The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza
Danza II: The Electric Boogaloo
Black Market Activities (2007)
This Louisiana/Tennessee metal conglomerate has a fairly funny yet juvenile name that is likely a huge hit with the faux-hardcore kids. But rather than live off of namesake alone, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza can actually write a good song or two. Danza II: The Electric Boogaloo is the band's second full-length and third overall release. Since releasing their self-titled … Read more
The Tossers
Agony
Victory (2007)
A handful of records on multiple labels, a World Series game, a Jimmy Kimmel appearance, a solo record...not bad for a band of Southside Chicagoans I first heard opening for Citizen Fish in 2000. With Agony, The Tossers' second release on Victory Records, they continue to steadily grow in popularity and release almost an album per year. Often overlooked by … Read more
The Unlovables
Heartsickle
Whoa Oh/Crafty (2007)
I first heard The Unlovables on Crafty Record's New York vs. New Jersey Punk Rock Battle Royal compilation. They were one of the bands that didn't blow me away on first listen, but after repeated spins their songs were among my favorite and I quickly picked up Heartsickle, their second full-length. The Unlovables play mid-90's style pop-punk, featuring powerful female … Read more
The Weakerthans
Reunion Tour
Epitaph (2007)
Few of us lead the jet-set life, so when television and tabloid magazines glorify the lives of celebrities it often leaves us feeling ordinary and under whelmed. Could our lives be that anti-climatic? Where does meaning lie in the routine? Is there anything extraordinary about everyday life? John K. Samson wouldn't answer the question straight; instead he'd tell you a … Read more
The White Stripes
Icky Thump
Warner Bros. (2007)
"Ecky Thump," a Lancashire colloquialism, is most commonly described as slang for an exclamation of surprise, disbelief, or in recognition of something amazing. Icky Thump, The White Stripes sixth studio album, definitely lives up to it's name. The band released a statement on their official website explaining that: The White Stripes have completed the recording and mixing of their sixth … Read more
The Wonder Years
Get Stoked on it!
No Sleep (2007)
I love Set Your Goals, but the popularity of the band's amalgamation of pop-punk and melodic hardcore has brought forth a million and a half wannabes. Sure, New Found Glory started it all (though they pretty much stuck to pop-punk), but I'll be damned if I haven't heard ten new clones this week alone. Philadelphia's The Wonder Years are the … Read more
the_Network
This is Your Pig's Portrait
Black Market Activities (2007)
The_Network poises itself to be one of the weirdest albums of 2007 despite the fact that it was released on the twenty-third day of the year. While they were lead to write the songs on This is Your Pig's Portrait after attending a Bloodlet show, I don't think all but the most trained and knowing ears would pick Bloodlet as … Read more
Theo and the Skyscrapers
So Many Ways to Die
Dark Daddy (2007)
It really is a double-edged sword to be visually compelling and a bit theatrical as a musician. If you're not Bowie and it isn't 1972, it's a pretty fine balance to strike with any success. Sometimes the visuals distract and obscure, and that's all there is to it. It seems to me that New York City's Theo and the Skyscrapers … Read more
These Days
Chained to the Lake
Twelve Gauge (2007)
Following the release of their debut full-length, one of my favorites of 2005, These Days went on indefinite hiatus. Needless to say, I was bummed out by the announcement. But after little more than a year off, the band decided to give it another go, and with a revamped lineup got to work on playing shows and writing new songs. … Read more
Thieves and Assassins
Martyr Brigade
Iron Pier (2007)
Everything I get in for review goes through the same process. The first thing I do after I greedily rip into the manila envelope like a kid on Christmas is check out the layout. You can tell a lot just from a cover of a CD. Usually if the cover depicts a scene of armored knights upon horseback fending off … Read more
This Ending
Inside the Machine
Metal Blade (2007)
This Ending's Inside the Machine is a creeper. The first time I heard it, I really didn't care for it. It was alright, but the music seemed somewhat stilted and uninspired. Sure it was heavy, but so are a lot of groups - groups that manage to be more interesting, as well. Then, as I'm wont to do, I gave … Read more
Tides / Giant
Split
Teenage Disco Bloodbath (2007)
Level Plane Records and Teenage Disco Bloodbath Records have partnered together as they team up two extremely underrated artists, at least in my eyes. Originally released on vinyl format last year, this split release is finally available as a CD (from what I can only assume to be the success of the vinyl version). For this offering Tides, now hailing … Read more
Tiger Army
Music from Regions Beyond
Hellcat (2007)
First things first, where the bloody hell is the Roman numeral? This is Tiger Army IV: Music from Regions Beyond, not just Music from Regions Beyond. I feel a little lost and confused with a Tiger Army album title like this. And only eleven tracks? Who is in charge here? I demand they get back in the studio and give … Read more
Tim Armstrong
A Poet's Life
Hellcat (2007)
It was in 1994 at age thirteen that I first skipped a day of school and popped Rancid's Let's Go into my stereo. Now thirteen years later, the album still holds up as a classic. Say what you will about their jump to a major label and the last two Rancid records; the fact remains that kids years from now … Read more
Time to Escape
Time to Escape
Grave Mistake (2007)
Bands like Time to Escape are the reason I picked up a record player. It's not so I can score crucial pre-order/fest only vinyl. It's because hardcore bands like Time to Escape just sound that much more raw and frenetic on vinyl than they ever would on CD. Time to Escape is a fast snotty hardcore band from the nation's … Read more
To the Lions
Baptism of Fire
Goodfellow (2007)
In 2005, former members of Grade and Confine, among others, resurfaced with a new project To the Lions. The band issued up a demo recording of metal-infused hardcore in the vein of 90's greats Unbroken and Integrity. Being just a demo there were the obvious flaws, but two years later the band is back with their debut full-length, Baptism of … Read more
Today is the Day
Axis of Eden
SuperNova (2007)
I don't think I have ever felt as polarized about a record as I feel about Axis of Eden. I think a large part of the reason is that I really want to like it, but I just can't overcome its overbearing flaws. Today is the Day is almost inarguably one of metal's most revered and tenured metal acts (and … Read more
Tokyo Police Club
Smith
Paperbag (2007)
Back in 2006, a small post-punk quartet from Newmarket, Ontario hit the club scene and blew people away with their brilliant live shows. They then released their first album to critical acclaim and became a major Internet buzz band. Tokyo Police Club has returned in 2007 with a short but sweet three song EP that is the follow up to … Read more
