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High Tension Wires

Welcome New Machine
Dirtnap (2011)

Namedropping in reviews is an easy thing to do, and I’m not averse to it myself. The obvious ones for High Tension Wires come via the members’ pedigree (Riverboat Gamblers, Marked Men, The Reds, Bad Sports). I usually try to limit it to that—the other projects that members have worked in, and how it compares with said artists’ output. Still, … Read more

Isis

Live I 9.23.03
Independent (2011)

A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more

The Hussy

Cement Tomb Mind Control
Slow Fizz (2011)

The Hussy have been banging away in clubs, bars, and basements since 2008. In that time, they’ve pumped out 3 vinyl singles and a split cassette. Still, with their Slow Fizz debut, the question remains about how their hyped-up, dirty garage rock will come across on a longer format. Cement Tomb Mind Control should alleviate any worries that the short-attention … Read more

Life In The Dark

The Sunya Is Rising / Limbs In Gloom
Music Ruins Lives (2011)

This sucker is loooooong gone in the physical format (but we all know 99% of you just go steal your music anyway), and that is truly a sad shame because this double CD collection from Life In The Dark is quickly becoming an essential component of my listening habits of late (partially an obsessive trait on my part but also … Read more

Various Artists

Airs + Lunaire Split
Independent (2011)

Airs are a band based on both sides of America. One member being in California and the other in Florida, how they get anything done is beyond me. But whatever they're doing, boy, they're doing it right. Airs manage to bridge the gap between post-rock and post-black metal and post-anything else quite effortlessly. First track "Home" sets up the release … Read more

Fleet Foxes

Helplessness Blues
Bella Union (2011)

Three years in the making since their praised-to-the-heavens self-titled debut, Helplessness Blues is a masterpiece of a sophomore offering, consisting of everything that made Fleet Foxes a standout record for its generation - let alone year - and at the same time expanding upon the band's signature sound.Frontman Robin Pecknold's painstaking adherence to songwriting during production of Helplessness Blues has … Read more

Ben Harper

Give Till It's Gone
Virgin (2011)

This is Ben Harper’s 10th studio album; his last contractual obligation for Virgin and it comes after his split with his wife actress Laura Dern. All of these events lead to a compilation of emotional songs that bring out a different Ben Harper than most of his other albums. Joining him on this one are his mates from the Relentless … Read more

200 Words Or Less

All Teeth

Young Love EP
Panic (2011)

All Teeth came out in 2009 with a full length that got mass praise amongst the hardcore press. Unfortunately it did not yield the fanbase they may deserve. So in the meantime they have moved to Panic Records, a label with a reputation for putting out solid releases. This label change seems to have done some good for them, allowing … Read more

Troubled Coast

Letters
Creator-Destructor (2011)

Troubled Coast are a budding group of Californian hardcore musicians with a handful of promising releases under their belt. The group produced a pair of albums in 2010: the introductory EP Vagabonds and the short album 100 Miles from Home. While both of these releases display that the band has a solid grasp of their sound and firm knowledge where … Read more

Power

Death Haunts
Twelve Gauge (2011)

Having existed for roughly three years now, Bremerton, WA’s, Power have created somewhat of a rep for themselves in the Pacific Northwest. The aftermath of one particular incident resulted in half the band landing in jail—a demolished automobile left in their wake. And legend has it that Power set a dumpster on fire while Tacoma band, Sojourner, were filming a … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Annihilation Time

II (Reissue)
Tankcrimes (2011)

Annihilation Time are a band that has been around for awhile. They play a style of hardcore punk that takes much from old school rock and punk. This is all juiced up and played in a very rock and roll style. With no fucks to be given how anyone feels about it. The band had released this album originally in … Read more

Ninja Gun

Roman Nose
Sabot Productions (2011)

Ninja Gun draws from a lot of sources, playing in the Suburban Home-style market of alt country derived from obtuse punk influences. They tend to eschew chord progressions in favor of soft music and easy articulation built from the steady, honest delivery of their frontman Johnathan Coody. Roman Nose is their latest EP, this one coming from Sabot Productions. Ninja … Read more

Explosions in the Sky

Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
Temporary Residence (2011)

Explosions In The Sky proudly create post-rock music that, though sounding simple, is far from being simplistic. Consistency remains a key element in their vast, instrumental sound, comprised of atmospheric rhythms, lofty dynamics and the band’s ability to produce colorful, emotional soundscapes. Sonics aside, even the illustrious art works of each of their six studio album covers indicate the sort … Read more

Jesu

Ascension
Calo Verde (2011)

Ah Justin Broadrick how you torture my twisted mind with your teasing Jesu EPs and side projects and reunions and remixes (dear lord does this man make a ton of music), but in this instance, Jesu finally release another proper album that people have been slavering for since Conqueror (look, Infinity really is an LP, but even Broadrick calls it … Read more

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