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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)

Actors & Actresses

We Love Our Enemy EP
The Mylene Sheath (2011)

Reissues tend to be a funny thing. Sometimes they are done in good taste. To help fans get a hold of an album that went out of print or give them a chance to hear the progression that the band went through. This reissue is done simply for an early EP by this band giving us a look at the progression leading into their first LP. There is nothing seriously different stylistically from this to their LP. The major change is longer song structures which actually helps the band find their footing in the song and make the most of the atmosphere they create. Meanwhile Mylene Sheath took the time to put their own spin on this release. Giving the packaging and overhaul leading it to fit in a somewhat similar way to their last release for the label. All in all this is an opportunity that is far from wasted by the band and label. This release does a very good job of giving the listener a look at the bands history by reissuing a release that was little known before this. Revamping the artwork and production makes this a special treat for the long time listener as well. … Read more

Panopticon

On The Subject Of Mortality
Flenser (2011)

Many people (I was going to say all but did not want to over generalize) seem to have certain touchstones … Read more

Kerretta

Saansilo
Golden Antenna (2011)

Though the artist/album title combination features enough frustratingly doubled letters to require this review to be rewritten no less than … Read more

Pink Floyd

The Dark Side Of The Moon (Experience Edition)
Capitol (2011)

'Oh great,' you're probably thinking, 'another critic on the Internet with her head up her own ass talking about this … Read more

We're Doomed

Like A Machine
Independent (2011)

Despite what they may want you to think, We're Doomed don't sound like the end of the world. They sound … Read more

We're Doomed

Like A Machine
Independent (2011)

Despite what they may want you to think, We're Doomed don't sound like the end of the world. They sound … Read more

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One from the archives

Old Man's Child

Slaves of the World
Century Media (2009)

It's been about four years since the last Old Man's Child record and it seems we've been waiting forever for it. The current Dimmu Borgir guitarist Galder has gotten a little more exposure since joining the well-known symphonic metal group, but he hasn't forgotten about his original melodic black metal project, now on album number seven, titled Slaves Of the World. There has been even more anticipation for this record since Galder made the statement that he is really proud of this record and "it marks to be one of the OMC albums I put the most advance planning and dedication into." With that said, fans will not be let down as Slaves of the World is without a doubt, Old Man's Child's catchiest record, and yet they still haven't … Read more

More album reviews

Kovlo

Hey Mom, Where's Timbuktu?
On The Camper (2011)

Swiss post-rockers Kovlo have quietly released two albums over their career, beginning with their debut A new position for the second degree burn in 2005 and followed up with I’m so happy on this boat in 2007. For a band that has (rather unfortunately) seen as little notice on the world stage as they have, they’ve actually done a very … Read more

Traveler

Going Home
Independent (2011)

All right, Traveler don't waste time, so neither will I. The Cleveland punk/melodic hardcore group write short, enjoyable pieces that are stripped down to their absolute bare essentials. The four tracks of their debut EP Going Home take only around seven minutes of your time to listen to. The songs are chock full of happy melodies, major chords, and general … Read more

City of Ships

Minor World
Translation Loss (2011)

Every once in a while, an album comes along that makes you rethink an entire genre. It's an album that makes you step back and rethink your musical expectations, as well as casting your future thoughts in an entirely new light. City of Ships' newest album, Minor World, is one of these albums. The only issue is that my entire … Read more

Bohren & Der Club Of Gore

Beileid
Ipecac (2011)

Bohren & Der Club Of Gore is a band that has always sat outside of any distinct genre. Clearly influenced by both jazz and doom metal the band have always played in away that evokes both without fully giving into either side of their coin. Although they have reached closer towards jazz over the past few years when they replaced … Read more

Helms Alee

Weatherhead
Hydra Head (2011)

Apologies are in order, and before we even get into this, let me be perfectly frank; Helms Alee is a great and terribly underrated band that ensnared me the minute that I heard their 4 song EP, and when Weatherhead was announced, I could barely contain my excitement at hearing a second album from this three piece from the land … Read more

Pink Floyd

Wish You Were Here (Experience Edition)
Capitol (2011)

I'm really quite thankful that the Why Pink Floyd...? remaster campaign has made it to Wish You Were Here so soon. It has aged incredibly well, and is every bit as perfect of an album today as it was when it was first released. It even holds up favourably in comparison to the first album to be reissued, which was … Read more

TenHornedBeast

Ten Horned Moses Descended The Mountain
Handmade Birds (2011)

Wow, just wow is about the best that I can come up with to describe Ten Horned Moses Descended The Mountain from Tenhornedbeast (yes all one word and possibly erroneously capitalized), the solo project of one, Christopher Walton; and, to be completely truthful, that wow might not actually describe this massive album in an accurate enough manner because every time … Read more

Bringers Of Disease

Gospel Of Pestilence
Translation Loss (2011)

The ex members game is a precarious one to play. For every band that bares similarity to it's members past exploit there are just as many that don't bare that mark. So to tell you that Bringers Of Disease share members with Acheron and Mouth Of The Architect should only say a minimal amount as to what this band is … Read more

Nightgaun

Absurdity Of Meaning
Primitive Future (2011)

There are a number of adjectives that would accurately describe Tempe, AZ’s Nightgaun—noisy, filthy, retching, etc.—but perhaps none more fitting than “raw.” Continuing the chiropteran-themed imagery first displayed on their impressive self-titled 7” debut, the cover art for Absurdity of Meaning— a crude depiction of a bat being stabbed through the sternum with a switchblade—provides a strong indication of the … Read more

The Slow Death

Born Ugly, Got Worse
Kiss of Death (2011)

When The Soviettes’ Annie Sparrows voice starts Born Ugly, Got Worse devoid of instrumentation, it’s a crisp and honest delivery that complements leader Jesse Thorson’s heart-wrenching style. But once the full band kicks in for the second verse, it’s clear that The Slow Death have driving punk rock at their heart and soul, with as many singalongs and middle-fingers as … Read more

Michael Yonkers with The Blind Shake

Period
S.S. (2011)

Michael Yonkers has a fascinating story: getting dropped by the majors, personal injury, and being rediscovered a generation later. That story has already been told in almost every review I’ve read, though. Instead, let’s talk about the rock. Period marks his third record with Minneapolis trio The Blind Shake, and the two forces offer a full collaboration when they get … Read more

Charts And Maps

Dead Horse
Lost Children (2011)

There is no easy way to define Charts and Maps' sound. My gut reaction is to throw the whole thing under 'math rock,' but that term alone ignores all of the other aspects of their sound. Their proper debut album, Dead Horse, features a diverse array of influences from jazz, progressive music, and even jam bands. Needless to say, it's … Read more

Efrim Menuck

Plays "High Gospel"
Constellation (2011)

Thank goodness I have musical OCD. I likely would not have even known this album existed if not for my compulsion to check and re-check the post-rock section of my local record store with worrisome frequency. Needless to say, after finding out that Godspeed You! Black Emperor and A Silver Mt. Zion guitarist Efrim Manuel Menuck had put out a … Read more

Iroha

End Of An Era
Denovali (2011)

Now this is exactly what I am talking about right here, bands sneaking releases out from under people’s noses in this day an age is a feat worthy of the sneakiest thieves and skilled hackers is a true feat; and while that is just what Iroha did with End Of An Era, the real important accomplishment for the three piece … Read more

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