Magrudergrind
II
Relapse (2016)
Fucking finally. It’s been six long years since we’ve heard from the Brooklyn via D.C. grind-brigade. This month marks the release of II, the only Magrudergrind record since 2010’s Crusher EP and a welcome relief to those only moderately pacified by Avi Kulawy’s (vocals) doom project, Ruine. II presents some major changes from Magrudergrind without exhibiting a substantial departure from … Read more
Magrundergrind / Shitstorm
Split
Robotic Empire (2006)
A few years back, I used to be friends with this kid Lee. He played drums in a few local metal bands and he loved blastbeats. He predominantly listened to a grind and death metal bands. I haven't seen him in quite some time, but if I did happen to run into him, I'd suggest that he buy this split … Read more
Mainland
Girls Unknown
Independent (2013)
Sounds can create images. New York City based 4 piece Mainland have this effect on "The Stroll". It concocts an image of bright strobe lights that make you even more bleary eyed in your drunken stupor, as you stomp your heels off the sticky floor in time to the drums as though your life depends on it, before the bridge … Read more
Majority Rule
Emergency Numbers
Magic Bullet (2003)
Intensity and passion are two integral parts of music that can be very hard to convey in a recording. Live it can be a lot easier, for instance, you can just jump up and down a lot and rock your crotch towards the sun and/or moon, and then the people will go "wooooo." To obtain this reaction from the people … Read more
Make Believe
Make Believe EP
Flameshovel (2004)
Thanks to a friend of mine, Blaine Patrick, lately I've been getting into American Football, Cap'n Jazz and Owen. These bands, among others, are all connected by the Jacksons of indie rock, the Kinsella brothers. When I heard Tim Kinsella's band Joan Of Arc I was disappointed. They're definitely creating their own sound, but something was missing. Recently Tim Kinsella's … Read more
Make Do and Mend
Bodies of Water
Panic (2009)
I'm just going to be honest here and let you all in on a little secret of mine. The thing is there aren't really any bands that have come down the pike in the last five years that I have actually really liked. Oh sure, there's been a heap of albums that have graced my ears in the half decade … Read more
Make Do and Mend
Don't Be Long
Rise (2015)
Back in 2010, Make Do and Mend were taking over top 10 lists with their debut, End Measured Mile. The band went on to shake things up with, Everything You Ever Loved. They slowed things down and focused on finding the right formula for their songs to burst and bloom. Their newest record, Don't Be Long, takes every chance it … Read more
Make Do and Mend
End Measured Mile
Paper + Plastick (2010)
This has been one the more highly anticipated records within the punk and hardcore scene in this year. How does a band overcome scene hype and shit talk to make a true album. The question is how does a band that has released to strong EPs parlay that into a complete full length. Many bands tend to fall short by … Read more
Make Do and Mend
We're All Just Living
Restless Minds (2007)
Don't you just hate it when an album, or in this case an EP, is marred by one or two horrible tracks? Connecticut's Make Do and Mend almost created a flawless melodic post-hardcore short player if it weren't for the second and third tracks. The latter of these two tracks, entitled "Interlewd," is a keyboard/piano driven sap fest that tries … Read more
Make the Difference
I Still Believe
Our Pride (2007)
Cincinnati, Ohio's Make the Difference is two guys, named Justin and Josh, and a rotating cast of friends according to the liner notes. It doesn't tell me what Justin or Josh happen to do in Make the Difference. The liner notes don't even bother to tell me which two of the four gentlemen in the band photo are Justin and … Read more
Makeout Party
Lengths and Limits
Make Music Collective (2008)
I'll admit it; I have a few musical guilty pleasures. I have a few albums that I'm embarrassed to own but I still love nonetheless. Makeout Party seems like they could be one of those bands. The name alone is a little off-putting, whether it reminds you of the awkward middle school gathering or the quick-lived internet group sensation. The … Read more
Maker
Mirrors
6131 (2011)
Maker have been a band for a few years now crawling out of the Massachusetts hardcore scene. The band play a style of pop punk that relies on speed and bolstered by breakdowns and gang vocals. The band had signed to 6131 records about a year ago after a handful of EPs and Split records. So far nothing particularly different … Read more
MakeWar
A Paradoxical Theory of Change
Fat Wreck Chords (2024)
This is the third album from MakeWar and they have their sound pinned down. I mean that, in the best way possible, A Paradoxical Theory Of Change is exactly what you want from the band. I also note it because, as it’s my third time review them, I’m trying not to repeat myself. This album introduces a new drummer, Alejandro … Read more
MakeWar
Developing A Theory of Integrity
Red Scare Industries (2016)
One of the reasons I gravitate toward the pop-end of the punk spectrum is because it lacks pretention. The structures are straightforward and honest, often predictable to such a fault that it’s become cliché. That’s why an album like Developing A Theory of Integrity is so refreshing. The overall sound is gruff pop-punk with a verse-chorus-verse foundation and a lot … Read more
MakeWar
Get It Together
Fat Wreck Chords (2019)
MakeWar aren’t like most of the other punk bands out there. They play what I call midtempo punk. It’s not built on anthems, choruses or super-fast into-the-pit adrenaline. Get It Together isn’t about fist-in-the-air release, it’s about built-up tension. The band is actively calling for people to (ahem) Get. It. Together. The tone is one of frustration and marginalization, but … Read more
Malady
Malady
Level Plane (2004)
This may seem like an overstatement or an overdramatic reaction to the task of reviewing a record, but honestly, reviewing Malady's self-titled record is probably one of the hardest things I will ever do. This band is, to say the least, sensational. Comprised of some of Virginia's finest dirty carefree musicians, Malady cranks out some of the catchiest, yet difficult-to-put-into-words … Read more
Malignancy
Inhuman Grotesqueries
Willowtip (2007)
a) "Neglected Rejection" b) "Benign Reabsorption" c) "Predicated Malformations" d) "Embryological Teratomas" Okay, here's how it works - you guess which ones are actual titles of songs by the band Malignancy, and which songs were created by me, inebriated after a night of Jäger-bombs using a thesaurus opened randomly to two different pages. Give up? All the titles are songs … Read more
Malvina
Hybrid Wars
Morning Wood Records (2019)
Hybrid warfare is a strategy that combines political -, conventional -, irregular - and cyber warfare. Thank you, Wikipedia, for this insight. Malvina uses the term to describe US imperialism. They denounce the rolling coup in their home country Brazil. In other words, this is highly political stuff.Next to politics the lyrics also deal with socio-political issues such as a … Read more
