DECEMBER 2003 reviews (listed alphabetically)

40 BELOW SUMMER
THE MOURNING AFTER
RAZOR AND TIE RECORDS
If you like the hard rock that they play on the radio these days, then this album will fit nicely between all the rest of the crap on your shelf. The first thing I thought of when I heard this CD was that it was good enough to be on the radio. As it went on, I began to fell like the band was trying way too hard to have that radio sound and not concentrating on producing something of quality. There are some good tracks, but they are few and far between. I look for originality in music, and when I listen to this, all I hear is the same song over and over again. This album says to me: "Please like us - we want to be popular and make lots of money."
-Ian Wilkins

ALCHEMY
COLOR/HORROR/47 MIN/ENGLISH
SELF-RELEASED
This record is misleading as all hell. I wasn't expecting much - which is part of the reason I was so impressed. The songwriting is surprisingly poignant, with interesting vocal and guitar melodies. This hit me out of left field, as all signs (from the cover art to the song titles) pointed to gag band. I really dug what I heard, though. Alchemy is much more creative then I gave them credit for. That is my mistake, and I'm going to have to live with it. Songs like "That Cool Rocking Chair", "My Legs Are Bitchin'", and "Don't Press Seven" rubbed me in that special way. Pick up this record, and try not to laugh when you see the cover.
-AC Lerok of Philadelphia

A LIFE ONCE LOST
A GREAT ARTIST
DEATHWISH RECORDS
After listening to this record, I felt like my head had been set in a stamping press - and I loved every minute of it. Heavy as an anvil, A Life Once Lost runs in the same lane as The Dillinger Escape Plan, even sharing the same sound engineer. The guitars are often in sync with the drums, making it seem like listening to factory noise...except totally ass-kicking factory noise. From "The Change Came Suddenly", I was sold. The songs combine intense, powerful screaming with pounding, unrelenting noise in just the right proportions. I was impressed, as each song contributed in a different way to the uniqueness of A GREAT ARTIST. Fans of Dillinger will appreciate the occasional chaotic moments followed by pounding precision.
-AC Lerok of Philadelphia

ALLI WITH AN I
I LEARNED IT BY WATCHING YOU
LAW OF INERTIA
Sporting an ever-growing fan base, Raleigh, NC's Alli with an I comes at us with a second CD, I LEARNED IT BY WATCHING YOU. What you'll notice is that this is a pop-punk band with jagged edges, setting themselves apart from the sweetie-pie sound of a Good Charlotte or Simple Plan. In other words, they don't wuss out on you. Check out tracks such as "Set in Stone" or "Last Parade". These songs keep the three- to four-chord criteria in tact, but with more of a grimy, grungy punch. Even songs like "Merry Go Round" will get you jumping. ...WATCHING YOU ends up being a good one all around.
-Darren Ratner

ALL OUT WAR
CONDEMMED TO SUFFER
VICTORY
CONDEMMED TO SUFFER, the follow-up to 1998's FOR THOSE WHO WERE CRUCIFIED, plummets cold-heartedly into the fury and lunacy that is inflicted by All Out War. Overpowering the New York underground and igniting a crossover of the metal and hardcore scene, All Out War is the embodiment of both genres. CONDEMMED TO SUFFER is a 12-track death march ready to clench you by the throat and swing you into a cruel pit of suffering! The combination of coarse vocals and amazing guitar work are put forth on every single track of this CD. Sink your teeth into some real terror, devastation, and delight. Are you ready to be impaled by the sounds of All Out War? Visit Website
-Courtney Riot

ALL STATE CHAMPION
ALL STATE CHAMPION
FIVE ONE
Even though indie-rock quartet All State Champion hails from Vancouver, after a listen of the group's anthem "The Greatest", you'd swear the band originated from an East Coast locale. While the Fugazi and post-hardcore comparisons are obvious, ASC also utilized many of the devices of At the Drive-In and other bands on the fringe, making the dissonant melody of "Once in a Lifetime" and the jagged guitar line in "No Reply" that much more digestible. For those who shun the mainstream, All State Champion's underground sound aims to please. Visit Website
-Mike SOS

ANTIOCH ARROW
GEMS OF MASOCHISM
THREE ONE G
GEMS OF MASOCHISM is the re-issue of the long out-of-print third album from Antioch Arrow - quite possibly be one of the most difficult bands I have ever had to describe. I truly believe it can't be done justly. GEMS OF MASOCHISM is a collaboration of poetic, mind blowing creativity. The sound stimulation will mystify you in a delightful journey through musical greatness. This is the only band I can say that makes the keyboard/piano work in an intriguing, tasteful way. But they are anything but tasteful. Clamor-filled, heart-stopping tracks (such as "Too Bad You're Gonna Die" and "Gotta Love the Lights") encompass an melodic sequence of well-thought-out noise. Ironically, it is the scattered ways of this record that make it flow so consistently. It's like a Picasso painting: so abstract and bewildering, yet so beautiful and concrete. Visit Website
-Courtney Riot

ARAB ON RADAR
QUEEN HYGINE II/ROUGH DAY AT THE ORIFICE
THREE.ONE.G ->
Whirlwind Heat used to tell me how great they thought Arab On Radar was, but this is the first chance I've actually had to listen to them. I can totally hear the similarities, too. Although I've never actually had the chance to verify it, my sources tell me it's a sound very similar to Brainiac. Arab On Radar are from Rhode Island. Their sound is very bass driven, with quirky guitar parts and interesting rhythms. The lyrics are kind of nonsensical black humor, and the singer shrieks and moans as well as the next guy. This album is their first two records on one CD. I think it's totally worth picking up. Definitely an acquired taste, though.
-chad

