Matthew Grimson,"A Life Played For Keeps" (Lord Sir Skronk Records)
Grimson is a Canadian born songwriter with a great feel for writing catchy seventies FM radio style songs. His skills have gained him a cult following that includes Chris Murphy from the band Sloan. The vocals have a loose feel that makes you think that it could all fall apart at any moment but it never does. It’s a bit like Sting’s Roxanne era. It’s nice to hear music with slight imperfections. It gives the songs character and in a Pro-Tools world you don’t get that very often. My personal favorites on the album are the songs with a harder rock feel like “Paying For It”, “Come On Baby” and “Pull Of The Heart”. “Come On Baby” sounds like a long lost nugget from the past. This is a great album worth the listen.
www.lordsirskronk.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

Johnny J. Blair,"Treadmarks" (Wampus)
Mr. Blair is an acoustic one man band. Slapping out percussive rhythms on his guitar while he plays and sings. I’m sure he’s a very entertaining live artist. There doesn’t seem to be any overdubbing at all. As far as his style of music, in my opinion he has more in common with artists such as Graham Parker and Elvis Costello than Dave Matthews or John Mayer. “One Planet – One Utopia – One Helmet” is one of the best tracks on the disc. It has a Graham Parker groove that’s so infectious I had to listen to it twice. “Somebody Loves You (Like Dino Said)” is another standout track on this nine song cd. Very entertaining.
www.wampus.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

The Aesthetics,"Two Bit Tricks" (Hostage Records)
Eighties style new wave and nineties alternative rock songs with a modern mix. Sounds a bit like R.E.M. at times as well as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. A pretty enjoyable listen for the most part. “Wake Up To Be You”, “I Throw My Heart Away” and “If I Can’t Have You” all have the R.E.M. thing going on. “What Can You Teach Me” nails the Red Hot Chili Peppers dead on and “Three Martini Lunch” is a twisted nod to Burt Bacharach. What more could you ask for from a band? Hey, if you’re looking for something slightly different and a tad off kilter then this is your band.
www.theaesthetics.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

Paul McCartney,"Chaos And Creation In The Backyard" (Capitol)

This is a new phase McCartney album... essential to the perpetuation of his solo career was that he performed most of the instruments himself; in comes the warmth of a lackluster McCartney disc; as reproduced for disc by Nigel Godrich.

Boy, the critics at the "established" magazines have been bending over backwards to kiss McCartney's ass and say how good this album is and how it's the best since his Beatles days. They are the same folks that believed "Let It Be" was a "New Phase Beatles Album". While not terribly bad, "Chaos" sure ain't his best. "Fine Line" is the strongest cut on the disc and the only one that sticks in your memory after many, many, many repeated plays. You can hear the ghost of John Lennon talking about "English Tea": "argh, not another 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' cute ditty!" "Riding to Vanity Fair" is interesting in that I suspect it is a veiled reference to Geoff Baker, the longtime spokesman for McCartney that was recently fired.

In the past I have downloaded McCartney albums from the internet before they were officially released, then purchasing them at the stores. But not this time-because it would be a waste, collecting dust on my CD rack. Ultimately, this is "McCartney Chinese food", leaving you empty too soon after a listen.
www.paulmccartney.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by Scott H. Platt

The Rolling Stones,"A Bigger Bang" (Virgin)
Just when I had written the Rolling Stones off as has-been dinosaurs, they go and release their best album since 1981! Since "Tattoo You", the Stones have basically suffered from trying too hard to sound like the Rolling Stones, releasing albums that were basically parodies of themselves. "A Bigger Bang" runs the whole gamut of classic Stones periods, with songs such as: "Rough Justice" ("Brown Sugar" Jr.), "Let Me Down Slow" ("Tattoo You"), "Back Of My Hand" ("Beggar's Banquet"), and "This Place Is Empty" (classic Keef!). "Sweet Neo Con" got a lot of attention for its anti-Bush lyrics, but face the facts - when have the Stones ever been taken serious for their political stance? This is the only weak track on the disc. Otherwise you have 15 great tracks from a band that once again has beaten the odds.

Let the music geeks cream all over the new McCartney disc and pretend how great it is because on "A Bigger Bang" the Rolling Stones have truly delivered the goods, simply stated. All without trying to be something they are not or delving in faux experimentation. The Rolling Stones prove why they are the world's greatest rock and roll band: knowing what they are and recording accordingly. If you had to make a choice, get the Stones "Bigger Bang" over McCartney's "woeful whimper". It will save you a trip to the used-CD store to sell McCartney's dreadful disc.

P.S. Supposedly, this is to be the "last" Stones tour and what a way to go: with "A Bigger Bang"!
www.rollingstones.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by Scott H. Platt

The Features," Exhibit A " (Universal)
In late spring of last year, the Kings of Leon were doing a warm-up tour to get ready for their slot as the opening act on the first leg of the U2 tour. Not only did we jump at the opportunity to see the Kings, but we also wondered who they chose as their opener since they have a nose for talent when it comes to opening acts. The first Kings tour had Jet and the 22-20s as opening acts, and that was one show where you definitely got your money's worth. Upon arriving at the Workplay in Birmingham, we found out that the opening act would be a band known as The Features. We took our positions upstairs looking over the stage. I always read a stage setup to try and predict what we will have in store for us by the opening act. My first impression was not a favorable one. Let's see, hollow body Gibson, keyboard rig, nothing different about the drum kit or bass rig. I looked at my wife and told her to get comfortable for the time period known as "THE OPENING ACT".

It all started innocently enough with the stagehands turning out to be the band. And then it happened..... I'd been duped. This wasn't some mopey singer/songwriter act. This was circus music with a foot up its ass. That wasn't just any keyboard rig. That was a Farfisa being handled by a person who knew how they were supposed to be used. The drummer wasn't content with his role as a member of the rhythm section. You could tell he wanted to be out front. The initial impression of the bass player is one of a flannel clad mountain man from the mountains of Tennessee, but instead, he acted as stability to the drummer's wild ways. And then there's the singer. From upstairs, the guy looked frail, but upon opening his mouth, you knew that the screams that came forth started were being conjured up from the spirit of a demon. Jesus...

I rush downstairs to catch the second song up close and the mood has changed considerably. From a 3-minute assault, we have suddenly taken a turn into lullaby land where the singer now captures the audience's attention with a beautiful song about unexpected children and the beauty of parenthood. This was definitely a group that could not be counted on to be predictable in songwriting or performance.

To see if our first impressions were on target, we caught The Features a few weeks later at The Exit-In in Nashville, we found out rather quickly that this was home turf for the band. Where in Birmingham, the band had done a great job of catching the attention of a new audience; we now had a packed club of followers who turned the set into a wonderful sing-a-long. The best moment at that show was when the P.A. blew and the crowd continued the song as if nothing happened. We were hooked. In the following shows, we were able to talk to the members of the band and were pleased to find a wonderful group of guys who were positive extensions of their stage personas. Matthew Pelham is the humble singer who mystifies you with his ability to scream with fury one moment and bring tears to your eyes the next. Roger Dabbs is the quiet yin to Rollum Haas's hyper-intellectual yang that makes up the rhythm section. That leaves us with the enigma that is known as Parrish Yaw, the keyboard player. Beware the quiet one who watches from underneath the Englishman's cap.

As far as releases are concerned, Exhibit A, on the Universal label, is a great starting point for any band. It is a mixture of songs that really does represent the band as both a recording and performing unit. The songs on the cd range from the radio friendly "Blow It Out', to the wonderfully sweet "The Idea of Growing Old", to the only parenting rock anthem I know "The Way It's Meant To Be", etc... The range of influences could be anywhere from XTC to the Split Enz.

Suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, it was only natural that we plan a long promised trip to the UK around The Features tour with the Kings of Leon. In the two shows that we saw, some of the material for the cd to be recorded this fall started to creep out. The one that caught my ear the most was "The Gates of Hell". (Note to the band: If the title is wrong, it is due to my ears ringing when you announce it) Think John Lennon singing with only a slight drum for accompaniment and then the whole gang joins in before the song ends with Pelham whistling creepily as the character he is singing about enters the gates of Hell. (Who am I to say what he is doing, it is only my interpretation.)

The Features are not only an extremely talented band, but they are also some of the nicest people you could ask to meet. They start recording the new cd this October, and we will hopefully have a new cd to listen to by Spring '06. Until then, they will probably only be playing shows close to Tennessee. Do what you can to catch these guys live, and do what you can to introduce yourself to them. It'll make you proud that decent humans are making it in the music business.
www.thefeatures.com
www.amazon.com
Rating:

Review by Jack Teague

Icarus Witch," Capture the Magic " (Magick Records)
In late October, a beast will be unleashed just in time for Halloween. Magick Records will release Capture the Magic by Icarus Witch. Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, Icarus Witch began to get attention from the metal world with the release of their ep, Roses on White Lace. This ep stirred the critics to the point that they were asked to contribute tracks to Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper tribute cds.

