APRIL 2003 CD reviews

GG ALLIN
LIVE & PISSED 1988
MVD
1988 was a busy year for self-mutilating, feces-throwing punk-rock performance artist GG Allin. During that year he made his debut San Francisco performance with a five-song set at the Covered Wagon. Pre-show footage shows GG backstage with fans. The entire clamorous, confrontational (but by GG standards not highly so) set follows. A bonus section includes a trailer for HATED, nine songs from GG Allin & the Murder Junkies at the Metro in Richmond, VA, in 1993; as well as a 1999 clip of The Murder Junkies performing "Freakshow".
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

ISADORA CRANE
THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF A STATIC UNIVERSE
SELF-RELEASED
Isadora Crane, a volatile quintet hailing from California, is as pissed off as a band can get. From the opening vocal wails of "We Set Off a Fucking Bomb at a Stranger's House", you can tell that you're in for a rough ride. Employing tactics similar to those of fellow noiseniks such as Dillinger Escape Plan, Isadora Crane leave a trail of blood-curdling screams in front of disjointed guitars and eccentric rhythms that meld punk, death metal, and hardcore into one big old potpourri of agony. While the name Isadora Crane may evoke some level of comfort, this outfit's latest release contains six tracks of truly unsettling music. If you're curious or maladjusted, check this stuff out.
www.isadoracrane.com
-Mike SOS

SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME
ALL YOUR SUMMER SONGS
POLYVINYL RECORD CO.
Remember when family day consisted of endless hours at Sears? You'd walk down the aisles like a zombie while your parents whistled to the cheesy elevator music blaring throughout the department store. Yeah, well, Saturday Looks Good to Me has successfully brought back those delectable sounds-except with vocals! Let me hold back the bitterness and say that the entire album isn't so terrible. You can definitely sense a '60s Motown influence. However, there's not a whole lot of soul. One song in particular, "Alcohol", has a very stereophonic feel to it. The femme vocals are really chirpy and swingin', and the sax interludes add a nice touch. There is a hefty presence of musical talent, along with an array of male/female vocals. I could see this record appealing to those into the garage/experimental rock sound, or maybe to those who enjoy the occasional Sears flashback.
-Liz Ortega

COPELAND
BENEATH MEDICINE TREE
THE MILITIA GROUP
This is the first full-length release for Atlanta indie-rock band Copeland. Before even listening to this CD, I took a few moments to gaze at the layout and booklet. While listening to record, I began to realize how the hospital-themed layout actually serves a purpose other than simple aesthetics and is tied in to the music: the theme of the record is finding strength in painful situations (not too shocking coming from indie-rock band). However, Copeland blends the indie-rock you have come to know and love with a mellow ambiance that avoids the idiosyncratic gimmicks you might expect from other bands. "Coffee" is a prime example of where the band lends itself to a more ambient expression, yet the song is still melodic and catchy enough to sing along to. Although the heavy mood may not always be appealing, the CD is still a worthwhile experience for anyone willing to take a chance on it.
-Carlos Cuesta

VARIOUS ARTISTS
STEPPING STONE VOLUME 1
MILITIA GROUP
Claiming to display "the best bands that you have never heard," the Militia Group throws its hat into the ring of the world of discovering underground bands via volume one of the STEPPING STONE series. Featuring bands from across the States (though heavy on the West Coast), this 15-track compilation showcases bands from the punk-rock genre which basically sound like what's currently all the rage among the Warped Tour and MTV2 contingent. Standouts include the Alien Ant Farm-esque Acceptance, the sedated melody of Die Radio Die, and the misplaced aggression of The Reaction. As for the rest of it, well, if you are in tune with what's commandeering the radio these days, you've heard it all before.
www.themilitiagroup.com
-Mike SOS

DIRTY POWER
S/T
DEAD TEENAGER RECORDS
Dirty Power is heavy guitars, gory bass lines, volatile drum leads, and rippin' "Motor City madman" vox. This is straight ahead rock 'n' roll that carries out the wrath of inaugural rock idols such as KISS, Motorhead, and Sabbath. Any band that sounds remotely close to any of the aforementioned is good in my book. "Lady Danzig" is an ambush of treacherous guitars and deadly bass chords. "Drag You Down With Me" delivers a forceful blow to the grill, and "Symptom of the Unitard" is a fatal Molotov of rock 'n' roll and pissed-off attitude. The entire album is as solid as a block of government cheese. Get it!
-Liz Ortega

ARTICLES OF FAITH
COMPLETE VOLUMES 1 AND 2
ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES
The early 1980s were a turbulent time, both in the world and in the underground music scene. Chicago's Articles of Faith were there firsthand-and thanks to the latest double-disc from Alternative Tentacles, you too can experience the trials and tribulations of the seething hardcore scene's frontier days through the eyes of a band that was on the cusp. Boasting 38 tracks in all (complete with retrospective commentaries of the band's view of the world at the time), this collection throws the spotlight off of the bands that we all associate the scene with and gives a glimpse of another side of the story. Articles of Faith, led by a rabid train of thought and social activism-as well as containing some of the most seminal punk music at the time-have put out an impressive body of work that, luckily enough, we can enjoy and draw from today. Listening to the entire collection, there's a discernible blueprint that many of the current bands on the fringe follow today. So next time you hear a band that makes you question things-be it Bad Religion, Thursday, or even Rage Against the Machine-think back to bands like Articles of Faith who helped pave the way to righteous rebellion.
www.alternativetentacles.com
-Mike SOS

THE EXIT
NEW BEAT
SOME RECORDS
The more that I listened to The Exit's debut disc NEW BEAT, the more that I was convinced that this band is special. This is a fucking great record. The song construction is smart and stylistically all over the place. Guitarist/singer Ben Brewer has moments on his axe which conjure up memories of Andy Summers (The Police), Alex Lifeson (Rush), and early period Edge (U2). He plays rhythm with a wide open punk-rock intensity. The entire group (incl. Gunnar-drums and vocals, Jeff Darosa-bass and lead vocals) is powerful and tight with an unfakable sincerity. NEW BEAT begins with a big loud rocker, "Worthless" ("If you're so worthless / Then why do I keep coming back again"). From point A onward you will find specimens of reggae, hard rock, and old-school punk. The Exit is a model for personal thought and ideas. NEW BEAT is a sure thing.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

THE SMASHUP
THE SMASHUP
SELF-RELEASED CD
The Smashup is a NYC-based rock outfit whose latest two-track release reaffirms the fact that rock 'n' roll is alive and well in the Big Apple, no matter what anyone else says. With a cocky swagger and armed with hooks galore, The Smashup bring back the balls-to-the-wall attitude a lot of the music today is sorely lacking while still remaining current. Get a taste for yourself and re-sell your soul to rock 'n' roll.
www.thesmashup.com
-Mike SOS

ELEVENTEEN
IN THE AIR
SESSIONS RECORDS
This is probably the best record I've received this year. It's replete with catchy guitar and bass chords and moving vocals. This is clearly not a band that has that all-too-similar emo-rock approach (starting off melodic and slow tempo, neglecting to pick up speed, etc.). Eleventeen has serious kicks and jabs from start to finish. The most refreshing thing about this album is that it varies musically. Some songs are consistent and upbeat, others are melodic and profound. Not only do they bring forth an ample amount of energy, but each song is presented with heartfelt, deep lyrics that start to engrave themselves in your mind the moment you spin this record. I can't even begin to rave about how well-produced these songs are. I'm extremely impressed with the entire album.
-Liz Ortega

