The Sawtooth Grin
Cuddlemonster
Dead By 1918 (2004)
The only thing that kept repeating in my head the entire time I listened to this record was "Wow, the Locust certainly do this whole 'chaos' thing a lot better." And that's my opinion of the whole thing, really. It's a big mess of high-pitched (we're talking exceedingly high-pitched) vocals and drums pushed all the way to the front. The … Read more
The Sawtooth Grin
Cuddlemonster
Dead By 1918 (2004)
The Sawtooth Grin are quite the listen. From the first track, you are thrown into a whirlwind of grind, fronted with a singer that has, quite possibly, the most annoying scream in the world. That scream though is like that one guy you meet and you really don't like him at first. Then you go out one night, he gives … Read more
The Shore
The Shore
Maverick (2004)
Could it be that my computer has a secret quality music detector and it was trying to warn me? My computer isn't that advanced, in fact, most of the time it is just dysfunctional. It is sufficient enough to play a CD, however, this time it refused to play The Shore's self-titled debut album. The CD drive made an awful … Read more
The Thrills
Let's Bottle Bohemia
Virgin (2004)
Foreign territories naturally exude mystery and romance. Dubliners the Thrills found California so intriguing that they wrote their whole debut, So Much for the City, about it. Their blatant references in song titles, from "Big Sur," "Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far)," to "Hollywood Kids," and their Beach Boys-influenced pop made them the best California band that wasn't from California … Read more
The Veils
The Runaway Found
Sanctuary (2004)
Finn Andrews, the vocalist and guitarist of the Veils, once posed alone in front of a cemetery. The building behind the cemetery was grey, old, and had shingles flaking off the roof. The grass was an unsightly shade between jaundice yellow and moss green. There was a tree looming above the scene was bare and angular. Andrews fit right in … Read more
The Von Bondies
Pawn Shoppe Heart
Warner Bros. (2004)
Prior to listening to Pawn Shoppe Heart, my exposure to The Von Bondies had been rather lacking, and the only reason I was even slightly familiar with their name was the same reason anyone else was: Jack White. If you don't know what I'm referring to, it is best it stays that way and let The Von Bondies music speaks … Read more
The Warriors
War is Hell
Eulogy (2004)
Three months back I attempted to review War is Hell, but something more pressing came up to displace the debut full-length from The Warriors from atop my review pile. On occasion after occasion, I passed over reviewing the album in favor of something else. Then, last week I took in a show that The Warriors happened to be playing and … Read more
These Arms Are Snakes
Oxeneers or The Lion Sleeps When Its Antelopes Go Home
Jade Tree (2004)
The anticipation of the release of a new album is always a difficult burden to bear. That burden is only intensified when said album comes from one of your current favorite performing acts. But as the day draws nearer and nearer, questions form in your head of what you will hear versus what you expected, the most important being the … Read more
These Days
Death Sentence
Run for Cover (2004)
Before we begin I'd like to officially admit that I have a problem. I have an obsession with the Nor Cal hardcore scene. So if this review seems a little biased, it really isn't my fault. Especially since the Bay Area and surrounding areas have the most promising scene in hardcore. The latest rising star to come out of the … Read more
This is Hell
This is Hell (Demo)
Run for Cover (2004)
Essentially, there are two types of hardcore bands. The first gravitates towards kids who are really into hardcore. The second is enjoyed by casual hardcore fans. Then there are the bands that fit in both categories (Terror, American Nightmare, etc.) Although this is This Is Hell's first release, a demo/EP, all the ingredients are present for This Is Hell to … Read more
Through The Eyes Of The Dead
The Scars Of Ages
Lovelost (2004)
A lot of the time when I see "true metal" kids referring to metalcore they put quotes around the metal because it's not true enough for them. After millions of hours of research upon the topic I came upon a few realizations on the subject of the difference between metal and metalcore. For the most part what it comes down … Read more
Tilly and the Wall
Wild Like Children
Team Love (2004)
Tilly and the Wall is the first band to be signed onto Conor Oberst's label, Team Love. The team is so full of love that they are offering Tilly's entire debut album Wild Like Children here for free. Eat that, you money-grubbing major record label mongers! I bought the album anyway, because I like having the artwork and lyrics in … Read more
Tortoise
It's All Around You
Thrill Jockey (2004)
Tortoise are one of those bands that never seem to live up to my expectations. Of course I think they're amazing musicians and everything, but I'm always expecting a little bit more. I think a lot of other people do as well. Sadly, I think this is a result of the genius that was Millions Now Living Will Never Die. … Read more
Tree Wave
Cabana
Made Up (2004)
The sound is akin to being smothered by some heavenly, heavily pixilated pillow- warm washes of analog static, compressed layers of computerized bleeps, waves of soft, arpeggiated trills, and a beautiful voice emerging from the dense, intoxicating cloud. Tree Wave are a Dallas-based duo that write fantastic, mind-bending songs with nothing more than some antiquated technology (Commodore 64's, Dot Matrix … Read more
Tunes For Bears To Dance To
7"
Somberlain (2004)
Who wants to be sad forever? While most screamo bands wallow in their sadness and hide beneath the stairs in a gutter of sorrow, Tunes For Bears To Dance To drop kicks any tear in sight and bursts through the fog into sunshine. Not only do they absorb the Vitamin D from the sun's rays, but they suck it in … Read more
TV on the Radio
Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Touch & Go (2004)
Young Liars was one of the most exceptional releases that I have heard in recent years. It caught me completely off guard. Based on the descriptions I was given prior, I anticipated to be extremely bored. Despite the warnings of others, I went forward and purchased the album blindly. I don't regret it for a moment. Now a year later, … Read more
Underoath
They're Only Chasing Safety
Tooth & Nail (2004)
Within the world of science there exist certain absolutes that are ever-present and unchanging. While most of these laws are complex to the nth degree, even even the most common simpleton can understand a few of them. For example, the majority of the population knows that no matter how hard you try, oil and water will never mix. Similarly, with … Read more
Van Johnson
Holiday Tour EP
Independent (2004)
The first time I heard of Van Johnson, I assumed it was a porn star. Immediately when I got home from seeing Off Minor and overhearing a conversation about them, I fired up my computer. It was pornography time for me! (this is also known as "Zed Time") I whipped it out and soon after realized that disappointment was in … Read more
