Braintoy
Vehicles
Independent (2008)
Whether the music a band presents is groundbreaking or not, it's undoubtedly an awesome accomplishment when its members learn and develop much quicker than expected - as such is the case with Braintoy. Like most young artists just starting out, they saw it fit to hone their sound almost footprint-to-footprint with their influences. Braintoy's 2005 EP, Tremors, saw the crew … Read more
Brainworms / Tubers
Split
Dead Tank (2008)
Brainworms continue their progression with each release. With numerous recordings under their belts by now, the band has finally come to a point where they're finding their own identity. The band offers up "Jay's Big Date," equal parts punk ethos and indie rock, comparable at times to that of Minus the Bear's work on Menos el Oso. They follow it … Read more
Bridge and Tunnel
East/West
No Idea (2008)
If there has ever been a band that you would expect to be on No Idea Records that doesn't feature any bands that were ever on the No Idea roster than it would be be Bridge and Tunnel. Honestly, this co-ed four-piece from New York City doesn't even sound like any band on No Idea besides some gruff vocals belted … Read more
Broadcast Sea
Wounded Soldier
Pluto (2008)
Wounded Soldier might be a concept album of sorts since its lyrical compositions are full of themes dealing with the experiences of the brother of Broadcast Sea's vocalist and guitarist, Sterling Wilson, while he serves time as a soldier in Iraq. So right off the bat, Broadcast Sea might present one heavy album. Even though the band is not generally … Read more
Bulldozer
The Hammers
Motherbox (2008)
Sadly this is not a album by recently reformed Italian thrashers Bulldozer but a disc made by a New York band playing bog-standard punk rock with melodic and shouty sing-along choruses. It's hard to get wet and excited over another punk band that has flashes of rock'n roll and sounds like they came straight from the practice room - especially … Read more
Bullet Treatment / It's Casual
Split
Basement (2008)
This split 7" from Basement Records teams up two Los Angeles hardcore veterans for two tracks each: Bullet Treatment and It's Casual. Everything about this record, from the music and the lyrics down to the artwork, screams of the early years of hardcore. Bullet Treatment is back in action again, this time with a new vocalist, Jordan of Vultures United, … Read more
Burning Witch
Crippled Lucifer
Southern Lord (2008)
Hot damn, where have you been all my life Burning Witch! Apparently, as Aaron Turner documents in his liner notes contribution for this two disc CD set (the special edition includes a download card to grab the band's demo and live songs while the Japanese version is a mammoth three CD set) entitled Crippled Lucifer, Burning Witch has "traveled the … Read more
Caestles
We Have Built a New God
Independent (2008)
Caestles is a six-person conglomeration of two bands that have fused together to form one entity. And when you listen to the band's self-released EP, We Have Built a New God, this makes perfect sense. The four songs that comprise this EP takes equal parts atmospheric and electronic-based indie/rock and devastating crushing metalcore. Points of this EP remind me of … Read more
Caithlin de Marrais
My Magic City
End Up (2008)
I will never forget the first time that I heard Caithlin de Marrais' voice; the opening lines of "Rise" off of Rainer Maria's Look Now Look Again reach out from speakers with a naked vulnerability that imbues each word with its own spark and each line with a lifetime of experience. Caithlin's mostly disembodied (save for the times I have … Read more
Caleb Lionheart
Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk
Farewell Party (2008)
New York outfit Caleb Lionheart's first proper offering Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk is a bit of an odd title. Thankfully, the band does not play the mosh-influenced hardcore version of pop-punk of A Day to Remember. Instead the band's fast-paced punk is much closer to Lifetime and Bouncing Souls. Musically, I enjoy what Caleb Lionheart has to offer quite … Read more
Cancer Bats
Hail Destroyer
Metal Blade (2008)
Cancer Bats really confuse me. On one hand, they are almost astonishingly derivative and terrifyingly hip. On the other hand, there is something infectious about their brand of sludge-tinged groove metal that makes me want to drink, fuck, and party all night. And I don't even drink. Following the blueprint set down by their first full-length, Hail Destroyer does nothing … Read more
Candle
Miles and Miles and Miles
Real Love (2008)
Candle is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Kevin Coons, who expanded his solo recording project into a full band. Miles and Miles and Miles is the group's third release in as many years, and boasts a country tinged folk sound with small touches of indie rock. The album begins with "Pennies in a Well," a simple track with a multitude of … Read more
Candygram for Mongo
Candygram for Mongo
CFMedia (2008)
Second record from these L.A. pop punkers. Songs about love, drinking, and disappointing your parents. What else is there in life? "Big Mary" is the best fatty love song since "Whole Lotta Rosie." "I Wonder" could definitely be played on the radio - Steve Jones are you listening? "Drunk in Love" is a great song title, and a cool way … Read more
Cannabis Corpse
Tube of the Resinated
Forcefield (2008)
The equation is very simple. Take several old school death metal fans and add copious amounts of bud. The result is Richmond's very own blaze-driven Cannabis Corpse. The band, whose idea was to express its love for smoking weed and listening to Cannibal Corpse, released their second album, Tube of the Resinated, on April 20th, a fine day to champion … Read more
Capillary Action
So Embarrassing
Pangaea (2008)
There is a small set of musicians that I would consider to be more than just your average artist. When it comes to composing music, the arrangement and execution of these pieces, as one is a feat that only the most talented of individuals can excel at. The most obvious choice to me is Mike Patton. Anyone that has witnessed … Read more
Capsule
Blue
Robotic Empire (2008)
Right off the bat, Capsule's Blue - their first full length and first record for Robotic Empire - is visually stunning in a way that immediately draws one's attention to it, No, it is not all bright colors, but Blue is blessed with a much more subtle example of artwork which effectively utilizes negative space on the cover in the … Read more
Carnal Knowledge
Demo
Independent (2008)
Carnal Knowledge deliver a nice blend of fuzzy guitar-driven punk that is reminiscent of the nascent riot grrl records crossed with the East Bay bounce that anyone growing up punk in the 90's grew to love. And to top it off, they have dual vocals - something I've been a sucker for ever since I first heard Blatz. While their … Read more
Carrigan
Young Men Never Die
Radar/So Good Music (2008)
Hailing from Vermont, Carrigan plays ambient post-rock, but more structured and upbeat than you would think. Although the group is a duo now, they had a couple transient members formerly from Drowningman and The Cancer Conspiracy during 2003. The Drowningman connection intrigued me; an old heavy gem that I hadn't heard anyone mention in way too long. The duo did … Read more
