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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)

Muse

The 2nd Law
Warner\Helium 3 (2012)

The year is 2052. Society as we know it has completely changed. The laws of government and nation have crumbled into dust, trodden down firmly by the feet of innumerable footsoldiers of the new autocratic rulers of the world. Big Brother's voice rings from every speaker; CCTV cameras record every communication between state-fearing citizen and obedient lickspittle. Comrades huddle in the electronic glow of the always-on telescreen, longing for the freedom they barely remember as their government-rationed canned food goes uneaten. Will nobody rise up and unshackle us? A lone figure appears on the horizon, his floor-length nylon cape almost blending in with the pollution-ridden skies. He carries a well-worn guitar, its gaudy silver hue glinting like a record executive's fake smile. He reaches the massing crowds and speaks his first words of wisdom: "Wake to see your true emancipation is a fantasy", he intones operatically. Murmurs echo around the crowd. "Policies have risen up and overcome the brave", he adds, vaguely, to growing mutterings from his audience. "Embedded spies, brainwashing our children to be mean" he elaborates, to yells of support (I forgot to mention the plague of mean children in this dystopian future). "The time, it has come … Read more

Future of the Left

The Plot Against Common Sense
Xtra Mile (2012)

The Future of the Left may have released their third full-length in The Plot Against Common Sense but little has … Read more

P.O.S.

We Don't Even Live Here
Rhymesayers (2012)

Minneapolis’ P.O.S (aka Stefon Alexander) might not necessarily befit the tastes of most within the punk community, but his music … Read more

Franz Nicolay

Do The Struggle
Xtra Mile (2012)

It must be stated that the quirkily moustachioed Franz Nicolay is an intriguing and rather singular gentleman. For those who … Read more

Smohalla

Résilience
Arx Productions (2011)

More and more it seems the once outer edges of Black Metal have become some of their most well known … Read more

Legendary Wings

Making Paper Roses
Dirtnap (2012)

Dirtnap Records picked up Kalamazoo, MI’s Legendary Wings based on an unsolicited demo. Seeing that the label gave them a … Read more

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One from the archives

Stateside

Phonograph
Action Driver (2004)

Imagine if Limbeck and My Morning Jacket got together for a jam session and you'll be close to how Stateside sounds. Hailing from Tennessee, frontman John Paul Keith has played with heart-throb Ryan Adams, played in The Nevers, and co-founded The V-Roys. Sure the latter you probably know nothing about(shit, neither do I) but you get the point. Phonograph is 11 tracks of classic rock tinged, indie-country. The record kicks off with "Fool on a Wire" that harnesses the description from the beginning paragraph. The tempo is upbeat in a very Limbeck-ish way, the horns are swinging in a My Morning Jacket-esque tone, and everyone is having a good time. In songs such as "Time Time Time," elements of The Rolling Stones are very apparent, particularly in the vocals. This … Read more

More album reviews

Ceremony

Zoo
Matador (2012)

Few bands have covered as much ground within the confines of the hardcore genre as northern California’s Ceremony. The release of 2008’s Still Nothing Moves You saw a stunning display of brash powerviolence, while retaining traditional hardcore influence, and their third album, Rohnert Park, saw a stark evolution into more experimental and melodic territories without relinquishing the viciousness they’ve come … Read more

Multiple Authors

Neurosis

Honor Found In Decay
Neurot Recordings (2012)

The rain is beating on my windows while the wind is whipping the trees into a whirling frenzy as people are declaring a weather apocalypse on the television, but “My Heart For Deliverance” slowly begins its ascent on my speakers before Neurosis just steps down on the song full on, blaring guitars and pounding drums throwing down the gauntlet to … Read more

Multiple Authors

Neurosis

Honor Found In Decay
Neurot Recordings (2012)

Honor Found in Decay has been a long, long time coming. Having not released a full length since 2007 and with many of the band’s members taking on solo projects or working together on projects, it’s a wonder that Neurosis found the time to piece together this majestic album. Honor Found in Decay is a slow-burning and decadent work, which … Read more

Skyzoo

A Dream Deferred
Duck Down (2012)

