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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)

Tim Hecker

Virgins
Independent (2013)

Canadian sound artist Tim Hecker is no stranger to the more esoteric side of electronic composition. Continued experimentation with increasingly nuanced ambient soundscapes under said moniker for six full-length releases, as well as countless side appearances, has inevitably led to the creation of something undeniably unique. With the release of Virgins- now Hecker's seventh effort - the bohemian Montreal resident has finally moved beyond the captivating and at times confronting sound experiments that preceded it. Not only does this new endeavour surpass anything previously recorded by Hecker, it represents a monumental, challenging landmark of what can be achieved within the genre as a whole. From the syncopated, interstitially formatted piano tapestries of "Virginal I", to the almost Sunn O)))-style intensity of "Live Room", Virgins never fails to deliver both Hecker’s rich signatory detail and challenging compositional abstruseness. Though it is not without any small degree of gradation that these twelve arrangements distinguish themselves from any previous works. Amongst the meticulous layering, production and orchestration of each track, what stands out the most in the case of this record is the sheer musical consummation that ties together what should rightfully be wholly disparate elements. "Prism" for example opens with particularly cinematic … Read more

Cloud

Comfort Songs
Audio Antihero (2013)

Cloud’s Comfort Songs is a collection of downbeat, gloomy works that create an atmosphere of utter desolation while somehow lifting … Read more

Direct Hit!

Brainless God
Red Scare (2013)

Direct Hit! get filed in the Midwest pop-punk scene and, while they deviate throughout the course of Brainless God, that’s … Read more

Mark McCabe

A Good Way to Bury Bad News
Cats? Aye! Records (2014)

On one end of an (unscientific) scale of popular male singer-songwriters sits Ed Sheeran, perched comfortably at the top of … Read more

The Ruins of Beverast

Blood Vaults – The Blazing Gospel Of Heinrich Kramer (Cryptae Sanguinum – Evangelium Flagrans Henrici Institoris)
Ván (2013)

On first listen of The Ruins of Beverast new record Blood Vaults – The Blazing Gospel Of Heinrich Kramer (Cryptae … Read more

Krang

Broken Waves
Profane Existence (2013)

In what amounts as no surprise whatsoever, the Profane Existence Single Series just keeps on delivering the goods.Broken Waves is … Read more

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One from the archives

Pinkish Black

Razed To The Ground
Century Media (2013)

Last year's self titled record from Pinkish Black was a distinctly (un)pleasant surprise from a duo that have been making music together for a substantial length of time. Pinkish Black took the critical world by storm with their debut and the record was, quite rightly, considered a breath of fresh air within the darker confines of the musical spectrum. Pinkish Black was an album of mystery and intrigue and the band threw many of their influences into the mix as well as imbuing the whole ordeal with a hue of hazy dirt. Razed to the Ground continues in that vein but pushes the band further into their own minds, rather than that of their peers. "She Left Him Red" rumbles into view on disturbing drum beats and swaying electronic pulses … Read more

More album reviews

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Brokedowns / Vacation Bible School split
It's Alive (2013)

Taking Side A on the Elgin, IL focused 7” are The Brokedowns, who last released Species Bender in 2010. After a slew of splits in their career and a few full-lengths, they’ve really settled into a distinct style. It’s punk with a verse-chorus-verse kind of structure at its core, but one that they take loosely, preferring to eschew the bridge … Read more

Sutekh Hexen

Monument Of Decay
Black Horizons / Belaten / Merzbild (2013)

This is the type of release that you might find yourself anxiously waiting for if, one, you are a hopeless nerd for the band (in which case I am) or, two, you find elaborate and unique packaging to be completely in your wheelhouse (double check for me); so Monument Of Decay from Sutekh Hexen is a perfect confluence of these … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Dave Hause

Resolutions EP
Side One Dummy (2012)

We've finally come to the last of Dave Hause's EP series. The final EP comes from Side One Dummy and features covers of Flogging Molly's "Whistles the Wind" and Audra Mae's song, "The River." I'm sad to say, this was probably the most boring of the 5 EPs, but the covers save it. The acoustic version of "Resolutions" present on … Read more

