Oskoreien
Oskoreien
Independent (2011)
I first heard about Oskoreien after acquiring a fantastic compilation album by the name of Der Wanderer über Dem Nebelmeer. The title is taken from a famous painting, The Wanderer Above The Sea Of Fog, and it also happens to be a Wolves In The Throne Room track name. And if you know anything about Wolves In The Throne Room, … Read more
Pala
We Don't Exist
A389 (2011)
Pala are a band that went seemingly unnoticed upon release of their debut EP. While the band did have some growing to do they managed to have the pieces to make an interesting sound overall. This growth was embraced a little more on their follow up split with In The Hollows. While both releases did seem to drift under the … Read more
Pale Creation
Twilight Haunt
A389 (2011)
Twilight Haunt is an album that has been affecting me since before it was originally released in 1999 on CD by East Coast Empire (who I believe is now defunct), and when a demo of this was sent to the place that I worked at back then, I stole it from the owner’s “I am not paying attention to this … Read more
Palehorse
Soft As Butter, Hard As Ice
Eyes Of Sound (2011)
London's Palehorse, a band so loud that after seeing them live recently my ears would not stop ringing for approximately two days. Was it worth it ? Completely.Palehorse take all that they established on previous full length, Gee, Ain't That Swell released way back in 2003 and firmly thrust it into the present. A line up change here, an addition … Read more
Panopticon
On The Subject Of Mortality
Flenser (2011)
Many people (I was going to say all but did not want to over generalize) seem to have certain touchstones with regards to certain styles of music, and in one short year, Panopticon has become one of those “bands” (in quotes because this is really a one man project) for me; …On The Subject Of Mortality… is the record that … Read more
Panopticon
Social Disservices
Flenser (2011)
Did you ever just get constantly impressed with the evolution that an artist or group of artists make through the progression of their work and craft? Panopticon certainly is making that type of impression on me at this particular juncture as the one man political black metal project drops one of the more politically acerbic records that I have heard … Read more
Passiv Dödshjälp
Fasader
Power It Up (2011)
I’ll admit it; any band that requires key strokes to properly type their name has a good chance of ending up in my review pile. The reason is two-fold: It stems from my days as a Motley Crüe -worshiping adolescent, and the simple fact that I am a sucker for Scandinavian hardcore. Thus we have here the latest vinyl by … Read more
Penetration Panthers
Perpetual 80's
A389 (2011)
There have been a number of bands that have tried to raise the banner of eras part. Whether it be the youth crew band or the thrash revival band. Even though there has been a number of bands in the past that recognize the power of 80s punk rock few pull it off. If you have been waiting for a … Read more
Pete Rock & Smif N Wessun
Monumental
Duck Down (2011)
Aptly-titled, Monumental brings together a legendary producer and two of the underground’s most revered MCs: Pete Rock—half of the duo (along with CL Smooth) responsible for early ‘90s classic Mecca and the Soul Brother—has been the monster behind the boards of your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper for a long-ass time; and Boot Camp Click members Tek and Steele— known collectively … Read more
Pink Floyd
The Dark Side Of The Moon (Experience Edition)
Capitol (2011)
'Oh great,' you're probably thinking, 'another critic on the Internet with her head up her own ass talking about this fucking Pink Floyd album again. How droll.' Let me assuage your concerns: I'm not here to review or otherwise convince you either way on The Dark Side of the Moon itself. You've already heard it by now, and you're already … Read more
Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here (Experience Edition)
Capitol (2011)
I'm really quite thankful that the Why Pink Floyd...? remaster campaign has made it to Wish You Were Here so soon. It has aged incredibly well, and is every bit as perfect of an album today as it was when it was first released. It even holds up favourably in comparison to the first album to be reissued, which was … Read more
Pirate
Left Of Mind
Bird's Robes (2011)
How on Earth do you achieve a goal as lofty and vaguely-defined as “to break out of the norm and push boundaries?” Well, Sydney-based progressive four-piece Pirate aimed to find out with their 2011 debut EP, Left of Mind, which was created with that exact goal in mind. Whether or not they actually succeeded is a different case entirely.I'll admit, … Read more
PJ Harvey
Let England Shake
Vagrant/Island (2011)
I got into a discussion with someone recently over the validity of this latest release from Polly Jean Harvey. They seemed almost offended that PJ would use the overall theme of war in writing her new release as if it were some sort of parlor trick to try and make “important music”. I argued that Roger Waters has built an … Read more
Planning For Burial
Late Twenties Blues
Self Released (2011)
Alright laugh all you want at my horrid addictions, but until you plunge into Late Twenties Blues yourself, you will not have the faintest idea why this tape is on its fourteenth spin already today in my tape deck (not kidding, I am going to have to get another copy as a backup for this in case I completely wear … Read more
Planning For Burial
Untitled
Music Ruins Lives (2011)
Do you listen to music that reflects your mood, or do you listen to music to alter just how you are feeling? A simple question really but one that means serious implications for people’s listening habits, it certainly goes back to what Rob Gordon says in High Fidelity, “What came first, the music or the misery? People worry about kids … Read more
Polar Bear Club
Clash Battle Guilt Pride
Bridge Nine (2011)
Clash Battle Guilt Pride is Polar Bear Club’s third release and second on Bridge Nine. The veteran band sets their tone early with “Pawner,” a sparse, sprawling song with big hitting moments where vocalist Jimmy Stadt runs the gamut of emotions. While the tempo lulls are a bit under spoken for the heavy-minded group, the emotive bursts of “I gotta … Read more
Portugal. The Man
In The Mountain, In The Cloud
Atlantic (2011)
Few bands have the creative power, material, and time to put out an album annually since its inception. Portugal. The Man do just this, having released their sixth full length album since their 2006 debut, Waiter: “You Vultures!” For such little time between each release, lack of evolvement is of no concern. P.TM have gradually developed from early rockers with … Read more
Power
Death Haunts
Twelve Gauge (2011)
Having existed for roughly three years now, Bremerton, WA’s, Power have created somewhat of a rep for themselves in the Pacific Northwest. The aftermath of one particular incident resulted in half the band landing in jail—a demolished automobile left in their wake. And legend has it that Power set a dumpster on fire while Tacoma band, Sojourner, were filming a … Read more
