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Ninja Gun

Roman Nose
Sabot Productions (2011)

Ninja Gun draws from a lot of sources, playing in the Suburban Home-style market of alt country derived from obtuse punk influences. They tend to eschew chord progressions in favor of soft music and easy articulation built from the steady, honest delivery of their frontman Johnathan Coody. Roman Nose is their latest EP, this one coming from Sabot Productions. Ninja … Read more

Explosions in the Sky

Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
Temporary Residence (2011)

Explosions In The Sky proudly create post-rock music that, though sounding simple, is far from being simplistic. Consistency remains a key element in their vast, instrumental sound, comprised of atmospheric rhythms, lofty dynamics and the band’s ability to produce colorful, emotional soundscapes. Sonics aside, even the illustrious art works of each of their six studio album covers indicate the sort … Read more

Jesu

Ascension
Calo Verde (2011)

Ah Justin Broadrick how you torture my twisted mind with your teasing Jesu EPs and side projects and reunions and remixes (dear lord does this man make a ton of music), but in this instance, Jesu finally release another proper album that people have been slavering for since Conqueror (look, Infinity really is an LP, but even Broadrick calls it … Read more

Big China & Little Trouble

Lo-Panning
Magic Bullet (2011)

Have you ever seen the schlock masterpiece that is Big Trouble In Little China with its crazy martial arts story about an immortal Chinese Ghost sorcerer searching for green eyed girls and a muscle bound Kurt Russell trying to save his green eyed girl from that crazy Lo Pan (portrayed by the estimable James Hong who also played the role … Read more

Swingin' Utters

Here, Under Protest
Fat Wreck Chords (2011)

You can’t accuse Swingin’ Utters of phoning it in. Here, Under Protest is the band’s first studio record in eight years and, unlike some of their contemporaries who release at a similar rate, the record shows notable growth and attention to songwriting nuance. While the San Fran band started out with a strong bent toward street punk anthems, they’ve gradually … Read more

Tyler, The Creator

Goblin
XL Recordings (2011)

By definition, a goblin is an ugly, evil creature of legend; a lowly monster of sin and filth, and represents the anti-culture of the teller. Even though these creatures are fabrications, not to be taken literally, their place in stories is telling of something. They are the scapegoats, the downtrodden, and the easy fix. Tyler, the Creator, the ringleader or … Read more

After Oblivion

Vultures
Independent (2011)

After Oblivion have an extremely modest discography under their belt—a debut EP and that same EP repackaged in a split album. I suppose that this should have tipped me off that After Oblivion weren't necessarily up to snuff yet, but I can't help but feel after listening to Vultures that I went into this particular EP with my expectations too … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Mug

Self Titled
Independent (2011)

Müg are a pretty new band on the punk scene of London, yet they're already making waves and booking shows left, right and centre. Formed between friends and colleagues and featuring a drummer who had never before drummed, Müg are firmly stamping their mark on the punk rock world. This coming year sees them playing Amplitude Festival, supporting The Flatliners, … Read more

Pulling Teeth

Funerary
A389 (2011)

Pulling teeth have always taken the term metalcore to an almost literal degree. Much like Integrity has done in the sense that for every breakdown there is a strong guitar solo or heavy thrash riff. The band found more than a couple detractors with their last release Paranoid Delusions | Paradise Illusions . While im not certain if that was … Read more

Seraphim

The Light In The Distance
A389 (2011)

Seraphim created a good bit of buzz with an EP release last year on A389. What the Ep proved is that this 3 piece was capable of creating an immense amount of power with very little bells and whistles to speak of. While many bands are capable of making a memorable first release very few can take those strengths and … 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

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

Beastie Boys

Hot Sauce Committee Part 2
Capitol (2011)

As is common place whenever the Beastie Boys release an album, there is cause for celebration—usually the popular music of the time has grown stagnant, and, on average, it’s been at least three years since the last Beasties’ release. This time jubilation is even more warranted, as this record almost didn’t see the light of day. Scheduled to be released … Read more

Khuda

Iecava
Field (2011)

Khuda are extremely good at making me feel uncomfortable in new and interesting ways. For only two people, Tom Brooke and Steve Myles have done a lot to take the standard post-metal formula and twist some new life into it. And though the result is a bit confusing at first, it's certainly an interesting and rewarding listen.The first thing that … Read more

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