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)

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, and coalesce those into a genre. But when there are too many bands in a certain genre, things just get stale. And I feel this way about "technical/progressive death metal." Unfortunately, Illogicist's The Insight Eye is another entry into this somewhat tired group of musicians. Normally, Willowtip is good about finding the cream of the crop amongst death metal's massive legions. However, I feel like Illogicist just doesn't meet the same level of quality as their label mates who are actually innovative. But for every Crowpath there has to be an Ion Dissonance or Illogicist. This seems like a somewhat banal approach to things that Atheist and Cynic have been doing since the early 90's. And this isn't even to say that I don't like the occasional throwback, or that everything has to be wildly innovative, but sometimes it feels like, "Why bother?" And this is where I'll provide a caveat - these guys are obviously talented and passionate musicians, but the music they're passionate about just isn't giving them enough to really take it to the next level. Or … Read more

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

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

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

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, … Read more

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 … Read more

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One from the archives

The Cocker Spaniels

Withstand the Whatnot
Artbreak (2004)

The notion of a one-man band has always seemed like a bit of a novelty to me. Whenever I used to hear or read of an artist who supposedly played every single note on his or her recordings, the image I conjured would be something along the lines of this: That, or Prince. It wasn't until one fateful day in late 2002, when after a long, ponderous rehearsal with a band I was trying to flesh out did I, like Jane Goodall and her fastidious chimps, finally understand the logic behind the one-man band: frustrated with incompetent musicians, the one-man band seeks to throw caution to the wind, take charge of his or her own art, and unleash it upon the world regardless of technical or sonic limitations. With this … Read more

More album reviews

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ghostface Killah

The Big Doe Rehab
Def Jam (2007)

On his seventh album it sounds like Ghostface is handing over the reins to the less noted, giving more of his name and less of his talent, allowing the up and comers to ride on his success. The overall presentation of the album seems rushed and halfhearted; perhaps he assumes that people will purchase the album solely on the premise … Read more

Spoon

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Merge (2007)

Over the course of the last year Jim Eno, drummer of Spoon and certified electrical engineer, has produced some of 2007's best albums while working with his boys in Spoon to bring us Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Before even getting to the musical element of the record's equation, any enthusiast is quick to note the amazing quality to 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)