Recent reviews

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)

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 night before Thanksgiving last year, there was a tall guy with glasses and a moustache. Well, specifically that tall guy with glasses was me. Do you remember giving me a high five after you touched your ass? I certainly do, and I'll never forget it. Your penetrating eyes shot straight to my soul. You played some new songs that I hadn't heard live before, such as "The Sweat Descends," and the fucking jam "Yawn, Yawn, Yawn." You played these songs, but why did you not mention that they would be released on a singles compilation called Inches? Tim, I feel somewhat betrayed that you didn't inform me of this back in November. It was some time after that I heard you were releasing a compilation covering all of your 7" releases from the past eight years, resulting in 18 ass shaking tracks. Tim, you didn't tell me this! Why? I was most likely simply another face in the crowd to you, but that night meant something to me. On the opening track, "Meet Me in the Dollar Bin," a significantly … Read more

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, … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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"? … Read more

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One from the archives

The Splits

II
Dirtnap (2015)

I really like Dirtnap Records, but they can’t all be winners. The Splits start off II with a really positive vibe in “Rotten Me,” with a powerful and familiar rock ‘n’ rollin’ base behind music that’s emphatic and emotional. I really like the enunciation by singer Helena throughout this song.Unfortunately, the majority of the record doesn’t hold up to the variables that are so strong in that first one. As a whole, the record stumbles and feels dull, the songs bleeding together without anything to carry them. It’s not all bad by a longshot. “I Know” is good because it returns to that emotive tone reflected in the opener, with a few ups and downs in the tempo along the way. Later, “Melody” starts out with some nice L7-reminiscent screams, … Read more

More album reviews

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

Kid Kilowatt

Guitar Method
Hydra Head (2004)

There are side-projects and then there are supergroups. A side-project is something that a band member fiddles with when they are bored. But a supergroup is a project that no matter how hard it is kept under wraps won't be held back. Kid Kilowatt is a supergroup, a supergroup comprised of members of Cave In (Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath), … Read more

Lostprophets

Start Something
Sony (2004)

After releasing their debut, The Fake Sound of Progress, Lostprophets have returned with their second album for Columbia Records. On their first effort the band combined the versatility of Faith No More and the radio-appeal of Incubus with the charm of their countrymen Duran Duran. On their new full-length, Start Something, the band works to avoid a sophomore-slump by jazzing … Read more

Skare Tactic

Remember When
Thorp (2003)

Remember when hardcore music had more in common with punk bands as opposed to metal ones? Remember when hardcore music was concerned with getting a message out to the people as opposed to figuring out what shirt and bandana to wear with your new kicks? Remember when hardcore lyrics talked about political and social issues as opposed to whining about … Read more

Murder By Death

Who Will Survive, And What Will Be Left of Them?
Eyeball (2003)

I'll be honest right off the bat. The first mention I heard of Murder by Death was when they were making their name change from Little Joe Gould. I had yet to hear any music that the band plays, and my initial reaction was that based on namesake it was going to be another one of those emo-metalcore acts that … Read more

Tunes For Bears To Dance To

7"
Somberlain (2004)

Who wants to be sad forever? While most screamo bands wallow in their sadness and hide beneath the stairs in a gutter of sorrow, Tunes For Bears To Dance To drop kicks any tear in sight and bursts through the fog into sunshine. Not only do they absorb the Vitamin D from the sun's rays, but they suck it 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)