The Lawrence Arms
Oh! Calcutta!
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
Oh! Calcutta! - A Simpsons reference or a slightly more cultured allusion to the 1969 Broadway erotica musical of the same name? Oh! Calcutta! is the fifth full-length from The Lawrence Arms, who have also released a 7", B-sides album, several splits, and more compilation contributions than you could care to name. This latest release is an interesting one for … Read more
The Lawrence Arms
Skeleton Coast
Epitaph (2020)
When a band is releasing its third new record since 2006, you’d expect some inconsistency. The Lawrence Arms seem to be timeless though. With Skeleton Coast they pick right up where they left off Metropole (2014). Take the opening stanza of “Dead Man’s Coat” as an example. Beginning with Chris McCaughan’s soft and wanting melodies, it’s unmistakably The Lawrence Arms. … Read more
The Lawrence Arms
We Are the Champions of the World (A Retrospectus)
Fat Wreck Chords (2018)
The excitement of We Are the Champions of the Word (Retrospectus) is supposed to be the five new songs at the end of the 29-song collection. It probably is, but given how bands often release a Best Of before they breakup, this record feels more worrisome than celebratory. That’s just a personal feeling that views this as some kind of … Read more
The Leftovers
On the Move
Rally (2007)
Before we start, let's go over the checklist: Leather Jackets: Check! Chuck Taylor All Stars: Check! Tapered leg blue jeans: Check! Pomade: Check! Three different power chords: Check! We even have four! Crushes on at least ten different girls: Double check! WE'RE READY TO ROCK! Boys, men, and all you in-betweens, let's take a little time to give thanks to … Read more
The Letters Organize
Dead Rhythm Machine
Nitro (2005)
Right off the bat, you know what it's going to be. They're not the first and they definitely won't be the last. And no, they aren't Minor Threat. They are The Letters Organize, just one of the many The Shape of Punk to Come copy cats to come around long after the album did. Their new record is called Dead … Read more
The Libertines
The Libertines
Sanctuary (2004)
Pete Doherty is so rock n' roll. Every other day the kid is in rehab, and on the other days he's escaping from it. Just look at the cover of this CD; Doherty's fellow band mate looks like he is trying to help him from passing out from a drug overdose. On special occasions, Doherty steals from his band mates' … Read more
The Lillingtons
The Too Late Show
Red Scare (2006)
We're in the middle of a pop punk renaissance. New recruits are signing up left and right and firing off catchy odes to the evergreen vagaries of romance, teenage or any age. But this is a post-Lifetime era, so for the most part today's young turks eschew the Ramonesianism of a Screeching Weasel or a Queers in favor of the … Read more
The Lippies
Pop 'n' Lockdown EP
Red Scare Industries (2020)
I have to admit that I’ve heard a few songs by The Lippies in the past, but never sat down with their 2016 debut and absorbed it in any sense. This EP is kind of my introduction beyond a passing song here and there. And I enjoy it, though I doubt it’s the best first taste of the band given … Read more
The Living
1982
Loosegroove (2021)
The Living will transcend and be reincarnated on April 16th via Stone Gossard’s (Pearl Jam) label-Loosegroove. This release is getting a lot of attention namely because the band contained a 17-year-old Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses fame. Digging into the punk rock vault a bit deeper the band also contained drummer Greg Gilmore who went on to play in … Read more
The Living End
State of Emergency
EMI (2006)
Maturity is a much-maligned thing within the pop world. Let's face it, there's nothing that the mass-media consuming pop-culture junkie detests more than a band that changes their sound. Maybe the new sound makes the consumer feel stupid? Maybe the new sound is just shit? Maybe it's something not worth postulating over? The fact is that this is how it … Read more
The Locust
New Erections
Anti (2007)
The Locust is an extremely polarizing group. On one hand, people take them as a complete joke. On the other, people take them extremely seriously. I fall somewhere in the middle and find them to be wholly entertaining with some substance hiding beneath the cacophony that they unleash on listeners. On this new album, New Erections, we find The Locust … 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
The Locust
Safety Second, Body Last
Ipecac (2005)
On hearing of The Locust's signing to Ipecac, one might be inclined to call this an unexpected pairing. But if you were to take into consideration the label's sheer willingness to work with daring and thought-provoking artists that push the boundaries of modern music, it really shouldn't be that much of a surprise. For ten years, the members of The … Read more
The Long Winters
When I Pretend to Fall
Barsuk (2003)
The Long Winters started up a few years ago after vocalist John Roderick's other project "The Western State Hurricanes" split up. He began writing songs for a solo project and proceeded to go on tour with ex-Harvey Danger member Sean Nelson. Shortly after his tour, he recorded his work, and around the same time, he formed The Long Winters. Before … Read more
The Lookouts
Spy Rock Road (And Other Stories)
Don Giovanni (2015)
I was apprehensive about reviewing this record. When hear “music by teenagers,” it tends to mean preachy and rather one-sided political rants that are well meaning but, well, immature or not all that developed. Plus teenage voices aren’t all that great to hear singing, know what I mean?The Lookouts were a band comprised of Larry Livermore (not a teenager at … Read more
The Lost Patrol
The Lost Patrol Band
Burning Heart (2005)
The Lost Patrol started up as Dennis Lyxzen's solo project with the help of his close friends. Unlike the innovative post-hardcore act Refused and 60's throwback retro-punk outfit The (International) Noise Conspiracy, The Lost Patrol is less aggressive and makes use of layers of melody and acoustic guitars. Lyxzen's solo debut under the moniker was Songs of Key Resistance, which … Read more
