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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)

Today is the Day

Today is the Day (Reissue)
SuperNova (2008)

Today is the Day provide us with another reissue of an out of print album, their third full-length, Today is the Day. This album is also significant because it is the first one that the group produced on their own at Austin Enterprises (the recording studio of the group's mastermind, Steve Austin). This self-titled effort also marks a significant lineup change in the band as Austin jettisons the bass guitar in favor of an individual who mans a keyboard and various electronic devices to expand the sound of the band into new territory. With their third album, Austin and company take Today is the Day into a more "metal" territory that more closely resembles the outfit that takes shape on their later albums. And while that may or may not be important, Today is the Day might be something of a transitional record that acts somewhat as a missing link between the earlier Amphetamine Reptile records (like Supernova and Willpower) and their later Relapse records (like Temple of the Morning Star and In the Eyes of God). Right from the opening cacophony of "Kai Piranha," the heavy sections of this record are evidently thick almost as if Austin somehow mimicked … Read more

The Armed Forces

Modern Gospel for Modern Men and Women
Goldtooth (2008)

wan•na•be [won-uh-bee, waw-nuh ] noun. Informal. One who aspires, often vainly, to emulate another's success or attain eminence in some … Read more

Amebix

Monolith (Reissue)
Moshpit Tragedy (2008)

Seriously, Monolith being reissued in a digital format on a donation basis is an incredibly important occasion for several reasons … Read more

Torche

Meanderthal
Hydra Head (2008)

By now, most people that care enough to know that Torche's point of origination begins with the fall of Steve … Read more

Ween

La Cucaracha
Rounder (2007)

If you don't know Ween at this point, it's difficult to sum them up in a few words. Eclectic, genre … Read more

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 … Read more

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One from the archives

The Sensibles

A Bunch Of Animals
Rijapov (2013)

The opening track to The Sensibles’s first full-length album is entitled “Happy,” which may be the most self-descriptive name I’ve seen in ages. I was hooked immediately—not just from the first song, but from the first few exuberant drum beats. The Italian pop punk/punk rock band is still relatively fresh on the scene, having only released one 4 track EP prior to A Bunch of Animals back in 2012. Despite being in the adolescence of their music career, The Sensibles have developed a remarkably distinct sound, sporting vocals that can only be described as “No Doubt with a thicker accent than Bjork” and a mean clean bass/guitar/drum combo that nicely evokes The Ramones.After “Happy” comes “My Mattress,” a song so insanely catchy that years from now it will probably still … Read more

More album reviews

End of Level Boss

Inside the Difference Engine
Exile on Mainstream (2007)

It's all about the riffs for these English lads: big, thick, rumbling and sometimes peculiar riffs. I have to say that I have always had a deep affinity and a strong weakness for this kind of music. There has always been a warm and cozy feeling to music that takes a lot of influence from the stoner and doom genre, … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Culprits

Demo
Independent (2007)

Culprits is a band that you've likely never heard. What the hell is wrong with you? This New Mexico four-piece serves up five tracks of fast-paced and in-your-face hardcore in less than six minutes. The music is intense and the words are penned with quite the chip on the shoulder. "January 15th" is a minute blast of high octane hardcore … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Radio War

The Rising of the Talentless
Copper Lung (2008)

Richmond has always had an impressive hardcore scene, so it's no surprise to hear good things from the city in Radio War. The Rising of the Talentless is the band's first label release and the second for upstart Copper Lung Records. This 7" comes packed with four tracks of gritty and groove-heavy hardcore punk. "The Boy Gangs of Richmond" is … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Title Fight

Kingston
Flight Plan (2008)

Title Fight is the latest pop-punk/melodic hardcore outfit to emerge from the school of Saves the Day/Lifetime. The three songs that comprise this 7" are rooted in the sound of early Saves the Day, but they've also got a bit of a post-hardcore vibe going on as well. Musically I suppose this could be loosely described as pop-punk, but it's … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Insurrect

Fucking Infinity
2012 (2008)

I've lived in Cleveland for most of my life and I've come to know the city as quite the haven for metal. I guess there is just something about this city that breeds the urge to grab a guitar and tear it up. Insurrect is easily the best-kept secret of Cleveland's metal scene. But, while other bands have garnered much … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Alone

Kiss Dreams Goodbye
Refoundation (2008)

Kiss Dreams Goodbye is the newest offering from Alone, a melodic hardcore band hailing for Italy. This release is the band's follow-up to a split and features five brand new songs. Alone have a fairly unique sound as they're deeply rooted in the melodic hardcore, but they've also got a little bit of an indie/emo thing going as well. "Viva … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Tempo No Tempo

Repetition
Double Negative (2007)

Tempo No Tempo fit into that niche of bands that take equal influence from the worlds of indie rock and new wave. Musically speaking the two styles aren't that distinct from each other, so they go together rather well. Repetition is the band's second EP since forming in 2004. On Repetition the band mixes together the angular guitar melodies of … Read more

The Sword

Gods of the Earth
Kemado (2008)

The Sword is probably the first band to ever see their career catapulted thanks to a video game. Sure, lots of bands have had their songs featured as part of the soundtrack to a game, but none were an integral part of the game as "Freya" was to Guitar Hero II. This isn't to discredit The Sword as they are … Read more

Sunny Day Sets Fire

Stranger Remix EP
I Am Sound (2008)

Choosing a band name is a tricky thing. If you choose one that sounds lame, people will write you off before they've even heard you. In this case, if you choose a name that's very close to a band that's already existed, then the listener has to wonder a few things. The listener wonders if Sunny Day Sets Fire just … Read more

Every Other Fate

Phantoms Fill the Skies
Independent (2008)

Even with the recent explosion of big opus, post-genre fluff, and also considering the success of groups like Radiohead, The Mars Volta, Tool, and to an extent, Dredg, experimental albums will forever maintain a cult following. Most typical trend-trotters "just don't get it," and even some of the more cerebral minds are quick to call the style a pompous exercise … Read more

Putois

The Problem is not a Problem Anymore
Cerebral Cliff (2008)

A friend asked me the other day if it would be possible to write a record review vein of a musical genre. I mean we all get sick of the formulaic quality these things often take, don't we? For me this means constantly trying new things out. My biggest setback isn't in telling a reader whether I think some thing … Read more

Various Artists

Enjoyed: A Tribute to Björk's Post
Stereogum (2008)

Tribute albums have never really sat well with me. With each song, I usually hear every band featured saying, "Hey, we can do this song better than the original artist." But it's very rare that a cover will be nearly as good or enjoyable to listen to as the original. I think sometimes you should just leave a great album … Read more

Saints Never Surrender

Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst
Blood & Ink (2007)

Every once in awhile I use the Internet's greatest invention, Youtube, to get a feel for a band by either watching live performances or perhaps a music video if one is provided. Fort Wayne's Saints Never Surrender had a low budget video in which they show the band eating at Taco Bell, someone two-stepping everywhere, and some live footage where … Read more

Hayaino Daisuki

Headbanger's Karaoke Club Dangerous Fire
Hydra Head (2008)

Ah, the long awaited return - at least among Discordance Axis fans - of Jon Chang the vocalist of the regrettably extinct grind outfit Discordance Axis. Hayaino Daisuki is one of two new groups (Gridlink being the other) for which Chang is providing vocals and words. And if these lyrics are anything like the sci-fi reference filled nerd out that … Read more

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