FABULOUS DISASTER
PANTY RAID!
PINK & BLACK RECORDS
The four ladies of Fabulous Disaster have a big, meaty sound on this guitar-punk album produced by the master of the fat sound, Fat Mike of Fat Wreck Chords. Some of the songs enjoy a bright kick from keyboards (added by one of the guitarists, Lynda Mandolyn). This, along with the guitar focus and the group harmony vocals gives an '80s power-pop feel to the music. PANTY RAID! bridges the gap from the first albums by The Go-Go's and the best albums by L7.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

VOLUME
REQUESTING PERMISSION TO LAND
HIGH BEAM
Space-rockers Volume turn it up to 11 on their latest EP, a five-track, fuzzed-out episode that takes you way out there without leaving the comfort of your couch. Swirling keyboards, theremins, and Hammond organs accentuate the plodding rock 'n' roll assault. Additionally, the mighty (and nowadays ubiquitous) Scott Reeder turns up on this shindig as a drummer. If that's not enough for every stoner-rock freak to get this disc to get their grooves on, then there's nothing besides a nice tab of LSD that will. While Volume's latest release is merely a stopgap before a full-length, there's nothing short-changing about this puppy.
www.volumerocks.com
-Mike SOS

TRENCHMOUTH
MORE MOTION
THICK RECORDS
After their official breakup in 1998, Trenchmouth have continued to play an interesting role in today's modern rock world. Although they were highly disregarded for their perplexing rock 'n' roll sound, many hailed them for their unique approach. They were the type of band that incorporated the likes of punk, experimental, thrash, and a slew of other unyielding styles of music, ultimately setting themselves apart from the rest. Trenchmouth was evocative and daring, and their combination of music and voice caused many to deem them as avant-garde. Thick Records took it upon themselves to re-introduce the band that was in the shadows, and so a "Best of" is what I hold in my hands, containing tracks off albums released during their 10-year run.
-Emily Kendy

THE NOW
THE NOW
ROBOTIC EMPIRE
The Now is a six-deep screamo outfit hailing from Virginia whose blend of disjointed hardcore, System of a Down-esque staccato, and those infamous hanging-curveball chords that bands like Converge implement send shivers down anyone's spine. Keeping the potent tunes short and sweet, The Now twists and turns six songs into a nine-and-a-half minute span, proving that sometimes less can be more. More carnage, more damage, and (above all) a hell of a lot more interesting than most other bands that fail at an attempt to be brutal.
thatcher17@aol.com
-Mike SOS

THE SUN
LOVE & DEATH
WARNER BROS.
From the first screeching, ear-piercing scream on the first track, I knew this one was going to be interesting. Filled with repetitive drum beats, fast and hyperactive riffs, and intense bass lines, I would definitely say LOVE & DEATH is no disc to listen to while sitting down. Columbus-based and ready to rock at a thousand beats per minute, The Sun has created noisy yet structured pop-rock music that is so damn catchy it's no wonder they were signed onto Warner Bros. merely months after arriving in Los Angeles. This EP is reminiscent of Velvet Underground, every track with a different level of energy and stylistic form.
-Kathy

FOREST STREAM
TEARS OF MORTAL SOLITUDE
ELITIST
Plunging the world into darkness usually isn't high on the list of things to do in most bands...unless the band is the trio known as Forest Stream. And while this group's affinity with nature may end with the name, the Gothic-overtoned doom rock spanning the nine tracks here is sullen enough for any fan of the genre to take notice. The galloping choruses (such as the one in "Legend") soar like Maiden meets Type O. Despite the urge to write Forest Stream off as a Spinal Tap-like joke, the barrage of black lipstick-wearing teenagers carrying dead flowers is headed straight in Forest Stream's direction.
www.earache.com
-Mike SOS

PRESSURE
ANTHEM
UPRISING RECORDS
This may just be my new favorite band. I just wish this wasn't an EP, because after hearing it 10 minutes just isn't enough. As soon as I heard the first track, comparisons to Rancid, Dead Kennedys, and Bad Brains came flooding into my head. The diversity in this band echoes that of society, and because of the band's diversity they have a different spin on what goes on in the country. If you like very political, fast street punk that rivals the likes of Rancid and U.S. Bombs, then you'll love Pressure. Lars Frederickson always said Republican years are the best years for punk rock, and Pressure helps prove that statement. It's possible that the guys in Pressure may just be better than Rancid.
-Dane Jackson

THE ZEN TRICKSTERS
SHAKING OFF THE WEIRDNESS
ZEBRA TANGO
SHAKING OFF THE WEIRDNESS is a solid album from The Zen Tricksters. Special guests on the album include Buddy Cage (New Riders of the Purple Sage, Phil Lesh & Friends) and Jason Crosby (Susan Tedeschi), both ex-Zen Tricksters. The group began nearly a quarter-century ago and now delivers its bluesy rock with a style and grace that comes from experience and maturity. Fans of Little Feat, Phish, The Grateful Dead, and Blues Traveler will take to this disc.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

AVAIL
FRONT PORCH STORIES
FAT WRECK
Avail is one of the underground's unsung heroes, as the band's sixth release shows no sign of this veteran band slowing down or selling out. Instead, FRONT PORCH STORIES opens a new chapter in the Virginia-based quartet's history, as Avail gets a bit more personal lyrically while continuing the ongoing quest to blur the musical edges between Southern rock, hardcore, and punk. The result is anthemic, melodic and, above all, some of the most honest rock out today. 12 tracks of rock 'n' roll goodness done by a band that understands both itself and the ability to connect to an audience may be hard to find in today's disposable music scene-which is very lucky for people who still enjoy what it's really all about. Avail is here for all of them.
www.fatwreck.com
-Mike SOS

CHRIS SCHARLING
DISFORM
CRIMSON RAIN
You can't go wrong with a musically talented New Yorker who can sing; compose songs; and play the guitar, bass, theremin, piano, drums, percussion, ebow, kazoo, and harmonica. His album DISFORM is a somewhat mellow yet powerful release that showcases his wide range of musical abilities. Scharling's voice is melodic and soothing at times, but in my opinion his voice would be best used if he sang his lyrics with a little more effort. This is a perfect album to listen to whenever you feel the need to relax and escape the everyday hype that always seems to be so unavoidable.
-Kathy

DISCONTENT
DISCONTENT
DISASTER
Discontent is a suburban Orange County neo-punk outfit with a taut, hard-rock sound. Before this debut CD was even in existence, the group's 7" and a CDRP got them opening for The Damned in Germany and touring the West Coast with The Hunns. The scratchy, deep-voiced vocalist brings to mind Motorhead comparisons-which also fits with the band's '70s-rock guitars, giving it a sound like an angry street-punk shadow of AC/DC. After that West Coast tour with The Hunns, Duane Peters decided to produce this recording, which is a good disc from the oxymoron that is working-class punk from suburban roots.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

ARSON
LACERATE THE SKY
RESURRECTION AD
New Jersey's Arson isn't a typical metal band by any means, yet this quintet finds itself reverting back to the basic elements of metal quite often on LACERATE THE SKY. This 10-track juggernaut release melds the Swedish metal sound with tones of brutal death metal, unrelenting thrash, and even hints of progressive metal, creating a maelstrom of sounds that most any metal fan can embrace. Taking the road traveled by such acts as Shadows Fall and Killswitch Engage, Arson's overall presentation is blistering and abrasive, yet underneath it all (even when at times the music is taken down a notch (such as on the pristine acoustic gem "Changeling")) lies 10 well-crafted and expertly-composed tunes that any music fan is bound to appreciate.
www.resurrection-ad.com
-Mike SOS