Year of No Light

Tocsin
Debemur Morti Productions (2013)

Year Of No Light’s emotive instrumental approach is one that embraces the deeper, heavier side of post/sludge/atmospheric music and the cavernous melodies that they dredge up from the darkest pits of night are terrifying and weighty. The six strong French band boast two drummers amidst their ranks and on Tocsin here they utilise that strength to push the songs forward … Read more

The Young Leaves

Alive And Well
Baldy Longhair (2013)

After a successful gig at Fest 12 last month the Massachusetts based power trio The Young Leaves will hit the road to support their third release Alive and Well. With this release the band shows its here for the duration and also shows growth in their songwriting, musically the band is sounding louder and better than ever. A three piece … Read more

Iron Chic

The Constant One
Bridge Nine (2013)

Since their inception, Iron Chic have had a steady rotation through out the years through my speakers and a special place in my heart. Following their full length debut, I was ready to have another album. It's finally arrived in the form of The Constant One, and it does not disappoint. Any fan of this band are going to find … Read more

Iron Chic

The Constant One
Bridge Nine (2013)

If ever a band was created for an epic singalong, it was Iron Chic. There’s that big feeling at the core of their soaring melodies as they build and rage, starting with a verse from Jason Lubrano and building to a gang singalong at the chorus in nearly every song. They’re songs that transcend the performers, taking on the personality … Read more

Saturday Looks Good To Me

Every Night (Reissue)
Polyvinyl (2012)

Imagine my pleasant surprise when the reissue of the long out of print vinyl version of the Saturday Looks Good To Me album Every Night was announced, and even pleasant surprise might be underselling just how excited I was to hear that the LP was being reissued because I had been searching for this format of the album for quite … Read more

Saturday Looks Good To Me

One Kiss Ends It All
Polyvinyl (2013)

A void was left in the world for those that enjoyed the jangly indie pop of Saturday Looks Good To Me when the group disbanded sometime following a tour in 2008 leaving us all wondering if we would ever hear the fun and sweet music that only Fred Thomas and company had been providing since they started playing their unique … Read more

Universe 217

Never
Catch The Soap Productions (2013)

I still remember the first time I saw Universe217 playing live in Athens, back in 2008. They were the supporting act for Scott Kelly of Neurosis and I found myself thinking that this band definitely is on the right path in terms of what they are doing with their music. Considering they had just released their debut self-titled album at … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Parasitic Skies/Losing Skin - Split
Headfirst records (2012)

Splits are a dilemma at times, as they inevitably will either inform you of a new band or have a couple of songs that are clearly overshadowed by their counterpart. I am happy to report that is not the case for this split. With two of the Northwest hardcore scenes' heaviest, this record is a rager from start to finish. … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

UNFUN/Despite Everything - Split EP
Hahaha Cool! Records (2012)

It's always cool when bands from opposite sides of the world do a split together. It worked great for Thursday and Envy. Here, we have UNFUN from Canada and Despite Everything from Greece. Both have a different brand of dirty punk-rock. In the case of this split though, the Canadians lost. UNFUN's songs have great material to dance and sing-a-long … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Aaron & The Sea

Cloak & Dagger EP
Independent (2013)

Aaron & the Sea have come a long way from writing dinosaur-themed ballads. The Minneapolis band formed in 2008 when roommates Aaron Rice and Alex Brown started making music together, and later completed their line-up with the arrival of drummer Peter Leggett. Over a year after releasing their debut album Creature Creature the trio are back with their Cloak & … Read more

The Julie Ruin

Run Fast
Independent (2013)

The onesheet drops the term “subversive pop.” While the term may apply lyrically, musically The Julie Ruin is more ‘80s pop in sound. Keyboards lead the melodies and punchy vocals with earworm melodies are at the core, accentuated by a range of percussion accompaniments and funky, danceable bass lines.The Julie Ruin is a continuation of Kathleen Hanna’s 1998 self-titled Julie … Read more

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