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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)

Landmine Marathon

Rusted Eyes Awake
Prosthetic (2009)

One of the biggest pleasures of listening to Rusted Eyes Awake was to hear the music and not walk away with the opinion that this is just another modern U.S. metal band labeled with the death metal tag that actually plays nauseating post-millennial death-core. Landmine Marathon still does have some of those influences interspersed but for the most part the Arizonians play old-school- caked death metal with a heavy nod towards the old Earache Records releases. Even the cover art is brings to mind Repulsion's seminal Horrified. This album is an almighty brutal attack, it has to be clarified. There aren't many pauses for breath amidst the scattergun approach, save for the occasional mid-tempo, chugging breakdown that betrays the band's modern hardcore influences. Aside from this, Landmine Marathon let rip with pummeling drums and buzzing riffs. Rusted Eyes Awake is the kind of album that raises your pulse and puts you in the frame of mind to do something physical. A two hour Thai-boxing session would seem like the perfect activity for the soundtrack, as elbowing a sand bag (preferably with the boss of London underground's face plastered onto it) is what you will be most inclined to partake in. … Read more

Prefuse 73

Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian
Warp (2009)

For those of you who don't know Prefuse 73 A.K.A. Guillermo Scott Herren, this guy has been putting beats out … Read more

Silversun Pickups

Swoon
Dangerbird (2009)

It didn't take long for Silversun Pickups to become a hit with listeners anywhere. Their debut album, Carnavas, spawned two … Read more

The Night Marchers

Mystery Machine
Swami (2009)

One really has to hand it to John Reis; he surely keeps his work interesting with consistent releases and frequent … Read more

Austin Lucas

Somebody Loves You
Suburban Home (2009)

When O Brother, Where Art Thou sold over seven million copies, you knew that people were listening and that the … Read more

Deathright

The Collapse
Independent (2009)

In spite of its low profile, the Pittsburgh hardcore scene is one of the better currently running, consistently churning out … Read more

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One from the archives

Mike Patton

A Perfect Place
Ipecac (2008)

It's been no secret that for quite some time now, Mike Patton has wanted to broaden his ever-widening horizons into the world of film scoring. Now, with Ipecac's 100th release, we now have the first film score composed by Mike Patton, and it's a doozy. A Perfect Place is a twenty-five minute black-and-white icy-cool neo-noir film directed by Derrick Scocchera and stars Bill Moseley (Devil's Rejects) and Mark Boone-Junior (Trees Lounge, 30 Days of Night), two fantastically underrated actors appearing to have way too much fun at work. This is a complete release that includes both the DVD of the film and the score, an idea that should be considered more often, particularly with reissues of classic films. This is not Patton's only dalliance with film, mind you - he … Read more

More album reviews

Little Brazil

Son
Anodyne Records (2009)

Musician Landon Hedges spent the better part of the late nineties/early two thousands playing along side Saddle Creek's most prominent singer/songwriters Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes. Desaparecidos) and Tim Kasher (Cursive, The Good Life). Looking for a more personal creative outlet, Hedge's began writing songs under the moniker Little Brazil. While originally planned as a solo project, Little Brazil quickly evolved … Read more

Living With Lions

Dude Manor (Reissue)
Adeline (2009)

Dude Manor was originally released two years ago on Black Box Recordings in Canada but it's now being re-released on their new label, Adeline Records where their full-length, Make Your Mark will also be re-released very soon. This up-and-coming band is looking to follow in the footsteps of former Adeline label-mates Broadway Calls as the label's next rising star and … Read more

A Storm of Light / Nadja

Primitive North
Robotic Empire (2009)

This split is completely unexpected but still very appropriate as both A Storm of Light and Nadja seem to be rather complimentary in several different ways, but, quite honestly, the record packaging for this is sure to grab you. A double LP that includes the CD of Primitive North with some rather unique looking artwork, which goes against the grain … Read more

Last Lights

No Past No Present No Future
Think Fast!/Mightier Than Sword (2009)

So often music defines our lives. We hear a song at a moment in our lives that no matter where we are from then on, we immediately recall the memory of when we first heard it each time it reaches our ears. We use songs and their meanings to help evoke how we are feeling when we might be unable … Read more

O Pioneers!!!

Neon Creeps
Asian Man (2009)

With their Asian Man debut, Neon Creeps, O Pioneers!!! is trying to make a name for themselves while upping the ante on stupid punctuation in band names. What I hear is a sloppy three-piece punk band with hints at a more minimal and sometimes folk-punk style. I call them a three-piece, but the band is clearly Eric Solomon's baby, as … Read more

Liquid Limbs

Orquid
Sound Study (2008)

I've never understood the concept of two-piece rock bands. Okay, smartasses, I get it; it's two people in a band. However I never grasped the concept of why these two people choose to call themselves a band when obviously the musical term to describe their joint venture would be duo. When a person thinks of a band a picture at … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Matt and Kim

Grand
Fader (2009)

Today's pop music is severely lacking in fun. We have over-hyped pseudo celebrities running around with no pants, actors with the impression that talent in one field somehow gives them rights to move into another, and Justin is too busy with Jessica to come back and make everything alright. Matt and Kim gained a reputation as the fun band at … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Oedipus

Covetous
The Den Recorders (2008)

Oedipus, a three piece making more noise than a three piece rightly should, manage the type of grandiose guitar rock both melodic and epic, while never coming across as trying too hard. Their latest EP, Covetous, offers seven over-sexed, balls out, tracks at a clock time of just under half an hour. Vocalist/bassist Jeremy Haffner's harmonic wail sets the band … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Matisyahu

Shattered
Epic (2008)

This four-track EP spins the typical Matisyahu sound a little bit from its pop/old school hip-hop/reggae roots, with opener "Smash Lies" bringing out a more modern hip-hop sound and the following track "So Hi So Lo" working a more prominent guitar line in to give a rock edge. It's a diversification which is no bad thing at all, but it … Read more

Khanate

Clean Hands Go Foul
Hydra Head/Daymare (2009)

Talk about the last gasp of air from a dead corpse, Clean Hands Go Foul is the final studio recordings from Khanate, and their third studio full-length (if one counts Capture & Release as an EP) that the band released. Honestly, it is a surprise to see this as the band broke up quite a while ago; but it is … Read more

Therapy?

Crooked Timber
DR2 (2009)

Therapy? have followed a strange path. From underground industrial punks through to rock and roll-tinged pop punk pioneers to a brief spell as darlings of the British rock scene and now relative obscurity with only other bands and a devoted core fanbase paying any real attention to them. They've flitted between independent labels like confused moths for the past few … Read more

The Ergs!

That's It...Bye
Don Giovanni (2009)

Bands break up all the time. Sometimes they blow up on stage, storm off from a tour, grow apart, and on occasion they cordially agree that it's time to move on. In any case, they almost always leave fans wanting more. The Ergs! decided to hand one to their fans, announcing their decision ahead of time and releasing a 12" … Read more

Tigers Jaw

Tigers Jaw
Prision Jazz (2008)

Everyone in the indie music world seems to be aiming for their own distinct sound and the Pennsylvanian quintet Tigers Jaw are just another mere tadpole in a big lake. With that being said, their self-titled album is very enjoyable and will probably be a big hit for those who are fans of 90's indie rock/emo(whatever it's considered). While their … Read more

Kylesa

Static Tensions
Prosthetic (2009)

Is it really time for another Kylesa album? It may only seem like yesterday but it has been quite a while since their last album, Time Will Fuse its Worth, and the band looks intent on besting that effort in every way. Still set with its dual drummer line-up, Kylesa offer Static Tensions with its ten tracks of their crust … Read more

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