Reks
Straight, No Chaser
Brick\Showoff (2012)
Nipping at the heels of 2011’s acclaimed Rythmatic Eternal King Supreme—a record that earned him nominations in Boston for both “Hip-Hop Artist of the Year” and “Album of the Year”—Reks returns alongside fellow Beantowner—and a man that knows a thing or two about striking while the iron is hot—DJ/Producer Statik Selektah. Where Reks’ previous albums have featured beats from a … Read more
Remedy
Cool
Laserlife Records (2017)
One thing I love about split albums is that there’s more often than not one band on it that is new to me. I’ve discovered some really great bands or albums because a band I love introduced me to another band through a split record. Case in point: Remedy. I just loved their split with ESC Life earlier this year. … Read more
Remnants
Suspension
Tycho Magnetic Anomalies (2011)
Brooklyn based drone purveyors Remnants four track cassette Suspension is a curious little release, building on a foundation of fuzzy electronic notes, and deep unnerving tones. Lead track "Ornamentals" is a tad unsettling in it's minimalism. The quiet buzz of white noise sitting just behind dissonant strikes slowly build in sound level, washing over the touches of an almost bell-like … Read more
Renee Heartfelt
Death of the Ghost
Textbook Music (2005)
I often wonder how musicians reach the point in their lives where they want to make a change in their musical endeavors. Perhaps they no longer find the frantic and chaotic world of hardcore/punk interesting. Maybe they have been screaming and breaking shit on stage for so long that they no longer know what they're angry about. For whatever reasons … Read more
Repercussion
And the Winner is...
Spook City (2004)
While this album has been out for a little while now, it's somewhat coincidental that I am reviewing it as television is graced with The Contender. Just like the 16 boxing contestants that are competing for a chance at a lump sum to change their life, Repercussion is completing with the ever-increasing number of tough-guy hardcore bands fighting for our … Read more
Resplendent
Am I Free? I Am Free
Mixx Tape (2005)
You might not have heard of Michael Lenzi, aka Resplendent, but if you have, you're probably wondering how a guy like this can go so unnoticed. He's that favorite actor or actress you fall in love with at first sight, but in this case, first listen. If you've missed out on the last three records, be here for what might … Read more
Restorations
LP2
Side One Dummy (2013)
Is classic rock punk now a genre? I don’t have a whole lot of background with Restorations, other than catching half a set at Fest 11 last year. The energy in the room was powerful and vocalist Jon Loudon had a distinct and memorable voice, of the raspy variety. What I get in LP2, my first recorded introduction to the … Read more
Retox
Ugly Animals
Ipecac (2011)
Many wondered what was next for Justin Pearson. The man known for many project (Swing Kids, The Locust, 31G Records, etc) had been out of the musical limelight for awhile. Late last year Retox announced their formation and released a demo. The demo was a nice surprise as it was similar to the early material of The Locust but with … Read more
Reunions
Aching Waits
La Escalera Records / Def Cow Records (2018)
You know how once you get an idea in your head, you can’t shake it no matter what else comes up? That’s happened to me in reviewing Aching Waits, an EP released at the start of the year by San Francisco’s Reunions.This 4-song 12” EP has nice variation across the board, yet I keep coming back to Hot Water Music, … Read more
Reunions
Winter Heart, Summer Skin
Independent (2019)
I must have slowed down over the years. At least I hope my recent interest in bands like Reunions or Nightmarathons reflects my now 40 years-old perspective more than it reflects of some kind of nostalgia bender. Because I’m truly enjoying these mid-tempo rising tide records, including this new self-released Winter Heart, Summer Skin that’s heavy on the hardcore-inspired emocore … Read more
RevCo
Sexo Olympico
Thirteenth Planet (2008)
Who's your favorite Cock? Hopefully you answered either Al "Buck Satan" or Luc, Luc Van Acker, seeing as they're the only returning members. I missed 2006's Cocked and Loaded, which was their first record since 1993, but the change from its predecessor Linger Ficken' Good to Sexo Olympico is measurable - as you'd expect with fifteen years in between and … Read more
Revenge
Strike.Smother.Dehumanize
Season of Mist (2020)
At this point Canadian extreme metal malcontent J. Read has had two entirely different but noteworthy careers. The man (something I assume he identifies as, and not a woodlen spirit, demon, or other apparition) helped to invent one of the more punishing confluences of metal subgenres as the vocalist and drummer for pioneering war metal generals Conqueror, and since 2000 … Read more
Revilers
Self Titled
Patac (2012)
Boston punk outfit Revilers have been kicking about on their local scene since 2008, and finally dropped debut album Revilers on Patac Records at the end of March. Containing thirteen no-holds-barred and vitriolic as heck anthems, Revilers builds on the EP's (Isolation, Stand or Fall - both on Patac) the band have released previously and fully realises their stance on … Read more
Rêx Mündi
IHVH
Debemur Morti Productions (2011)
Handily joining the ranks of the best French bands whose abuse of the metal ümlaüt prevents their name from being typed without excessive use of the copy/paste function (I'm looking at you, Trörkrvisätänsrökrëh), Rêx Mündi, in all seriousness, deliver a surprisingly rewarding release with 2011's IHVH.What I like most about this album is its generosity with the song structures. They … Read more
Rhymefest
Blue Collar
J Records (2006)
Honestly, Blue Collar could have been one of the best hip-hop albums of the year. A few months ago, when he first caught my attention, around two-dozen Rhymefest songs were already circulating the Internet. More than half of these are undeniably some of the best mainstream hip-hop tracks in recent history. Rhymefest, who is already a Grammy winner as co-writer … Read more
Rïcïnn
Nereïd
Blood Music (2020)
Where do you even start with an album like this? It’s been a while since it’s been released, so I definitely had time to immerse myself into it properly as well as getting the leverage of seeing how it aged, even if over a short period of time in terms of timespan when talking about albums. Rïcïnn’s latest record, Nereïd … Read more
Riddle of Steel
1985
Ascetic (2008)
Riddle of Steel's Myspace blog is an amusing read for a variety of reasons, most notably the October 12, 2007, entry. While he'll probably never come out and say it, lead singer/guitarist Andrew Elstner would love to kick Radiohead's asses. His frustration (or jealousy) is somewhat understandable and very human, as it's likely that pure egotism would allow the acclaimed … Read more
Ride Your Bike
Bad News from the Bar
Deep Elm (2008)
Bad News from the Bar serves as a soundtrack for a screenplay that Ride Your Bike member Mike Getches wrote. In the supposed movie which I shall entitle Emo Schlock #24564, he tells the story of childhood friends Lillian and Elliot drifting apart due to Elliot's big city dreams. Apparently they find each other again through police interrogators, druggie neighbors, … Read more
