Architecture in Helsinki
NOW + 4EVA
Casual Workout (2014)
I haven't been following Architecture in Helsinki too much since the underwhelming, Places Like This. In 2011 they released, Moment Bends, which almost completely flew under my radar. I once again almost missed another album cycle with their new record, Now + 4EVA. Following their sophomore output, In Case We Die, the group began to lean more towards synth-pop and … Read more
Arckanum
Fenris Kindir
Season of Mist (2013)
Swedish black metal entity Arckanum - led by Shamaatae – have been a constant presence on the chaos-driven scene since the band’s early 90s inception and their material is as prolific as it is devastatingly weird and wonderful. Arckanum have always been a little, well, bonkers, and Fenris Kindir is no exception to that rule. From the career highlight of … Read more
Arctic Monkeys
AM
Domino (2013)
By the end of their erogenous fifth LP, the Arctic Monkeys have asked three questions: "Do I Wanna Know?", "R U Mine?" and "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?". All three tracks were released as singles, with each begging the carnal fury pulsing in their latest record, AM. Remarkably, each of the three tracks signify distinct stylistic nuances, … Read more
Arctic Monkeys
Suck It And See
Domino (2011)
Alex Turner has a captivating way of churning seemingly simple rock tunes into lyrically fueled fits of manic moods, lost lovers and “syncing hearts.” The 25-year-old front man of the British based quartet, Arctic Monkeys, is at the top of his songwriting game on this full-length album, Suck It and See. The Arctic Monkeys return with their witty blend of … Read more
Arctic Monkeys
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Domino (2006)
In years to come, when the inevitable "I <3 2004" rockumenterary hits television with its small army of washed up never-were celebrities in tow, I can say "I lived through that". I was there putting copies of Franz Ferdinand on the shelves on release day. I danced unabashedly to that catchy Killers single. I shook my fist at many a … Read more
Arcturus
Arcturian
Prophecy Productions (2015)
The fact that both the new Arcturus and the new Dodheimsgard albums are being released in the same year seems insane for me. On one hand Dodheimsgard had to take eight years in order to put out there latest, magnificent album A Umbra Omega, and just a few months later Arcturus would be releasing Arcturian, their first album in a … Read more
Ardent Nova
Ardent Nova
Wise Blood Records (2023)
Ardent Nova is the brainchild of Mike Pardi (Empty Throne). Originally formed as Pagan Thunder about 22 years ago, it was after a dream that Pardi decided to change the bands name to Ardent Nova and by asking in the odd guest solo and backing vocals here and there, Mike wrote and composed this eight track self titled debut album … Read more
Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Lost in the New Real
Inside Out (2012)
Few musicians are quite as busy as the Dutch composer and multi-instrumentalist Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Though he's known principally for being the brain behind the immense collaborative project Ayreon, Lucassen has headed no less than four other bands, including progressive metal band Guilt Machine, ambient metal band Ambeon, space rock band Star One and the gothic/symphonic metal band Stream of … Read more
Armalite
Armalite
No Idea (2006)
I have never been a huge fan of Atom Goren's past projects. Whether it was his sloppy but albeit fun pop-punk outfit, Fracture, whom existed in the early 90's, or when he used to crisscross the nation with a sequencer he goofily called "His Package." It's not that Fracture wasn't catchy or Atom and His Package wasn't charmingly cute. I … Read more
Armor for Sleep
There Is No Memory
Equal Vision (2025)
Armor For Sleep return with an album that treats memory like a weapon. It’s delicate, devastating, and impossible to disarm. For those who may not be as old as me and missed their emergence into the emo/indie scene, the Teaneck, New Jersey band started in 2001. Led by frontman Ben Jorgensen, they dropped gems like Dream to Make Believe (2003) … Read more
Arms Aloft
Sawdust City
Kiss of Death (2012)
When I speak of a “Kiss of Death” sound, I don’t mean it derisively. What I do mean is poppy song structures with powerfully belted lead vocals and strong guitars. It’s pop-punk, but with a little extra torque under it and maybe a secret passion for melodic hardcore buried somewhere in their basement cd piles from the early 2000s. Arms … Read more
Arms Aloft
What a Time to Be Barely Alive
Red Scare Industries (2016)
Midtempo punk sounds like such a boring idea.And sometimes it really is.But when it works, it’s hard to top. The chords are still powerful and concise, the frustration and fury still present, but it’s more tempered when the tempo drops down a bit and more powerful when it rises to the top. The vocals need to sneer and snarl instead … Read more
Arms and Legs
Arms and Legs
Closet Trekkie (2007)
With today's music scene escalating into an ever-expanding number of sub-genres, it seems a little risky to invade a style that's already been done many, many times over. Then again, if you think you can capture a genre differently (and better presumably) than anyone else, why not try it? Hailing from the New York City area, twenty-four-year-old Scott Daly decided … Read more
Arsis
Unwelcome
Nuclear Blast (2013)
Arsis have gotten a lot of flack recently--many folks haven't liked their turn away from the frantically technical towards the heavily melodic. And while I personally liked Starve for the Devil, there's no denying that substantial change has occurred in Arsis's sound, and despite a few bright moments here and there, it has generally been for the worse. Unfortunately, their … Read more
Arsonist
Eat Shit
Independent (2007)
Eat Shit is just over five minutes of some of the most angry music I have heard in a long time. Although I didn't expect myself to say this for a long long time, this demo is so angry that it is refreshing. Arsonist is a genuinely pissed off band with something to say, along the lines of classics like … Read more
Art Brut
Sorry, That It Doesn't Sound Like It's Planned! Battling Satan, 2009 - 2020
Edsel Records (2025)
I’ve never reviewed a box set before but Art Brut released my favourite sprechgesang anti-art-punk album of the early aughts so I figured I’d give it a go. 2005’s Bang Bang Rock & Roll placed Art Brut among the “Art Wave” scene but was more post-punk revival than “Indie Sleaze”. Argos has cited Jonathan Richman and Axl Rose as his … Read more
Art in Manila
Set the Woods on Fire
Saddle Creek (2007)
With the indefinite hiatus of Azure Ray, the duo of Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink ventured into the lives of solo recording artists with different intentions. Maria offered up her 11:11 album, which was more or less a continuation of the established Azure Ray sound, focusing on the vaguely folk indie pop which had won her over her with the … Read more
As Hope Dies
As Hope Dies
Still Life (2006)
This self-titled affair is the final recorded material from the melodic death metal/hardcore outfit As Hope Dies. Prior to this five-song EP, the band had released two other albums: a full-length and an EP. Their first effort showed immense promise as it blended together their influences of European thrash and death metal with a healthy dose of American hardcore. Their … Read more