After a few years of releasing mixtapes and collaborative projects, Brooklyn emcee Skyzoo returns with his second official solo effort, A Dream Deferred. The album pairs the rapper’s ever-improving lyricism and flow alongside bubbly and lavish jazz and R&B-tinged soundscapes. Production heavyweights like Jahlil Beats, Black Milk,9th Wonder, and DJ Khalil all contributed beats but it’s the live instrumentation—including violinists, … Read more

NOFX

Self Entitled
Fat Wreck Chords (2012)

NOFX haven’t mixed it up a whole lot over the years. In twelve albums they’ve remained consistently inconsistent, with a few records that have risen above the rest. Generally, they have a few real standouts on each release, paired with a few stinkers. After skipping Coaster completely, Self Entitled seemed like it was time to check back in to see … Read more

God Equals Genocide

Rattled Minds
Razorcake\Dirt Cult (2012)

I’ve listened to a pretty solid variety of new records this year, but it’s always nice to come back to something from the DIY punk world. God Equals Genocide are one of those bands—they could go on tour, struggling to get gas money in bar after bar, but they’d rather just drive the van to some out-of-the-way basement, plug in, … Read more

WAR//PLAGUE

On A Darker Dawn
Profane Existence (2012)

Minneapolis’ scene veterans WAR//PLAGUE have finally released their debut full-length LP On A Darker Dawn on Profane Existence Records. The recipe first displayed on their debut 7” single Smolder b/w Malevolent Winds and subsequent Attrition split LP with Police Bastard continues to evolve, albeit minor—then ‘n’ now comparisons show them veering in slightly different directions while still snarled up in … Read more

Luther

Let's Get You Somewhere Else
Chunksaah (2012)

Philadelphia’s Luther have been quick to grab attention. The band, formed just two years ago, has played on some high profile tours and just signed with Chunksaah Records to release their debut full-length after last year’s Siblings and Sevens EP. The new full-length, Let’s Get You Somewhere Else was recorded by the Bouncing Souls’ Pete Steinkopf.A four-piece, Luther play an … Read more

Pig Destroyer

Book Burner
Relapse (2012)

The news that Pig Destroyer were to release a new record this year was met with much celebration, a lot of shouting and a resounding “fuck, yes, it’s about bloody time!” chorus from their devoted fans. Pig Destroyer have been extremely quiet since the release of their last full length, Phantom Limb, in 2007 and along with the EP Natasha … Read more

Pinback

Information Retrieved
Temporary Residence (2012)

Authenticity goes a long way these days in the music industry. It’s most desired in any aspiring musician and sets artists apart from a sea of others chomping at the bit. Using primarily programmed percussion only toughens the playing field; yet, when your band consists of two members playing the role of a full gang, approbation is appropriate. Since the … Read more

Between the Buried and Me

The Parallax II: Future Sequence
Metal Blade (2012)

Following 2011s “precursor” style EP, The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues, Between the Buried and Me (hereafter known as BTBAM because it’s way easier to type) continue their foray into ever increasing curiosity. Whilst personally I’ve never been a hugely into this band - they always seemed to err just on the wrong side of pretentious wanker territory - The Parallax II: … Read more

Ancestors

In Dreams And Time
Tee Pee (2012)

I'm not quite certain what the cover art for Ancestors's new release In Dreams and Time is supposed to represent, but one thing is for certain: it doesn't prime you for what the album actually sounds like. Depending on your artistic interpretation, that may actually be a good thing—but let me actually tell you about this odd album.In Dreams and … Read more

Turbonegro

Sexual Harassment
Volcom (2012)

Much could be said about Turbonegro from the Turbojugend (Their self appointed fan club), Their lyrics that tend to make not so vague references to partying fucking up and homosexuality, and their overall sleaziness. Well coming back from what had seemed like their final break up with their last vocalist Hank Von Helvete leaving to be in an industrial rock … Read more

Various Artists

Vestiges / Ghaust- Split
Replenish (2012)

So this is the immediate follow-up to the debut album The Dissent Of Man for Vestiges, sharing a split record with Ghaust (whom I had never heard of until this slab of vinyl came up to be ordered), and I distinctly recall being rather excited to hear this record based on how much I enjoyed the debut from Vestiges; but … Read more

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