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)

Lie and Wait

Led Astray
Thrashed! (2007)

Most within the hardcore and punk community are likely unaware of the existence of Lie and Wait. Sure, they are a fairly new band, but there are plenty of other bands that have been around just as long as them, or even less time, that have already achieved critical praise. The release of Led Astray is going to make it difficult for those that listen to hardcore to be oblivious to Lie and Wait for much longer. San Antonio's Lie and Wait launch into action with "The Conqueror." Immediately you're greeted with killer guitar licks supplied by the duo of Zach Brin and Anthony Vela. These chops are meaty and pack a serious punch. "The Crown" follows and is easily the best cut of the EP. The song definitely reminded me of a cross between Ringworm and No Warning; the sing-along/aggressive breakdown that concludes the song is spectacular. "Do You Want to Live Forever?" and "Apostasy" are equally as visceral. "A Fool's Prayer" is another standout number with its crunching riffs, thundering basslines, and pummeling drums. Vocally, Tyler Lutz has a gruff yell, which matches the muddy tone of the music perfectly. Lyrically, Lutz walks a fine line between reality … Read more

Pyramids

Through the Hourglass
Protagonist Music (2007)

Fuck "emo," fuck "screamo." Let's talk about music with intensity and passion. Pyramids' second full-length release, Through the Hourglass, features … Read more

Illogicist

The Insight Eye
Willowtip (2007)

Similarities define genres, right? You can take a group of musicians, cite some sort of common threads through their records, … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Jinn

Jinn
SuperFi (2007)

Although this band shares their name with at least three other groups, this release is pretty solid. The United Kingdom's … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Georgie James

Places
Saddle Creek (2007)

Bridging elements of power/indie pop while harnessing a danceable sound reminiscent of the better radio friendly tracks from the 1950's … Read more

200 Words Or Less

St. Vincent

Marry Me
Beggars Banquet (2007)

Those familiar with Sufjan Stevens or The Polyphonic Spree might recognize Annie Clark for her accompaniment to their most recent … 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

752 reviews

Book Review

42 reviews

Classic Album

25 reviews

Multiple Authors

300 reviews

Review

4973 reviews

Video/DVD Review

19 reviews

One from the archives

Foxhall Stacks

The Coming Collapse
Snappy Little Numbers Quality Audio Recordings (2019)

The best part of a super group is hearing talented musicians working in a comfortable space. A diligent review of Foxhall Stacks is obliged to mention Jawbox, Government Issue, Velocity Girl and Minor Threat, with whom this band shares members. I hear similarities to many of these groups because of the unmistakable players participating. The powerpop formula on this record is reminiscent of the D.C. scene it was born of, and that seems to be the record’s strong suit. Jawbox’s Marshall amplifier / Les Paul guitar leads are present, as are the clean doubled vocals and Velocity Girl’s shiny tambourines. The drumming compliments the poppy song structures deftly, leading them at times. However, Foxhall Stacks sound nothing like Minor Threat. Which begs the question: was this band called “Minor Foxhole … Read more

More album reviews

200 Words Or Less

Sounds Like Violence

With Blood on My Hands
Deep Elm (2007)

Alternative Press called Sweden's Sounds Like Violence "post-grunge." I don't know what the fuck post-grunge is supposed to sound like, but apparently it's catchy pop-punk "recommended for fans of: My Chemical Romance, Underoath, Refused, [and] The Hives." The music isn't as bubbly as your average pop-punk band, which is definitely a bonus, but the lyrics still drip with angst and … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Fjord

Lives Lives
Eulogy (2007)

Fjord are ex-Winter Solstice/The Takeover and have been said to play a brand of metal "for the fans of Converge and Botch." Lives Lives definitely sounds Botch-influenced, but that's not a very unique quality nowadays. The music isn't contrived; it's simply similar to many "metal-core" bands. Thankfully they don't fall into the mold of recycled As I Lay Dying riffs … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Light Yourself on Fire

Light Yourself on Fire
Kiss of Death (2006)

Light Yourself on Fire, a four piece from Tampa, Florida, play thrashy hardcore that they call "power death." The seven songs on this EP release are riddled with pinch harmonics and sludgy riffs played at breakneck speeds. The lyrics are unintelligible, but touch on topics such as bullshit on the radio, the ubiquity of neurosis, and global warming. Cover art … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Disillusion

