The Weakerthans
Reunion Tour
Epitaph (2007)
Few of us lead the jet-set life, so when television and tabloid magazines glorify the lives of celebrities it often leaves us feeling ordinary and under whelmed. Could our lives be that anti-climatic? Where does meaning lie in the routine? Is there anything extraordinary about everyday life? John K. Samson wouldn't answer the question straight; instead he'd tell you a … Read more
The Wealthy West
Volume One
Independent (2011)
The folk scene doesn’t get enough appreciation these days. Luckily, Mumford and Sons earned it some recognition when they performed at The Grammys. Now is the perfect time for Brandon Kinder, also know as The Wealthy West, to break out with his new EP simply entitled, Volume One.The EP opens with, “Love is Not Enough,” which is like the antithesis … Read more
The Wheelz
Twenty/Twenty EP
No Front Teeth Records/Boulevard Trash (2021)
This was a hard review to write. It’s not because this EP is bad, but because it’s so damn good. The pandemic has left us all dying to go to live shows again, and this EP from The Wheelz is four songs of straight-up, fist-pumping, body-slamming sing-a-long anthems meant to be experienced in a live setting. I’ve known Tony and … Read more
The Whiskey Bats
Flesh Eaters
Independent (2022)
Right, so who's up for some in your face, straight up no nonsense psychobilly meets angry punk rock?? Well, look no further than Pennsylvanian four piece The Whiskey Bats!! These guys meld high energy 90s style skate punk with a psychobilly twist and are heavily influenced by all things spooky, macabre and monstrous. What is not to like? Not only … Read more
The White Stripes
Get Behind Me Satan
V2 (2005)
The very First time I heard White Stripes I honest to God thought I was hearing a Led Zeppelin bootleg. I walked into a record store and a minute later was telling a clerk "I'll take it". It wasn't Led Zeppelin. "I'll take it anyway". That was their sophomore album De Stijl, the album I still consider as one of … Read more
The White Stripes
Icky Thump
Warner Bros. (2007)
"Ecky Thump," a Lancashire colloquialism, is most commonly described as slang for an exclamation of surprise, disbelief, or in recognition of something amazing. Icky Thump, The White Stripes sixth studio album, definitely lives up to it's name. The band released a statement on their official website explaining that: The White Stripes have completed the recording and mixing of their sixth … Read more
The Whitest Boy Alive
Rules
Asound/Bubbles (2009)
Even though Rules is the second full-length from Erlend Øye, I still have a hard time disassociating his airy voice from prior folk duo, Kings of Convenience, Øye's Belle-and-Sebastian-esque alma mater. However, the more I listen to the Berlin-based The Whitest Boy Alive, the more I can appreciate Øye singing similar, heartbreak lyrics over a funky bass line rather than … Read more
The Wild
Dreams Are Maps
Asian Man (2013)
Maybe Defiance, Ohio are the height I hold the folk-punk genre to, maybe it’s just that they’re the first such band to really click with me. Regardless, on listening to The Wild’s second full-length, Dreams Are Maps, I find myself making several comparisons. Given the context that’s a good thing. Given the band’s overall sound, well, there are also some … Read more
The Wives
Erect the Youth Problem
Cold Sweat/Sweet Nothing (2005)
Let's get the formalities and the predictabilities out the way right off the bat. Wives are a straight up rock band from Los Angeles whose main claim to fame is that their singer's car got hit by a reckless driving Backstreet Boy - the blonde one, if memory serves. The money from the resulting settlement allowed him to set up … Read more
The Wonder Years
Get Stoked on it!
No Sleep (2007)
I love Set Your Goals, but the popularity of the band's amalgamation of pop-punk and melodic hardcore has brought forth a million and a half wannabes. Sure, New Found Glory started it all (though they pretty much stuck to pop-punk), but I'll be damned if I haven't heard ten new clones this week alone. Philadelphia's The Wonder Years are the … Read more
The Wonder Years
Won't Be Pathetic Forever
No Sleep (2008)
The Wonder Years return with a brand new 7", their follow-up to last year's Get Stoked on it!. The record features four new tracks that are exclusive to this release. The 7" starts off with a building intro before the band gets busy with "Solo & Chewy: Holdin' it Down." Like their previous effort, we are treated to a mixture … Read more
The Wonder Years / All or Nothing
Distances
No Sleep (2009)
The glorious split 7" - how I love thee. What's this? Two bands from opposite sides of the Atlantic? Even better! There is something strangely comforting in knowing that two bands that are separated by thousands of miles of ocean can found a place together on a slim piece of wax. The Wonder Years return with two brand new songs. … Read more
The Wrongmen
Den Of Vipers
Action Man (2006)
Riffs that are spastic, heavy, hard and fast. Vocals that are poetic, poignant, and political despite being throaty and guttural. Fifty seconds songs comprised of blast beats and all kinds of guitar "wankery" alongside ambient twelve minutes epics that are perfect to get "lifted" to. Abstract cover art that's overtly cryptic, yet at the same time explicitly bad ass. Looking … Read more
The Young and the Useless
The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)
Don't be fooled by the name, this isn't a Good Charlotte cover band. HARD HARD. Anyways, this EP didn't get me incredibly pumped up, but it certainly was something worth listening to. Imagine Grade with less melody, and vocals that sound like Jeffrey Madeira from Poison the Well with lower production value. The Young and the Useless certainly aren't my … Read more
The Young and the Useless
The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)
I am not sure if I should hate the singer or the band. The singer, whilst having a good screaming voice, doesn't really stray from it. The band is infusing hardcore with pop punk. After getting through the CD all the way I decided I hate the band more. Reason? For dragging this poor guy into such a shitty band. … Read more
The Young and the Useless
The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)
As the drums kicked in, literally, my third sense was exposed to the vocals of this young majesty. The kind of majesty that upon a first meeting you love. You share your food with them and eventually you say goodbye. Upon the next few meetings you grow tired and kick him in the stop button, but it keeps on going. … Read more
The Young International
Self Titled EP
Paper Swan (2011)
The Young International is a new band you should know about, if you are into lush pop music laden with hooks. The band manages to put a unique spin on a familiar sound and works it to their advantage, they seem new but feel like old friends. You know after listening to this EP we will hear more from them … 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
