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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)

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 that not only feature straightedge members, but also advocate the ideals that make up straightedge." The Struggle is the debut full-length of Cast Aside, a Richmond, Virginia straightedge hardcore band on Deathwish Inc. The band had previously released an EP on Malfunction Records that showed a lot of promise. And based on the opening track, "Stand Up," the band is prepared to smash all expectations. Led by vocalist Wes Vincil, Cast Aside produce aggressive hardcore that is up to par with today's top hardcore acts Terror and Hatebreed. The guitar duo of Shane Legano and Fahs Wood pump out a perfect mix of speeding Pantera-inspired guitar riffs and breakdowns that will send even the girls onto the floor to dance. And teamed up with the great guitar-work is the drumming of Chris Fergueson. While hardcore music isn't the most technical … 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

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 … 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 … 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 … Read more

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One from the archives

Isis & Aereogramme

In the Fishtank 14
Konkurrent (2006)

By now all of should know who Isis is and what to expect from them in terms of their music output. A good number of you are probably familiar with Aereogramme - for those of you not, they're a Scottish band that mixes punishing metal with melodic moments and alt-rock vocals. So what's the deal with this In the Fishtank album? Well the series is actually a really intriguing idea curated by Konkurrent Records in which they invite "musicians to whom they feel [are] strongly related to record. They are given two days studio time and freedom to do whatever they like musically." The collaboration between Isis and Aereogramme is the fourteenth volume in the series. For their Fishtank endeavor, Isis and Aereogramme laid down three songs. Because these songs … Read more

More album reviews

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

The Elected

Me First
Sub Pop (2004)

Admit it, you skipped Blake Sennett's songs on Rilo Kiley's The Execution of All Things! It's often distracting to hear different vocalists for different tracks. All the songs he chose to sing, with his breathy voice that blended in with the instrumentation, had some downbeat melody and melancholy lyrics. It was different from the lively pop songs touched with country … Read more

Your Enemies Friends

You are Being Videotaped
Buddyhead (2004)

Buddyhead Records is a label fueled by hype. Your Enemies Friends released their debut effort The Wiretap EP on their label. So naturally I was drawn to check it out, but I wasn't expecting much because nine times out a ten with Buddyhead the hype isn't worth. This was that one exception; they actually signed a promising band. In support … Read more

The River Bends

And Flows into the Sea
Tooth & Nail (2004)

Denison Witmer-say the name with me- Den-i-son Wit-mer. We are doing this exercise for two reasons, because a) his name is kinda hard to pronounce and b) I don't want you to forget it. Now I suppose you want to know who this guy is and what does he have to do with The River Bends? Well, please allow me … 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)