Gloria
Metal Blade (2006)

Disillusion sounds like an even more radio friendly version of Slipknot. Actually, I don't know Slipknot well enough to call them that. Let's just call it radio friendly shit, the shit that kids in bondage pants will worship. The beginning of the second track, "Gloria," sounds like the singer of System of a Down trying to talk over a choppy, … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Passion

The Fierce Urgency of Now
Goodfellow (2006)

The Fierce Urgency of Now is a record from Philadelphia, PA's Passion. Fans of hardcore and metalcore will appreciate Passion's intensity and technicality; if you're looking for breakdowns and fast-paced music, you will enjoy this album. If you aren't, you'll hate it. "Statistics Show That We Do Not Care" packs a punch, delivering lyrics against child molestation and an ear-catching … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Scream Poet, Scream

Illegitimate Descendent of a Pope
Independent (2006)

Out of Chicago, Illinois, Scream Poet, Scream play energetic punk. Some songs, like "Trainwwreck," are harsh and dissonant while others - see "I Have Decided to Starve" - have pop sensibilities. They remind me of an opening band... not a specific band, just one of those groups you find yourself paying some attention to as you wait for the other … Read more

200 Words Or Less

This Door to Remain Closed During Work Hours

Achieve Albeit an Absence
Independent (2006)

This Door to Remain Closed During Work Hours sounds like a jam band who shows their metal influences every once in a while. The repetition of a jam band is there, but there's no soloing. In that case, I'll just call it boring music. Achieve Albeit an Absence could also be an attempt at post-rock; it turned out too mellow … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Ghost of the Russian Empire

With Fiercest Demolition
Thirty Ghost (2006)

Rock with horns that isn't ska? Oh, thank god. Ghost of the Russian Empire's debut EP, With Fiercest Demolition - produced by Erik Woffrod (Explosions in the Sky, Voxtrot) - is six tracks of catchy, but not poppy music. There's definitely a Radiohead-esque aspect about this group of Texans (imagine Thom Yorke and company before they started mingling heavily with … Read more

Crime In Stereo

...is Dead
Bridge Nine (2007)

I don't think there has ever been an album that I've liked that I have hated so much about. Case in point; not even fifteen seconds into Crime in Stereo's debut album for Bridge Nine Records there's a damn wah-wah pedal part. I hate wah-wah pedal parts. Does anyone out there like wah-wah pedal parts that isn't sitting in front … Read more

Defiance, Ohio

The Fear, The Fear, The Fear
No Idea (2007)

Defiance, Ohio are somewhat of a punk rock abnormality, having released a slew of records in a short amount of time, yet still maintaining the same lineup and same ethics, even as their popularity continues to slowly but surely rise, despite the band insisting on as little promotion as possible. Rather, the band's constant touring and commitment to the DIY … Read more

Tangorodrim

Justus Ex Fide Vivit
Southern Lord (2007)

So what are we to think of this "pure, unholy black metal from Israel"? Well for starters, taking into consideration their country of origin doesn't mean a whole lot. Whether you're from Israel, South Africa, New Zealand or Paraguay, if you're black metal, you'll probably still sound Norwegian. Originality, you see, isn't one of the tenets of the black. Everyone … Read more

Jackie Carol

Check Check
Speak Music Media (2007)

Allow me to get this little factoid out of the way first, I have been listening to Nathan Ellis projects ever since he joined Coalesce; The Casket Lottery (Ellis' next band) introduced me to and gave me a great appreciation for much more mellow, but still challenging, music. When I heard that Ellis now is playing with a new group … Read more

Modest Mouse

We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Epic (2007)

Modest Mouse's We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank have proven to be a difficult album for the staff of Scene Point Blank. Since it's release we have had a number of staff writer's attempt to put into words what makes this album so good. And yet, in all of their attempts, not one has been able to come … Read more

Gunsmoke

Little Shields / The Righteous Path to Hell
Independent (2007)

Sometimes, a band comes along and knocks you off your feet. As you begin to listen to them, you think to yourself, "Damn, this is pretty good." But after the third or fourth listen you can't help but want to hear the songs over and over again, and you'll rewind in the middle of a song just to hear one … Read more

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