Narrows
New Distances
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
Yes, this is finally out and not a moment too soon! The first Narrows full-length, New Distances, is indeed finally available for the shattering of our ear drums. And it must be said that it does come amidst a slew of hype and anticipation (and no small amount on my own part to be brutally honest). Coming off their first … Read more
Narrows
New Distances
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
Narrows return to the musical fold with their debut full-length and follow-up to last year's very impressive self-titled EP. Like many others, when news of this project was first announced, I was beyond excited and anticipated great things. Who wouldn't be when members of Botch, Unbroken, Some Girls, and These Arms are Snakes get together? Fools. That's who! The band's … Read more
Nathan Xander
The Fear
Deep Elm (2009)
Every once in awhile you try out an album and it becomes a happy accident. These albums become special to you because you just took a chance and found something special. I was hoping for this when I picked this from the promo pile. I had high hopes as this was compared to Ryan Adams primarily. While this comparison fits … Read more
Necrophobic
Satanic Blasphemies
Regain (2009)
Necrophobic are one of the classics of the legendary old school Swedish death metal scene, along with underground titans such as Entombed, Dismember, and Carnage. They remained slightly less known then the aforementioned compatriots but nonetheless command great respect in underground circles and bring a lot of history with them. If you are at all familiar with and love old … Read more
New Found Glory
Not Without a Fight
Epitaph (2009)
Over their twelve years together as a band New Found Glory has pretty much encountered it all. They started at the beginning on a fledgling indie label just playing shows wherever they could and enjoying the fact that they got to play music. Then came the glory and the fame, the major label deal and the huge touring opportunities. This … Read more
Night Owls
Self Titled
Hex (2009)
Night Owls are a relatively new rock band from Syracuse New York. They have ex-members of some notable bands from hardcore recent past, but they only one I'd like to mention is Spark Lights the Friction who put out a great album on Trustkill many moons ago. Anyhow, Night Owls play rocking post hardcore that reminds of Quicksand boxing it … Read more
Nightmare of You
Infomaniac
Brookvale/The Bevonshire Label (2009)
With the release of their self-titled debut in 2005 Nightmare of You made it a point to distance themselves from their post-The Movielife buzz and define their sound as something unique. The band's fusion of cool indie rock, Joy Division-inspired new wave, and Morrissey-like musings created quite a clamor with fans expecting output akin to their roots but everyone else … Read more
No Harm Done / Offsides
Split
Seafoam (2009)
Seafoam Recordings teams up No Harm Done from Florida and Offsides from Connecticut on this limited edition split 7". The a-side features the final three tracks from No Harm Done, who just recently called it quits. This Floridian outfit continues their melodic hardcore and punk assault that follows the lead of Strike Anywhere and Rise Against. I've always found this … Read more
NOFX
Coaster
Fat Wreck Chords (2009)
Currently on album number twelve, NOFX have become content with a certain sound that seems to represent their careers. That, of course, would be straight-forward punk rock with political overtones as well as some humorous numbers. So, what's to expect from their new album, Coaster? More of the same? You'd be right in terms of sound, but with old Georgie … Read more
North Lincoln
Midwestern Blood
No Idea (2009)
Most bands that are signed to No Idea Records have a sound that's usually expected from them. That, of course, being raw punk rock with gruff vocals and catchy melodies. North Lincoln are another band to add to that long list as they fit into this style almost perfectly. This album has been in the making since 2007 but recording … Read more
Northern Towns
Good as Gold
Swagger City (2009)
Northern Towns is a new San Diego outfit that features former members of Over My Dead Body and Please Mr. Gravedigger. Before you get excited about the band drawing from their past, I should tell you that this band sounds nothing like those bands at all. Good as Gold leads off with "Latchford," a song with a Clash-esque rhythm and … Read more
Northless
No Quarter for the Damaged
Halo of Flies (2009)
I could start and end this review with just one word: brutal. Unfortunately, I think my editor would prefer a few more words. This is a four-song 12 inch EP of sludge metal transposed over crust punk dynamics. Nothing on this EP goes very fast, the tempos get ramped up in each song but the riffs are so thick and … Read more
Nothington
Roads, Bridges & Ruins
BYO (2009)
In what might be an early contender for "Most Improved Band of the Year," Nothington brings us their second studio album, Roads, Bridges & Ruins. Now, when we last left the band they released their debut record, All In. While it was a fun listen, it didn't carry much lasting value and I wore it out after a few spins, … Read more
Nowhere Bound
Demo
Independent (2009)
Nowhere Bound is a new hardcore band from the Chicago area and this is their four-song demo. They've got an Eastcoast flavor going on over these songs even though they hail from the Midwest. "Faith of the Faithless" is a bruising opener with crunching riffs; the solid breakdown makes this a great opener. "No Recourse" and "Joys of Winter" are … Read more
O Pioneers!!!
Neon Creeps
Asian Man (2009)
With their Asian Man debut, Neon Creeps, O Pioneers!!! is trying to make a name for themselves while upping the ante on stupid punctuation in band names. What I hear is a sloppy three-piece punk band with hints at a more minimal and sometimes folk-punk style. I call them a three-piece, but the band is clearly Eric Solomon's baby, as … Read more
Oak & Bone
Oak & Bone
Hex (2009)
Oak and Bone hail from upstate New York, but when you listen to their debut 7" you would definitely not assume that by any guess. While their history is rooted in hardcore punk, the three-piece from Syracuse take a different approach to the style. The 7" opens with "On Your Own or Not at All," which is a sludgy punk/grunge … Read more
Oceans
Nothing Collapses
Copper Lung (2009)
Chicago natives Oceans offer up nine tracks with sixty minutes worth of music on their debut effort. The five-piece maintain a post-rock inspired craft throughout the bulk of the full-length but also find ways of incorporating mid-90's emo and post-hardcore sounds into their songs. Nothing Collapses begins with "Lit Up Under Streetlights" and you get eight minutes of light-footed post-rock … Read more
Okie Dokie
Okie Dokie
Aagoo (2009)
The band is named Okie Dokie. The artwork is simple and to the point. In other words, Okie Dokie doesn't hide the fact that they're a dirty rock band, blending balls to the wall sleaze rock with fast, sloppy surf garage at its heart. The record is only eight songs, and whatever vinyl format it's on (I received a promo … Read more