Now it's my turn. Capture the Magic would have been just another gloomy metal cd if it had been released in the mid-eighties when metal ruled the earth. That it is being released in 2005 is what gives it a chance. With song titles like "Storming the Castle", "Soothsayer", and "Nemeton Forest", you know what to expect before even playing the cd. On the cover of the cd, it compares Capture the Magic to the work of Dio, Maiden, etc... . The problem is that those pioneers pretty much wore out that vein and are having a hard enough time themselves trying to interest new listeners. In order for a new cd of this type of material to get any attention, you have to bring something new to the table. This is where Icarus Witch fails. The vocals are nothing incredible. The rhythm section occasionally fails when the drums get busy when it is not an appropriate time for a drum fill. The guitarist is no slouch, but with a minimal recording budget, he was not allowed to get the sonic treatment that his heroes did in the studio. On the cover of "S.A.T.O.", a Blizzard of Ozz song that highlighted the playing of Randy Rhoads, Icarus Witch was able to get fretboard wizard George Lynch to add his work to the song. MISTAKE!!!!! Guitarist Steve Pollick does fine on his own without the obsessive noodling of the shredmaster getting in the way. If they had spent more time and money on the recording, I could easily see this cd being much easier to listen to whether it is an homage to Dio and Iron Maiden or not. Being an old man who was up front for most of the early Iron Maiden, Ozzy, and Dio tours, maybe I am just jaded. If gloomy 80s metal is your thing, then give these guys a try. For me, I'll stick to the work of the masters.
www.icaruswitch.com
Rating:

Review by Jack Teague

Johnny Cash,"The Complete Sun Recordings 1955-1958" (Time Life)
Along with the Sun Session recordings of Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, the Sun recordings of Johnny Cash are not only a historic artifact, but also an intimate look at the genesis of a musical legend. While there have been previous releases of Johnny Cash Sun recordings (the 1990 single disc Rhino release), this collection has been restored to a sonic brilliance not available before. Plus, this is a complete collection of the Sun recordings, which gives the “whole picture” of Cash’s creativity and development, including mistakes, stops and all.

Listening to this collection, you feel like you are being given a privileged glimpse into the development of an influential artist. It’s like you are actually there when Johnny Cash actually finds his own style, from trying to be an almost Hank William’s wannabe (he performs several of Hank’s songs) to when he strikes gold with his own sound on songs like “Folsom Prison Blues” and “I Walk the Line”. While Elvis took his sound to rockabilly and rock, Johnny Cash stayed in the country vein, preferring to carve his own niche in that genre. What is amazing is that his Cash’s distinctive vocal style seems already in place – there is no question that it is Johnny Cash singing on each song, despite the various arrangements and styles that are tried. Standout tracks include: “You’re My Baby (Little Woolly Booger)”, “Sugartime”, “Hey Good Lookin’” and “I Forgot to Remember to Forget”.

Ultimately, this is an essential collection of a musical legend and an instant classic.
www.johnnycash.com
Rating:

Review by Ronnie

Emerald Rose,"Archives of Ages to Come" (Indie Release)
In the past, Emerald Rose has been plagued by a somewhat inconsistent CD output and their strongest release, BENDING TRADITION was 5 years ago. While each of their CD’s since had brilliant moments, they simply didn’t totally gel as a strong, consistent whole. Until now. ARCHIVES OF AGES TO COME is simply the band’s über-masterpiece. While I called BENDING TRADITION the band’s “Sgt. Pepper” in my 2000 review, ARCHIVES OF AGES TO COME is their “White Album”. And like the “White Album”, it is the varied styles that makes this album so majestic. Emerald Rose takes you on a musical journey down a mystic path that other Celtic bands have previously avoided. Along the way they also take some daring chances, expanding their style beyond that of your average Celtic band: folk arrangements on some songs that remind the listener of LED ZEPPELIN III; the ‘pop’ sounds of “Take Me Down To Her Water!” (This is one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard in awhile – it just SCREAMS for radio play! Arthur Hinds has really been eating his songwriting wheaties!); actual rock and roll (heavy electric guitar on “Three More Drops”); 60’s garage rock infused psychedelia (“Four Jacks”); and Syd Barrett-like lyrics (“Dance of the Rats”).

However, the band has not totally abandoned the “classic” Emerald Rose formula – the jigs are still there as well as the “silly” song. The jigs showcase Larry Morris’ amazing pennywhistle playing (he must keep a fire extinguisher handy because his playing gets that hot!). A Dire Straits-like guitar leads into “We Come From Monkeys”, a humorous song with clever lyrics about evolution (They really should try to sell this catchy song to the Discover Channel for their next documentary on evolution!). And while there are no “pagan anthems” on this album, that void is filled by a healthy dose of myth-themed songs, including a song that is half sung in Gaelic (“Gwydion’s Song To Lleu”). Finally, worth mention is their cover of Van Morrison’s “Irish Heartbeat”, which is breathtakingly beautiful. Also, I’ve got to point out the musicianship and production on this disc. Apart from the great songs, the ‘secret weapon’ of this CD is the amazing array of musical instruments used, and the production itself could not be improved upon!

Emerald Rose has done what I thought would be impossible: improve upon their excellent 2000 release, BENDING TRADITION. ARCHIVES OF AGES TO COME is their finest effort to date and one of my favorite albums of ANY genre this year.
www.emeraldrose.com
Rating:

Review by Kano

Turn Me On Dead Man,"God Bless the Electric Freak" (Alternative Tentacles)
While there is truly nothing new under the sun when it comes to rock and roll, Turn Me On Dead Man has taken various elements of rock and combined them into one of the best hybrid rock surprises of the year. Their formula is: one part psychedelic, one part ‘80s heavy metal guitar (Van Halen meets Iron Maiden meets Jane’s Addiction), one part melodic pop, one part glam, one part “new wave” (think Missing Persons) and finally add three parts pure adrenalin. By taking the best of these genres (without the annoying by-byproducts), the band gives a unique and fresh sounding feel to their CD. A special bonus: the song “Beatle George” is the best Beatles-related tribute song I’ve heard in a long time, with lyrics that combine just enough George Harrison lyrics to avoid any copyright infringement. Heavy metal/psychedelic/glam Beatles? Right on! God, I hope these guys tour!
www.mandeadonmeturn.com
www.alternativetentacles.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by Ronnie

Jennifer Leonhardt,"Hard Times Two" (Indie Release)
“Hard Times Two” is a much better cd than I was expecting. Leonhardt has a beautiful voice that is somewhat of a cross between Carly Simon and Allison Kraus. All the songs are minimally produced, a lone acoustic guitar and Jennifer’s vocals are all you get but that gives the album a very intimate feel which works well for her. I really like what I hear and the songs are interesting and thoughtful. This isn’t just a lot of fluff. My personal favorites were “If Nobody Was Lookin” and “Thanksgiving”.
www.sonicbids.com/JenniferLeonhardt
www.myspace.com/jenniferleonhardt
Rating:

Review by J.R. Oliver

Unknown Component,"From Anywhere But Here" (Indie Release)
Dark and depressing with shining moments that pop up unexpectedly. Take “Describing A Description Of Distance And Time” for example. The vocals sound exactly like Curt Cobain as well as most of the music but there’s this cheesy drum track that’s constantly grating on your last nerve. It’s the whole pleasure and pain thing that basicly makes this album work. It’s not something I would want to listen to everyday but it’s definitely worth having around. Unknown Component sounds like a guy that has studied everything ever recorded by Nirvana but he just doesn’t have the band he needs to deliver the material.
www.unknowncomponent.com
Rating:

Review by J.R. Oliver

Steve Northeast,"Steve Northeast" (Indie Release)
Down under singer / songwriter Steve Northeast is out to make his mark on the Big Apple. Taking his unique blend of soulful rock n’ roll to the masses weather it be an acoustic solo effort or a full out show with his band. His influences include Pearl Jam, U2, Live, Sting, Bruce Springsteen and Paul Weller. These four songs have the big and powerful sound that Northeast was hoping to capture. “Land Of The Living” being the perfect example of that. I’m looking forward to reviewing his full-length, major label debut.
artist's web site
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

Alicia Keister,"Distant Light" (Indie Release)
This lady has a beautiful and dynamic voice. The four songs on this ep are about life from a spiritual perspective. Acoustic arrangements, spiritual lyrics and skillful vocals are what you get. She’s a mild mannered music teacher an songwriter by day and a seasoned an entertaining solo artist by night. A former member of At His Feet as well as Fade Forward, she’s spent some time in front of an audience. Flying solo came quite natural for her and she has been heralded as “a stunning talented young artist”. “Distant Light” is just a glimpse of what’s to come.
www.aliciakeister.com
Rating:

Review by J.R. Oliver

Rosetta West,"Illumination" (Indie Release)
Fourteen new songs from the guys that brought us last year’s “X Decendant”. Basicly, what you have here is a blues rock band even though you might not think so in the beginning. They’ve succeeded in delivering another great album with “Illumination”. From the funky grooves of “Tao The King” to the Billy Gibbons growl of “Mary Lou” they have put together a listening experience that Deadheads to metalheads can enjoy. You have songs with a country feel, a rock feel, blues, funk and even a slight taste of jazz but it’s all got the same roots. My personal favorite is “Fuckin’ With My Head”.
www.alive-totalenergy.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

Woody Russell,"Salt" (Indie Release)
Randy Newman meets Tom Waits. Woody Russell is a true Americana performer in much the same vein as Woody Guthrie or Bruce Springsteen but Russell’s songs have more of a show tune feel to them. I would go as far as to say Mr. Russell could go toe to toe with Newman if it came right down to it. Fourteen songs and not one single one is filler. Oh, and did I mention he’s a hell of a guitar player too. I love his rhythm guitar work. It has a real percussive feel that will have your head bobbin’ up and down like one of those little dogs that people have in their back windshield. This is a really fun album from top to bottom. It’s easy to understand why his Russell’s fanbase is rapidly growing after giving this captivating Texas troubadour a listen.
www.woodyrussell.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

Street Brats,"See You At The Bottom" (Full Breach Kicks)
These guys play a mix of old school punk and power pop that is more than just a little infectious. “See You At The Bottom” is a tight album that shows these guys know how to play their instruments. I have their “You’ll Never Walk Alone” 7” ep and it’s a killer slab. They sound even better on vinyl by the way. Weather you dig The Ramones or Green Day or both, you’ll dig the Street Brats.
www.fullbreach77.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

