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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)

Kissing Chaos

Enter With a Bullet
Fueled By Ramen (2003)

With a name like Kissing Chaos you just want to get a teddy bear and kiss it. Or maybe I just made that up for a creative intro to a review. Which is ironic, because this isn't the most creative CD. They do use violins for the end of a song, and that would have been original if it hadn't been done before. I like the contrast of vocals, very smooth leading vocals with screaming back ups. That's been done too, but the smooth vocals were different than other bands that do it in this manner. The screams sound forced at times, but for the most part are sexual. As much as I'm "hatin" on this CD, I still enjoy it. It's above average, but I wouldn't go as far as to say it's good. Certain parts of the songs were really good, this seems to be happening a lot with bands trying to integrate lots of different parts in their songs, the second half of the first song in particular. I know that's not one part, but the first half isn't nearly as good. Read more

Multiple Authors

Children of Bodom

Hate Crew Deathroll
Century Media (2003)

This album is definitely one of the "odd men out" on this site. That is a good thing though. Sometimes … Read more

Multiple Authors

Children of Bodom

Hate Crew Deathroll
Century Media (2003)

When I first heard I was going to be reviewing this album, I automatically assumed I would hate it. My … Read more

Multiple Authors

Children of Bodom

Hate Crew Deathroll
Century Media (2003)

So metal it has its own element on the periodic table! You can quote me on that B') I'm not … Read more

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

Death by Stereo strike again with this new offering of their signature metal influenced melodic hardcore sound. This CD is … Read more

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

Death By Stereo's newest release and they have shown no sign of slowing down. They have taken their classic style … Read more

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One from the archives

Pharaoh Overlord

Lunar Jetman
Sige (2012)

Sweet jesus did this record ever hit my stereo at just the right time because Lunar Jetman is making its third consecutive journey on my turntable as we speak (after listening to it a few times without noticing just how good the album is, maybe due to some preoccupation with something else), and to be perfectly honest, Pharaoh Overlord lays down what I would consider one of the coolest psych records (not saying that this is the group’s genre or whatever, it is the only word that pops into my head when describing them) that I have heard in a while; now, I fully realize that this crew has been at this music deal for a while (both as Pharaoh Overlord and with some of the people doing time with … Read more

More album reviews

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

The first song I heard from this was "Wasted Words" from a Punk-O-Rama compilation. A good song, but it reminded me of their other stuff a lot. After having a complete listen to this album, I must say, first impressions from Punk-O-Rama compilations are not good. This album isn't dramatically different than If Looks Could Kill I'd Watch You Die … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

Don't be fooled by the name, this isn't a Good Charlotte cover band. HARD HARD. Anyways, this EP didn't get me incredibly pumped up, but it certainly was something worth listening to. Imagine Grade with less melody, and vocals that sound like Jeffrey Madeira from Poison the Well with lower production value. The Young and the Useless certainly aren't my … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

I am not sure if I should hate the singer or the band. The singer, whilst having a good screaming voice, doesn't really stray from it. The band is infusing hardcore with pop punk. After getting through the CD all the way I decided I hate the band more. Reason? For dragging this poor guy into such a shitty band. … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

As the drums kicked in, literally, my third sense was exposed to the vocals of this young majesty. The kind of majesty that upon a first meeting you love. You share your food with them and eventually you say goodbye. Upon the next few meetings you grow tired and kick him in the stop button, but it keeps on going. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

It's nice when bands can make beautiful music and still have it rock the casa. One thing that separates this from other similar "indie" bands is a cello, and just the fact that they are really damn good and don't sound like the others. The lyrics range from satire on "emo" music to stories of lost daughters (which brought a … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

The Ugly Organ is an appropriate title for the Nebraska-based Cursive's latest effort. The band has put together an album that is dissonant, cacophonous, and beautiful at the same time. On this album, the band uses a cello permanently as well as pianos, horns, and yes, organs to the original two guitars, bass, drums and singer Tim Kasher's dynamic voice. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

Cursive, being one of my favorite bands, had a lot to live up to with this release. Usually, when I absolutely love a band's records, they tend to fail to top themselves, and thus I get disappointed. This is definitely an exception. The first few listens, I had a hard time swallowing this album and Cursive's new sound. Not that … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rufio

Rufio
Nitro (2003)

I thought this CD was going to be shit, and guess what? Within the first twenty seconds I found myself not surprised. I don't understand how one person can enjoy these vocals. This EP is only 10 minutes, but 10 minutes that I wish I didn't waste. Besides the generic pop "punk" sound they have, I'll give them some props … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rufio

Rufio
Nitro (2003)

Okay; I came to this EP as a first time listener to Rufio, so I wasn't biased in my opinion of them. After spending the last 30 minutes or so with these three songs on repeat as I worked, I can safely say, Rufio are not a good band. Well, perhaps that statement is a little inaccurate. This is the … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rufio

Rufio
Nitro (2003)

After AFI left Nitro Records, Nitro went on a splurge by signing a ton of bands that otherwise they would have spent on AFI. Well unfortunately they didn't try and fill those shoes. They instead signed some of the worst bands around today. Rufio was one of them. After becoming a success with their last CD, Perhaps, I Suppose (which … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rock Kills Kid

Rock Kills Kid
Fearless (2003)

Pop with replay value. It doesn't come often, but when it does, it sure is a keeper. This occurs because the pop and rock are so finely blended on this that it just comes oozing with smiles. These said oozed smiles are soon molded into the figures of two lovers making passionate sex with "Everything To Me" as the backdrop. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rock Kills Kid

Rock Kills Kid
Fearless (2003)

I decided to give this band a chance because I heard they weren't a complete Get Up Kids rip off. Well, every piece of press this band gets mentions that Rock Kills Kid brings more to the table than simple pop punk, but this might be a stretch. The verses sound a little interesting, but as soon as the choruses … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rock Kills Kid

Rock Kills Kid
Fearless (2003)

Rock Kills Kid of Southern California deliver a refreshing take on pop-punk with their debut EP. The band has been described as "technical pop-punk" which is seemingly fitting, because they certainly have much more technical prowess than most bands they will surely be lumped together with. This EP combines the energy of a pop-punk band with the darker approach of … Read more

Multiple Authors

Garrison

The Model
Iodine (2003)

When I first jump started this baby I was expecting another generic "emo" band. But as the first song winded down, I realized that it wasn't so! The vocals at times remind me of Get Up Kids, but not as high. The music itself is poppy, but still has the rock, and is similar to The Casket Lottery at times. … Read more

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