Matisyahu
Shattered
Epic (2008)
This four-track EP spins the typical Matisyahu sound a little bit from its pop/old school hip-hop/reggae roots, with opener "Smash Lies" bringing out a more modern hip-hop sound and the following track "So Hi So Lo" working a more prominent guitar line in to give a rock edge. It's a diversification which is no bad thing at all, but it … Read more
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Have Another Ball
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)
We've all been to parties where there's always one guy. One drunk asshole to pooch the proceedings. Either he's slobbering all over you, back slaps and all regaling everyone with tales of how much he loves you, or giving you the drunken skunk-eye from across the room quietly seething and simmering in his jack n' coke with hatred for you … Read more
Memorial
The Creative Process/Berlin
Flight Plan (2008)
Some of you may recall a band by the name of Renee Heartfelt. They were a fairly short-lived group that released an EP and a full-length before abruptly disbanding a few years back; an unfortunate happening as their 2005 release Death of the Ghost was absolutely stunning. Well, vocalist Pete Appleby has returned with Memorial; so now we can feel … Read more
Men as Trees
Weltschmerz
Daijoubu (2008)
Richard "Dick" Proenneke died in 2003 after living alone in the Alaskan wilderness for roughly thirty years. He built his own furniture after constructing a cabin for himself, was attacked by bears, and almost tamed a wolverine. Proenneke's naturalist life and journalistic observations at Twin Lakes is an obvious influence for Men as Trees' third release on Daijoubu Records, as … Read more
Metallica
Death Magnetic
Elektra (2008)
The Metallica debate has been one of the most hotly contested that music has ever seen. Pro or Anti. Sellouts or one of the few bands of the people and for the people. There's an argument for both sides, to be sure, but in the end, if you're not for them, you're probably against them. If we're going to throw … Read more
Mi Barrio
Good Job
Panda Empire (2008)
I'm stoked that bands out there are gluttons for punishment and seek me out to do a review of their album. That's cool. However, I have a meager complaint from now on; no more CDR copies of your release. If it's a full-length like Good Job it gets the 200 Words or Less treatment. EPs will probably be ignored completely … Read more
Mike Patton
A Perfect Place
Ipecac (2008)
It's been no secret that for quite some time now, Mike Patton has wanted to broaden his ever-widening horizons into the world of film scoring. Now, with Ipecac's 100th release, we now have the first film score composed by Mike Patton, and it's a doozy. A Perfect Place is a twenty-five minute black-and-white icy-cool neo-noir film directed by Derrick Scocchera … Read more
Mischief Brew / Joe Jack Talcum
Photographs from the Shoebox
Fistolo (2008)
Photographs From the Shoebox is a split between two Philadelphia artists that mean a lot to punk music. Mischief Brew are technically a band, but it seems safe to say all elements of their music are merely an extension of guitarist and songwriter Erik Petersen. Petersen also runs Fistolo Records, so this is a self-release in a way. Joe Jack … Read more
Miseration
Your Demons ~ Their Angels
Lifeforce (2008)
Former Scar Symmetry vocalist Christian Älvestam has left said band to focus more on his other project, Miseration. Miseration is also a melodic death metal band, like Scar Symmetry, only they take a more straightforward approach rather than a technical/progressive one. The band's debut album Your Demons ~ Their Angels may satisfy fans of melo-death but their overall sound is … Read more
Mitch Easter
Dynamico
Electric Devil (2008)
Excellent debut solo record from the former Let's Active mastermind. Of course, the sound quality is killer, considering it was recorded in his own studio. Power pop with cool guitar licks throughout makes this a consistently rewarding listen. "Time Warping," "Dusky Lair," and "Why is it so Hard?" are my favorites here. But this record is bursting at the seams … Read more
Mogwai
The Hawk is Howling
Matador (2008)
The usual post-rock sites were ablaze with "new Mogwai is boring" posts a few weeks before it was released, which signaled not only the impending leak had finally happened, but also the expected, but all-too-easy, tendency to judge before really listening. I would have just ignored these dismissals anyway, but they got me wondering what to expect with album previews … Read more
Monikers
Wake Up
Kiss of Death (2008)
2008 was a year I kept hearing Monikers' name without knowing a thing about them. They turned up on split releases, message boards, and year end lists before I really familiarized myself with them. It turns out they live up to the endorsements received, not to mention the bonus points received for having an ex-Discount member. "80 Proof" kicks off … Read more
Monolith
Eclipse
Independent (2008)
A first record for a band taking their first steps is both exciting as well as potentially harrowing when putting one's work out for others to hear. Monolith make that leap with their debut album, Eclipse, and to be completely honest, I admire the fact that this Pennsylvania four-piece put the record out themselves. Monolith is one of those "post-rock" … Read more
Mötley Crüe
Saints of Los Angeles
Eleven Seven (2008)
Sometimes you just want to tear something down, rip it to shreds. To have that attitude when reviewing an album is fucked up, no question. The promo for the new Mötley Crüe album was claimed for such a reason. Preconceived notions are just that - preconceptions. Sometimes they're accurate, sometimes not. Thinking that an album from schlock-meisters Mötley Crüe will … Read more
Mouth of the Architect
Quietly
Translation Loss (2008)
It has been a rather tumultuous year for Mouth of the Architect. Late last year the band announced their breakup as a result of the departure of their main songwriter and guitarist/vocalist. Not more than a few days later the band had a change of heart, revealing they would be continuing on, and with original vocalist/guitarist Alex Vernon returning to … Read more
Mouthbreather
Thank You For Your Patience
Kiss of Death (2008)
After hearing a certain amount of buzz surrounding Mouthbreather and their album, Thank You For Your Patience, there seemed a certain pull for me to listen to this record, if only to check out what the band has to offer. My piquing interest aside, this Richmond, Virginia band continues to turn heads. One aspect of Mouthbreather on Thank You For … Read more
Moving Mountains
Pneuma
Deep Elm (2008)
Let me get this out in the open right off the bat; I wanted to hear this because the band's name is similar to a great album by The Casket Lottery, and there is no shame in saying that at all. However, considering the recent track record of their record label (Deep Elm), there is a slight tinge of worry … Read more
Murder By Death
Red of Tooth and Claw
Vagrant (2008)
With their fourth full-length album, Murder by Death has finally brought all their varying influences together. Each of the band's previous recordings focused on a general indie rock sound, but they also flirted with various musical styles: folk, country, Americana, classical, and post-punk, among others. But with Red of Tooth and Claw all the band's previous flirtations and even some … Read more