Les Paul & Friends,"American Made World Played" (Capitol)
This cd is packed full of big name entertainers that include rock legends as well as some of todays up and coming. Let me tell you, it’s a great deal more entertaining than I was expecting. I’m not a huge fan of most mainstream artists but on this tribute it sounds like everyone on board was out to have a good time and they didn’t waste time worrying about what might sell. There’s some really great songs here. For instance, the pairing of Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Edgar Winter on a funked up version of “Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo” is more fun than you can imagine. Richie Sambora does a dead on version of “Let Me Roll It” and “Good Morning Little School Girl” gets a workout from legends Buddy Guy, Keith Richards and Rick Derringer. A pretty cool package put together to honor a true American icon.
www.capitolrecords.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

The Ruse,"Invasion" (Indie Release)
The Ruse is anything but a ruse. This band came together in New York City in 2003 with a fresh, hypnotic and melodic sound that was key in packing New York clubs like the Lion’s Den and the Tribeca Rock Club. They recently relocated to Los Angeles and have been serving up more of the same for the left coast. Radio friendly songs like “Lay You Down” and “Impressed With The Mess” sound quite a bit like Coldplay but the band has a few tricks of their own up their sleeves as well.
www.rusemusic.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

Chaz Matthews,"Amazing Graceless" (Full Breach Kicks)
You got to love any album that kicks off with a song titled “Girl From Detox”. “Amazing Graceless” has more hooks than your Grandpa’s tacklebox. Imagine a clean and sober New York Dolls fronted by that guy that sings for the Dimestore Haloes. Damn, this is the guy that sings for the Dimestore Haloes, no wonder he sounds like that guy. Thirteen, power pop, punk and glam flavored songs that will have anyone with ears drumming on the nearest available surface. Very highly recommended, especially if you own anything by Johnny Thunders, the Ramones or Stiv Bators.
www.fullbreach77.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

The Post,"In The Event Of Tomorrow" (Indie Release)
Lo-fi indie rock that reminds me of the Connells during their early days. The chanting style vocals on a few of the tracks sometimes remind me of Ant music but without the cool tribal drums it doesn’t quite have the same effect. You get flashes of P.I.L. in the mix as well. I would consider this the real deal when it comes to alternative music. Think of Echo And The Bunnymen and you’ll get a pretty good idea of what’s in store.
www.paperthinsurprises.com
Rating:

Review by J.R. Oliver

Popstar Assassins,"Moderne" (Triangle Bullet Lines)
Well, this is the coolest band name out of the whole stack of cds I received this week to review. They sound a bit like Longwave or the Go-Betweens. British influenced pop rock with an edgy side to it. This album is extremely catchy but not to the point of being annoying. It also has a bit of a Smiths feel to it as well. A little moody but with soaring lyrics if that makes any sense. “Close My Eyes” is great. I also really dig “Easy For You” because it sounds a bit like early R.E.M.
www.trianglebulletlines.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

Bag,"Bag" (Sanctuary/Simmons)
Anything that Gene Simmons has a hand in is bound to be bawdy and full of braggadocio. Basicly, everything you want in a rock n’ roll album. I’ve got to admit, if I’m going to have to submit myself to a rap beat then this is the kind of album I want to listen to. The rock/ballad and rap formula that Bag uses was interesting enough to hold my attention through all fourteen tracks and that’s quite an accomplishment, believe me. I found some of this pretty damn cool. Like if it were possible to pull off a Kiss and Prince composition. Some of the noteworthy tracks are “I Can’t Stand Your Face”, “I Hate You Baby”, “Aye Mi Amore (I’m So F***in’ Horny)” and “I Can’t Shut My Mouth”. You’re probably getting a better idea of what this album is like from the titles than this review and if you are your probably right.
www.sanctuaryrecords.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

Mon Electric Bijou,"Bullets In The Penguin" (Indie Release)
Do you remember how you would be listening to Pink Floyds “Animals” album way before you realized you were listening to Pink Floyds “Animals” album. Well, this one sneaks up on you much the same way. As a matter of fact I would say Pink Floyd was a major influence here if I were guessing. But, then again, what do I know. I do know that there’s some funky and strange things being offered up here and I enjoyed most all of it. Especially “Rita Venture”, “The Large Glass”, “Caveman” and any of the other ones that had that Tom Verlaine / Television feel. Yeah, I guess that’s where I would file these guys. Somewhere between Pink Floyd and Television.
www.monelectricbijou.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

Johnny Society,"Coming To Get You" (Messenger Records)
These guys sound like Paul McCartney, Bare Jr., Pink Floyd, Paul Stanley, Cheap Trick and the Tourists all thrown into a blender and puréed into one indie rock smoothie that is guaranteed to quench your listening thirst. I can safely say that almost everyone can find at least one song they can enjoy on this disc. My picks are “What Breaks In You Might Break You Through”, “Coming To Get You” and “Bloody Balde”. I like a band that can sound so different from track to track yet you can still recognize who it is. That’s quite a talent.
www.messengerrecords.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by J.R. Oliver

Pelican,"The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw" (Hydrahead)
The instrumental quartet Pelican return with another stunning display of earth shaking music. This seven- track sojourn finds the Chicago outfit taking musical strides in the vein of bands like Isis and Godflesh, playing the lumbering build-up and crushingly heavy game to perfection on “Last Day of Winter”. Where those bands seem to keep the mood heavy, Pelican opts to shift gears. There’s a great deal of expansiveness to songs like the epic “March to the Sea” that encompasses Iron Maiden just as much as it does Mastodon, enchanting the listener and engaging the attention span unlike other vocal-less endeavors. There’s also a plethora of acoustic guitars present that at times give off touches of a desert rock vibe as well as an overall feeling of serenity before the inevitable sonic attack hits. Staggeringly composed, artfully performed, and richly recorded, the new album from Pelican is a masterpiece that even those who fear they may not get it will be engrossed with.
www.hydrahead.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Clutch,"Robot Hive/ Exodus" (DRT)
The veritable rock machine known as Clutch returns with ROBOT HIVE/ EXODUS, an album brimming with experimentation, even by Clutch’s usual high standards. Flipping the knobs on the dial a few notches, this 14-track adventure contains all of the left of center nuances that made this band an underground hit, only now the funky heaviness and off the cuff song topics are accentuated by the use of full-time keyboards. This quirky addition to the already impenetrable arsenal gives off a sound that spotlights Clutch’s always apparent but never fully realized bluesy/gospel roots with the unmistakable charm of a traveling riverside preacher. Songs like “10001110101” and “Never Be Moved” keep the boogie down beat in check while Neil Fallon’s daft vocals and twisted lyrics only add to the frolicking feel. Clutch hasn’t forgotten how to rock though, as “Burning Beard” and “Mice and Gods” aptly display the band’s muscle in fine form. Yet, it’s the diversions in the overall sound of the band are the most jarring and most enjoyable, as the laid back groove of “Land of Pleasant Living” and the authentic cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Who’s Been Talking?” keep Clutch’s reputation of being the most unorthodox metal band in the land firmly intact.
www.pro-rock.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Swift,"The Absolute Uncontrollable" (Tribunal)
If one word could sum up North Carolina’s Swift, it would be versatile, as this group’s latest release showcases a band that can rip it up like Lamb of God just as well as lay down a memorable melody a la Glassjaw and still manage to rock out like My Chemical Romance. The quintet’s 12-track collection gracefully stride the lines between screamo, metalcore, and thrash metal, as tracks like the battering Swedish-tinged “Release the Wolves” rocks like Unearth meets Killswitch and “Question and Lies” meets The Used and Thursday smack dab in the middle. Swift delivers intriguing, well-crafted songs whose genre jumping flows naturally and is far from mundane, something that many bands should step up and take note of. Armed with equal amounts of harmony and savagery, THE ABSOLUTE UNCONTROLLABLE ultimately satisfies the spirit that enjoys a good thrashing as much as a cascading melody.
www.tribunalrecords.net
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Modern Life Is War,"Witness" (Deathwish)
Servicing you with a scathing array of post-hardcore, Iowa’s Modern Life is War demands attention thanks to their latest nine-track release WITNESS. An incendiary offering spilling over with intensity and integrity, tracks like “D.E.A.D.R.A.M.O.N.E.S.” emit the kind of visceral lyrical truth that few bands have the guts to put on record, while “Martin Atchet” is just one of the many tracks which displays that deep wall of powerful hardcore skillfully captured by guru of the underground Kurt Ballou. When you get the feeling that a band transcends its own labels and rise above the genre by which they are lumped, it is a rare occurrence and marvelous to behold. WITNESS does just that for Modern Life is War, creating an enthralling mental assault backed by a stirring array of haunting melodies and scathing commentaries. Be prepared for something that goes way beyond your run of the mill hardcore exhibition.
www.deathwishinc.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Schleprock,"Learning To Fall" (Fiend)
LEARNING TO FALL is a tribute album of sorts, paying homage to Schleprock’s guitarist who died from a drug overdose in 2002. Featuring a career-spanning 21 tracks, this Los Angeles based punk rock outfit and their rags to riches story is well documented both musically and through the liner notes, going into great depth to explain the trials and tribulations of this band that shared stages with Green Day and Blink 182 amongst others. Playing the kind of anthemic punk rock that mixes the works of Bad Religion, NOFX, and countless other bands that made it in the ‘90s, tracks like “Sorry” and “Can’t Hold Me Down” show why this band rose from the garage to major label status, inspiring numerous amounts of suburban punkers along the way.
www.fiendmusic.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

The Junior Varsity,"Wide Eyed" (Victory)
Riding the emo pop punk wave are The Junior Varsity, an Illinois quintet whose 11-track debut stays the course in terms of providing safe, non-provocative melodic rock suitable for your girlfriend’s record collection. Tracks like the contagious album opener “Get Comfortable” gets you set for slightly spacey rock riffs with a focus on laying down a good hook and catchy vocal line. “When We Met as Aliens” emits the kind of vibe Brand New may have if trading places with Dashboard Confessional, while the melancholic feel of “Saltwater Foundation” radiates a rock waltz that you may hear on a WB melodrama. Using (though not to excessively) a synth player within the mainframe of the band gives The Junior Varsity a broader range, though not by much, as the band’s initial impression of being a shoegazer outfit trapped in a power punk package doesn’t stray for the entire record.
www.victoryrecords.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

