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Slayer

Christ Illusion
American (2006)

During one of his spoken word performances, Henry Rollins once noted that it is as if someone freezes Slayer in a block of ice in-between tours and recording; they are completely unaware of the fact it's not 1983 anymore but still continue to make music as if it was. In their twenty-something year career, they haven't really "progressed" (began sucking) … Read more

Jena Berlin

Passion Waits as the Program Keeps Going
Watch the City Burn (2005)

I realize that we are more than halfway through 2006. I realize that Jena Berlin recently began recording their follow-up to this album. But, I have two solid reasons for reviewing this album so late: 1) I never heard of the band prior to receiving the album in the mail a few weeks back, and 2) Passion Waits as the … Read more

The Scare

Snakes Among Saints
Lawnchair (2006)

Not many people remember DC melodic hardcore band Affront, whom has the dubious distinction of being one of three bands (J Page and 3 Inches of Blood are the others) to ever shack out on my wooden apartment floors. I wasn't living here at the time but my old roommate took these boys out for a night on the town … Read more

Razzle Dazzle

Both
Lockin Out (2006)

Razzle Dazzle, better known as RZL DZL on this side of the computer screen, is Detroit's latest hardcore export, and yet another Lockin Out exclusive. The appropriately titled Both features their 5" release, 555, as well as their Demo Revisited 7", offering a more accessible way to listen to RZL DZL than hunting down two out-of-print records. RZL DZL plays … Read more

Multiple Authors

Johnny Cash

American V: A Hundred Highways
American (2006)

Johnny Cash might as well be an American institution. Many revere him and his recent death following the passing of his beloved wife, June Carter, was marked by much hoopla and circumstance. It was a shame, but by no means a shock. The triumphant and bleak sounding record, American IV: When the Man Comes Around, was a disturbing and wonderful … Read more

Multiple Authors

Johnny Cash

American V: A Hundred Highways
American (2006)

It seems almost an old story now. Ailing musician hooks up with a contemporary producer and covers a mixture of contemporary songs. Tom Jones tried it. Rod Stewart tried it. It's an old story that so often ends up looking pathetic. A contrived attempt to mine the last fragments of dying fame, more often than it is a serious artistic … Read more

Between the Buried and Me

The Anatomy of
Victory (2006)

I like Between the Buried and Me, a lot. But The Anatomy of is a perfect example of a covers album gone bad. I really like the idea of paying homage to the bands that inspired you to play in the first place, but there is a productive way to go about doing that and there is also a filler-creating … Read more

Erase Errata

Nightlife
Kill Rock Stars (2006)

I fear it may happen one day; someone will slip up, let the cat out of the bag, and give the game away. Someone may, one day, tell Erase Errata that it isn't 1981 any longer. Basquiat is dead, Sonic Youth isn't so youthful anymore and John Hinckley Jr. was a rubbish shot. Step forward, Ladies, 2006 has much to … Read more

Radio 4

Enemies Like This
Astralwerks (2006)

When Radio 4 released Gotham, it instantly became one of my favorite albums of all time. It was packed full of great songs that were great to dance to and also contained a message. But the band faltered with the distinctly average Stealing of a Nation. It wasn't so much that Stealing of a Nation was a bad album, it … Read more

Scott Walker

The Drift
4AD (2006)

Scott Walker - to those who know and love his music - is one of those towering figures of American culture that is as much the stuff of legend as an actual person, like Roky Erickson or Thomas Pynchon. Walker spent the late '60s recording four astonishing LPs of lush, overwrought continental melodrama, entitled Scott through Scott 4. These are … Read more

Angel Eyes

Something to Do with Death
Underground Communiqué (2005)

There's not a whole lot you can say about Angel Eyes that hasn't already been said about Isis. If Isis were an actual person, Angel Eyes would be its impressionable, suppler younger brother. The latter always gazing starry-eyed at the former with a love and devotion to rival the strongest of bonds. Ok, that's a stretch, but they really do … Read more

Slumlords

On the Stremph!
Lockin Out (2006)

The members of Baltimore based Slumlords have been around the proverbial block a few times and know their niche. On their previous releases the band wrote street punk influenced hardcore songs. The songs tackled both serious topics as well as everyday topics that could be joked about. On the Stremph!, is comprised of, you guessed it, a combination of street … Read more

Dance Floor Justice

Breaking the Silence
Double or Nothing (2006)

There are three things that make me like this band. One, they have a ton of Star Wars references in their music. Actually, besides having a song named with a semi-obscure line from the original movie, there is an entire song about Darth Vader - shame on you if you are so culturally unaware as to who that is. Two, … Read more

The Zutons

Tired of Hanging Around
Deltasonic (2006)

When a friend of mine first introduced me to The Zutons back in early 2004 I was not hugely impressed. To me, Who Killed… The Zutons? sounded a little too much like their labelmates The Coral's Magic and Medicine and I went so far as to brazenly call The Zutons "a poor mans Coral." With the release of their second … Read more

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