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)

Various Artists

Change!
Hopeless/Sub City (2007)

Change! is the latest compilation from the team of Hopeless/Sub City Records and Hot Topic. Included in this release are one CD and one DVD. The CD has twenty-one songs. The majority of the songs here are your run-of-the-mill screamo-core acts: Chiodos, Saosin, The Devil Wears Prada, etc. I despise this stuff. I would say there are only a handful of songs on here worth listening to, but they are all previously available from the band's regular releases: Converge, Gallows, etc. If you want people to buy something, give them something unique, not just a sampler of a bunch of songs already out there. The DVD is something that I thought might have a bit more buyer's appeal, but turns out all the videos found here are available through the bands' or labels' websites. Heck, most of them can be found on Youtube. Again, the videos I really enjoy are Converge, Gallows, and Every Time I Die. And its not that the other bands' music is that horrible, but it is, it's that their videos are exactly the same. Seriously, come up with an original idea! Bottom-line, the only reason to purchase this is because a portion of the sales … Read more

Trash Talk

Plagues
Malfunction (2008)

2007 was a huge year for this group of young men from Sacramento. A relentless touring schedule in support of … Read more

Arms and Legs

Arms and Legs
Closet Trekkie (2007)

With today's music scene escalating into an ever-expanding number of sub-genres, it seems a little risky to invade a style … Read more

Darkthrone

F.O.A.D.
Peaceville (2007)

Those who know, love, and used to love this genuinely cult Norwegian band will probably know what to expect from … Read more

The Absence

Riders of the Plague
Metal Blade (2007)

The Absence hails from Tampa, Florida. Anyone with a sense of history knows that in the late eighties this meant … Read more

Have a Nice Life

Deathconsciousness
Enemies List (2008)

Have a Nice Life is a two-piece outfit from Connecticut that includes a member of the hardcore band, In Pieces; … Read more

Browse our review archives

Review categories

200 Words Or Less

754 reviews

Book Review

42 reviews

Classic Album

25 reviews

Multiple Authors

300 reviews

Review

5032 reviews

Video/DVD Review

19 reviews

One from the archives

Barren Harvest

Subtle Cruelties
Handmade Birds (2014)

It is quite difficult to define what Barren Harvest is offering in Subtle Cruelties. The duet of Jessica Way of Worm Ouroboros and Lenny Smith of Atriarch and Trees has found an intriguing way to present a neo folk album. But, it seems like there is always something underlying the initial folky sound of the album with its majestic melancholic tones and saddening ambiance.“The Bleeding” takes things off in the most suitable way, as the intriguing melodies take over and the tense atmosphere settles in there is no return from the domain of Barren Harvest. It is quite mesmerizing, finding yourself lost within the amazing synth sounds of Smith and the autoharp of Way. And the diversity of the sounds that they manage to produce is quite insane to be … Read more

More album reviews

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 … 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 closer look at things, you'd be very surprised at the answer. Sure, artists like Bob Marley and The Clash aren't around anymore. But others still carry the torch that they brought forth to the mainstream. Tim Armstrong released a reggae-based … 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 super group" and their recent resurgence. These Swedes embrace the seventies and are said to be the sole reason that Down, with former Pantera screamer Phil Anselmo at the helm, were revitalized and released arguably their finest recording in 2007. … 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 I can conclude based on the limited information available on the band's history and their wardrobe in the select pictures available of the band - no offense. Members of the band have spent time in several popular acts, including Converge, … 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 of adolescent angst into sensitive young adults channeling that angst with more subtlety in their music. This initially spawned the post-hardcore movement where bands like Into Another and Quicksand came into existence. This cycle seems to continue on in one … 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 the band, the last place that you would guess they were from would be Australia. If anything, you would have come up with either the Pacific Northwest or Boston. And while both are logical guesses based on the style of … Read more

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

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