A Sense Of Porpoise
Self Titled
Independent (2012)
Upon initial listen, this came across as the kind of sloppy folk punk that I’d likely be annoyed by if there was a male singer. Call me sexist if you will but the fact that a female is doing the vocals makes this totally pleasurable, whereas I’d normally dismiss such stuff after one listen as gimmicky coffee shop music that … Read more
A Silver Mount Zion
Horses in the Sky
Constellation (2005)
A few days after Horses in the Sky was released, *coughtwomonthsagocough*, I sat down and tried to review it. After one listen my review was nearly done. I'd given the album a score of 5.0, dismissing it as "the most frustrating album of the year." I now realize that my review, while being both wildly hilarious and jarringly insightful, was … 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
A Step Behind
This is What We've Become
Independent (2007)
I knew this was bound to happen. I feel slightly invaded by the fact that it has. I've never been one to shun a good pop-punk record, but I can't remember the last time I found a rock band whose music I can enjoy on the most base level, that being the level where it inspires absolutely nothing except the … Read more
A Storm of Light
As the Valley of Death Becomes Us, Our Silver Memories Fade
Profound Lore (2011)
What do you get when you throw Mastodon and Neurosis into a blender? If you answered 'Scott Kelly's over-stroked ego,' then, yes, you're technically correct. But if you're not being a smart-ass, you would have a band with a sound akin to that of Brooklyn-based post-/doom metal band, A Storm of Light.Their debut album, And We Wept the Black Ocean … Read more
A Storm of Light
Forgive Us Our Trespasses
Neurot (2009)
Following an impressive debut album (And We Wept the Black Ocean Within) and a nice split and collaborative release (see their record with Nadja called Primitive North), A Storm of Light give their latest album Forgive Us Our Tresspasses to show just how far the band has progressed in the interim. The ten new compositions that Josh Graham (Neurosis, Red … Read more
A Storm of Light
Nations To Flames
Southern Lord (2013)
A band reinventing itself is not an uncommon occurrence, but a successful reinvention is, and the more drastic the shift, the less likely it is to succeed. There are some notable success stories, but let's face it, not every band can have the graceful chance of being, say, Anathema. One of the most recent bands to take the chance and reinvent … Read more
A Storm of Light / Nadja
Primitive North
Robotic Empire (2009)
This split is completely unexpected but still very appropriate as both A Storm of Light and Nadja seem to be rather complimentary in several different ways, but, quite honestly, the record packaging for this is sure to grab you. A double LP that includes the CD of Primitive North with some rather unique looking artwork, which goes against the grain … Read more
A Sunny Day in Glasgow
Autumn, Again
A Sunny Day in Glasgow (2010)
Unique hurdles materialize for bands who decide to write music under the shoegaze/dream pop category. There is an intrinsic quality in the genre to inspire feelings of nostalgia and introspection, so it makes little sense to complain about A Sunny Day in Glasgow’s latest release because it lacks any vision for the future. But I’m afraid that is what it’s … Read more
A Swarm of the Sun
The King of Everything
Independent (2007)
A Swarm of the Sun delivers with The King of Everything a dark, brooding EP that sounds as if the chasms of hell have opened or, better said, are about to open. If one expects the chasms of hell to be filled with power metal and/or gay metal like Manowar; then one is wrong. The King of Everything is subtle, … Read more
A Tribe Called Quest
We Got It From Here...Thank You For Your Service
Epic (2016)
It's been a year of protests. Whether it's regarding the new president-elect, Black Lives Matter, or sitting down during the national anthem, folks are letting their displeasure with the current state of affairs.With that said, it's been a while that anyone has released anything that could be categorized as a protest album. Hell, that might not even be a real … Read more
A Whisper In The Noise
To Forget
Exile on Mainstream (2012)
The 2 piece "band" A Whisper In The Noise has been kicking around for the better part of the 2000's playing a style of folk that contains elements of shoegaze, dream pop, and ambient electronics. So one may come to the conclusion that the band has an identity crisis of sorts with such a striking mix of sounds. Well it … Read more
A Wilhelm Scream
Diver
Jumpstart (2006)
Ok, so it's no secret that I really like A Wilhelm Scream. Like, a lot. I gave their most recent full-length, Ruiner, an 8.5 out of a possible 10. The full-length has yet to leave regular rotation in my listening habits, and the thing's been out since August! There had been talks from Jumpstart Records for a long time that … Read more
A Wilhelm Scream
Partycrasher
No Idea Records (2013)
It’s been hard to believe that A Wilhelm Scream’s last full length, Career Suicide, was released in 2007. I’ve seen these guys live a handful of times since then, and they are anything but old news. No Idea definitely knew what they were doing by adding this headlining band to their roster. The amount of energy and spirit A Wilhelm Scream … Read more
A Wilhelm Scream
Ruiner
Nitro (2005)
A few names come to mind when you hear the term technical punk: Strung Out, Bigwig, and Propagandhi. These bands started off as scrappy punk rockers whose talents progressed as their members became more and more skilled at their craft. A Wilhelm Scream fit perfectly in this category. Formerly known as the band Smackin' Isaiah, A Wilhelm Scream changed their … Read more
A Wilhelm Scream
Self Titled
Paper + Plastick (2010)
A Wilhelm Scream are back. After a period of absence the mighty punks from the northeast are back. The band seemed to dissapear for a period after their last full length. While that record was good it felt like it wasn't up to their standard. Some songs didn't roll by as smoothly as others. Come 2010 and they are back … Read more
