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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)

Between the Buried and Me

The Anatomy of
Victory (2006)

I like Between the Buried and Me, a lot. But The Anatomy of is a perfect example of a covers album gone bad. I really like the idea of paying homage to the bands that inspired you to play in the first place, but there is a productive way to go about doing that and there is also a filler-creating way to go about doing that. And on this album, Between the Buried and Me opt for the latter. I like it when bands take a piece of music and add something to it by putting their own musical stamp on it. But the fatal mistake here is that Between the Buried and Me recreate the originals note-for-note, and even duplicate the originals down to the very guitar tones. Listening to this covers album is pretty much the same the same thing as listening to a compilation of Between the Buried and Me's influences. Which isn't a bad thing, but really doesn't say very much artistically. I think The Anatomy of could have been a top-notch covers album had they not been afraid to experiment a little. It's not as if this covers album is pure garbage or anything. The … Read more

Erase Errata

Nightlife
Kill Rock Stars (2006)

I fear it may happen one day; someone will slip up, let the cat out of the bag, and give … Read more

Radio 4

Enemies Like This
Astralwerks (2006)

When Radio 4 released Gotham, it instantly became one of my favorite albums of all time. It was packed full … Read more

Scott Walker

The Drift
4AD (2006)

Scott Walker - to those who know and love his music - is one of those towering figures of American … Read more

Angel Eyes

Something to Do with Death
Underground Communiqué (2005)

There's not a whole lot you can say about Angel Eyes that hasn't already been said about Isis. If Isis … Read more

Slumlords

On the Stremph!
Lockin Out (2006)

The members of Baltimore based Slumlords have been around the proverbial block a few times and know their niche. On … Read more

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One from the archives

Baldruin

Portal
Wounded Knife Records (2015)

Baldruin, the brainchild of Johannes Schebler, is wondering through the psychic domains of ambient music. Even though the project is relatively new, Schebler has put out a number of releases, various split albums and cassettes. However, Portal is the debut of Baldruin in the vinyl domain, released through Wounded Knife Records. What attracts Baldruin to the ambient domain so much is their topographical outlook in the construction of atmospheres, as well as their push towards moments of cinematic quality, bounding together feverish auras and mystical themes.The heavy veil of the ambiance lures you into Portal from the beginning of the album, as the reverse reverb in “Im Verlies” sets the beat while the noisy synths on the background craft with precision the foundation of the track. The inclusion of samples … Read more

More album reviews

Dance Floor Justice

Breaking the Silence
Double or Nothing (2006)

There are three things that make me like this band. One, they have a ton of Star Wars references in their music. Actually, besides having a song named with a semi-obscure line from the original movie, there is an entire song about Darth Vader - shame on you if you are so culturally unaware as to who that is. Two, … Read more

The Zutons

Tired of Hanging Around
Deltasonic (2006)

When a friend of mine first introduced me to The Zutons back in early 2004 I was not hugely impressed. To me, Who Killed… The Zutons? sounded a little too much like their labelmates The Coral's Magic and Medicine and I went so far as to brazenly call The Zutons "a poor mans Coral." With the release of their second … Read more

Bombshell

To Hell with Motives
Indianola (2006)

It's never really a good sign when the first thing that pops into my head when I listen to To Hell with Motives is "ugh." The CD starts off earnestly enough with a noise-laden track that actually had me hoping Deadguy Part Deux. Sadly that never happened as the end of the intro ends with some kid (I believe his … Read more

Madlib

Beat Konducta Vol. 1-2: Movie Scenes
Stones Throw (2006)

Before we can even dive into this review we must address the issue of the cataloging this style of music. When I first got into the genre I was told it was called "trip-hop." To me this sent the message that I wasn't allowed to experience it unless I was on some mind-altering substance. Next I heard it referred to … Read more

Future Primitive

Expression Sessions
Independent (2006)

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. Fuck! Fuck! No, I'm not quoting Ceremony, but instead referring to the blistering pain in my pinky toe. What could have caused my toe to go numb and bleed all over my trusty vans shoes? I blame Future Primitive, and their debut release Expression Sessions. Hailing from the traffic jammed freeways of Southern California, Future … Read more

Oxbow

Love That's Last: A Wholly Hypnographic & Disturbing Work Regarding Oxbow
Hydra Head (2006)

When I reviewed The Very Best of Men's Recovery Project recently, I thought that there couldn't be a band less suited for a "greatest hits" release. Obviously, I had forgotten about Oxbow. To put it simply, Oxbow is one of the most intense and challenging bands in America today. Oxbow sounds like an uneasy mix of the delta blues at … Read more

The Draft

In a Million Pieces
Epitaph (2006)

What happens when you are part of an established, kind of well-known (definitely well-known in all manner of independent music circles) band and one of your fellow members decides to take a break? Well, in this case, you start a "new" band and immediately begin writing an album. This is exactly what The Draft is…Hot Water Music minus Chuck Ragan … Read more

Russian Circles

Enter
Flameshovel (2006)

Hearing a new band for the very first time can be an awesome experience - it can also be horrible, but that is not the case here. I had never heard of Russian Circles prior to seeing their name listed as an opener for a semi-recent Isis tour. Being curious as to what they sounded like, I scoured the Internet … Read more

Capital

Signal Corps
Iron Pier (2006)

Finally, Tom Corrigan has come back to his roots and fronts Long Island hardcore unit, Capital. I'm sure the name Tom Corrigan isn't the most recognizable name in hardcore but he used to sing in the criminally underrated Long Island outfit, Silent Majority. I don't think there was anyone this side of Ohio more excited than me when I heard … Read more

Thom Yorke

The Eraser
XL Recordings (2006)

I'm pretty sure Thom Yorke needs no introduction. As part of "that" band Radiohead he has helped make some the most beautiful, challenging and plain odd music of the last decade. So when it was announced that he had decided to release an album all by himself (he won't call it a solo project) it seemed like a bolt out … Read more

Baby Teeth

For The Heathers
Lujo (2006)

Baby Teeth made For The Heathers on a dare, with each of the three members of the band working in isolation from home. Sequestered with only imagination as a barrier, the dramatic differences between each member's effort is both a shock and a pleasant surprise to the listener that can only be understood as separate entities with only the name … Read more

From a Second Story Window

Delenda
Metal Blade (2006)

Though never officially diagnosed, I am almost certain that I suffer from some form of Attention Deficit Disorder. Apparently, only 4 to 6 percent of all Americans actually have ADD. This estimate seems remarkably low considering the ever-decreasing attention spans of many modern hardcore/metal bands. From a Second Story Window are a technically adept quintet that sporadically weave various elements … Read more

Bury Your Dead

Beauty and the Breakdown
Victory (2006)

Somehow I don't think it's a coincidence that this album is called Beauty and the Breakdown as the album is basically one long breakdown. Just when you thought moshcore couldn't get any more boring, Bury Your Dead thought it was necessary to deliver another all-too-predictable dose of rehashed Hatebreed-esque anthems. This album is basically a continuation of Cover Your Tracks, … Read more

Ignite

Our Darkest Days
Abacus (2006)

It's been six years since Ignite's last full-length, A Place Called Home, so one might expect their return to be a bit rocky, it having been so long. It turns out that it's anything but rocky. Our Darkest Days is quite possibly Ignite's best work to date, and depending on your tastes, you may or may not agree. Vocalist Zoli … Read more

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