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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)

Fennesz

Venice
Touch (2004)

My inner monologue: "Okay, this is your first review for the site. I should probably sound cool so I can get everybody's attention. Maybe I should start off by saying something really offensive. Yeah, let's do that. That always works. Hey, but remember that time you wrote that really offensive article on why you think the Asian diet consists purely of dead rats and rice? That didn't go over really well. Did it? No, it didn't. But you can't let that hang you up. Keep on track. Let's at least look at the CD you choose to review. It's Venice by Fennesz. Okay. That CD's alright. You can say a lot about that album. It's his fifth studio effort, right? Yeah, I think it is. But is electronic music even cool anymore? Not really. With everybody and their robot side-kick having a computer with music creation programs on it nowadays, there's a bigger glut of electronic music out there than there are badly dressed kids at a Blood Brothers show. But does that matter? Not if it's good, it doesn't. So is this good? I don't know. I really got to pee right now." (2 minutes later) "Man that was … Read more

Snow Patrol

Final Straw
A&M (2004)

They are from Scotland. They have two other releases titled Songs for Polar Bears, and When it's All Over We … Read more

The Kiss of Death

The Kiss of Death
Tribunal (2004)

It wasn't that long ago that I was greeted with the news that hardcore act Turmoil had decided to call … Read more

Whiskey & Co.

Whiskey & Co.
No Idea (2003)

Do you enjoy the taste of cheap beer? Do you pronounce the words creek as "crick" and hollow as "holler"? … Read more

Of Montreal

Satanic Panic in the Attic
Polyvinyl (2004)

One of the most prominent acts to emerge from the Elephant 6 collective, Of Montreal originated from Athens, Georgia, and … Read more

South

With the Tides
Kinetic (2003)

If you are not familiar with the English trio known as South yet, it is my strong opinion that you … Read more

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One from the archives

Isis

Oceanic Remixes Volume II
Robotic Empire (2004)

As I did with the review of Volume I, I will recommend that those of you who have not heard Isis, in particular the band's last full-length Oceanic, head out to your local independent record store and purchase a copy. Give the album a few listens and then you can come back and read the remainder of this review. And we begin on Side A with a reworking of the track "Carry" by Tim Hecker, who is best known for his work in Jetone. Hecker has reduced the song down to nothing more than a single guitar tone. But what he has done is added a lot, and I mean a lot, of distortion to the tone. As the track progresses and the distortion is pulled back you can make … Read more

More album reviews

Scraps And Heart Attacks

Still Sick
Triple Crown (2004)

These guys were incredibly hyped a little over a year ago when they had their demo out. However, then they were known as The Heist and their 7" was about to come out on Dead By 23 Records. Then they had to change their name, their record was delayed, and everything seemed to sort of die down for them. When … Read more

One Dead Three Wounded

Paint The Town
Lovelost (2004)

Living in California definitely has its perks. There's the near perfect weather, bodacious waves to hang ten upon, killer earthquakes that hella shred, beautiful ladies with even more beautiful brains (JK ON THAT!), and tons of other stereotypes that are all 100% true. But don't get me wrong, chill ass brah, this isn't perfect-land. As evidence of the lack of … Read more

The Weakerthans

Reconstruction Site
Sub City (2003)

As the industrial sized meat-slicer rhythmically chopped turkey loaf into delicious slivers, I was faced with the daunting task of timing the machine perfectly with the bass drum pounding in my headphones. Sure, there are much more creative ways to pass time at work but this technique afforded me a guilt free way of listening to Reconstruction Site over and … Read more

Time for Living

The Cheat is Not Dead
Rivalry (2003)

The Bay Area and surrounding areas must have an endless supply of hardcore bands. It seems every week I am discovering a new band from the NorCal scene. Time for Living is the latest band to receive my undivided attention, which they first peaked with their demo. With their Rival Records debut, they are going to garner attention from a … Read more

The Get Up Kids

Guilt Show
Vagrant (2004)

So I was cruising the record store one day with my girlfriend, when I saw this record on sale for $5.97. Well ok, count me in! I had meant to pick it up anyway, so I was pleasantly suprised to find it for six measly dollars. In all truthfullness I wasn't expecting much. I had heard a few songs from … Read more

Rum Diary, The / Kilowatthours

Split
Springman (2003)

Springman records are coming of age, and this release definitely shows it. Being the label that got popular on their Punk Rock Strike compilation series, they are branching out as of late with releases from A Day At The Fair (ex-Lanemeyer), and now this split release between Kilowatthours and The Rum Diary. The former I knew nothing about before coming … Read more

Tortoise

It's All Around You
Thrill Jockey (2004)

Tortoise are one of those bands that never seem to live up to my expectations. Of course I think they're amazing musicians and everything, but I'm always expecting a little bit more. I think a lot of other people do as well. Sadly, I think this is a result of the genius that was Millions Now Living Will Never Die. … Read more

Kid Kilowatt

Guitar Method
Hydra Head (2004)

There are side-projects and then there are supergroups. A side-project is something that a band member fiddles with when they are bored. But a supergroup is a project that no matter how hard it is kept under wraps won't be held back. Kid Kilowatt is a supergroup, a supergroup comprised of members of Cave In (Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath), … Read more

Lostprophets

Start Something
Sony (2004)

After releasing their debut, The Fake Sound of Progress, Lostprophets have returned with their second album for Columbia Records. On their first effort the band combined the versatility of Faith No More and the radio-appeal of Incubus with the charm of their countrymen Duran Duran. On their new full-length, Start Something, the band works to avoid a sophomore-slump by jazzing … Read more

Skare Tactic

Remember When
Thorp (2003)

Remember when hardcore music had more in common with punk bands as opposed to metal ones? Remember when hardcore music was concerned with getting a message out to the people as opposed to figuring out what shirt and bandana to wear with your new kicks? Remember when hardcore lyrics talked about political and social issues as opposed to whining about … Read more

Murder By Death

Who Will Survive, And What Will Be Left of Them?
Eyeball (2003)

I'll be honest right off the bat. The first mention I heard of Murder by Death was when they were making their name change from Little Joe Gould. I had yet to hear any music that the band plays, and my initial reaction was that based on namesake it was going to be another one of those emo-metalcore acts that … Read more

Tunes For Bears To Dance To

7"
Somberlain (2004)

Who wants to be sad forever? While most screamo bands wallow in their sadness and hide beneath the stairs in a gutter of sorrow, Tunes For Bears To Dance To drop kicks any tear in sight and bursts through the fog into sunshine. Not only do they absorb the Vitamin D from the sun's rays, but they suck it in … Read more

27

Let The Light In
Hydra Head (2004)

27 reach beyond simple classification. Combining bits and pieces from indie rock and trip-hop, as well as post-rock and traditional emo, 27 creates their own distinct sound within the teeming indie rock scene. With an EP, full-length, and a notable guest appearance (Isis - Oceanic) under their belts, the band has been together long enough to mold themselves from their … Read more

Madvillain

Madvillainy
Stones Throw (2004)

On this highly anticipated release from arguably two of underground hip-hop's most interesting personalities- wunderkind producer/MC Madlib (a.k.a. Otis Jackson, Jr., Quasimoto, Yesterday's New Quintet) and eccentric rapper MF Doom (a.k.a. Daniel Dumile, Viktor Vaughn, King Geedorah, Zevlove X) combine each of their unique talents to create an undeniably challenging and masterfully constructed record. Although there's an unquestionable cohesion to … Read more

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