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)

The Dillinger Escape Plan

Miss Machine
Relapse (2004)

The Dillinger Escape Plan (DEP) certainly have been enjoying the good life since releasing their last full-length, Calculating Infinity, back in 1998. The band was hand-picked by Mike Patton to tour alongside one of the bands they openly idolize, Mr. Bungle. A mutual respect between the two bands eventually led to DEP recording an EP, which contains Patton's musical vision, not just his vocal talents. But, if the band's original vocalist Dimitri Minakakis had never left to pursue other interests, it would be interesting to see what direction DEP would have headed in. Nevertheless, they found a more than suitable replacement in Greg Puciato and have recorded one of the most anticipated releases in metal/hardcore history, Miss Machine. It wasn't that long ago that I saw the very first show that Puciato did as the front man of DEP. I was skeptical as to whether or not he was going to be able to fill the void that Minakakis had left. This isn't to say that Minakakis was the most impressive vocalist, but I equated him with the band. So, taking that into consideration, I had my doubts that Puciato would be capable of filling said void. Not even ten … Read more

The Killers

Hot Fuss
Island (2004)

I want to bash the Killer's debut Hot Fuss so much. The press sets them up easily for a beating; … Read more

Oceansize

Effloresce
Beggars Banquet (2004)

A lot of my friends feel they have a duty to recommend me music. I don't mean to sound conceited, … Read more

Fall Out Boy

My Heart Will Always be the B-Side to My Tongue
Fueled By Ramen (2004)

Yo, this CD title sucks. It doesn't even really make sense. Also, fuck the packaging. It's not the average size … Read more

Zao

The Funeral of God
Ferret (2004)

Some would call Zao the musical embodiment of a soap opera. Even in their early years, they went through two … Read more

Alexisonfire

Watch Out!
Equal Vision (2004)

Back in the late nineties a handful of bands like Shai Hulud and Poison the Well began blending technical metalcore … Read more

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One from the archives

Mates of State

Team Boo
Polyvinyl (2003)

Everyone needs something cute every once in a while... once in a while. Too much can make you vomit, but a little dose can make you feel a lot better about things. Mates of State's latest album, Team Boo might just be the appropriate prescription. Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel are a married couple from San Francisco playing in a two-piece band... CUTE! Jason plays drums and Kori plays electric organs - they both sing... CUTE! The duo must have caught notice of their indelible ability to magnetize adorability towards them. Last years, Our Constant Concern made Mates of States shows a bug-lamp for skinny emo-girls with headbands, colorful scarves and their younger brothers' sixth-grade soccer-club t-shirt. Unfortunately, on Our Constant Concern the band replaced the fun, swinging, upbeat melodies … Read more

More album reviews

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 … 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 music, even a lifestyle. When punk and hardcore were originally birthed, they were fast, radical, aggressive, and socially conscious forms of expression. Twenty-odd years later, punk and hardcore have all but lost their edge. For one, neither is all that … 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, Stellamarie. This is her second full length under the LKN moniker and with it, she pulls out all the stops to see that she gets noticed. This album was recorded in several different studios with different gear setups, which detracts … 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 to give the definition of a word or use it in a sentence. I always loved those, maybe because I thought they were so easy. Okay, term one: "irony." - "Michael, an individual who is not straightedge, enjoys countless bands … 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 music there. About two years ago, I started listening to several California pop bands including Phantom Planet (pre-garage-band-wannabe stage), Rooney, the Like, the Waking Hours, Everybody Else, and Rilo Kiley for their great pop sensibilities. Melée is a pop band … 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 end. When I was around the age of 11, I wanted nothing more than to sport some long flowing locks. Why? At the time, I was attending private school, so we had a fairly strict dress code, one that included … Read more

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

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