The Black Spoons,"My Dear Radium" (Particle)
NYC undeniably breeds a different kind of rock animal, and Brooklyn’s The Black Spoons display the kind of spirit and merit that other bands throughout the five boroughs attempt to emulate. Sounding like a band that channels equal portions of Interpol and Foo Fighters, this trio is way smarter than your average rock band, and is armed with even smarter guitar hooks and sinewy vocals. “Like a Knife” subversively hits you over the head with underscored percussion and cascading guitars, while “Password” hovers over with droplets of ominous guitars and washed out vocals. This 10-track release is bursting with creative slants, clever phrasings, and all of the things that should be celebrated about NYC bands but are largely ignored, stood up for the trendy dudes dressed in the fashionable flavor of the month wardrobe. Fear not, though; bands with this kind of deceptive brawn and seemingly endless supply of brainpower thankfully outlast the trend treadmill and go on to bigger and better things, something that MY DEAR RADIUM decisively projects through the comfort of your headphones on the subway ride home.
www.theblackspoons.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Mighty High,"Mighty High" (Indie release)
Mighty High is a quartet from Brooklyn that not only remembers the decadence of rock, but also espouses all of its virtues rather unapologetically. On the band’s smoking five-track presentation, traces of ‘70s hard rock, metallic punk rock, and massive drug and alcohol use are apparent, as equal parts of Motorhead, Murphy’s Law, and Hanoi Rocks emanate through songs like “Escape from Daytop” and “Breakin’ Shit”. Abandon all reason and get sloppy with these guys, there’s plenty of room on their caravan of chaos.
www.mightyhigh.net
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Ulver,"Blood Inside" (The End)
Ulver is a Norwegian act that has strayed away from their former death metal sound yet has successfully retained the intensity. Thanks to a rigorous display of electronica, coupled with a plethora of synths and sound manipulations, BLOOD INSIDE resonates a bevy of deep, rich tones that rhythmically lead the nine-track opus. On top of these rock solid foundations, you’ll find a hodgepodge of devices from operatic vocals to cartoonish sound effects spotlighted, all culminating in a listening experience that needs a progressive set of ears, a full attention span, and a relaxed atmosphere. Expanding musical horizons with a vast array of grace, style, and pizzazz, BLOOD INSIDE is aimed for the ears that need reawakening from bleak musical offerings.
www.theendrecords.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Antimatter,"Planetary Confinement" (The End)
Desolate and bare, PLANETARY CONFINEMENT is an album laden with somber overtones, as Antimatter’s dark vibe is reverberated on the project’s third (and perhaps final) release. Enriched by deep acoustic guitars with lush string arrangements behind, songs like “The Weight of the World” and “Relapse” freeze you in your tracks, quicken the coldness in your body and then emit the kind of bleak output that people on the edge shouldn’t even dare go near. Ethereal and melancholic, the intensity given off from this nine-track endeavor rivals that of Portishead or Radiohead, yet Antimatter remain smooth in its delivery throughout, switching vocal perspectives between male and female often for extra flavor, and creating an ambient soundtrack of isolationism for those who enjoy the suffering a bit more than others.
www.theendrecords.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Ambry,"Hold On By the Blindfolds We Hide Behind" (The Death Scene)
Ambry is a emo-tinged punk rock act from New Hampshire that have studied Thursday, Saves the Day, and The Used long enough to know how to create compelling, hook-laden loud rock compositions such as “Postcards from California” and “Better Scene Than Heard”. They even strip down and get acoustic on the beautifully tattered “Linguistic Relativity for Horses” and kick out some pseudo-electronica a la Smashing Pumpkins on “32 Teeth and Still I Can’t Bite My Tongue”, convincingly pouring their hearts out on both. A little more originality would benefit the band from getting lumped with the faceless masses of skinny guys in women’s jeans contingent, yet if the group is content with merely fitting in on the Warped Tour scene, then there’s no need to worry about Ambry.
www.thedeathscene.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Whores of Tijuana,"Whores of Tijuana" (Indie release)
With such a harsh name, you can expect some badass tones blasting through your speakers, and this Orange County, CA based stoner rock trio reliably oblige on their self-titled stoner rock excursion. Produced by stoner rock superstar Scott Reeder, this eight-track release displays a Melvins meets Fu Manchu vibe, as the hooks on tracks like “Running My Machine” are heftily held together by some superfuzzy guitar and bass tones. Providing the hypnotic kick on “Trip Manhattan” just like the mighty Kyuss once did, while anteing up the biker boogie on “Don Juan”, Whores of Tijuana balance out their sludgy salvo with the intensity and drunken rowdiness of the crème de le crème of desert rock. Best part of it all is that unlike dealing with the usual unsavory conditions of such women south of the border, there’s no need for a thorough washing after hearing this one straight through.
www.whoresoftijuana.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Fast Eddie,"Teen Sensation" (Skinlifter)
Working off of the template put forth by bands like Mr. Bungle and Ween, Yonkers, NY based Fast Eddie’s latest endeavor finds the quartet contorting normalcy once again, adding more devices and noises along the way. TEEN SENSATION is the name of the 10-track musical equivalent of a day at the amusement park, as this music awakens the senses and contains more thrill, chills, and unorthodox excitement than most of the bands on the scene today. While obvious comparisons to Mike Patton’s left of center approaches and The Dillinger Escape Plan’s latest aural adventures are inevitable, Fast Eddie’s warped mindframe, death metal debauchery, and willingness to cram the obvious and the obscure into one cohesive piece of music makes TEEN SENSATION an album that will frustrate most, confuse many, and hopefully inspire a few to boldly go where these guys have dared.
www.eddieisfast.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Static X,"Start a War" (Warner Brothers)
As if the news of band member Tripp Eisen’s improprieties with young girls wasn’t enough, electronic metal act Static X’s decision to name the new album START A WAR during such tumultuous times may seem a bit suspect. However, in all fairness to the crazily coiffed frontman and crew, this 13-track disc hits way harder than previous outings, as the one-two punch of “The Enemy” and “I’m The One” show just how these guys have survived through the nu-metal muck. Scaling back on the Goth-rock shtick and pouring on the pounding industrial metal grooves, this disc may reclaim some of the fans the band lost when they switched gears a few discs back, as START A WAR furthers the Rob Zombie meets Ministry format which Wayne Static and crew have recently rejoined.
www.static-x.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Suzukiton,"Service Repair Handbook" (Crucial Blast)
Sludgy instrumental metallers Suzukiton have unveiled a 13-track beast known as SERVICE REPAIR HANDBOOK that will rock your sorry face off. Featuring current and former members of Alabama Thunderpussy, this Richmond, VA outfit’s crushing wares are top flight, laying down Southern-fried metal rhythms heavier than concrete slabs and as viscous as swamp water from way past the danger zone. Filtering in ample doses of squealing guitar feedback, hypnotic time signature changes, and certifiably ass kicking chugging guitar riffs, songs like “Meatal” and “New Blood” sound like the bastard concoction of Mastodon, Karma to Burn, and ATP. Stoner-esque sludge that sometimes morphs into progressive math rock heaviosity, anyone with a soft spot for Southern metal needs to own this an informative and intriguing guide on the art of rock.
www.crucialblast.net
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Twilight,"Twilight" (Southern Lord)
Combining the collective efforts from the best musicians that the American black metal scene has to offer, Twilight’s eponymous nine-track offering stays true to the spirit of the genre, yet somehow falls flat. Could it be that too many cooks spoil the broth? “As The March of Worms” and “Hopeless Etheride” both fend off sub par production value and delivers a solid slab of evil, but a lot of the project sounds a bit undernourished. These purveyors of pain cram as much demonic power as possible into a short space, suffocating the songs before they even get a chance to reap their full havoc. The exception to this is arguably the album’s best track, the closing “Beyond Light”, a stunning eight-minute instrumental that salvages the entire collection.
www.southernlord.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Novadriver,"Deeper High" (Small Stone)
Detroit, affectionately known to many as The Motor City, has a rich rock ‘n’ roll lineage, and native sons Novadriver continue that upward mobility on DEEPER HIGH. A raucous 11-track affair, the space rock shapes and sounds invade your headspace sans warning, leaving you to succumb to the unmistakable grooves of “Machine” and zone out to the max when “Dark Aftermath” pours out your speakers. Unadulterated and raw, DEEPER HIGH shimmies and shuffles with the conviction of a band that has been through Hell and back (bassist James B. Anders suddenly passed as the disc was going to press), and fuels the hard rock fire that burns in every fan’s belly.
www.smallstone.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Just Surrender,"If These STreets Could Talk" (East West)
Just when you thought it was safe, another suburban whining rock band comes barreling through, demanding the love of teenage girls and sensitive boys everywhere. Just Surrender is the name of the aforementioned entity, and while the band’s 10-track excursion plays it safely between the wares of Taking Back Sunday and Brand New, this Poughkeepsie, NY based quartet’s keen sense of melody, contagious choruses, and spirited musicianship on tracks like “You Tell A Tale” and “Our Work of Art” displays that they’re not just a bunch of cardboard cut-outs playing a role. If you think that the pop-punk genre is super saturated with bargain basement acts, taking a listen to Just Surrender will be quite a refreshing experience.
www.justsurrender.net
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

