Minute of Arc
Future Forests
Independent (2009)
People make it a point to search far and wide for new music. I'm not against this by any means; I've found many quality bands from the other continents besides mine. But oftentimes there is little to no effort needed when searching as there is quality music being produced right under ones nose. A perfect example of this is Minute … Read more
Mirrors and Wires
Colourized Audio Transmission
Headcount (2009)
Well. Colourized Audio Transmission from Mirrors and Wires is the most random album that I've received to review thus far this year. Released on Headcount Records - a mostly hardcore/punk label - we get anything but that sort. This 7" EP is a mixture of surf-punk and rock and roll. I really know little of the genre other than Dick … Read more
Modern English
Soundtrack
Darla (2009)
After a long hiatus, the band is back with a stunning new release. Skillfully produced again by Hugh Jones (Echo & The Bunnymen, Dumptruck), this record is the perfect mix of both sides of the band's sound. By this I mean that fans of the more brooding early 4AD material will be pleased, as well as fans looking for new … Read more
Monument to Thieves
Anyone but You
No Sleep (2009)
Monument to Thieves is the title of the second full-length from His Hero is Gone. After listening to this 7" I found faint influence from the d-beat legends on these two songs. But as hard as the members of Monument to Thieves try, they are unable to completely distance themselves from their metalcore pasts in Eighteen Vision, As Hope Dies, … Read more
Morrissey
Years of Refusal
Lost Highway (2009)
How does one introduce Morrissey? By no means am I intending to put the seasoned vocalist on a pedestal of godlike caliber it's just that, well, pretty much everything that can be said about the man has already been said, or in this case, written. Rather than waste time with some whimsical anecdote, I'll instead jump right into his latest … Read more
Mother of Mercy
III
Six Feet Under (2009)
How did I sleep on this band? I remember hearing about Mother of Mercy when their No Eden 7" was released, but I never took the time to follow up. Hailing from the greater Philadelphia area, this band took me by surprise with their debut full-length III. Mother of Mercy comes from the ashes of the now-defunct Let Down, who … Read more
Mothra
Dyes
Self Made God (2009)
Noisy manic hardcore from Poland in the vein of Deadguy, Botch, or Norma Jean. Once again completely not my thing but Mothra seem to know what they are doing with their mathy assault. I wish I had more to say about this but I really don't have any frame of reference and it's too easy for me to make Polack … Read more
Mouthbreather / Enviornmental Youth Crunch
Split
Rorschach (2009)
There's a lot to say about this split. First, it features one great name (Mouthbreather) and one lesser one (Environmental Youth Crunch). What strikes me second is the contrast in band styles, though I'll elaborate on this later. And, third, that it's such a solid release with five songs - it's an EP, not a single. First on the record … Read more
Mouthpiece
Can't Kill What's Inside: The Complete Discography
Revelation (2009)
There are many names - bands, labels, zines, promoters, etc. - that instantly come to mind when one brings up the 90's hardcore scene. Groups like Lifetime, Earth Crisis, Unbroken, Integrity, Quicksand, 108, Strife, etc. and record labels like New Age, Revelation, Edison, Victory, and Equal Vision all spring to mind. Now, nearly twenty years after the fact, we have … Read more
Moving Mountains
Foreword
Independent (2009)
Moving Mountains' Foreword may only be a four-song EP but they bring everything to the table and showcase their full abilities on this brief piece of music. Foreword is roughly thirty-six minutes, which seems to be the perfect length for an album like this, not terribly short but it doesn't drone on too long to the point where it's dull. … Read more
Municipal Waste
Massive Aggressive
Earache (2009)
Municipal Waste's popularity blew up in 2007 with The Art of Partying, an album with almost every song revolving around drinking, partying, or just having a good time. It was the perfect soundtrack to any frat party but those who are looking for the sequel to that should turn the other way, as their new album, Massive Aggressive sees the … Read more
My Heart to Joy
Seasons in Verse
Top Shelf (2009)
Seasons in Verse is the debut full-length from Connecticut's My Heart to Joy. The band's first long player is the follow-up to the band's most recent EP, last years Virgins Sails. Seasons in Verse sees My Heart to Joy continuing to distance themselves from their more aggressive infancy and developing their songwriting talents towards intricate and complex indie rock. Lead … Read more
Nadja
Belle Bêtes
Beta-Lactam Ring (2009)
Look out now because Nadja's release schedule is kicking into high gear with the release of Belle Bêtes via the fine folks of Beta-Lactam Ring in a limited edition of five hundred vinyl LPs, and I am pretty sure that some of their more rabid collectors are both begging for more and crying at the amount of material that the … Read more
Nadja
Clinging to the Edge of the Sky
Adagio 830/Vendetta (2009)
Yes, Nadja continues to be a frustratingly prolific group that pumps out records faster and more geographically spread out than most bands could ever dream of producing. And while that is exciting for fans of the group, it is also difficult to keep up with at times. Quite literally, Clinging to the Edge of the Sky is the newest recording … Read more
Nadja
Numbness
Happy Prince (2009)
Numbness is an excellent collection of rarities and previously unreleased material from the increasingly prolific two-piece known as Nadja. Aidan Baker and Leah Buckeroff are nothing if not active and this release is not one of those "for collectors only" type releases for completists. In fact, Numbness contains what is arguably some of the group's best material. The six tracks … Read more
Nadja
Under a Jaguar Sun
Beta-Lactam Ring (2009)
When was the last time that you experienced an extremely impressive musical project that made your jaw drop to the ground in awe of the scope, execution, and general quality of the complete package (sound, music, record art, record packaging, etc)? Speaking for myself, I know of the last record (or group of records) that I considered exceptionally impressive in … Read more
Nadja / Black Boned Angel
Nadja / Black Boned Angel
20 Buck Spin (2009)
Having these two notable monikers teaming up for a second collaboration is just right up my alley, particularly because their previous collaborative effort, Christ Send Light is one of my favorite recordings from both Nadja and Black Boned Angel thus far. This second effort (actually recorded around the same time as their previous collaboration) is two pieces of sonic manipulation … Read more
Nahemah
A New Constellation
Lifeforce (2009)
Nahemah are a rather different band. Coming out of Spain a country not generally known for their metal and playing a style different than most. They play a style of metal that involves prog, post metal and death metal among others. While some might read that description and picture a band not being able to find a direction and coming … Read more
