Modern Life Is War
Witness
Deathwish Inc. (2005)
There are undoubtedly many of those who claim that hardcore is a dull, stagnant genre in serious need of a quick, timely death. It's easy to see from where they draw their argument, because hardcore is a hugely popular genre that has simply refused to evolve for far too long. Fortunately for the hardcore aficionado with discerning taste, there have … Read more
Narrows
New Distances
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
Narrows return to the musical fold with their debut full-length and follow-up to last year's very impressive self-titled EP. Like many others, when news of this project was first announced, I was beyond excited and anticipated great things. Who wouldn't be when members of Botch, Unbroken, Some Girls, and These Arms are Snakes get together? Fools. That's who! The band's … Read more
Narrows
New Distances
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
Yes, this is finally out and not a moment too soon! The first Narrows full-length, New Distances, is indeed finally available for the shattering of our ear drums. And it must be said that it does come amidst a slew of hype and anticipation (and no small amount on my own part to be brutally honest). Coming off their first … Read more
Neurosis
Honor Found In Decay
Neurot Recordings (2012)
The rain is beating on my windows while the wind is whipping the trees into a whirling frenzy as people are declaring a weather apocalypse on the television, but “My Heart For Deliverance” slowly begins its ascent on my speakers before Neurosis just steps down on the song full on, blaring guitars and pounding drums throwing down the gauntlet to … Read more
Neurosis
Honor Found In Decay
Neurot Recordings (2012)
Honor Found in Decay has been a long, long time coming. Having not released a full length since 2007 and with many of the band’s members taking on solo projects or working together on projects, it’s a wonder that Neurosis found the time to piece together this majestic album. Honor Found in Decay is a slow-burning and decadent work, which … Read more
New Found Glory
Catalyst
Drive-Thru (2004)
I realize I am talking about a band most of you will call shitty and over rated. For your convenience I have included one sentence paragraph summaries for you short attention spanners. I like a lot of NFG's other stuff, namely Nothing Gold Can Stay. I can pretty much find something entertaining about all their records, and that is no … Read more
New Found Glory
Catalyst
Drive-Thru (2004)
WARNING: As the writer of this review I feel that there is something you should know prior to reading this, as reviews are biased by whoever is writing the review. All that I have heard previous to this album was random songs from the radio, not that I listen to the radio. So now is my chance to hear a … Read more
Nine Inch Nails
Year Zero
Interscope (2007)
The year I was born, Trent Reznor, under his Nine Inch Nails alias, released Pretty Hate Machine, an album which through the iconographic concept of the mix tape circuit launched his career. Fueled by a nihilistic sense of self-realization, and far too much booze, Reznor produced tracks which resonated with audiences for their highly inter personal lyrics and the "industrial" … Read more
Nine Inch Nails
Year Zero
Interscope (2007)
Let me bring you up to speed on the world of Nine Inch Nails. 2005 saw the release of With Teeth, an album which boasted three number-one singles, a Grammy award nomination, and respectable position on many 'top albums of the year' lists. Like the widely acclaimed The Downward Spiral before it, With Teeth showcased distinct pop-sensibilities in frontman Trent … Read more
Nirvana
In Utero (20th Anniversary Reissue)
Universal (2013)
Some anniversary reissues are like tapas. Small, manageable servings of exactly what you want and you wind up leaving utterly satisfied. Others are like going to Country Buffet. More food than you could ever need or want and you end up gorging on shit you never asked for in the first place and when you finish you ask yourself "Why … Read more
Nirvana
In Utero (20th Anniversary Reissue)
Universal (2013)
It’s easy to read a posthumous reissue as a mining of a band’s demos and outtakes. Nirvana saw the deluxe treatment of Nevermind a few years back and now, celebrating 20 years since its release, they get the same treatment on In Utero. For a band that only released three proper full-lengths, yet received accolades beyond what I care to get into in … Read more
NOFX
Wolves in Wolves' Clothing
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
So here we are, NOFX's 10th studio album, 3 years on from 2003's War On Errorism. Bush got re-elected, so anyone not expecting more political-themed punk rock is probably in need of urgent brain surgery. At 44 minutes, with 18 official tracks, it's one of the band's longest releases to date and could probably benefit from being trimmed of its … Read more
NOFX
Wolves in Wolves' Clothing
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
At this point, NOFX know where they stand in their musical career. That much is obvious not only when you see them play a show, but also when you listen to the final track of Wolves In Wolves' Clothing, "60% (Reprise)". There's no dancing around the subject with ambiguous or pretentious lyrics that make you think "Yeah, I'm pretty sure … Read more
Okkervil River
The Stand Ins
Jagjaguwar (2008)
"But there's this idea that nobody can tell you if something is good or not, you have to decide whether you think it's good. And nobody is more of an authority than anyone else." The quote above is part of a response singer Will Sheff said when interviewed about his then forthcoming record The Stage Names. The interviewer had asked … Read more
Okkervil River
The Stand Ins
Jagjaguwar (2008)
I have this vaguely unpleasant sensation lately when listening to The Stand Ins that Okkervil River's Will Sheff (guitar and vocals) is peering in the windows at me. I'm probably not alone in this, though. Throughout The Stand Ins, universal themes are rendered in careful fragments, and anchored with lyrical details so seemingly specific that they're almost biographical. Sure, Okkervil … Read more
Owen
New Leaves
Polyvinyl (2009)
Most people who listen to Owen are all-too-aware of what I like to call the Kinsella continuum. Chicago-based brothers Mike and Tim are responsible for some of the more infamous 90's Midwest bands, being the minds behind Cap'n Jazz, American Football, Owls, and the ever-revolving doors of Joan of Arc. Their prolific nature has even brought in younger brother Nate … Read more
Owen
New Leaves
Polyvinyl (2009)
Owen made being a self-deprecating, guitar-playing romantic a cool thing again. But its 2009 now, and maybe it's a little played out. Yeah, there will always be a sense of comfort in Kinsella's wistful melodies and twinkling arpeggios. However, the works of Owen were starting to sound too alike, predictable, or reused. Surprisingly, Owen expands its sound with its fifth … Read more
Paradise Lost
Obsidian
Nuclear Blast (2020)
I don't think I'm the first metal critic to acknowledge that they haven't been keeping up with Paradise Lost as well as they should have over the years. I feel like this is a product of both my own evolution of interests, and frankly, Paradise Lost's overwhelming success over the years. They're hard to escape within metal certain circles, and whenever they dropped an … Read more
