Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
Hearts of Oak
Lookout! (2003)
Wanna have fun? Wanna dance? Want a record that can be, not only enjoyable to listen to, but the perfect record that can still be fun, even when you aren't paying much attention to it? Well this record is it. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists have followed up their 2001 full length, Tyranny of Distance with Hearts of Oak, a … Read more
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
Hearts of Oak
Lookout! (2003)
[NOTE: Okay, I'll admit it. I'm way late. Hearts of Oak came out in February and now, half way into May, I'm finally sitting down to write this. Well, as they say, "better late than never," right?] So, all the hype is coming from New York City these days. There, you will find such indie rock favorites such as The … Read more
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead
Lookout! (2003)
Ted Leo and his Pharmacists are sweeping the nation's rock and roll scene. People first began to take real notice of Mr. Leo with the release of his second LP, The Tyranny of Distance, however a few may remember Leo from his days with Citizens Arrest and Chisel. With a growing fanbase and critical acclaim to fuel their creative DeLorean, … Read more
Ten Grand
This Is the Way to Rule
Southern (2003)
Who knew that such an exciting and promising musical force was sitting right across the border from me? After hearing so much about this band and being severely disappointed when they postponed their Omaha show (and still haven't made it up), I was glad to finally get my hands (figuratively) on their newest album. In all its underproduced glory, "This … Read more
Ten Grand
This Is the Way to Rule
Southern (2003)
Upon listening to this in a moving automobile with my father, he was quick to inform me that the singer of this band sounded like vocalist of The Murder City Devils. I have no idea what he was talking about. Ten Grand manages to give off a raw sounding vibe without playing very simple music, which I'm sure is a … Read more
Ten Grand
This Is the Way to Rule
Southern (2003)
Ten Grand (formerly The Vidablue) are definately an acquired taste. Hearing their stuff before I thought it was just alright. Nothing to go nuts over. After seeing them live, my outlook on them changed drastically. I gave them a second chance and found out I had been kidding myself. This new record is no different. I suppose you could classify … Read more
The Appleseed Cast
Two Conversations
Tiger Style (2003)
Not looking to rest on their laurels of having three of my favorite CD's ever(LLO 1 & 2, Mare Vitalis), The Appleseed Cast defected to Tiger Style records for their newest effort, Two Conversations. The concept of Two Conversations is one of broken hearts and rekindled love. The first five songs of the record are about a relationship that is … Read more
The Beatles
Let It Be...Naked
Capitol (2003)
What if Ringo finally realized that he wasn't selling out shows like his buddy Paul? What if Paul's queen may have drained her spending account and put a considerable hole in his? What if both were afraid of their ties to an alleged murderer? The Beatles have seen their share of these sticky situations, and how do they get themselves … Read more
The Black Dahlia Murder
Unhallowed
Metal Blade (2003)
There seems to be a horrible trend sweeping the lands of America like The Plague. Kids everywhere are going to salons to get their hair done, wearing silly white belts, and whining more than the emo kids we all used to hate two years ago. This trend has been labeled with the misnomer "metalcore." It seems that these bands fail … Read more
The Blood Brothers
Burn Piano Island, Burn
Artist Direct (2003)
I don't even know where to begin. The Blood Brothers are one of the hardest bands to describe out there right now. The terms 'avant-hardcore' and 'artsy hardcore' are thrown around a great deal, but they don't even begin to describe what the Blood Brothers are doing. Dual vocals that stand out more than any other vocalist(s) I have ever … 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 Blood Brothers
Burn Piano Island, Burn
Artist Direct (2003)
A year and a half ago, I picked up this band's first full-length CD, This Adultery Is Ripe. and brought it with me through Italy that summer. The urban centers seemed like a perfect backdrop for the music. The uncomfortable humidity, overflowing materialism and excessive amount of skin all embody the Blood Brothers' sound. Burn Piano Island, Burn is the … Read more
The Bronx
The Bronx
Ferret (2003)
Now, I can't claim to know much about this band. I don't know what they are ex-members of or where they're from, but I do know this... this record bored me to no end. It kicks off kind of promising, actually. The opening track, "Heart Attack American", starts off with hushed guitar and drums, and then just explodes into a … Read more
The Darkness
Permission To Land
Atlantic (2003)
The Darkness couldn't have arrived at a more bizarre time in mainstream rock music. With scores of pedantic nü-metallers, insipid garage rock revivalists, and happy-go-lucky mall punks currently occupying the charts and airwaves, a ragtag bunch of English boys with a fondness for the grandiose, lighthearted classic rock of yesteryear would seem unlikely candidates for success. But, lo and behold, … Read more
The Deathray Davies
Midnight At the Black Nail Polish Factory
Glurp (2003)
This Dallas based band made their own bed and now they have to lie in it. Their press releases and website state that their latest effort Midnight at the Black Nail Polish Factory sounds like: "The Pixies at their tightest and The Beach Boys at their loosest." We interrupt this broadcast for a healthy and much deserved scoff. There might, … 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 Dismemberment Plan
A People's History of...
Desoto (2003)
First off, the Dismemberment Plan gets props just for the fact that this record came out. Consistently innovative while they were active, the band is being just as interesting, if not more so, posthumously, by posting all their songs on their website and having fans download them and remix them. As far as the remixes here go, they either fall … Read more
The Distillers
Coral Fang
Warner Bros. (2003)
I hate the Distillers a lot less than I'd like to proclaim.....or do I? I'll admit, on each of the Distillers' previous works, I could find a song or two that was actually rather enjoyable. Amongst the array of other punk revivalist bands, the Distillers manage to stand above a good portion of those other bands who really have nothing … Read more
