Recent reviews

Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Hank & Cupcakes

Self Titled EP
Independent (2011)

It’s time to loosen up because Hank & Cupcakes are looking to get you out of your chair and out on the dance floor. This electro-pop duo have released their debut self-titled EP chock-full of catchy beats and tasty rhythms. The first track, “There Ain’t No Love,” gets you moving your body to Hank’s dulcet bass-riffs as Cupcakes keeps the beat on the drums and makes you swoon with her strong vocals. Next is “Pleasure Town.” This funky number starts off with Cupcakes singing the opening lyric before Hank brings about the hooks and the EP’s best chorus. The duo slows things down with the third song, “Roses.” This ballad gives off an 80’s vibe with a soothing melody. The final track is a risky cover of Joy Division’s “She’s Lost Control.” It’s impressive to find that they pull it off. Although it has a shaky opening, the two soon find their groove and manage to deliver a solid rendition. Hank replaces the song’s original riff with a rhythmic bass-line while Cupcakes gives her best vocal performance that layers and echoes in the end.Hank & Cupcakes are only getting started. Their catchy electro-pop fusion is bound to have us dancing … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Less Than Jake

Hello Rockview (Reissue)
Sleep It Off (2011)

It has been nearly 13 years since Hello Rockview was first released, and the album still holds up. Like with … 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 … Read more

Sims

Bad Time Zoo
Doomtree (2011)

Six years is a long time between a freshman and sophomore release. Granted, that length isn’t entirely accurate—Sims has been … Read more

Deadlock

Bizarro World
Lifeforce (2011)

Deadlock has been around the block awhile as a band. Gone through member shifts as well as shifts in sound … Read more

Jesu

Heartache & Dethroned
Hydra Head (2010)

Do you ever remember when you first purchased a record by a band or individual (does not have to be … Read more

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One from the archives

Parasitic Skies

The Descent
Seventh Dagger (2010)

Metalcore may be the most loaded term in modern underground music. For most it means you sound like Hatebreed or for the slightly more adventurous Heaven Shall Burn. Either way, you're running the risk of monotony and probably jokes at your expense from those too cool. While I say this, there was a time in the 90's that metalcore was new and a more dangerous Slayer loving cousin to hardcore itself. Parasitic Skies hearken back to that kind of metalcore. There is a viciousness and danger to what they play that doesn't sit with the listener in the way metalcore seems to otherwise. What you get from this Parasitic Skies on their first full-length is short sharp blasts of metal worshipping hardcore. The great part is it's not just the … Read more

More album reviews

Omnium Gatherum

New World Shadows
Lifeforce (2011)

As I listen to New World Shadows, the latest opus from Finland's Omnium Gatherum, I am awash in triumphant and majestic riffs that are far prettier than anything that a sub-genre of death metal should ever produce. But therein lies the rub. The reason I stay up at nights listening to New World Shadows followed by Scream Bloody Gore. These … Read more

Crowbar

Sever The Wicked Hand
E1 (2011)

What can be said about Crowbar that hasn't already been said? Easily one of the heaviest band's in modern metal the Louisiana band has persevered for two decades. While most bands would go through various phases or at least get more mellow through the years Crowbar remains a sludgy standard bearer. The metal press has talked much about leader Kirk … Read more

Broken Gold

Recovery Journal
Volcom (2011)

When a band names their record Recovery Journal it should come as no surprise that the dominant impression is one of earnestness. Broken Gold is the Riverboat Gamblers’ guitarist Ian MacDougall’s project, drawing from varied personal experiences with recurring themes of alienation, heartbreak, and addiction—some drawn from his experiences after his bicycle was hit by a car in October 2009, … Read more

Austerity

Self Titled LP
Deathsmile (2010)

After some blind stroke of luck and the whims of fate, I picked this cassette tape up along with another because I saw it was available and had heard some whispers about the sheer magnificence of this release on the world wide interwebs (a few cryptic reviews and blubbering nonsense about its amazing-ness had me intrigued at least and now … Read more

The Last Felony

Too Many Humans
Lifeforce (2010)

This band is what one supposes would be the great Canadian deathcore hope. That is to say they follow in the footsteps, at least in theory, of Despised Icon. While I'd be the first to say that those are pretty big boots to fill in reality. So you know in basic terms what to expect, a little tech, heavy moshable … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Bob Mould Band

Live At ATP 2008
Granary Music (2010)

A new live record finds the artist covering all phases of his storied career with whiplash intensity. Husker Du, Sugar and his solo career material are all represented. Mould brings his usual passion and emotion to the proceedings. But the band’s performance here is just as crucial. Richard Morel’s keyboards add depth but don’t overtake the mix. Jason Narducy adds … Read more

LEADTHEWAY

And In Vengeance We Strike
Not Shy Of The DIY (2011)

LEADTHEWAY has been around since 2002, but they broke up once in 2004. By 2009, they were back together and self-released their debut full length, And In Vengeance We Strike, through online music outlets. After nearly a decade since their incarnation, the band finally found a label to give their debut album a proper release. They open the record with, … Read more

Hotels

On The Casino Floor
Hidden Shoal (2011)

On The Casino Floor is the newest album from the Seattle-based band Hotels, this release is a seven-song concept album that tells the story of a secret agent and his attempts to save the world from an evil galactic prince. Overall the album has a more refined sound than “Where Hearts Go Broke” their previous release, gone are the Devo … Read more

As They Sleep

Dynasty
Solid State (2011)

This album starts with a quick drum blast jumping right into the sort of melodic death metal that was popular a couple years ago. Apparently As They Sleep is pretty consistent in their style. The band is part of the recent signings to Solid State Records and seems like a perfect fit. This is heavy spirit filled metal to put … Read more

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

200 Words Or Less

Football, Etc.

Away Game Football
Count Your Lucky Stars (2010)

Football, Etc. are a Texas three piece and this is the most recent piece of their shortly building discography. There is much to be said about the trend of bringing back 90's style emo. Whether this is applied to the poorly named Skramz genre with bands such as Daitro or the more melodic midwest style that bands like Balance And … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Son Of Man

Self Titled EP
Good Times (2011)

Son Of Man are a new band from California. They exemplify the new school of what gets referred to as Holy Terror style hardcore. While i refuse that genre suggestion this is merely a very strong metallic hardcore EP. There is very little to be known about the band but they play heavy and hard. The Guitars screech and squeal … Read more

Sailors With Wax Wings

Self Titled LP
Angel Oven (2010)

Alright, alright, so this is completely a love / hate affair with this record. It has nothing to do with the music or the sound quality; basically, I did not get the record at first (you know like understand it at all). Then summarily dismissed the Sailors With Wax Wings as simply OK but nothing that completely blew my mind … Read more

200 Words Or Less

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

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)