A STUDY IN HER
AUTO AMPUTATION
HONEST IN SECRET
Wow. Incredible. Unbelievable. This is good, really good. What began as a sincere and honest attempt to experiment with digitized music turned into an epic demonstration of how music has evolved from simply basic instruments being played together to multidisciplinary exercises in the coordination of all manner of sound-making, computer programs, etc. Constantine Nakassis, the innovator behind A Study in Her, enlisted the help of a variety of other people to construct this 15-track masterpiece. Combining analog and digital sounds with layers of male and female vocals joined with elements of indie rock, electro-clash/new wave, and experimentalism, this album is as eclectic as it is astonishing. If you can find a copy of this album, snatch it up before they become rare and desired commodities. Visit Website
-tChow

AUDRA KUBAT
MILLION YEAR OLD SAND
TIMES BEACH RECORDS
The third solo release from Detroit's Audra Kubat has me believing this young lady is channelling Joni Mitchell. With a spare and stark acoustic sound reminiscent of Mitchell's earliest work, Kubat has created a haunting masterpiece with her new record. After a spell fronting the rock band Stunning Amazon, Kubat began her solo career at the turn of the millennium. With two critically-acclaimed solo albums already to her credit, she has found the perfect balance between harmony and edgy inspiration on her latest release. Along with her art shows, modeling, and musical performances from coffeehouses to festivals, Kubat has received the Detroit Music Awards prize as Outstanding Folk Artist of 2001. If her latest recording is any indication, she will soon be nominated as one of the outstanding folk artists at the national level.
-DUG

A WISH FOR FIRE
A WISH FOR FIRE
SELF-RELEASED
Man, this is what happens when you have a whole generation raised on Sunny Day Real Estate: you get a plethora of bands trying to sound like the album DIARY. Uninspired, boring, and in need of a vocal coach, A Wish for Fire is another indie-rock band awaiting placement in the 99-cent bin. On their self-titled debut, all they really have going for them is the ability to play their instruments. That's really it. Singer Owen Beane can't sing very well (think Isaac Brock on a very bad day), and the way that the songs are mixed make his vocals more prominent than any other musical element. I skipped to "Cry Me a River", thinking it was a Justin Timberlake cover - but there was no JT. Oh, well, it probably would've sucked, anyway.
-Ryan Pangilinan

BACKSTABBERS INCORPORATED
BARE AS BONES
BLACKMARKET ACTIVITIES
So you thought the last Buried Alive album was pretty heavy, huh? Buy the new Backstabbers Incorporated album - it'll make you feel like a softy. This is a flawless combination of trash, grind, and technical metal hardcore. >From the first to the last track, this album is full of brutal audio assaults. If you're into bands like Dillinger Escape Plan and Buried Alive, then you're going to fall in love with this New Hampshire group.
-ADF

BLUE EYED BOY MISTER DEATH
BLUE EYED BOY MISTER DEATH
BENT RAIL FOUNDATION
There has been a movement lately to make band names as esoteric as humanly possible. Taking the reigns in said movement is Blue Eyed Boy Mister Death. Music is another thing, however, and it is hard to say what I think of this band musically. They come out kicking ass, and then they just become confusing. In some songs the drums seem to be forgotten, as the entire band runs off on some rhythmic tangent. This rhythmic chaos is actually pretty entertaining most of the time, though on some tracks it gets a little excessive. Also, there is only so much vocal overdrive that I can take - and Blue Eyed Boy Mister Death definitely pushes the limits of what I'm able to stomach in that capacity. All together, I think this self-titled debut is worth a listen.
-AC Lerok of Philadelphia

BLUE MONDAY
WHAT'S DONE IS DONE
STAB AND KILL RECORDS
The foundation for this CD is good, but the walls are pretty much falling apart. They should have waited a bit longer or had a better producer do the album. The guitarist and the drummer sound like they were fighting each other rather than accompanying one another. Everything on its own sounds good, but when you put it all together is when it starts to go bad. I bet live they would kick ass, but as far as this album goes, I would pass on buying it and r the next one.
-Ian Wilkins

BOYS NIGHT OUT
MAKE YOURSELF SICK
FERRET
Canada is not the first place you look to discover bold and original music. This might be Boys Night Out's major advantage. Their pop-punk-meets-screamo sound may not be completely innovative in the States, but their Canadian freshness is too charming to ignore. Many of the songs on the album (though baring daringly-lengthy titles) sound suspiciously like something you've heard before. Before you start to become resentful towards the band for copying other material, listen long enough to discover the eclectic tools they utilize in each song. From intriguing layering ("Yeah, No - I Know - ") to synthesizers and drum machines ("Hold On Tightly, Let Go Lightly"), the band puts a refreshing spin on a stale genre. Give this band a fair shot: listen to the entire album, and then form your opinion (which I am sure will be a positive one). Visit Website
-tChow

BRAZEN ABBOT
GUILTY AS SIN
SPV
Brazen Abbot is the handiwork of Nikola Kotzev, as the latest offering by the much sought-after guitarist/composer/engineer, stands as a solid slab of hooky hard rock. Technically sound and professionally performed, Brazen Abbot's 12-track triumph picks up where the real hard-rock bands of the '70s left off, mixing energetic compositions with pristinely textured rock music that has balls, bite, and pride. Brazen Abbot boasts the rhythm section of Swedish metallers Europe, as well as vocals by the top-notch throats of Joe Lynn Turner, Goran Edman, and Jorn Lande - so you can see that the musicianship is world class. Somewhere in between power metal and melodic Euro metal, Brazen Abbot should appeal to fans of Deep Purple, UFO, Saxon, and the like. Visit Website
-Mike SOS

