Reviews of our highest-rated albums (9.5 / 10 or higher)

163 total reviews — Page 8 of 10

Seed From The Geisha

Talk Peace to the Wolf
M&O Music (2011)

Don't be turned away by the album cover! I assure you, this review has absolutely minimal content involving werwolves. Probably. I'm actually writing this introduction prior to finishing the last fifth or so of the review, so it's entirely conceivable I could change my mind. Let's assume I don't so that I can talk about the excellent debut from the … Read more

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Naturally
Daptone (2005)

Generally at the beginning of the year, you'll set your hopes high for a handful of releases and odds are, one of those will be one of your albums of the year. The last two years for me though, has had surprising candidates come out of left field to steal my heart and take home that coveted award. This year … Read more

She Said Destroy

Bleeding Fiction
Mas-Kina (2012)

Let's face it: a lot of the music we listen to is just plain ol' forgettable. Of course, every once in a while, an album will come along that sticks in your mind solely because it makes you wonder just what godforsaken orifice the band pulled it out of. Even more rarely will come the occasion when you make the … Read more

Sleep

Dopesmoker (Reissue)
Southern Lord (2012)

Imagine, if you will, that doom rock band Om and a still-young drone metal band Boris got together in a hallucinogen-induced haze one night. Their inevitable pothead lovechild would undoubtedly be doom/stoner outfit Sleep, as evidenced by their final album, Dopesmoker.Having been released at least four different times (with four different running times, not to mention two different names), this … Read more

Snake Eyes

Snake Eyes
1917 (2007)

Snake Eyes is just another one of those side project bands that doesn't get a lot of love outside of their home stomping grounds of California due the fact they don't get to play out much and never tour. Snake Eyes features members of Betrayed, Terror, Donnybrook, and Internal Affairs. Only Internal Affairs comes anywhere close to the violent intensity … Read more

Sonic Youth

Daydream Nation (Reissue)
Geffen (2007)

When I first heard Sonic Youth, I didn't know about their formidable New York hipster cachet: Glenn Branca confederates, initially hated by Village Voice snob Bob Christgau, ex-No New York alumni (at least before Steve Shelley got behind the skins), etc. I had no idea that this was the band that bridged hardcore and the downtown gallery scene - how … Read more

Soul Control

Soul Control
Rivalry (2007)

Hardcore likes to recycle and reinvent itself about every decade, so yup, 90's hardcore is back. Soul Control sounds like every great 108 riff jammed into every wonderful Quicksand back beat. You know I just love this. Heavy melodic groove orientated hardcore done masterfully. The best thing is when hardcore bands like Soul Control decide to redo the past they … Read more

Stars of the Lid

And Their Refinement of the Decline
Kranky (2007)

When it comes to currently running ambient acts, they do not get any more prolific than Stars of the Lid. Having released material since 1995, the duo made up of Brian McBride and Adam Wiltzie have relocated since releasing their last album and absolute masterpiece The Tired Sounds Of... and found themselves living more than 6,000 miles apart. This distance … Read more

Steven Wilson

The Raven that Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)
Kscope (2013)

Though they all claim lineage to the great acts of the 1970s, no modern progressive band can claim that they sound even remotely similar to them. Bands in the modern progressive rock genre (see Transatlantic, Spock's Beard, Coheed and Cambria) tend to sound closer akin to brightly-polished half-metal than the rock of the 70s, with a loudness and clarity that … Read more

Sunn 0)))

Dømkirke
Southern Lord (2008)

Dømkirke is a live Sunn 0))) album recorded at Bergen Cathedral of Bergen, Norway as part of the Borealis Festival 2007. The twelfth-century cathedral was a perfect setting for the March 2007 performance that also featured Attlia Csihar on vocals, Steve Moore on pipe organ, and Lasse Marhaug on electronics. The double album was a vinyl-only release with absolutely stunning … Read more

System of a Down

Hypnotize
Sony (2005)

It's official. System of a Down can't spell. I'm sorry to any Americans out there who like to get involved with this whole using a "zed" instead of an "ess" thing, but they can't. And yes, I did say "zed," none of that "zee" crap either. Let's face it. America was born from the remnants of a British people who … Read more

Tegan and Sara

Heartthrob
Warner Bros. (2013)

Canadian sisterly duo Tegan and Sara Quin seem to think they’re fools in relationships. Just look at some of their song titles—“Fool to Cry,” “I Was A Fool,” etc. Something they’re not fools about? Making synth pop perfection on their latest full-length album, Heartthrob, their first since 2009’s Sainthood which was a huge commercial success for them. After an album … Read more

Tegan and Sara

The Con
Sire (2007)

What is it about Canada? You know, Due South, The Arcade Fire, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Dan Aykroyd, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Terrance & Philip. Perhaps it's merely been a case of overwhelming ignorance, but lately it seems that all of the best things in the world originated in this faraway place. Last summer whilst sitting in a friend's bedroom … Read more

The Arcade Fire

Neon Bible
Merge (2007)

On Arcade Fire's likeable, but dark new album, Neon Bible, there are many things that differ from their critically acclaimed debut, Funeral. The Montreal based indie rockers have a lot more money behind them and you can immediately tell by the sound quality of their recordings. That said, the songs still have their haunting lyrics and feel. "Black Mirror" recalls … Read more

The Blood Brothers

Burn Piano Island, Burn
Artist Direct (2003)

I've never been insane, but if I were, I think this is what my thoughts would sound like. Although, that would require me to be one of those genius crazy people...but that great thing is that I'm pretty sure all five members of the blood brothers aren't crazy, but just genius. The music can be described as two babies fighting … Read more

The Decemberists

Her Majesty, The Decemberists
Kill Rock Stars (2003)

My dear Isabella, It has been an unduly extended period since my previous communication, and I apologize for my unproportioned replies to your correspondence. I cannot but carry doubt that your yearnings to set your eyes upon the ink of my quill have been uncountable. Oh my dear, I have recently alighted with a peculiar piece of American art! A … Read more

The Eye Of Time

Self Titled
Denovali (2012)

The first thing that hits you is how beautiful the album looks. You haven't even begun to listen to it and already you're fawning over the beautiful cover art. It only gets more enthralling as you open it up and revel in the stunning beauty of Thomas Hack's artwork. As you take your time flipping through the massive booklet of … Read more

The First Step

What We Know
Rivalry (2006)

Almost ten years ago the California hardcore band Chain of Strength asked, "Has the edge gone dull?" The edge hasn't lost any of it's sharpness but has transformed from a simple song written by teenagers in Washington D.C. in the early 80's to a positive filled jock rock by the end of the decade. The 90's itself was a scary … Read more