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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)

Pretty Girls Make Graves

The New Romance
Matador (2003)

While there definitely are problems with musical priority in this album, after listening to Good Health, the most negative thing I can say about this album is it pales in comparison to PGMG's debut. While "slow and soft" is not necessarily a bad thing, it is in the case of The New Romance. When your biggest feature is the guitars and the vocals, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to stick unimportant keyboard fills in some songs that would otherwise be fine, and sections of nothing but unnecessary ambient noise into others. While several of the tracks fall flat, about an equal amount of them shine. Highlights include "Something Bigger, Something Brighter," "All Medicated Geniuses," "Chemical, Chemical," and "This is Our Emergency"; these songs basically have some sort of element that makes them fun. Most of the rest strike me either as filler ("Mr. Club," "-," "Blue Lights") or as insanely boring coming from such a talented and fun punk band ("A Certain Cemetary," "Holy Names"). The New Romance is definitely a disappointing follow-up to a promising debut, but it has its moments, and plenty of them, meaning they still have the potential to knock me off my … Read more

Pretty Girls Make Graves

The New Romance
Matador (2003)

'What is this band? Quasi-popular tripe not worth my time. What's the problem? The band is way too dependent upon … Read more

The Bronx

The Bronx
Ferret (2003)

Now, I can't claim to know much about this band. I don't know what they are ex-members of or where … Read more

Strike Anywhere

Exit English
Jade Tree (2003)

Beginning with a short riff-based intro, this record then kicks itself straight into life, inspiring this reviewer to do the … Read more

The Sick Lipstick

Sting, Sting, Sting
Tiger Style (2003)

Everyone enjoys a little no-wave now and again, right? Anyone who is into The Red Light Sting, Arab on Radar, … Read more

An Albatross

We are the Lazer Viking
Ace Fu (2003)

Popcorn! Popcorn! The repeated statement of popcorn was one thing that was sorely missed from this album. This was due … Read more

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One from the archives

The Reed Sea

No Help
Independent (2009)

Hailing from Oregon, this four-piece outfit has brought forth a four-song EP titled No Help. The title of the EP is fitting as the band has recorded and packaged the entire release themselves. Granted, it's limited to screen printed cardboard sleeves, but that's still cool. I appreciate the DIY effort. "Holy Pigs" is the lead song and immediately you're greeted with a relaxed melodic punk sound mixed with toned down indie rock. I got a vibe of The Get Up Kids meets Radiohead meets Built to Spill. "King" is a bit more upbeat, the drums help the case there. The sound is still rooted in playful post-punk, indie rock style. "Other" and "Swan of Geese" stick to a similar path of style, which is probably the downfall I find most … Read more

More album reviews

Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start

And Nothing Is #1
Ohev (2003)

The minute someone seriously suggested this name for the band, I'd have to show him the door. The name is not clever, loses it's novelty factor quickly to where it just gets annoying, and doesn't fit this band AT ALL. I was fully expecting a keyboard fronted band with some snotty vocalist. Instead what I was exposed to was a … Read more

Black Eyes

Black Eyes
Dischord (2003)

I'm glad I got into this album before seeing Black Eyes' live show, because I would have been very unimpressed with the album after witnessing the insanity of their first show in Omaha. They nearly tore the ceiling off that tiny basement, and it was a nigh-religious experience. It's hard to believe that their first full-length, the s/t on Dischord, … Read more

The New Trust

We Are Fast Moving Motherfuckers. We Are Women and Men of Action.
Slowdance (2004)

Talk about coming out of left field. Members of some of indie-darlings The Velvet Teen and Benton Falls have gotten together to tell the scene "fuck you" and boy is it exciting. Josh Staples (The Velvet Teen) takes the spotlight as the singer and bassist while Michael Richardson plays lead guitar. Joining them is Sara Sanger, wife of Josh, on … Read more

Daughters

Canada Songs
Robotic Empire (2003)

My first real exposure to Daughters would be an argument amongst SPB staff members in a thread on our dainty message board, in which their hype and their similarities to the Locust were put on the table. Not being a big fan of the Locust myself, this didn't give me too high of hopes for the Locust, in terms of … Read more

Daughters

Canada Songs
Robotic Empire (2003)

Chances are you're not going to like this record. Chances are you've never heard of grindcore and if you did hear it you would say something to the effect of "this is noise." Ignoring probability let's suppose that you, the reader, likes music that is loud. Perhaps you even like music that is filled with blast beats and screaming. And … Read more

Integrity

To Die For
Deathwish Inc. (2003)

"Welcome to 1996." I think that would be a more appropriate name for this record. Integrity is back with the original line-up, sans Melnick, after a stint doing the really terrible Integrity 2000 records. They are now on Deathwish and they haven't been this pissed in some time. The record starts off with "Taste My Sin" which I must say … Read more

Spiritualized

Amazing Grace
Sanctuary (2003)

J Spaceman's life seems to be a never-ending spiral of hard drugs and failed romances, if his records are to be believed. From his early work with the seminal space-rockers Spacemen 3, to the impressive first two Spiritualized records, to the absolutely incredible Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space, to the slightly underwhelming follow-up record Let It Come … Read more

Bright Calm Blue

Direct Approach for Casual Conversation
Level Plane (2003)

It was bound to happen sooner or later. I've come across a band that doesn't really sway me one way or the other, and that I really don't have much to say about. The whole thing is very DC-esque, with the attack element of Fugazi and Jawbox, combined with the quirkier elements of bands like Q and Not U, the … Read more

Limbeck

Hi, Everything's Great
Doghouse (2003)

Consistency is a hard thing to perfect. Too many bands aim too high and pollute their great ideas with sub-par songs, whereas an equal amount simply don't try hard enough or cop out for easy formulas, making their songs generic and boring in the process. Limbeck is one of those bands who manages to get things right for the most … Read more

Melt Banana

Cell Scape
A-Zap (2003)

You know Melt Banana, right? Their guitarist has SARS. Doesn't ring a bell? They're arguably the best Japan has to offer in terms of good no wave music? They had a split with (what used to be) everyone's favorite grind-core band The Locust a little more than a year ago? The split was despised by fans and critics alike? Still … Read more

Ozma

Spending Time on the Borderline
Kung Fu (2003)

A friend had described Ozma to me as being 'like Weezer, but wussier.' I've never been a fan of Weezer, I could never get into them. Ozma, on the other hand, I liked instantly. While not being a particularly heavy band, Ozma are a great band to 'spend time' listening to, if you are a fan of guitar-driven, keyboard-laden emo … Read more

Broken Social Scene

You Forgot It In People
Arts & Crafts (2003)

It had been a long time since I'd heard an absolutely perfect pop record, until a few days back when I finally gave in to the hype surrounding Broken Social Scene and picked up the recent American release of this record. I can't believe I held off so long, because this record is just, well, simply fantastic. Thirteen tracks of … Read more

Notwist

Neon Golden
Domino (2003)

When Jeff suggested we get this cd for review I was like "Um ok. Who the hell is that?" So I got the cd and gave it a listen. Since then, I haven't doubted Jeff's suggestions once. This cd would be one of the better CDs this year if it weren't such a great year for music. Closest I could … Read more

Thunderbirds Are Now!

Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief
Action Driver (2003)

Warning: Gratuitous language and immaturity ahead. Fuck yes. It is here. After seeing this band several times and dancing my ass off, I finally can dance my ass off to it at home, in the shower, and in my girlfriend's vagina. Featuring the Brothers Allen, Ryan plays some catchy and dancy guitar parts while spewing out word after word in … Read more

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