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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)

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. That song just screams "put it in me!", from the girl fingering herself to that sweet man's voice. If you are happy, this will make you happier. If you aren't happy, well prepare for a smile! And nothing soothes my freshly torn toenails like the harmonizing done in "Dream." I'm not gay, but this turns me on. Please Rock Kills Kid, make another album "Again"! Read more

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. … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … 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

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One from the archives

Internal Affairs

Internal Affairs
Malfunction (2005)

Corey Williams scares me. Now, this isn't anything bad because Williams is a great guy. But add a microphone and a stage - or maybe just a microphone - and this man turns into someone that you probably don't want to meet in a darken alleyway. If Mr. Williams is scary, Internal Affairs frightens me to death. After several prominent releases including a debut 7' and splits with Last Nerve and Allegiance, the band gives us their debut full-length. I use the term full-length loosely because the album clocks in at barely 20 minutes, which is my only complaint. However, the minute I finish listening to it I want to listen to the record again. Musically, if you've heard Internal Affairs before, the basic style is still present. The noticeable … Read more

More album reviews

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 if the prettiness was really good, but it's just kind of bland. The female vocals aren't really working for me either. I'm sure she has a good voice, but it adds to the already stale feeling. At the same time … 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 I believe was their last full length record. Well something happened in between as this new record is quite a bit darker than that record. Caithlin's vocals are allot stronger than they have ever been and really steps into the … 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. Highlights on the record, to me, are the opening track "Mystery and Misery", "Ears Ring", and the final song "Situation Relation". I've never been a fan of Rainer Maria, or even heard too much by them, but I have been … 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

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

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