Willy Mason
If the Ocean Gets Rough
Astralwerks (2007)
Listening to Willy Mason, it is hard to remember that the voice being projected through the speakers belongs to a youth barely twenty-two years old. His voice is a true hybrid, mixing influences of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and William Elliot Whitmore, producing a voice that is mature beyond its years. Accompanied by an array of instruments that help to … Read more
Wisdom in Chains
Class War
Eulogy (2007)
A lot has been made lately of the throwback sounds that are ultra popular in hardcore these days. It seems that if you're not biting from the likes of Integrity, then you're probably ripping of Lifetime. Or, if neither of those are your cup of tea, you'll stealing a page from the early Revelation bands like Burn. Well, keeping with … Read more
Witchcraft
The Alchemist
Rise Above (2007)
If you have heard of this band recently then chances are that it will be related to a certain "southern super group" and their recent resurgence. These Swedes embrace the seventies and are said to be the sole reason that Down, with former Pantera screamer Phil Anselmo at the helm, were revitalized and released arguably their finest recording in 2007. … Read more
Wold
Screech Owl
Profound Lore (2007)
Ever hear of Wold? No? I too am hearing them for the first time. I will say that this is a disturbing record. I understand that being cooped up on the frozen wastes of Saskatchewan probably affects the sound that they produce a great deal. Holy shit this is disturbing. Screech Owl opens with "An Habitation of Dragons and a … Read more
Wolves in the Throne Room
Two Hunters
Southern Lord (2007)
The terms "stripped-down," "raw," and "black metal" are certainly no strangers to each other. Musically speaking, some of the best known bands and albums feature less-than-lackluster production and songwriting, a standard set by older bands such as Darkthrone and Burzum, even if unintentionally. Visually and characteristically though, most black metal bands are infamous for being over-the-top, what with all the … Read more
Woods
At Rear House
Shrimper (2007)
It may seem a bit unproductive to review an album that came out in the early stages of this year, but that's part of what makes Woods the band they are: silently create an album that is noteworthy, but flies below any conventional form of radar. Just as their debut How to Survive In + In the Woods was filled … Read more
Wu-Tang Clan
8 Diagrams
Street Records Corporation (2007)
It almost seemed like this record would never come out. It's been six years since Iron Flag and 14 since 36 Chambers revolutionised hip hop, and in that intervening period, the genre has seen the rise of the shallower side of the performers, with quality production often sidelined in favour of bold statements and styles without the musical muscle to … Read more
Wu-Tang Clan
8 Diagrams
Street Records Corporation (2007)
In 1993, nine MC's hailing from all over New York City came together to release one of the most influential hip hop albums of all time. With incredibly gritty production and razor sharp, kung-fu inspired lyricism, Enter the Wu-Tang; the 36 Chambers took the hip hop world by storm and rap as we knew it would never be the same. … Read more
Wumpscut
Body Census
Metropolis (2007)
Wumpscut has been called many things - aggrotech, hellektro, terror EBM and many other awful genre portmanteaus. If you are new to the band, it would be easiest to say that what they - they being German DJ Rudy Ratzinger - create is electronic music designed to scare. Wumpscut first achieved popularity with "Soylent Green," now a much played club-classic. … Read more
Wyclef Jean
Carnival Volume II: Memoirs of an Immigrant
Columbia (2007)
In 2001, Nas released Stillmatic, a direct play on his first album Illmatic, and an indicator that he was still on top of the rap world. The album's single "Got Ur Self a Gun" featured Nas reminiscing on his previous efforts, stating, "My first album had no famous guest appearances. The outcome? I'm crowned the best lyricist." Stillmatic had no … Read more
Xasthur
Defective Epitaph
Hydra Head (2007)
One-man black metal projects certainly have become overabundant in the past couple of years. I'm not exactly sure what brought on their increased presence in music, but nevertheless, their popularity has grown exponentially in recent years. Xasthur, which is the project of Malefic, has been releasing material under this moniker since 1995. Defective Epitaph is his sixth full-length release and … Read more
xDeathstarx
We are the Threat
Facedown (2007)
Maybe I am the only one that can see the irony in a Christian straightedge band having a song called "The Great Opiate" since organized religion has always been thought of the opiate of the masses for free thinking atheists around the world. Then again, I don't think xDeathstarx could bang two brain cells in their collective seven heads to … Read more
Year of No Light
Nord
Crucial Blast (2007)
As our global society is brought closer and closer as a result of the Internet and other lightning fast communicative technologies, the influx and exposure of foreign bands and musicians continues to increase in frequency at an unprecedented rate; one label that has fully embraced this global mixing is Crucial Blast who bring the United States the domestic release of … Read more
Years from Now
We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat
Get Outta Town (2007)
I have to admit, Years from Now do shed a tiny bit of warm sunlight into the dank black empty soul of this jaded hardcore scenester in more ways than one. It's nice to see a bunch of rapscallions play melodic hardcore in a quite a way that I can imagine the members of this Floridian band having a record … Read more
Years from Now
We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat
Get Outta Town (2007)
Those of you who read my "Top 5 Awesome Bands SPB Got Into in 2005" feature in the end of the year recap, might remember my mention of Years from Now. Out of Daytona Beach, Florida, Years from Now play infectious melodic hardcore with pop-punk flourishes. Think New Found Glory meets Fastbreak. A melodic hardcore fan can't want much more … Read more
Yo Man Go
Life Lessons
Square of Opposition (2007)
Yo Man Go hail from the eastern part of Pennsylvania and they play melodic punk that'll please fans whose record collections boast releases from the No Idea and Fat Wreck catalogs. This two song 7" is the first issued recording from these punk rock upstarts. "Life Lessons" is a melodic punk ditty that features some catch guitar riffs and crooned … Read more
Young Widows / Plows
Split
Auxiliary (2007)
There are certain times when I enjoy championing bands, and Young Widows' cause is definitely one that I find myself really enjoying. This split, their latest recording and first since 2006's Settle Down City, is something that I have been waiting for since I last saw them play when the band performed some new material for the first time in … Read more
Youth Group
Casino Twilight Dogs
Anti (2007)
Australian-bred power-pop/indie-rock band Youth Group has returned with their second U.S. release, and third overall, with Casino Twilight Dogs and damn is it good. The dark and haunting lyrics matched with shimmering guitar chords and vocalist Toby Martin's smooth, pop-perfect delivery made 2004's Skeleton Jar a strange disc to behold as it didn't seem like it should have been so … Read more
