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Malady

Malady
Level Plane (2004)

This may seem like an overstatement or an overdramatic reaction to the task of reviewing a record, but honestly, reviewing Malady's self-titled record is probably one of the hardest things I will ever do. This band is, to say the least, sensational. Comprised of some of Virginia's finest dirty carefree musicians, Malady cranks out some of the catchiest, yet difficult-to-put-into-words … Read more

Aereogramme

Seclusion
Undergroove (2004)

Aereogramme have released two albums on Matador, been media darlings over in the U.K, and has even gotten Aaron Turner (Isis, Old Man Gloom) to do the artwork for their new record, Seclusion, yet, this is my first run-in with them. I figured with Aaron Turner doing the artwork, I'd find crushing riffs, vocals that could crumble buildings, and drums … Read more

Say Anything

...is a Real Boy
Doghouse (2004)

Sometimes a simple idea for a record can be injected with such brutal honesty and wit that all simplicity is somehow lost in translation. As far as I know, ...is a Real Boy was intended to be a rock opera of sorts, but somewhere along the lines the idea sort of went awry. Either way, the songs on ...is a … Read more

Panda Bear

Young Prayer
Paw Tracks (2004)

Though Young Prayer is intended to act as a eulogy for Animal Collective member Panda Bear's (a.k.a. Noah Lennox) recently deceased father, it feels more like a bittersweet celebration of his life than a sorrow-filled reflection. Drawing upon modern classical music (Track 3), tribal African chants (Track 5), traditional Jewish hymns (Track 9), as well as the stylistic imprint of … Read more

Engine Down

Engine Down
Lookout! (2004)

One of the most memorable experiences of my time in Chico was seeing Engine Down live. Their music isn't what you'd call "traditionally" heavy - no blast beats or smoldering guitar assaults to be found here - but that isn't to say Engine Down didn't rock hard live. I saw them after Demure came out, which contained some of their … Read more

Q and Not U

Power
Dischord (2004)

Mike Watt famously said that the Minutemen "divided the whole world into two categories: there were flyers and the gig. You're either doing the gig, which is like one hour of your life or everything else to get people to the gig. Interviews were flyers, videos were flyers, even records were flyers. We didn't tour to promote records, we made … Read more

Oceansize

Music for Nurses
Beggars Banquet (2004)

For Oceansize, 2004 has been quite a delightful year. The band saw the re-release of their debut full-length, Effloresce, here in the US as well as a mini-tour that followed. They were able to conquer our fair country despite the geographical distance from their home. And with the most recent release of their new EP, Music for Nurses, they are … Read more

Welcome The Plague Year

Welcome The Plague Year
Turnstile (2004)

The introduction of a review is usually a chance to capture the reader with something funny or even insightful. Considering it's 2:27 AM and I can't go to sleep, all that's on my mind is this Welcome the Plague Year album and how much it's going to suck when I have to get on an airplane in 5.5 hours. There … Read more

Moving Units

Dangerous Dreams
Palm Pictures (2004)

Moving Units played at last year's Sunset Junction Street Fair, which had an impressive line-up of indie pop and rock bands, including Guided by Voices, Rilo Kiley, and Earlimart. I groaned when I first heard Moving Units' debut Dangerous Dreams, because I anticipated an indie pop or rock band instead of a dance punk band; dance punk, or whatever you … Read more

Taking Back Sunday

Where You Want to Be
Victory (2004)

When I started my own zine as a sophomore in highschool (I am now a freshman in college), Victory would send me all their releases to review. Honestly, I stopped reviewing Victory releases because I was tired of making fun of every record I had to review. Although 96% of Victory releases are awful, sometimes, between Freya, Snowdogs, Atreyu, Catch … Read more

Isis

Panopticon
Ipecac (2004)

Despite what the calendar may tell you, Christmas has arrived early this year, though much earlier than expected. To my doorstep came a US Postal Service delivery man bearing a package with my name and the Hydrahead logo on it, instantaneously I knew exactly what dwelt inside. I politely thanked Santa, who apparently goes by the name of Tom these … Read more

Wolf Eyes

Burned Mind
Sub Pop (2004)

Listening to Wolf Eyes is not what I'd call a traditionally pleasurable experience. Unless you consider having your face ravaged by a two-by-four while masturbating to an execution an enjoyable experience or, to a lesser extent, tonguing a blister you got from drinking hot soup, I'd advise you to skip over this review and check out what Zed has to … Read more

Old Man Gloom

Christmas
Tortuga Recordings (2004)

After an extensive delay, the rabid and hopeful fans sporting various Hydrahead affiliated t-shirts can finally rest. Old Man Gloom's Christmas brings an end to a three year drought since the simultaneous release of full-lengths Seminar II: The Holy Rites of Primitivism and Seminar III: Zozobra back in 2001. The delay is excusable due to the busy schedules of the … Read more

Earlimart

Treble & Tremble
Palm Pictures (2004)

What does coping with the death of Elliott Smith sound like? It sounds poignant and pretty; in essence, it sounds like Smith's spirit is living vicariously through Aaron Espinoza. Music is a catharsis for many artists and the finest music is produced when songwriting is used to expel intense emotions. On Earlimart's fourth full-length album, Espinoza deals with tragedy and … Read more

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