The Estranged
Self Titled LP
Sabotage (2014)
Despite having been formed in 2006 and having released 3 LPs since, the Portland originated post punk band The Estranged have mostly fallen under the radar and out of public awareness. I myself had never heard of the three man act until the release of their self titled LP this month. Since then, I feel I need to make up … Read more
The Estranged
Static Thoughts
Dirtnap (2008)
With Static Thoughts, The Estranged attempt to combine the volatile combination of post-punk and punk with positive results on the whole. The album could have been a disaster on the scale of the Hindenburg, but instead is a balanced combination of contemporary post-punk songs that rely on traditional punk rock's finer cornerstones - two to three minute numbers that are … Read more
The Explosion
Bury Me Standing
Chunksaah (2012)
Man, I loved the Explosion, still do actually; and it is quite nice to finally see Bury Me Standing (their third album) finally see a release to the general public on a physical format (the record leaked way back, but we will get into that later) so that people get to hear some of these awesome latter day tunes from … Read more
The Eye Of Time
Acoustic
Denovali (2014)
Marc Euvrie is certainly a unique specimen when it comes to musicianship. When the previous, self-titled, album of The Eye of Time came out, it was just an unbelievable record to handle. The sheer weight of the album, its experimental scope and its extreme outbreaks, definitely left their mark. But today, Euvrie returns with quite different concept in mind, and … Read more
The Eye Of Time
Self Titled
Denovali (2012)
The first thing that hits you is how beautiful the album looks. You haven't even begun to listen to it and already you're fawning over the beautiful cover art. It only gets more enthralling as you open it up and revel in the stunning beauty of Thomas Hack's artwork. As you take your time flipping through the massive booklet of … Read more
The Eye The Ear and The Arm
Paths
Portia (2008)
Remember when music had regional traits? You know - Chicago Blues, East Coast Swing, Seattle Grunge? Yeah, me neither. No one reading Internet music criticism does. But you can imagine, yes? It's kind of cute. Exciting, for the sort of person who loves over-precise analysis of pop-culture artifacts. Which I totally am not. In any case, I've got some good … Read more
The Faint
Doom Abuse
SQE Music (2014)
It came as a surprise to everyone. The Faint sprung up from the ground out of nowhere after being gone for a few years. They came out of the dark to celebrate Danse Macabre's 10-year anniversary. What people didn't expect was for them to accompany the tour with new music. At their merch booth, fans had the chance to purchase … Read more
The Falcon
Gather Up the Chaps
Red Scare Industries (2016)
The Falcon are a curious band: a collection of rogue Chicagoans (now with Dave Hause as well), lead vocalist Brendan Kelly (The Lawrence Arms) seems to get the most attention but teammates Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio), Neil Hennessy (also The Lawrence Arms), and now Hause carry some impressive resumes on their own. It’s a loaded band, one that rips out … Read more
The Falcon
Unicornography
Red Scare Industries (2006)
The Falcon is here, so ready your crusty, unpolished, dull silverware and let a knife sink through the skin of the first layer of Unicornography, "The Angry Cry of the Angry Pie." I warn you though, don't be surprised when you hear the pie's shrill scream before his patented rough-yet-melodious crooning, for Brendan Kelly has ensured that this pie will … Read more
The Fall of Troy
Doppelganger
Equal Vision (2005)
'The Fall of Troy is everything you wish your band could be - younger, faster, louder, and well'better looking. These are the facts, but don't let it get you down. You're a snowflake, unique in your own way.' This is taken from the Equal Vision Records website. With a press release like the above, a band is sure to have … Read more
The Famine
The Architects Of Guilt
Solid State (2011)
The Famine are certainly not a new band per se. They contain overly experienced members of the band Emboyment. While Their previous band seems largely forgotten The Famine have set out to make a name for themselves far beyond their previous band and christian metal itself. The Famine have also changed since their last album 3 years ago. Replacing members … Read more
The Fantômas Melvins Big Band
Live in London 2006 DVD
Ipecac (2008)
The Melvins and Fantômas. Two great tastes that taste great together. This is the first visual release of this clash of the titans. Sure, they released a live album back in 2002 of one of their first live shows, but as cool as it was, like so many live releases, you really have to be there to truly see what … Read more
The Farewell Reason
Demo
Independent (2005)
I'm going to start this one by saying that, with very few exceptions, I fuckin' hate metalcore. Has a genre ever spawned so many worthless, generic, formulaic, and uninspired bands? It's seriously riding pop-punk's ass right about now. Now, I don't always mind my hardcore with heavy metallic leanings; I can stand All Out War and Embrace Today, who at … Read more
The Fiery Furnaces
Blueberry Boat
Sanctuary (2004)
Music as true art begs to be delved deeper into. Controversially classic albums such as Daydream Nation, Zen Arcade, and Kid A warrant very little before much time and myriad repeat listens. On first hearing, albums such as the aforementioned often appear completely impenetrable, inaccessible, and, in some cases, entirely unlistenable; nothing exists to grab the listener instantaneously by the … Read more
The Fiery Furnaces
EP
Sanctuary (2005)
A 10-song, 40-minute EP? Talk about cocky! After releasing their 80-minute beast of an album, Blueberry Boat, to my (and a handful of other cultists') absolute euphoria in 2004, what would be a perfectly suitable song amount and running time for a full-length LP for virtually any other band in the musical spectrum is a mere EP to the sweeping, … Read more
The Fifth Alliance
Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin
Demons Run Amok (2013)
The Fifth Alliance were formed in late 2006 in Bruda, Netherlands. Their sound is a mixture of doom, sludge and hardcore. The members include Silvia on vocals, Niels and Ivo on guitars, Rudd on bass and Ashwin on drums.Although the band was conceived back in 2006, their full length Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin came out only 7 seven years later, … Read more
The Fire Theft
The Fire Theft
Rykodisc (2003)
Sunny Day Real Estate was a great band. No one contends with this or argues with this. They fell into that elite category of bands that not only managed to shape one particular sound, but an entire genre of music. Their greatness is further embellished and heightened by the fact that they released a terrible record which doesn't detract from … Read more
The First Step
What We Know
Rivalry (2006)
Almost ten years ago the California hardcore band Chain of Strength asked, "Has the edge gone dull?" The edge hasn't lost any of it's sharpness but has transformed from a simple song written by teenagers in Washington D.C. in the early 80's to a positive filled jock rock by the end of the decade. The 90's itself was a scary … Read more
