Recent reviews

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)

9th Wonder & Buckshot

The Solution
Duck Down (2012)

The histories of both Buckshot and 9th Wonder in the rap game are long and storied. Buckshot’s tenure started in the early ‘90s as member of Black Moon, and as the leader of pivotal rap supergroup Boot Camp Clik. He’s continued to contribute to the greater good of the genre as a part-owner of the record label Duck Down. 9th Wonder’s jump-off came about a decade later as a member the highly-revered Little Brother. He has since maintained a favorable place amongst the most sought-after and respected producers in hip-hop. The Solution marks the third time the two have collaborated on an album. Falling in line with time-honored tradition of deejay ‘n’ emcee combos, 9th’s imperturbable boom-bap is complimented favorably by Buck’s clear and concise delivery. And, like his vocal conveyance, Buck’s lyricism is also fairly simplistic in that it’s largely free of allegories and nonsensical word-associations. Although there are plenty of braggadocio rhymes, his most attention-grabbing verses come when he opens up about deeply personal experiences with unfaithful girlfriends and divorce. Overall though, the record’s greatest strength can be attributed to 9th’s production. More than anything, the album is a showcase of the veteran beatsmith’s signature soul-sampled loops and … Read more

Mixtapes

Even On The Worst Nights
No Sleep (2012)

Even on the Worst Nights beams with positivity. Sure, a closer listen will reveal a lot of sarcasm in the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Deathstench

Rites Of The Dead Moon
Independent (2012)

Deathstench has done much to make their name in the underground world of blackened noise. This EP contains a solitary … Read more

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

Lost Songs
Superball (2012)

The past decade has been an artistic whirlwind for the Austin, TX …And You Will Know Us by the Trail … Read more

Book Review

Greg Prato

Too High To Die: Meet The Meat Puppets
lulu (2012)

Do you know who the Meat Puppets are, or have you ever wondered who the two long-haired guys that appeared … Read more

Young Statues

Self Titled
Run for Cover (2012)

Young Statues are a newly formed, Philadelphia indie rock band that arose from the coming together of long time friends. … Read more

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One from the archives

The Death of a Party

The Rise and Fall of Scarlet City
Double Negative (2007)

Bands need to stop trying to sound like Gang of Four. It's a fact that they will never be Gang of Four, and no one ever will be. Of course there will be cover bands, but those songs are Gang of Four songs. Leave the repetition for Clear Channel Radio, such memorable music isn't meant to be over played. The first time I listened to The Death of a Party I have to admit I was interested. There is a piece of dance-punk in us all isn't there? The bass lines are forever with us just as are the move busting drumbeats and the rhythm snapping guitars. Even if you have never heard Gang of Four, you know who they are. You have heard them in your sleep if not … Read more

More album reviews

Norwegian Arms

Wolf Like A Stray Dog
Independent (2013)

I discovered Norwegian Arms the same way I discover most of the best music I listen to – with the pop of a facebook chat window opening accompanied by a youtube link. As the video for “Tired of Being Cold” loaded (I have satellite internet because I live in the woods. It’s very slow, comparatively.) My friend Cris explained that … Read more

Downtown Struts

Victoria!
Pirates Press (2012)

Pop-punk, Americana infused rock 'n' roll isn't really something I'd usually find myself listening to, but occasionally it's quite nice to break free of the norm and invest your time in something a little different. Downtown Struts are one such investment, and it was very much time well spent. Riding the coattails of bands such as Against Me!, The Gaslight … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Touche Amore/Pianos Become The Teeth - Split
Topshelf (2013)

I’m going to say it outright; I love both of these bands and when I saw hints at this split popping up on message boards I couldn’t have been more excited. Of course with this attachment there is a huge build up of expectations and I can promise you that neither band disappoints, each putting up a song that is … Read more

The Tallest Man on Earth

There's No Leaving Now
Dead Oceans (2012)

