Angels of Light
We are Him
Young God (2007)
When Michael Gira disbanded Swans in 1997, he declared himself free of the connotations that came with being in that group who were considered the loudest band and invoked the ire of noise ordinances everywhere. Angels of Light is Gira's project of the last ten years that is the polar opposite to the expectations that were heaped upon him while … Read more
Angus McSix
Angus McSix and the Sword of Power.
Napalm (2023)
The story of this album is forged thusly; after heroically dying in the greatest battle of all time at the hands of goblins, Prince Angus awakes in the underworld, realm of martyrs. Remembering that his homeland of Scotland and, indeed the galaxy, are still under threat he endeavours to return. After loseing his hammer he finds the mighty sword of … Read more
Ani DiFranco
Educated Guess
Righteous Babe (2005)
Ani DiFranco is, without a doubt, one of the most active singer/songwriters in music today. Since her 1990 debut, she's put out about 20 other releases on her very own label. Needless to say, she's a very hard worker and an even better writer. Over the years, her albums have featured a vast array of other instruments to help transform … Read more
Animal Collective
Strawberry Jam
Domino (2007)
Strawberry Jam is so far the commercially successful album by Animal Collective to date. This album peaked at #72 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts even though it leaked in mid-July of this year. Animal Collective has had coverage in Rolling Stone Magazine, ring tones, the works. Beyond the mountain of success, popularity, and capitalism, Animal Collective delivered on this … Read more
Animal Collective
Sung Tongs
Fat Cat (2004)
So here I am. Thinking of everything else I could be doing that does not include listening to the never-ending song by the Animal Collective. Forward. Sorry! I really do like them, they are doing "Something Different" and "Breaking New Ground", even. They're interesting, cryptic... in fact, this is the perfect record to add to your collection to prove just … Read more
Animosity
Animal
Black Market Activities (2007)
Animosity has proven that metal can truly reign supreme again in the Bay Area. Following the initial burst of thrash metal that drew the attention of every person with long hair and a will to bang their head, the metal scene of San Francisco and its surrounding areas fell off and almost completely dissipated. Granted, in its absence we were … Read more
Ann Beretta
Old Scars, New Blood
Say-10 (2017)
There’s a lot of analysis when listening to Old Scars, New Blood. When singer Rob Huddleston sings, “Nothing ever changes/ Nothing ever stays the same” in “Fairweather,” it seems to epitomize the experience of this record, a re-recording of 13 songs by the recently born again Ann Beretta.I can’t decide if this album is a great idea, modernizing a reformed … Read more
Ann Beretta
Rise
Bully Me Now (2022)
I've been sitting on this record since it came out, and I wasn't sure exactly where I was with it until now. I really wanted to love this record, but my musical taste is that of a 47 yr old guy who has listened to so much music and been in so many bands, that I was afraid the review … Read more
Anna von Hausswolf
Iconoclasts
Year0001 (2025)
One of the most distinct voices of the current generation, Anna von Hausswolff's sound is wide and far-reaching. From dark ambient atmospherics and organ music fixation, to noise rock momentum and neo-classical arrangements, her music always balances a primordial ritualism and contemporary applications. It is an ongoing process, one that Anna has been refining over the years. In 2018, the … Read more
Annabel
Each and Everyone
Count Your Lucky Stars (2009)
It's been a while since my last review and I'm still shaking off the writing cobwebs. After multiple tests and papers discussing the typical critiques of Western academia over the past few weeks, that module of my brain is somewhat worn out. So I am approaching the end of the decade with a somewhat lazy, but never inattentive, mindset on … Read more
Annasay
Annasay
Independent (2006)
I know this sounds familiar and you've heard a thousand of projects along these lines by now. But bear with me. Following the breakup of melodic hardcore/rock band Linus, Brad Lebakken decided to start writing music on his own. The songs that developed from these writing sessions were acoustic guitar driven indie rock. Lebakken recorded and released these songs under … Read more
Anne
Dream Punx
A389 (2011)
In a genre of little distinction, Anne’s Dream Punx delves deeper into their own capabilities than most would’ve thought possible. The melodies used and the intertwining riffs create a wall of sound that evoke a sense of nostalgia for when Slowdive was around without having the feeling of a cheap knock off. The most captivating thing about this album is … Read more
Anneke van Giersbergen
Everything is Changing
PIAS (2012)
There's something odd about Anneke van Giersbergen. I keep hearing her name tossed around next to acts like Napalm Death, Moonspell and Within Temptaion, and I've heard her collaborations with other artists scores of times. And yet I've never heard what her solo music sounds like. Let me tell you, I wasn't expecting an alternarock album when I first played … Read more
Annie Jump Cannon
Flourishing Apart
No Sleep (2022)
Every 15-20 years there’s a revival. This time it’s emo and Annie Jump Cannon may be a modern 2022 band, but this could have come out in 2005 and fit into the scene of that day: both for its strengths and its weaknesses. Emo has always been a flawed genre for me. The melodrama plays well with crescendos and soaring, … Read more
Annihilation Time
II
Six Weeks (2005)
For the past few years these ragers have been taking their brand of Bl'ast-influenced punk all over the world. Their first LP was twelve inches of furious hardcore taking from 1980s California bands like Black Flag, Aggression, and Bl'ast. The Bad Reputation 7" took the band into a new direction, influenced more by the '70s rockers that those California bands … Read more
Annuals / Sunfold
Wet Zoo
Canvas Back (2008)
Annuals 2006 release Be He Me was an interesting album. It balanced on the tip of a melting iceberg between a respectable indie release and an unfortunate pop rock attempt. The Wet Zoo EP has solidified the unfortunate and brought to light Annuals' turn for the worse. Once, Annuals' sound was embodied with multiple layers and experimentation with song space. … Read more
Another Breath
Mill City
Rivalry (2006)
Fulton, New York's Another Breath have returned with their debut full-length, Mill City. This is their follow-up to their first offering, 2004's Not Now, Not Ever, which blasted through eight songs in just fifteen minutes. Mill City may contain nearly twice as many songs, but the album clocks in at just over thirty-five minutes. So what we have here is … Read more
Another Breath
The God Complex
Panic (2009)
It's been quite some time since Another Breath released Mill City. Granted it has only been a few years, but in hardcore that means an eternity; a lot has transpired in the world of hardcore since 2006. Countless bands have come and gone. Some have come back too! Essentially, the entire landscape of hardcore has transformed. In spite of all … Read more
