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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)

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 expecting better. They have the dancy sound, but are a lot darker than most of the bands doing this sound. It's hard to tell you what I like and what I don't like about this record. It's one of those records where I just kind of say "Eh." all the way through. The first song, "Harry's Ass Is A Picnic", is without a doubt, my favorite song on this record. With some more work as a band together, they could be alot better. Right now though I am not feeling it as much as I thought I'd be. Read more

Multiple Authors

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 … Read more

Multiple Authors

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 … Read more

Multiple Authors

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 … Read more

Multiple Authors

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 … Read more

Multiple Authors

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 … Read more

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One from the archives

Svalbard

It's Hard To Have Hope
Translation Loss (2018)

Some bands need a couple of albums to find their sound, their niche if you like. Other bands seem to have stumbled upon their sound from their very first rehearsal. Their career is not defined by a grand steps from album to album, but rather by refining their craft on each album. Small changes to better their music a little bit every time. Svalbards second album makes it appear they belong to that second category.My first encounter with Svalbard was their split with Pariso. One year later their debut One Day This Will End really led me into their universe and had me track their backlog. At that time that consisted of three EP's. And to my surprise I found that from day one they sounded like Svalbard. From the … Read more

More album reviews

Multiple Authors

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

Multiple Authors

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

Multiple Authors

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

Multiple Authors

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

Multiple Authors

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

Multiple Authors

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

Multiple Authors

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

Multiple Authors

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

Multiple Authors

Sinai Beach

When Breath Escapes
Facedown (2003)

Decent record. Just sounds like everything else. Not that that is a bad thing I just didn't see myself saying "Oh I like that," or "That is pretty cool" once during the record. Definite potential and hopefully they can mature with future releases. If you like hardcore in the vein of Between the Buried and Me then you will like … Read more

Multiple Authors

Sinai Beach

When Breath Escapes
Facedown (2003)

Originality and innovation are two things this record lacks, but if those two things are extremely important to you, you probably shouldn't be listening to hardcore. Sinai Beach is definitely one of the better new school hardcore bands around today. Plenty of the fast paced hardcore stuff that gets kids broken noses on the dance floors these days, some crunching … Read more

Multiple Authors

Sinai Beach

When Breath Escapes
Facedown (2003)

I first heard about this band from an associate that doesn't like metalcore, but for the most part, strictly hardcore. So here I am, expecting something new, something that doesn't sound like the rest of the metalcore! After the ten second intro sample in "Candice", I was quickly disappointed. This first song sums up the whole album pretty much. This … Read more

Multiple Authors

Since By Man

We Sing the Body Electric
Revelation (2003)

For a genre such as hardcore, it's hard for a band to sound different... or good, for that matter. I dislike hardcore music, but this sounded like an emo-core/hardcore hybrid. Since By Man is the best hardcore band I've ever listened to - they play fairly fast (or, at least, they CAN play fast if they choose to do so), … Read more

Multiple Authors

Since By Man

We Sing the Body Electric
Revelation (2003)

I think I have whiplash. An incredibly addictive hardcore album with infectious riffs and powerful, gut-wrenching vocals are the best random synonyms for "whoah-kick ass" that I can think of at the moment. The vocals play off the guitars beautifully, and everything in between are seemingly endless chances for innovation that Since By Man capitalize upon nearly every time. Much … Read more

Multiple Authors

Since By Man

We Sing the Body Electric
Revelation (2003)

Lately, it has been difficult to read a music magazine with out encountering the statement "(Band X) breaks/pushes the boundaries of typical (Genre Y)" I'm sure somebody has already filled in the variables for this one: X = Since by Man and Y = Hardcore. We Sing the Body Electric is Since by Man's first full-length release after a series … Read more

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