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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)

Useless I.D.

No Vacation From the World
Kung Fu (2003)

Pop punk is at an all time high: New Found Glory and Blink 182 seem to be on TRL (I haven't watched TRL in many a year, but I think it's safe to assume so), Drive-Thru has an entire stage all to itself at Warped every year and I can't stop hearing about these bands that sound all the same like RX Bandits, Finch, Homegrown, Something Corporate and god forbid whatever else. Although Useless ID is separate from the Drive-Thru bands, they don't fall too far off the tree. Kung Fu has always been a label of . . . how do I say this . . . deficient tastes? Is that safe to say? In any case, when Kung Fu picked up Tsunami Bomb, I thought it was the best decision they've ever made, but that album disappointed. Unfortunately, Tsunami Bomb is talented, which means that Kung Fu must have done something. Perhaps this goes the same with Useless ID. I don't know much about their background or anything other than what I've listened to, but Useless ID is another pop punk band that I disapprove of. This is something that Weezer fans may pick up in the near … Read more

Useless I.D.

No Vacation From the World
Kung Fu (2003)

Useless ID deserve so much props, it is utterly ridiculous. I know I don't really like them but you have … Read more

The Locust

Plague Soundscapes
Anti (2003)

The phenomena of the Locust is something I am completely incapable of grasping. I listen to the Locust, and I … Read more

The Locust

Plague Soundscapes
Anti (2003)

Unlike a lot of other people, I was entirely unfamiliar with the Locust upon the release of this record. All … Read more

The Locust

Plague Soundscapes
Anti (2003)

The Locust has been shunned for their recent works. Their split with Melt Banana was not taken well by critics. … Read more

Hint Hint

Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)

Hint Hint will make you dance, but they'll also leave you with somewhat of an empty feeling. This is one … Read more

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One from the archives

Transistor Transistor

Erase All Names and Likeness
Level Plane (2005)

It's not very often these days one gets the opportunity to use the phrase "This brings the ROCK" without sounding like some kind of crotch grabbing throwback Darkness fan. If you miss (or totally missed out on) the days when Iggy Pop mocked Hells Angels while boasting about the size of his "Johnson," Dinosaur Jr. consuming more green than Cheech and Chong, and "alternative rock" that means more than Creed selling stupidity and false emotion to inbred middle America then praise Jesus (or Scott Stapp) for a savior has arrived! Transistor Transistor has finally gotten around to releasing their debut full-length, and in the process what is sure to be one of 2005's finest rock records. Erase All Names and Likeness comfortably surpasses their previous splits and EPs, as well … Read more

More album reviews

Hint Hint

Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)

With bands like Hot Hot Heat getting big, it's no doubt you'd see a ton of bands that are similar get recognized. Such is the case with Hint Hint. This is their first release and I must say I am somewhat let down from all the hype this band has been getting. Although the record is alright, I was just … Read more

Hint Hint

Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)

Think of Ink and Dagger. Then think of Ink and Dagger without their great singer. Then mix in a bit of Adult and you'll have Hint-Hint. The first song starts it off well, but it isn't really a sign of anything. The second song is anti-climatic, which would be fine if it weren't building up to anything, but it seems … Read more

AFI

Sing the Sorrow
Dreamworks (2003)

I picture AFI as a scale that must be kept even at all times. If you take a checker from one side, you better take one away from the other. On this album, they have gained something, but also lost something else. No more are the bouncy 'whoa-oh' charged anthems, instead they have been replaced with a bit more intelligent … Read more

AFI

Sing the Sorrow
Dreamworks (2003)

AFI's newest full length. Since everyone who works on this site has been a member of the AFI community at one time or another, you'd think it'd score 10's. Seems to not be the case so far. I can't say I'll be an exception but that is not to say this record is bad at all. On the contrary actually. … Read more

AFI

Sing the Sorrow
Dreamworks (2003)

"Oh my God, my God this can't be happening! AFI has signed to a major!" Is an example of a popular reaction to the announcement last year that that AFI would be releasing their sixth full-length, Sing the Sorrow, on Dreamworks records. Anybody without a huge bias towards the record before it was even released, however, will soon realize that … Read more

Hot Rod Circuit

Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)

This album consists of older stuff that is out of print, hence the witty album name. I'm a fan of "Very Best Friend", the first song; it has a nice pop rock feel. But after that it is like coming down after smoking a fatty bowl, or bowel if you don't know how to spell. The rest of the album … Read more

Hot Rod Circuit

Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)

Well this record does win something. Worst album cover and album name of the year thus far. I didn't like their first ep the first time I heard it so it did nothing for me on this cd. Nothing else on the cd compares to anything that they have done lately. The cover songs don't help this cd any either. … Read more

Hot Rod Circuit

Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)

I didn't hate this album, that's about all I can say for it. Nothing on this CD stood out in my mind at all, it all seemed pretty bland and boring. If you're a HUGE fan of Hot Rod Circuit's post-emo indie/pop sound they have going, you might want to check this out, I wouldn't go out of my way … Read more

Midpoint

Shutup, That's Why
2nd Best (2003)

Incredibly boring pop punk. While I do not like pop punk all that much, I know when it is done the right way and these guys have managed to fail their final exam. To study up, I suggest they listen to Osker - Idle Will Kill on repeat for the next 6 months, hit the studio, and try again. I … Read more

Midpoint

Shutup, That's Why
2nd Best (2003)

I was bored the whole time. Most of the muscles in my face have ceased all ability to move. This is one of the most generic, boring, derivative albums I have ever heard. Regular ol' pop-punk, except with a pretty bad vocalist. The band would take the step up on the ladder to being terrible if they got rid of … Read more

Midpoint

Shutup, That's Why
2nd Best (2003)

Obviously the trend of pop punk has not stopped yet, which is evident by recent releases like this. It's formulaic, with squeaky clean guitar riffs and "uplifting" vocals that are whiney as all hell. There is even a breakdown thrown in here and there, which seems to be the new element in this music. In "Non Stop Lying You" at … Read more

Lightning Bolt

Wonderful Rainbow
Load (2003)

One day as I was harvesting my grain, I looked up to the heavens and asked, 'God, is sheer musicality and technical prowess enough to make a good record?' To my surprise, God responded. His booming voice chimed in with a clear as day 'Fuck no.' Then from out of nowhere, Lightning Bolt's album, 'Wonderful Rainbow fell into my hands. … Read more

Lightning Bolt

Wonderful Rainbow
Load (2003)

Lightning Bolt consists of a drummer and a bassist, and provides of flurry of electron dissonance. But don't expect music that you would think of when you hear "drum and bass", because this is a ride on a one way bus to India. Warning: there is nothing about the sound that reminds me of India. Sometimes the songs can get … Read more

Lightning Bolt

Wonderful Rainbow
Load (2003)

Wonderful Rainbow, Lightning Bolt's latest full length, is the much anticipated follow-up album to Ride the Skies that doesn't disappoint. When I listen to Lightning Bolt, whether it be live or on CD, I know that they're giving me their all and not having some message they're trying to get to the idiot public, as some bands seem to do … Read more

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