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Set to Explode

Set to Explode
Grave Mistake (2005)

Sometimes the Internet can be a glorious thing, and we can all thank Al Gore for that... It is because of the glorious invention that I first became aware of this DC group that featured former Striking Distance frontman Dave Byrd, among other past and present players I the D.C. hardcore and punk scenes. And after hearing Set to Explode … Read more

Mass Movement of the Moth / Polar

Split
Discern Direction (2005)

I've heard many people blaming over saturation for many of the problems associated with punk/hardcore: too many bands and too many labels. The overabundance of bands and labels can lead to streets filled with diarrhea. But for every toilet brimming with brown stains, there's a white alligator stalking the sewers. Such is the label Discern Direction and their release of … Read more

Fall River

Lights Out
Thorp (2005)

I have come to the realization that if any band has Sean Ingram sing on their record, it will make that band sound stronger than they do normally. That is not a cut on those bands. It is simply a testament to the unique and powerful vocals of Ingram. Unfortunately for Fall River (or fortunately, depending on how one looks … Read more

Scissorfight

Victory Over Horseshit
Tortuga Recordings (2006)

I'm going to jump right to the point; if you don't like rock-n-roll music, you're not going to like Scissorfight. This New Hampshire outfit plays gritty rock music - this is music for the blue collar working man. So if that is you, grab a case of your favorite beer, crack one open, and turn up the volume. Victory Over … Read more

Good Clean Fun

Between Christian Rock and a Hard Place
Equal Vision (2006)

I can't think of one person out there that doesn't like to laugh. However, not everyone likes to laugh at the same things. Some people think Adam Sandler is funny; I don't. Some people think Robin Williams is a hoot; I don't. Hell, some people think American's Funniest Home Videos was the greatest show in television history; I... well, who … Read more

Ruiner

What Could Possibly Go Right...
1917 (2005)

When I hear the term "melodic hardcore" I think of something in between 7 Seconds, Gorilla Biscuits and Lifetime. But there's a new brand of melodic hardcore that strays from those influences while still being melodic and hardcore. Bands like Final Fight and Life Long Tragedy seem to be pushing this style with great guitar harmonies, driving punk beats and … Read more

Some Girls

Heaven's Pregnant Teens
Epitaph (2006)

Some Girls is an enigmatic conglomerate of musicians that produce incredibly grating and challenging pieces of music. Considering the pedigree of this band, expectations for its output have consistently run high. Seriously, what would a listener expect from a band comprised of members of Unbroken, Swing Kids, The Locust, American Nightmare (Give Up the Ghost), and more? Most would probably … Read more

Carry On

It's All Our Blood (Reissue)
Youngblood (2005)

Despite the fact that they are broken up, Carry On is probably the second most talked about band in hardcore - American Nightmare being number one. There is always someone bringing up the band no matter where you go - record stores, concerts, and yes, the Internet. Granted, most of it is your typical messageboard talk about the edge-break/selling out … Read more

Cat Power

The Greatest
Matador (2006)

As Forrest Gump so nearly once said, "Cat Power is a lot like a box of chocolates..." From the disparities in her albums, songs ranging from the brilliant to the banal, her now infamous appearances in the live arena, and her erratic behavior that somehow seems to tag along behind her from time to time; it's true. With Cat Power, … Read more

Bigwig

Reclamation
Fearless (2006)

"Bigwig is still around?" That was a question a healthy number of casual fans asked when news on the band's upcoming record started to surface. The band last left us with the fantastic Invitation to Tragedy way back in 2001. Reclamation is the band's third full-length and second for Fearless. The first being 1997's Unmerry Melodies with their second album, … Read more

The Gossip

Standing in the Way of Control
Kill Rock Stars (2006)

If The Gossip were a lesbian they'd be the cool hip lesbian. You know, they're mid-way through their Philosophy degree, they shop at Salvation Army to approach a chunkier Karen O style, spend plenty of time in the local vegan friendly communally run coffee shop, and always seem to be free flowing with the cannabis. Now, if Riot Grrl were … Read more

Forensics

Hogback Mountain Sessions Vol. 1
Magic Bullet (2005)

Let me be frank. Picking up records based off of the information given on the record sleeve is usually (99.9% of the time) a tenuous proposition. More than likely, the record will not come through on its boastings. I normally make it a point to never believe a damn thing that those stickers announce ( i.e. "the best band in … Read more

On the Outside

Tragic Endings
Thorp (2005)

No Warning officially called it quits in late 2005, but for most of us, the band died when this photograph surfaced. I figured No Warning was headed for a career in rock-n-roll's vast array of mediocre bands that came from a hardcore background, and then put out incredibly crappy albums. Remember DYS's Fire and Ice, or Uniform Choice's Staring into … Read more

Neon Blonde

Chandeliers in the Savannah
Dim Mak (2005)

When it comes down to it, negative reviews serve one purpose: to invoke laughter from the reader. After reading reviews, bands aren't going to say, "Hey bandmates! Zed from Scene Point Blank said our new album blows chode. Let's have a band meeting under the waterfall in ten and discuss how we're going to please Zed's ears." Actually, with the … Read more

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