Recent reviews

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

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

Mouse Fire

Wooden Teeth
Lujo (2007)

Lakeland, Florida has given birth to spawn that has been attempted by many. Consisting of four members, Mouse Fire's debut album Wooden Teeth slices, blends, sometimes smothers, and completes the emo-pop sound forged in the beginning of the 2000's. Musically enchanting in its own right, every one of the twelve tracks contains a sense of musical prowess. Undoubtedly, the talent of these four individuals has been personified over the years. Vocal frontman and guitarist, Joey Bruce illustrates a mature control of melody and experimentation. He takes risks numerously throughout the album, taking his voice to new levels, attempting new genres of sound. On occasion he falls short, but never the less the attempt portrays a dignified approach to the artistic value of music. Don't box me in, the essential philosophy. Though Mr. Bruce is not a vocal master as of yet, it is a possibility that his crisp and clean musical pronunciation will take him far in the future. Structurally the band takes fewer risks with lots of hooks. The rhythmic value of each song eventually evolves, if not begins with, a single beat per chord progression. The guitars then follow up with an atmospheric solo-esque, which complicates the music … Read more

Dub Trio

Another Sound is Dying
Ipecac (2008)

In the year 2008, one might question the relevancy of reggae and dub on today's music. When you take a … Read more

Witchcraft

The Alchemist
Rise Above (2007)

If you have heard of this band recently then chances are that it will be related to a certain "southern … Read more

The Huguenots

Discography
Hydra Head (2007)

The Huguenots were a band that existed at some point during the late 1990's, or at least that is what … Read more

Robots and Empires

Omnivore
Trip Machine Laboratories (2007)

For a while it seemed like people in hardcore bands would undergo this metamorphosis that changed them from raging balls … Read more

Miles Away

Rewind, Repeat...
6131 (2007)

If you were to listen to the latest offering from Miles Away, Rewind, Repeat , and yet knew nothing of … Read more

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One from the archives

Mourn

Mourn
Captured Tracks (2014)

Coming out of Spain, this group can come up with some seriously good tunes. Mourn started out as a duo act by Jazz Rodriguez Bueno and Carla Perez Vas, but it soon grew into a quartet with the inclusion of drummer Antonio Postius and bassist Leia Rodriguez. The really crazy part of all this: these guys are teenagers. Three of Mourn’s members are eighteen years old, apart from their drummer who is fifteen! Their music might is straightforward, right to the point and greatly written, encompassing a powerful mix of The Ramones and PJ Harvey, with a touch of The Pixies and Sonic Youth. The band itself began its ventures by releasing their songs through their Youtube website, which might have quite a raw sound but you can still get … Read more

More album reviews

Justice of the Unicorns

Angels with Uzis
Little Lamb (2008)

Yesterday, I received my bi-monthly batch of promos. While sorting through the records an album named Angels with Uzis by the band Justice of the Unicorns caught my eye. If the image on your right is a bit too small let me take the liberty of describing what's going on with the album's cover. Above a burning skyline is what … Read more

Attica! Attica!

Dead Skin / Dried Blood
Red Leader (2007)

If Disney were ever to make an animated movie that involved the protagonist turning Congress into an alcoholic shitshow, then taking his magic carpet over to Guantanamo Bay and seeing America's secret war on terror, and then completing his own personal heroic journey back in New York, Aaron Scott would provide the soundtrack, as well as most of the story. … Read more

So They Say

Life in Surveillance
Fearless (2007)

Before taking my first listen to Life in Surveillance, as a stranger to the band I deemed it only polite to do my homework. So They Say is a rock band, a quartet, hailing from St. Louis, Missouri. They signed with Fearless in 2005, released their debut in 2006. They were met with much acclaim and toured with Atreyu. Huh. … Read more

Jay-Z

American Gangster
Roc-A-Fella (2007)

In the rap world of 2007, is there a more polarizing MC than Jay-Z? Chances are you'd be hard pressed to find a rapper with more disparity between his supporters and critics. With that being said, perhaps it is extremely appropriate that his latest project would be in the form of the equally polarizing "concept album." When executed correctly, the … Read more

Young Widows / Plows

Split
Auxiliary (2007)

There are certain times when I enjoy championing bands, and Young Widows' cause is definitely one that I find myself really enjoying. This split, their latest recording and first since 2006's Settle Down City, is something that I have been waiting for since I last saw them play when the band performed some new material for the first time in … Read more

Perth Express

Discography
Teenage Disco Bloodbath (2007)

Perth Express is likely a band that you're unfamiliar with, but that's okay. Prior to being contacted by the label in regards to this discography release, I was totally oblivious to the band's existence. The world is a big place and you just can't be expected to know about every single band. Hailing from Germany, this discography encompasses the band's … Read more

Various Artists

Keep Singing!
Exotic Fever (2007)

Keep Singing! is another benefit compilation brought to you from the great folks at Exotic Fever Records; in this case the proceeds are going to the amazing organization Compassion Over Killing. Every band that contributed songs did so to raise awareness for veganism, vegetarianism, and animal rights and Compassion Over Killing. And each band does give their own recipe to … Read more

Dethklok

The Dethalbum
Williams Street (2007)

Metal, or all rock and roll for that matter, exists due to two necessary components: lies - fantasy a more fitting title if you're into prog rock - and boisterous showmanship. This truth then makes the next statement undeniable: Dethklok is the best metal band ever! How do I figure this? Let me analyze the grounds I set in the … Read more

Various Artists

United States of Hardcore
Hate Core (2007)

The title of this compilation speaks volumes about our nation. While there is an ongoing argument about who invented punk music - not that it really matters - the origins of hardcore are no secret. The U.S. birthed it and we still do it best (though there are some bands from other nations that do it well too). So what … Read more

Tusk

The Resisting Dreamer
Hydra Head (2007)

Tusk has long been a side project of the more and more highly esteemed band Pelican, but is much heavier and includes vocals at times. On The Resisting Dreamer, the normal members of Tusk are joined by Evan Patterson (Young Widows, Black Cross, Breather Resist, A National Acrobat) and Toby Driver (Kayo Dot). The Resisting Dreamer is meant to be … Read more

Cold World

No Omega
1917 (2007)

The Wilkes-Barre hardcore unit Cold World has a lot to answer for. First, they were the band that effectively shut down Posi Numbers Fest for good. They are also responsible for a new crop of fashion conscious hardcore kids outbidding each other on eBay over street wear influenced t-shirts... lots and lots of t-shirts. Cold World also likes to call … Read more

Battles

Mirrored
Warp (2007)

The members of Battles definitely have impressive resumes when it comes to their former and current musical endeavors. Everyone knows John Stanier from his days in Helmet and his recent work in Tomahawk. Ian Williams is a guitar wizard who spent many years with Don Caballero. Dave Konopka played in the under-appreciated Lynx. And Tyondai Braxton is the son of … Read more

Jon Crocker

The Dust Will Settle
Bluetint (2008)

After his thorough touring of each continental U.S. state (and several abroad) in an apparent effort to sate a sort of Sal Paradisian wanderlust, it is not difficult to begin to mythologize Jon Crocker's career and sonic development. It's interesting then, how nearly every red-meat note and yellow-cheeked syllable Crocker delivers manages to feel so innocuous, while still maintaining its … Read more

Baroness

The Red Album
Relapse (2007)

Forget everything that you have heard from or about Baroness to this point in your life; even their split record with Unpersons (A Grey Sigh in a Flower Husk) earlier this year does not prepare you enough for the dramatic leap that they throw at you with The Red Album. Baroness effectively rewrite their place in the current musical maelstrom … Read more

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