The Famine
The Architects Of Guilt
Solid State (2011)
The Famine are certainly not a new band per se. They contain overly experienced members of the band Emboyment. While Their previous band seems largely forgotten The Famine have set out to make a name for themselves far beyond their previous band and christian metal itself. The Famine have also changed since their last album 3 years ago. Replacing members … Read more
The Great Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Trail
Independent (2011)
When I first caught The Great Whiskey Rebellion live, I was immediately drawn to the amazing energy they bring to their live show. Bringing a Celtic and Americana fusion to the table this band can be counted on to bring a good time with them as well. The EP On The Whiskey Trail is an eight-song blend of both genres … Read more
The Hussy
Cement Tomb Mind Control
Slow Fizz (2011)
The Hussy have been banging away in clubs, bars, and basements since 2008. In that time, they’ve pumped out 3 vinyl singles and a split cassette. Still, with their Slow Fizz debut, the question remains about how their hyped-up, dirty garage rock will come across on a longer format. Cement Tomb Mind Control should alleviate any worries that the short-attention … Read more
The Kills
Blood Pressures
Rough Trade (2011)
Allison Mosshart is one sassy bitch (meant only as an endearing term… honestly). What, you doubt this statement or just flat out refuse to believe it? Go get Blood Pressures from her less known and, in my opinion, much better outfit The Kills (you may better know her as the lead singer of the Jack White group The Dead Weather). … Read more
The May 4th Massacre
All Guilty
MorseCode (2011)
I'm still not completely sold on hardcore music, but if The May 4th Massacre's latest offering All Guilty is any indication, I may still be swayed on the genre yet.Before I get to the good stuff, however, I have to mention one thing that immediately jumps out about this album: sometimes I just cannot tell if these guys are being … Read more
The Measure [SA]
My Heart And The Real World
No Idea (2011)
From the getgo, the transitions on My Heart and the Real World could be smoother—but that’s no surprise on a collections record. The Measure [SA] put out an enormous body of work—at least for a band with only two official full-lengths during their run—and putting them onto a single slab of plastic or vinyl sometimes creates logistics problems with recording … Read more
The Pauses
A Cautionary Tale
New Grenada (2011)
Remember when you were a little kid getting tucked into bed? Then someone would reach for a thin book with a shiny gold spine, and they would read you a bedtime story? Well, I don’t, but I certainly remember the books. It was my affinity for those books that drew me towards The Pause’s debut album, A Cautionary Tale, which … Read more
The Phantom Carriage
New Thing
Throatruiner (2011)
I first came across The Phantom Carriage whilst browsing bandcamp for new things to hear. I tag searched black metal, saw the cover and clicked download. I wasn't quite prepared for what happened next. This record does have some black metal elements, but there's also hardcore, some mathcore, some jazz. Yes, jazz. New Thing is one of the maddest albums … Read more
The Riverboat Gamblers
Smash/Grab EP
Paper + Plastick (2011)
When The Riverboat Gamblers released their last full length, Underneath the Owl, many fans were put off by the cleaner production and poppier approach. Their newest EP, Smash/Grab, was a return to the raw sound and more aggressive song writing, but offers something different by blending in a bit of Garage-Rock.The first of the 4-song EP is arguably the weakest … Read more
The Roots
Undun
Def Jam (2011)
I’m conflicted when it comes to “conscious rap.” On the one hand, I hate the label and attempt and creating a subgenre for hip-hop that doesn’t adhere to the conventions of mainstream rap. To me, it’s still rap and it makes little sense to marginalize those artists who seem to more highly value originality over the fast-food punchlines which dominate … Read more
The Slow Death
Born Ugly, Got Worse
Kiss of Death (2011)
When The Soviettes’ Annie Sparrows voice starts Born Ugly, Got Worse devoid of instrumentation, it’s a crisp and honest delivery that complements leader Jesse Thorson’s heart-wrenching style. But once the full band kicks in for the second verse, it’s clear that The Slow Death have driving punk rock at their heart and soul, with as many singalongs and middle-fingers as … Read more
The Spits
V
In The Red (2011)
Dirty, spacey punk rawk—in a nutshell, that’s what The Spits are bringing. We could talk costumes, we could talks subgenres, and we could talk recording quality (and we will), but The Spits are a concept best described in those few words. Sound-wise, it’s largely Ramonescore run through a fuzzy filter, so much so that it sounds like half of the … Read more
The Wealthy West
Volume One
Independent (2011)
The folk scene doesn’t get enough appreciation these days. Luckily, Mumford and Sons earned it some recognition when they performed at The Grammys. Now is the perfect time for Brandon Kinder, also know as The Wealthy West, to break out with his new EP simply entitled, Volume One.The EP opens with, “Love is Not Enough,” which is like the antithesis … Read more
The Young International
Self Titled EP
Paper Swan (2011)
The Young International is a new band you should know about, if you are into lush pop music laden with hooks. The band manages to put a unique spin on a familiar sound and works it to their advantage, they seem new but feel like old friends. You know after listening to this EP we will hear more from them … Read more
Thursday
No Devolución
Epitaph (2011)
It’s comforting when a band can successfully progress. Some stay stagnant—resulting in some stale and boring music. Thursday’s a band that has been progressing since they started writing Full Collapse. Slowly, they’ve been redefining what Thursday should sound like. With their sixth studio album, No Devolución, not only has the band’s songwriting gotten even better, but they’ve taken their biggest … Read more
Timeshares
Bearable
Kind Of Like (2011)
When I first heard the NY band Timeshares, I knew they were going to be a punk band to lookout for. After excessively playing the few songs they had and their split with Captain, We’re Sinking, the guys finally released their first LP Bearable. I have to admit—it was definitely worth the wait. Each song off of Bearable varies in … Read more
Toh Kay
Streetlight Lullabies
Pentimento Music (2011)
I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews about this record, and based on the feedback received, I think it’s a really underrated album. Is it perfect? No, but it’s very rare to find a completely flawless album. Is it worth listening to? Of course, this is Tomas Kalnoky we’re talking about here. If you haven’t heard by now Streetlight Lullabies … Read more
Tom Vourtsis
Mothhunting
Music Ruins Lives (2011)
Synergy is a tough sell I know because the concept is completely abstract for some, but when I first heard about Mothhunting, I was immediately intrigued and excited by just how this release was described to me; being told that the music and the artwork and how they work together just fits so well is exciting to me (being jaded … Read more
