Old Man's Child
Slaves of the World
Century Media (2009)
It's been about four years since the last Old Man's Child record and it seems we've been waiting forever for it. The current Dimmu Borgir guitarist Galder has gotten a little more exposure since joining the well-known symphonic metal group, but he hasn't forgotten about his original melodic black metal project, now on album number seven, titled Slaves Of the … Read more
One Win Choice
Define/Redefine
Jump Start (2009)
Don't you love finding new punk bands? I sure do, which is why I was stoked to find out about New Jersey's One Win Choice who have just put out a new 7" with five adrenalizing new songs. There's not really a lot to say about this band because they sound very similar to a lot of other melodic hardcore … Read more
Only Thieves
Greeting from Levy Park, T.L.H.
Independent (2009)
Only Thieves pay homage to the Boss with their cover to Greeting from Levy Park, T.L.H., but the tribute doesn't stop at the artwork. From the get go of "Hammered for the Holidays" there's a clear striving toward outspoken, plainclothes guitarman at the center. However, there's a more of a band feel to it, and more Gaslight Anthem than Springsteen. … Read more
Outbreak
Work to Death
Think Fast! (2009)
I'll be honest here. I was never a huge Outbreak fan. You Make Us Sick was fairly decent, but I was never really sold on the group. I have a lot of friends that swear by that record and the subsequent release of Failure. but I'm just not one of them. Anyway, Work to Death is a new 7" single … Read more
Outclassed
This Might Be Coincidence...
Forcefield (2009)
Outclassed's This Might Be Coincidence is a five-song escape from tranquility. Their satisfyingly raucous punk is filled with energy and misshapen tempos. Song titles like "Kick God in the Face, Hail Satan" and "Fuck Mark" are almost impossible to hate. Their label Forcefield Records is also home to City of Ships, Triac, and Cannabis Corpse. The one-sided LP release of … Read more
Outrage
Broken
Panic (2009)
Massachusetts has been a bastion for hardcore throughout the years, and 2009 isn't any different. Outrage bring forth their debut full-length, Broken, which follows up the Savior EP they released late last year. Outrage draws heavily from an era of hardcore that I both love and know well: the mid-90's. Therefore, I am predisposed - subconsciously or consciously I do … Read more
Over Stars and Gutters
Consider This Your Curse
Independent (2009)
The whole Midwestern punk sound is something you either love or hate. I, personally love most of the main bands that have come from this genre but when it comes to newer bands, they have to do something to stand out among the others. It's a given fact that I'll enjoy the band but will I be telling my friends … Read more
Overmars
Born Again
Crucial Blast (2009)
Yes, yes, there are many bands that descend outward and are influenced in a myriad of ways by a certain band (Neurosis), some more so than others. And still, of those bands, some speak more on their own than others or are more unique. Overmars is just one of those bands that while yes they do owe some to that … Read more
Owen
New Leaves
Polyvinyl (2009)
Most people who listen to Owen are all-too-aware of what I like to call the Kinsella continuum. Chicago-based brothers Mike and Tim are responsible for some of the more infamous 90's Midwest bands, being the minds behind Cap'n Jazz, American Football, Owls, and the ever-revolving doors of Joan of Arc. Their prolific nature has even brought in younger brother Nate … Read more
Owen
New Leaves
Polyvinyl (2009)
Owen made being a self-deprecating, guitar-playing romantic a cool thing again. But its 2009 now, and maybe it's a little played out. Yeah, there will always be a sense of comfort in Kinsella's wistful melodies and twinkling arpeggios. However, the works of Owen were starting to sound too alike, predictable, or reused. Surprisingly, Owen expands its sound with its fifth … Read more
P.O.S.
Never Better
Rhymesayers (2009)
The unique style of P.O.S. continues to come together - from the disjointed and experimental Ipecac Neat that caught Rhymesayers' attention, and the slightly more mainstream Audition in 2006, Never Better continues to build and unify P.O.S.'s distinct and witty brand of hip-hop. To get it out of the way early, P.O.S. is also in the hardcore/mathrock band Building Better … Read more
Paint It Black
Amnesia
Bridge Nine (2009)
I hate to be that guy, but I got to admit that it's getting more and more difficult to find an impressive hardcore album these days. I'm not talking about that record you listen to several times, really rock out to during the first week, rag on your friends for having never heard of it, and then retire it to … Read more
Pelican
Ephemeral
Southern Lord (2009)
I'll be honest. I hadn't really listened to Pelican all that much since City of Echoes was released in 2007. In fact, I think I gave that album two or three plays total; since then their discography has seen limited plays. I really have no logical explanation for my lack of listening. I think the "post-metal" craze got overblown and … Read more
Pelican
What We All Come to Need
Southern Lord (2009)
Pelican's new record What We All Come to Need is a gorgeous journey through sludge rock with some moments of beautiful calm. But does it hold your attention enough to be a repeated listen? I got into Pelican when I purchased 2005's The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw. Overall it was a great album, but few songs … Read more
Phoenix
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Glass Note (2009)
Phoenix has always been successful at lifting spirits and making people dance. Based out of Versailles, Phoenix has been going at it for almost a decade now, and their fourth full-length, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, came at the perfect time for Summer. And no, it's not a Mozart cover album. Apparently, the somewhat egotistical sounding title was a product of the … Read more
Pink Mountaintops
Outside Love
Jagjaguwar (2009)
Shoegaze and psychedelics just naturally go hand in hand. Sure, you can have one without the other, but you'd probably be cheating yourself of one of two things: a spiritual epiphany, or a night of sitting on your ass in your room staring blissfully into the space. Alright, maybe there isn't really a difference between the two, but Pink Mountaintops … Read more
Pink Razors
Leave Alive
Houseplant/No Idea (2009)
Bands can sometimes get falsely categorized by those who don't know any better. And it really only takes a few misapplications of a genre to a band before you get frustrated, or simply declare the said genre dead to you. Anyways, we approach the new Pink Razors record Leave Alive with the term pop-punk somewhat lodged in most descriptions of … Read more
Pissed Jeans
King Of Jeans
Sub Pop (2009)
Ugly and violent. Pissed Jeans don't mess around, starting 2009's King of Jeans with "False Jesii, Part Two," and never letting up on the noisepunk from start to finish. While the first song is possibly the best on the record, it's not because the record falls apart, but because it so competently and powerfully sets the tone, kicking immediately into … Read more
