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Gallows

Orchestra of Wolves
In at the Deep End (2006)

For the most part, the state of music - underground or major label - is stale and nothing more than a regurgitation of what has been previously done. But there are those rare gems, those bands that do something that is just a little bit different, that exist and make you excited about music. It's been quite a while since … Read more

Dead Hearts

Bitter Verses
Ferret (2006)

Sometimes a record comes along that just floors me and it's hard to find words to put to paper. I've had a couple of records do this to me lately and Dead Hearts most recent effort, Bitter Verses, is one of them. If I had to choose three words, and three words only, to describe this release, they would be … Read more

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 … 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 were left disappointed with 2004's Reality's Coming Through. The album's blandness was an especially hard blow considering that their 2002 Vagrant Records debut, Sorry About Tomorrow, was on par with their much-loved Triple Crown Records material. Hot Rod Circuit had … 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. It's all in jest and like with most stabs of humor they never stray to far away from the truth. However, there is a dark secret I would like share with everyone. Towards the end of the 90's and into … 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 in my friend Paul's basement. Being the swamped college kid that I am, I am just now able to sit down and write a few words about the demo they passed out to everyone in attendance. If I hadn't been … 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 with his apprehensive brand of esoterically compact and personal lo-fi composition. Falling somewhere in the dark crevice between electronica and singer/songwriter melancholia, Hirway demonstrated an almost uncanny ability to be both rhetorically personable and musically reserved. The vaguely metropolitan musical … 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 punk bands, from The Spirit of Versailles to The Vidablue, the label is consistently on point. I know Steven Init through the great invention of Internet message boards, and the guy is an absolute stand up person. So it still … Read more

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

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