CASKET LIFE
LESS SKILL-MORE KILL
CASKET LIFE
Whiskey-drinking, Arizona quintet Casket Life have recently put out their killer first release, LESS SKILL - MORE KILL, a great display of good, wholesome, hardcore punk rock 'n' roll. With only six tracks to prove themselves, they hands-down succeed, providing listeners with in-your-face, beer-drinking, body-rocking, energy-driven songs. Tracks such as "Blank Label Beer" and "Drawn to Blood" are bound to take the piss out of you! The first eight seconds of raging insanity quickly reminded me of something similar to the Bronx. With fierce vocals and guitar riffs, these kids add a refreshing sound to what hardcore punk is all about. Why stop at six tracks? I'll be looking forward to future releases. Visit Website - Visit Website
-Courtney Riot

CAUSE FOR APPLAUSE
SELF-TITLED
SAY HEY RECORDS
This five-song EP from Brooklyn's Cause for Applause is a '70s glam throwback that calls forth comparisons with Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Iggy and the Stooges, and Sweet. David Lloyd's tortured, high-pitched vocals carry this country-tinged rock along at a brisk pace. It's almost as if you expect Lloyd to bust into "Ballroom Blitz" at any moment. As for now, the band is only playing New York City gigs, but this is the type of band that can create a stir in a hurry. Look for this band to lead their own retro-revival in the vein of The Hives or The Vines if they can capture this same quality of sound on a full-length recording. Visit Website
-DUG

CHILE: PROMISE OF FREEDOM
ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES
This docu-disc sounds like a radio show from the best of public radio. I was on the edge of my seat. CHILE: PROMISE OF FREEDOM, is a historic account of the coup that took place in Chile on September 11, 1973, by the American-backed fascists. The editing and storytelling is so fantastic that this disc is very entertaining. This is friendly education. It is cheaper than a credit hour and worth every dime. Learn more, know more, be more.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

COHEED & CAMBRIA
IN KEEPING THE SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3
EQUAL VISION
When I first heard Coheed & Cambria's THE SECOND STAGE TURBINE BLADE, I was thoroughly blown away. That record blew the tops off a lot of people, thrusting the four New York boys into an artistic and performing circle that was previously nonexistent. After relentless touring, the band has released IN KEEPING THE SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3, a record which takes the basic elements of music and poetry to entirely new levels. On the whole, it's a hell of a lot darker than any previous Coheed recording; however, some of the songs are a lot lighter. Poetic mastermind Claudio Sanchez keeps it on a dark note, continuing the saga of the individual characters of Coheed and Cambria. In writing about the consequences of the death of the characters, Claudio delves into a new realm of lyrical expression, while the band uses the music to create an out and out opus. IN KEEPING THE SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3 blows the pants off anything recorded this year. The title track is a beautiful fusion of poetry, power, and art - which is demonstrative of the record as a whole. Buy it, and do it now.
-AC Lerok of Philadelphia

CRITERIA
EN GARDE
INITIAL
Omaha, NE, has rapidly become known as a capital of indie rock, home to such acts as Bright Eyes and Cursive - as well as their label, Saddlecreek Records. It's not surprising, then, that the astonishingly-talented and cheeky Stephen Pedersen, brainchild of Criteria, calls it home. He began Criteria after his last band, The White Octave, broke up. EN GARDE is Criteria's first full-length. Criteria has a genuinely unique and impressive take of power-pop/rock. With elements ranging from truly experimental to sincerely emo to truly riff-powered-rock 'n' roll, there's something within Criteria that anyone can enjoy. Visit Website
-tChow

CROWN 10
CROWN 10
SO CAL
Crown 10 is a power trio whose rock hybrid spans through jazz, R&B, and funk. Featuring the percussive talents of ex-24/7 Spyz skinsman Joel Maitoza, the 11-track release showcases this San Diego-based outfit's superb musicianship, as songs like the laid-back homage "New York City" display the band's ability to compose a ballad that isn't cheesy nor redundant while expressing true feelings of remembrance and loss. Not to worry, though: the Crown 10 crew can also crank out some powerful jams, as the infectious funk rock of "Shine" grabs you instantly. This band's chops blows away many of its major-label peers, as each song is masterfully put together and performed with surgical precision. If you're a fan of mature rock that is by no means lame, Crown 10 is a sure bet. Visit Website
-Mike SOS

CZOLGOSZ
GUERNICA
RODENT POPSICLE
I loved this record the moment I heard it. Snotty, sloppy, and unpalatable to most, Czolgosz play impressive anarcho/streetpunk reminiscent of Aus Rotten, NYC's Molotov Cocktail, and Treason. Stating their noble goal of overthrowing our oppressors (and, in turn, proposing an appealing alternative: "a culture based on mutual aid, respect, and responsibility" ("Liberation")), they call for us to "break off these chains" ("No War but the Class War"), smash the system instead of unwisely attempting to reform it from within ("Reform It"), and to "burn the fucking state" ("Fire and Flames"). GUERNICA is the soundtrack to the downtrodden masses' revolution. The urgent, slightly off-key, maniacal vocals and the fast-paced punk impeccably mirror Czolgosz's passion for change. The record ends appropriately with "Antifascists" - a little redundant, since it's kind of implied in the preceding 14 tracks, but it's still a good closer. Overall, an excellent pro-active, thought-provoking record.
-Janelle Jones

D. BOON & FRIENDS
SELF-TITLED
BOX-O-PLENTY
This is not a CD that will appeal to everyone. It is a posthumous tribute to guitarist D. Boon of the Torrance-based punk trio The Minutemen. From 1980 to 1985, The Minutemen (along with Black Flag and The Circle Jerks) were the vanguard of the West Coast punk scene. Things came to an end on December 22nd, 1985, when Boon died in a van accident. This album is a painstaking compilation of 33 tracks - some of them simple one-offs done in a living room with friends, some recorded at studios as demos and experiments and a seven-song live Minutemen set from 1985 at UCLA. The recordings are scratchy and bad at times, amazingly clear at others. This is a tribute to a person who was defined by his love for playing guitar, and, as such, it is very touching and fitting.
-DUG

