The (International) Noise Conspiracy
Armed Love
American (2005)
Taking what seems like years, in fact almost two, to come out on the shores of the United States, The (International) Noise Conspiracy's latest album Armed Love unleashes our daily dose of revolutionary approved rock-n-roll. This album has been maligned by critics and fans alike and seems to have an incredible polarizing effect on its listeners. People either love or … Read more
The (International) Noise Conspiracy
The Cross of My Calling
American/Vagrant (2008)
It must be rough to be Dennis Lyxzén. Ten years ago, he was a part of the loftily-titled but nonetheless astounding album The Shape of Punk to Come with his band Refused. The bar was set very high, and once The (International) Noise Conspiracy was unveiled, we all realized that the bar would not be met. The (International) Noise Conspiracy … Read more
The 1975
Self Titled
Dirty Hit (2013)
If you were to walk past any major chain shop these days, there is an overwhelming high probability that you will spot multiple 'retro' items placed in the window display; frankly society's current infatuation with the 80's and 90's is starting to get to a rather worrying level. And if you are as a savvy as The 1975 appear to … Read more
The 4onthefloor
4x4
Independent (2011)
There is a type of rock & roll that is very, well, American—thunderous, hard-driving, electrified rhythm and blues with greasy guitars. Music that evokes a variety of American imagery—an oversized, gas-guzzling pickup truck covered in mud barrels down a gravel road; the driver—sporting a camouflaged hat and a farmer’s tan—rides shotgun with a six pack of beer and an actual … Read more
The 69 Eyes
Death Of Darkness
Atomic Fire Records (2023)
Death Of Darkness is the thirteenth album from the Helsinki vampires The 69 Eyes. The Finnish five piece have been knocking out their smooth style of gothic, glam rock since the early 90s and have managed to deliver stunning unique and catchy albums every single time. This up coming eagerly awaited album Death Of Darkness is no exception. Featuring 10 … Read more
The Abi Yoyos
Mill Valley
Raccoon (2006)
In a town where the highlight of a night is loitering in front of 7-11 with the bipolar Marshall manning register, you can't help but wonder what these kids are going to produce. Surrounded by triumphant Redwood trees, aging hippies on oxygen tanks, a cloud piercing mountain, and bridges into concrete realities, The Abi Yoyos have self-released the sleeper hit … Read more
The Abi Yoyos
The World is Not My Home
Riisk (2005)
I've always wondered when "classic" albums first came out how people reacted to them. For the most crucial bands it seems people fell in love with the music after the band broke up. Spinning on my record player is what will become a "classic". It's made of black vinyl. Nothing about it visually separates it from any other 7". But … Read more
The Absence
Riders of the Plague
Metal Blade (2007)
The Absence hails from Tampa, Florida. Anyone with a sense of history knows that in the late eighties this meant something. Death, Obituary, Deicide, and Morbid Angel all hailed from Florida and significantly helped mold the clay into what we now know as death metal. The Absence are fully aware of their roots and have set forth to continue the … Read more
The Acacia Strain
Continent
Prosthetic (2008)
Oh, the wasted potential. Sweet, sweet potential, flushed away like nothing. The Acacia Strain has been building a name by pummeling faces with their relentless breakdowns and searing guitar leads, appealing to the scuzzy kids you see at shows who have their hoodies up and can't wait to do a spinkick right into your innocent crotch. Except they found a … Read more
The Academy Is...
Santi
Atlantic (2007)
Something I've always had trouble imagining is five grown men sitting in a room, writing music that directly appeals to fourteen-year-old girls, and being totally happy with themselves. Maybe it's my own musical snobbery, but I can't believe that these bands go to sleep at night, creatively satisfied, and legitimately thinking that the music they write is worth anything. They … Read more
The Ackleys
Forget Forget, Derive Derive
House of Love (2006)
It has to be considered near unforgivable to include the words "They're certainly not the first to write songsââ¬Â¦ and they probably won't be the last - but infectious, rock-solid indie pop will never go out of style" in a press sheet when one's aim is to try and sell a band, not make prospective listeners sigh with disappointment before … Read more
The Advantage
Elf Titled
5 Rue Christine (2006)
Unlike movies, video game sequels eclipse their predecessors. The graphics are better, the gameplay is tightened, and the quantity of visible buttocks is increased. For The Advantage, a band that only plays video game covers, their second full-length has to be better than the first. For all the gamers in the house, warm up your thumbs and say goodbye to … Read more
The Advantage
The Advantage
5 Rue Christine (2004)
From my childhood there are some very specific things that I can recall: the first time I had sex (in preschool I thought it was lying on top of girls and licking them), when I realized there was no Santa Clause (sorry if I ruined that for any of you), and when I received my NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). The … Read more
The Aggrolites
Reggae Hit L.A.
Hellcat (2007)
Since about the year 2000, Tim Armstrong, Lars Frederickson and pretty much that has anything to do with Rancid has pretty much been a horrible venture, looking your way The Viking, Transplants and the last Rancid album. Prior to listening to this album the only conation I had about The Aggrolites was that they were Tim Armstrong's backing band for … Read more
The Alphabetical Order
I am Magically Happening!
Independent (2007)
I get a lot of albums in the mail, a lot. Every one of them comes with one-sheet containing information and descriptions that suggest that they are the albums for me. And while most of them are filled with bombastic and over exaggerated wordage, every once in a while you come across one that lives up to the expectations developed … Read more
The Anomalys
Down The Hole
Slovenly (2024)
If I have to give the elevator pitch, I’ll call The Anomalys garage rock with an ear for surf and psyche rock -- turned up to 11 and blasted through blown out speakers in an old 1980s sedan. It’s high-energy, no-frills rock ‘n’ roll with attitude. While it’s short, loud and fast, there’s also quite a bit of nuance and … Read more
The Anomalys
Glitch
Slovenly (2022)
The first song I listed to from Glitch was the single “Anomalys Rise,” which is an instrumental garage-surf burner. It’s definitely emblematic of the band’s sound and the record overall, yet I’m mildly surprised at the full-length because the vocals play such a role in the overall experience. Not a knock, but it feels like a curious single to release … Read more
The Appleseed Cast
Peregrine
The Militia Group (2006)
Rising from the wreckage of a failed record label and the departure of their drummer, The Appleseed Cast makes their return with Peregrine. This record marks their first with Casket Lottery drummer, Nathan "Nate Jr." Richardson. This band has many expectations to live up to on this record, especially considering the mixed reactions that their last album, Two Conversations, received. … Read more
