Recent reviews

Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists

Hearts of Oak
Lookout! (2003)

I can always tell how much I will spin an album following its first listen. That feeling I had after listening to Hearts of Oak was immeasurable. "The Ballad of the Sin-Eaters" is a song that will instantly make you shake your ass and shout the words even though you don't know them yet because you're listening to it the first time. Standout tracks include their raucous tribute to the Specials, "Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone," "I'm a Ghost," and the Talking Heads-ish title track with yelpy vocals, a smooth bassline, and erratic guitars. While the album is not incredibly impressive on the technical front, the songwriting along with the clever lyrics, have plenty of variation to contribute tons of substance to this otherwise mindlessly fun album. Read more

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists

Hearts of Oak
Lookout! (2003)

Wanna have fun? Wanna dance? Want a record that can be, not only enjoyable to listen to, but the perfect … Read more

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists

Hearts of Oak
Lookout! (2003)

[NOTE: Okay, I'll admit it. I'm way late. Hearts of Oak came out in February and now, half way into … Read more

Boy Sets Fire

Tomorrow Comes Today
Wind-Up (2003)

The best way I can sum up my sentiments for this record is by saying that this is a Boy … Read more

Boy Sets Fire

Tomorrow Comes Today
Wind-Up (2003)

I used to have Boy Sets Fire's After the Eulogy. I thought it was good at the time, but in … Read more

Boy Sets Fire

Tomorrow Comes Today
Wind-Up (2003)

Whenever a band signs to a major label(or in this case, the closest thing to) you always have naysayers who … Read more

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One from the archives

Cross

Pyre
Deranged (2014)

Made up of one half of Sweden’s Masshysteri (vocalist Robert Hurula and drummer Erik Viklund), Cross play dark and grimy music that seems indebted to the almost primal, noisy garage rock of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The group’s loud, sinister, and chaotic 7” debut Pyre makes up for what it lacks in quantity with an overload of shrieky guitar, loud, echoed vocals, and hypnotic rhythms, kicking off with a thunderous title track that may as well be labeled as haunted house jazz. Hurula bellows out lyrics over ghostly, warbling saxophone blasts, shrieking guitar, and a heavy rhythmic bass, the track building towards a free jazz freakout in its final quarter. The flip side of the vinyl features the brief, slightly more conventional “Repetition,” a track that’s comparatively groove-oriented and tightly … Read more

More album reviews

Useless I.D.

No Vacation From the World
Kung Fu (2003)

Do we really need another run of the mill pop-punk band? Kung-Fu records seems to think so! That is why they dished out this generic, boring, derivative record for us all to listen to. Maybe if my girlfriend breaks up with me while I'm skateboarding I'll have some new found appreciation for this band, but since I don't have a … Read more

Useless I.D.

No Vacation From the World
Kung Fu (2003)

Pop punk is at an all time high: New Found Glory and Blink 182 seem to be on TRL (I haven't watched TRL in many a year, but I think it's safe to assume so), Drive-Thru has an entire stage all to itself at Warped every year and I can't stop hearing about these bands that sound all the same … Read more

Useless I.D.

No Vacation From the World
Kung Fu (2003)

Useless ID deserve so much props, it is utterly ridiculous. I know I don't really like them but you have to respect a band that has come out and done what they have while hailing from Israel. It takes a little more than hardwork to pull that off, and for that, awesome job guys. Now onto the cd. The cd … Read more

The Locust

Plague Soundscapes
Anti (2003)

The phenomena of the Locust is something I am completely incapable of grasping. I listen to the Locust, and I hear noise. The sounds coming out of my speakers when I put on Plague Soundscapes are something similar to what a serial killer must hear as he kills an 8-year old girl with a woodchipper. I do find this record … Read more

The Locust

Plague Soundscapes
Anti (2003)

Unlike a lot of other people, I was entirely unfamiliar with the Locust upon the release of this record. All I knew about them was the white belts and the love 'em or hate 'em attitude a lot of people seemed to have with them. Two things should outline everything you really need to know about this record: Justin Pearson … Read more

The Locust

Plague Soundscapes
Anti (2003)

The Locust has been shunned for their recent works. Their split with Melt Banana was not taken well by critics. People want The Locust to sound more like their Self-titled or Flight of the Wounded Locust, not like some band that changes. These people, however, don't understand that The Locust is all about change; whether they're wearing locust-like spandex outfits … Read more

Hint Hint

Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)

Hint Hint will make you dance, but they'll also leave you with somewhat of an empty feeling. This is one of those bands who are definitely good, but lack a sound original enough to have carved their own little niche in your mind. I'm definitely thinking that Hint Hint will be able to do something really good in the future, … Read more

Hint Hint

Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)

With bands like Hot Hot Heat getting big, it's no doubt you'd see a ton of bands that are similar get recognized. Such is the case with Hint Hint. This is their first release and I must say I am somewhat let down from all the hype this band has been getting. Although the record is alright, I was just … Read more

Hint Hint

Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)

Think of Ink and Dagger. Then think of Ink and Dagger without their great singer. Then mix in a bit of Adult and you'll have Hint-Hint. The first song starts it off well, but it isn't really a sign of anything. The second song is anti-climatic, which would be fine if it weren't building up to anything, but it seems … Read more

AFI

Sing the Sorrow
Dreamworks (2003)

I picture AFI as a scale that must be kept even at all times. If you take a checker from one side, you better take one away from the other. On this album, they have gained something, but also lost something else. No more are the bouncy 'whoa-oh' charged anthems, instead they have been replaced with a bit more intelligent … Read more

AFI

Sing the Sorrow
Dreamworks (2003)

AFI's newest full length. Since everyone who works on this site has been a member of the AFI community at one time or another, you'd think it'd score 10's. Seems to not be the case so far. I can't say I'll be an exception but that is not to say this record is bad at all. On the contrary actually. … Read more

AFI

Sing the Sorrow
Dreamworks (2003)

"Oh my God, my God this can't be happening! AFI has signed to a major!" Is an example of a popular reaction to the announcement last year that that AFI would be releasing their sixth full-length, Sing the Sorrow, on Dreamworks records. Anybody without a huge bias towards the record before it was even released, however, will soon realize that … Read more

Hot Rod Circuit

Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)

This album consists of older stuff that is out of print, hence the witty album name. I'm a fan of "Very Best Friend", the first song; it has a nice pop rock feel. But after that it is like coming down after smoking a fatty bowl, or bowel if you don't know how to spell. The rest of the album … Read more

Hot Rod Circuit

Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)

Well this record does win something. Worst album cover and album name of the year thus far. I didn't like their first ep the first time I heard it so it did nothing for me on this cd. Nothing else on the cd compares to anything that they have done lately. The cover songs don't help this cd any either. … Read more

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