Nizlopi
Half These Songs are About You
NOVA (2005)
There's only one place this review can start, and that's with the song "JCB". A delicate, soft pop song with innocent lyrics, drawing on all the heroes and protective influences of childhood. Placid guitars, a relaxed voice and with an air of sitting under the one grey cloud on a sunny day, knowing you can get up, walk ten yards … Read more
No Age
Weirdo Rippers
Fat Cat (2007)
This year we have seen many artists take material from several previously released albums to make full-lengths that have been much better than what the outcome usually is in this situation. Panda Bear's Person Pitch might be one of the more popular cases of this. No Age's Weirdo Rippers is certainly looking to try and dethrone Panda Bear of that … Read more
No Consequence
IO
Basick (2013)
The djent movement is still the "next big thing" in metal music, meaning that there are a lot (and I mean a LOT) of new bands coming up from the woodwork every day. However, in sifting them through, it's always been a safe bet to check out the new releases from Basick Records, who have a pretty good track record … Read more
No Future
Mirror
Iron Lung (2024)
No Future are unleashing their debut record, following many short-fused, chaotic EPs and demos. The hardcore punk band from down under subscribes to the genre’s noisier, most extravagant, and brutal sub-division. Mirror’s energy is outright belligerent, capable of inflicting maximum damage with its minimalistic tendencies. The electrifying effect of “Silent Morality” is explosive, with a hi-hat sound capable of literal … Read more
No Harm Done
Escape
Think Fast! (2008)
Sometimes, on paper a band can look really good. But when you get around to listening, it just doesn't add up. No Harm Done is that kind of a band for me. The Florida natives play fast, melodic hardcore with the occasional pop-filler. Escape is the band's latest full-length and first for Think Fast! Records. The fourteen tracks that comprise … Read more
No Harm Done
Our Day of Days
Anchorless (2007)
It's hard to be original anymore when playing any form of rock music and even harder to stand out when you're trying to sound similar to already-existing acts. No Harm Done are a melodic hardcore band from Florida who play their style by the book and not much else, as the idol worship of Strike Anywhere is clearly heard in … Read more
No Idols
Low (Swing the Pyramid Hands)
Hex (2006)
No Idols is a roaring, incendiary band that combines a fuzzed out dirgey guitar attack (a la Cursed) with speed, raw emotion, and enough sociopolitical bile to piss of an entire VFW hall full of the mascara crowd. Low (Swing the Pyramid Hands) is the second release, following a 7" on Grave Mistake (which is equally excellent but different sounding), … Read more
No Matter
Excess Baggage EP
Independent (2019)
No Matter is a North Ireland punk band. They have quite a couple of releases under their belt. Excess Baggage being their latest offer. They offer a bit of a time travel experience. This EP reminds me of the nineties very much. And not just the nineties, but the punk demos I heard back in the day to be specific.I … Read more
No Pressure
No Pressure LP
Ice Grill$, Triple B (2022)
Well to be honest I'm not a Story So Far fan and would not add their albums into a “Favorites” playlist, but I can tell you that No Pressure is Parker's new music project and it just put out a banger tune this year. As has previously been told, No Pressure is a new musical project led by several members … Read more
No Trigger
Canyoneer
Nitro (2006)
Melodic hardcore seems to be falling back into favor these days, which is a good thing in my opinion. And Massachusetts' No Trigger provides an excellent debut full-length that doesn't stray from the tried-and-true. Everything you'd expect from a melodic hardcore band is here: breakneck speeds, good ol' guitar solos, gang vocals, etc., and though it's not as fresh a … Read more
No Turning Back
Holding On
Bridge Nine (2006)
I don't know exactly when it happened - it was probably in the 90's- but you don't need to be from New York anymore to sound like a NYHC band. You could be from such sun-drenched locales like Florida and California. You could even talk about the tough streets in Tokyo, Japan or Umea, Sweden. You don't need to be … Read more
No Turning Back
Stronger
Reflections (2008)
For over a decade No Turning Back has been churning out release after release - CD, vinyl, and cassette - of punishing New York flavored hardcore. And while you would think the band's location were the mean streets of NYC, these boys actually call the beauty of The Netherlands home. Don't worry! You're not the first to be fooled. Stronger … Read more
No Use for a Name
Feel Good Record of the Year
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)
I'm sitting here drinking a beer to wash down a turkey melt I just made with my George Foreman Grill. Jason Kubel just hit a home run against the Brewers to tie up the game in the bottom of the fifth. The sun is shining, I'm wearing shorts, and there's a fan blowing in the corner. It's not officially summer … Read more
No Use for a Name
Rarities Vol. 1: The Covers
Fat Wreck Chords (2017)
I harbour a weak spot for No Use for a Name, a band that eventually became a melodic pop-punk band that landed on Fat Wreck records.What not too many contemporary and younger fans devotees would be aware of, is the fact that No Use for a Name evolved from having started as a much rawer hardcore outfit in the late … Read more
Nobro
Live Your Truth Shred Some Gnar
Big Scary Monsters (2022)
Sometimes I feel so incredibly dumb. I have a soft spot for Spanish punk bands and figured, based on the name, this could be filed as such. Sounded Spanish in my head at least. Until I came to their bandcamp, noticed this is a Canadian band and saw the band photo with four young women. I said the name out … Read more
Nobro
Set Your Pussy Free
Dine Alone (2023)
Last year I discovered Nobro through their EP Live Your Truth, Shred Some Gnar. I cheated a bit and included this EP on my (albums only) yearlist. I still return to that EP (and the one before that) often. So you can imagine, my expectations were sky high. And that made me afraid: was I expecting too much from this … Read more
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Self Titled
Sour Mash (2011)
In the past two years there has been some speculation about the Gallagher brothers. Even during their career as Oasis the speculation was there. Many questioned with all of their issues who was the real talent driving the band. Well this is the year that the question gets answered. With the release of This record as well as the Beady … Read more
NOFX
Coaster
Fat Wreck Chords (2009)
Currently on album number twelve, NOFX have become content with a certain sound that seems to represent their careers. That, of course, would be straight-forward punk rock with political overtones as well as some humorous numbers. So, what's to expect from their new album, Coaster? More of the same? You'd be right in terms of sound, but with old Georgie … Read more
