Recent reviews

Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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

Deadbird

Twilight Ritual
At A Loss (2008)

Right off the bat, allow me to bring notice to the cover art for Deadbird's latest album, Twilight Ritual (following up 2005's The Head and the Heat) because it is rather stunning; John Baizley (guitarist/ vocalist of Baroness, and artist for such bands as Torche, Darkest Hour, Pig Destroyer as well as his own) continues his busy schedule of art production for records. Even though previous experience with Deadbird already assures an interest in the record, the visual aesthetic the artwork provides even more of a draw to check out Twilight Ritual. Then again, Deadbird provides the kind of visceral punch to the face that "sludge" (another awful genre name but it works here) bands can provide; so, based on that alone Twilight Ritual is ripe to slap the sophistication out of listeners. Long songs which show not just a brutish, pummeling nature but also a surprisingly delicate panache at times create an interesting dynamic in the sometimes staid sounding style of music (the dual vocals during some of the softer parts of "Into the Clearing" are a good example of this effect. Sure, the thick guitars and grooves are there, but Deadbird adds a bit more to their take … Read more

Exodus

Let There be Blood
Zaentz (2008)

Why re-record your own album almost twenty-five years later? Some, including this reviewer, find the redundancy almost laughable, but yet … Read more

Ceremony

Still Nothing Moves You
Bridge Nine (2008)

I could easily give Ceremony's latest album a token crappy review because quite frankly I find this band a bit … Read more

Decades

Numbered
State of Mind (2008)

Ah yes, Texas hardcore. In spite of the recent loss of many of its key bands, the various scenes within … Read more

The Sea and Cake

Car Alarm
Thrill Jockey (2008)

That easy, jazz-infused post-rock has come a long way since adopting a mispronunciation of their intended band name (The "C" … Read more

Grey Daturas

Return to Disruption
Neurot (2008)

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Grey Daturas is an enigmatic trio whose music is an amalgamation of many musical styles from … Read more

Browse our review archives

Reviews by year

Choose a year to view reviews of albums released in that year.

Reviews by artist name

Choose a letter to view reviews ordered by that letter (band name first).

Review categories

200 Words Or Less

751 reviews

Book Review

42 reviews

Classic Album

25 reviews

Multiple Authors

300 reviews

Review

4959 reviews

Video/DVD Review

19 reviews

One from the archives

The Lillingtons

The Too Late Show
Red Scare (2006)

We're in the middle of a pop punk renaissance. New recruits are signing up left and right and firing off catchy odes to the evergreen vagaries of romance, teenage or any age. But this is a post-Lifetime era, so for the most part today's young turks eschew the Ramonesianism of a Screeching Weasel or a Queers in favor of the chunky guitars and wistful sing-alongs of New Jersey's most-decorated. The name of the game is no longer brain damage as a metaphor for love, but spin kicks and windmills as a backdrop for plaintive pathos. So where does this leave a band of staunch classicists like the Lillingtons? Emerging out of coal-rich Wyoming in the mid-1990s, the Lillingtons celebrated the fin de siécle in 1999 by unveiling one of the … Read more

More album reviews

Waco Fuck

Paranoia is Total Awareness
Life Is A Rape (2008)

Anger is a gift, at least when making music. Some really manic but great recordings have been borne out of huge amounts of frustration and anger. Waco Fuck are one seriously angry sounding band. Spend enough time listening to this and you will realize just how much. The album is called Paranoia is Total Awareness and the record label is … Read more

City of Ships

Live Free or Don't
Forcefield (2008)

One of the more surprising events or rather instances that I have been able to witness is that of discovering the three piece outfit City of Ships. The group's frenetic energy and obvious emotional stake in the music which they play is simultaneously impressive and inspiring. Live Free or Don't is actually the band's first EP which precedes their self-released … Read more

Cancer Bats

Hail Destroyer
Metal Blade (2008)

Cancer Bats really confuse me. On one hand, they are almost astonishingly derivative and terrifyingly hip. On the other hand, there is something infectious about their brand of sludge-tinged groove metal that makes me want to drink, fuck, and party all night. And I don't even drink. Following the blueprint set down by their first full-length, Hail Destroyer does nothing … Read more

