St. Vincent
Marry Me
Beggars Banquet (2007)
Those familiar with Sufjan Stevens or The Polyphonic Spree might recognize Annie Clark for her accompaniment to their most recent tours and discs. Earlier this year the multitalented indie rock darling released her first solo LP under the stage name St. Vincent. Like the aforementioned bands, Clark pushes forward her fair share of quirks in the triumphant debut that is … Read more
Stag
Stag
Independent (2007)
Stag is a two-piece sludge-metal outfit from Missouri. This self-released four-song EP is a definite homage to the likes of early Neurosis with doom metal experimentation here and there. The drumwork of Ash over the four songs is quite impressive as he unveils a wide variety of techniques. The guitars handled by Michael are thick as molasses, though he occasionally … Read more
Stalaggh
Projekt Misanthropia
Autopsy Kitchen (2007)
When John Zorn released his Kristallnacht album, it contained one track of sheer horror, anger, and sorrow all rolled into one. Entitled "Never Again," Zorn did his utmost to convey his interpretation of the "Night of Broken Glass." The track is essentially just that: over eleven minutes of the unbearable sound of glass shattering. Zorn even went so far, though … Read more
Stars are Falling
The Consequence of Revenge
Blood & Ink (2007)
Sacramento's Stars are Falling are yet another in long line of bands coming out of California and inking a deal with Blood & Ink Records, an imprint of Facedown Records. So you basically know what you are going to get here even before you listen to it. Yup, you guessed it more Jesus loving metalcore that today's sleeveless t-shirt camo … Read more
Stars of the Lid
And Their Refinement of the Decline
Kranky (2007)
When it comes to currently running ambient acts, they do not get any more prolific than Stars of the Lid. Having released material since 1995, the duo made up of Brian McBride and Adam Wiltzie have relocated since releasing their last album and absolute masterpiece The Tired Sounds Of... and found themselves living more than 6,000 miles apart. This distance … Read more
Stencil
The Dead Lie Golden
Independent (2007)
Hailing from Seattle, Stencil comes with their debut album The Dead Lie Golden. They have touted themselves as an orchestral indie band which draws stylistically from established artists such as Elliott Smith, Sufjan Stevens, and Neutral Milk Hotel. Really now, if your band could successfully draw from all those artists, your band would be a musical juggernaut, maybe even revolutionary … Read more
Step Forward
10 Song EP
Painkiller (2007)
I know it may be news to some people out there, but Mental broke edge. However, not all members did as Dance Floor Justin drums for yet another Boston straight edge hardcore band. Fast and (10 songs, no shit?) furious 80's styled hardcore that will bring as many circle pits as it will mosh pits. Every song seems to have … Read more
Strangers
Holding
Action Man (2007)
Many Americans tend to take our music scene for granted, very rarely looking outside of our borders for new music. But if the last couple of years writing reviews has taught me anything, it's that there is a just as much music, if not more, deserving of recognition coming from areas outside the United States. Five-piece hardcore outfit Strangers may … Read more
Strangers
Weight
Action Man (2007)
Earlier this year Strangers really grabbed my interest with their four-song EP, Holding. On that release, five individuals from New Zealand delivered a devastating aural assault. So here we are a couple of months down the road and Strangers have unleashed their debut full-length, Weight, upon the masses. The album begins with "Expositions," a two-minute number that picks up exactly … Read more
Striborg
Nefaria
Southern Lord (2007)
When all else is said and done, I like my metal like I like my coffee: black, bottomless, and smelling like the inside of a cave. It doesn't need to be fancy. No cream, no sugar no artificial flavors to make it more palatable. Sparse arrangements with sparser production that sounds like it was recorded amongst the smoldering remnants of … Read more
Strung Out
Blackhawks Over Los Angeles
Fat Wreck Chords (2007)
If you're like me, you grew up buying compilations from punk rock labels. It was like opening up a treasure box and finding jewels of new music to marvel at. As Fat Wreck Chords was putting out comps such as Survival of the Fattest and Physical Fatness, Strung Out always stood out to me as doing something unique, having a … Read more
Sundowner
Four One Five Two
Red Scare (2007)
I've always thought of The Lawrence Arms' guitarist Chris McCaughan as a bit of a lyrical genius, being able to ever so eloquently put to those seemingly indescribable feelings of your mid-twenties to words. The real magic of his game is the ability to do all of this over the distorted guitars and colossal drums that are often the foreground … Read more
Supreme Commander
120 Years in the Business!
A389 (2007)
Fast rocking hardcore that sounds like it wants to be on the late 80's Epitaph back catalog. Extremely catchy, it makes me want to grab my board and skate some empty pools even though I haven't touched a skateboard since I was five years old. At times 120 Years in the Business! has bit of old school NYHC type feel … Read more
Supreme Commander / Alive at Last
Split
Bishop 19 (2007)
The first six tracks on this split CD are from Supreme Commander whose 7" I reviewed and whole-heartily enjoyed a few months back. Supreme Commander play tuneful melodic quick paced punk that once ruled the roster of Epitaph Records in the mid-90's. If you wish to recall bands like Pennywise, NOFX, and Bad Religion and if you yearn for the … Read more
Sweet Cobra
Forever
Hawthorne Street (2007)
Attempting to mix hardcore, d-beat, and riff heavy rock, Sweet Cobra does each with authority but sound unfocused when fusing them all at once. Credit is due though for attempting to splice genres, making a hybrid of crushing music. At times Forever sounds like a From Ashes Rises record, worthy of the crust title but still accessible enough to appeal … Read more
Symphorce
Become Death
Metal Blade (2007)
This record really surprised me. When I got it, I was excited about the fact that they are a power metal band. I can't get enough of the stuff, so naturally I was stoked. I started checking out the CD insert and saw that they are from Germany. Germany has given birth to some of my favorite power metal bands. … Read more
Taken Under
Silence Your Enemies
High Fidelity (2007)
Tennessee hardcore. I know what you're thinking; you thought everyone from Tennessee that was into music plays country. Well you're wrong. Although, the five gentlemen that comprise Taken Under may also dabble at playing country as a side-gig for all I know. Silence Your Enemies is the band's debut effort and is six songs (one intro and five actual songs) … Read more
Talk is Poison
Condensed Humanity: The Prank EPs
Prank (2007)
At last. A fairly short-lived, late '90s hardcore band, Talk is Poison seemed to stick in the heads of connoisseurs after disbanding, leaving behind a small but dedicated cadre of fans. They produced three records - two EPs and a split with Deathreat - and after many laments about this material going out of print, it's nice to see all … Read more