Sweden’s Kristian Matsson (more popularly known as the Tallest Man On Earth) first found himself atop a mountain of praise in 2010 following the release of The Wild Hunt, wheedling his way into the hearts of many with soothing melodies and uplifting energy. Relying almost entirely on just his guitar and commanding voice, Matsson’s brand of folk garnered more than … Read more

The Black Widow's Project

Heavy Heart
Shitstem (2012)

Initially, I thought I had this band all figured out. From the obvious stoner metal influence and playful title of the lead track, “Ha ha ha uh”, I felt like I knew exactly what to expect. These guys were not interested in odd time signatures or complicated song arrangements. They were merely interested in having some fun with rock n’ … Read more

Year Of The Goat

Angels' Necropolis
Ván (2012)

Year of the Goat haven’t had the best of starts in life – injury, great upheaval, internal friction and possibly more has meant that the Swedish quintet have had to push back the release of their debut Angels’ Necropolis further than they imagined. Praise Satan then, that the record finally sees the darkness of their retro sound birthed into the … Read more

The Magnificent

Bad Lucky
Dirt Cult (2012)

As I’ve gotten older, there are punk scenes I shy away from. Among those topping the list is street punk—not to totally write off the subgenre, but a lot of it gets bogged down in sloppy slogans, ridiculous themes, and a rather rigid dress code. It’s not that I’ve grown averse to a well-written street punk song as much as … Read more

Amenra

Mass V
Neurot Recordings (2012)

Rituals are deeply ingrained into our shared human experience and the modern ones seemingly thrust us back through the ages to some vaguely remembered race memory locked in the genetic code in safe guarded in our cells, and Amenra not only appreciates this phenomenon but exploit our collective unconscious to produce some rather breathtaking performances that at this point has … Read more

Brother Ali

Mourning In America And Dreaming In Color
Rhymesayers (2012)

Brother Ali is one of RhymeSayers’ and Minneapolis’ premiere rappers, and his career trajectory has been on the up-and-up with each release. Still, for whatever reason, my interest in Ali has waned with each new LP. His tendency for bluntness and tough guy delivery of not-so-tough material had gotten to be a bit much, and I figured it was time … Read more

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Tarkus (Re-Issue)
Razor & Tie (2012)

Emerson, Lake & Palmer, in addition to being amongst the first and most recognizable supergroups ever, have somewhat of a divided reputation. Either they're the ultimate expression of talented rock musicianship, each member being an established virtuoso musician in his own right, or they're the posterchildren for everything that there is to hate about progressive rock, creating music that can … Read more

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Self Titled (Re-Issue)
Razor & Tie (2012)

Emerson, Lake & Palmer, in addition to being amongst the first and most recognizable supergroups ever, have somewhat of a divided reputation. Either they're the ultimate expression of talented rock musicianship, each member being an established virtuoso musician in his own right, or they're the posterchildren for everything that there is to hate about progressive rock, creating music that can … Read more

Wintersun

Time I
Nuclear Blast (2012)

Wintersun make even Godot look punctual.The Finnish black/folk/power metal band was originally conceived as a solo project for Ensiferum guitarist/vocalist Jari Mäenpää, who released its eponymous debut in 2004. The album was incredibly well-received critically, so it was no surprise that a follow-up album, Time, was quickly announced and scheduled for release in November 2006.No, that is not a typo. … Read more

Rome

Hell Money
Trisol (2012)

Jerome Reuter is becoming ever more prolific in recent times and you may remember last year’s Die Æsthetik Der Herrschaftsfreiheit was a surprising addition to his catalogue in that it was a triple disc album that flowed with majestic coherence and innate boldness. Hell Money was quietly announced yet the shock that was felt by fans in the release of … Read more

Battlestations

In A Cold Embrace
Independent (2012)

Battlestations is one of those bands that is doing amazing things despite the fact that no one seems to have heard of them. I stumbled upon them completely by accident while looking for an entirely different band—and I still feel very fortunate for that mistake. Their eponymous debut was solid, but Battlestations have really begun to stretch themselves to the … Read more

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