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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)

Two Tongues

Two Tongues
Vagrant (2009)

When the news of Max Bemis (Say Anything) and Chris Conley (Saves the Day) collaborating to create Two Tongues was announced, many were expecting stellar results from the duo. We all know how hard it is to live up to the hype, especially when your resume includes making some of the best pop-punk albums of the new millennium, which applies to both artists respectively. This supergroup's self-titled debut album does have it's shining moments, but overall, it shows that they both work best in their separate bands. The album gets off to a very good start with the powerful "Crawl" and the emotional "If I Could Make You Do Things." Both tracks make great use of Bemis and Conley's "call and answer" style of trading-off vocals. Bemis' rough vocals counter very well with Conley's high-pitched singing, even though a lot of his wails are far too nasally for my liking. There are a couple of other solid tracks like "Dead Lizard" and "Tremors," but the main highlight of the album is definitely the oddly titled "Wowee Zowee." This is one of the catchiest songs I've heard from 2009. It's use of power chords and an energetic chorus (complete with chants … Read more

Past Lives

Strange Symmetry
Suicide Squeeze (2008)

The hiatus and eventual breakup of The Blood Brothers in 2007 left many of their fans heartbroken. But honestly, with … Read more

Multiple Authors

Mastodon

Crack the Skye
Reprise (2009)

It's really hard to place Mastodon into one genre. Yes, they are mainly a metal band but what sub-genre? Sludge … Read more

Multiple Authors

Mastodon

Crack the Skye
Reprise (2009)

Water. Earth. Russian monarchy? While Mastodon's previous albums Leviathan and Blood Mountain deal with two of the four elements, their … Read more

Red Stars Parade

Lutine Belle
Thirty Days Of Night (2008)

Bands that are difficult to pin down to a particular genre are great. They might have a distinctive sound and … Read more

Jump the Shark

Staring Death
Dead Truth (2008)

So the other day for lunch, I decided to try a new sandwich shop in the Skyway. I'd heard decent … Read more

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One from the archives

Matt Pond PA

Still Summer
131 Records (2017)

Matt Pond PA has delivered a flurry of music since their inception in 1998 around the enigmatic songwriter and namesake. His revolving cast of collaborators, creators, and guests have served him well throughout his career. Just as it goes, he is very underappreciated and underrated as a songwriter. They are that band, and he is that singer, that you just can’t put your finger on. That “I’ve heard that before” kind of band. That flurry of music includes 11 albums and 8 EP’s with songs featured on compilations, TV shows, and in the background of trendy coffee shops. Matt Pond PA released the album Winter Lives in late 2016 on Pond’s new label 131 Records, and now that the ache of summer is here, the band will release its twelfth … Read more

More album reviews

The Cure

4:13 Dream
Geffen (2008)

A new album by The Cure. This always makes me nervous. One of my favorite bands from old times (my favorite band full stop, according to my Last FM charts), The Cure are pretty damn high in my esteem. Having said that, I am more than aware of Robert Smith's ability to disappoint me. The last couple of decades of … Read more

Kids Like Us

The 80s are Dead (Reissue)
Eulogy (2008)

I might as well start this review off by saying I have never liked Kids Like Us. There is nothing about their music that enthralls me. Actually their moshy "skater jams" annoy the living piss out of me with their juvenile lyrics and token mosh parts. There has been countless stories of lame debauchery that this band has caused on … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Steel Nation / Crucified

Split
Double or Nothing (2009)

Two very promising bands take on each other with this split 7": Steel Nation hailing from Pittsburgh while Crucified call the Bay Area home. Both offer menacing metallic hardcore that is not to be passed over. Steel Nation delivers two brand new tracks, their first since parting ways with their vocalist and having the remaining members share the vocals. In … Read more

200 Words Or Less

These Arms are Snakes / Tropics

Split
We-Be (2008)

Here we have another limited edition split 7", this one that was issued in support of These Arms are Snakes and Tropics European tour together. You get one exclusive track from each artist. These Arms are Snakes offer up "Meet Your Major," which is very much in tune with the band's latest full-length offering, Tail Swallower and Dove. You get … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Mass vs. Cali
Heart In Hand (2008)

This 7" compilation partners two Massachusetts bands on one side and two California bands on the other side. Each band contributes one track each; with each band honing in on their own take of hardcore. The Effort leads off the Massachusetts side with "Steps Ahead." Musically they seem to fall between Modern Life is War and Shai Hulud. It's fast … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Until Your Heart Stops

We are not Coming Down
Heart In Hand (2009)

The Bay Area of California was one of the original breeding grounds for hardcore not to mention a hot bed as of late - so it really isn't a surprise to hear new and impressive bands emerging on a monthly basis. Until Your Heart Stops is a fairly new group that has something new to offer, yet is closely tied … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Caleb Lionheart

Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk
Farewell Party (2008)

New York outfit Caleb Lionheart's first proper offering Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk is a bit of an odd title. Thankfully, the band does not play the mosh-influenced hardcore version of pop-punk of A Day to Remember. Instead the band's fast-paced punk is much closer to Lifetime and Bouncing Souls. Musically, I enjoy what Caleb Lionheart has to offer quite … Read more

P.O.S.

Never Better
Rhymesayers (2009)

The unique style of P.O.S. continues to come together - from the disjointed and experimental Ipecac Neat that caught Rhymesayers' attention, and the slightly more mainstream Audition in 2006, Never Better continues to build and unify P.O.S.'s distinct and witty brand of hip-hop. To get it out of the way early, P.O.S. is also in the hardcore/mathrock band Building Better … Read more

Sleepingdog

Polar Life
Gizeh (2008)

It's a rare delight when music completely unknown to you pops out of thin air to become one of your favorite releases of the year. Not that I intend to give away the ending of this review or anything. Like most music of genuine quality, the sound of Polar Life is a tricky one to define easily. The lead is … Read more

Wolves in the Throne Room

Malevolent Grain
Southern Lord (2009)

Each song of the Malevolent Grain EP, "A Looming Resonance" and "Hate Crystal," comprises one side of an exquisitely packaged 12". Both songs are top-notch examples of the more hypnotic and earthy side of black metal. "A Looming Resonance" builds from a somber clean melody to some kind of operatic, backwoods hymn to the forces of nature. "Hate Crystal," however, … Read more

The Blackout Argument

Remedies
Lifeforce (2009)

Germany's The Blackout Argument are one of the many new hardcore acts being spawned in the scene today. In their short career as a band, they have already released three EP's and a full-length and they have been building their reputation as one of the hardest working bands out there today. They recently faced the challenge of finding a new … Read more

Anchor Arms

Cold Blooded
Fail Safe (2008)

These days everything reminds me of The Fest. Today's memory comes from release FSR001 by Anchor Arms, reminding me that I missed the Fail Safe warehouse show last year because I couldn't find a ride across town. While that intro had all too little to do with the band themselves, Anchor Arms do call Gainesville home and they utilize a … Read more

Escape the Floodwater Jug Band

Wrong Doings and Done Wrongs
Whiskey For Breakfast (2008)

With the recent surge of former and current punk rockers playing folk, roots rock, bluegrass, etc. of course there is going to be some interest in other related genres. However, I was quite shocked to receive a CD by a jug band for review. My exposure to jug band music is somewhat limited. I grew up with a mother who … Read more

Morrissey

Years of Refusal
Lost Highway (2009)

How does one introduce Morrissey? By no means am I intending to put the seasoned vocalist on a pedestal of godlike caliber it's just that, well, pretty much everything that can be said about the man has already been said, or in this case, written. Rather than waste time with some whimsical anecdote, I'll instead jump right into his latest … Read more

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