Rush
Clockwork Angels
Roadrunner (2012)
On some days, when I'm really brutally honest with myself, I can safely admit that all of my favourite old rock bands from the 1970s have gone completely past the point of no return; they'll never release an album of the same calibre as those from their heyday, they'll never sell out huge stadiums and get the attention they used … Read more
Russian Circles
Enter
Flameshovel (2006)
Hearing a new band for the very first time can be an awesome experience - it can also be horrible, but that is not the case here. I had never heard of Russian Circles prior to seeing their name listed as an opener for a semi-recent Isis tour. Being curious as to what they sounded like, I scoured the Internet … Read more
Russian Circles
Guidance
Sargent House (2016)
The constant presence of Russian Circles in the post-rock domain has raised them to a prestigious status, and rightfully so. The band from Chicago started off about a decade ago, releasing their debut, Enter, in 2006. Their music was heavy and moving, and record by record the craftsmanship of the trio progressed, and especially since Geneva and Empros, they have … Read more
Russian Circles
Station
Suicide Squeeze (2008)
Russian Circles' Enter was practically a life-changing album for me. Never had I heard a heavy instrumental band with such a fluid, narrative style before. There was also a dash of technical prowess (but not too much) and the whole thing was wrapped up with a certain flair only Russian Circles could provide. The Upper Ninety/Re-Enter 7" got me even … Read more
Rust Belt Lights
These Are the Good Old Days
Paper + Plastick (2011)
There is a ridiculous amount of variation in pop punk as of late. There was one band back in the early days that crossed between pop punk and hardcore in the late 90's. That band was Saves The Day. With their first two full lengths they made a habit of including two step parts sing alongs and breakdowns into their … Read more
Rwake
Voices of Omens
Relapse (2007)
Progressive sludge? That sounds like an oxymoron. When I think of progressive in terms of music I think of Rush being listened to by some nerdy kid wearing a tie-dyed shirt that is playing Dungeons and Dragons in his parents' basement (yeah I stole that image from SLC Punk, whatever). When I think of sludge, I think of some dirty … Read more
Rx Bandits
...And the Battle Begun
MDB (2006)
There is a startling disparity between the Rx Bandits' 1997 debut Those Damn Bandits and ââ¬Â¦And the Battle Begun if you listen to them back to back, yet the progression makes perfect sense if you listen to their discography in order. In just a hair under a decade the band has reinvented themselves numerous times over five albums; a feat … Read more
Ryan Adams
29
Lost Highway (2005)
Ryan Adams is about as prolific as a songwriter can be. 29 is the latest of the three albums he released in 2005, Cold Roses and Jacksonville City Nights being the other two. 29 is also his most varied of the three, containing elements of ballsy blues rock-n-roll as well as flamenco influences, which is kind of shocking to hear. … Read more
Ryan Adams
Cold Roses
Lost Highway (2005)
The name Ryan Adams has become synonymous with the word "prolific," but not so much with the words "genius" and "brilliant"- those are thrown around by hardcore fans and earnest publicists. After releasing five full-length albums in a span of four years, his debut, Heartbreaker, still undeniably remains his best record to date, but he is far from regressing to … Read more
Ryan Adams
Easy Tiger
Lost Highway (2007)
The artist of the album I reviewed made it difficult to include his name in the opening sentence without thinking people would disregard the entire article, because this is his ninth studio album following three releases just two years ago in 2005. Yup, Ryan Adams released yet another album entitled Easy Tiger. It hardly feels like it's been two years … Read more
Ryan Adams
Love is Hell
Lost Highway (2004)
Well, it's been a busy year for our friend Ryan Adams: a rock and roll record, two EP's, a broken heart, and a broken wrist. This is a lot to fit in, especially considering how busy he was whining about reviews and threatening to retire from music. If there is one thing I can count on each month it's that … Read more
Ryan Adams
Prisoners B Sides
Blue Note (2017)
Ryan Adams is one of the 21st centuries most prolific songwriters. Like Springsteen on speed, he just can’t seem to stop, whether it’s country, blues, metal, or an assortment of other areas for which he has lent his voice, he is constantly pushing out something new. His drive to write and produce is a great thing and has provided an … Read more
Ryan's Hope
Apocalypse in Increments
Punknews (2006)
If you're looking for a catchy yet simultaneously heavy melodic punk album, look no further than Ryan's Hope's sophomore release, Apocalypse in Increments. Blending monster hooks with production that makes every instrument kick as hard as it should, Apocalypse in Increments may have you wondering how you've never heard of this Chicago three-piece. The excellent production is care of Mr. … Read more
S
Cool Choices
Hardly Art (2014)
“This is how losers feel // I am a loser // and you’re here to remind me” ...so begins Cool Choices, recorded by Jenn Ghetto, founding member of the outstanding and sorely missed Carissa’s Wierd, under the name of “S.” Ghetto has made a career of producing some of the most heart-wrenching, emotionally-devastating, and downright sad tunes imaginable, and this … Read more
S/V\R
Deluge
Union Finale (2015)
It was not that far ago that I was listening to the previous S/V\R album, Sur Les Femmes and I was thinking just how intense their music was. Separating their previous album into two halves, the first saw them taking on their most chaotic and punishing form, rendering their soundscapes completely indecipherable. On the second part though, they seemed to … Read more
S/V\R
Sur Les Femmes I & II
Union Finale Records (2013)
S/V\R is the project of S. de la Moth of Menace Ruine and audio explorer/percussionist Chanoine V. The band’s earlier release entitled Celebration Noire, released through Handmade Birds, was excellent and now, after some time spent on meditation and soul searching the noise/industrial duo strikes back with their latest offering, Sur Les Femmes I & II. Split into two parts, … Read more
Sabertooth Zombie
And Your Fathers are Dead in the Ground
Twelve Gauge (2009)
California's most intriguing current hardcore outfit, Sabertooth Zombie, returns with their latest full-length effort. Since they've last released Midnight Venom in 2006, the group has released a dual-EP 10" and a 7" EP as well as re-recording and re-compiling a few recordings for CD releases. Needless to say, Sabertooth Zombie has kept themselves busy. And You Fathers are Dead in … Read more
Sabertooth Zombie
Dance / The Prisoner
Twelve Gauge (2007)
Sabertooth Zombie is a band that has been waiting to explode for sometime now. After a few self-released efforts, the band release their debut full-length, Midnight Venom, in 2006, an album that brilliantly fused menacing hardcore with the fierceness of punk. The album received high praise here at Scene Point Blank and we eagerly waited for what would follow. 2007 … Read more
