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)

Amateur Party

Public Utility Complaint
Paramnesia (2009)

Man, what a nice looking record. The sleeve includes an actual photograph for the cover, with a dozen or so variations that you can get, and the liner notes come as a stapled booklet with information on a Pennsylvania law regarding when gas companies can turn off the heat. It’s a solid mix of handmade art and political statement. Add to that a download code that includes all of the alternate cover photos (some of which include recognizable faces) and it’s a release that gives off a warm feeling, even if the running theme is about the cold. Of course, all the packaging is moot if the record’s not any good. Amateur Party, from Philly, is mostly a three-piece (with occasional extra members). The cast is familiar, with Mike McKee (Kill the Man Who Questions, Armalite), Scott Mercer, and Jeff Ziga filling out the lineup. The most direct RIYL is probably Armalite, as at times McKee’s slightly nasal shouts sound a bit like Adam Goren - though maybe that’s just what comes to mind due to the Armalite association. Musically, it’s a mix of quirky, DC-sounding guitars with fast, shouted vocals over the top. Another comparison might be the three-piece … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Withdrawal

Faith, Flesh, And Blood
A389 (2011)

Withdrawal is possibly carrying metallic hardcore standards for all of Canada. As it becomes harder to note a truly interesting … Read more

The Dwarves

Born Again
Greedy (2011)

Back in the pre-internet era I came across a blurb in some metal magazine I read in my adolescent years—I’m … Read more

Culo

Toxic Vision
Deranged (2011)

You’d certainly be forgiven if, like me, you initially assumed Cülo were a Hispanic punk band. I was told they … Read more

Vestiges

The Descent Of Man
Independent (2011)

The D.I.Y. ethic has long been a tremendous ideal that has always appealed to my often times ridiculous sensibilities, but … Read more

Xibalba

Self Titled
A389 (2011)

Xibalba translates to "Place Of Fear" meaning a place where the evil go when they die in Mayan culture. There … Read more

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One from the archives

BlackDots

EP2
Motorcycle Potluck Records (2022)

BlackDots are back with EP2, released digitally and on a flexi 7”. The peppy, punky band from Denver are energetic but they aren’t your typical punk band, even if they do check a lot of the boxes. With dual vocals and melodic guitars, the general sound is somewhat quirky but upbeat and bouncy music. It’s emotional and cathartic but built around singalong choruses and rhythmic hooks instead of aggression. It’s certainly not happy music, but it comes across uplifting rather than destructive. And while the lyrics are pained at times, there is a general tone of hope rather than escapism or lament. Some would likely categorize it into the indie-punk category based on this, but I think the structures are more on the traditional punk side of things. Members have … Read more

More album reviews

Isis

Live.02
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

Samiam

Orphan Works
No Idea (2010)

We haven’t heard a new album from Samiam in 5 years. However, in 2010, they did release a rarities collection of outtakes, radio performances, and live recordings. Even some covers recorded in Billie Joe Armstrong’s basement made it onto this compilation. Orphan works pulls from 6 years of material during the band's Clumsy and You Are Freaking Me Out eras, … Read more

Bad Braids

Arrow And Orb
Music Ruins Lives (2011)

Intimate little records and intimate settings will stick with people for a while if they are struck in such a way where the performance just hits them the right way when and where they need it to mark the moment as memorable; quiet whispers and frantic yelps may spark the memory later or some ghost sound that speaks the necessary … Read more

Demonologists

Miscarriage Of The Soul
Crucial Blast (2011)

This is another band that while maintaining some bleak footing in the black metal scene exists as a noise group. That is not to say there aren't obvious trademarks of black metal within the structures, however loosely built they are. This band plays on the darkness that many black metal bands try to play up and orchestrate. Rather than just … Read more

Earth

Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light I
Southern Lord (2011)

What more can be said about Dylan Carlson and his outfit, Earth (and long time drummer Adrienne Davies), that probably has not been said many times over ad nauseum? Personally, Earth has become a touchstone and jumping off point for a ton of incredible music (Carlson and company certainly broadened my musical horizons and palette) while at the same time … Read more

Dan Padilla

As The Ox Plows
Razorcake (2011)

It’s been almost a year since As the Ox Plows popped up on the interwebs. Back then it boasted itself as a free digital version of the soon-to-be-released LP. Well, that time has finally come, with Razorcake Records, It’s Alive, and Dirt Cult stepping up to deliver the San Diegans’ second full-length. The four-piece band shares members with Tiltwheel and … Read more

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

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