Noxagt
The Iron Point
Load (2004)
There's this pretty great interview in the most recent issue of Chunklet magazine which talks to Pen Rollings of Honor Roll, more recently of Loincloth fame. In the article, he talks about how all those European metal bands that burn churches down and totally front like they're hard are, in fact, pussies who try too hard. As a result, he … Read more
Oceansize
Effloresce
Beggars Banquet (2004)
A lot of my friends feel they have a duty to recommend me music. I don't mean to sound conceited, but I'm quite an educated individual when it comes to music of multiple genres. So when a friend suggests something to me, it's more often than not something I've already heard. But if I do have a weak spot in … Read more
Oceansize
Music for Nurses
Beggars Banquet (2004)
For Oceansize, 2004 has been quite a delightful year. The band saw the re-release of their debut full-length, Effloresce, here in the US as well as a mini-tour that followed. They were able to conquer our fair country despite the geographical distance from their home. And with the most recent release of their new EP, Music for Nurses, they are … Read more
Of Montreal
Satanic Panic in the Attic
Polyvinyl (2004)
One of the most prominent acts to emerge from the Elephant 6 collective, Of Montreal originated from Athens, Georgia, and is fronted by vocalist and guitarist Kevin Barnes and features bassist Nina Barnes, guitarist/synthesizer Jason NeSmith, guitarist Bryan Poole, keyboardist Dottie Alexander and drummer James Huggins. Since their conception in 1997, the group has released several albums prior to the … Read more
Old Canes
Early Morning Hymns
Second Nature Recordings (2004)
Imagine waking up and stepping outside of a small cabin. The sun is just rising over the trees on a cool autumn day, the dew on the grass is still there and the sun is reflecting off of it. The leaves are catching a breeze and calmly whispering. Small songbirds are singing back and forth to each other and the … Read more
Old Man Gloom
Christmas
Tortuga Recordings (2004)
After an extensive delay, the rabid and hopeful fans sporting various Hydrahead affiliated t-shirts can finally rest. Old Man Gloom's Christmas brings an end to a three year drought since the simultaneous release of full-lengths Seminar II: The Holy Rites of Primitivism and Seminar III: Zozobra back in 2001. The delay is excusable due to the busy schedules of the … Read more
Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez
A Manual Dexterity: Soundtrack Volume 1
GSL (2004)
Fans of the bespectacled Omar of At The Drive-In/Mars Volta fame will already have an idea of how this record will sound thanks to Rodriguez-Lopez's creative and original guitar work in both bands. More notably in The Mars Volta (where Rodriguez wrote most of the songs) his passion for synths, drum machines, strange vocals and heavily effect-laden guitars was documented … Read more
On Fire
This Time it is Forever
Magic Bullet (2004)
With the crumbling of The Burning Paris, a void was left that needed to be filled. The Burning Paris' farewell of And By December You'll Know Where You're Heart Truly Lies was the masterpiece that everyone ignored. Only four songs, one being a Smiths' cover that managed to one up the original, the album was gut wrenching and utterly soothing … Read more
One Dead Three Wounded
Paint The Town
Lovelost (2004)
Living in California definitely has its perks. There's the near perfect weather, bodacious waves to hang ten upon, killer earthquakes that hella shred, beautiful ladies with even more beautiful brains (JK ON THAT!), and tons of other stereotypes that are all 100% true. But don't get me wrong, chill ass brah, this isn't perfect-land. As evidence of the lack of … Read more
Onelinedrawing
The Volunteers
Jade Tree (2004)
Long before the MTV defined "screamo" fad took the music world by storm, there was the underground phenomenon Far, a four-piece outfit from Sacramento, CA. And fronting this pioneering group was Jonah Matranga, one of the most beloved and respected songwriters in music today. His honest lyrics and soothing harmonies epitomized a genre that owes a lot to him for … Read more
Panda Bear
Young Prayer
Paw Tracks (2004)
Though Young Prayer is intended to act as a eulogy for Animal Collective member Panda Bear's (a.k.a. Noah Lennox) recently deceased father, it feels more like a bittersweet celebration of his life than a sorrow-filled reflection. Drawing upon modern classical music (Track 3), tribal African chants (Track 5), traditional Jewish hymns (Track 9), as well as the stylistic imprint of … Read more
Parts & Labor/Tyondai Braxton
Rise Rise Rise
Narnack (2004)
Brooklyn strikes again with this 2-for-1 bargain from noise rock provocateurs Parts & Labor and loop-based composer Tyondai Braxton. Rise Rise Rise may only be the second major release from each of the two parties involved, but surprisingly enough, it manages to exhibit more progress than a second - not to mention split - release would normally demonstrate. Parts & … Read more
Pedro the Lion
Achilles Heel
Jade Tree (2004)
Of all the bands I've liked at one point, I don't think I've received quite as much flack for any as much as I have Pedro the Lion. I've never quite 'gotten' the abhorrence some have felt for the band, as vocalist and lyricist David Bazan seems to teeter just far enough between both gratingly annoying and remarkably above par … Read more
Pinback
Summer In Abaddon
Touch & Go (2004)
Directly after the cover of Pinback's photographically dense lyrics booklet, there is a certain image that I consider of extreme relevance to the rest of this tight, ten-track album. It's a picture of a staircase set in arid yellow stone, one that leads downwards into an old underground bunker. This image, along with a similar and intrinsically linked photo at … Read more
Plan of Attack
The Working Dead
Organized Crime (2004)
Upon their inception a few years ago, Plan of Attack was already a cut above a lot of the hardcore bands in the Midwest. Now, a demo, a 7", and a live 7" split with Terror & The Promise later, they continue to remain a cut above most of the hardcore bands around. Perhaps it's the background diversity of the … Read more
Pride Kills
Life of Hate
Carjacker (2004)
While the majority of Texas seems to think that listening to indie rock and "emo" is where all the fun and hype are at, there are those in the know that can attest that people like that know nothing about Texas, let alone its music. During my short-lived time in Texas, I came to discover that the true pride of … Read more
Psyopus
Ideas of Reference
Black Market Activities (2004)
If legendary musicians were born today, what would they pursue? Would Buddy Rich attempt to create the fastest blast beats, rivaling even those of drum machines? Would Jimi Hendrix attempt to front a metal band and shred like none other? Would Bach sit behind a computer composing epic masterpieces for ravers to "roll" to? Most "musical legends" had no problem … Read more
Q and Not U
Power
Dischord (2004)
Mike Watt famously said that the Minutemen "divided the whole world into two categories: there were flyers and the gig. You're either doing the gig, which is like one hour of your life or everything else to get people to the gig. Interviews were flyers, videos were flyers, even records were flyers. We didn't tour to promote records, we made … Read more
