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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Xiu Xiu

A Promise
5 Rue Christine (2003)

Xiu Xiu are a frustrating band in the sense that their originality is quite apparent, but for many people they are difficult to "get into." After coming away from their 2002 release Knife Play without having really "clicked" at all, I decided to give them another chance with A Promise. Almost wiping clean any trace of a riff or melody that you can really embrace, Xiu Xiu have carefully crafted a record that needs to be experienced rather than just listened to. This is not the type of record that you can ignore and let wash over you every once in a while when something piques your attention or curiosity in a musical sense. Xiu Xiu have released what seems to be a more mature version of their inorganic Knife Play, utilizing their innovation as a means of songwriting rather than just experimenting for experimentation's sake. The album as a Xiu Xiu release is flawless save for the awful "Walnut House." In "Walnut House" frontman Jamie Stewart tests his hypothesis of "boring, contrived, and downright stupid = good?" After listening to the song once, it's pretty obvious that it's one of those rare tracks on a good, nay, great album … Read more

Multiple Authors

Xiu Xiu

A Promise
5 Rue Christine (2003)

Xiu Xiu are a frustrating band in the sense that their originality is quite apparent, but for many people they … Read more

Multiple Authors

Where Fear and Weapons Meet

Control
Eulogy (2003)

This 6 song EP is nothing to start a big hoopla over. Sounds like basic, run of the mill hardcore … Read more

Multiple Authors

Where Fear and Weapons Meet

Control
Eulogy (2003)

I enjoy this record. Coming in fully expecting some new metal-core band, I was surprised with some old school style … Read more

Multiple Authors

Where Fear and Weapons Meet

Control
Eulogy (2003)

When people first get into hardcore, they say it all sounds the same. This is understandable, because a lot of … Read more

Multiple Authors

Songs: Ohia

Magnolia Electric Co.
Secretly Canadian (2003)

From the first notes of the opener "Farewell Transmission" on the Magnolia Electric Co. experienced Songs: Ohia listeners will immediately … Read more

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One from the archives

Death By Stereo

Death for Life
Epitaph (2005)

Fearlessly naming their new record Death for Life is an instant indication that Death By Stereo aren't about to back down despite the lawsuits and legal issues surrounding the band after a death at one of their shows in 2003. Just in case you didn't pick up on the name, the record begins with some gang vocals chanting the words, before quickly kicking into a completely metal riff that would make even the most timid of music fans want to grow their hair out and headbang. It's not all about meathead riffs though, as opening track "Binge/Purge" progresses. The familiar vocals of Efrem Schulz are there, although with a slightly more screamed edge that's present on this record much more than others. Also notable is the guitar solo, sounding more … Read more

More album reviews

Multiple Authors

Songs: Ohia

Magnolia Electric Co.
Secretly Canadian (2003)

This is my first Songs: Ohia experience. Outcome? Excellent. Slide guitar, slow to mid-tempo songs, and a sound that can almost be reminiscent to Counting Crows at times (go ahead and flame me), I have found myself going back to this CD more than I expected. The vocals are incredibly laid back and have a vibe that is just incredibly … Read more

Multiple Authors

Songs: Ohia

Magnolia Electric Co.
Secretly Canadian (2003)

After falling in love with songwriter Jason Molina's ensemble last year through the somber and deeply confessional Didn't it Rain, my expectations were set extremely high for both of his 2003 releases, Magnolia Electric Co. and Pyramid Electric Co., which will be released later this year. The first thing that struck me about Magnolia Electric Co. was that it had … Read more

Multiple Authors

Kissing Chaos

Enter With a Bullet
Fueled By Ramen (2003)

I fall somewhere in between Zed and Shane on this CD. I found some minor enjoyment in it, but there are a lot of musical flaws. It simply doesn't fit together very well. A lot of bands are trying to mix a lot of different sounds, but they shouldn't have to struggle to do it, this band clearly has problems … Read more

Multiple Authors

Kissing Chaos

Enter With a Bullet
Fueled By Ramen (2003)

The latest addition to FBR's roster. I gave this 5 song EP a listen not knowing what to expect. I think I might have been better off not knowing what it was. This band seems very unsure of what they want to be. Not terribly bad music (besides the terrible drum screw up 1:14 into the third song) but they … Read more

Multiple Authors

Kissing Chaos

Enter With a Bullet
Fueled By Ramen (2003)

With a name like Kissing Chaos you just want to get a teddy bear and kiss it. Or maybe I just made that up for a creative intro to a review. Which is ironic, because this isn't the most creative CD. They do use violins for the end of a song, and that would have been original if it hadn't … Read more

Multiple Authors

Children of Bodom

Hate Crew Deathroll
Century Media (2003)

This album is definitely one of the "odd men out" on this site. That is a good thing though. Sometimes you need a change of pace. The cheesy orchestra keyboard hits can get to you sometimes. The guitar work is fucking amazing. Constant double bass through the record. The vocals aren't all that bad either. Sometimes they can sound pretty … Read more

Multiple Authors

Children of Bodom

Hate Crew Deathroll
Century Media (2003)

When I first heard I was going to be reviewing this album, I automatically assumed I would hate it. My metal tastes hardly expand past a few Iron Maiden and Judas Priest records. While the lyrics and vocals are a little hard to get into for me, they aren't hard to get past. The guitar work involved some amazing metal … Read more

Multiple Authors

Children of Bodom

Hate Crew Deathroll
Century Media (2003)

So metal it has its own element on the periodic table! You can quote me on that B') I'm not familiar with metal enough to differentiate death metal, black metal, and cash money metal from each other, but I can tell this is good metal. Already I've used the word metal seven times in this review, and that probably means … Read more

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

Death by Stereo strike again with this new offering of their signature metal influenced melodic hardcore sound. This CD is filled with windmill-inducing finger-pointing fun. The lyrics contain the angst and political commentary you've come to expect from any hardcore band, but the typicality of the lyrical content is completely overshadowed by Efrem's insane and unique vocals. Buy it, dance … Read more

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

Death By Stereo's newest release and they have shown no sign of slowing down. They have taken their classic style and improved upon it in many ways. The intro to "Beyond The Blinders" is enough to get anyone head-banging. "You're a Bullshit Salesman Without A Mouthful of Samples" has some backing vocals reminiscent of AFI. A couple songs have slow … Read more

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

The first song I heard from this was "Wasted Words" from a Punk-O-Rama compilation. A good song, but it reminded me of their other stuff a lot. After having a complete listen to this album, I must say, first impressions from Punk-O-Rama compilations are not good. This album isn't dramatically different than If Looks Could Kill I'd Watch You Die … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

Don't be fooled by the name, this isn't a Good Charlotte cover band. HARD HARD. Anyways, this EP didn't get me incredibly pumped up, but it certainly was something worth listening to. Imagine Grade with less melody, and vocals that sound like Jeffrey Madeira from Poison the Well with lower production value. The Young and the Useless certainly aren't my … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

I am not sure if I should hate the singer or the band. The singer, whilst having a good screaming voice, doesn't really stray from it. The band is infusing hardcore with pop punk. After getting through the CD all the way I decided I hate the band more. Reason? For dragging this poor guy into such a shitty band. … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

As the drums kicked in, literally, my third sense was exposed to the vocals of this young majesty. The kind of majesty that upon a first meeting you love. You share your food with them and eventually you say goodbye. Upon the next few meetings you grow tired and kick him in the stop button, but it keeps on going. … Read more

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)