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)

Thursday / Envy

Split
Temporary Residence (2008)

Envy is having an extremely busy year in 2008: re-releasing much of their back catalog, the Abyssal EP, a split with Jesu, and now a split with Thursday (actually, between the two splits and the EP, Envy could very well have released a new full-length on their own). Thursday, on the other hand, is in the midst of a fairly quiet year while writing their next full-length. This is a fairly odd pairing on a split release and wholly unnerving in the ease of which this comes across to the two band's listening audiences. For the most part these two groups stand at two completely opposite ends of the "punk, hardcore, and independent music scenes" due to Envy being a Japanese band that is mostly lauded by the punk community while Thursday is usually lavished with attention from the MTV watching public. The packaging for this split release is truly exquisite with multiple versions of silk screened covers and very clean looking presentation; the release also benefits from the inclusion of the CD with the LP for this limited offering, although how limited, I am not quite sure. The three songs available here from Envy fit well with the other … Read more

Multiple Authors

Thursday / Envy

Split
Temporary Residence (2008)

The pairing of a so-called emo band from New Jersey and a screamo/post-rock band from Japan may seem odd. But … Read more

Grails

Doomsdayer's Holiday
Temporary Residence (2008)

Having only just been introduced to the wonder and at times awe inspiring music of the outfit known as Grails, … Read more

Estatic Sunshine

Way
Cardboard (2008)

What if an album isn't an album? What if it falls into absurdity while no one is listening? Does it … Read more

Integrity

Walpurgisnacht
A389 (2008)

Ah, Dwid, where have you been hiding your mischievous and malevolent musical vehicle Integrity for the last five years? Ever … Read more

Black SS

Terror of the North East: 2004-2007
Reaper (2008)

I've mentioned it before in other reviews that I usually try to find bands to enjoy musically by their own … Read more

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One from the archives

Nick JD Hodgson

Tell Your Friends
Prediction Records (2018)

Erstwhile Kaiser Chief Nick Hodgson has spent the past five years penning songs for the likes of Mark Ronson and Shirley Bassey, basking in being out of the limelight and no longer having to endure a punishing touring schedule as part of one of the UK’s most successful indie bands. The 40-year-old spent much of his 20s and 30s perched on a drum stool, while singing and drumming along to hits like “Ruby” and “I Predict a Riot”.Hodgson’s role in the Kaiser Chiefs was unique in that he wasn’t the traditional drummer in the background. The Leeds native was the principal songwriter for the band, and he commanded attention as he sang along with vocals to match those of frontman Ricky Wilson, like on the zany and infectiously catchy “Good … Read more

More album reviews

Multiple Authors

Dillinger Four

C I V I L W A R
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)

Being from the same state as well a fan of tuneful catchy pop-punk one would think that I would be really into Dillinger Four. Yes, one would think that. The fact of the matter is that I've always been a casual fan of this rambunctious often inebriated foursome. I've actually only seen them once in the last fifteen years and … Read more

Multiple Authors

Dillinger Four

C I V I L W A R
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)

As my age teeters closer to thirty than twenty, I continually ask myself three important questions: Am I still punk? Was I ever? Does it matter? Sure my love of punk music grows exponentially with every year I age, but is it just a label for me to wear on my shirt, or is it truly a way of life? … Read more

Helms Alee

Night Terror
Hydra Head (2008)

Following up a surprising teaser EP with a limited release earlier this year, Helms Alee drop their debut full-length on a mostly unsuspecting public; Night Terror is a great point to latch onto this three-piece and enjoy some noisy music that will leave heads spinning or throbbing or whatever head trip that it could impose. The ten tracks that Night … Read more

Cannabis Corpse

Tube of the Resinated
Forcefield (2008)

The equation is very simple. Take several old school death metal fans and add copious amounts of bud. The result is Richmond's very own blaze-driven Cannabis Corpse. The band, whose idea was to express its love for smoking weed and listening to Cannibal Corpse, released their second album, Tube of the Resinated, on April 20th, a fine day to champion … Read more

The Eye The Ear and The Arm

Paths
Portia (2008)

Remember when music had regional traits? You know - Chicago Blues, East Coast Swing, Seattle Grunge? Yeah, me neither. No one reading Internet music criticism does. But you can imagine, yes? It's kind of cute. Exciting, for the sort of person who loves over-precise analysis of pop-culture artifacts. Which I totally am not. In any case, I've got some good … Read more

Cold World

Dedicated to Babies Who Came Feet First
Deathwish Inc. (2008)

Thankfully raps inclusion into the world of heavy music has been greatly ignored in hardcore minus a few forays into the ugliest parts of New York City, North Jersey, and a couple sightings in California in the early 90's. Then came Cold World from Wilkes-Barre, PA with their cute little samples and lyrics lifted from various hip hop artists. Next … Read more

Deadbird

Twilight Ritual
At A Loss (2008)

Right off the bat, allow me to bring notice to the cover art for Deadbird's latest album, Twilight Ritual (following up 2005's The Head and the Heat) because it is rather stunning; John Baizley (guitarist/ vocalist of Baroness, and artist for such bands as Torche, Darkest Hour, Pig Destroyer as well as his own) continues his busy schedule of art … Read more

Exodus

Let There be Blood
Zaentz (2008)

Why re-record your own album almost twenty-five years later? Some, including this reviewer, find the redundancy almost laughable, but yet it appears to be more and more common, crossing across all genres everyone from Dimmu Borgir to the Cowboy Junkies is doing it. The more mainstream of bands could certainly be accused of doing it solely for financial gain. After … Read more

Ceremony

Still Nothing Moves You
Bridge Nine (2008)

I could easily give Ceremony's latest album a token crappy review because quite frankly I find this band a bit too overrated to garner an actual unbiased review from me. I really hate to be "that guy" but I haven't enjoyed anything from this North Bay based hardcore unit since their demo and subsequent 7". Everything afterwards just came at … Read more

Decades

Numbered
State of Mind (2008)

Ah yes, Texas hardcore. In spite of the recent loss of many of its key bands, the various scenes within Texas continue to strike back with more young and promising hardcore bands. Decades, from the greater Dallas region, is amongst this new crop of bands bringing new life. Numbered is the band's debut effort, a six-song EP. "Caravel / Mediastinum" … Read more

The Sea and Cake

Car Alarm
Thrill Jockey (2008)

That easy, jazz-infused post-rock has come a long way since adopting a mispronunciation of their intended band name (The "C" in Cake). The Sea and Cake have extended themselves as a group after almost fifteen years, and now eight full-lengths, of playing. After taking a three-year hiatus, The Sea and Cake returned to the studio with last year's Everybody. Although … Read more

Grey Daturas

Return to Disruption
Neurot (2008)

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Grey Daturas is an enigmatic trio whose music is an amalgamation of many musical styles from metal all the way to free jazz. Now, I know what people might think upon seeing such a lofty description as many groups who aspire to such allegiances of musical styles or name check them end up falling well short, … Read more

Waco Fuck

Paranoia is Total Awareness
Life Is A Rape (2008)

Anger is a gift, at least when making music. Some really manic but great recordings have been borne out of huge amounts of frustration and anger. Waco Fuck are one seriously angry sounding band. Spend enough time listening to this and you will realize just how much. The album is called Paranoia is Total Awareness and the record label is … Read more

City of Ships

Live Free or Don't
Forcefield (2008)

One of the more surprising events or rather instances that I have been able to witness is that of discovering the three piece outfit City of Ships. The group's frenetic energy and obvious emotional stake in the music which they play is simultaneously impressive and inspiring. Live Free or Don't is actually the band's first EP which precedes their self-released … 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)

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