Invasion
The Master Alchemist
This Is Music (2009)
Now listen carefully, people I'm only going to say this once. You need to listen to this album. Further to that, most people need to own it. I hate to kick off with such a blatant endorsement that has now leached out all sense of suspense from reading this modest review, but frankly this is the most refreshing and urgent … Read more
Iron Age
The Sleeping Eye
Tee Pee (2009)
Texas natives Iron Age return with their second long-player, The Sleeping Eye, after making quite a name for themselves with 2006's Constant Struggle. The band's debut was highlighted by an onslaught of blistering crossover accented by classic hardcore undertones. With their new release, Iron Age builds on that foundation and adds some depth to their sound. What continues to strike … Read more
Iron and Wine
Around the Well
Sub Pop (2009)
As a long-time Iron and Wine fan, I was intrigued by the announcement of this double-disc release that spans the spectrum of Sam Beam's musical career. What most call a rarities and b-sides album, I see more of an insight into the progression of Beam's collaborative sound, compiling many of his strongest tracks that never made it onto his full-length … Read more
Iron Rain
Demo
Independent (2009)
I got this demo while I was in Chicago recently. This one was being given away outside of a show. Normally when bands do this, it's a waste of their money and my time. But I figured it was worth looking into because of the show I was attending. Iron Rain offer up two tracks of metallic hardcore that brings … Read more
Isis
Wavering Radiant
Ipecac (2009)
More than ten years have passed since the first time that these eyes witnessed Isis and man does it ever make me feel old. That brash first performance to which I am referring (Paper Weight Fest in New Jersey) was an eye opening and ear deafening experience which literally changed my perceptions on music in one fell swoop. Fast forward … Read more
Izah
Finite Horizon / Crevice
Independent (2009)
Europe, as the old continent, contains a great deal of culture and a long history to help shape musicians and the work. Many in the United States move on obliviously with our lives while barely noticing some of the more well known bands from there. Izah is a group from the old continent that surely is under the radar of … Read more
Jakob Dylan
Seeing Things
Columbia (2009)
I tried to listen to this one with an open mind. I know The Wallflowers never did anything for me. And Bob Dylan? Listening to his vocals is like having all your hair pulled out with pliers. I do have to admit that the musicianship is solid throughout on this release. But nothing here piqued my interest. "I Told You … Read more
Jeff Caudill
Try to be Here
Fortunate Son (2009)
Rising from the remains of the pop-punkers Gameface, Jeff Caudill heads out on the road by himself on this trip. Well, not exactly. He does the consistency of the producing and also being the drummer for this project. Also involved is none other than Robbie Rist (yes-"Oliver" from The Brady Bunch!) Check out YouTube for a funny clip of Robbie … Read more
Jesu
Infinity
Avalanche/Daymare (2009)
Is it strange that Jesu is finally releasing something new after a gap of some time longer than two months (a small exaggeration surely)? Infinity is an interesting direction for Justin Broadrick to go considering the trajectory of recent releases under the Jesu moniker, but his publicly proclaimed predilection for EP's and the opportunity for experimentation that they provide explain … Read more
Jesu
Opiate Sun
Calo Verde (2009)
Now, here we are. Opiate Sun is yet another EP by Jesu, which seems to be a recurring theme lately with this outfit of Justin Broadrick's (in addition of course to oft times contributors Diarmud Dalton and now Phil Petrocelli). A pre-release teaser song, "Deflated" (with its awfully catchy gloom), was offered to the sometimes insatiable and growing Jesu fan … Read more
Jodis
Secret House
Hydra Head (2009)
Jodis is finally making its way onto stereos after a bit of a wait since the group announced its existence. Jodis is a three piece outfit consisting of James Plotkin (Khanate, Khlyst, Atomsmasher, The Lotus Eaters, House of Low Culture), his former compatriot in Khanate Tim Wyskida, and Aaron Turner (Isis, Old Man Gloom, House of Low Culture, The Lotus … Read more
Jon Snodgrass
Visitor's Band
Suburban Home (2009)
Jon Snodgrass used a sling a guitar in Armchair Martian and Drag the River but decided to go with the singer-songwriter route and dropped Visitor's Band on us in 2009. I never familiarized myself with the country-fried Drag the River. However, I recall Armchair Martian being a guitar heavy pop-punk rock band that Bill and Stephen from ALL always seem … Read more
Junior Battles
Hotel Bibles
Black Pint (2009)
Ah, summer in full swing. For those of you attempting to battle high temperatures, I empathize as I sit in my apartment with my blinds closed and fight off the forecast 105-degree heat. But I try not to be bitter despite my preference for cold weather, and keep in mind the more exciting facets of summertime. One of these is … Read more
Keelhaul
Keelhaul's Triumphant Return to Obscurity
Hydra Head (2009)
It's been five years since Cleveland-based Keelhaul last graced us with Subject to Change Without Notice. In that time a lot has transpired, and not just in the world of music. And yet it is refreshing to know that even though everything surrounding us appears to be in a state of flux, that there are some things that remain constant. … Read more
Khanate
Clean Hands Go Foul
Hydra Head/Daymare (2009)
Talk about the last gasp of air from a dead corpse, Clean Hands Go Foul is the final studio recordings from Khanate, and their third studio full-length (if one counts Capture & Release as an EP) that the band released. Honestly, it is a surprise to see this as the band broke up quite a while ago; but it is … Read more
Kickback
No Surrender
GSR (2009)
Apparently Kickback is from France and is controversial as well as infamous. I'm not trying to doubt these claims but I haven't been able to find any reason why they'd be either of the last two things save for some of their artwork and the music video now streaming on their Myspace page. For a band that is nearing twenty … Read more
King Khan & The BBQ Show
Invisible Girl
In The Red (2009)
In his two-piece with Mark "BBQ" Sultan, King Khan & The BBQ Show brings garage rock as it's meant to be played: layered with harmonies and catchy choruses, but oozing with distortion and dirty, sleazeball rock and roll. King Khan & The BBQ Show have perfected simple, fun rock and roll. When "Anala" first hits your player, it's not a … Read more
Kingdom
The Rage That Guides
Eulogy (2009)
Remember the mid 1990's and the vegan straightedge hardcore scene with its horribly over-sized clothes (big pants, basketball jerseys), staunch politics (hardline anyone?), and some of its more notable bands (Earth Crisis, One King Down, Morning Again, Culture, Birthright, Unconquered, and tons more)? I ask this question because not only do I, but because Kingdom is like a huge nostalgic … Read more