The Mass,"Perfect Picture of Wisdom and Boldness" (Crucial Blast)
The Mass hails from Oakland, CA, and their brand of off-kilter heavy music fits right in between Bay Area legends Primus, Faith No More, and Metallica. Picking up where the quartet’s last gem CITY OF DIS left off, the agonizing screams, dastardly guitar runs, well-oiled rhythms, and the occasional saxophone chimed in are retained here, successfully blowing your mind with scintillating savagery. Tracks like the Clutch meets Slackers “Cloven Head” is as avant-garde as a band can get while still retaining a melodic edge, while “Corpse Wielder” cleverly combines splattercore’s savagery with an indie rock jangle and a killer sax-led death march dirge at the end to boot. Remaining an enigmatic musical gift, PERFECT PICTURE OF WISDOM AND BOLDNESS will not let your adventurous side down for a second of the massive eight-tracks.
www.crucialblast.net
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Fight Paris,"Paradies, Found" (Trustkill)
Intertwining hardcore music and a hardcore lifestyle, the five men that comprise Fight Paris believe in the work hard, party harder mantra, and it definitely spills over on the 10-track PARADISE, FOUND. Jagged guitars, pounding rhythms, and chaotic vocals are staples here, instantaneously whipping up a party as the opening of “Fuck Me Stilettos” blasts through your speakers. Taking the dirty aspects of ‘80s cock rock and kicking them straight down your throat with a hardcore punk aesthetic, Fight Paris, taking cues from likeminded acts such as Every Time I Die and Avenged Sevenfold, are out to not only take over the rock world, but to outdo the legendary stories of Motley Crue, Guns ‘N Roses, and countless other lucky bastards that have survived rock ‘n’ roll’s excess. While they are miles away, songs like “One Track Mind” and “Southern Comfort” display a fine start.
www.trustkill.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Iommi,"Fused" (Sanctuary)
Tony Iommi, while still waiting for Camp Osbourne to get the Sabbath back on track, has embarked on another solo effort titled FUSED. This time, instead of using a wealth of musicians as he did on his previous release IOMMI, the Godfather of metal guitar whittled it down to drummer extraordinaire Kenny Aronoff and vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes, creating a super tight trio whose musical pedigree alone is reason enough to make this disc a must-have. That, and the driving guitars Iommi wields on such powerful cuts as “Wasted Again” and Dopamine”, not to mention the soulful vocals delivered by Hughes throughout the entire collection, really make this release something special. No one masters the riff quite like Iommi, and “Face Your Fear” proves that, as the colossal sound that emanates from the SG is unlike any other, yet remains an entity that guitar players everywhere try to emulate. Solid in every aspect you could imagine in a hard rock album, FUSED is an album that any Sabbath, Deep Purple, or classic rock fan that leans on the heavier side of things needs to own.
www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Throttlerod,"Hell and High Water" (Small Stone)
Virginia based rockers Throttlerod make no bones about bringing the rock on the 12-track HELL AND HIGH WATER. This hard-edged crew keeps the sound huge with its brand of groove-laden riff rock with chunks of melodious ‘70s bell-bottom rock thrown in for good measure. Keeping the rhythm driving is one of Throttlerod’s main weapons, as the pounding “Whistlin’ Dixie” and the white trash meets cock rock swagger of “Snake Into Angel” will stomp a mudhole in your chest while retaining the catchy chorus that’ll have you humming the tune in the elevator. Armed with a keen sense of blue collar rock trailed by a stoner rock attitude drizzled with metallic overtones, this outfit’s declaration of hard rock is much welcomed if you dig bands like Halfway to Gone, Five Horse Johnson, or Smile.
www.smallstone.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Municipal Waste,"Hazardous Mutation" (Earache)
Old school rules! Dig out the denim jacket and polish up the bullet belt, as listening to Municipal Waste’s 16-track thrash-a-thon is like taking a time machine back to the late ‘80s metal scene as the genres began to blend. Emulating crossover kings like Anthrax, Leeway, Nuclear Assault, and DRI, tracks like “The Thing”, “Accelerated Vision”, and the cleverly titled and precise played “Guilty of Being Tight” keeps the pace manic and the fists on continuous pump. Blowing the dust off of the hardcore punk aesthetic and keeping their metal chops way up, HAZARDOUS MUTATION features the gang vocal choruses, popping basslines, buzzsaw guitars, and devil may care attitude that Gorilla Biscuits and SOD lovingly brought to the table. Abandon all fears and get your thrash on with this monstrous machine.
www.earache.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

V:28,"Soul Saviour" (Vendulus)
Norwegians have always been guilty of unleashing depraved forms of metal, and SOUL SAVIOUR is no different. Putting a somewhat industrial spin on its garden variety garbled vocals and black metal guitar onslaught, this collection’s ambitious nature provides for a sound that mixes Fear Factory’s technological prowess with Emperor’s pure evil. Ambient when it wants to be yet able to crush your eardrums with galloping guitar lines and pummeling drum beats found on tracks like “The Purifying Flames”, V:28’s jarring juxtaposition of genres isn’t flawless and drags at times, yet creates a bleak aural atmosphere not unlike Godflesh or Neurosis.
www.vendlus.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Resurrecturis,"The Cuckoo Clocks of Hell" (Indie Release)
Italian cult metal troupe Resurrecturis may not be in existence anymore, yet the quintet’s most recent exercise of hostility, THE CUCKOO CLOCKS OF HELL, holds its own amongst most of today’s current metal. Splicing death metal intricacies a la Death and Swedish metal devices galore, this eight-track offering displays a band who know not only how to growl, bellow, and sound like the fury of Hell has cracked the Earth, but a band whose precision and technical ability stands up amongst the elite of the genre. As heavy as Cryptopsy with the experimental edge of Candiria and the crack your skull mantra of Slipknot, this group’s swan song is a beautifully brutal way to end out on.
www.resurrecturis.it
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Jacknife,"Moment of Reckoning" (Zero Sum)
Jacknife is a Dallas, TX based quintet whose New Wave of American Metal meets Texan hardcore thrash style is served with a boot up the ass and no questions asked on MOMENT OF RECKONING. This explosive 12-track entity successfully straddles the line between power groove metal and death metal tinged hardcore on tracks like “A Glimpse of Hell” and “Breaking Away”. Relentlessly uncoiling a dastardly concoction of punishing guitar riffs which dually emulate Maiden as much as At the Gates, bottom heavy low ended rhythms that will shake the fillings from your teeth, and versatile vocals that rise from guttural growls to high end shrieking, songs like “Destined to Rise” and the title cut showcase a band not content until the entire floor is moving and the patrons are bloody and sweaty. Fusing the gap between hardcore and metal, if you dig Lamb of God as much as you do Hatebreed, you’ll go insane for these guys and their solid metal assault.
www.zerosumrec.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

The Banner,"Each Breath Haunted" (Ferret)
New Jersey punk hardcore horror troupe The Banner combine many of the East Coast’s staple heavy sounds on EACH BREATH HAUNTED, creating a maelstrom of metallic glory. For starters, this Bloomfield, NJ quintet channels the spirit of The Misfits, as songs like “Devilhawks” and “I’ll Be Happy When You’re Fucking Dead” combine the relentless assault and dark humor of their fellow statesmen. There’s also a slew of tough guy anthems wrapped around Goth rock a la AFI and neighbors My Chemical Romance meeting Madball kicking around such as “An Allergy to the Sun” and “Black Hood”. There’s even elements of Dillinger Escape Plan apparent on tracks such as “I Am Legend”, creating melodious moments inside of pure chaos. While the 13-track disc lags at times thanks to the instrumental interludes, it gives you just enough time to recover from the beating The Banner handed to you. If you like your hardcore dark and brooding like Himsa, these guys won’t disappoint.
www.ferretstyle.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

The Fall of Troy,"Doppelganger" (Equal Vison)
Ready for a musical freakout? Then pick up DOPPELGANGER by Washington’s latest addition to the indie rock scene, The Fall of Troy. This trio, all under 21 years old, play with the acumen of musicians twice their age and experience. Truly pushing the boundaries of heavy progressive rock, the outfit’s mixture of jarring post hardcore, flowing virtuoso musicianship, and unpredictable time signature placement makes for an enthralling listen. Sounding a bit like Coheed and Cambria jamming out with Open Hand at an At the Drive In sponsored event, the fleet fretwork, explosive rhythms, and unorthodox compositions of tracks like “Mouths Like Sidewinder Missiles” and “Act One, Scene One” put this band in a league of their own. Take a walk on the wild side of rock with these spastic pugilists of ultra dynamic prog rock.
www.equalvision.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

