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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)

McLusky

Difference Between Me and You is That I'm Not on Fire
Too Pure (2004)

Super producer of such illustrious bands as McLusky, Nirvana, and Bush, (SERIOUSLY STEVE WTF?) Steve Albini recently said that McLusky is the best band working in England right now. Yeah, that may be his characteristic bravado and showmanship, but it also may be pretty close to the truth. On their third full length, The Difference Between Me and You is that I'm not on Fire, McLusky abandons the super spazz and freak-out levels that made them so lovable on Do Dallas. Though the album starts off very promising as "Without MSG I am Nothing." ramps up the distortion, and a rather catchy hook. The song as a whole leads up to a full onslaught of distortion and screaming. This is a very promising start to the album, much like "Lightsabre Cock Sucking Blues" was to Do Dallas. After this, the excitement slows down considerably for some reason. Many songs take on drone influences, staying rather slow and contained. The lyrics tend to stay away from joke lyrics and focus on actual attempts at song writing. "1956 and All That," previously released on the There Ain't No Fool in Ferguson EP ,) discusses the effects of war. Then the modern day … Read more

Carina Round

The Disconnection
Interscope (2004)

Carina Round is too late for the Riot Grrrl movement, the only recent explosion of female artists. Although lo-fi indie … Read more

Bright Eyes & Neva Dinova

One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels
Crank (2004)

Pop quiz hotshot: You re in a mediocre rock band from Omaha whose fan base does not exceed the city … Read more

Dissolute

Demo 2004
Independent (2004)

Every city has that one local band that should be signed to a label and off touring Europe because they … Read more

Still Crossed

Love and Betrayal
Indecision (2004)

Growing up in Cleveland I was more than spoiled when it came to hardcore bands: Integrity, The Spudmonsters, Committed, Ringworm, … Read more

Psyopus

Ideas of Reference
Black Market Activities (2004)

If legendary musicians were born today, what would they pursue? Would Buddy Rich attempt to create the fastest blast beats, … Read more

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One from the archives

Earth

Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light I
Southern Lord (2011)

What more can be said about Dylan Carlson and his outfit, Earth (and long time drummer Adrienne Davies), that probably has not been said many times over ad nauseum? Personally, Earth has become a touchstone and jumping off point for a ton of incredible music (Carlson and company certainly broadened my musical horizons and palette) while at the same time acting as a barometer to hold other music up against in many ways. That being said, there are those out there who are ceasing their attention paid to Earth because they have been progressively going soft, which is unfortunate that they are waiting for the sequel to Earth 2 and or their other earlier records; but for some other people, Earth is continuing to grow and expand their sonic bag … Read more

More album reviews

The Gossip

Undead in NYC
Dim Mak (2003)

Let's face it people, America is fat. They're also lazy. The two don't go together to form a very healthy society. I mean, look around you right now. Seriously, do it. What do you see? I'll tell you. Fat people. And not just any fat people, lazy fat people. These lazy fat people are trying to lose weight by cutting … Read more

Sex Positions

Sex Positions
Deathwish Inc. (2004)

Walk into a Boston hardcore show and ask a random kid if they like the Dedication, and there is a 95% chance they will do one of the following: A. Call you a faggot. B. Say, "You like that make up wearing band of faggots?" C. Turn around to their group of friends and say "Hey guys, did you hear … Read more

The Good Fight

Breathing Room
Goodfellow (2004)

It seems as though the popularity of real hardcore has a formulaic ebb and flow that changes with the years. A style that may draw 500 kids to a VFW hall in 1988 certainly isn't going to get the same crowd in 2004, is it? Well, given the monumental growth of labels like Bridge 9, Martyr, Deathwish and others over … Read more

Ambulance LTD

LP
TVT (2004)

New York City looks so glamorous from afar, but when I get there I'm reminded that I don't belong with the constant honking, the frustrating one-way streets, and the crazy taxi cab drivers. When I leave, however, I am suddenly left with a longing to belong. I guess NYC is too hip for me, and sometimes it is too hip … Read more

Noxagt

The Iron Point
Load (2004)

There's this pretty great interview in the most recent issue of Chunklet magazine which talks to Pen Rollings of Honor Roll, more recently of Loincloth fame. In the article, he talks about how all those European metal bands that burn churches down and totally front like they're hard are, in fact, pussies who try too hard. As a result, he … Read more

Martyr A.D.

On Earth as it is in Hell
Victory (2004)

Minneapolis' most crushing metalcore band are finally back with a new album and a new line up. After a few years on hiatus, Andy Hart and Karl Hensel, both from the recently defunct hardcore band Holding On, have joined Martyr A.D. on vocals and drums respectively. One of my biggest music related pet peeves is when a band I like … Read more

Harkonen

Dancing
Initial (2004)

When I first undertook the task of writing the review for Dancing, I wanted to make sure I did the job right the first time. I own Shake Harder Boy, but something about this album was different to me. After a few listens to the album, I was able to establish that there was more experimentation this time around. While … Read more

CocoRosie

La Maison de Mon Reve
Touch & Go (2004)

I'm always in a mood. It's not always a bad mood, although it may be three-quarters of the time, but I'm always in a mood. I've found that certain CD's better suit certain moods. Like, if I feel like partying my ass off, I'll put in Echoes by The Rapture. The other day I was in a weird mood. I … Read more

Chromatics

Plaster Hounds
GSL (2004)

There I was. Stranded at an abandoned gas station just north of Mexico and just south of reality. The only thing keeping me cool was the shade created by my moustache and mullet. After four hours of solo Tai Chi I could see movement entering the horizon via motor vehicle, stage left. When the foreign body got close enough where … Read more

Statistics

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, … 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 in 2004. Characterized by edgy, angular sonics and accompanied by lyrical messages of a distinct political and social slant, Decahedron is very much akin to the D.C. sound that broke onto the national scene in the late 80's with bands … 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 Hit Single..."? Well, I have decided to make my own sticker for With Honor's debut full-length. However, instead of a misleading recommendation my sticker will read: "The feel good record of the year." Concise, but informative, the reasoning behind this … 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 solely to the fact that usually the majority of emphasis can be placed on the word moronic. But, like any rule there exists a few exceptions, and surprisingly this album is one of them. Rather than sending my life into … 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 proper full length, Take This to Your Grave, they have done just that. For the past few years, pop-punk, while constantly growing in popularity, has been steadily declining in numbers of bands willing to think and play outside the seemingly … Read more

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