Daughters
Canada Songs
Robotic Empire (2003)
My first real exposure to Daughters would be an argument amongst SPB staff members in a thread on our dainty message board, in which their hype and their similarities to the Locust were put on the table. Not being a big fan of the Locust myself, this didn't give me too high of hopes for the Locust, in terms of … Read more
Daughters
Canada Songs
Robotic Empire (2003)
Chances are you're not going to like this record. Chances are you've never heard of grindcore and if you did hear it you would say something to the effect of "this is noise." Ignoring probability let's suppose that you, the reader, likes music that is loud. Perhaps you even like music that is filled with blast beats and screaming. And … Read more
Deafheaven
New Bermuda
Anti (2015)
Looking back at Sunbather, Deafheaven's sophomore release, it is very easy to understand how that album was able to become the point of dispute within the black metal realm. The debut album of Deafheaven, Roads To Judah, was easier to come to terms with. Its blend of black metal and post-rock, as well as the shoegaze tendencies were still at … Read more
Deafheaven
New Bermuda
Anti (2015)
Deafheaven’s Sunbather was the antithesis of a sophomore slump. The album produced armies of lovers and haters, who debated whether or not the album was “metal” enough to deserve all the media attention proclaiming it as one of the greatest current metal albums. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll ever forget waiting in line to see Deafheaven and hearing the couple … Read more
Death By Stereo
Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)
Death by Stereo strike again with this new offering of their signature metal influenced melodic hardcore sound. This CD is filled with windmill-inducing finger-pointing fun. The lyrics contain the angst and political commentary you've come to expect from any hardcore band, but the typicality of the lyrical content is completely overshadowed by Efrem's insane and unique vocals. Buy it, dance … Read more
Death By Stereo
Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)
Death By Stereo's newest release and they have shown no sign of slowing down. They have taken their classic style and improved upon it in many ways. The intro to "Beyond The Blinders" is enough to get anyone head-banging. "You're a Bullshit Salesman Without A Mouthful of Samples" has some backing vocals reminiscent of AFI. A couple songs have slow … Read more
Death By Stereo
Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)
The first song I heard from this was "Wasted Words" from a Punk-O-Rama compilation. A good song, but it reminded me of their other stuff a lot. After having a complete listen to this album, I must say, first impressions from Punk-O-Rama compilations are not good. This album isn't dramatically different than If Looks Could Kill I'd Watch You Die … Read more
Dillinger Four
C I V I L W A R
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)
As my age teeters closer to thirty than twenty, I continually ask myself three important questions: Am I still punk? Was I ever? Does it matter? Sure my love of punk music grows exponentially with every year I age, but is it just a label for me to wear on my shirt, or is it truly a way of life? … Read more
Dillinger Four
C I V I L W A R
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)
Being from the same state as well a fan of tuneful catchy pop-punk one would think that I would be really into Dillinger Four. Yes, one would think that. The fact of the matter is that I've always been a casual fan of this rambunctious often inebriated foursome. I've actually only seen them once in the last fifteen years and … Read more
Do Make Say Think
You, You're a History in Rust
Constellation (2007)
Instrumental music, I've found, requires patience to fully appreciate it. Sitting through detached, quiet parts of songs is by no means difficult, but it can definitely test a listener's musical patience. Canadian cohorts Do Make Say Think have been writing instrumental music since the mid 90's. Akin to label-mates Godspeed You! Black Emperor, they write extremely cohesive, powerful and moving … Read more
Do Make Say Think
You, You're a History in Rust
Constellation (2007)
In recent years, post-rock has become the urban sprawl of independent music. Invasive, bloated, and undeniably comfortable, it has steadily, albeit consciously, delineated from its richer, more substantive origins to assume the role of pleasant background music, antiseptically reliable but hopelessly predictable. Tortoise's feral meanderings and Mogwai's bulky, aggressive overtones have been replaced by Explosions in the Sky's brand of … Read more
Ensemble Pearl
Self Titled
Drag City (2013)
It's genuinely hard for me to get excited about supergroups in general--they're almost never as good as the sum of their parts. And unfortunately, despite the calibre of the musicians involved, that seems to be exactly what has happened to post-everything supergroup Ensemble Pearl on their eponymous 2013 debut.Anchoring this band of notably crazy musicians is Stephen O'Malley, known best … Read more
Envy
Insomniac Doze
Temporary Residence (2006)
"In such an ugly time the real protest is beauty," said some smart dude once. Right now, July 17 of 2006 at 3:36 p.m. I'm living in one of the ugliest times in the history of the homo sapien. Reading any newspaper makes that abundantly clear with who-knows-what on the horizon. At the moment out of everything that I can … Read more
Envy
Insomniac Doze
Temporary Residence (2006)
Unless you haven't heard Envy before, which would be a tragic mistake, then you already know how incredible this Japan-based melodic hardcore band is. This band truly is the instrumental representation of angst and sincerity that is a rare find in the crowded pool of crappy hardcore bands today. That being said, their new album, Insomniac Doze is sure to … Read more
Envy
Insomniac Doze
Temporary Residence (2006)
I came to Insomniac Doze with no prior knowledge of Envy, but with a strong interest in Japanese culture. As a country, Japan isn't exactly renowned for its success in the international music scene. Its successful exports tend to be few and far between, offering only a brief glimpse into what is in fact perhaps one of the most diverse … Read more
Ester Drang
Infinite Keys
Jade Tree (2003)
On previous records, Ester Drang's output had an epic feel to it; it was more drawn-out and atmospheric than that on Infinite Keys. However, the strength and rise-and-fall aesthetic seemed to be more of a focus on density than precise instrumentation. Even as 2001's Goldenwest brought out more focused songwriting effort, the composition on Infinite Keys is leaps and bounds … Read more
Ester Drang
Infinite Keys
Jade Tree (2003)
The party starts to wind down and everyone is sitting in lawn chairs around the bonfire. There are at least 3 "marijunana cigarettes" being passed around while everyone kinda just kicks back and gets their chill on. Conversation goes back in forth in a mild manner yet there is always one guy dazed out to the music behind him. That … Read more
Every Time I Die
Hot Damn!
Ferret (2003)
Every Time I Die has always been one of those bands that I thought were absolutely wretched. Surprise, nothing has changed. Songs like "I Been Gone A Long Time", feature some of the most terrible singing I have ever heard. With it's hardcore meets rock and roll feel that feels like Scissorfight at times, only twelve times worse. His vocals … Read more
