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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)

The Ergs!

Upstairs/Downstairs
Dirtnap (2007)

The Ergs are self-proclaimed dorks. The great thing is that they are dorks that can write some great hooks. Upstairs/Downstairs is simply The Ergs latest example to demonstrate their ability to write infectious songs about girls and other pop-punk staple subjects. Upstairs/Downstairs delivers where their debut full length, dorkrockcockrod, set the stage for and where last year's EP, Jersey's Best Prancers, left you thirsting for more. Upstairs/Downstairs definitely delivers the goods. The Ergs' albums have a knack for being very prolific (I hate using that word); both of their full-lengths have reached beyond the sixteen/seventeen song mark. With Upstairs/Downstairs The Ergs easily swing past the forty minute point; with many other pop-punk artists this would result in an album full of filler or simply an album that becomes way too repetitive. This definitely is not to true with The Ergs. Upstairs/Downstairs provides one heck of an all around listening pleasure. On the latter half of the album, The Ergs do something that many bands attempt and fail at, and that is experiment with their sound. The title track is musically all over the place, while not getting boring or too weird - proving that The Ergs are even great musicians. … Read more

Hot Rod Circuit

The Underground is a Dying Breed
Immortal (2007)

The Underground is a Dying Breed is a surprising comeback for Hot Rod Circuit. It appeared that even diehard fans … Read more

Achilles

Hospice
Hex (2007)

People around here at Scene Point Blank like to joke and rib me about being the token melodic hardcore guy. … Read more

Altered Beast

Demo
Independent (2007)

About two months ago, I had the pleasure of seeing Altered Beast play a quick, understated, but totally badass set … Read more

The One A.M. Radio

This Too Will Pass
Dangerbird (2007)

On The One A.M. Radio's 2004 full-length, A Name Writ in Water, songwriter Hrishikesh Hirway surprised critics and listeners alike … Read more

Building Better Bombs

Freak Out Squares
Init (2007)

Init Records is one of the most underappreciated record labels releasing music today. Documenting some of the Midwest's most important … Read more

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One from the archives

Two Gallants

The Bloom And The Blight
ATO (2012)

2012 sees Two Gallants coming back from a 5-year hiatus with their new release The Bloom and the Blight. How have the ensuing years treated the San Francisco blues-folk duo? Well, the press sheet calls it a record of catharsis, so one can only assume there were some personal events that transpired since 2007’s self-titled release. The major item that stands out on the new record, however, is the increased use of loud rock instrumentation. The ten songs here give an extra kick into blues-rock territory, basically abandoning the pretense of folk and sounding like a full band in the process.A louder highlight comes in the form of “Willie,” a CCR-styled Southern rocker, with a big chorus and some fun guitar work. However, a lot of the louder elements come … Read more

More album reviews

Ramparts

Tramps Like Us
Independent (2007)

Complacency is one of the greatest threats to hardcore's continued vitality. Many bands fail to grasp the importance of taking risks to produce a fresh sound. Even more frustrating are lyricists who allow hardcore to become insular. On their Tramps Like Us demo, Ramparts make certain they are committed to fighting stagnation. What struck me first about Ramparts was how … Read more

Johnny Vomit

Extreme Championship Drinking
NGS (2006)

Disclaimer: Don't read this review if you are offended by four letter words and genital slang. Thank you. Some bands strive to enlighten their listeners with intelligent, philosophical lyrics. Other groups promote vegetarianism, veganism, or the straight edge lifestyle through their music. Then there's Johnny Vomit: five guys dedicated to getting sloshed and playing music. After looking over their album … Read more

Wilco

Sky Blue Sky
Nonesuch (2007)

Although Sky Blue Sky is their sixth full-length studio record, it wasn't long ago that I hadn't actually heard of Wilco, and thus their stellar reputation was something I hadn't quite expected. The album's superbly striking artwork told me to expect some frosty post-rock atmospherics, but I was pleasantly underwhelmed by the clear-headed (but not quite sunny) alt-rock that didn't … Read more

CocoRosie

The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn
Touch & Go (2007)

A guitarist who died too soon, going by the name of Rust Epique, once said: "Bad art is still art." These words came back to me when listening to CocoRosie, and brought back the memories of when I was a young kid that listened to shitty music, like Crazy Town, which featured Rust Epique. Anyway, as I was listening to … Read more

Andrew W.K.

