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Lucinda Williams

Little Honey
Lost Highway (2008)

The last time Lucinda Williams released an album, it was a waste of time for everyone. West was slow, drab, and devoid of any catchy melodies, and it gave me serious doubt as to whether she should continue making music or not. But Lucinda has pulled a total about-face, and stepped up her game. Ignoring LL Cool J's advice, I … Read more

Jukebox the Ghost

Let Live and Let Ghosts
The Rebel Group (2008)

Sometimes I think I take music too personally. I find myself judging others all too quickly when I hear their music tastes; it can make or break my impression of them. I'll give people a little bit of slack if their choices aren't really my thing, but other times the groups they list are so god-awful that I'm actually offended … Read more

Guns N' Roses

Chinese Democracy
Geffen (2008)

It's been fifteen years since the last release from the "band" known as Guns N' Roses seventeen years, that's not a typo seventeen years since the last batch of new material dropped as Use Your Illusions 1 and 2. With all the hype surrounding what has been in the works for an entire generation, Chinese Democracy should be the release … Read more

Deadly Sins

Selling Our Weaknesses
Durty Mick (2008)

This Boston punk band is made up of members of Reach the Sky, Even in Blackouts, and Stephanie Dougherty - who apparently has lent her vocal abilities to some Dropkick Murphys songs. Deadly Sins play straight forward tuneful punk rock that is probably more popular in seedy bars than it is in basements and VFW halls as the album as … Read more

Last Lights

Last Lights
Mightier Than Sword (2008)

Last week I completed a short review of this 7" from Last Lights to be posted on the site. It was short and to the point but just didn't emit what makes this record so good. And then over the weekend the band's vocalist, Dominic Mallary, passed away at the age of twenty-four after performing at a local show. The … Read more

True Widow

True Widow
End Sounds (2008)

Talk about coming from proverbially nowhere; after several days of enjoying various streams of this record and eventually tracking this sucker down, I find myself completely hooked on the slow, relaxed rhythms and mellow vocal arrangements on True Widow's debut album. If ever there was a soundtrack to numb apathy, True Widow must be it. This Texas three-piece (comprised of … Read more

Jack's Mannequin

The Glass Passenger
Sire (2008)

A lot of artists resist fame. I've done interviews with bands for nearly five years now and have heard countless times from both nameless and recognizable acts that there were never any aspirations for a hit radio single or a gold album. For these people it seemed when something reached a point of popularity it lost authenticity. By acknowledging the … Read more

Makeout Party

Lengths and Limits
Make Music Collective (2008)

I'll admit it; I have a few musical guilty pleasures. I have a few albums that I'm embarrassed to own but I still love nonetheless. Makeout Party seems like they could be one of those bands. The name alone is a little off-putting, whether it reminds you of the awkward middle school gathering or the quick-lived internet group sensation. The … Read more

Terror

The Damned, The Shamed
Century Media (2008)

Since forming in the year 2000, Terror has been unleashing a punishing assault of metallic hardcore punk to the masses. From the get-go with their four-song demo the band has delivered an intensity, especially that of frontman Scott Vogel, that is unmatched by any of their peers. The evolution of Terror may seem like nothing dramatic to the casual hardcore … Read more

Various Artists

Our Roots Our Pride
Still Life/Youth Crew (2008)

This is a piece of history, as the name of the album might suggest. Our Roots Our Pride: History of Italian Positive Hardcore and Straight Edge Movement 1989-1995 contains thirty-two songs by six different artists that were all prominent during Italy's straight edge hardcore movement from the early-to-mid 90's. All of these bands are a completely new introduction to me. … Read more

Aussitôt Mort

Montuenga
Level Plane (2008)

I've been waiting to hear Aussitôt Mort's first full-length since this spring. Montuenga's release kept getting pushed back, but at least three months after the intended date, it's finally here. Aussitôt Mort parted with their vocalist who appears on the 12" demo, so their songs have taken on a more instrumental quality. The songs lend themselves to minimal vocal accompaniment, … Read more

Vessels

White Fields and Open Devices
Cuckundoo (2008)

Post-rock is a peculiar beast; it's seemingly very difficult to achieve a unique sound in the field, especially after the pioneers managed to diversify into a set of forerunners creating the inevitable chorus of copyists. Given that the only two real distinctions of the genre are a generally low use of vocals and the abandoning of a typical verse/chorus structure, … Read more

Zozobra

Bird of Prey
Hydra Head (2008)

Originally planned as a whole other project of Caleb Scofield under the moniker Heatseeker, Bird of Prey is instead the second full-length release from the Cave In/Old Man Gloom member's Zozobra. Joining Scofield this time around is Isis drummer Aaron Harris, who also engineered the album, in place of the departed Santos Montano. The decision to release this album under … Read more

Aughra

Proof of Dark Matter | Light the Lights
Magic Bullet (2008)

Ambient music is (in the words of one Brian Eno who is usually credited with coining the term) music that can be either "actively listened to with attention or as easily ignored, depending on the choice of the listener," and that exists on the "cusp between melody and texture." Aughra is the solo ambient/electronic/experimental project of one Brent Eyestone (proprietor … Read more

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