

Carina Round

The Disconnection
Interscope (2004)

Carina Round is too late for the Riot Grrrl movement, the only recent explosion of female artists. Although lo-fi indie princess Liz Phair and crazy Courtney Love of the now-defunct Hole were not considered true riot grrrls, they still benefited from the epiphany that females can rock. The movement has been strangled to death now that Liz Phair has gone Avril on us, and Courtney Love, well, is still Courtney Love; her actions are louder than her music. Carina Round wouldn't fit in with the riot grrrls, but at least she would've benefited from the exposure. Round's album artwork is one of the few that actually reflect the artist. The front cover is a flattering black and white photograph of Carina Round, and the back cover is a gritty and grotesque photograph of Round; there are moments of beauty in The Disconnection, and at other times the music is discordant. Round cannot be denied her powerful and exquisite voice no matter how jarring the music is at times. Carina Round definitely has rock elements in her music, but she also has some soul. The album commences with a drum pattern that will remain constant in "Shoot," while the guitar foreshadows … Read more

Bright Eyes & Neva Dinova

One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels
Crank (2004)

Pop quiz hotshot: You re in a mediocre rock band from Omaha whose fan base does not exceed the city … Read more

Dissolute

Demo 2004
Independent (2004)

Every city has that one local band that should be signed to a label and off touring Europe because they … Read more

Still Crossed

Love and Betrayal
Indecision (2004)

Growing up in Cleveland I was more than spoiled when it came to hardcore bands: Integrity, The Spudmonsters, Committed, Ringworm, … Read more

Psyopus

Ideas of Reference
Black Market Activities (2004)

If legendary musicians were born today, what would they pursue? Would Buddy Rich attempt to create the fastest blast beats, … Read more

The Gossip

Undead in NYC
Dim Mak (2003)

Let's face it people, America is fat. They're also lazy. The two don't go together to form a very healthy … Read more

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One from the archives

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 doing this stuff, and you realize you are still just scratching the surface. This recently happened to me when I was introduced to Mountains. Released on Apestaartje, which was completely unknown to me before hearing this album, I was introduced then to several more artists who are at the peak of the genre. Mountains stuck out quite a bit to me though. Mountains is the collaborative project of Brendon Anderegg … Read more

More album reviews

Sex Positions

Sex Positions
Deathwish Inc. (2004)

Walk into a Boston hardcore show and ask a random kid if they like the Dedication, and there is a 95% chance they will do one of the following: A. Call you a faggot. B. Say, "You like that make up wearing band of faggots?" C. Turn around to their group of friends and say "Hey guys, did you hear … Read more

The Good Fight

Breathing Room
Goodfellow (2004)

It seems as though the popularity of real hardcore has a formulaic ebb and flow that changes with the years. A style that may draw 500 kids to a VFW hall in 1988 certainly isn't going to get the same crowd in 2004, is it? Well, given the monumental growth of labels like Bridge 9, Martyr, Deathwish and others over … Read more

Ambulance LTD

LP
TVT (2004)

New York City looks so glamorous from afar, but when I get there I'm reminded that I don't belong with the constant honking, the frustrating one-way streets, and the crazy taxi cab drivers. When I leave, however, I am suddenly left with a longing to belong. I guess NYC is too hip for me, and sometimes it is too hip … Read more

Noxagt

The Iron Point
Load (2004)

There's this pretty great interview in the most recent issue of Chunklet magazine which talks to Pen Rollings of Honor Roll, more recently of Loincloth fame. In the article, he talks about how all those European metal bands that burn churches down and totally front like they're hard are, in fact, pussies who try too hard. As a result, he … Read more

Martyr A.D.

On Earth as it is in Hell
Victory (2004)

Minneapolis' most crushing metalcore band are finally back with a new album and a new line up. After a few years on hiatus, Andy Hart and Karl Hensel, both from the recently defunct hardcore band Holding On, have joined Martyr A.D. on vocals and drums respectively. One of my biggest music related pet peeves is when a band I like … Read more

Harkonen

Dancing
Initial (2004)

When I first undertook the task of writing the review for Dancing, I wanted to make sure I did the job right the first time. I own Shake Harder Boy, but something about this album was different to me. After a few listens to the album, I was able to establish that there was more experimentation this time around. While … Read more

CocoRosie

La Maison de Mon Reve
Touch & Go (2004)

I'm always in a mood. It's not always a bad mood, although it may be three-quarters of the time, but I'm always in a mood. I've found that certain CD's better suit certain moods. Like, if I feel like partying my ass off, I'll put in Echoes by The Rapture. The other day I was in a weird mood. I … Read more

Chromatics

Plaster Hounds
GSL (2004)

There I was. Stranded at an abandoned gas station just north of Mexico and just south of reality. The only thing keeping me cool was the shade created by my moustache and mullet. After four hours of solo Tai Chi I could see movement entering the horizon via motor vehicle, stage left. When the foreign body got close enough where … Read more

Statistics

Leave Your Name
Jade Tree (2004)

Denver Dalley is all over the place. After Desaparecidos went on hiatus, Dalley started to flesh out his own songs in his spare time. He released a self-titled EP in June 2003, and then there was talk of a Desaparecidos reunion. An album and a slot in the 2004 Plea for Peace tour were in the works but schedules clashed, … Read more

Decahedron

Disconnection Imminent
Lovitt (2004)

On Decahedron's debut full-length, the Lovitt Records darlings set out to prove that the D.C. sound is alive and well in 2004. Characterized by edgy, angular sonics and accompanied by lyrical messages of a distinct political and social slant, Decahedron is very much akin to the D.C. sound that broke onto the national scene in the late 80's with bands … Read more

With Honor

Heart Means Everything
Stillborn (2004)

You know those stickers that they put on the front of CD's that say "For Fans Of.." or "Featuring the Hit Single..."? Well, I have decided to make my own sticker for With Honor's debut full-length. However, instead of a misleading recommendation my sticker will read: "The feel good record of the year." Concise, but informative, the reasoning behind this … Read more

Iron and Wine

Our Endless Numbered Days
Sub Pop (2004)

Recently, I've made a pact with myself to never again purchase an album with an oxy-moronic title. This is due solely to the fact that usually the majority of emphasis can be placed on the word moronic. But, like any rule there exists a few exceptions, and surprisingly this album is one of them. Rather than sending my life into … Read more

Fall Out Boy

Take This to Your Grave
Fueled By Ramen (2003)

Breathing new life into an otherwise stale genre is a difficult task to undertake, but on Fall Out Boy's first proper full length, Take This to Your Grave, they have done just that. For the past few years, pop-punk, while constantly growing in popularity, has been steadily declining in numbers of bands willing to think and play outside the seemingly … Read more

Les Savy Fav

Inches
French Kiss (2004)

Dear Tim Harrington, I don't know if you remember, but when you played at the Great American Music Hall the night before Thanksgiving last year, there was a tall guy with glasses and a moustache. Well, specifically that tall guy with glasses was me. Do you remember giving me a high five after you touched your ass? I certainly do, … Read more

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