DEAD TO FALL
EVERYTHING I TOUCH FALLS TO PIECES
VICTORY RECORDS
Brutal Chicago metal is here! Combining elements of Swedish death metal and modern metal hardcore, Dead to Fall supplies the listener with a bloody beating via sound waves. Similar artists: Zao, Six Feet Under, Converge, Falling Cycle, etc. The lyrical content tends to reflect a kind of evil nature (e.g., "Eternal Gates of Hell"). If you're into chugga-chugga brutal hardcore bands, then Dead to Fall is for you.
-ADF

DECEMBER
PRAYING HOPING NOTHING
EARACHE RECORDS
It takes a certain type of individual to like an album that sounds like this. I happen to be such an individual. This album will start ripping your soul out of your ass the second you start to listen to it. It is so damn hardcore that even my friend Phronk, who is a serious lunatic, looked at me weird the first time I played it for him. There are no love songs on this album, just pure, unadulterated hate in it's simplest form. If you are into some really heavy drums along with some lyrics that will surely send your mom screaming, then you have to pick this album up.
-Ian Wilkins

DIABOLIC
INFINITY THROUGH PURIFICATION
OLYMPIC
It definitely felt like infinity had gone by when this album finally ended. There is not a single redeeming quality to this collection of overused death-metal riffs accompanied by a drummer who seems to be in the learning stage of basic drumming skills. The band concentrates hard on satanic lyrics, speaking of endless war on Earth and beings from below. As scary as that may be, the fact that the album is eight songs long and that every song is terrible is much more frightening. Unless you're in the mood to waste your money, keep your cash far from this one.
-SupZac

DUVALL
VOLUME & DESTINY
ASIAN MAN RECORDS
The debut full-length release from ex-Smoking Popes Josh Caterer's new band is an emotional excursion into the spiritual values that were one of the reasons Caterer left his legendary former band to go his own way. The 12 songs on this album reflect his faith in God and how his priorities have changed with his new band. Though the topics have changed, there is still the quality songwriting and powerful vocals that caused Morrissey to once call the Popes "the greatest band in the United States." While several of the songs on the new album might scare off fans of his early work - e.g., "Gimme Some Light", "Standing at the Door", "Jesus Never Leaves Me" - Caterer goes to great pains to play really good music while he thrusts his faith to the forefront. Many of these tunes will have the listener squirming in the church pew, but if blatantly Christian music doesn't scare a person off, this is a good album (with some tunes that wouldn't be out of place in a Sunday worship service). How many other Christian bands have Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, and Dashboard Confessional booking them to open their shows? Visit Website
-DUG

EACH PASSING MOMENT
LET HER SLEEP NO MORE
FORSAKEN RECORDINGS
Have you ever ate some food that was, like, really spoiled? I have...but it was nothing compared to the torture of this CD. I would rather overdose on some heroin addict's spit than have to listen to this again. Usually I try to find something good about an album, but with this one, there was nothing. They decided to take a whole lot of screaming, and then add some really bad guitars. Shake that up with a whole bunch of stupid samples from some lame-ass movies, and you have the album. How hard is that? Well, I guess it was too hard for this band, because this album is the equivalent of shit. Thanks for your time and generosity, and don't forget to buckle up on the way home.
-Ian Wilkins

EASTERN YOUTH
WHAT CAN YOU SEE FROM YOUR PLACE
FIVE ONE
Eastern Youth is a Japanese trio that has been regarded as the Fugazi of the Far East. Judging by the band's ethereal 10-track offering (whose every lyric is sung in Japanese), the raw power and visceral connection is as strong as any of Eastern Youth's English-singing counterparts. Truly encapsulating the idea that music is the universal language, Eastern Youth's music and pure emotional output are seemingly enough to be swept away by, as the music in songs such as the captivating "Breaking a Vow on a Dare, August" and the driving "Autumn Winds and the Guys" almost make you forget that this is sung in a foreign language. Providing a discernible punk structure and an admiration for bands such as Jawbreaker in its music, Eastern Youth uses these tools as a springboard to further its musical scope and broaden the horizons of both the band and the listener. If you like the current wave of emo/punk/indie that has infiltrated the rock scene, chances are Eastern Youth will be a favorite of yours. Visit Website
-Mike SOS

EL CENTRO
PROHIBIDO
FINGER RECORDS
The sophomore release from Orange County's legendary old school veterans El Centro is a triumphant blast of life in the face of terror and despair. Lead singer Crabby Cabler was one of the few survivors of the horrific 2002 terrorist attack at a nightclub in Bali, Indonesia. (The same attack killed over 200 tourists, along with the manager of El Centro, Steven Webster.) Even though Cabler lost most of his hearing and equilibrium in the blast, he was back fronting the band at a benefit only five months afterwards. The new album reflects the band's lust for life with a mixture of hardcore punk and reggae in the vein of Rancid or Sublime. Along with the band's great logo (the La Familia crossing symbol), their insane live shows, and a line-up of musicians with experience in such punk stalwarts as Cadillac Tramps and Shattered Faith, El Centro has built an impressive body of music with their debut album ALTO! and the current release. This is a tremendous album from some real pros. Don't miss it. Visit Website
-DUG

ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN MEETS EL NADA
SPLIT FULL LENGTH
FINGER RECORDS
Now, don't get me wrong: I'm a huge fan of both these bands. I just don't hear either band putting much energy into the songs they are swapping with each other - which was the initial draw, but the performances are a little lacking in commitment. What you get here is three new songs from each band, with a cover swap of the other band. Sure, it sounds neat at first mention, but the conviction seems stale. Musically, both bands mange to entice listeners, but the overall feel is that time was limited and the songs weren't given the proper incubation each deserves. If you are a collector, I recommend this to finish off your collection. Other than that, it's good, just not great. Both bands do know how to make great music, so I think we deserve your best, guys.
-Larry Lugz

ELGIN JAMES
FOR CAROL
LONESOME RECORDINGS
Elgin James is from Boston. Arriving there after running away from Ohio, he was the frontman in the band Wrecking Crew. His bio mentions that not only was he a member of gang, but he pioneered a violent Boston street gang! Being the pioneer of street gang, one would think his record would be this violent explosion, but really it's a very smart, introspective, semi-autobiography. Sung in whispers and punk-rock fury, this album is very inviting and highly recommended. I wish I was Carol.
-chad

EX MODELS
ZOO PSYCHOLOGY
FRENCHKISS RECORDS
If The Blood Brothers and The Locust had a child together, it would probably be born sounding similar to the Ex Models. This Brooklyn-based spazz-core band has managed to construct a beautiful album based on the very concept of the abstract. If you're looking for song structure, you won't find it here, my friends. Zoo Psychology is full of twists and turns that leave you feeling like the raw end of a one-night stand. Full of sampling, off beats, and random guitar riffs, Zoo Psychology sounds like something that a modern Sonic Youth would've done. Buy this album.
-ADF

FILTHY VAGRANTS
WATCHING THEM BURN
96 RECORDS
Every once in a while I get the opportunity to hear a band that shows so much promise but is still in its infantile stage of finding its sound, with total disregard to niche and genre. That indeed promises a prosperous future. This band shows potential, but does nothing to really separate themselves from the sloppy thrash about punk of many garage bands. The music is hard-edged and even quirky at times, but it doesn't try to be original in attack and delivery, instead following typical generic suburban punk trappings - which ultimately makes this release run of the mill and, simply put, boring. I would like to see where these guys are in a year. As I stated earlier, they do show potential. In my opinion, music should come first. Don't follow the trends. This band has the goods, now it's time for them to deliver. Keep at it, guys.
-Larry Lugz

FORGOTTEN ARRIVAL
THROUGH YOUR EYES
INDIE VISION
Please try very hard not to cringe when I tell you what this next band is. Ready? Forgotten Arrival is emo at its best. Yes, I used "emo" and "best" in the same sentence. The young five-piece from South Orange County (specifically, Laguna Niguel, CA) has taken a practically-despised genre and dared to attempt success. Their daring may just pay off, as THROUGH YOUR EYES is dripping with passion, emotion, and influences that range all over the scene - from Finch to New Found Glory to Silverstein to Noise Ratchet. There are your typical broken-heart songs, but they join up with intense songs exploring faith and pain. Definitely don't judge this album by its genre - it's worth a genuine listen. You probably will like what you hear! Visit Website
-tChow

FREEDOM UNDER X-RAY
SELF-TITLED
KRONIC RECORDS
All the info I have on this band is that they are a quartet (I got that much from the picture inside) and that they used to go under the name The Melting Pot. This single features two tracks, "No Shame" and "White Eyes", the first being a competent, up-tempo punk tune, the latter having a mid-tempo '80s metal vibe. Note to band: next time think about sending a press kit.
-Jude Ruiz

GOVERNMENT CHEEZE
FANCIFUL CREATIONS OF A STAGNANT BUMBLEBEE
SELF-RELEASED
It is hard to be a punk band and still come out with something that sounds somewhat original. This is one of those bands that doesn't sound like anybody - which is good thing. Living in an era where everybody seems to have gotten their best shit off of someone else's record, this was a true delight to my eardrums. Their lyrics are good, but the music itself is what makes this album stand out. The only negative thing about this album was it made me wonder: does the government really make cheese? and if so, what health department checks them out? If you need some relief from all the other shit out there, then check this CD out - if only to hear something good that's original.
-Ian Wilkins

THE GUV'NORS
HIGHROLLER
LUCKY SEVEN RECORDS
Pour a pint to the brim and get ready for some pub-rock fun. The Guv'nors, a five-man drinking club from Denmark, deliver first-rate energy, attitude, and comedy to spare. For instance, track 2 "W.A.N.C.O.R.S.": The Guv'nors gang sing the chorus: "We are the wancors / One day we will rule the world". 14 sing-along tunes on 66 tracks - in addition to a fun little art-project montage at the end of a long patch of silence. A healthy round of ale for The Guv'nors. Cheers to you, mates!
-H. Barry Zimmerman

HAWNAY TROOF
GET UP! RESOLUTION: LOVE
RETARD DISCO
As near as I can tell, Hawnay Troof is led by 18-year-old prodigy Vice Cooler. But there's supposedly 16 people in his band, a collective of talent. They're assembled from all over the globe and produce synth-driven dance music with lyrics so taboo it'll make anyone's mother blush! They spent the summer touring with Thurston Moore, and they also played Ladyfest Bristol. They remind me of Bis, but with more sexy or raunchy lyrics. They seem too fantastic to be true. Totally worth catching in some basement in your town soon.
-chad

HOLIDAY RAIN
NO SOUND LIKE THE PRESENT
SERENDIPITY DODA
Catchy, fun, and pleasant, Holiday Rain is your standard vocals/guitar/bass/drum fare, though done in such a way that you can't help but start dancing. A mishmash of REM and The Monkees, songs like "Throw It to the Stars" and "Another Place" are guaranteed head-nodders. The short songs help, as well - nobody wants to listen to an eight-minute pop song. In their simplicity, Holiday Rain is a breath of fresh air in indie rock. While most bands are desperately attempting to be inventive, these guys took the basic format and made it their own.
-Ryan Pangilinan

