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)

Garrison

The Model
Iodine (2003)

This release isn't great. It's not bad either. It's just kind of there. They have this sound that is a tad bit similar to Hot Rod Circuit's latest stuff. A little more complicated. The singer hits notes at times that sound like the singer of The Casket Lottery. Too bad his band isn't as good. I think the final song is definitely the stand out on this record. The first track kind of turned me off with the weird change of style 30 seconds into it. Just didn't flow all that well. If you like the previous mentioned bands or anything on Vagrant, check this out. It'll be your cup o' tea. Read more

Garrison

The Model
Iodine (2003)

I'm slightly familiar with Garrison's older material, so this release surprised me to a degree. I don't recall Garrison's music … Read more

Rainer Maria

Long Knives Drawn
Polyvinyl (2003)

Rainer Maria? More like Rainer Boring. The lack of rock and only prettiness make this boring. It would be ok … Read more

Rainer Maria

Long Knives Drawn
Polyvinyl (2003)

Wow. This band changed. A lot. Last I had heard of this band was A Better Version Of Me which … Read more

Rainer Maria

Long Knives Drawn
Polyvinyl (2003)

Long Knives Drawn is quite a good rock record. Each song is well-written and sculpted quite perfectly by Rainer's members. … Read more

The Goodwill

That Was A Moment
Negative Progression (2003)

Now, I don't like New Found Glory, but I bet these guys do. Read more

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One from the archives

The Streets

Everything is Borrowed
679/Vice (2008)

2008 was the year where journalists pushed and shoved each other to be the first to frantically lavish praise upon a rapper with the voice of a frog, underwhelming beats, and the lyrical talent of a self-obsessed sixth grader. Tha Carter III has made everyone temporarily insane, and it's going to be fun in about five years watching everyone listen to "A Milli," slap themselves in the face, and wonder what the hell they were thinking. All the while, Mike Skinner will still be in his own hectic world, where he calls himself The Streets and continues to craft daring, original hip-hop, totally independent of whatever the journalists are drooling over. Everything is Borrowed is The Streets' fourth full-length and it comes after a string of three albums that, journalist-bashing … Read more

More album reviews

The Goodwill

That Was A Moment
Negative Progression (2003)

Holy shit this sucks. It's not the worst music I've ever heard, they know how to use their instruments, but they lack the pizzazz of such pop artists as Michael Jackson and rock artists as Queen. In one song they even try to do the screaming back up thing, and contrived crap smells really bad. It's not even worth reading … Read more

The Goodwill

That Was A Moment
Negative Progression (2003)

Run of the mill hardcore-influenced pop-punk. The music is tolerable, nothing spectacular at all. I would rather listen to this than jump out of an airplane, I can say that, but I'll probably never listen to this album again. The CD was as predictable as a Friday the 13th sequel. Standard pop-punk songs all the way through, with the second … Read more

The Blood Brothers

Burn Piano Island, Burn
Artist Direct (2003)

I don't even know where to begin. The Blood Brothers are one of the hardest bands to describe out there right now. The terms 'avant-hardcore' and 'artsy hardcore' are thrown around a great deal, but they don't even begin to describe what the Blood Brothers are doing. Dual vocals that stand out more than any other vocalist(s) I have ever … Read more

The Blood Brothers

Burn Piano Island, Burn
Artist Direct (2003)

I've never been insane, but if I were, I think this is what my thoughts would sound like. Although, that would require me to be one of those genius crazy people...but that great thing is that I'm pretty sure all five members of the blood brothers aren't crazy, but just genius. The music can be described as two babies fighting … Read more

The Blood Brothers

Burn Piano Island, Burn
Artist Direct (2003)

A year and a half ago, I picked up this band's first full-length CD, This Adultery Is Ripe. and brought it with me through Italy that summer. The urban centers seemed like a perfect backdrop for the music. The uncomfortable humidity, overflowing materialism and excessive amount of skin all embody the Blood Brothers' sound. Burn Piano Island, Burn is the … Read more

The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower

Dissertation, Honey
Happy Couples Never (2003)

The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower are a daring young band from California. The band comes together in a whirlwind of jazz, hardcore, and indie. Noisy guitars, jazzy saxophones, and vocals on the edge of screaming make up the Plot's signature sound. I had been anticipating this album a great deal, and I was anything but disappointing. They … Read more

The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower

Dissertation, Honey
Happy Couples Never (2003)

I had heard one song before getting the whole album so I kind of knew what to expect from the band. A good punk/rock type sound mixed with avant-garde jazz complete with saxophone and trumpet. From the intro track with the female voice, I was captivated. This record will have you dancing your ass off one second and break into … Read more

The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower

Dissertation, Honey
Happy Couples Never (2003)

This band was supposed to play at a show I went to a while back, but something came up. I hadn't really heard anything about them so I shrugged it off. It's a shame I did. I really wish I had gotten that opportunity because it wouldn't have taken me so long to find out about this awesome, new band. … Read more

A Static Lullaby

And Don't Forget To Breathe...
Ferret (2003)

I know this band is something-core; I am just not sure which one. With song titles like "Love To Hate, Hate To Me", "The Shooting Star That Destroyed Us All" and "A Song for a Broken Heart", you almost know what to expect. It's got the high-powered crunching guitars, tantrum screams, and wait, what's this? An emotional breakdown with twinkly … Read more

A Static Lullaby

And Don't Forget To Breathe...
Ferret (2003)

The most fun thing I found with this CD were the song titles. The music itself combines "emo", metalcore, and pop to make something that is radio friendly and "edgy" at the same time. My favorite part about the music is the screaming, but it gets destroyed by the whiney backups that quickly become an ear sore. I don't like … Read more

A Static Lullaby

And Don't Forget To Breathe...
Ferret (2003)

Tolerable but tossable. This CD is filled with that modern hardcore edge mixed with pop melodies that the kids are going nuts about these days. This is nothing new in anyway, but it does have a few catchy songs. The background singers are sub-par, while the frontman pulls off some decent screams most of the time. If you're a fan … Read more

The Suicide File

Twilight
Indecision (2003)

An excellent debut LP from this Boston, MA band. Boasting ex-members of some impressive bands (Death By Stereo, The Hope Conspiracy, No Reply) they have come together to make an equally impressive band. All new songs with the exception of Ashcroft (formerly released on a split with THC, also my favorite song of theirs before this release), they have plowed … Read more

The Suicide File

Twilight
Indecision (2003)

Even though adding metal and hardcore together is the newest equation for success, some bands are still keeping it real. A fine example of keeping it real is this album. At the same time that they are playing hardcore, they are adding new elements into make it sound different, but nothing too drastic. The vocals are nice, they are very … Read more

The Suicide File

Twilight
Indecision (2003)

I consider myself at least somewhat picky when it comes to hardcore. At least, I don't jump at everything with fast snare; however, this album is undeniably a great hardcore record. Lots of finger pointing fun and plenty of room for floorpunching and windmills. If you're into hardcore, or even if you aren't, check this album out. Read more

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