Pyongyang Metro
Tower of White Tigers
Arsenic (2007)
Pyongyang Metro is a tough band to separate from their other projects. The band shares members with Off With Their Heads, Rivethead, and Banner Pilot - bands with a unifying sound that's hard to dismiss. Tower of White Tigers, their debut release, is a different beast. It is the second release from Arsenic Records who, per their outdated Myspace page, … Read more
Pyramids
Through the Hourglass
Protagonist Music (2007)
Fuck "emo," fuck "screamo." Let's talk about music with intensity and passion. Pyramids' second full-length release, Through the Hourglass, features eight equally brutal and beautiful songs. I was fortunate enough to recently see the band perform at the Lo-Fi Social Club in Baltimore; after their set (prolonged one song by a unanimous call for an "encore"), I couldn't help but … Read more
Queens of the Stone Age
Era Vulgaris
Interscope (2007)
Over the years, Queens of the Stone Age have managed to carve a deep niche into the hard stubbornness of mainstream music. Like his previous band Kyuss before, Josh Homme has created in Queens of the Stone Age a unique sound and style that sticks out like crazy on a milquetoast landscape. While the albums individually aren't always the most … Read more
Qui
Love's Miracle
Ipecac (2007)
Paul Christensen. Matt Cronk. David Yow. The former two names you have not heard before. The latter name you probably have. The latter name is a legend, in fact. The former two, not so much. David Yow was a member of two legendary bands - Scratch Acid and The Jesus Lizard. Both great bands of the early nineties who, while … Read more
Radiohead
In Rainbows
Independent (2007)
What Radiohead have done with the release of In Rainbows will be talked about for years to come. At best, and only time will tell, it will be looked at as changing the industry as we know it, giving the consumer more power than ever before. At worst, it will be known as a failed experiment, but still remembered with … Read more
Ramones
It's Alive 1974-1996
Rhino (2007)
The Ramones are finished. Over. Unlike their peers from the 1970's, there will be no reunion tours. Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee have passed on. That's three out of the four original members. Tommy's playing with Uncle Monk, a bluegrass duo bringing full-circle the original mission statement of CBGB's. Marky's in and out of the Misfits. Ritchie's now brought up … Read more
Rampage
Limit of Destruction
Lockin Out (2007)
Boston-based hardcore outfit Rampage unleash thirteen tracks of thrash influenced hardcore on Limit of Destruction. Some of the cuts here take on a definite New York hardcore vibe, while others incorporate a more tharshy and early crossover sound of D.R.I. The title-track was definitely my favorite song on this 12", it had a good groove and nice 90's styled breakdown. … Read more
Ramparts
Tramps Like Us
Independent (2007)
Complacency is one of the greatest threats to hardcore's continued vitality. Many bands fail to grasp the importance of taking risks to produce a fresh sound. Even more frustrating are lyricists who allow hardcore to become insular. On their Tramps Like Us demo, Ramparts make certain they are committed to fighting stagnation. What struck me first about Ramparts was how … Read more
Ravens and Chimes
Reichenbach Falls
Better Looking (2007)
Lets paint a picture. After weeks of midterms and presentations in combination with 'seasonal' weather, I couldn't decide if I was more exhausted or cold. I was half asleep riding shotgun back to my parents house when I first slid Ravens and Chimes into the CD deck of my best friend's over sized SUV. About a week previously both of … Read more
Red Handed
Red Handed
Rivalry (2007)
Red Handed plays fast angry hardcore with pissed off lyrics about being pissed off about being pissed off. Red Handed isn't your regular emotional hardcore output you'd expect from Rivalry. This 7" is the perfect soundtrack for drained swimming pools and grinding curbs. Void cover included. I have no idea why hardcore kids aren't talking more about this band; this … Read more
Restrained
You Have Nothing to Lose but Your Chains
Glory Kid (2007)
A demo tape - heck yeah! It's been quite a while since I've seen one of these. Restrained blast through seven songs - one an intro - in just under ten minutes. The tracks contained here are quite reminiscent of the His Hero is Gone/Tragedy school of punk. The songs are gritty and fast; the vocals are coarse and yelled … Read more
Rilo Kiley
Under the Blacklight
Warner Bros. (2007)
Rilo Kiley has finally joined forces again with their fourth full-length album, Under the Blacklight. It has been three years since the band made their widely praised More Adventurous album, released in 2004. Since then, Rilo Kiley took a break from each other with solo projects. Jenny Lewis released Rabbit Fur Coat featuring the Watson Twins in 2006, while Blake … Read more
Ringfinger
Decimal
Little Black Cloud (2007)
The history behind Ringfinger's Decimal is rather interesting. Tracy Wilson, whom some of you may remember from Dahlia Seed, started the project shortly after the demise of her former group. Wilson originally wrote and recorded rough versions of these songs before seeking out many close friends to add, tweak, dismantle, and/or reassemble the songs with their own artistic insights. Now, … Read more
Rishloo
Eidolon
Rishloo (2007)
Music enthusiasts with more discerning tastes often feel Tool's work over the last ten years is a little - lacking. Could you really blame them for this? Whether it's a result of the group being spread too thin between other projects or maybe truly running out of ideas after "96, it's pretty obvious that Maynard James Keenan and crew have … Read more
Ritual
Wolves
Still Life (2007)
I don't know what it is but Europeans love vegan and straightedge hardcore a lot more than us Americans do, or at least they come across as more passionate about them than the average hardcore fan here. I can't explain it nor will I attempt to do so. I just know there is a greater concentration of those types of … Read more
Rob Crow
Living Well
Temporary Residence (2007)
Rob Crow is everywhere. Just the sheer amount of the bands he has been in could take up the word quota for this review. To sum it up though he has been in such bands as Heavy Vegetable, Ladies, Goblin Cock, and most notably Pinback. This disc takes a lot from Pinback and even has resemblances to Pinback's 1999 debut … Read more
Robots and Empires
Omnivore
Trip Machine Laboratories (2007)
For a while it seemed like people in hardcore bands would undergo this metamorphosis that changed them from raging balls of adolescent angst into sensitive young adults channeling that angst with more subtlety in their music. This initially spawned the post-hardcore movement where bands like Into Another and Quicksand came into existence. This cycle seems to continue on in one … Read more
Rocky Votolato
A Brief History (Reissue)
Second Nature (2007)
It is real nice that Rocky Votolato's A Brief History is available again. With the original label - Your Best Guess Records - going the way of the Dodo, this underappreciated gem went out of print. Second Nature, thankfully, has the foresight to make this available for people again, and just in time for the release of Votolato's forthcoming new … Read more
