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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)

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Leave Your Name
Jade Tree (2004)

Denver Dalley is all over the place. After Desaparecidos went on hiatus, Dalley started to flesh out his own songs in his spare time. He released a self-titled EP in June 2003, and then there was talk of a Desaparecidos reunion. An album and a slot in the 2004 Plea for Peace tour were in the works but schedules clashed, and plans were canceled. Dalley grasped the opportunity to finish his full length, Leave Your Name, and to tour with Rilo Kiley, Engine Down, and Now It's Overhead. In between the tours, he squeezed into the 2004 South by Southwest Festival. The album reflects the creator, in that it is all over the place as well; sometimes it rocks like Desaparecidos, sometimes it is synth-mania, and sometimes it is just melodic warmth. Critics will click their pens and condemn the inconsistency in songs, but Denver Dalley does have a consistent focus on the instrumental aspects in the songs. His hushed vocals, intricate melodies, and pure instrumental songs accentuate his focus. Dalley seems to predict the onslaught of criticism with the lyrics, "the critics take their pens/comparison made in names/dropped in bold face/to sound like his best friends" in "Sing a … Read more

Decahedron

Disconnection Imminent
Lovitt (2004)

On Decahedron's debut full-length, the Lovitt Records darlings set out to prove that the D.C. sound is alive and well … Read more

With Honor

Heart Means Everything
Stillborn (2004)

You know those stickers that they put on the front of CD's that say "For Fans Of.." or "Featuring the … Read more

Iron and Wine

Our Endless Numbered Days
Sub Pop (2004)

Recently, I've made a pact with myself to never again purchase an album with an oxy-moronic title. This is due … Read more

Fall Out Boy

Take This to Your Grave
Fueled By Ramen (2003)

Breathing new life into an otherwise stale genre is a difficult task to undertake, but on Fall Out Boy's first … Read more

Les Savy Fav

Inches
French Kiss (2004)

Dear Tim Harrington, I don't know if you remember, but when you played at the Great American Music Hall the … Read more

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One from the archives

Jay-Z

The Black Album
Def Jam (2003)

Oh, the farewell. There are two kinds of retirement in music. The first is the graceful bow out of the spotlight, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on the artist, but always covers the band or artists's body of work in a veil of class and dignity. The second is a much more shameful route. Often times, in a desparate attempt to seek relevance in a music scene where there is often no longer any to spare for the particular musicians, it is decided that retirement is necessary; however, instead of walking out the door, the band or artist circles around the room a countless number of times. Since they can only milk whatever innovations or interesting qualities they had for so many albums, it is … Read more

More album reviews

Clutch

Blast Tyrant
DRT (2004)

Back on Jam Room Clutch asked the world, "Who wants to rock?" And on the bands sixth full-length, Blast Tyrant, they respond to that question with the ironic answer of themselves. After flirting with major labels with their past few releases, Clutch have regrouped, signed with an indie label, and recorded an album filled with rock-n-roll loud enough to deafen … Read more

Fennesz

Venice
Touch (2004)

My inner monologue: "Okay, this is your first review for the site. I should probably sound cool so I can get everybody's attention. Maybe I should start off by saying something really offensive. Yeah, let's do that. That always works. Hey, but remember that time you wrote that really offensive article on why you think the Asian diet consists purely … Read more

Snow Patrol

Final Straw
A&M (2004)

They are from Scotland. They have two other releases titled Songs for Polar Bears, and When it's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up. They have a deceiving song called "Chocolate" that is more about pining for a lost relationship than a Hershey bar (unless the songwriter has a fetish with all things made of cocoa). That was all … Read more

The Kiss of Death

The Kiss of Death
Tribunal (2004)

It wasn't that long ago that I was greeted with the news that hardcore act Turmoil had decided to call it quits. After a tumultuous grieving period, I was finally able to take The Process Of... out of my CD player and reluctantly move on. Then one day out of the blew I heard a rumor of band featuring members … Read more

Whiskey & Co.

Whiskey & Co.
No Idea (2003)

Do you enjoy the taste of cheap beer? Do you pronounce the words creek as "crick" and hollow as "holler"? Have you ever gone "cow-tipping"? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I've got a record for you! The self-titled debut of Gainesville, Florida's Whiskey & Co. is 9 punk-tinged country songs about booze and pills, lost … Read more

Of Montreal

Satanic Panic in the Attic
Polyvinyl (2004)

One of the most prominent acts to emerge from the Elephant 6 collective, Of Montreal originated from Athens, Georgia, and is fronted by vocalist and guitarist Kevin Barnes and features bassist Nina Barnes, guitarist/synthesizer Jason NeSmith, guitarist Bryan Poole, keyboardist Dottie Alexander and drummer James Huggins. Since their conception in 1997, the group has released several albums prior to the … Read more

South

With the Tides
Kinetic (2003)

If you are not familiar with the English trio known as South yet, it is my strong opinion that you do so, and quickly. My first exposure to these guys came in the form of the song "Here on in" off of their 2nd record From Here on In. Stylistically the song was simply a cool acoustic song with great … Read more

Scraps And Heart Attacks

Still Sick
Triple Crown (2004)

These guys were incredibly hyped a little over a year ago when they had their demo out. However, then they were known as The Heist and their 7" was about to come out on Dead By 23 Records. Then they had to change their name, their record was delayed, and everything seemed to sort of die down for them. When … Read more

One Dead Three Wounded

Paint The Town
Lovelost (2004)

Living in California definitely has its perks. There's the near perfect weather, bodacious waves to hang ten upon, killer earthquakes that hella shred, beautiful ladies with even more beautiful brains (JK ON THAT!), and tons of other stereotypes that are all 100% true. But don't get me wrong, chill ass brah, this isn't perfect-land. As evidence of the lack of … Read more

The Weakerthans

Reconstruction Site
Sub City (2003)

As the industrial sized meat-slicer rhythmically chopped turkey loaf into delicious slivers, I was faced with the daunting task of timing the machine perfectly with the bass drum pounding in my headphones. Sure, there are much more creative ways to pass time at work but this technique afforded me a guilt free way of listening to Reconstruction Site over and … Read more

Time for Living

The Cheat is Not Dead
Rivalry (2003)

The Bay Area and surrounding areas must have an endless supply of hardcore bands. It seems every week I am discovering a new band from the NorCal scene. Time for Living is the latest band to receive my undivided attention, which they first peaked with their demo. With their Rival Records debut, they are going to garner attention from a … Read more

The Get Up Kids

Guilt Show
Vagrant (2004)

So I was cruising the record store one day with my girlfriend, when I saw this record on sale for $5.97. Well ok, count me in! I had meant to pick it up anyway, so I was pleasantly suprised to find it for six measly dollars. In all truthfullness I wasn't expecting much. I had heard a few songs from … Read more

Rum Diary, The / Kilowatthours

Split
Springman (2003)

Springman records are coming of age, and this release definitely shows it. Being the label that got popular on their Punk Rock Strike compilation series, they are branching out as of late with releases from A Day At The Fair (ex-Lanemeyer), and now this split release between Kilowatthours and The Rum Diary. The former I knew nothing about before coming … Read more

Tortoise

It's All Around You
Thrill Jockey (2004)

Tortoise are one of those bands that never seem to live up to my expectations. Of course I think they're amazing musicians and everything, but I'm always expecting a little bit more. I think a lot of other people do as well. Sadly, I think this is a result of the genius that was Millions Now Living Will Never Die. … Read more

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

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