HOUSE OF LOW CULTURE
EDWARD'S LAMENT
NEUROT RECORDS
This CD would have set the stage for something eerie on Halloween. Unfortunately, I didn't have this CD on Halloween; therefore, it is no good to me. This is House of Low Culture's second release and features members of Lotus Eaters, Isis, and Old Man Gloom...and it's guaranteed to test your patience. Track 1, "Edward's Lament", takes a couple of minutes to actually kick in (though it seems like an eternity) and provides squealing, distant screams and various sound effects that remind me of the screeching violins from the videotape in the movie THE RING. The whole song clocks in at just under 13 minutes, and that will pretty much be the breaking point. So, let's review: no lyrics, no hooks, no guitar solos - no thanks!
-Jude Ruiz

HUM MACHINE
THEOREMS AND COMPOSITIONS OF THE LAST ACTION ROCKER
CANCER RECORDS
Madison, WI's Hum Machine is no stranger to the collegiate, indie-rock scene. After four albums and a stab at a world record with a 65-consecutive show tour, the band has a fifth CD, THEOREMS AND COMPOSITIONS OF THE LAST ACTION ROCKER (you figure that out - I'm not bothering). The CD itself, however, is worth the bother. Most of these songs are inspired by long days on the road, giving a sometimes bluesy ("Mechanical Devices"), sometimes countryish ("Twisted Niche"), often times rock-it-out ("Bring It On Pepeyon" and "It's Gotta Be") atmosphere. Many in the independent scene have already given Hum Machine a nod of approval. With - LAST ACTION ROCKER, a record that succeeds simply on its move into other genres, this should be another gold star.
-Darren Ratner

ICED EARTH
THE RECKONING EP
SPV
Since Iced Earth's last vocalist Matt Barlow left the band, I had been dying to hear what the new stuff would sound like with ex-Judas Priest vocalist Tim Owens. Thankfully, the new stuff is amazing. I was a huge fan of Barlow's emotional vocal style, but Owens's is just much more fitting to Iced Earth, especially on the faster songs. The title track (despite the fact that it fades out after about three minutes) gives us a taste of what exactly is to come on Iced Earth's next album, THE GLORIOUS BURDEN, due out in January. I have a strong feeling that it will be the greatest Iced Earth album ever.
-SupZac

IT'S ALL GONE TO HELL
WAR JOURNAL
VENDETTA
As one of the most definitive bands in the Detroit hardcore scene, It's All Gone to Hell takes you into a violent, earth-shattering crisis, as the brutality of Coalition, Facedown, and Walls of Jericho meet in a whirlwind found on WAR JOURNAL. This long-awaited full-length release is tough, crude, and explosive! Picture being tied to a chair, blindfolded, and with a white handkerchief pinned over your heart. Now, wait patiently until the blasting sounds off of WAR JOURNAL take command and aim straight for your heart. A firing squad in musical form? Never thought it was possible until now. From "Fight Song" to "Burden", It's All Gone to Hell is bringing back the hardcore style the world has strayed away from. You'll be lucky if you walk away with your limbs still attached. Visit Website
-Courtney Riot

JUST CAUSE
GROUNDED
UNKNOWN LABEL
Lead singer and guitarist Jeremy Shoop of Moorpark's Just Cause has much to be proud of in GROUNDED. The man has a vibrato-laced voice, while the album's instrumentals are a fine mix of pop-punk and anthemic rock. Highlights include "No Regrets" and "Useless", which don't just rely on chords, but on lots of riffs and rhythm changes, which make for crafty and clever melodies. Look at GROUNDED as kind of a Ramones-meets-Dream Theater type thing.
-Darren Ratner

KUTLESS
KUTLESS
TOOTH AND NAIL
When a band's press packet declares them an "underground phenomenon," one instinctively gets a bit wary. After hearing the Portland, OR-based quintet's self-titled release, a few questions can be raised, the main one being: When the hell did the mainstream sounds of Lifehouse, Fuel, and Puddle of Mudd (sounds that Kutless emulates quite well, incidentally) become underground? Even though the band proudly wears its Christianity on its sleeve and makes it a crux of the band's image, the musical output is pretty secular and fits nicely alongside the modern-rock radio hits pervading the Bible belt, WB-drama-watching, high-school contingent. As for being an underground phenomenon, keep searching. Visit Website
-Mike SOS

LAST COLLAPSE
THE FALLEN
EMBERS RECORDS
Last Collapse's music is misplaced between the groove and the assault. There is a stiffness to the music. Don't get me wrong: Last Collapse rock. There is a Helmetness to the attack...but the band doesn't seem to be in the pocket; the music seems uncomfortable within its movement. Technically, this Orange County three-piece is very good. It just feels like Last Collapse is forcing it - which causes the music to stall out just this side of rocking. Something is definitely missing.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

LATITUDE BLUE
SEARCHING FOR PERFECT
BLEEDING MUSIC
Note to labels: stop labeling your bands as "post-emo" - that will only have a negative connotation. Hell, people might not even give your bands a chance. Apparently, Latitude Blue is England's latest post-emo export. Emo, shemo! These guys are the result of Tears for Fears fans listening to Death Cab for Cutie: melancholic rock. Latitude Blue is far more exciting to listen to than Coldplay, as their EP SEARCHING FOR PERFECT makes clear. The bad part of this release is that they only have four songs to whet the listener's appetite, so at the end you're practically begging for more.
-Ryan Pangilinan

