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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)

Die Young

The Message
Immigrant Sun (2004)

Back in the mid 1990's, there was one place to turn to for hardcore, and that was the thriving mecca of New York City. There was a plethora of talented and hard working bands coming from the NYHC scene. Today that work ethic can be rivaled by very few. Die Young are the latest export from Texas, the great state that has given us such things as The Alamo, Pantera, and Nolan Ryan - I like baseball so cut me some slack. Each city in Texas caters to a specific style of music. The Dallas/Ft. Worth area is home to the metal/metalcore crowd, while Austin and El Paso stake claim of the indie/emo kids. And then you have San Antonio and Houston, which are the havens for the traditional hardcore acts. Die Young are the latter, reigning from Houston and playing hardcore music similar to that of Terror. The Message, a full-length release, actually chronicles the bands first year and a half of existence. The release contains Die Young's two previous 7" releases and four brand new tracks chuck full of crucial sing-alongs and heavy dance parts. So for those of you that weren't previously familiar to the band, this … Read more

Ben Kweller

On My Way
ATO (2005)

Why do we like this guy so much? He is a horrible songwriter, he has a mediocre voice, and the … Read more

Ratatat

Ratatat
XL Recordings (2004)

The hype machine works in interesting ways. It can make or break a band even if the wind changes direction. … Read more

TV on the Radio

Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Touch & Go (2004)

Young Liars was one of the most exceptional releases that I have heard in recent years. It caught me completely … Read more

The Von Bondies

Pawn Shoppe Heart
Warner Bros. (2004)

Prior to listening to Pawn Shoppe Heart, my exposure to The Von Bondies had been rather lacking, and the only … Read more

Vitamin X

Bad Trip
Havoc (2004)

Whoa. Thrash. Yes, it still exists, and very much so in the DIY punk community which seems to have to … Read more

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One from the archives

Outkast

Idlewild
LaFace (2006)

Andre Benjamin and Antwan Patton have reached an interesting point in their careers. After a handful of exceptional albums, Outkast have finally hit their slump. Since their music is essentially created by two people, it is easy to look at their history as a relationship. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was their awkward but promising first date. ATLiens marked the moment they realized that they were made for each other. Aquemini found them really getting to know each other, and loving every minute of it. Stankonia was the product of the perfect couple bringing out the best in each other. Then suddenly, Andre' decides that he wants to see other people. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is a perfect example of two individuals trying to prove that they can live without each other. Ultimately, their desperation … Read more

More album reviews

McLusky

Difference Between Me and You is That I'm Not on Fire
Too Pure (2004)

Super producer of such illustrious bands as McLusky, Nirvana, and Bush, (SERIOUSLY STEVE WTF?) Steve Albini recently said that McLusky is the best band working in England right now. Yeah, that may be his characteristic bravado and showmanship, but it also may be pretty close to the truth. On their third full length, The Difference Between Me and You is … Read more

Carina Round

The Disconnection
Interscope (2004)

Carina Round is too late for the Riot Grrrl movement, the only recent explosion of female artists. Although lo-fi indie princess Liz Phair and crazy Courtney Love of the now-defunct Hole were not considered true riot grrrls, they still benefited from the epiphany that females can rock. The movement has been strangled to death now that Liz Phair has gone … Read more

Bright Eyes & Neva Dinova

One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels
Crank (2004)

Pop quiz hotshot: You re in a mediocre rock band from Omaha whose fan base does not exceed the city limits. You have glorious dreams of standing on stage with brilliant lights illuminating your pale face. The idea of having awestruck roadies set up your equipment while you sip on Heineken's backstage makes you quiver. You have the drive, you … Read more

Dissolute

Demo 2004
Independent (2004)

Every city has that one local band that should be signed to a label and off touring Europe because they are that phenomenal. For Cleveland, that band is a three-piece metal outfit named Dissolute. Previously, the band was restricted by the members additional projects, but with those endeavors out of the way, Dissolute can finally evolve into the musical juggernaut … Read more

Still Crossed

Love and Betrayal
Indecision (2004)

Growing up in Cleveland I was more than spoiled when it came to hardcore bands: Integrity, The Spudmonsters, Committed, Ringworm, and countless others. I always found it odd that I rarely heard of hardcore bands from other cities in Ohio. Those that I did hear about were few and far between, not to mention they usually broke up by the … Read more

Psyopus

Ideas of Reference
Black Market Activities (2004)

If legendary musicians were born today, what would they pursue? Would Buddy Rich attempt to create the fastest blast beats, rivaling even those of drum machines? Would Jimi Hendrix attempt to front a metal band and shred like none other? Would Bach sit behind a computer composing epic masterpieces for ravers to "roll" to? Most "musical legends" had no problem … Read more

The Gossip

Undead in NYC
Dim Mak (2003)

Let's face it people, America is fat. They're also lazy. The two don't go together to form a very healthy society. I mean, look around you right now. Seriously, do it. What do you see? I'll tell you. Fat people. And not just any fat people, lazy fat people. These lazy fat people are trying to lose weight by cutting … Read more

Sex Positions

Sex Positions
Deathwish Inc. (2004)

Walk into a Boston hardcore show and ask a random kid if they like the Dedication, and there is a 95% chance they will do one of the following: A. Call you a faggot. B. Say, "You like that make up wearing band of faggots?" C. Turn around to their group of friends and say "Hey guys, did you hear … Read more

The Good Fight

Breathing Room
Goodfellow (2004)

It seems as though the popularity of real hardcore has a formulaic ebb and flow that changes with the years. A style that may draw 500 kids to a VFW hall in 1988 certainly isn't going to get the same crowd in 2004, is it? Well, given the monumental growth of labels like Bridge 9, Martyr, Deathwish and others over … Read more

Ambulance LTD

LP
TVT (2004)

New York City looks so glamorous from afar, but when I get there I'm reminded that I don't belong with the constant honking, the frustrating one-way streets, and the crazy taxi cab drivers. When I leave, however, I am suddenly left with a longing to belong. I guess NYC is too hip for me, and sometimes it is too hip … Read more

Noxagt

The Iron Point
Load (2004)

There's this pretty great interview in the most recent issue of Chunklet magazine which talks to Pen Rollings of Honor Roll, more recently of Loincloth fame. In the article, he talks about how all those European metal bands that burn churches down and totally front like they're hard are, in fact, pussies who try too hard. As a result, he … Read more

Martyr A.D.

On Earth as it is in Hell
Victory (2004)

Minneapolis' most crushing metalcore band are finally back with a new album and a new line up. After a few years on hiatus, Andy Hart and Karl Hensel, both from the recently defunct hardcore band Holding On, have joined Martyr A.D. on vocals and drums respectively. One of my biggest music related pet peeves is when a band I like … Read more

Harkonen

Dancing
Initial (2004)

When I first undertook the task of writing the review for Dancing, I wanted to make sure I did the job right the first time. I own Shake Harder Boy, but something about this album was different to me. After a few listens to the album, I was able to establish that there was more experimentation this time around. While … Read more

CocoRosie

La Maison de Mon Reve
Touch & Go (2004)

I'm always in a mood. It's not always a bad mood, although it may be three-quarters of the time, but I'm always in a mood. I've found that certain CD's better suit certain moods. Like, if I feel like partying my ass off, I'll put in Echoes by The Rapture. The other day I was in a weird mood. I … Read more

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

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