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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)

Boy Sets Fire

Tomorrow Comes Today
Wind-Up (2003)

I used to have Boy Sets Fire's After the Eulogy. I thought it was good at the time, but in retrospect, it was pretty awful. I thought I'd give them a second chance by reviewing this CD. Bad Idea. Since BSF signed to a major and claimed they'd never sell out or change their music, they were, for the most part, telling the truth. Their music didn't change all that much, but that's not a good thing. This band leads whatever genre they are a part of (is it emo-core these days?), but that doesn't make them good. Shane is right about the percentages, it's 98% for group A and 2% for group B, but it's reversed. Bands that sign to majors usually change their music. AFI did (they sound like Tool), Sparta did (they sound bad, period), Mars Volta will (but they still sound good after they changed their music), Papa Roach did, etc. It's not as if they WANT to change their music, but the recording studios are different. Boy Sets Fire didn't change their sound too much, but they weren't good to start with. This sounds like After the Eulogy (if AtE was worse than it already … Read more

Multiple Authors

Boy Sets Fire

Tomorrow Comes Today
Wind-Up (2003)

Whenever a band signs to a major label(or in this case, the closest thing to) you always have naysayers who … Read more

Multiple Authors

Useless I.D.

No Vacation From the World
Kung Fu (2003)

Do we really need another run of the mill pop-punk band? Kung-Fu records seems to think so! That is why … Read more

Multiple Authors

Useless I.D.

No Vacation From the World
Kung Fu (2003)

Pop punk is at an all time high: New Found Glory and Blink 182 seem to be on TRL (I … Read more

Multiple Authors

Useless I.D.

No Vacation From the World
Kung Fu (2003)

Useless ID deserve so much props, it is utterly ridiculous. I know I don't really like them but you have … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Locust

Plague Soundscapes
Anti (2003)

The phenomena of the Locust is something I am completely incapable of grasping. I listen to the Locust, and I … Read more

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One from the archives

Swingin' Utters

Here, Under Protest
Fat Wreck Chords (2011)

You can’t accuse Swingin’ Utters of phoning it in. Here, Under Protest is the band’s first studio record in eight years and, unlike some of their contemporaries who release at a similar rate, the record shows notable growth and attention to songwriting nuance. While the San Fran band started out with a strong bent toward street punk anthems, they’ve gradually shifted the focus away from repetitive power chords and, like Social Distortion before them, reached for the internal aspects of the punk lifestyle instead of relying on speed, aggression, and sloganeering. The new record continues on this path, with few burners but a lot of heart.Swingin’ Utters have walked a line between a defined gritty, street punk influence alongside more traditional musical styles ranging between Americana, folk, and country. While … Read more

More album reviews

Multiple Authors

The Locust

Plague Soundscapes
Anti (2003)

Unlike a lot of other people, I was entirely unfamiliar with the Locust upon the release of this record. All I knew about them was the white belts and the love 'em or hate 'em attitude a lot of people seemed to have with them. Two things should outline everything you really need to know about this record: Justin Pearson … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Locust

Plague Soundscapes
Anti (2003)

The Locust has been shunned for their recent works. Their split with Melt Banana was not taken well by critics. People want The Locust to sound more like their Self-titled or Flight of the Wounded Locust, not like some band that changes. These people, however, don't understand that The Locust is all about change; whether they're wearing locust-like spandex outfits … Read more

Multiple Authors

Hint Hint

Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)

Hint Hint will make you dance, but they'll also leave you with somewhat of an empty feeling. This is one of those bands who are definitely good, but lack a sound original enough to have carved their own little niche in your mind. I'm definitely thinking that Hint Hint will be able to do something really good in the future, … Read more

Multiple Authors

Hint Hint

Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)

With bands like Hot Hot Heat getting big, it's no doubt you'd see a ton of bands that are similar get recognized. Such is the case with Hint Hint. This is their first release and I must say I am somewhat let down from all the hype this band has been getting. Although the record is alright, I was just … Read more

Multiple Authors

Hint Hint

Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)

Think of Ink and Dagger. Then think of Ink and Dagger without their great singer. Then mix in a bit of Adult and you'll have Hint-Hint. The first song starts it off well, but it isn't really a sign of anything. The second song is anti-climatic, which would be fine if it weren't building up to anything, but it seems … Read more

Multiple Authors

AFI

Sing the Sorrow
Dreamworks (2003)

I picture AFI as a scale that must be kept even at all times. If you take a checker from one side, you better take one away from the other. On this album, they have gained something, but also lost something else. No more are the bouncy 'whoa-oh' charged anthems, instead they have been replaced with a bit more intelligent … Read more

Multiple Authors

AFI

Sing the Sorrow
Dreamworks (2003)

AFI's newest full length. Since everyone who works on this site has been a member of the AFI community at one time or another, you'd think it'd score 10's. Seems to not be the case so far. I can't say I'll be an exception but that is not to say this record is bad at all. On the contrary actually. … Read more

Multiple Authors

AFI

Sing the Sorrow
Dreamworks (2003)

"Oh my God, my God this can't be happening! AFI has signed to a major!" Is an example of a popular reaction to the announcement last year that that AFI would be releasing their sixth full-length, Sing the Sorrow, on Dreamworks records. Anybody without a huge bias towards the record before it was even released, however, will soon realize that … Read more

Multiple Authors

Hot Rod Circuit

Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)

This album consists of older stuff that is out of print, hence the witty album name. I'm a fan of "Very Best Friend", the first song; it has a nice pop rock feel. But after that it is like coming down after smoking a fatty bowl, or bowel if you don't know how to spell. The rest of the album … Read more

Multiple Authors

Hot Rod Circuit

Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)

Well this record does win something. Worst album cover and album name of the year thus far. I didn't like their first ep the first time I heard it so it did nothing for me on this cd. Nothing else on the cd compares to anything that they have done lately. The cover songs don't help this cd any either. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Hot Rod Circuit

Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)

I didn't hate this album, that's about all I can say for it. Nothing on this CD stood out in my mind at all, it all seemed pretty bland and boring. If you're a HUGE fan of Hot Rod Circuit's post-emo indie/pop sound they have going, you might want to check this out, I wouldn't go out of my way … Read more

Multiple Authors

Midpoint

Shutup, That's Why
2nd Best (2003)

Incredibly boring pop punk. While I do not like pop punk all that much, I know when it is done the right way and these guys have managed to fail their final exam. To study up, I suggest they listen to Osker - Idle Will Kill on repeat for the next 6 months, hit the studio, and try again. I … Read more

Multiple Authors

Midpoint

Shutup, That's Why
2nd Best (2003)

I was bored the whole time. Most of the muscles in my face have ceased all ability to move. This is one of the most generic, boring, derivative albums I have ever heard. Regular ol' pop-punk, except with a pretty bad vocalist. The band would take the step up on the ladder to being terrible if they got rid of … Read more

Multiple Authors

Midpoint

Shutup, That's Why
2nd Best (2003)

Obviously the trend of pop punk has not stopped yet, which is evident by recent releases like this. It's formulaic, with squeaky clean guitar riffs and "uplifting" vocals that are whiney as all hell. There is even a breakdown thrown in here and there, which seems to be the new element in this music. In "Non Stop Lying You" at … Read more

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