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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)

The Wayward

Overexposure
Magic Bullet (2008)

Overexposure should be listened to with a) an instrument in hand, b) a beer in hand/several beers in your stomach, or c) a turntable. Why a)? Because you will look down at whatever instrument you have chosen to hold - maybe with intentions to play along with the music you're about to hear - and realize that the music is not only technical, but it is difficult to decipher. Why b)? Because you're most likely seeing The Wayward live. Why c)? Because the Overexposure LP was pressed on translucent yellow/gold vinyl. When it spins, it's a sight to behold. But why should you listen to The Wayward in the first place? Fairfax, Virginia's The Wayward is characterized by sometimes discordant, sometimes melodic but always intricate music. Overexposure is a sampling of progressive music in that it highlights offbeat styles and ways of playing. It's impressive to discover that only three people make all of this noise. "Live in a Vacuum" was my first introduction to The Wayward. Although the song was played much faster when I saw the band play in Baltimore, the lively dissonance in its beginning still shines through on the record. "Detective Story" features some awesome syncopation … Read more

Day Without Dawn

Understanding Consequences
Fallen Empire (2008)

I remember The Postman Syndrome; their lone full-length, Terraforming is a hidden gem chock full of references to the landmark … Read more

Bridge and Tunnel

East/West
No Idea (2008)

If there has ever been a band that you would expect to be on No Idea Records that doesn't feature … Read more

The Measure [SA]

One Chapter in the Book: A Collection of Standard Waits and Measurements
Kiss of Death (2008)

New Brunswick, NJ seems to be bringing the rock lately. The Measure [SA] is one of the town's hard working … Read more

Suicide Note

Empty Rooms
Hawthorne Street (2008)

Some things just get better with age. Suicide Note is one of those things. As the band has progressed over … Read more

IAMX

Kiss + Swallow (Reissue)
Metropolis (2008)

When a press pack goes on and on about an artist's former band and all you can remember about them … Read more

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One from the archives

The Estranged

Static Thoughts
Dirtnap (2008)

With Static Thoughts, The Estranged attempt to combine the volatile combination of post-punk and punk with positive results on the whole. The album could have been a disaster on the scale of the Hindenburg, but instead is a balanced combination of contemporary post-punk songs that rely on traditional punk rock's finer cornerstones - two to three minute numbers that are fast, simple, catchy, and - in this case - bleak. Rewind about twenty-five years to the heyday of post-punk - think bleak like Siouxie or Sisters of Mercy and not The Cure and you are on the right track. Static Thoughts has a decidedly darker bent than most albums from Dirtnap's untouchable roster, and their sound harkens back to Pacific Northwest punk-kid household names Wipers, Joy Division and Wire rather … Read more

More album reviews

Crime In Stereo

Selective Wreckage
Bridge Nine (2008)

If Selective Wreckage would have came out after the Troubled Stateside instead of ...is Dead no one would of batted an eye. Most of the songs on Selective Wreckage are more in the vein us Crime in Stereo fans were used before the band decided to take an unexpected turn into brand new (ha ha ha) territory of emotive pop … Read more

Shorebirds

It's Gonna Get Ugly
Rumbletowne (2008)

When you consider the potentially high profile of Shorebirds, it's surprising how quietly they operated. Singer/guitarist Matt Canino was in the much-loved Latterman and bassist Chris Bauermeister played in Jawbreaker. With all the hype this could have created, Shorebirds instead laid low, putting their records out on Canino and co-owned label and establishing almost no presence on the Internet. And … Read more

Banner Pilot

Resignation Day
Go Kart (2008)

With a pedigree including Rivethead and Off With Their Heads there are certain expectations behind Banner Pilot's debut full length. In addition to their resume, the band has received a number of rave reviews that boost these lofty expectations. Resignation Day largely proves the buzz correct. What Banner Pilot delivers is nothing groundbreaking: they play rough pop-punk much like their … Read more

Gods and Queens

Untitled
Robotic Empire (2008)

Following the untimely demise of Versoma, Gods and Queens springs forth from those ashes (Tombs is another band which formed in the wake of Versoma's death) to create another logical progression within a similar vein or style of musical sound. In fact, prior to Versoma forming, Gods and Queens had a short existence which resulted in a nascent version of … Read more

Overcast

Reborn to Kill Again
Metal Blade (2008)

I would say ninety percent of the fans of the current bands (Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, Seemless) that the members of Overcast are in weren't even out of diapers when these metalcore rippers were originally in action. While the members have seen significant success with their current musical endeavors, it is the time spent crammed into a van touring the … Read more

Crime Desire

Crime Desire
Life Is A Rape (2008)

The singer of Crime Desire is dead ringer for Rasaraja/Robert Fish of 108/Judas Factor fame. So I can't help to think that Crime Desire is either a Krishna band or some post hardcore unit from the Revelation catalog in the early part of this decade. I probably couldn't be more wrong. Musically Crime Desire reminds of those type of bands … Read more

Multiple Authors

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 … 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 for those well versed in the recordings of both Thursday and Envy, this partnering of punk-minded individuals makes a lot of sense. Thursday begin the split with "As He Climbed the Dark Mountain." The sound set forth by the New … 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, I may be privy to not having my opinions of their records tainted yet by the "their first or early records were better" attitude. Thankfully so because their fifth album, Doomsdayer's Holiday, might just be the band's best record to … 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 make a series of obnoxious sounds? I'm probably coming off like some Bacharach-rocking philistine, but I really really like songs. Failing that, riffs. Failing that, music. The album Way by Ecstatic Sunshine fills somewhere between zero and three of those … 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 since 2003's To Die For, Integrity's absence hangs over the hardcore scene like a looming spectre waiting to strike down pretenders and infidels alike. Sure the usual re-issues of Integrity's back catalog and singles as well as live records continue … 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 personal likability. Although I do realize that most of these likable factors are usually based on preconceived assumptions that I pull from band photos and lyrics. Let's take Black Sheep Squadron for example. We both have a love affair with … Read more

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

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