HIDDEN CAMERAS
THE SMELL OF OUR OWN
ROUGH TRADE
Toronto's Hidden Cameras couldn't have produced a more socially-shocking album. Singer/songwriter Joel Gibb describes the music as "gay church folk music," in which the band celebrates homosexuality and mixes it with religious metaphors. With passionate lyrics, hand-clapping, and beautifully strummed acoustic guitars, the band projects every bit of their creativity on this album, which allows them to explicitly portray their views concerning religion, homosexuality, art, and, of course, music. Finding the music scene kind of boring, the band uses spontaneity and lyrical imagery that is anything but bland.
-Kathy

THE HAUNTED
ONE KILL WONDER
EARACHE
The Haunted have been touted as one of the premiere metal bands worldwide, and the latest offering from the acclaimed Swedish outfit proves just why. ONE KILL WONDER is a volatile concoction of all that's right with metal in the year 2003, mixing elements of Slayer-like power with the precision the Swedish metal scene is famous for. Featuring 11 tracks of blistering metal (whose scope encompasses the extreme, the dark, and the heavy and melodic combo), the former At the Gates mates find themselves catapulting into the upper echelon of the metal heap on this gem of an album. While potent guitar riffs and blood-curdling screams run rampant, what sets The Haunted apart from the rest of the pack is the band's ability to compose a tight metal tune, leaving no stone unturned and allowing the music to create the mood, whether it be the full on assault of "Godpuppet", the machine-gun rhythm of "Bloodletting", or the subtle nuances of "D.O.A." (a grinding track whose creamy distortion becomes hypnotic after a few choice listens). The Haunted have come back swinging, giving those in the metal community something to raise their fists and rock to. Surely they couldn't be happier.
www.earache.com
-Mike SOS

MILWAUKEE
...IN SOUNDS
BLACKLINER RECORDS
The debut release from Sacramento indie phenoms Milwaukee is a sparse, emotive journey into the dark side of pop. Bassist John Guttenberg and drummer Chris Robyn's last band, Far, was fronted by Jonah Matranga, who now plays as One Line Drawing. It's obvious all the songwriting talent didn't go with Matranga, as the gut-wrenching love songs on this album are drenched with style and beauty. With a sound similar to Creeper Lagoon, the band displays restrained power along with a terrific acoustic side in these eight songs. One tune on the album, "Trying to Pull Through", is about as perfect a pop song as can be written, flowing from quiet despair to triumphant hope and back again. Any fan of indie rock should give this one a listen; and check out the band's Website at www.milwaukeetheband.com.
-DUG

OK GO
OK GO
CAPITOL RECORDS
Yes! This disc is genuine breath of fresh air. Ok Go is amazingly diverse, yet radio-friendly. Damien Kulash leads his talented cohorts into the brave new world of sonic creativity. This is the sort of album that makes you jump around like a dork while playing air guitar and lip-synching into the mirror. The whole range of human emotion is represented here: sadness, joy, anger, confusion, whimsy, etc. If your sonic palette is even remotely cultured, Ok Go will tickle your mental taste buds with tastes of Adam and the Ants, Bowie, Weezer, Beck, My Bloody Valentine, and many more. Music is food, and this band has taken the best ingredients of everything they have ever heard and have cooked up something tasty for our minds to chew on.
-Marcus Solomon

REACHING FORWARD
COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY 1998-2000
MARTYR RECORDS
The candle that burns twice as brightly burns half as long. Maybe if Reaching Forward had not reached forward with such violent thrusts, its discography would be longer than what can be contained on a single CD. Even listening to a single track of the explosive doom punk (which combines elements of spastic punk rock and extreme, dark metal) can leave the listener with a distinct feeling of exhaustion. Spewing venom and profanities, this barrage of aggressive hardcore ends on an up (if somewhat threatening) note with a cover of Sham 69's "The Kids Are United".
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

TOO BAD EUGENE
MOONLIGHTING
TOOTH AND NAIL
Too Bad Eugene is the end result of what happens when punk-rock kids grow up and get responsible, yet still find the energy and passion to rock. This 10-track disc has a real power-pop/punk sound, almost like a lot of what you hear on the radio these days...only this trio adds a whole lot of depth to the deal. Imagine if Jimmy Eat World were a bit more spiritual, and you've got an idea of where this outfit is going. By being comfortable with life in general and having many experiences under its belt, Too Bad Eugene's MOONLIGHTING gives an air of punk-rock supremacy without whining or being bratty. It's that kind of insight that makes this band a lot more relevant than the current wave of new jacks who are destined to be on a VH-1 special within the next decade. As Too Bad Eugene shows, maybe growing up, despite all of the pain its peers croon about, isn't so bad after all.
www.toothandnail.com
-Mike SOS

THE MUSIC
THE MUSIC
CAPITOL RECORDS
Hard-rock psychedelia with a hint of funky blues, this dishy British quartet is a taste that does not take long to acquire. Multilayered recordings combined with indecipherable lyrics create an ambient, ethereal quality that still rocks. The Music's ruminative, echoing intros are reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine with a slight tip of the hat towards Jimi Hendrix. "The Dance", "Take the Long Road and Walk It", and "Human" are the sort of tracks that induce dreamy, closed-eye hallucinations. On the other hand, cuts such as "Float", "The People", and "Get Away" are the sorts that induce ritualistic dancing. The vocals are a cross between Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction) and Shannon Hoon (Blind Melon), but without either's limp-wristed quality. Get this CD. It has lots of cool computer extras, such as the video for "Take the Long Road and Walk It", in which band members literally get blown away by a windstorm of sound. Use the CD also to learn more about The Music in behind-the-scenes footage in a section called "Get Up Close With The Music". See these videos and listen to The Music free at www.themusicuk.com.
-Cathy Dye and Marcus Solomon

HIGH OR HELLWATER
HIGH OR HELLWATER
HIGH OR HELLWATER
This CD/EP is a trio of songs from a trio in the Southern tradition of doing fine songs in a neo-Americana style. This is a foretaste of the group's LIVING THE GOOD LIE album, which came out in its entirety at the close of 2002. High or Hellwater's no-depression style rings with rootsy elegance, a stylish country way that makes the songs bouncy and catchy.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

SYMPHORCE
PHORCEFUL AHEAD
METAL BLADE
Well, at least Symphorce knows its phonetics. This band also has a penchant for the metal, too, as the mix of the progressive and the classic seeps through on this quintet's powerful 10-track release. Hailed as power metal, there's a lot of sonic force displayed, especially on tracks like "Unbroken", a vigorous tune that displays elements of Dream Theater, Queensryche, and Judas Priest. While it can get a bit grandiose at times, there's no denying that Symphorce is indeed a force to be reckoned with, as its blend of driving and anthemic metal should please those that like metal with both technique and meat.
www.metalblade.com
-Mike SOS

THE STITCHES
TWELVE IMAGINARY INCHES
TKO RECORDS
The Stitches is a contemporary punk-rock band that revives the sound of '70s American punk rock. After a string of successful vinyl releases, this is the group's first nationally-available CD. It is time to catch up on the fun pop-punk that has previously been only a regional success in California. Snotty and wearing clashing ties, the group is wonderfully unpretentious in delivering its high-energy power-pop.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

