Modern Life Is War
My Love. My Way.
Martyr (2003)
One of the best, if not the best, hardcore album of 2003 so far. If hardcore doesn't strike your fancy, stop being a cold hearted wench and check this out anyways. The only thing that is better than this album is seeing Modern Life Is War live, which is packed with stomping and diving rolls. This doesn't sound like Madball, … Read more
Modern Life Is War
Witness
Deathwish Inc. (2005)
Let me say this right off the bat: this album is perfect. Modern Life is War has created a record that, at least to this reviewer, ranks right up there with Bane's Give Blood and American Nightmare's Background Music. The sound is actually remarkably similar to Background Music, however not in any way that My Love, My Way wasn't. I … Read more
Modern Life Is War
Witness
Deathwish Inc. (2005)
There are undoubtedly many of those who claim that hardcore is a dull, stagnant genre in serious need of a quick, timely death. It's easy to see from where they draw their argument, because hardcore is a hugely popular genre that has simply refused to evolve for far too long. Fortunately for the hardcore aficionado with discerning taste, there have … Read more
Modest Midget
Crysis
Multi-Polar Music (2014)
Following the group’s ambitious 2010 debut The Great Prophecy of a Small Man, Dutch group Modest Midget returns with 2014’s Crysis, an album that’s equally as sprawling, eclectic, and generally cheerful as its predecessor. Admittedly, it took me a few listens to really get into what Modest Midget had to offer on their first album, and this second effort is … Read more
Modest Mouse
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Epic (2007)
Modest Mouse's We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank have proven to be a difficult album for the staff of Scene Point Blank. Since it's release we have had a number of staff writer's attempt to put into words what makes this album so good. And yet, in all of their attempts, not one has been able to come … Read more
Mogwai
Happy Songs For Happy People
Matador (2003)
The indie nation are a bunch of whiners. Not only that, but they're pretentious, snobbish, and apparently humorless. Probably why Mogwai has always stuck out like a sore thumb around most of the journalists, scenesters, and bands. From the widespread-yet-untrue "Slint-knockoffs" title to the apathetic attitude that's been widely misconstrued as a general "Fuck you" to the public, Mogwai's always … Read more
Mogwai
Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
Sub Pop (2011)
Mogwai is a band that is extremely difficult to like. Though they are one of the cornerstone bands of the post-rock genre, their discography lacks a lot of the consistent strength found with acts such as Explosions in the Sky or Long Distance Calling. Don't misunderstand me; they have released some fine albums (Mogwai Young Team and Ten Rapid in … Read more
Mogwai
Mr. Beast
Matador (2006)
I'm riding a veritable roller coaster. Yes, arguably the most clichéd analogy to begin any form of discussion about a post-rock record; I'm painfully aware but it's late and I'm tired. But I'm not going to compare the music itself to an intricate, high energy ride, but rather to my own reaction to it. My own perception and reaction to … Read more
Mogwai
The Hawk is Howling
Matador (2008)
The usual post-rock sites were ablaze with "new Mogwai is boring" posts a few weeks before it was released, which signaled not only the impending leak had finally happened, but also the expected, but all-too-easy, tendency to judge before really listening. I would have just ignored these dismissals anyway, but they got me wondering what to expect with album previews … Read more
Moistboyz
V
Neverman Records (2013)
Moistboyz aren’t a particularly active group. The band, based around the duo of vocalist Guy Heller and multi-instrumentalist Mickey Melchiondo (aka Dean Ween), has only released five items in about twenty years. V is the third full-length in that bunch and, while the artists have aged, it’s clear they haven’t matured.The band plays an eclectic hard rock, with Heller’s sing-shout … Read more
Mokumedori
Mokumedori
Dewfall Records (2017)
How do you tell a fairy tale using only sound? That's a question seemingly answered by Japanese artist Mokumedori's self-titled album. Utilizing an eclectic variety of instruments, many of the toy variety, this album appeals directly to the imagination of its listener, almost daring you to come up with a story to accompany the music. While some might be tempted … Read more
Molia Falls
A Support Entry Title
THN (2007)
This is my first exposure to Molia Falls, as it may be for some others as well, and I am not sure what to expect at all from the CD that sits here. The packaging tells me little or rather, gives no impression of the type of music that may be hiding on this EP and that gives me pause. … Read more
Momentum
Whetting Occam's Razor
Halo of Flies (2012)
Momentum is a melodic hardcore band from the UK that writes music with a message. Whetting Occam's Razor is a full length that explores many different ideas with smart lyrics. Front man Alex (of Light Bearer and formerly Fall of Efrafa) writes with reason and intent combined with powerful music. At times, this album comes together to be something special. … Read more
Mommy and Daddy
Duel at Dawn
Kanine (2005)
I probably should have known something was up when two thirds of the reviews I read of Mommy and Daddy's Duel at Dawn talked more about how much fun they are live when you didn't quite know what to expect from them than about the album. Let it be a lesson to me. Who knows? Maybe, had I been in … Read more
Moñecho
Past Waters/Fever Lives
Self Released (2015)
In a past life – OK, like eight years ago - I found myself working at a furniture factory in small town Pennsylvania. While I've found worse methods of employment from time to time, this job was, to put it mildly, not an ideal use of my time and talents, revolving around strenuous manual labor and a generally mind-numbing work … Read more
Monikers
Wake Up
Kiss of Death (2008)
2008 was a year I kept hearing Monikers' name without knowing a thing about them. They turned up on split releases, message boards, and year end lists before I really familiarized myself with them. It turns out they live up to the endorsements received, not to mention the bonus points received for having an ex-Discount member. "80 Proof" kicks off … Read more
Monolith
Eclipse
Independent (2008)
A first record for a band taking their first steps is both exciting as well as potentially harrowing when putting one's work out for others to hear. Monolith make that leap with their debut album, Eclipse, and to be completely honest, I admire the fact that this Pennsylvania four-piece put the record out themselves. Monolith is one of those "post-rock" … Read more
Monolithe
Nebula Septem
Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions (2018)
Concept albums are hardly a new thing but for French band Monolithe and their seventh record, the conceptual aspect has been taken to the next level. Seven songs, exactly seven minutes long, each beginning with the first seven letters of the alphabet in sequence with each letter signalling the tonality of the track that is playing......it all sounds like a … Read more
