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Chimp Spanner

All Roads Lead Here
Basick (2012)

I will say, right off the bat, the composition ability of Paul Ortiz, a.k.a. Chimp Spanner, is undeniably top-notch, as is his musicality. Sure, he can be a bit self-indulgent at times, but then again, as a solo artist, isn't that more or less the point? Regardless, it's clear that his latest album, All Roads Lead Here, is a visionary … Read more

Spoonboy

The Papas
Fuck You is a Seven Letter Word (2011)

Do you like songs about gender issues, white male privilege, masculinity, and society in general? If not, you may want to quit reading here. Spoonboy, led by David Combs, is dedicated and upfront about these causes. Much like his other band, The Max Levine Ensemble, the general tone is preachy (to the choir), with pop song structures, direct lyrics, and … Read more

Maker

Mirrors
6131 (2011)

Maker have been a band for a few years now crawling out of the Massachusetts hardcore scene. The band play a style of pop punk that relies on speed and bolstered by breakdowns and gang vocals. The band had signed to 6131 records about a year ago after a handful of EPs and Split records. So far nothing particularly different … Read more

Les Discrets

Ariettes Oubliées...
Prophecy Productions (2012)

France's Les Discrets have been active for nigh on nine years, yet are only on the cusp of their second full length release. Driving force Fursy Teyssier has had a hand in one of the greatest exports of the majestic French scene, Amesoeurs (unfortunately a band no longer in existence), and once upon a time toured with Alcest as their … Read more

Sleigh Bells

Reign Of Terror
Mom + Pop (2012)

Derek Edward Miller and Alexis Krauss start this record like it's a Van Halen concert. They're tricking you into thinking that maybe after the Skins commercials that had everyone humming "Kids," after the Williamsburg and Pitchfork royalty fame, and after all the music festivals they attended last year, they were going to take things in a different direction - maybe … Read more

Let Me In

The Bag
Penthar Music (2011)

When I was asked to write a review for the band Let Me In’s debut album, The Bag and they were categorized as an Italian pop/punk band I was a bit intrigued. One thing that jumps at the listener from the start of the record is that these guys know how to rock. Italy isn’t known for producing pop-punk bands … Read more

Pallbearer

Sorrow And Extinction
Profound Lore (2012)

Arkansas residents Pallbearer have been a band to watch out for ever since the release of a fantastic three track demo in 2010. Featuring two original compositions ("Devoid of Redemption" and "The Legend" having been re-recorded for this release) and a cover track, this demo served to have many take note of this doom-laden quartet and the hopes for a … Read more

Shell Shag

Fuck Society
Mauled by Tigers (2012)

What if you could have all the great hits of the early 90s on one record: Liz Phair, INXS, Archers of Loaf all on one easy-to-manage collection? Okay, so this cover set from Brooklyn’s Shell Shag also includes DIY punk like Underground Railroad to Candyland and AK77, as well as songs from The Descendents, The Wipers, Warsaw, and The Undertones. … Read more

Cursive

I Am Gemini
Saddle Creek (2012)

Oh, our beloved Cursive--shall we never hear another Ugly Organ from you? No, we shall not, so stop asking for one. For three albums now, Cursive have been bounded to their undeniable masterpiece, The Ugly Organ, and have been expected to reach that plateau with each subsequent release. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't one of those fans, … Read more

Jet Black

Escape Measures
Self Released (2011)

There has been a resurgence over the past few years of Shoegaze style rock. While many of the more known bands of this style tend to mix it with other genres at this point (Alcest mixing black metal or Ringo Deathstar with some electronic music). Needless to say most bands take what is useful to them from the genre and … Read more

Settle For Less

Contemporary
6131 (2011)

Since the rise of Brand New out of the emo scene (around the time Deja Entendu was released) there have been a number of bands trying to make the most of that style. While said style isn't complicated it does require a few things that most bands that copy them can't quite pull off. Settle For Less at times seem … Read more

Lasting Impression

301.9
Self Released (2012)

Hardcore really isn’t my thing. Still, every once and a while I like to break out of my comfort zone with something different. Lasting Impression, hailing from LaCrosse, WI, refer to themselves as “high energy hardcore.” There are a number of scenes or bands that could be name-dropped, but sticking with the basics as they do seems a solid approach. … Read more

Chryst

PhantasmaChronica
Omniversal (2011)

Perhaps it's best I start with this: I really, really want to like this album. Chryst's epic monstrosity PhantasmaChronica is usually the kind of stuff I actively seek out. I'm one applaud a band for taking the risk of writing a 50-minute operatic black metal suite. But I keep finding myself coming back to one hitch: the style of an … Read more

Ghoul

Transmission Zero
Tankcrimes (2011)

Oakland's Ghoul are a mysterious bunch, going by pseudonyms, apparently hailing from Creepsylvania (a quick Google map check tells me this isn't actually a real place), and looking like they just stepped off a 70's horror flick set. Sounds crazy. And it kinda is, but what else would you expect from a band with a Kill-bot and members (supposedly) of … Read more

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