SEVERED
HOMICIDE
SELF-RELEASED CD
Severed is a Queens-based metal troupe whose thunderous din sounds like a massive storm sweeping through the Southwest of the U.S. during the summer. Tumultuous, ominous, and foreboding, Severed's death-metal roots run deep through the four cuts on its eponymous disc, as the jarring guitar runs and ruthless drumming steal the show. However, despite the clamor the band makes, the songwriting doesn't suffer. Rather, like most good Swedish metal bands, Severed implements many twists and turns to keep the listener involved-and, above all, consistently rocked. For a shot of underground metal that has as much in common with Six Feet Under as it does with At the Gates, check out this upstart outfit's latest.
www.severedband.com
-Mike SOS

LEAH STARGAZING
LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND...
TELESCOPE RECORDS
Leah Stargazing is an enthusiastic and energetic group with most of its members in their late teens. The group offers emotional, melodic indie rock in which the distorted guitars are restrained in the mix and the falsetto harmonies are up front.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

SORRY ABOUT DRESDEN
LET IT REST
SADDLE CREEK
The third full-length release from this Chapel Hill, NC, quartet is a lively dozen guitar-heavy pop songs in the vein of The Plimsouls and Elvis Costello. Nearly all the tunes on this disc are catchy, upbeat numbers. Unfortunately, some of the retro guitar solos on this disc don't seem to fit the band's style, tending to get a bit indulgent. The positive energy of these tunes keeps this album rolling along at a brisk pace, but on the sixth track the band breaks into a slow, ill-advised tune, "Frozen in Mid-gesture", which catches the band with no tune and droning lyrics that should have been frozen and forgotten. Luckily, it's the only bad song on this album-and that says a lot these days. These guys are definite up-and-comers and should be around for quite a while. Check them out on their label site, www.saddle-creek.com.
-DUG

SCOTT-FREE
SCOTT-FREE
UNSOUND
Scott-Free is a quartet whose four-song release falls somewhere in between the punk and hardcore grey area. While the breakdowns are purely hardcore, the melodies oscillate between flurried punk rock and melodic hardcore riffs-almost like a harder H20. There are a lot of head nods to the old school here, as well, such as the riffaging of "Justified Paranoia", a track that is lightning fast and probably a good mover when it comes to clobbering time in the pit. Scott-Free isn't reinventing the wheel (or itself, for that matter), yet the band has captured the energy of hardcore well enough to be able to write some tunes with energy and conviction.
www.scottfree.8m.com
-Mike SOS

DAMIEN JURADO
WHERE SHALL YOU TAKE ME?
SECRETLY CANADIAN
With a sound that crosses early Neil Young with NEBRASKA-era Springsteen, Damien Jurado has created the perfect folk album on his latest release. Seattle-based Jurado has recorded 10 wistful, nostalgic tunes for this masterpiece. From the sepia-tinted photos on the CD liner to the melancholy tone of his music, this disc pulls the listener into a world of slow, dusty footprints on a windswept plain somewhere in Kansas. There are some nice Emmy Lou Harris-like background vocals provided on three of the songs by the talented Rosie Thomas. An album like this shows what one person can do with vision, creativity, and an acoustic guitar. Check out Jurado's extensive discography at www.damienjurado.com.
-DUG

OTTO'S DAUGHTER
RENEW
AW
Otto's Daughter is an interesting mix of gothic rock, industrial, and ambient music whose 17-track latest release offers a lot more than you'd expect. While the obvious influences spring to mind when thinking about a female-fronted group with such pretenses, the superb production level and multi-layered arrangements dissipate the comparisons a bit and allow this northern New Jersey band to breathe a bit of different air. Perfect for the late-night dance floor goths, Otto's Daughter injects sense, sexuality, and soul into its machinery, making it cool enough for those on the cusp and comprehensible enough for those out on the fringe to get. While the similarities to Siouxsie, Garbage, and Dead Can Dance are apparent, there are even hints of White Zombie (like on the frenetic "Showgirl") and harder-edged industrial here to make those that may shun a female-fronted band a lot more comfortable. Otto's Daughter is versatile enough to crossover to the mainstream without alienating those who are extremely particular about the music they love.
www.ottosdaughter.com
-Mike SOS

LAST YEAR
PICTURES, LETTERS & MEMORIES
GOODLIFE RECORDINGS
This five-song EP from the NY-based trio Last Year is a poppy, upbeat explosion in the vein of New Found Glory and Midtown. Though the EP was recorded with the band as a trio, they have since added a guitarist to round out their sound. Great vocals and promising, high-energy punk rhythms dominate these songs. Though signed by Belgium's Goodlife Recordings, the band has been touring the East Coast (when their van doesn't break down), and has a European tour in the works for this winter. This is a catchy, infectious EP that leaves the listener yearning for a full-length album. Check out their tour dates and the story of their hapless van at www.thelastyear.com.
-DUG

RATOS DE PORAO
OBSCIENTE COLETIVO
ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES
Ratos de Porao are undeniably Brazil's answer to the most seminal punk band in the United States (regardless of who you think that may be). Influencing everyone from fellow countrymen Sepultura to punk icon Jello Biafra, this quartet have returned with a scathing 15-track release that examines society and all of its shortcomings-mainly regarding the United States and all of its policies. Sadly, Ratos de Porao are completely on the mark when they compare the U.S. to a paranoid and imperialistic savage beast; and the brutal backdrop of sound that the band delivers helps that message to hit hard, loud, and clear. Very controversial, and very angry, Ratos de Porao have been around for a long time; and as long as there is truth to be told, we can count on this band to bring us some of the most powerful social commentary this side of the equator.
www.alternativetentacles.com
-Mike SOS

THE PHARMACISTS
HEARTS OF OAK
LOOKOUT! RECORDS
The second album for Ted Leo and the first with his band, The Pharmacists, is like hearing Thin Lizzy channeled through a 12-inch ultra-bass woofer at 100 db. If you like early-'80s rock, this will probably sound just right: plenty of gratuitous guitar-riffing and pounding anthems. All they're missing is the spandex and the hairspray. Lead singer Leo does have a pretty incredible voice (although at times he hits a high timbre and sounds like the singer for Sparks). For all the band's sound and fury, there are some surprisingly biting lyrics to these tunes. A good example is Leo's nostalgic longing for his old neighborhood in "Bridges and Squares", or the bizarre way the band is able to fit the words "Basque" and "Catalan" in the same song. With some strange percussion interludes inserted in a few tunes, this is a real '80s mess. You have to give the guys credit, though: they wear some pretty cool soccer jerseys on the CD cover.
-DUG

eKOOSTIK HOOKAH
OHIO GROWN
eKOOSTIK HOOKAH
Fun-loving, somewhat Grateful Dead-y, this neo-hippie rock is an excellent soundtrack by which to hacky sack in the sun. The group's loose, slipping sound exhibits the great deal of musical proficiency that this hard-working (150+ concerts per year) band has developed. Sometimes the group tries to be more compelling that it can pull off (as on "Godspeed"), but as a party band it is very good.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

