Beastie Boys
To the 5 Boroughs
Capitol (2004)
A lot has transpired since the Beastie Boys released their last full-length Hello Nasty nearly six years ago. George W. Bush was elected President afterthe wackiest election since the infamous "Dewey defeats Truman" fiasco. We saw the worst act of terrorism in U.S. history in the attacks that took place on September 11th. These attacks have resulted in the subsequent … Read more
Björk
Medúlla
Elektra (2004)
Pop music usually isn't something that offers much variety in terms of groundbreaking artistic expression, innovation, and, when it all comes down to it, quality. In the MTV generation of plastic creativity, few dare to venture into the realm of experimentation for fear of losing that ever-so-valuable celebrity clothing line, and dropping off the Top 40 charts. For every Björk, … Read more
Blacklisted
Our Youth is Wasted
Stillborn (2004)
Philadelphia has had a long and varied history of producing great punk/hardcore bands. After all, it is this birthplace of Ink and Dagger, Shark Attack, Kid Dynamite, Horror Show and countless others. In that same Philly tradition of quality come Blacklisted, a fairly new band to the Philadelphia hardcore scene. On their debut EP for Stillborn Records, Blacklisted take a … Read more
Bones Brigade
Focused
Fight Fire With Fire (2004)
When a band matures and begins changing their sound on their newest album, fans either embrace it or begin distancing themselves like flies from soap. While not making any radical changes, the changes in Focused by Bones Brigade are obvious and appreciated. The first major change is that Andrew left with his punk/youthful screams and has been replaced by Brian … Read more
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Greatest Palace Music
Drag City (2004)
I will admit, I read a few reviews of this record before buying it and I still had no idea what it was. Even by the time I picked it up I was clueless as to what this record held in store. Was it other people covering Will Oldham songs? Was it Will Oldham Covering other artist's songs? Was it … Read more
Bright Eyes
Lua / Take It Easy
Saddle Creek (2004)
Writing, recording, and releasing the "emo opus." Selling roughly around 175,000 units of that opus. Playing on late-night talk shows while maintaing indie-label status. Being courted by every major under the sun and being able to turn them down non-chalantly. Making out with Winona Ryder. These are just a few of the things that would have happened to you in … Read more
Bright Eyes & Neva Dinova
One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels
Crank (2004)
Pop quiz hotshot: You re in a mediocre rock band from Omaha whose fan base does not exceed the city limits. You have glorious dreams of standing on stage with brilliant lights illuminating your pale face. The idea of having awestruck roadies set up your equipment while you sip on Heineken's backstage makes you quiver. You have the drive, you … Read more
Camera Obscura
Underachievers Please Try Harder
Merge (2004)
With the state of pop music looking more and more depressing with every year, it is always nice to hear a band whose influences reach a bit deeper than the latest craze. In the case of Glasgow, Scotland's Camera Obscura (not to be confused with the San Diego band of same name), cues are taken as much from the British … Read more
Capillary Action
Fragments
Pangaea Recordings (2004)
I've heard that people who review music are failed musicians. This is not the case with Capillary Action, whose composer/music maker/sometime music critic Jonathan Pfeffer is known to masturbate frequently while listening to The Fucking Champs, Pinback, Thelonious Monk and The Red Light Sting. Pfeffer's ejaculation from these sessions created Fragments, a ten song affair between jazz, metal, ambience, rock, … Read more
Carina Round
The Disconnection
Interscope (2004)
Carina Round is too late for the Riot Grrrl movement, the only recent explosion of female artists. Although lo-fi indie princess Liz Phair and crazy Courtney Love of the now-defunct Hole were not considered true riot grrrls, they still benefited from the epiphany that females can rock. The movement has been strangled to death now that Liz Phair has gone … Read more
Cast Aside
The Struggle
Deathwish Inc. (2004)
Remember those spelling/definition tests that you had to take in grade school? You know, the ones where they ask you to give the definition of a word or use it in a sentence. I always loved those, maybe because I thought they were so easy. Okay, term one: "irony." - "Michael, an individual who is not straightedge, enjoys countless bands … Read more
Chromatics
Plaster Hounds
GSL (2004)
There I was. Stranded at an abandoned gas station just north of Mexico and just south of reality. The only thing keeping me cool was the shade created by my moustache and mullet. After four hours of solo Tai Chi I could see movement entering the horizon via motor vehicle, stage left. When the foreign body got close enough where … Read more
Circle Takes the Square
As the Roots Undo
Robotic Empire (2004)
Nothing is more excellent than when a fairly unknown semi decent band out of nowhere transitions into a butterfly etched in silk and razor wire. What does this all mean? Let's jump back a few years, more in particular, when Circle Takes The Square released their original album, which strangely happened to be a demo. The concept of releasing a … Read more
Circle Takes the Square
As the Roots Undo
Robotic Empire (2004)
Picture, if you will, a buffet comprised of the most delectable cuisines imaginable, prepared by a skilled staff of gourmet chefs. Now envision an angry mob running toward the buffet, toppling over all the trays, and gobbling every morsel of food with unreasonable haste. Not stopping to chew or swallow, the members of said mob are simply trying to jam … Read more
Clutch
Blast Tyrant
DRT (2004)
Back on Jam Room Clutch asked the world, "Who wants to rock?" And on the bands sixth full-length, Blast Tyrant, they respond to that question with the ironic answer of themselves. After flirting with major labels with their past few releases, Clutch have regrouped, signed with an indie label, and recorded an album filled with rock-n-roll loud enough to deafen … Read more
CocoRosie
La Maison de Mon Reve
Touch & Go (2004)
I'm always in a mood. It's not always a bad mood, although it may be three-quarters of the time, but I'm always in a mood. I've found that certain CD's better suit certain moods. Like, if I feel like partying my ass off, I'll put in Echoes by The Rapture. The other day I was in a weird mood. I … Read more
Codeseven
Dancing Echoes / Dead Sounds
Equal Vision (2004)
A lot of albums are released during the course of a year. Hell, even if you rule out all the albums that you know you have no interest in at all, there will still be some that you just don't get around to fully checking out until much after the fact. So while everyone else is focusing on the next … Read more
Colin Of Arabia
Illegal Exhibition of Speed
Rock Vegas (2004)
The first thing I noticed when pulling this CD out of the tray, was that it was one of those full size compact discs that only uses three inches in the middle. The outer ring of the disc was clear plastic. The image screened onto the disc looked pretty menacing with the clear background. I also noticed that the band … Read more