Close Calls With Brick Walls
Universal/Dope Entertainment/Load (2006)

Andrew W.K. is the latest Renaissance man in the world of music. Like others before him, John Lennon and Henry Rollins among others, W.K.'s influence has flourished beyond the boundaries of his musical output. And while many may still see W.K. as "the party guy," his stature in the public eye is much more than that of a one-hit-wonder. He … Read more

Earth

Hibernaculum
Southern Lord (2007)

It is not often that a band is willing to revisit prior recorded works in a new musical style. With Hibernaculum, the lauded Earth do just that. However, they do more than just rehash old material. Dylan Carlson and company instead breathe new life into the songs and gives listeners, fans, and interested parties a striking bridge between the "louder," … Read more

At All Costs

Direction
Anti-H (2006)

There's an awkward goofiness to the Start Today album, or any of the first fifteen Revelation releases, that will always make them powerfully classic. None of the bands at the time really knew what they were doing both musically and culturally. These were just a bunch of bored kids, mostly in middle and high school, who felt alienated by their … Read more

Broken Poets

Optimism in E Minor
Wordvendor (2006)

Broken Poets' lead singer/songwriter dynamo, Tim McDonald, is truly the voice of the average American male in that his songwriting, melodies, and vocal delivery are completely, uh, average. Just don't tell him that. Nearly every part of this album feels equal parts contrived and self-important "" the album name (only two of the twelve songs are actually in E Minor), … Read more

The Death of a Party

The Rise and Fall of Scarlet City
Double Negative (2007)

Bands need to stop trying to sound like Gang of Four. It's a fact that they will never be Gang of Four, and no one ever will be. Of course there will be cover bands, but those songs are Gang of Four songs. Leave the repetition for Clear Channel Radio, such memorable music isn't meant to be over played. The … Read more

The Sea and Cake

Everybody
Thrill Jockey (2007)

Imagine sitting out on your porch or patio on a warm summer evening. You feel like just kicking back and relaxing while enjoying a light breeze. As corny as that sounds, this is what comes to mind for me when I listen to The Sea and Cake. Everything seems to flow almost effortlessly, just telling you to relax. However, it … Read more

Symphorce

Become Death
Metal Blade (2007)

This record really surprised me. When I got it, I was excited about the fact that they are a power metal band. I can't get enough of the stuff, so naturally I was stoked. I started checking out the CD insert and saw that they are from Germany. Germany has given birth to some of my favorite power metal bands. … Read more

Feist

The Reminder
Arts & Crafts (2007)

Every now and then, there is a singer that catches your ear with a beautiful, unique voice. In 2004, Leslie Feist was that person when she released her solo album, Let it Die, to international acclaim. She has returned to form this year with her new album, The Reminder, a collection of songs that focuses more on the uniqueness of … Read more

The Academy Is...

Santi
Atlantic (2007)

Something I've always had trouble imagining is five grown men sitting in a room, writing music that directly appeals to fourteen-year-old girls, and being totally happy with themselves. Maybe it's my own musical snobbery, but I can't believe that these bands go to sleep at night, creatively satisfied, and legitimately thinking that the music they write is worth anything. They … Read more

The Hourly Radio

History Will Never Hold Me
Kirtland (2006)

I've noticed that pop music has gone through a lot of changes in the last few years. One thing I've noticed is the misconceptions of what people call "original" as something that sounds exactly like what's popular at the moment. The opening sentence in the press kit for this album is as follows "C'mon, admit it! It's been years since … Read more

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