LEGEN BELTZA
INSANITY
CRASH
Legen Beltza is a metal quartet from Spain whose late-'80s/early-90's thrash leanings make sense, especially when you notice that Annihilator's very own Jeff Waters mixed the new album. INSANITY isn't groundbreaking by any means, yet it does what it seeks out to do - thrash your head mercilessly - as tunes like the metallic majesty of "Legen Beltza" and the guitar-driven "Black Star" rival Megadeth at its thrashiest. If you still wear your leathers and have preserved your hair, chances are Legen Beltza will hit a home run with your ears. Visit Website
-Mike SOS

LIKE CLOCKWORK
KILL THE WORD
MP3.com" target=_blank>Visit Website
This solo release from Atlanta indie gadfly Jesse Astin is a curious mixture of soulful electric piano, a cacophony of jumbled instrumentation, and some truly heartfelt lyrics. The majority of the 13 songs on this disc are comprised of Astin on accordion, piano, and various guitars. His sound varies from thudding, bass-heavy ballads to mellow, nostalgic acoustic numbers. The keyboard-heavy tunes often sound like Ben Folds Five, but much darker. There is a depressing air about this music, a soul-rending, fatalistic sense that verges on obsession. While Astin has created a distinctive sound, this album should be filed under "bummer-emo." You can find out more about this heart-strangling minstrel at Visit Website.
-DUG

LOW BUDGET
FOR THE FAMILY EP/DEGENERATE DEMO
SELF-RELEASED
There are certain things I'm not amused by: waiting in hour-long lines at amusement parks, rush-hour traffic, beer prices at stadium concerts, and (last but certainly not least) rap/metal. Listening with an open mind, I can tell you that Low Budget are a quintet out of Suisan, CA, that rock to ear pounding rap/metal with hints of reggae and politics. Low Budget play all their own instruments, and all five members rock the mic. I have no doubt Low Budget would go down well at the Smoke Out Tour, the Warped Tour, or any other summer tour that combines rap and rock artists.
-Jude Ruiz

LOWER CLASS BRATS
A CLASS OF OUR OWN
PUNK CORE RECORDS
Stripped-down rock 'n' roll and streetpunk rule high on this release. Stating that it's a "Clockwork" punk band carrying on the torch once carried by the like of English old-schoolers like Major Accident, Cock Sparrer, and The Adicts. You get the idea of how much its influences play on the overall sound and songwriting of this Texas-based band. Punchy with plenty of sing-along choruses. Overall, not a bad release. It captures the original spirit of its influences and still manages to keep the essence of American punk intact. This is a keeper. For fun, check out its cover version of The Defects' "Dance". Pogo fun party time extravaganza. Don't spill your beer.
-Larry Lugz

MANIC HISPANIC
THE MENUDO INCIDENT
BYO RECORDS
Now this li'l gem is a re-release that was originally in the stores back in 1992. That is 11 years ago, folks. Dr. Dream put it out back in the day, and at the time this was really quite the punk parody album. Way before Me First & the Gimme Gimmes, way before Punk Rock Karoke, and definitely before all that goddamn "Punk Goes [insert your fave genre here]" shit. Basically, you get 13 bad-ass punk classics done barrio style with a little Spanglish twist. Take, for instance, the X classic "Los Angeles" - now called "East L.A.", The Damned epic "New Rose" translated into "New Rosa", and the awesome reworking of Buzzcocks' "Orgasm Addict" now becoming MH's theme, "Manic Hispanic". Orale', homie, swipe this pinche' CD up. The next round of cervezas are on me.
-Larry Lugz

MAXEEN
SELF-TITLED
SIDEONEDUMMY
Up-and-coming trio Maxeen has released their first full-length from SideOneDummy, and it is sure to cause ripples in the industry. Forging their own unique blend of pure rock, indie, and pop, the album showcases Maxeen's individual style and talent. The three men who make up Maxeen come from very different backgrounds and lifestyles, but they have been brought together by a common desire to make good music and an incredible chemistry that is blindingly clear when listening to this record. Some standout songs on the album include - actually, they're all good. Just go get the CD already! Visit Website
-tChow

MESMER MACHINE
SELF-TITLED
MADROAD RECORDINGS
This debut EP from this Florida quartet is a moody, psychedelic trip with Pink Floyd-like atmosphere and a lead guitar that sounds a lot like that of U2's the Edge. The band originally hailed from 29 Palms, CA, right next door to Joshua Tree National Park. Though the stark, surreal landscape fueled their creative juices, the environment also fueled their thirst for drugs and alcohol. To preserve their sanity, the band relocated to Florida, where nearly 15 years after their promising origin and several years after disbanding and then reforming, the band has made another venture into the music world. The four songs on this EP are glimpses of brilliance, a balance of soft textures and hard, angular guitars. Though the band was touted for their "potential for something big" back in '91, it has taken them 15 years and a world of life experience to find their muse. Let's hope they stick with it this time and deliver their promised full-length album in 2004. Visit Website
-DUG

MISFITS
PROJECT 1950
MISFIT RECORDS
The fab '50s live on - or should I say are resurrected from the dead, as America's favorite ghoul band tears through 10 classic pop gems from the days of big fins, pompadours, push-up torpedo bras, and the threat of nuclear war. An all-star line-up includes founding Misfit member Jerry Only, Dez Cadena (pre-Rollins Black Flag), and the infamous Marky Ramone. The songs are fast-paced, energetic, and just darn catchy. Hits include "This Magic Moment", "Donna", "Runaway", and (just in time for Halloween) "Monster Mash". Infectious rock 'n' roll with enough creepy horror shtick to keep Misfits fans satisfied. Hell, this disc is just plain old fun. Get it now, or be prepared for a life of agony and boredom.
-Larry Lugz

MOONSPELL
THE ANTIDOTE
CENTURY MEDIA
It's very hard to write a decent review on this album. It didn't really strike me in a negative or a positive way; it just kind of left me wondering if I had missed something. The songs are not great, but they are not terrible, so I suppose Moonspell has succeeded in creating the most average album of all time. Congrats, boys. I would recommend checking out Visit Website first for some samples.
-SupZac

