Low Culture
Evil
Drunken Sailor (2013)
This EP runs all of 4:59, featuring two new cuts from Low Culture. The band just released a full-length earlier this year on Dirtnap Records, Screens, and it’s making waves—at least in this writer’s household. With that aside, this 7” jumps right into the heart of melodic garage-punk, very in tune with the Dirtnap sound (though this comes courtesy of … Read more
Low Forms
Low Forms EP
Big Action Records/Tectonic Plates (2014)
Low Forms self-titled 7” is a six minute blast of power-pop defined by clean guitars, rhythmic chops, and traditional format rock ’n’ roll. While it’s not reinventing anything, it’s a solid homage to a timeless style with a nice build-up from opening verse to close, milking the verse-chorus-verse structure to increase urgency as the song progresses without succumbing to dumbed … Read more
Lucta
Eterna Lotta
Static Shock Records (2024)
Lucta come from Milan, IT and play heavy, fast hardcore that sounds straight out of 1984. It’s aggressive, while also feeling unpredictable and a little bit unstable, like it could break into pure chaos at any moment. There are some metallic flourishes, kicking off with a minute-plus heavy atmospheric instrumental lead in the intro track, “Sacrificio,” but then it shifts … Read more
Lymbyc Systym
Carved by Glaciers (Reissue)
Magic Bullet (2009)
Magic Bullet reissued Lymbyc Systym's first release, but with two bonus remixed tracks. The five original songs sound as good as ever. Lymbyc Systym's brand of ethereal electronic noodling has grown since Carved by Glaciers, becoming even more cohesive and brilliantly layered. However, to be able to revisit the band's earliest material is a treat. It's good to learn about … Read more
Man Overboard
Hung Up on Nothing
Independent (2008)
Man Overboard is the latest bubble-gum pop-punk band to come around, joining the existing one hundred thousand others. This four-piece hails from New Jersey, and like so many others they take influence from groups like Blink 182. I'm not blaming Man Overboard by any means, but I'm starting to get sick of these kinds of bands By the way, if … Read more
Maps & Atlases
Lightlessness is Nothing New
Barsuk (2018)
Chicago natives Maps & Atlases first new release in six years shows them down a member and finding that their tightly constructed guitar and rhythm pieces turning up to something a little brighter and buoyant with synths taking more of a larger role in their sound. First single “Fall Apart” sounds just as slick and rubbery as singer/guitarist Dave Davison’s … Read more
Maria Taylor
Ladyluck
Nettwerk (2009)
Maria Taylor has developed a fanbase based on her quiet and soulful tunes, endearing and charming enough to cockle the heartstrings of nearly any cynic. She has a knack for capturing adult takes on both sentimentality and romance, a talent which has landed many of her songs in the background of numerous romantic comedies and sitcoms. Two solo albums removed … Read more
Marriage Material
Making the Worry Worth It
Dirt Cult (2018)
I like this Making the Worry Worth It record. That should be all a review needs, right? I say that in part because this 9-minute EP is all over the place, style-wise. Marriage Material is a new group with members of Summer Vacation, Spokenest, Pinned in Place, and God Equals Genocide. It has some similarities to those bands, but each … Read more
Masakari
Eden Compromised
Halo of Flies (2009)
After one listen to Eden Compromised, it's not surprising to find that Masakari take their name from a battle-axe used in ancient Japan. The four songs that make up this debut 7" are as destructive as a blow to the skull with such a weapon. "The War Within" is a thundering, metallic slab of meaty riffs and pummeling, chaotic drums. … Read more
Masato Tanaka / Pocket Gallows
Split
Robotic Empire (2008)
Square of Opposition Records has teamed up two new bands, or at least two that are new to me team up for a split 12" LP. Masato Tanaka starts things off. Their side of the split contains nine tracks. Over the course of these songs the trio incorporate the worlds of metal, grind, and punk into one. But the most … Read more
Matadors
Flame the Whisper
Devil Doll (2007)
Yippeeeee! It's Matadors time! Plug it in and lets party like it's 1992! Yes, that's right. 1992! Forget those bands of way back when. Gas Huffer. Mother Love Bone. The Mono Men. All great bands that never had a tribute band until now (zing!). Fifteen years late, but who the hell's counting? Matadors work on Swedish time, baby. It's not … Read more
Matisyahu
Shattered
Epic (2008)
This four-track EP spins the typical Matisyahu sound a little bit from its pop/old school hip-hop/reggae roots, with opener "Smash Lies" bringing out a more modern hip-hop sound and the following track "So Hi So Lo" working a more prominent guitar line in to give a rock edge. It's a diversification which is no bad thing at all, but it … Read more
Matt and Kim
Grand
Fader (2009)
Today's pop music is severely lacking in fun. We have over-hyped pseudo celebrities running around with no pants, actors with the impression that talent in one field somehow gives them rights to move into another, and Justin is too busy with Jessica to come back and make everything alright. Matt and Kim gained a reputation as the fun band at … Read more
Medusa
En Raga Sul
Hawthorne Street (2009)
If the band name and scary artwork didn't tip me off that this was going to be a brutal audio assault, I guess the Hitler sample at the start of the release should have been a clue. Punishing riffs, caterwauling vocals, and plodding drum beats typify the songs on this record. If that sounds like something you need to have, … Read more
Meltdown
Demolition
Closed Casket Activities (2007)
Maybe the kids are just too young to remember, but back when hardcore bands were crossing over to metal and vice versa the hardcore kids hated it, really hated it. It was all poseur shit, bunch of fucking longhairs ruining the scene and what not. The worst thing a band could do was sign to Metal Blade or Megaforce. Having … Read more
Mercy Killings
Snuffed Out
Beach Impediment (2015)
This is the second 7” from this new-ish congruence of Richmond, VA old-timers. The band flexes a pedigree that includes Wasted Time, Government Warning, Direct Control and a whole bunch of others. Eight minutes in total of bulldozer USHC in the most straightforward sense. No fucking about whatsoever; just head down, get the fuck out of the way hardcore punk. … Read more
Metallica
Through The Never Soundtrack
Blackened Recordings (2014)
You had to be there. In the grand scheme of box-office existence, Through The Never was a blip. The release was limited, as was apparently, the appeal. Despite all this, It was well worth seeing. It looked fantastic, the sound mix was great. It was possibly the most immersive concert-film experience ever. But, sadly, It will never be credited as … Read more
MGR y Destructo Swarmbots
Amigos de la Guitarra
Neurot (2009)
Amigos de la Guitarra is a collaborative effort from MGR - the solo project of Mike Gallagher of Isis - and Destructo Swarmbots' Mike Mare. The two have come together, focusing their collective minds on one forty-two minute song, "Amor en el Aire." If you have been following MGR's body of work to date then you have a good idea … Read more