None More Evil,"Whore" (LSE)
Long Island metal clan None More Evil are a dark hard rock band not unlike Danzig or Dope whose latest 11-track eardrum cracker WHORE is an unapologetic commentary of the sad state of suburban life. Merging the wares of Godsmack and Korn, this trio’s caustic crunch is just as suitable for the strip club as it is for the moshpit, as songs like the industrially tinged title track and the brooding “Blame Me” are straight up angst ridden tunes guaranteed to unleash your animalistic instincts. A solid recording that keeps the guitars punishingly low and the vocals slightly synthetic assist WHORE in achieving the dirty grooves and demonic tuned down madness that should have hard rock fans with a penchant for the foreboding something to get excited about.
www.nonemoreevil.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Bedlight for Blue Eyes,"The Dawn" (Trustkill)
Trustkill Records is probably the label you go to for the kind of music you can rely on to destroy things to, so it comes with some surprise that BEDlight for BlueEYES, for all intensive purposes a rock band (and one that leans on the softer side of things to boot) resides here. While the New Jersey quintet’s music is a bit on the fashion rock/ Warped Tour side of the fence, the deal breaker here is the massive vocal range and talent supplied by lead throat Christian. He croons, he hits Jeff Buckley’s, Chris Cornell’s, and Geoff Rickley’s ranges with relative ease, and his dynamic AOR voice may make your mom fall in love with rock music again if she fondly remembers Styx and Journey. Expertly recorded and mastered, and loaded with the anthems Audioslave may have made if not so left-wing or Steelheart would if they had bigger testicles, THE DAWN is a 10-track album laden with hard rock balladeering disguised in a pop-punk wrapper, yet there’s something delectable about it all that fans of arena rock from Boston to Creed will surely gush over.
www.trustkill.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Look What I Did,"Minuteman for the Moment" (Combat)
This eclectic 12-track major label debut is bound to make some waves and turn some heads. Equipped with the same twisted perceptions and fearless devices of groundbreaking musical forces like Mr. Bungle, Primus, Strapping Young Lad, and Every Time I Die, this outfit’s spastic presentations and throwing the rulebook out the window approach to its music provides a jarring yet enlightening listen. Versatile enough to shift from gut wrenching screamo to STP-esque melodic passages without any warning or buildup, songs like “Lightning Bugs” and “Ultimate Complete Home Fitness Machine” are all over the map in attitude, emotional output, and musical genre bending. Ambitious yet sturdy enough to stand up to its schizophrenic styles, MINUTEMEN FOR THE MOMENT encapsulates everything that’s interesting in today’s metal realm while radiating a unique energy that merges the bestial beauty of heavy music.
www.combatrecords.net
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Saint Vitus,"Live" (Southern Lord)
Purveyors of doom metal rejoice: the seminal American doom metal troupe Saint Vitus has re-released its live offering. Simply titled LIVE, this 11-track collection was recorded in Germany during the band’s 1989 tour, and packs all of Saint Vitus’ infamous lethargic fury. Weeping guitars, droning rhythms, and raspy vocals all played big in the Saint Vitus playbook, and this live disc allows these elements to shine just as bright as a studio album, with fuzzy guitar freakouts and off-the-cuff heavy jams intertwined for the true live music experience. If you know of them, pick this up. If you don’t, this live disc is a fine place to start.
www.southernlord.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Sonic Syndicate,"Eden Fire" (Pivotal)
Sonic Syndicate is a nubile metal sextet whose 10-track debut exhibits a stunning array of synth-laden Swedish metal. Even though this outfit’s age ranges from the tender 17 to the mature 22, they unload a flurry of In Flames meets Still Remains riffs and a slew of Dark Funeral meets Soilwork song structures, convincingly proving their credibility. “Zion Must Fall” contains the molten metallic majesty of nearly anything on the radar today, and “Crowned in Dispair”, highlighted by neo-Goth rock overtones and Children of Bodom-esque catchiness, is one of EDEN FIRE’s standout tracks. The Swedish metal scene seems to be teeming with jaw-droppingly good bands, and you can add Sonic Syndicate to that ever-growing list.
www.sonicsyndicate.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Space Odyssey,"The Astral Episode" (Candlelight)
Progressive metal keyboardist Richard Andersson found some time out of his busy schedule to hammer out this eight-track endeavor bursting with heavy atmosphere. With a good handle on the intricacies and nuances of prog metal’s virtuoso performance demands, THE ASTRAL EPISODE delivers a tougher, more edgy version of what you’d expect from a cross between Dream Theater’s excessive musicianship and ‘80s metal’s keen knack for melodic vocals with majestic overtones ringing throughout. “Dazzle the Devil” and the title cut are just two examples of how Space Odyssey pull off the well-trained band vibe meets epic metal troupe sans that clinical approach many bands in this genre struggle with dropping.
www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Minsk,"Out of a Center Which is Neither Dead Nor Alive" (At a Loss)
Minsk is a band from Chicago who has figured out that the Isis meets Neurosis formula isn’t the be-all, end-all method when creating murky, atmospheric metal. Instead, this quintet implement a slew of Goth rock schlock in addition to the entrancing tribal rhythms and sheer sonic firepower to its six-track affair, making OUT OF A CENTER WHICH IS NEITHER DEAD NOR ALIVE a rather explosive excursion for a noise rock troupe. Heavy, driving, and above all, enormous sounding, allow Minsk to creep into your subconscious and have a party inside all the forgotten crevices.
www.thesoundofminsk.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Ritual Carnage,"Infidel" (Osmose)
Japan’s answer to bands like Forbidden and Destruction is the long-running metal troupe Ritual Carnage, whose latest release is a 12-track album determined to put your neck in traction. Performing with the fires of ‘80s thrash and death metal in the forefront, the dual guitar attack flawlessly executed on burners like “Thirst for Blood” will reel you back to the glory days of the Bay Area and Tampa scene, while the progressive transitions and unstable rhythmic patterns of “Do Not Resuscitate” sound like the perfect homage to Death. Wielding the power and fury of the predecessors of the extreme metal genre without plagiarizing or bastardizing anything, I, INFIDEL is an unwavering display of technical metal that fans clamoring for the sounds of the old school should take note of.
www.theendrecords.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Embrace Today,"We Are the Enemy" (Deathwish)
Embrace Today’s latest release finds the straight-edge Boston quintet as seething as ever, yet despite the 12-track sojourn’s undeniable undercurrent of brutality, there’s a sheen of majesty to tracks like “The Immortal” and the dynamic title track that sets this band apart from your average chugging hardcore crew. Almost sounding if Hatebreed merged with Pantera, WE ARE THE ENEMY is an album that transcends clichés and stands out as an album whose metallic melodies, scornful screaming, bestial breakdowns, and overall ominous hardcore ruthlessly jumps for your jugular without regret.
www.deathwishinc.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Afermath of a Trainwreck,"Horseshoes and Handgrenades" (New Age)
Straight edge hardcore troupe Aftermath of a Trainwreck let 10 tracks of unadulterated aggression loose in about 35 minutes on HORSESHOES AND HANDGRENADES. While the Salt Lake City quintet is far from breaking new ground with their sound or subject matter, they do manage to commandeer the gargled glass lead vocal meets churning rhythms and massive guitar breakdown structure pretty well enough on the songs “Junkie Stomper” and “Talk Shit Get Hit” to elicit some soberingly heavy moshpit beatdowns, keeping hardcore and metal enthusiasts alike bruised and bloodied.
www.newagerecords.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Pro-Pain,"Prophets of Doom" (Candlelight)
The resilient hardcore metal band Pro-pain continues to trudge on with PROPHETS OF DOOM, the quartet’s 12th release. Refusing to bow down to the music industry machine, this fiercely independent troupe bring their brand of punishing low-end mayhem back with a discernible wartime theme abound. Tracks like the headstomping “Hate Marches On” and the groovy thrash of “Operation Blood for Oil” have got the vintage Pro-pain wallop with a slab of social commentary thrown in. Three chords and the truth? It has served this NYHC-inspired outfit for over a decade, as Pro-pain comes back stronger and more meaningful than ever on PROPHETS OF DOOM.
www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Defleshed,"Reclaim the Beat" (Regain)
Swedish metal trio Defleshed are somewhat of an unknown quantity in the U.S., but RECLAIM THE BEAT seeks to raise the awareness of this pummeling powerhouse. The 12-track offering conjures up some meat and potatoes, no frills extreme metal bursting with hearty chunks of thrash metal’s speed and precision and death metal’s ominous overtones. Songs like the relentless “Chain Reaction” and the supercharged cover of Motley Crue’s “Red Hot” cry out for pumping your fists and banging your head with gleeful abandonment, while the crushing evilness of “Under Destruction” will leave you gasping for air. If you’re looking for something wicked yet refreshing, RECLAIM THE BEAT is an album that will satisfy.
www.defleshed.de
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

In Flames,"Lunar Strain/ Subterranean" (Regain)
At the forefront of the Swedish metal brigade are In Flames, one of the most visible and popular bands from the region whose re-release of their first two albums from 1994 and 1995, LUNAR STRAIN and SUBTERRANEAN, marks the first time in the U.S. that the band’s entire catalog is available. These albums, for those familiar with the band’s current Ozzfest-friendly sound, may be a bit surprising at first, as they express a more raw sounding band, especially vocally, as current lead singer Anders Friden didn’t join the fold until 1997. The band’s staple flavorful fretwork is still greatly featured, however, and the relentless metal template that In Flames helped to create is here in all of its early glories, especially on LUNAR STRAIN, where current Dark Funeral throat Mikael Stanne mans the microphone and leads the punishing procession. If you want to bone up on your Swedish metal history or are interested in the early works of an influential metal troupe, these re-issues are essential.
www.candlelightrecords.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Nodes of Ranvier,"The Years to Come" (Facedown)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota quintet Nodes of Ranvier return with a 12-track release that falls in line with much of the contemporary metalcore on the scene today. Packing a wallop laden with melody and bruising rhythms alike, “The Dawning Age” is a track that old school thrashers and new fans can equally enjoy, while the title track is armed with a demonic vocal style that sounds like the merger of E-Town Concrete and older Avenged Sevenfold and rocks out with unabashed intensity. Leaning towards the more commercial side of heavy music, THE YEARS TO COME is a great addition to those who are digging their older brother’s thrash albums in addition to the current crop of heavy bands fortified with melodic musings and anthemic choruses.
www.facedownrecords.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Meshuggah,"Catch Thirty Three" (Nuclear Blast)
When you speak of metal bands that have carved their own niche into the genre, Meshuggah is one of the first acts that come to mind. The progressively punishing quartet’s latest exercise in raising the bar is CATCH THIRTY THREE, a blistering assault unlike any on the scene today. Brazen with the innate ability to hypnotically suck you in with off-kilter rhythms and esoteric structures while piledriving your skull with an ungodly sonic crush of the deepest low-end metal madness on the market, Meshuggah are quite possibly the most technically sound metal band on the planet, always striving to further their experimentations of mechanically inclined metal. This brand of severe music is sometimes hard to grasp for the layman, but for those ready to travel to new realms and push boundaries, Meshuggah is the band to hit up.
www.nuclearblastusa.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