VARIOUS ARTISTS
NE VS. NB
THE REDEMPTION
Pitted like a collegiate athletic contest, the Redemption Recording Company have made an ambitious stab in the compilation-CD field by giving us a musical adaptation of A TALE OF TWO CITIES. This 34-track double-disc provides indie rock from bands that hail from Nebraska and North Carolina, a first in what could be an endless (and very interesting) stream of major metropolises sending their best to duke it out on disc. The first disc contains Nebraskan artists, many of whom the general public has never heard. With styles that range from garage rock with hints of Weezer (aptly done by Desaparecidos) to the Southern-fried shuffle of Musico to the spacious melodies of The Eye to the emo sounds of probably the best-known outfit, Cursive, Nebraska can't be viewed as merely a cornhusker state any longer. Matter of fact, judging by the wide range of rock here, it could be considered a possible hotbed for the indie rocker. Up next comes North Carolina's contributions, which are a tad on the harder, punkier side of the country. Featuring the instrumental cacophony of Fin Fang Foom, the fist-pumping anthem of Kid Icarus, the chaotic screamcore of Brazilia, and the punk-tinged sweetness of One Amazin' Kid, NC represents a bit more on the jaded tip than NB-but, strangely enough, comes off just as strong. Besides, music isn't a competition...but isn't it fun when it's showcased as such? Kudos to the Redemption Recording Company for making a positive contribution to the interstate music scene, as well as coming up with a novel idea.
www.redemption.net
-Mike SOS

SWINGIN' UTTERS
DEAD FLOWERS, BOTTLES, BLUEGRASS, AND BONES
FAT WRECK CHORDS
Never will you hear a word of regret in the lyrics of Swingin' Utters; instead, you'll hear pure working-class punk rock mixed with a hint of Oi! and Irish rock. Critics are saying that DEAD FLOWERS, BOTTLES, BLUEGRASS, AND BONES is SU's most diverse effort since they formed. On any given track, the band may switch vocalists, use accordions, use violins, or use pianos. What results is a very satisfying and very complete punk-rock album that will make any punk-rock fan happy and asking for more. Another thing going for this album is that it was produced by Blag of Dwarves' fame. From the sound of how this album came out, he truly does have a very keen ear for good music. If you're jaded by Dropkick Murphys these days, then switch to the SU for your dose of working-class punk. Instead, of the hordes of generic three-chord punk out there, SU deliver with a very full, fun, and solid outing. At one point, the CD is filled with anthemic punk rock (like "No Pariah"), but the band isn't afraid to slow it down and give us a pseudo-rock ballad like on "Lampshade". This attention to diversity is the sign that this band is growing and evolving into a more full sound...so be a pal and grow with them.
-Dane Jackson

VARIOUS ARTISTS
POINT BREAK VOLUME 1
SIDE CHO
Side Cho's first installment of the collection known as POINT BREAK provides the aggressive audience with a plethora to bang their heads to, as this 18-track compilation features some of the heaviest hitters in the underground today. Killers such as Shadows Fall (whose opening track, the moshfest "Deadworld", reels the listener in from the get-go) are among the beautifully brutal. Reading like a who's who of the metal scene, others on this weighty package include American Nightmare, Cali powerhouse Thrice, and the technically blissful In Flames. This is a disc for those who want to rock but, unlike their older siblings or parents, have in the past. Consider POINT BREAK VOLUME 1 the proper place to begin the learning process of all that is heavy for the 21st century and beyond.
www.sidecho.com
-Mike SOS

NEVER HEARD OF IT (NHOI)
LIMITED EDITION
UNMOTIVATED RECORDS
NHOI is doing a slightly pumped-up version of the pop-punk thing that is so happening right now. Jeff, Chris, Johnny, and DJ do have fire in their skills and are using them in sections. This is a cool listen. It is so easy to imagine any of these songs being big radio hits. NHOI is also managed by former N.W.A. manager and co-owner (along with Easy-E) of Ruthless Records, Jerry Heller. I do dig LIMITED EDITION: it's happy and cute, with occasional rock explosions. Turn it up, and summer will be here soon.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

TAKING BACK SUNDAY
CUTE WITHOUT THE "E" (CUT FROM THE TEAM)
VICTORY RECORDS
If you like your punk filled with snotty, frantic vocals, this is the single for you. Taking Back Sunday goes way over the top with vocal overlays on this enhanced CD single. There are two video versions of the song on the disc. One was recorded live at the Knitting Factory in New York, and the other is the studio video you'd catch on MTV (if MTV played anything but rap). The high point of this disc is the tail end of the studio video, where you get to watch a gang of girls beat the shit out of the band. Though the videos are pretty fun to watch, tons of energy do not a dynamo make. You can find the disc at www.takingbacksunday.com.
-DUG

AMON AMARTH
VERSUS THE WORLD
METAL BLADE
Swedish metal band Amon Amarth is known to espouse on such topics as Vikings and mythology, and while many in the metal scene may see these topics a bit on the cheesy side, there's nothing fluffy or fabricated in the quintet's assault of your eardrums. Despite going the Manowar route lyrically, Amon Amarth's VERSUS THE WORLD displays grinding power metal with hints of growling death and technical Swedish metal. Bluntly stated, Amon Amarth holds a hand on your throat and doesn't let go throughout its entire nine-track set. With a flare for the epic metal sound (à la Maiden) featuring ravaging guitar runs that enhance songs like the title cut and "Death in Fire", Amon Amarth proves itself to be as capable as any band out there. Blended with the tools to crush your skull (such as the severe double-bass drumming that illuminates the entire album), this band contains all the necessary ingredients, which results in VERSUS THE WORLD being an overwhelming metal collection.
www.metalblade.com
-Mike SOS

THE RED HOT VALENTINES
CALLING OFF TODAY
POLYVINYL RECORD COMPANY
The third release and first solo EP from this Champaign, IL, quintet is a throwback disc that brings that early '80s new-wave sound (like The Cars). The three tunes on this slick recording are dominated by Tyson Markley's Moog Prodigy, serving as a springboard for the band's new full-length album, SUMMER FLING, which will be released in May of 2003. Originally the band used a tiny Casio synthesizer in their songs as a sarcastic jab at modern pop; eventually they grew to like the sound they were spoofing and went full throttle with the vintage Prodigy. This is a classic example of an experiment gone haywire...that ended up turning out a great sound.
-DUG

SIXTY STORIES
ANTHEM RED
HOPELESS
Canada's Sixty Stories knows how to let the world know that female-fronted bands can create good, tasteful rock music with substance. What sets apart the band's first full-length release, ANTHEM RED, from the traditional pop-punk record is that their songwriting is a candid expression of both their political and personal feelings. Melody, rhythmic guitar hooks, and profound lyrics make for a respectable album. Definitely worth a listen.
-Kathy

DRI
THE DIRTY ROTTEN CD
BEER CITY
DRI, quite possibly the band responsible for the initial punk/metal crossover sound, dug inside its vaults and has come out with a 50-minute, 44-track collection of the band's early works. While the production value is poor, the spirit of the music is highly contagious, as songs like "Who Am I", "Closet Punk", and "Reaganomics" still hold relevance today. This CD is a Godsend for any DRI fan, as it not only chronicles the outfit's early releases but also contains some extra DVD footage and two radio interviews of the band in its infancy. The sounds of anarchy aren't what MTV feeds you, boys and girls, it's what DRI has just re-released, so get a move on and bone up on your punk-rock history with this disc.
www.dirtyrottenimbeciles.com
-Mike SOS

THE MOVIELIFE
FORTY HOUR TRAIN BACK TO PENN
DRIVE-THRU RECORDS
Earnest vocals and blistering rock are the keys to The Movielife's third full-length album. The Long Island-based quintet survived a terrifying van accident while on tour in 2000 and has come back with purpose and power. Lead singer Vinnie Caruana belts out personal and poignant lyrics over some bass-heavy hard rock throughout this album. The band even pens one tune, "Jamestown", about its harrowing, 40-hour train ride home after the tour accident. The band has honed its energetic live show on its first post-crash tour with New Found Glory. This is a great band that has all the right pieces. It's nice to see that it put them back together so successfully after near tragedy. Find out more about these guys at www.themovielife.com.
-DUG

