Murder Practice
Prophecies of Doom
Independent (2008)
Bay Area stalwarts Murder Practice return with their second full-length, this time they've abandoned the world of plastic and CD's for vinyl (each record comes with a free digital version of the album). Prophecies of Doom shows significant growth for the group as they've matured and left behind the more cliché mosh-forward sound they offered on their debut. Don't worry … Read more
Muse
H.A.A.R.P.
Warner Bros. (2008)
Muse is a band that has long had their music overshadowed by comparisons to the giants that are Radiohead, U2, and Queen. Rather than worry about dispelling said comparisons, Muse have taken the allegations of being a "rip-off" and "lacking originality" in stride and maintained its artistic credibility while continuing to deliver what many, even the most crass of critics, … Read more
My Heart to Joy at the Same Tone
Virgin Sails
Triumph of Life (2008)
I'm not too sure about the band's namesake, but you can't always judge a book by its cover. So, I went into the new 7" from My Heart to Joy at the Same Tone, Virgin Sails, blind. This Connecticut four-piece offer up three songs on their newest EP. Their sound is a mash up of punk, indie rock, emo, and … Read more
Myles Deck and the Fuzz
Police Cops
From Here To There (2008)
I guess Myles Deck and the Fuzz deliver what they promise on Police Cops. With a name referencing fuzz and a title copped from The Simpsons, the band offers three anti-police songs that I can throw on top of the landfill-size pile of similar-themed songs in my library. The lyrics are juvenile and anthemic, which I also probably should have … Read more
Nadja
Desire in Uneasiness
Crucial Blast (2008)
Where to start with Nadja? To be honest, being inundated with hype from the Internet's hype machine forces my hand into checking out what this duo has to offer my ears. Desire in Uneasiness is the two-piece's first full-length of new material after a slew of re-releases and re-recordings. But the promise in what I am hearing about Nadja truly … Read more
Narrows
Narrows
Deathwish Inc. (2008)
The first mentions of Narrows are enough to give someone chills, particularly if that individual is a fan of any of the groups from which this outfit sprang. Thinking on the possibilities from the membership roster (former members of Botch, Unbroken, Some Girls, etc as well as a current member of These Arms Are Snakes) alone brings much speculation as … Read more
Neon Neon
Stainless Style
Lex (2008)
I might be misjudging my audience here, but you remember the 1980's? By "remember" I don't mean "act them out in a horrible retro manner while not letting on that you were born in 1990." I mean remember. Predator. Commodore 64. Endless Mattel toy lines. The entire decade fucking ruled and if you dare to disagree I cannot be held … Read more
New Found Glory
Tip of the Iceberg
Bridge Nine (2008)
Temporarily free agents of the scene, New Found Glory found themselves in a position few established bands have. They could record whatever they wanted whenever they wanted and have it released by whoever would. Other acts with multi-albums contracts often have a two-year time window for their next album with a marketing representative hassling the band for a hit making … Read more
Nine Inch Nails
The Slip
The Null Corporation (2008)
My first ever disclaimer: I like Nine Inch Nails. I thought the little 'Art is Resistance' campaign made for Year Zero (the best album of 2007!) was the most entertaining thing ever. I assault people who mention to me, just in case I hadn't heard about it, that Nine Inch Nails actually covered a Johnny Cash song (although, they must … Read more
No Harm Done
Escape
Think Fast! (2008)
Sometimes, on paper a band can look really good. But when you get around to listening, it just doesn't add up. No Harm Done is that kind of a band for me. The Florida natives play fast, melodic hardcore with the occasional pop-filler. Escape is the band's latest full-length and first for Think Fast! Records. The fourteen tracks that comprise … Read more
No Turning Back
Stronger
Reflections (2008)
For over a decade No Turning Back has been churning out release after release - CD, vinyl, and cassette - of punishing New York flavored hardcore. And while you would think the band's location were the mean streets of NYC, these boys actually call the beauty of The Netherlands home. Don't worry! You're not the first to be fooled. Stronger … Read more
No Use for a Name
Feel Good Record of the Year
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)
I'm sitting here drinking a beer to wash down a turkey melt I just made with my George Foreman Grill. Jason Kubel just hit a home run against the Brewers to tie up the game in the bottom of the fifth. The sun is shining, I'm wearing shorts, and there's a fan blowing in the corner. It's not officially summer … Read more
O Pioneers!!! / The Anchor
Split
Triumph of Life (2008)
The great state of Texas offers up two songs a piece from O Pioneers!!! and The Anchor. In the works for over a year, this split 7" is finally available to all who boast a beard! O Pioneers!!! offers up two cuts of dirty punk that will appeal to anyone who loves Asian Man and No Idea Records. I've had … Read more
Ocrilim
ANNWN
Hydra Head (2008)
Metal is constantly making relatives with classical and orchestra. Sometimes though, you have to remember why they are separate. Mick Barr is a very gifted individual; Wikipedia calls him "an American avant-garde metal guitarist." Though I would say his ability to shred with a relentless speed make him more than just that. He is more notably the second half of … Read more
Oddateee
Halfway Homeless
Deadverse (2008)
Oddateee is the first artist signed to Dälek's Deadverse Recordings label. As a result of this I instantly knew the music, lyrics, and delivery would not be your everyday rap/hip-hop and that is a good thing. Halfway Homeless is an intriguing mash of traditional hip-hop with that of jazz and noisy indie rock. Over the course of these twelve songs, … Read more
Oedipus
Covetous
The Den Recorders (2008)
Oedipus, a three piece making more noise than a three piece rightly should, manage the type of grandiose guitar rock both melodic and epic, while never coming across as trying too hard. Their latest EP, Covetous, offers seven over-sexed, balls out, tracks at a clock time of just under half an hour. Vocalist/bassist Jeremy Haffner's harmonic wail sets the band … Read more
Off With Their Heads
From the Bottom
No Idea (2008)
Remember when the Dropkick Murphy's were good, when they were still a bunch of drunken rabble-rousers instead of highbrow hooligans cashing in on the idea that if you give any goon a Guinness or Smitwicks, it'll make them Irish? Can't remember that far back? It's been a few years. Want a refresher on what good, rowdy, bar friendly punk rock … Read more
Offsides
It's a Struggle to Communicate
Get Outta Town (2008)
Here's something new for you. Well maybe not new, but something we don't get much of these days. Offsides is a fast-paced melodic hardcore group from Connecticut with a female front-person. It's a Struggle to Communicate is the band's latest offering, a six-song EP. Musically the group draws influence from legendary groups like 7 Seconds and Gorilla Biscuits. The music … Read more