Nadja

Desire in Uneasiness
Crucial Blast (2008)

Where to start with Nadja? To be honest, being inundated with hype from the Internet's hype machine forces my hand into checking out what this duo has to offer my ears. Desire in Uneasiness is the two-piece's first full-length of new material after a slew of re-releases and re-recordings. But the promise in what I am hearing about Nadja truly … Read more

The Gaslight Anthem

The '59 Sound
Side One Dummy (2008)

Make no assumptions about it, The Gaslight Anthem are one of the best active rock and roll bands. You can argue over whether they are a punk band or a rock band, but in the end it is all just semantics. It's the same argument that happened thirty years ago with The Clash. It really doesn't matter what side you … Read more

Supermachiner

Rise of the Great Machine (Reissue)
E-Vinyl (2008)

Supermachiner is the short-lived project of Jacob Bannon of Converge and Ryan Parker where they eventually enlisted the input of fellow Converge member Kurt Ballou as well as Seth Bannon. And before anyone gets excited about the possible likeness to Converge, this outfit is a much different animal that is more in line with Jacob's much more recent solo work … Read more

The Riot Before

Fists Buried in Pockets
Say-10 (2008)

The Riot Before hail from Richmond but look and sound like a Gainesville band. Musically, I'd lump them in with American Steel and old Against Me!. There is a folk undertone, but the music is electric guitar-fueled punk rock with strong, emotive vocals. The band quickly establishes their sound with the titular track "Fists Buried in Pockets," a minimalist song … Read more

The Shaky Hands

Lunglight
Kill Rock Stars (2008)

It's raining today. No sun. Shaking angly tree branches. Impenetrable sky rising up out of the ground. Hourless glide from late morning to dusk. I've been in bed all afternoon, admitting how sick I've gotten over the last week. Fucking autumn: always makes me think of Portland. Portland used to be my girl. Well... Portland used to be the girl … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Grace Alley / Skin Like Iron

Quake City
Spiderghost (2008)

We all know how much I love the Bay Area music scene, so it's really no surprise I'm loving this split 7" from Grace Alley and Skin Like Iron. Grace Alley leads things off with "Sunday Morning, "Fifth and Harrison." The music has that definitive East Bay Punk sound of the 90's to it mixed with a bit of the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Heavy Hearted

Heavy Hearted
Farewell Party (2008)

Heavy Hearted is based out of Rochester, NY. It's been quite some time since I've heard anything new from that area of the state. But, then again, sometimes the good things come to those who wait. This 7" release is, from what I can gather, a companion release to the band's debut full-length, Overcast, which was released earlier this year. … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Creatures

Creatures
Independent (2008)

Orange County was a breeding ground for hardcore in the early 80's. While many might suggest that the scene there has died off, they couldn't be more wrong. Creatures is one of many upcoming hardcore groups bringing credibility back to the area. After turning heads with a demo, Creatures quickly recorded for a new EP. The six songs that make … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Wraith

Wraith
Reflections (2008)

Wraith is the latest U.K. export to hit my doorstep. Following on solid releases from Rot in Hell, Deal With It, and Dirty Money, the scene over there is starting to look rather promising again. While only a band for a year, Wraith has already built a massive following. And when you listen to this 7" you'll know just why. … Read more

200 Words Or Less

All Through a Life

All Through a Life
Clue #2 (2008)

Unsolicited review materials are either one of two things: great surprises or extreme disappointments. Vancouver, British Columbia natives All Through a Life is of the first grouping. Prior to its arrival in the mail, I had never heard of All Though a Life. Over the course of this three-song 7" the Canadian four-piece experiments with a crossing of Dischord-esque punk … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Resonance

Transfuse
Collapse (2008)

Now defunct Virginia Beach outfit Resonance sees their two demos put to wax on this 12" affair. Transfuse boasts ten tracks of hardcore that is as potent as it is tenuous. On first listen, the ten songs that compile this recording may appear to be nothing more than standard fare melodic hardcore. However, after repeated spins, the diversity of the … Read more

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