The Format
Dog Problems
The Vanity Label (2006)
In all honesty, I chose to review The Format's Dog Problems simply to avoid reviewing a hardcore album, which is often difficult to complete cliché-free, and I would have just said each song makes me want to head-butt the steering wheel of my car. I had little to no interest in this band, or any expectations for this album to … Read more
The Frames
Burn the Maps
Anti (2005)
The Frames are five Dubliners, with a handful of releases already. They use a variety of instruments, ranging from piano to horns and strings, effects, concepts and atmospheric layers shaping their music around human emotion often similar to that of Radiohead and Coldplay. The Frames is: Glen Hansard (Vocals/Guitar), Colm MacConlomaire (Violin/Keyboard/Vocals), Joseph Doyle (Bass/Vocals), Robert Bochnik (Guitar), and Johnny … Read more
The Franklin Cover Up
Commercial
Seven Trumpets (2007)
On first glance The Franklin Cover Up's name may appear silly. But upon further investigation - a child prostitution ring involving several former U.S. government officials - everything begins to make sense. The Idaho metalcore outfit yes I said Idaho delivers nine tracks in twenty minutes on their debut full-length, Commercial. These songs are a mixed bag: some great songs … Read more
The Frontline
Withstand
Grave Mistake (2005)
When hardcore started it was fast, powerful and had a strong positive message. While today much of hardcore has lost its sense of positivity, The Frontline brings a great message and great music back with their debut EP, Withstand. Frontline adds in an uplifting message without sacrificing the intensity, energy and power of the hardcore style. The lyrics speak of … Read more
The Fucking Wrath
Season of Evil
Goodfellow (2007)
I would not know the guys from The Fucking Wrath from Adam if they were walking down the street. Maybe that's the point, three working Joes that crank up the volume when not doing their day jobs. The first time I heard of this band was not long before I heard their debut Season of Evil, which is this loud … Read more
The Futureheads
News and Tributes
Vagrant (2006)
In late 2004, The Futureheads punctured the mope-heavy indie rock bubble with the delivery of their hyperactive post-punk debut album. The harmony laden, adrenaline fueled romp immediately caught my attention and remained in my CD player well into the next year. Now, it appears that the cycle has started anew with the release of the bands sophomore effort, News and … Read more
The Gamits
Parts
Paper + Plastick (2010)
What do you get when you throw Jawbreaker and Alkaline Trio into a blender? One of the finest pop-punk albums of the year. The Gamits’ Parts takes a competent formula and uses it to keep the listener coming back for more.It doesn’t take long to notice this trio has an ear for melody. Parts gets right into it with the … Read more
The Gaslight Anthem
Handwritten
Mercury (2012)
Depending on your perspective, The Gaslight Anthem are either a Bruce Springsteen cover band or one of the more exciting mainstream bands still producing music. On their fourth album, the New Jersey punks have found themselves in a curious position: whilst they have continued to grow in popularity, the critical acclaim that moved them into the public’s general awareness, has … Read more
The Gaslight Anthem
Señor and the Queen
Sabot Productions (2008)
New Jersey The Gaslight Anthem's Sink of Swim was one of the most over-looked album last year on Scene Point Blank. So to make up for our obvious dumbassery I'll review their latest EP from the label that never fails, Sabot Productions. Every time I listen to The Gaslight Anthem I always feel as though they are just a vehicle … Read more
The Gaslight Anthem
The '59 Sound
Side One Dummy (2008)
Make no assumptions about it, The Gaslight Anthem are one of the best active rock and roll bands. You can argue over whether they are a punk band or a rock band, but in the end it is all just semantics. It's the same argument that happened thirty years ago with The Clash. It really doesn't matter what side you … Read more
The Geeks
Every Time We Fall
Think Fast! (2007)
The Geeks: Korean straight edge hardcore with a youth crew twist. I know what you're thinking; the first time I heard it I didn't believe it either. After hearing mention of The Geeks, my first inclination was to write them off as a novelty band. But then I heard The Geeks' debut 7" What's Inside and I knew they were … 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
The Get Up Kids
Kicker
Polyvinyl (2018)
The Get Up Kids seemed to take another break after their reunion full length, There Are Rules. Seven years later, and we're given some new tunes in the form of an EP entitled, Kicker. It may be just 4 songs, but they are arguably the catchiest they've written since before reuniting. Kicker takes out the synths and exploratory elements of … Read more
The Get Up Kids
Something to Write Home About (Reissue)
Vagrant (2009)
The release of The Get Up Kids' debut full-length Four Minute Mile is something that I recall with the greatest of ease. My sister won a contest from a record store, getting a slew of just released CD's for free. Amongst the various punk compilations and releases from bands on Epitaph, Fat Wreck, and Lookout! was said album from The … Read more
The Gibbons
Hope, Inc.
Salinas (2005)
Hailing from Detroit, The Gibbons hold a special place in my heart. Not to mention the fact that they play the style of music that first got me into punk rock. This record is quite a bit less poppy than their earlier releases, harking back to the days of The Broadways and the first Lawrence Arms album; bands that created … Read more
The Golden Age
Unlock Yourself
Panic (2009)
Panic Records has been on quite a roll as of late. Releasing great records from Final Fight, Outrage, Make Do And Mend, and a 7" from a Texas hardcore band The Golden Age. This five-piece made quick work in the studio to record their new full-length, Unlock Yourself which is being described as "one of the best melodic hardcore records … 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
The Good Life
Album of the Year
Saddle Creek (2004)
Tim Kasher manages to juggle two well-respected bands without taking a noticeable break. The strident noise of Cursive may sound much harsher than the soft melodies of The Good Life, but most of the songs are on the same subject of unsuccessful relationships. The Good Life makes that disappointing love theme into a year-long affair on their third full-length album, … Read more
