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Various Artists

Underground Hip Hop Essentials Vol. 1
Sassbologna (2006)

It hasn't been until recently, with my discovery of artists like Ghostface Killah, that I started listening to hip hop again. I was excited when I saw this release, and knew I wanted to venture into the world of hip-hop reviews. The Underground Hip Hop Essentials Vol. 1 comp features thirteen tracks from underground rappers from around the country and … Read more

Unsane

Visqueen
Ipecac (2007)

Damn, it is real hard to believe that Unsane is still going strong (minus a break from 2000-2003) almost twenty years after initially forming. Like many people, my knowledge of the band originates with seeing their video for "Skrape" on MTV many moons ago. The gnarly visuals (predating CKY, MTV's Jackass, or Scarred) of skateboarding accidents instantly made me a … Read more

Willy Mason

If the Ocean Gets Rough
Astralwerks (2007)

Listening to Willy Mason, it is hard to remember that the voice being projected through the speakers belongs to a youth barely twenty-two years old. His voice is a true hybrid, mixing influences of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and William Elliot Whitmore, producing a voice that is mature beyond its years. Accompanied by an array of instruments that help to … Read more

Various Artists

New York vs. New Jersey: Punk Rock Battle Royal
Crafty (2007)

Throughout the 90's pop-punk was an essential part of most punk and hardcore kids' record collections. Even those whose tastes leaned toward the heavier side of the underground spectrum had a special place in their heart for certain Lookout Records gems. Throughout the early 2000's it seemed that the pop-punk of earlier years had been replaced by a soulless, overproduced … Read more

Multiple Authors

Pissed Jeans

Hope for Men
Sub Pop (2007)

Ask somebody why they like the music they like, and you can get more or less the same answer. We have certain expectations from music, and we judge its quality by how well it meets those expectations. But then along comes a band like Pissed Jeans, throwing a proverbial wrench into the formula of musical enjoyment. Not seeming to care … Read more

Multiple Authors

Pissed Jeans

Hope for Men
Sub Pop (2007)

The music of Pissed Jeans is what The Wonder Years might have been like if Kevin had been born with Thalidomide birth defects, facing the trials of growing up with flippers instead of hands. Their music is a feedback dissertation for bed-wetters, reprobates, and anyone who's ever felt left out, shit on, or ignored. "Boring Girls" was a shit-kicking one-chord … Read more

Nagelfar

Virus West
Ván (2006)

In Norse Mythology, the Naglfar is a ship built, naturally, from the fingernails and toenails of the dead. Black metal always has been, and I suspect always will be, an odd one for me. Whilst I'd really rather have as little association as possible with the corpse paint, witch hats, and general chastising of Christianity, the dripping black atmosphere is … Read more

Asbestosdeath

Dejection, Unclean
Southern Lord (2007)

If you are at all familiar with doom metal you should no doubt be aware of who Bay Area legends Sleep are, and how big an impact they had/still have on the genre. And you're most likely aware of the post-Sleep projects High On Fire and Om. But you might not necessarily know that Sleep had its humble beginnings in … Read more

Rishloo

Eidolon
Rishloo (2007)

Music enthusiasts with more discerning tastes often feel Tool's work over the last ten years is a little - lacking. Could you really blame them for this? Whether it's a result of the group being spread too thin between other projects or maybe truly running out of ideas after "˜96, it's pretty obvious that Maynard James Keenan and crew have … Read more

Neurosis

Given to the Rising
Neurot Recordings (2007)

This is a Neurosis record through and through. Given to the Rising ultimately destroys any notion that this long running, innovative band are getting soft. Recorded in a very brief six days with long time recording collaborator Steve Albini, this album is an experiment of sorts for the band. Neurosis continues to take steps forward in the evolution of their … Read more

Illinois

What the Hell Do I Know?
Ace Fu (2007)

It's hard to talk about bands you don't know. I feel like there should be a mental block when you describe a band that has a solid fan base, but that you've only listened to a handful of times. Nevertheless, you have to start somewhere, and every band (well, most bands) deserves a listen. So I go forth into the … Read more

Ben Weasel and His Iron String Quartet

These Ones are Bitter
Mendota (2007)

Growing up, Ben Weasel was the total embodiment of punk rock to me. Sure, NOFX was the band that hooked me in, but Screeching Weasel made me fall in love with the genre. Plus the dude's been wearing leather jackets and chucks since the late eighties and probably hasn't held a job with a salary or benefit plan for one … Read more

Two Gallants

The Scenery of Farewell
Saddle Creek (2007)

Two Gallants have left many critics, myself included, dumbfounded for a means of describing their music. Those less talented have made illusions to their folk rock contemporaries and labelmates, or a certain well-known rock duo, claiming vocalist/guitarist Adam Fontaine and drummer Hyde Edneud as the bastard sons of these groupings. The closest thing I have come across as to giving … Read more

Beastie Boys

The Mix-Up
Capitol (2007)

Everyone in the known universe that's ever listened to music has heard at least one (but more likely three-to-ninety) Beastie Boys song. They've connected with nearly ever corner of the music industry, inspired by and passing on the torch to musicians in hip-hop, rock, punk, dance, funk, jazz, soul, garage, indie, and electronica. So where does the band that's done … Read more

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