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)

The Bombpops

Like I Care
Red Scare (2010)

Hailing from San Diego, California, The Bombpops are a female fronted quartet and a force to be reckoned with. Their 6 track debut EP, Like I Care delivers some of the quickest and most melodic punk tracks of the year! The Bombpops open up Like I Care with “Outta Hand.” Taking cues from 90’s skate-punk, “Outta Hand” delivers swift and melodic guitar notes with abrupt stops and strong vocals from Jen Raz and Poli Van Dam. The title track slows the tempo down with the verse before kicking into a high paced chorus backed with great vocal harmonies. Changing things up with the track, “Buried,” The Bombpops give us a song to two-step to during the verse. Then, eventually leads us into a circle pit with the chorus. “Stuck on Repeat” has the band trying to keep up with each other in the fastest track yet, and they all do a great job. Contrasting “Stuck on Repeat” is the slowest and last song of the EP, “To the Bone.”The Bombpops are off to a great start to reviving skate-punk with Like I Care, and they should not be ignored. They are bound to release more promising music. Read more

Alcest

Ecailles De Lune
Prophecy Productions (2010)

Neige, the sole contributor of Alcest, has stayed remarkably busy throughout 2010. Between his other projects (Lantlos, Ameseours) and the … Read more

STNNNG

The Smoke of My Will
Modern Radio (2010)

It’s been four long years since the last STNNNG album. In that time, though, the band hasn’t wavered from their … Read more

Wrnlrd

Death Drive
FSS (2010)

Ever hear of the term “outsider” music? I have certainly seen the term thrown around when referring to different albums … Read more

The Thermals

Personal Life
Kill Rock Stars (2010)

It’s very rare that an album can be described as “charming.” However, it’s an appropriate way to describe indie-punk outfit … Read more

Picture Me Broken

Wide Awake
Megaforce (2010)

Here is a Cali band that has been performing together since seventh grade as a cover band doing Led Zeppelin … Read more

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One from the archives

The Famine

The Architects Of Guilt
Solid State (2011)

The Famine are certainly not a new band per se. They contain overly experienced members of the band Emboyment. While Their previous band seems largely forgotten The Famine have set out to make a name for themselves far beyond their previous band and christian metal itself. The Famine have also changed since their last album 3 years ago. Replacing members is a normal thing most times but replacing a vocalist is generally not done. So what we have is sort of the return of the band. Some things haven't changed. There is a strong attention to structure and design within the songs with very little space for "experimentation". On the other had new vocalist Nick (former bassist) has a rather distinct style going to great lengths to enunciate each word … Read more

More album reviews

200 Words Or Less

Nazca Lines

Untitled EP
Stressed Sumo (2010)

Seattle based Nazca Lines have been garnering rave reviews since their formation in 2005 have a new three song EP which highlights the new and hopefully final incarnation of the band. Original members Cory Alfano and Brett Wedeking are here along with newcomers Andy King on drums and Ryan Minch on Bass. The first song on the EP “This Crippled … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Twin Killing

...If This Could Last Forever
Akashic (2009)

Well anyone that names themselves after Floorpunch most be good right? Well Twin Killing is. Fast youth crew styled hardcore with prerequisite breakdowns, singalongs, and everything else that makes a good hardcore good. However Twin Killing doesn't win any points in the originality bracket and everything on ...If This Could Last Forever you have heard before if you own anything … Read more

The Measure [SA]

Notes
No Idea (2010)

A recent SPB interview with Lauren Measure found that the band has released 18 pieces of wax so far in their career—yet Notes is only their second official full-length in that bunch. For being as prolific as they are, releasing a full album should be a big deal for the New Jersey four-piece. This one sees them making the jump … Read more

The Gamits

Parts
Paper + Plastick (2010)

What do you get when you throw Jawbreaker and Alkaline Trio into a blender? One of the finest pop-punk albums of the year. The Gamits’ Parts takes a competent formula and uses it to keep the listener coming back for more.It doesn’t take long to notice this trio has an ear for melody. Parts gets right into it with the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Theta Naught

Omnium Gatherum
Differential (2010)

Theta Naught have holed up in Salt Lake City after playing together since 2002. Omnium Gatherum, their fifth release, features more than one hour of instrumental music across 15 instrumental tracks. My introduction to Theta Naught, "The Sixth Planet," feels a little too drawn out, maybe because the song is pretty violin string-heavy in its mixing, which isn't to say … Read more

Defiance, Ohio

Midwestern Minutes
No Idea (2010)

Midwestern Minutes is the fourth full-length from Defiance, Ohio. The band has crafted a sound that draws from Americana and Plan-It-X-style DIY pop punk. The instrumentation of the six-piece adds to their distinction. While the members split songwriting and lead vocal duties, there is a communal feel as most of their songs end up with a group chorus leading the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The New Enemy

Outsourced
Independent (2009)

The first track sounds like Kid Dynamite so right away I thought I found a new melodic hardcore band to fall in love with. Then there's track two...okay...this sounds like Quicksand or Handsome. The only way I can tell it's the same band is the vocals, which are far too gruff for this type of post hardcore rock. It's still … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Night Owls

Self Titled
Hex (2009)

Night Owls are a relatively new rock band from Syracuse New York. They have ex-members of some notable bands from hardcore recent past, but they only one I'd like to mention is Spark Lights the Friction who put out a great album on Trustkill many moons ago. Anyhow, Night Owls play rocking post hardcore that reminds of Quicksand boxing it … Read more

The Reptilian

Boys Life EP
Count Your Lucky Stars (2009)

Angular, discombobulated yet tuneful and melodic 90's styled emo. I haven't heard a band like this in quite some time and there's probably a good reason for that. The Reptilian is decent enough with their jangly guitars and drums that sound they're falling down a flight of stairs in time but they are also nothing I can fully enjoy. All … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Let Me Out & First Cut - Swedish Hardcore Split
Akashic (2009)

Ah, split CDs of two bands I've never heard of before. The bane of my existence. Anyway, Sweden's Let Me Out play tuneful melodic hardcore in the vein of early H20. There's plenty of catchy riffs and some decent mosh parts. I've heard a million bands like Let Me Out and I always find them enjoyable as the next guy. … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Through Trials & Plead the Fifth - Split
Crossface (2009)

Oh for the love Mike, I need to stop swooping down on these split CDs on the promo list. I am always disappointed. I mean I try to be all for new bands and their new music but Through Trials and the Plead the Fifth are trying to battle out for being the most generic hardcore band of all time. … Read more

108

18:61
Deathwish Inc. (2010)

Excellent! 108 is dropping their second post reunion LP (a feat that I think further proves their honest intentions of just creating and playing music), and dear lord this record is a long time coming (it took more than a year following recording to see the light of day); such waits can do funny things to a band that can … Read more

Iggy & The Stooges

Raw Power (Re-Issue)
Sony (2010)

"Raw Power’s got a son named rock n’ roll" Leave it to Iggy Pop to both boast about this record and succinctly describe what an album’s impact would be on music. Seriously, look at the cover to the album, and I mean REALLY look at it; get it out of your collection and look at it, and if it is … Read more

Killola

Let's Get Associated
Independent (2010)

Killola, a four-piece American So Cal alt-rock group, consists of Lisa Rieffel (lead vocals), Mike Ball, (guitar), Dan Grody (drums) and Johnny Dunn (bass). Their style is primarily 'Garage Pop' with punk and pop/electronica influences. From what I have been able to uncover, Lisa Rieffel is one busy girl. With her popular web-series Girltrash!, acting in different TV series (NCIS, … 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)

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