The Showdown,"A Chorus of Obliteration" (Mono Vs. Stereo)
The Showdown is an outfit that has their fingers on the pulse of the new wave of American metal movement. On the Tennessee native’s 10-track entity, you’ll hear a flurry of Swedish influenced guitar runs such as the ones heard in “Iscariot” and “From the Mouth of Gath Comes Terror”, furious vocals sounding like a cross between Lamb of God, Testament, and Shadows Fall, and a plethora of headbanging rhythms and raging drum parts that display the band’s understanding and love of the metal genre. While the market may be saturated with a lot of bands doing the same thing with only slight moderations, A CHORUS OF OBLITERATION exhibits a band who do a little bit of everything very well, a characteristic that sets The Showdown high on the list of new metal bands to explore.
www.monovsstereo.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Various Artists,"Punk Rock is Your Friend 6" (Kung Fu)
Kung Fu Records has put out another spirited punk rock compilation, befriending a whole new crop of ears on PUNK ROCK IS YOUR FRIEND 6. Opening with the Beach Boy-esque power punk of The Vandals, and including bands such as Tsunami Bomb, H2O, Throwrag, and Bouncing Souls, this 23-track collection spotlights some of the best and brightest punk bands that haven’t been overexposed to the point of nausea yet still have some notoriety. Bouncy tracks like Audio Karate’s “She Looks Good” sandwiched beside the harder edged punk of Underminded and the uncompromising rawness of The God Awfuls showcase the wide array of punk today, giving this comp a little snippet for everyone to enjoy.
www.kungfurecords.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Johnny Cock and the Nuts,"Tear You a New one" (Bitchslap)
After some deep analyzing, it’s a safe bet to guess that TEAR YOU A NEW ONE by the band Johnny Cock and the Nuts isn’t a serious rock band like Coldplay, but instead a tongue in cheek California punk rock band whose bathroom humor, three chorded assaults, and sneering lead vocals have all the charm of an unruly third grade classroom. This 26-track tour de force contains a full studio release and a complete live show, taped on the night of the birth of the lead singer’s son. How’s that for punk rock dedication? Mixing the wares of NOFX, Dead Kennedys, and Suicidal Tendencies, this disorderly trio’s penchant for stirring the pot and bringing the party back to punk rock is their best trick.
www.bitchslaprecords.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Sentenced,"The Funeral Album" (Century Media)
Finnish death metal troupe Sentenced have decided to call it a day on their latest release, aptly titled THE FUNERAL ALBUM. This 13-track disc finds the quintet saying goodbye with dollops of depressing mid-paced metal like “Her Last 5 Minutes”, while picking up the morbidity on melodic death marches like “Vengeance is Mine”. Despite the album’s rather somber overall tone, this disc doesn’t match up to the band’s previous cold-hearted endeavors, making it a bit of a disappointing swan song. Nonetheless, THE FUNERAL ALBUM’s melancholic meanderings are a fitting parting shot for a band fascinated with the art of dying from the get go.
www.centurymedia.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Extol,"The Blueprint Dives" (Century Media)
Looking for adventures in metal? Then Extol’s stunning new release is just the album you need, as this 13-track barrage of jawdropping genre-hopping and mature savagery will convert even the most stubborn of metal fans that think they’ve heard it all. Pushing boundaries much like Opeth, but with their ears a little more open to the mainstream, songs like “Gloriana”, “Void”, and “From the Everyday Mountain Top” portray a band whose unmistakable Norwegian roots are contorted in ways never before heard, yielding the type of provocative listening experience reserved for bands such as Faith No More, Neurosis, and Melvins. Staying heavy yet straying away from formulaic compositions, Extol’s latest album is a rousing display of a band unafraid to go the extra mile.
www.centurymedia.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

The Agony Scene,"The Darkest Red" (Roadrunner)
The Agony Scene’s sophomore effort is a savage, soul crushing slab of metalcore with dashes of devious death metal strewn in, as this Oklahoma quintet pull out all the stops to sonically beat the hell out of you. From the jackhammer drums that rip through your speakers on the title cut to the blistering Swedish metal guitars found on “Screams Turn to Silence” to the sinewy rhythm and venomous vocal hiss of “Scapegoat”, this relentless 11-track affair is as close to a metalcore classic as you can get today. Brazen with as much brutality as they are memorable hooks, THE DARKEST RED’s multitude of strengths make this album a definite purchase for fans currently wearing out their Killswitch and Unearth discs.
www.roadrunnerrecords.com
Rating:

Review by Mike SOS

Vivian Campbell,"Two Sides Of If" (Sanctuary)
Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell has now thrown in his two-cents to the long line of solo album ventures. I’ve often wondered why lead guitarists in popular groups are compelled to make solo albums. Left to their own devices in recording a solo album, the results are invariably less than satisfying. While they might have great guitar chops, most lead guitarists don’t have great voices- Joe Perry of Aerosmith comes to mind. That’s the problem with Vivian – the guitar playing on this cd is red hot, but the weak singing doesn’t do these blues-rock songs justice. The only true weak song arrangement is his version of “I Ain’t Superstitious” – did he really think he could improve on the Jeff Beck/Rod Stewart version? Hot playing, limp singing.
www.viviancampbell.com
Rating:

Review by Scott H. Platt

Jon Roniger,"My World" (Indie Release)
Usually I find singer-songwriter-folk cds to be kinda generic, and hard to tell apart with great guitar playing, but bland songwriting and voices. However, Jon Roniger is the exception! Sure, he plays a great guitar and writes good songs, but the difference is his voice – it actually draws the listener in. Usually when reviewing this genre, you compare the artist’s voice to a well-known star, such as Jim Croce or Simon & Garfunkel. But Roniger’s voice is distinctive and defies such comparisons. Maybe that’s why I like this disc so much. And while he follows a sort of traditional ‘storytelling’ mode, his uplifting delivery truly makes the songs even more enjoyable. In my opinion, too many ‘folk’ discs are simply depressing. Plus, he has a sense of humor, quoting a Mel Brooks line from SPACEBALLS as an intro to one song.

Just when I was becoming jaded to singer-songwriter-folk cds, along comes Jon Roniger with an infectious ambiance to make me a believer again.
www.jonroniger.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by Scott H. Platt

Our Lady Peace,"Healthy In Paranoid Times" (Columbia)
Simply put, this is “U2 lite”. It is one thing to have a song or two that sounds like another band, but it almost appears as if Our Lady Peace goes beyond subconscious U2 adoration. The few songs that don’t blatantly parody U2 sound like Oasis or Travis discards.
www.Ourladypeace.com
Rating:

Review by Scott H. Platt

Alison Moyet,"Voice" (Sanctuary)
Gotta love the spin of the publicist. The press release that accompanied this disc touts that Moyet has sold 20 million albums around the world and is one of the UK’s most successful female singers. Is this supposed to plant an impression in my head before I even listened to this disc? Well, it didn’t work. Hell, millions of German’s loved Hitler, but that’s beside the point. This is strictly ‘grandma music’ and I can’t see how it would appeal to anyone under the age of 50. The arrangements and musicians do a more than capable job, but they can’t save this disc alone. While I can sometimes enjoy this easy-listening/jazz format, Moyet’s voice reeks of a 2nd-rate Vegas lounge singer. Syrupy and overdramatic singing ruins such songs as “Almost Blue” (a song that I’ve enjoyed in the capable hands of other artists). But, not all is lost – I’m giving this disc to my grandma. I’m sure she will enjoy it.
www.alisonmoyet.com
Rating:

Review by Scott H. Platt

Labtekwon,"Avant God" (Morphius)
East meets west. Old meets the new. This lyrical rhyme mastermind comes from the streets of Baltimore. Labtekwon writes poetic words dropped on top of jazzy bass grooves along side funky twisted beats that’ll have you shaking it as well as thinking it. He writes from the gut, from the heart about life about love. He experiments with the abstract as well as taking from the old school. Intelligence and real life rule here. I don’t know much about hip-hop but I know this stuff feels damn good.
www.ankhba.com
Rating:

Review by Review by JRumbass

Earth, Wind, and Fire,"Illumination" (Sanctuary Records)
This newest release from funkmasters Earth, Wind and Fire has that same spirit from days of past. Tight harmonies so full of soul, catchy melodies, the funkiest bass, and those damn horns. Their message is still clear of love, partying, and the higher power. “Pure Gold” is an excellent song to court the ladies with. “This is How I Feel” is an excellent song once you get those courted ladies in the crib and “Loves Dance” will make you want to shake your booty. What’s cool is they still have a huge influence on newer R&B, hip-hop, and soul artists whom actually make guest appearances on this album as well as co-writing some songs, (Will.i.am, Big Boi, Brian McKnight, and (Kenny G. WTF??) Excellent disc though. It’s an extension of their distinct career. If their funk and groove doesn’t shake your booty nothing will.
www.earthwindandfire.com
Rating:

Review by Review by JRumbass

Fashion Design,"As Is/Mothballs" [7” vinyl] (307 Knox Records)
So you’re thinking this must be a group of busy bodies making next years hot clothing lines?? Nope. How about a band that creates dark psych pop songs with a sometimes haunting feel? Yeah, they are. This 7in release by NC band Fashion Design culminates eerie tunes via distorted feedback, chiming guitars and lots of delay and reverb. Side 1 “As Is” shuffles along at a break neck pace with bouncy bass, fast picking, and strong sultry vocals that are reminiscent of Debbie Harry with the expressiveness of Kate Bush. And when the pace slows it gives a lot of breathing room for the open chords and vocals to shine before it picks up again as the stellar drumming holds it tight throughout this piece. Side 2 “Mothballs”, with its faintly spoken verses and simple chord progressions, give this song a depressing mood before it moves to a thunderous staccato roar of the rhythm section in the chorus which hints at The Velvet Underground. The great thing about this 7in record is that it gives these songs such an old raw sound, an enhancement if you will, which is real nice. This is just a taste of what’s to come with a full length due in early ’06.
www.fashiondesignband.com
Rating:

