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)

Hot Rod Circuit

Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)

I didn't hate this album, that's about all I can say for it. Nothing on this CD stood out in my mind at all, it all seemed pretty bland and boring. If you're a HUGE fan of Hot Rod Circuit's post-emo indie/pop sound they have going, you might want to check this out, I wouldn't go out of my way to do so if I were you. The songs are better than most of the "emo" coming out these days, but I don't think Hot Rod Circuit really needed to rerelease any of this stuff, all of it is beyond subpar for them. They should be locking away the original recordings in a vault and burying it deep in some tundra, not putting it out for all us poor souls to here. I must say, they did make one smart decision. Using that horrible artwork for the album cover certainly DOES make the CD sound a bit better in contrast. Read more

Midpoint

Shutup, That's Why
2nd Best (2003)

Incredibly boring pop punk. While I do not like pop punk all that much, I know when it is done … Read more

Midpoint

Shutup, That's Why
2nd Best (2003)

I was bored the whole time. Most of the muscles in my face have ceased all ability to move. This … Read more

Midpoint

Shutup, That's Why
2nd Best (2003)

Obviously the trend of pop punk has not stopped yet, which is evident by recent releases like this. It's formulaic, … Read more

Lightning Bolt

Wonderful Rainbow
Load (2003)

One day as I was harvesting my grain, I looked up to the heavens and asked, 'God, is sheer musicality … Read more

Lightning Bolt

Wonderful Rainbow
Load (2003)

Lightning Bolt consists of a drummer and a bassist, and provides of flurry of electron dissonance. But don't expect music … Read more

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One from the archives

Proud Parents

Proud Parents
Dirtnap (2018)

With three singers among the four familiar faces of Proud Parents, isn’t no surprise that the record succeeds on the band members’ ability to meet in the middle between different tones and styles. While the vocals due shift frequently on this self-titled debut, the music itself falls consistently in the jangly power-pop world. Members of the group also play with (or have played with) Fire Heads, The Hussy, and more. This project is something of a blender of power-pop with accenting sounds, pulling influence from ‘60s pop, a touch of surf and pysch rock, indie and a few suggestive lo-fi moments. While the tone depends on who is at the microphone, each song here is built around a melodic, jangly, and uplifting base. At times the singers harmonize, such as … Read more

More album reviews

Lightning Bolt

Wonderful Rainbow
Load (2003)

Wonderful Rainbow, Lightning Bolt's latest full length, is the much anticipated follow-up album to Ride the Skies that doesn't disappoint. When I listen to Lightning Bolt, whether it be live or on CD, I know that they're giving me their all and not having some message they're trying to get to the idiot public, as some bands seem to do … Read more

Sinai Beach

When Breath Escapes
Facedown (2003)

Decent record. Just sounds like everything else. Not that that is a bad thing I just didn't see myself saying "Oh I like that," or "That is pretty cool" once during the record. Definite potential and hopefully they can mature with future releases. If you like hardcore in the vein of Between the Buried and Me then you will like … Read more

Sinai Beach

When Breath Escapes
Facedown (2003)

Originality and innovation are two things this record lacks, but if those two things are extremely important to you, you probably shouldn't be listening to hardcore. Sinai Beach is definitely one of the better new school hardcore bands around today. Plenty of the fast paced hardcore stuff that gets kids broken noses on the dance floors these days, some crunching … Read more

Sinai Beach

When Breath Escapes
Facedown (2003)

I first heard about this band from an associate that doesn't like metalcore, but for the most part, strictly hardcore. So here I am, expecting something new, something that doesn't sound like the rest of the metalcore! After the ten second intro sample in "Candice", I was quickly disappointed. This first song sums up the whole album pretty much. This … Read more

Since By Man

We Sing the Body Electric
Revelation (2003)

For a genre such as hardcore, it's hard for a band to sound different... or good, for that matter. I dislike hardcore music, but this sounded like an emo-core/hardcore hybrid. Since By Man is the best hardcore band I've ever listened to - they play fairly fast (or, at least, they CAN play fast if they choose to do so), … Read more

Since By Man

We Sing the Body Electric
Revelation (2003)

I think I have whiplash. An incredibly addictive hardcore album with infectious riffs and powerful, gut-wrenching vocals are the best random synonyms for "whoah-kick ass" that I can think of at the moment. The vocals play off the guitars beautifully, and everything in between are seemingly endless chances for innovation that Since By Man capitalize upon nearly every time. Much … Read more

Since By Man

We Sing the Body Electric
Revelation (2003)

Lately, it has been difficult to read a music magazine with out encountering the statement "(Band X) breaks/pushes the boundaries of typical (Genre Y)" I'm sure somebody has already filled in the variables for this one: X = Since by Man and Y = Hardcore. We Sing the Body Electric is Since by Man's first full-length release after a series … Read more

Xiu Xiu

A Promise
5 Rue Christine (2003)

Quite the record. Nothing you are going to sit down and just listen to as background music because it needs your attention. Quivering vocals, electronic drums with random ADD outbursts, acoustic guitars, yet this whole record comes together as being very cohesive. There are some down points to the record though. Walnut House is so incredibly boring. Nothing happens until … Read more

Xiu Xiu

A Promise
5 Rue Christine (2003)

Quite the record. Nothing you are going to sit down and just listen to as background music because it needs your attention. Quivering vocals, electronic drums with random ADD outbursts, acoustic guitars, yet this whole record comes together as being very cohesive. There are some down points to the record though. Walnut House is so incredibly boring. Nothing happens until … Read more

Xiu Xiu

A Promise
5 Rue Christine (2003)

Somewhere between unforgiving and yielding, you'll find Xiu Xiu. This music is something I can't quite put my finger on, but it's similar to Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The difference between the two being Xiu Xiu loves electronics and likes to add spastic noises at random. Furthermore, Xiu Xiu is more unpredictable. They seem to like to screw around with … Read more

Xiu Xiu

A Promise
5 Rue Christine (2003)

Xiu Xiu are a frustrating band in the sense that their originality is quite apparent, but for many people they are difficult to "get into." After coming away from their 2002 release Knife Play without having really "clicked" at all, I decided to give them another chance with A Promise. Almost wiping clean any trace of a riff or melody … Read more

Xiu Xiu

A Promise
5 Rue Christine (2003)

Xiu Xiu are a frustrating band in the sense that their originality is quite apparent, but for many people they are difficult to "get into." After coming away from their 2002 release Knife Play without having really "clicked" at all, I decided to give them another chance with A Promise. Almost wiping clean any trace of a riff or melody … Read more

Where Fear and Weapons Meet

Control
Eulogy (2003)

This 6 song EP is nothing to start a big hoopla over. Sounds like basic, run of the mill hardcore to me. There is probably a little local band in your scene that does hardcore just as well. If you're a hardcore kid, you'll probably like this, if you're not, you probably won't. Read more

Where Fear and Weapons Meet

Control
Eulogy (2003)

I enjoy this record. Coming in fully expecting some new metal-core band, I was surprised with some old school style hardcore. This reminds me of being in high school and fucking ripping up the ole' skate spots years ago. This shit is just fun hardcore. Boasting some ex bands you wouldn't picture to play this music (Against All Authority and … Read more

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