BRAZIL
DAESIN
FEARLESS
Okay, here it goes: Brazil is a six-piece band that hails from Muncie, IN, whose original name was London. Confused? That may be the band's point, as they coerce angular guitar riffs, jaded melodies, and overall engaging symphonic musical compositions (such as the stoic "Saturn Parkway") that are part Radiohead, part At the Drive-In, and gracefully original. This six-song EP showcases Brazil (spearheaded by the three Newby brothers (who play keyboards, sing, and play drums)) as a band without boundaries and whose musical output is both breathtaking and jarring. If you like the current wave of bands which try too hard to look, sound, and be important, you'll really like Brazil-because they manage to succeed at all three effortlessly.
fearrecord@aol.com
-Mike SOS

SUPERSUCKERS
MOTHER FUCKERS BR TRIPPIN'
REDEYE DISTRIBUTION
The Supersuckers offer up some straight-ahead rock with a slight punk-rock flair (much like Social Distortion). The disc is filled with hard-rocking guitars, amusing lyrics ("She used to be pretty, but now she's pretty fucked up"), anthemic choruses, and solid production value. While I wouldn't necessarily call this a punk-rock record, it certainly is a very good record, with great crossover appeal. I can picture hearing some of these tracks on the radio, as well as played live in seedy clubs. At times, the guys in the band bust out three-chord punk to rival The Ramones; and at others they offer up some rock music that rivals Social Distortion's. This is an example of a disc with great replay value.
-Dane Jackson

SNOWDOGS
DEEP CUTS, FAST REMEDIES
VICTORY
Punk rock from the U.K. that sounds like it's from Orange County, CA, is what the trio known as Snowdogs delivers. While the band lays down some hooky, happy punk ditties that the kiddies will get all up in arms over (like the obligatory anthem to the parents of punkers, "Average Kid"), the overall feel of this 12-track disc is akin to the feeling you have 30 minutes after eating Chinese food: your stomach is full, but inexplicably you're still hungry.
www.victoryrecords.com
-Mike SOS

THE RUINERS
HOW'S THAT GRAB YA?
DISASTER RECORDS
The Ruiners is a band with an old-school sound in a modern age. Upon hearing Rick Ruiner's first lyric, similarities between him and Iggy Pop will come rushing to your head. It's no wonder this band is from Iggy's home state. Musically, The Ruiners sounds like an eclectic mix between The Stooges and intense garage rock. Even if you don't like this kind of music, the beats are catchy enough to get your head moving. This album is filled with the machismo rock attitude, along with the raw and aggressive nature of garage punk. The best in counter-culture can be found on HOW'S THAT GRAB YA?
-Dane Jackson

SCARVE
LUMINIFEROUS
WORLD WAR 3
The music on French metal outfit Scarve's second release, LUMINIFEROUS, not only boasts intricate arrangements, but a slew of influences, as well. While this sextet can get down and dirty with some of the more fierce bands on the scene, Scarve never discounts technicality, as the music can easily move from lucid instrumentals to white-knuckle thrash metal. Such is the case on "Alteration", a cut that displays a vast array of vocals that range from Geoff Tate to Chris Barnes, with a maelstrom of metal behind the vocal gymnastics. Produced by Daniel Bergstrand (famed producer for Meshuggah), Scarve aims to bridge the gap between expert musicianship and frenetic metal aggression...and manages to do just that. If you're a metalhead with an ear for complexity, Scarve should hold you over until the next Dream Theater release.
www.ww3music.com
-Mike SOS

EMBODYMENT
SONGS FOR THE LIVING
XS
From Little Rock, AR, this dedicated foursome utilizes one of the most artistic forms of creating hardcore music. Embodyment manages to insidiously escape the label "emo" by incorporating edgy guitar riffs along with melodic-yet-obscure vocals. Embodyment's songwriting maturity is clearly displayed on this release. SONGS FOR THE LIVING shows that a potent rhythm mixed with insightful (though sometimes inscrutable) lyrics make for a good, solid album. Embodyment has chosen the right direction in which to evolve from the label "metal" to a more clean-cut, structured rock 'n' roll style.
-Kathy

PURITY'S FAILURE
SONGS OF INNOCENCE AND EXPERIENCE
GOODFELLOW
Purity's Failure is a Massachusetts-based band whose punishing sound can be lumped into the hardcore category, yet there are varied influences all over the 10 tracks that comprise the cleverly titled SONGS OF INNOCENCE AND EXPERIENCE. There's a lot of metal on this disc, too, but the underground kind that bands like Will Haven, Diecast, and Bloodlet are so good at. With death-metal screams, chugging thrash riffs, and breakdowns destined to create moshpit melees (à la Candiria-check out the staccato slamfest of "Seventeen Percent" for an indication), this quartet merges the genres and provides a bruising blueprint that other bands will undoubtedly follow.
www.goodfellowrecords.com
-Mike SOS

JFA
WE KNOW YOU SUCK RECORDINGS 1981-1983
ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES
During the '80s, Ronald Reagan was in office, and the punk-music scene thrived. Most people even say that's when American punk was at its purest; that's when bands like Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Social Distortion, and The Circle Jerks were thriving. While the above bands are still known throughout the scene, more unknown bands like JFA have fallen through the cracks. In an effort to expose the younger punk audience to these bands of yesteryear, Alternative Tentacles has started reissuing some of these older bands-JFA being the first in the series. If you like old-school political skate rock, then you'll love JFA. The music is gritty, raw, and fast. Jello and the gang were even nice enough to put a few live tracks and rare songs on the disc.
-Dane Jackson

THE OPPRESSED
UNITING THE UNDERGROUND
SELF-RELEASED CD
The Oppressed isn't the seminal punk band of the same name, but instead is a Queens, NY-based quintet that employs Rage Against the Machine-like rants and a slew of special effects to create a rich soundscape that cries for revolution. While the message may be a bit on the grandiose side, the noise that The Oppressed makes is impressive, for what the band's limited budget allows. Heavy guitars, drum samples, and tons of vocal effects give this band a grand presentation,. While the overall package could use some sprucing up, the underlying theme of upheaval and change is rabid and righteous.
www.theoppressed.net
-Mike SOS

NIPON
THE JUDGEMENT
SELF-RELEASED
This is positively one of the greatest albums I've ever heard. It also had one of the most amateurish submission packets ever: no info, a home-made disc, and no way to contact the band. I was able to find a few tidbits about the band on the 'Net. If you can find this disc, you'll find 16 tracks of the most unbelievably creative music available today. Without a major label or producer to sully their vision, this Michigan-based quartet ties together hardcore punk, ska, screamo, steel drums, and circus music to create a pastiche of genius. It might sound like the inside of some crazy person's dreams, but the vision is there. The band cuts from movie audio tracks to their songs and back again seamlessly. Many of the tunes blend into one another and leave the frightened listener gasping for what may be around the next corner. It might be compared to Danny Elfman at the helm of Nine Inch Nails-but even that is too tame a comparison for this madness. If this band records on a major label, no producer in his right mind would sign off on this...and that would be a terrible loss. Find this strangely wonderful disc and listen to it. Try the Internet and you might get lucky. The drummer, Ryan, sells this out of his apartment (but I didn't want to put his address right here).
-DUG

THE RIFFS
UNDERGROUND KICKS
TKO
The Riffs is a street-punk band whose albums cover displays a punk rocker shooting a needle into his arm. Underground kicks, indeed. Illicit drug use aside, this North Carolina-based quintet plays the kind of punk that pissed off your parents' parents way back in the late 1970s. While there's nothing groundbreaking here, the attitude carries over particularly well on UNDERGROUND KICKS, the sneering vocals and snarling guitars sounding almost as if they came straight from the United Kingdom.
www.tkorecords.com
-Mike SOS

