Various Artists
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theatres
Williams Street (2007)
I'm going to be quite blunt right off the bat. Normally I would take the time to write some kind of intro that ties in with the album that I'm reviewing. But I'm not going to waste my time or yours because of two reasons. First off, you already know what Aqua Teen Hunger Force is about and secondly; this … Read more
Various Artists
As We Draw/Euglena/Hexis
Throatruiner (2011)
Split albums generally feature artists at their best, and when they feature artists from a strong label like Throatruiner, there's almost no way to go wrong. Though I hadn't heard two of the artists on this three-way split before, I knew I wasn't going to be left disappointed by this one.The album starts off with a pair of pieces from … Read more
Various Artists
Backslider & Nimbus Terrifix - Split
Give Praise (2011)
I have long been a fan of the split record format for a few reasons. The simplest one being a matter of attrition—two bands, one record. Sometimes it is seasoned vets paired with upstarts, like Misery and Hellspawn. Other times it’s the covers idea—each band's songs being covers of songs originally performed by the other bands, like the BYO Records … Read more
Various Artists
Beex/L'Amour - Split
Zero Degree Records (2022)
Oh, hail Richmond, Virginia !. Occasionally regional bands became lauded on compilations for greedy grabbing sweaty secretive nerdy evil record lords. Seeking out and posting their findings on social media for all to tilt their caveman posturings and send a spindle of sweaty spittle cascading down their black head-encrusted chin thus avoiding their overpriced modern artifact shelved in the thickest … Read more
Various Artists
Botanist/Oskoreien - EP3: Green Metal/Deterministic Chaos
Avantgarde Music (2016)
I am guessing that most people are familiar with Botanist and their unique take on black metal, in terms of instrumentation and vibe. The band has released a series of great records through the years, replacing guitars with hammered dulcimer, focusing thematically on, as the name would suggest, flora. This journey has led to a peak with VI: Flora, with … Read more
Various Artists
Brains For Friends
Bubblegum Attack Records (2022)
Bubblegum Attack Records from Moscow, Russia have brought together four awesome and uniquely different horrorpunk bands to bring us this twelve track split album entitled Brains For Friends. This is by far the best thing to come out of Russia since balaclavas and vodka, especially in the last year or so. Brains For Friends features three tracks from four different … Read more
Various Artists
Circle & Mamiffer - Enharmonic Intervals (for Paschen Organ)
Sige (2013)
Try to imagine that two of the most interesting experimental acts out there not only decided to collaborate for a full album, they also wanted to do that in a 19th century stone church. That is right! Mamiffer, featuring Aaron Turner (of ISIS, Old Man Gloom, House of Low Culture and millions other projects) and Faith Coloccia (of House of … Read more
Various Artists
Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire/Nesseria - Split
Throatruiner (2011)
Clinging To The Tress Of A Forest Fire (hereafter referred to as CTTTOAFF for ease) hail from Denver, Colorado and deal in heavy as hell grind in all it's misanthropic glory. Coming to my attention only recently (sorry, I completely missed the boat on this band initially), they just released this split with French group Nesseria on Throatruiner Records. About … Read more
Various Artists
Crab Legs/Not Half Bad - Dorks/Nerds
Ocelot Records (2015)
Spanning the country’s geography north and south, this split from Fargo, ND’s Crab Legs and Fort Worth, TX’s Not Half Bad is a snippet of the varied sounds of the current DIY pop-punk scene and everything that unifies yet separates bands within it. Crab Legs play a coarse shout it out style that’s gruff yet melodic while partners in vinyl … Read more
Various Artists
Crybaby/Casual - Split EP
Secret Audio Club (2014)
I hate to simplify the role of the split 7”—they’re about way more than this, in truth—but one of the greatest purposes the split 7” plays is in introducing yourself to new bands. Most of the time, the pairings are based on similar sounds or friendships and it’s a good way to branch out and find new groups. This split … Read more
Various Artists
Dale Cooper Quartet & The Dictaphones/Witxes - Split
Denovali (2014)
When it comes to minimalistic ambient and dark jazz it does not get much better than these. Two great acts from France coexist within this split album. The Dale Cooper Quartet & The Dictaphones can be considered a legendary act, with a résumé of high quality albums such as their debut, Parole De Navare and their sophomore release Metamanoir. Witxes … Read more
Various Artists
Dan Andriano/Brendan Kelly - European Vacation
Red Scare Industries (2012)
To coincide with their romp across Europe, the split 7” from Brendan Kelly And The Wandering Birds and Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room, European Vacation, doesn’t cover much ground, but packs a hell of a lot in a short span. Those familiar with the two musicians won’t be surprised by either of their respective songs, but both leave their … Read more
Various Artists
DCxPC Live Volume 22
DCxPC Live (2024)
Volume 22 of DCxPC Live, a live album vinyl record label for punk, hardcore, ska and metal bands, features Sticky Steve, Borrowed Sparks, Jacob Danielsen-Moore and Dougie Flesh and the Slashers. This iteration leans heavy into folk punk and psychobilly sensibilities. Think Laura Jane Grace if she was obsessed with Spirit Halloween and B-horror movies. The vinyl itself didn’t seem … Read more
Various Artists
Dead Band's Party: A Tribute to Oingo Boingo
Indianola (2005)
The 80's weren't really as bad as those VH1 specials make it out to be. Sure the fashion of those years was pretty atrocious, but try going to a concert today without laughing. It's hard, trust me. Throughout the decade there was quality music being made on all fronts - pop, hardcore, new-wave, hip hop, and punk. There were some … Read more
Various Artists
Desert Sessions, Vol. 11 And 12
Matador (2019)
It’s been 16 long years since Josh Homme sent out invitations to a group of musicians to join him out in the high desert for a few days.The last time it happened was in 2003 and a whole lot has happened for Homme in that time. Queens of the Stone Age has been the cornerstone, but there’s been time served … Read more
Various Artists
Enjoyed: A Tribute to Björk's Post
Stereogum (2008)
Tribute albums have never really sat well with me. With each song, I usually hear every band featured saying, "Hey, we can do this song better than the original artist." But it's very rare that a cover will be nearly as good or enjoyable to listen to as the original. I think sometimes you should just leave a great album … Read more
Various Artists
ESC Life / Remedy - split EP
PDV Records/Laserlife Record/LastExit Music/Ill in the Head (2017)
This is a sweet and short three track 7’’ released by two befriended bands. This EP had me interested when I saw ESC Life was on it. I was looking forward to hearing more from these friendly Croatians after their excellent album Access All Areas from 2015. It was about time I got to hear something new from them! And … Read more
Various Artists
Fight Amp/Ladder Devils/Kowloon Walled City (Three-way split) Lose Lose Lose
Brutal Panda (2010)
This three-way split features the New Jersey trio Fight Amp, Philadelphia’s Ladder Devils (former members of The Minor Times), and San Francisco’s sludgy Kowloon Walled City. While the three bands play three different styles of aggressive music, the sound of the split as a whole is entirely cohesive. Lose Lose Lose collectively is a great album from the three bands. … Read more
