Ruiner
Hell is Empty
Bridge Nine (2009)
With Hell is Empty Ruiner return with one scathing, vicious, and beautiful album. It was worth the two year wait that fans endured between this Prepare to be Let Down. What Ruiner had developed on Prepare to be Let Down has been greatly expanded upon on Hell is Empty. The songwriting is much more dynamic, and J. Robbins' organic production shines without glossing over what makes this record, and hardcore in general so appealing: the raw energy, the emotion. The worst thing that a band can do in hardcore is overproduce a record, and strip it of all emotion and soul (coughboysetsfiretomorrowcomestodaycough). Instead what we get from Ruiner is a quality release, that while not at the full-on breakneck full-out speed frenzy that Prepare to be Let Down was, is still chock full of sing-alongs, finger pointing, and circle pit parts that the kids go crazy over these days. The album comes to a blistering open with "I'm Out." a track detailing the protagonist's coming to grips with the past that is haunting him. Exactly how he is "out" isn't made clear, but it's ambiguous enough to be left up to the listener that this person is either on the … Read more
A Death Cinematic
A Parable on the Aporia of Vengeance and the Beauty of Impenetrable Sadness
Simple Box Construction (2009)
Every once in a long while there comes a release which takes several listens to sink in to one's thick … Read more
Shrinebuilder
Shrinebuilder
Neurot (2009)
Holy supergroup! Even as that term is overused, for underground metal and heavy music, Shrinebuilder is just that when you … Read more
Nothington
Roads, Bridges & Ruins
BYO (2009)
In what might be an early contender for "Most Improved Band of the Year," Nothington brings us their second studio … Read more
Florence and the Machine
Lungs
Island (2009)
In a U.K. pop scene increasingly dominated by uncertain female electro-pop princesses or paltry imitations of Rihanna or Beyonce, it's … Read more