THE RIFFS
UNDERGROUND KICKS
TKO
The Riffs has a tough street-punk sound that recalls '77-era British punk. This is a reissue of the 2000 debut album from this Portland band. It has been remixed and remastered, and it sounds great, featuring such anthemic, group-sung tracks as "Throwin' It All Away". Fans of New York Dolls will really appreciate parts of this album, like the gang choruses and descending guitar lines of "Johnny Johnny". The album closes with a version of Velvet Underground's "I'm Waiting for the Man".
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

FAIRVIEW
WE'LL DODGE IT ON THE WAY BACK
SIDECHO
This album contains eight bonus tracks, plus interactive multimedia. This move shows the band's keen ability to release a well-balanced record that showcases not only their studio skills but also their performance skills. The band's unique and insouciant rock style allows people to realize that not all bands from Orange County are required to have a ska or punk-rock vibe. Simple yet meaningful lyrics accompanied by a passionate voice make for a fresh, lively, and well-constructed sound.
-Kathy

PAST MISTAKES/REDWINTERDYING
SPLIT
NEW BEAT
Past Mistakes is a mix of Thursday and Saves the Day-really cool, gory lyrics, and sensitive screaming. For three songs on a split CD they kind of show off, however. The songs are way too complicated to follow, from hardcore lines straight into piano tinkering and then into narrative. They might be trying too hard, but at times it's easy to ignore. RedWinterDying is a hardcore band, plain and simple. Think Shai Hulud plus earlier Incubus, as odd as that may be. One song is worth at least three broken noses in a pit. Conclusion: really neat hardcore that sticks to your ribs.
-Franny

GOOD CLEAN FUN
POSITIVELY POSITIVE 1997-2002
EQUAL VISION
Straight-edge people can get very annoying, and such is the case with the Washington, DC-based quartet Good Clean Fun. While its brand of hardcore is pretty tangible, catchy as hell, and relevant, the lyrical rants and underlying musical message at times give the impression of a church homily. Enough whining about the meat-eating, beer-drinking folks and the good old days of hardcore before the "exploitation" happened and hardcore "blew up." There are 30 tracks of such material, ranging from questioning someone that left the lifestyle to join a fraternity (what a sellout, huh?) to various forms of veganism and the "xxx" branding. If you think you can resist the message-or if you are one of the aforementioned soldiers who fight the good fight-Good Clean Fun will be right up your alley. For the rest of us, there's a kegger and a "loser" lifestyle awaiting us.
www.equalvision.com
-Mike SOS

SAINT OF KILLERS
SAINT OF KILLERS
EDGETONE RECORDS
Noise-rock project Saint of Killers is about ominous crush tones, with interludes of guitar noodling punctuated by episodes of blood-curdling screams. This uneven approach gives the music a creepy, unpredictable, what's-behind-the-corner feel. Guest saxophonist Matt Waters wails cosmic freak-out jazz, ratcheting up the tension on this album.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

INTRO5PECT
SELF-TITLED
A-F
With vocal inspiration taken from all the latest punk greats (Bad Religion, Anti-Flag, Dropkick Murphys, and (to a lesser extent) AFI), Intro5pect tears through 11 tracks protesting everything from...well, everything Anti-Flag has protested. Although many of the ideas may be stale, the lyrics are not-and are put to music quite beautifully. The band's use of a keyboard and various techno-y song intros may just be what will make them stand out to a few thousand punk rockers in the near future.
-Franny

SLAPSHOT
GREATEST HITS, SLASHES AND CROSSCHECKS
BRIDGE NINE
Boston's very own Slapshot is one of the most seminal hardcore bands ever have its just desserts packaged in a 22-track collection that can kick the hell out of any band out on the scene today. The latest offering from these hardcore and hockey aficionados finds the band taking a bruising trip down memory lane, complete with the "up yours" attitude that the band has honed for over 15 years. If you've never heard of this destructive entity, get acquainted with Slapshot the right way by picking up the greatest hardcore hits many of you have never heard.
www.bridge9.com
-Mike SOS

MY SO-CALLED BAND
ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO DESTROY ME
SUICIDE WATCH
Everything that makes old-school '80s hardcore fun bleeds from this band. They follow the classic style with fun, bouncing guitar riffs, and songs about alcoholic friends. This is the product of the teenagers who watched Henry Rollins and Jello Biafra when they were young, and its the kind of band that brings up audience members to make fun of them or to let them try out the members' guitars, etc., which, besides the obviously fun music, make this a fun band to listen to/tell your friends about.
-Franny

ROTTING CHRIST
GENESIS
CENTURY MEDIA
Greece's contribution to the death-metal scene continues to be spearheaded by the long-running Rotting Christ, whose sixth studio album finds the men coming full circle. Utilizing the band's first studio and producer to recreate the band's epic flare, the 10 tracks that comprise GENESIS are dark and ominous, yet-like much of the black metal heard today-have discernible melody lines and a wicked underlying keyboard, which adds drama and texture to the band's already crushing soundscape. Being the veterans that they are, Rotting Christ's relentless assault borrows from both the band's glorious past and from some of the newer sounds in the scene today, making GENESIS an album that fans of both Rammstein and Dimmu Borgar can enjoy.
www.centurymedia.com
-Mike SOS

SENTENCE
WAR
GOODLIFE
Ugh. Run-of-the-mill hardcore which doesn't live up to the lowest of potentials. Sure they are angry, sure they are dissidents of some sort, but they blend right in with everybody else, screaming unintelligibly but not making it particularly appetizing-plus, all the music sounds the same. Their lyrics are not really saying much: they are just explanations of how a war starts, etc. This may be a concept album, but I don't know, but in any case it just isn't very good.
-Franny

STEVE CABALLERO
BANDOLOGY VOL. 1
SESSIONS RECORDS
Steve Caballero is a skateboarding legend. While skateboarding is his first love, playing guitar and being in bands is number two. This retrospective includes music from five different groups, as well as one all-Steve acoustic tune. When I flipped this disc on and hit play, I got very excited. The first band is The Faction (1982-1985), a hardcore/hard-rock outfit that reminded me of Reagan Youth. This section of BANDOLOGY VOL. 1 is without doubt the best part of the record by leaps and bounds. With song titles like "Skate and Destroy" and "Acceleration", this is a completely cool window into those early punk-in-the-sun days of California riding and rocking lifestyle. I loved The Faction. Unfortunately, the rest of the album is a big wipeout. The problem is not Steve Caballero's guitar work-which is good)-but that the next three bands featured terrible singers. There's a bad Robert Smith wanna-be (Odd Man Out); an annoying, metal vibrato studboy (Shovelhead); and a bad Belinda Carlisle mimic (Soda). I was so disappointed. I am going to go out and hunt up something by The Faction.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

THE ROCKET SUMMER
CALENDAR DAYS
THE MILITIA GROUP
The Rocket Summer is the brainchild of one man and his mission to pour his heart out to everyone and anyone who will listen. That man is 19-year-old Bruce Avary, and this Dallas native-who goes by the name The Rocket Summer-has released a 10-track debut album of heartfelt and emotional tracks that have been transformed into well-structured and all-around catchy tunes. It's also to be noted that Avary sings and plays every instrument on the disc, making him a virtual musical whirlwind. While on the whole The Rocket Summer is very light in comparison to many of the current emo screamcore bands on the scene, the feeling behind songs like the sun-soaked melody of "Skies So Blue" and the melancholic wave of "That's So You" jump out of the speakers and tug at the heartstrings. If you think that Dashboard Confessional is the ultimate in feel-good rock and that Ben Folds Five has the market on smart rock cornered, The Rocket Summer may just take both bands' places in your CD tray for a long time to come.
www.themilitiagroup.com
-Mike SOS

