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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)

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

Don't be fooled by the name, this isn't a Good Charlotte cover band. HARD HARD. Anyways, this EP didn't get me incredibly pumped up, but it certainly was something worth listening to. Imagine Grade with less melody, and vocals that sound like Jeffrey Madeira from Poison the Well with lower production value. The Young and the Useless certainly aren't my new favorite band, but I'm interested to hear what they're going to put out when they get to improve on the production value, and improve a bit more as a band. They get an extra point for covering Journey's "Anyway". Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

I am not sure if I should hate the singer or the band. The singer, whilst having a good screaming … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

As the drums kicked in, literally, my third sense was exposed to the vocals of this young majesty. The kind … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

It's nice when bands can make beautiful music and still have it rock the casa. One thing that separates this … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

The Ugly Organ is an appropriate title for the Nebraska-based Cursive's latest effort. The band has put together an album … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

Cursive, being one of my favorite bands, had a lot to live up to with this release. Usually, when I … Read more

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One from the archives

The Swell Season

Strict Joy
Anti (2009)

A few years ago, a low-budget film called Once made quite the impression on international critics for its minimal and poignant love story, fleshed out by a heartfelt soundtrack and the charm of its non-professional actors. After humbly accepting an Oscar for Best Original Song, the stars and songwriters Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová returned to their level of tertiary fame as the duo project they had begun before the film came to fruition. Now solely recording under the moniker The Swell Season, the two return with another full-length of folksy indie rock, filled with insistence, heartbreak, and plenty of self-imposed Irish guilt. 2006's The Swell Season was a minimal exploration of dejection and coping methods, and most songs saw the duo at their most subdued and vulnerable state. This … Read more

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Multiple Authors

Rufio

Rufio
Nitro (2003)

I thought this CD was going to be shit, and guess what? Within the first twenty seconds I found myself not surprised. I don't understand how one person can enjoy these vocals. This EP is only 10 minutes, but 10 minutes that I wish I didn't waste. Besides the generic pop "punk" sound they have, I'll give them some props … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rufio

Rufio
Nitro (2003)

Okay; I came to this EP as a first time listener to Rufio, so I wasn't biased in my opinion of them. After spending the last 30 minutes or so with these three songs on repeat as I worked, I can safely say, Rufio are not a good band. Well, perhaps that statement is a little inaccurate. This is the … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rufio

Rufio
Nitro (2003)

After AFI left Nitro Records, Nitro went on a splurge by signing a ton of bands that otherwise they would have spent on AFI. Well unfortunately they didn't try and fill those shoes. They instead signed some of the worst bands around today. Rufio was one of them. After becoming a success with their last CD, Perhaps, I Suppose (which … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rock Kills Kid

Rock Kills Kid
Fearless (2003)

Pop with replay value. It doesn't come often, but when it does, it sure is a keeper. This occurs because the pop and rock are so finely blended on this that it just comes oozing with smiles. These said oozed smiles are soon molded into the figures of two lovers making passionate sex with "Everything To Me" as the backdrop. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rock Kills Kid

Rock Kills Kid
Fearless (2003)

I decided to give this band a chance because I heard they weren't a complete Get Up Kids rip off. Well, every piece of press this band gets mentions that Rock Kills Kid brings more to the table than simple pop punk, but this might be a stretch. The verses sound a little interesting, but as soon as the choruses … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rock Kills Kid

Rock Kills Kid
Fearless (2003)

Rock Kills Kid of Southern California deliver a refreshing take on pop-punk with their debut EP. The band has been described as "technical pop-punk" which is seemingly fitting, because they certainly have much more technical prowess than most bands they will surely be lumped together with. This EP combines the energy of a pop-punk band with the darker approach of … Read more

Multiple Authors

Garrison

The Model
Iodine (2003)

When I first jump started this baby I was expecting another generic "emo" band. But as the first song winded down, I realized that it wasn't so! The vocals at times remind me of Get Up Kids, but not as high. The music itself is poppy, but still has the rock, and is similar to The Casket Lottery at times. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Garrison

The Model
Iodine (2003)

This release isn't great. It's not bad either. It's just kind of there. They have this sound that is a tad bit similar to Hot Rod Circuit's latest stuff. A little more complicated. The singer hits notes at times that sound like the singer of The Casket Lottery. Too bad his band isn't as good. I think the final song … Read more

Multiple Authors

Garrison

The Model
Iodine (2003)

I'm slightly familiar with Garrison's older material, so this release surprised me to a degree. I don't recall Garrison's music being as poppy as it is now, so older fans might be a little bit disappointed. On this record, Garrison seemed to have drifted more towards the Vagrant Records definition of 'emo', which is not a happy thought at first, … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rainer Maria

Long Knives Drawn
Polyvinyl (2003)

Rainer Maria? More like Rainer Boring. The lack of rock and only prettiness make this boring. It would be ok if the prettiness was really good, but it's just kind of bland. The female vocals aren't really working for me either. I'm sure she has a good voice, but it adds to the already stale feeling. At the same time … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rainer Maria

Long Knives Drawn
Polyvinyl (2003)

Wow. This band changed. A lot. Last I had heard of this band was A Better Version Of Me which I believe was their last full length record. Well something happened in between as this new record is quite a bit darker than that record. Caithlin's vocals are allot stronger than they have ever been and really steps into the … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rainer Maria

Long Knives Drawn
Polyvinyl (2003)

Long Knives Drawn is quite a good rock record. Each song is well-written and sculpted quite perfectly by Rainer's members. Highlights on the record, to me, are the opening track "Mystery and Misery", "Ears Ring", and the final song "Situation Relation". I've never been a fan of Rainer Maria, or even heard too much by them, but I have been … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Goodwill

That Was A Moment
Negative Progression (2003)

Now, I don't like New Found Glory, but I bet these guys do. Read more

Multiple Authors

The Goodwill

That Was A Moment
Negative Progression (2003)

Holy shit this sucks. It's not the worst music I've ever heard, they know how to use their instruments, but they lack the pizzazz of such pop artists as Michael Jackson and rock artists as Queen. In one song they even try to do the screaming back up thing, and contrived crap smells really bad. It's not even worth reading … Read more

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