Recent reviews

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)

Jesse Malin

The Heat
Artemis (2004)

I love Ryan Adams - in a musical way. When I heard that Ryan Adams's partner in crime, Jesse Malin, was releasing a second album, I was excited. They are not only cohorts in the Finger (shh...they don't want you to know), but they also share the same roots. Boy falls in love with the punk scene, but then matures only to find solace in soft melodies and melancholy lyrics. Maybe Malin deserves some sort of a break; I should spare him the Ryan Adams comparison, because he falls short of it. After all, Adams has been in touch with his sensitive side longer with his alt-country band Whiskeytown, while Malin was still fronting the glam-punk band D Generation. Malin doesn't use obscure metaphors in his lyrics on his sophomore album The Heat; he just writes stories about people. New York City is probably his main, if not sole muse, because in the City there are so many diverse and fascinating people. He writes about Steven, Paulie, Bobbie, Jenny, Mary, Britney, Johnny, and a countless number of unnamed people that you and I do not know. However, Malin is able to blur the distinction between the listeners and the subjects … Read more

Takaru

There Can Only Be None
Alone (2004)

While to some, hardcore is a type of pornography that involves penetration and giraffes, for others it's a style of … Read more

LKN

In the Leap Year
Greyday (2004)

LKN is the side project of Laura K. Newman, who could previously be found playing in the Pensacola, Florida act, … Read more

Cast Aside

The Struggle
Deathwish Inc. (2004)

Remember those spelling/definition tests that you had to take in grade school? You know, the ones where they ask you … Read more

Melee

Everyday Behavior
Sub City (2004)

The West Coast seems to have an air of a free spirit that allows songwriters to write various types of … Read more

Meshuggah

I
Fractured Transmitter (2004)

Meshuggah is one of those bands that make me want to grow my hair out and head-bang for hours on … Read more

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One from the archives

The Sainte Catherines

Dancing for Decadence
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)

D-Beat hardcore is becoming a quite liked genre even outside of the shower-once-a-month hardcore cretins. Hell even one those little pukes in From First to Last was recently seen in a Tragedy shirt in a promo photo for their latest album entitled I Killed my Girlfriend with my Spiky $500 Dollar Haircut and then Pouted about it. D-Beat hardcore, for those out of the loop, stands for downbeat hardcore where the guitar and bass are tuned down to lowest possible tuning without hitting that note that makes you shit yourself. The drumming in d-beat type hardcore is an all out assault on the skins and usually as fast as possible unless a gut slamming slow part that makes one feel like being pulled through a vat of Elmer's glue and … Read more

More album reviews

Rise of Marakara

Rise of Marakara
Independent (2004)

have the toughest time reviewing material from young bands. For some reason, I feel that just because the band is young, they should have some sort of handicap in terms of review score and such. But on the other hand, if you're this young and this unprepared, you shouldn't be putting out something that is going to sound as immature … Read more

Les Georges Leningrad

Deux Hot Dogs Moutarde Chou
Alien 8 (2004)

Apparently the title of Les Georges Leningrad's latest translates to "Two Hot Dogs Mustard Cabbage." Whatever. I don't actually own this record. I downloaded it, and for some reason, the titles are different than what how the group's website lists them. I don't feel shame for downloading, but I'd like to state that I do regret not having this on … Read more

A.C. Newman

The Slow Wonder
Matador (2004)

For this review I plan on writing about three things: The New Pornographers, summer, and my last week of school (specifically a History of Macroeconomics final). So, for those of you who just want a quick little review, here it is: A.C. (wait, actually, it's Carl, but that's not the point) Newman's debut solo effort The Slow Wonder is a … Read more

Underoath

They're Only Chasing Safety
Tooth & Nail (2004)

Within the world of science there exist certain absolutes that are ever-present and unchanging. While most of these laws are complex to the nth degree, even even the most common simpleton can understand a few of them. For example, the majority of the population knows that no matter how hard you try, oil and water will never mix. Similarly, with … Read more

The Honorary Title

Anything Else But the Truth
Doghouse (2004)

I'm not going to lie. I first heard this band from one of those Myspace features, and I'm rather glad I did. I was interested in what this band sounded like after I saw their record cover, which displays a discerning-looking panda bear soaking in blood with human body parts in its mouth. Well all right! The sticker on the … Read more

Neurosis

The Eye of Every Storm
Neurot Recordings (2004)

Over the years, and it has been years for them, Neurosis have slowly developed from the melodic death metal juggernaut that graced us with the masterpiece Through Silver in Blood into a post-rock metal hybrid. Despite twenty years of being a band under their belt, Neurosis continues to remain a relevant force in today's music world. The Eye of Every … Read more

Tilly and the Wall

Wild Like Children
Team Love (2004)

Tilly and the Wall is the first band to be signed onto Conor Oberst's label, Team Love. The team is so full of love that they are offering Tilly's entire debut album Wild Like Children here for free. Eat that, you money-grubbing major record label mongers! I bought the album anyway, because I like having the artwork and lyrics in … Read more

Wilco

A Ghost is Born
Nonesuch (2004)

Ok, for a pretty big review like this I'm just going to get right to it. With Wilco's fifth studio release, A Ghost is Born, the band is placed at something of a crossroads. They have just come off something of a masterpiece in Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and now must find a way to either carry the torch of that … Read more

A Day in Black and White

My Heroes Have Always Killed Cowboys
Level Plane (2004)

I'm nearing twenty years of age and never once during these nineteen-plus years have I been able to view things in anything but color. Don't get me wrong, I've seen black and white films; I've also taken and viewed black and white pictures. For my twentieth birthday I will get my eyes removed and in the empty sockets dog eyes … Read more

Blacklisted

Our Youth is Wasted
Stillborn (2004)

Philadelphia has had a long and varied history of producing great punk/hardcore bands. After all, it is this birthplace of Ink and Dagger, Shark Attack, Kid Dynamite, Horror Show and countless others. In that same Philly tradition of quality come Blacklisted, a fairly new band to the Philadelphia hardcore scene. On their debut EP for Stillborn Records, Blacklisted take a … Read more

Minus the Bear

They Make Beer Commercials Like This
Arena Rock (2004)

It was roughly a year and half ago at the South by Southwest Music Festival that I was able to witness one of the greatest shows of my life. After running amuck through the streets of Austin, I finally came to rest at the showcase I had been anticipating since its announcement. I was lucky enough to accidentally witnessed Hella, … Read more

Stateside

Phonograph
Action Driver (2004)

Imagine if Limbeck and My Morning Jacket got together for a jam session and you'll be close to how Stateside sounds. Hailing from Tennessee, frontman John Paul Keith has played with heart-throb Ryan Adams, played in The Nevers, and co-founded The V-Roys. Sure the latter you probably know nothing about(shit, neither do I) but you get the point. Phonograph is … Read more

Multiple Authors

New Found Glory

Catalyst
Drive-Thru (2004)

I realize I am talking about a band most of you will call shitty and over rated. For your convenience I have included one sentence paragraph summaries for you short attention spanners. I like a lot of NFG's other stuff, namely Nothing Gold Can Stay. I can pretty much find something entertaining about all their records, and that is no … Read more

Multiple Authors

New Found Glory

Catalyst
Drive-Thru (2004)

WARNING: As the writer of this review I feel that there is something you should know prior to reading this, as reviews are biased by whoever is writing the review. All that I have heard previous to this album was random songs from the radio, not that I listen to the radio. So now is my chance to hear a … Read more

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