THE ROCKET SUMMER
CALENDAR DAYS
THE MILITIA GROUP
Dallas musician Bryce Avary did this debut album as a one-man band. He wrote all the songs, sang nearly all the vocals, and played all the instruments. Much of his music is dominated by piano melodies (like Ben Folds Five), though he does throw in the occasional guitar-driven tune. The sixth track, "That's So You", is a fine example of some of his best work, all yearning vocals and sparse acoustic guitar. The problem with most of the album is that, no matter how good a song the artist has, the recording tends to take on an antiseptic feel with the endless overlay of the tracks. The end result is that the music feels soulless. This is most obvious when Avary lays multiple vocal lines on top of each other. The tunes begin to sound a little frantic and sad, as if he didn't have any friends to sing along with. There are some good songs on this album, but they would sound a lot better if Avary went out and met some musicians. Then he could drag their asses into the recording studio, put up with their bitching and tempers-and let his music become a more organic experience.
-DUG

LORNA HUNT
SENTIMENTAL BEDLAM
HUNK RECORDS
Lorna Hunt is heavy-sounding Sheryl Crow with a blend of edgy indie-rock eclecticism. Some tracks are straight and melodic, like the fragile and beautiful "Mysterious Reconstruction". This progressive, post-folk album blends Lorna's vocal charm with unexpected tempo changes and unusual timbres. What makes the album worthwhile is that it rises above a formula that would be novel and trite to offer compelling songs with style and verve.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

HANOVER SAINTS/WHISKEY REBELS
SPLIT
REVOLUTION INK
The spider webs on the cover of this made me dread listening to it, because I expected a crappy goth-hardcore band...but it turns out to be my favorite this month. It's like Agnostic Front on speed! This is so good that I can't even tell you how good it is. Although there are only eight tracks and the songs are super short, it's enough time to make a pretty deep impression on anyone whose musical tastes even vaguely include the term "street punk." This is pure, beautiful punk rock, the kind that makes you want to mosh with your bed and your alarm clock. I can't even find any flaws! This is an amazing example of what punk should be. That is all.
-Franny

THE ATARIS
SO LONG, ASTORIA
COLUMBIA RECORDS
Santa Barbara-based The Ataris do it again-another must-have release. SO LONG, ASTORIA takes ordinary life experiences and makes them stand out. In "My Reply", singer Kris Roe responds to a letter written by an Australian girl who was close to dying. Roe tells the young girl that he won't stand aside and listen to her give up." "The Saddest Song" refers to the singer and his six-year-old daughter, with whom he doesn't get to spend a lot of time due to distance. The singer hopes his daughter will "find it in your heart to understand why I'm not around / And forgive me for not being around." The band also sings about the radio: "It's about time that we all turn off the radio." This full-length even contains a cover of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer". Overall, this is a great addition to The Ataris' discography. Visit www.ataris.com for more information on the band.
-Ashley Decker

VARIOUS ARTISTS
EPIMAG COMPILATION VOLUME 1
SELF-RELEASED CD
EPICENTER MAGAZINE has released its first audio output in the form of a 20-track compilation CD, making for a virtual mission statement on what the magazine strives to cover. The bands, which vary from the nu-metal flavor of Mudbox to the screamcore of Sky Came Falling, show the diversity of the music that the staff of EPICENTER wants to expose. While some of the tunes on the disc rock harder than others (notably, the thumping bass that accompanies Rimjaw's "There's Nothing" and the out-and-out aural assault of Curl Up and Die's "We"), it's a valiant first effort from this upstart magazine (which is undoubtedly putting the finishing touches on Volume Numero Dos as we speak).
www.epimag.com
-Mike SOS

RUDIGER
TRAVEL BY DAY (2 SONG SAMPLER)
GRATUITY RECORDS
I've always known this band had something. What that something is, I don't know, but I sure as hell dig it. Yeah, I wouldn't bump it in my car while driving down any street, and I probably wouldn't join the fan club, but I would definitely take it out when I'm feeling down in the dumps. It's always nice to hear that other people are far worse than you. This is Jimmy Eat World-friendly, but less poppy and more sentimental. "No Black Clouds" and "Safe With You" are very tuneful, in a needy kind of way. I wish there was more to say, but it's two songs that sound so sad. I just want to hug Rudiger and comfort them in my bosom.
-Liz Ortega

A18
FOREVERAFTERNOTHING
VICTORY
Don't show the cover to your mom, because it might make her nauseous. Everyone inside this CD liner is bleeding to death. I had not-so-high expectations for this, expecting a primadonna-type hardcore band. But no, this is pretty good hardcore punk. It's got a better and more focused beat than a lot of other bands out there. However, the lyrics kind of repeat themselves with the same nihilistic, death-obsessed theme. This is a good thing, though: all this anger is managed and expressed well throughout. You can tell the CD was arranged by someone with a peppering of obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, although A18 is trying really hard to be loud, this is better as background music.
-Franny

IMMORTAL LEE COUNTY KILLERS
LOVE IS A CHARM OF POWERFUL TROUBLE
ESTRUS
Immortal Lee County Killers is an explosive alt-blues ensemble that delivers a bold-stroked version of the blues. Songs like "Robert Johnson" and "She's Not Afraid of Anything Walking" have no soft curves; they are all rough-edged and jagged like broken concrete. Another side of ILCK is evinced in its take on Willie Dixon's "Weak Brain, Narrow Mind". The group's measured and steady delivery is in a deep soul groove. ILCK offers its own originals, along with a variety of covers, from '60s R&B giant Roosevelt Jamison's "That's How Strong My Love Is" to contemporary master of the undiluted form R. L. Burnside's "Goin' Down South".
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

WAYPOINT
Demo
SELF-PRESSEDIf I had a club, I would put Waypoint on the stage and let the kids go crazy. This is a rockin' demo, with hard-edged riffing and authoritative drumming. The vocals are sunk down into the mix and full of regular-fellah coolness, like the Hart/Mould sound that Husker Du gave us so many years ago. This is an inspiring three-song tester, and it makes me shake my head and wonder: where are the damn fool record label geeks?! Someone sign these guys before you end up mentioning them in your final suicide note.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

TRANSPLANTS
Transplants
HELLCAT
Most side projects are either fueled by disgruntled band members from other bands joining forces or from self-indulgent musicians who want to explore the other side of creativity. Luckily enough, Transplants, a group that boasts Rancid's Tim Armstrong and Blink 182's Travis Barker, is neither. However, unlike most side projects, it is a relevant and utterly irreverent 12-track outing that mixes the sounds that made both of the well-known members famous-namely, punk and hardcore-with trip-hop and a slew of samples, making for one of the most interesting collaborations thus far in 2003. From the stomping opener "Romper Stomper" to the jazz-laced, piano-laden rap-rock of "Diamonds and Guns", Transplants show that they are just as powerful as the bands from which they have come. Add in some seething old-school punk via the track "One Seventeen" and the thugcore-rap styling of "D.R.E.A.M.", and Transplants give us an album that should please all types of people-as well as the stifled artists inside of them.
www.thetransplants.com
- Mike SOS

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