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The Poison Arrows

First Class, and Forever
File 13 (2009)

Following on from an impressive mini-album, Poison Arrows have now put their talent to use in the full album format, something sought after when Casual Wave was making the spins. Now, with room to expand and with the time to let the songs build up over almost one hour's time and with a crisp recording from Albini's legendary Electrical Audio … Read more

Okie Dokie

Okie Dokie
Aagoo (2009)

The band is named Okie Dokie. The artwork is simple and to the point. In other words, Okie Dokie doesn't hide the fact that they're a dirty rock band, blending balls to the wall sleaze rock with fast, sloppy surf garage at its heart. The record is only eight songs, and whatever vinyl format it's on (I received a promo … Read more

Liturgy

Renihilation
20 Buck Spin (2009)

Liturgy is part of what may be referred to the new school of hipster black metal. Sure this is an unfair assessment in reality but when Xasthur gets noted time and again on Pitchfork of all places it may benefit to note what type of black metal each release is. So in any case, Liturgy is from Brooklyn and they … Read more

Alkaline Trio

This Addiction
Heart & Skull (2010)

So. The big question. A return to form? Quick answer yes. Less quick answer yes, but. A lot has been touted about the latest album from Skiba, Andriano, and Grant and some of it is even true. It's a definite move away from the ill-advised adult rock of 2008's Agony & Irony, but it falls far from being a primal … Read more

Balance and Composure

Only Boundaries
No Sleep (2009)

This is the second EP in as many years from this young band. While they are overwhelmingly young, they are not without experience. Touting members of the recently deceased War Pigs and The Erection Kids - who despite a silly name are best known for a really great split EP with Title Fight. The best part of this is knowing … Read more

Rocky Votolato

True Devotion
Barsuk/Second Nature (2010)

Only recently the consensus had been reached in my household that the time for a new Rocky Votolato album was long past due and a lengthy re-visitation of his solo back catalog immediately commenced at that point. Luckily for our household, the new album from Mr. Votolato is here; True Devotion comes via Barsuk Records again (his label for the … Read more

Northless

No Quarter for the Damaged
Halo of Flies (2009)

I could start and end this review with just one word: brutal. Unfortunately, I think my editor would prefer a few more words. This is a four-song 12 inch EP of sludge metal transposed over crust punk dynamics. Nothing on this EP goes very fast, the tempos get ramped up in each song but the riffs are so thick and … Read more

Micahel Gira

I am Not Insane
Young God (2010)

"Swans are not dead!" So went the headlines across certain dark alleyways of the blogosphere and on the Swans Myspace page and on the Young God web site (the record label ran by one Michael Gira of Swans). People were all a twitter with mixed emotions ranging from near euphoric excitement to horrified gasps of disbelief as the news that … Read more

Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip

The Logic Of Chance
Sunday Best (2010)

Ah, the sophomore curse. It's a minefield for most artists, and rare indeed is the second album that matches the first. After due consideration, I declare that the problem is primarily one of gestation. The songs that comprise a debut are usually ones which have been fine-tuned over a number of years while the individuals concerned earn enough reputation or … Read more

Johnny Cash

American VI: Ain't No Grave
American (2010)

What an undeniably excellent surprise! American VI: Ain't No Grave is the remaining recordings (from the same sessions that produced American V: A Hundred Highways) that Johnny Cash made just prior to his death on September 12, 2003 (wow it seems such a long time ago now that I see that date), and I must admit that it is excellent … Read more

The Swell Season

Strict Joy
Anti (2009)

A few years ago, a low-budget film called Once made quite the impression on international critics for its minimal and poignant love story, fleshed out by a heartfelt soundtrack and the charm of its non-professional actors. After humbly accepting an Oscar for Best Original Song, the stars and songwriters Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová returned to their level of tertiary … Read more

Have a Nice Life

Time of Land
Enemies List (2010)

Has it really been almost two years since Have a Nice Life first burst into our collective consciousness as a band that was talked about in soft whispers and wild rumor? Well, it has; it has indeed been roughly two years (give or take several months), and now the band is releasing Time of Land as a free digital download … Read more

Love Collector

My Baby Goes Waaah!
Big Action (2009)

What you get with Love Collector is pretty straightforward. Only a few seconds into "My Baby Goes Waaah!," the titular track on this 7", it's clear that this is a band that plays punk-fused garage rock, with lots of guitar, a few pedals, and lots of attitude hovering around the two-minute-per song mark. It's also the kind of rock where … Read more

Flobots

Survival Story
Universal (2010)

Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours. - César Estrada Chávez Matter relates to all things. Matter is defined as "something … Read more

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