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Lemuria

Lemuria
Art of the Underground (2005)

I have a bottomless love for Discount that no one I've ever met has matched. Together with Lifetime, they were the band that defined my high school years - I took up songs like "Disappointed" and "On the Counter" and made them my own; they were the soundtrack for my adolescent late nights. If I had been in a wistful … Read more

Neal Eles

As Night Sinks
Independent (2006)

Neal Eles sounds like Jose Gonzales. It's that simple. Maybe Jose Gonzales sounds like Neal Eles, or maybe they both sound like someone else? Who knows? It's that gentle singer-songwriter formula all played on pianos and acoustic guitars with some melancholic vocals. Neal Eles chooses to beef up the archetype with drums and increased timbres, however, and even has a … Read more

Eye of Judgement

The New Crusade
New Eden (2006)

Let's face it, since the departure of Earth Crisis in 2001, there hasn't been a prevalent force in the vegan straightedge scene. I suppose Undying made an attempt at it, but with constant lineup problems and a lack of touring, they never quite got on track. xMaroonx also had a shot at it, but they really haven't toured outside of … Read more

Few and the Proud

Stampede
Organized Crime (2006)

Few and the Proud really needs no introduction other than the fact that they are, and always will be, straightedge. The lyrics insert makes the claim that "a new era has begun," but more on that later. The record begins with the intro "Trampled." And by the time it was over, I was sure this record was going to be … Read more

Gnarls Barkley

St. Elsewhere
Atlantic (2006)

Six months later... what can I possibly say about St. Elsewhere that hasn't already been ejaculated from the unnecessarily verbose ink-members of numerous self-indulgent online music critics? Yes, it's the best album of the year; it rests securely in the top-ten for this decade. It has been praised by critics, certified platinum, and can easily be found on the iPods … Read more

Thumbscrew

Within Hearts of Redemption
Imagine It (2006)

There are a million and one spazz/metalcore bands around nowadays. And I can't name any of them besides Ed Gein, whose first record was what initially turned me off from the whole style. The bands that play this style of music are obviously apt at their instruments, but the focus is more on showing five seconds worth of technical prowess … Read more

Samiam

Whatever's Got You Down
Hopeless (2006)

Samiam have been around since the birth of time, big in Europe, and just happen to be one of my favorite bands ever. They did break up in 2001 after the release of Astray. However Samiam mainstays Jason Beebout and Sergie Loobkoff decided to get Samiam back together by finding some new members and put out their seventh album. Needless … Read more

Deathspell Omega

Kénôse
Norma Evangelium Diaboli (2005)

One of the things I love about reviewing is that sometimes I come across bands that are real gems that I would never have known about otherwise. Deathspell Omega is one of those bands. These mysterious Frenchmen stay true to the spirit of traditional, raw black metal, but at the same time manage to put their own genuine spin on … Read more

Planes Mistaken for Stars

Mercy
Abacus (2006)

Mark this down. This is the comeback record of the year for me. Planes Mistaken for Stars dropped the ball with Up in Them Guts right when they seemed poised to take the indie scene by storm. It was so lackluster for me that I did not have especially high hopes for this new record. With Matt Bellinger jumping ship … Read more

Sparrows Swarm and Sing

Untitled II
The Perpetual Motion Machine (2006)

I was able to listen to Untitled II on my way up to visit friends at James Madison University, about a two hour ride north from where I go to college. Driving straight through the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of southwestern Virginia, with fall in full bloom and trees seemingly on fire with the changing color of their leaves, … Read more

Deathcycle

Deathcycle
Chainsaw Safety/Lifeline (2006)

With poverty becoming a fashion statement (I'm sure some Vice or Pitchfork contributor has ditched the birth-control glasses and bangover for bike hats and bandanas) and crust bands taking the place of the In Flames sound-alikes, it's nice to see a band like Deathcycle is actually catering to the hardcore aspect of the music. While still intensely political and fast, … Read more

Multiple Authors

These Arms Are Snakes

Easter
Jade Tree (2006)

I'm sure there are a lot of kids out there who refuse to move on and listen to the bands that have formed from the ashes of one of the greatest hardcore bands in history, but that's to their loss and my credit. Minus the Bear isn't bad, Roy is okay for me, but These Arms Are Snakes, well, they … Read more

Multiple Authors

These Arms Are Snakes

Easter
Jade Tree (2006)

Easter, the second and highly anticipated full-length from These Arms Are Snakes, is finally upon us. But just how anticipated was this album? Well it is no coincidence that the album leaked to the Internet three months prior to its official release date. It's also no coincidence that every review that I've read has been written by a journalist smitten … Read more

The Blood Brothers

Young Machetes
V2 (2006)

The Blood Brothers are one of those bands that can get you into shit with people. Not that anyone should have to appease anyone else with his or her musical interests and fancies. But, lets be honest, there is a very pronounced dividing line between people who enjoy The Blood Brothers and people who detest them. One reason for such … Read more

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