Review by JRumbass

Jello Biafra with The Melvins,"Sieg Howdy!" (Alternative Tentacles)
Hot damn!! This disc is shit hot!! This second release of these two intense juggernaut music makers is a god damn treat. Ten songs of incredible length as you would expect from the Melvins. And all hail Jello and his political rant of his real life referendum point of view. He hasn’t changed much and has recently got more ammunition for the verbal assault on your beliefs and wrongdoings. He spews, screams, and kicks his point across in his beloved mannerisms to a back drop of absolute madness courtesy of Buzzo, Dale, and Kevin from the Melvins making it all heavy, crunchy, and sticky sweet right before you stuff it into the bong and smoke it up. In “The Lighter Side of Terrorism” he speaks of a TSA sicko going through your stuff during baggage check and getting off on sniffing your wives panties. In “Those Dumb Punk Kids (Will buy Anything” he speaks of band reunions for the wrong reasons $$$, punk being marketed to shoppers. The title explains it all, need I say more??? In “Dawn of the Locusts” he talks aloud of “the structure of society will rot from the inside out and deep fried society has gone to the wolves, as well as, they know who we are, so why not just get worse??” as the bass pulsates crazy lines while the fuzziest distorted guitar tone soars over beats that are wide and flow freely. Also some wonderful guest appearances by Adam from Tool on the geetar and a cool remix from Al Jourgenson (Ministry, Lard, Revolting Cocks) Overall it’s interesting to see the fusion of these two dynamic forces in a lovely marriage, hopefully no divorce comes too soon.
www.alternativetentacles.com
Rating:

Review by Review by JRumbass

Note: We already had one review for the following disc...but we occassionally feature 2 reviews of the same CD in EAR CANDY...

Iommi,"Fused" (Sanctuary Records)
From the opening guitar of “Dopamine”, you know that this is going to be one heavy ride from start to finish. With a power trio line-up of Tony Iommi on guitar, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) on bass and vocals and Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp) on drums, Fused rocks with a vengeance. “Resolution Song” strikes a nice dynamic between loud and soft passages. “Grace” is another cool track with Hughes wailing-“and if you ask me if I’ve ever been to hell/then I would say to you/it almost took my life-now I will tell.” “What You’re Living For” chugs along with some jail breakin’ riffage from Iommi. If you’re worried that the drums may veer into “Jack and Diane” territory-don’t worry. Aronoff embraces the metal within all of us and never relents for a second.

This is a great metal album. There is not a clunker in the bunch. And with a solid vocal performance throughout, this record has the continuity that was the major issue with Iommi’s last solo disc. Get this record and pray to the gods that they tour with this baby. I can feel my eardrums bleeding already.
www.iommi.com
Rating:

Review by Sean Koepenick

Ian McNabb,"Before All Of This" (Townsend Records)
Seventh proper studio record from the ex Icicle Works frontman is a sonic gem that if life was fair, would be a huge hit in the US. Instead, only the hipsters in this area may pick up on this release. Must be why the UK is the only area lucky enough to see him live these days.

The first side is acoustic-but not just guitars. Piano, keyboards and even some tastefully done female backing vocals are thrown in for good measure. McNabb by now is a master storyteller in each song, taking a cue from some of his idols like Van Morrison and Neil Young. But he still manages to create his own unique, modern sound on each song. “Unfinished Business In London Town” and “Western Eyes” both convey heartfelt emotions without cranking the sappiness up. (We’ll save that for Robbie Williams). Even using what has now been dubbed “the Cher effect” on “The Lonely Ones” still sounds cool.

The electric side bounces along with the jaunty “Let The Young Girl Do What She Wants To” with horns that work. Reminds me of the way Paul Weller used them on Illumination to good effect. The stand out rocker on this side is undoubtedly “Lovers At The End Of Time”. Crunchy guitars toss the meters into the red-good stuff. This is a great record worth any cost you have to pay for it as a pricey import. Good songwriting always triumphs over posturing-and Before has more songwriting stuffing then your Mom’s Thanksgiving turkey. Dig in.
www.ianmcnabb.com
Rating:

Review by Sean Koepenick

New Order,"Waiting For The Sirens’ Call" (Reprise)
Some cynics may say this is a hands down improvement over their last record simply because Billy Corgan doesn’t play on it. But let’s move on to the music-shall we? The lads still know how to kick up some dust and create some pretty pop ditties. For me, this starts on track 2-“Hey Now What You Doing” with shines courtesy of Peter Hook’s groovy bass slides. The title song harks back to the “Love Vigilantes” era without being derivative. “Krafty” is the radio hit here but this is not even the best song on here. The only time I was ever scared was when one of the songs started to sound like a Roxette tune. But luckily that feeling quickly disappeared into the ether. “”Dracula’s Castle” and “Guilt Is A Useless Emotion” offer up some heady melodies that longtime fans have come to expect and relish. The band does not disappoint. Waiting For The Sirens’ Call is sending out their harpies to bring you into the record store to buy this. It’s better not to resist.
www.neworder.cc
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by Sean Koepenick

Dropsonic,"Insects With Angel Wings" (Rowdy)
Four records from this Atlanta outfit and I have to admit this is my first listen. I must have been living in a cave the last few years. Dropsonic works their way through each song here like a bull in a china shop. If the bull was high on LSD of course. “Spiders” cruises with some spazzed out rhythms while “Rotten Luck” conjures up some Radiohead darkness if Thom Yorke was actually a tortured soul. (Maybe he is-how the hell would I know?) But Dropsonic really can’t be lumped into any one genre. “My Girl” actually uses a blues stomp to good effect throughout and “Headless” is all over the map. Dropsonic proves that like minded bands like Traindodge and The Life and Times, they are ready to take music into the next era with a big bang.
www.dropsonic.com
Rating:

Review by Sean Koepenick

Gratitude,"Gratitude" (Atlantic)
Whenever a band comes out of nowhere and has their first record come out on a mega-corporate label like Atlantic I have to take a step back and hold my breath. Is this another piece of over-hyped garbage that may give me a headache or will I like it? Exhale. Thanks-I’m fine now.

This band offers up a debut that will be hard to beat when all the chips hit the floor. “Drive Away” sings about reaching out and helping someone out when they’re down. It’s also helly popular on their myspace page right now-which I hear is “in” with the kids these days. “The Greatest Wonder” ponders the complexities of life that artists like Peter Gabriel and U2 have reached for in the past-and reaches the same dizzying heights. “This Is The Part” rocks with a soaring chorus-“this is the part where we start to feel better/and stop shutting up/we’re all running out of time/waiting in line.”

Gratitude’s debut is on par with stellar first outings by bands like The Stills and Interpol. There-did you notice how I just started the hype ball rolling? I don’t even work for Atlantic! Anyway, get this record and go see them live. They will make you think and make you sad at the same time-sometimes in the same song. Isn’t that the point?
www.gratitudemusic.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by Sean Koepenick

Various Artists,"We Reach-The Music Of The Melvins" (Fractured Transmitter Record Co.)
Let me start off my saying I don’t own any Melvins records. I have seen them live and enjoyed them, but it hasn’t given me that burning rash that must be soothed by buying some chunks of their discography. So if you want to compare these songs track by track to the originals, go knock on King Buzzo’s door and ask him for a beer. I’m sure he won’t mind.

So we’ll just dive right and talk about the band’s contributions that kicked it into distorted overdrive. The Dillinger Escape Plan’s “Honeybucket” fits the bill. How could you go wrong with any band named Pig Destroyer? You’d have to split an atom in your basement before that would happen. “Claude” is droning, plodding-all in 1:15. Meatjack’s take on “Sheveil” is also excellent with crashing cymbals that will make your head spin.

Absentee’s “Resolve” deserves to be cranked out so loud it will scare your parents-if you still live at home. But my favorite tune on this compilation is Blessing The Hogs, who appropriately enough tackle “Hog Leg”. Pure metal bliss never smelled sweeter. The Melvins deserve a tribute that rocks hard-and We Reach goes straight into your cranium like a gold plated drill. Hold still and enjoy.
www.fracturedtransmitter.com
Rating:

Review by Sean Koepenick

Morricone Youth,"Silenzio Violento" (Country Club Records)
What would The Good, The Bad And The Ugly soundtrack sound like if it was made today by some New York hipsters as opposed to some guy with an Italian accent back in 1968? Probably a little something like Silenzio Violento. It’s not all spaghetti western material on here, but if had a martini on the table and a freshly pressed suit on in your apartment in Manhattan on a Monday night, this may well fit in with your mood. Fans of The Greyboy Allstars or Thievery Corporation may dig this but I think my lounge days may be behind me. But trendy folk may enjoy tracks like the title track and “Funny Thing.” Morricone Youth isn’t afraid to throw some twists and turns the listener’s way. It’s up to the truly adventurous folks to rise to the occasion.
www.morriconeyouth.com
Rating:
and 1/2
Review by Sean Koepenick

C,"Universum" (Free Dimension Records)
Far out rock that won’t annoy ya-C proves they are the hippest letter in the alphabet rock game. “Le Grand Wazoo” features some spacey effects from guitarist Patrik Kucera. “Rhodamine” even offers up some Fugazi like guitar flourishes powered by the frantic rhythm section of Tommy Bily on drums and Pepe Sejk on bass. C is rounded out by the groovy keyboard stylings of Pepe Sejk-check out the smooth xylophone riff on “Sixplusone.” But these wild Czechs still keep their own aura intact throughout Universum. C even gives us the coolest song title of the year-“Lyrics Are Never Important Than The Music.” Amen brothers.
www.fiftyfourfortyorfight.com
Rating:

Review by Sean Koepenick

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