MOOSSA
GET AWAY
504 NORTH INC.
The sophomore full-length release from this versatile, Richmond, VA-based, quartet is tour-de-force of modern Southern rock. With a sound like The Dave Mathews Band and a slightly gravelly voice, John Moossa leads his band through 10 songs that cover everything from the global economy to road trips to Reno. Three musicians - Moossa, Ryan Davis, and Jim Fabricatore - contribute to the eclectic songwriting of this group. At times, the guitars sound like early Allman Brothers, but with lyrics that contain references to Ozymandias and belly-button rings, this is clearly a different Southern band. The band is not afraid to slip into reggae grooves or cut loose with a capella harmonies. Clearly, Moossa is one of the best-kept secrets of the South. It remains to be seen how long a group this good can be kept off a major label. Visit Website
-DUG

MURDER BY DEATH
WHO WILL SURVIVE AND WHAT WILL BE LEFT OF THEM?
EYEBALL
For a band with such a ridiculous name, Murder By Death has put together some surprisingly good tunes. The entire album has a very old Western feel to it, like having a drink at an old saloon. The cello work on the disc adds a lot of atmosphere amidst strong vocal and guitar work. For some reason, these cats are being labeled as punk and are booked for shows as such, but they are far from punk. They have much more depth and a more mature sound than any post-NOFX-era band. I would recommend this disc to fans of Cursive and even Open Hand.
-SupZac

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
I BROUGHT YOU MY BULLETS, YOU BROUGHT ME YOUR LOVE
EYEBALL RECORDS
The band has been gaining steam, just coming off of a tour with A Static Lullaby. Much like A Static Lullaby, My Chemical Romance mixes elements of hardcore, punk rock, and indie. Vocalist Gerard Way does a great job of changing between singing and screaming. My favorite track is "Honey, this mirror isn't big enough for the two of us". This track, in my opinion, represents the groups dynamic, and it's a very aggressive-yet-catchy tune. For fans of Poison the Well, A Static Lullaby, and Finch.
-ADF

MY RUIN
THE HORROR OF BEAUTY
CENTURY MEDIA
My Ruin's latest release THE HORROR OF BEAUTY is an average release from an otherwise talented band. The album is composed mainly of filler tracks, similar to a mainstream pop record that features two or three outstanding tracks and then 11 or 12 boring and forgettable ones. Tairrie B. may have a load of emotion and intensity to bring with her hair-raising screams and growls, but with absolutely nothing to back them, they become obsolete. Unless you are completely obsessed with this band, I wouldn't recommend going out and getting this album - ever.
-SupZac

MY RUIN
THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME -
CENTURY MEDIA
After listening to this EP, I prayed that this wouldn't actually be the shape of things to come for any band. My Ruin probably had a lot of fun recording this and putting it together, but the mistake was made in sharing this experience with the rest of the world. The songs wander around aimlessly like lost children in K-Mart. The "mini-movie" featured on this disc was so bad that I don't even have the power to forget about it. I expected more, and I got less.
-SupZac

NAIAD
HARDCORE EMOTION
GOODLIFE
It's really fascinating to see how other countries perceive the American rock scene. With Kyoto, Japan's Naiad, it's clear that they favor the hardcore over anything else. Despite the very stupid title of their EP, Naiad's debut is damn good. Through songs such as "Believing Dreams" and "Hopeful Progress", it's obvious that these guys listen to their fair share of Atreyu, but it's not to their detriment; and the off-hand breakdowns make you forget that you're listening to a six-minute song. Naiad has a bright future in the hardcore scene, and it'll be interesting to hear what they can do with a full-length album.
-Ryan Pangilinan

NAKED AGGRESSION
THE GUT WRINGING MACHINE
RODENT POPSICLE RECORDS
Originally released by Cargo in '97, THE GUT WRINGING MACHINE could've been the tragically lost swansong for these L.A. hardcore foot soldiers. Shortly before embarking on their support tour, creative leader and guitarist Phil Suchomel died from asthma complications. As the band clung for creative and financial survival, the record was shelved by a disinterested record company. The re-release delivers the groups cleanest sound, but by no means polishes their abrasive material. Singer Kirsten Patches squeals and sneers, while trying desperately to be heard over the boys' thrash and spaz punk. The guitar work and overall production (much improved from that on previous releases - though no less passionate) supports the kind of socio-political mission statement lyricism that you'd expect behind a group of Bukowski name-droppers.
-Rob Macy

NEVER HEARD OF IT
THE NEW SHIT
UNMOTIVATED
So, this is the new shit, eh? Yikes. If the new shit sounds like Simple Plan, Blink 182, The Ataris, and the countless other faceless, candy-coated punk rockers, we're in deep trouble, as the four songs offered here by California quartet Never Heard of It don't give much hope to anyone over the age of 18 who doesn't endorse the MTV mall-punk movement. This outfit is a synthesizer away from being a boy band, and that's always a scary thought. Visit Website
-Mike SOS

NIGHTWISH
CENTURY CHILD
CENTURY MEDIA
Finland's Nightwish return with their 10-track, 2003 release CENTURY CHILD. What they didn't realize is that they have released a monument of creativity and invention for the entire genre of power metal. Composer, keyboarder, pianist, and founding member Tuomas Holopainen has surpassed his own limits with some of the most beautifully-arranged songs I've ever heard. Lead vocalist Tarja Turunen literally mystifies me with her haunting, operatic vocals. It's as if the band truly spent months on each individual song, paying attention to every detail, just as an artist takes extra care to brush up on every aspect of his or her paintings. "End of All Hope" and "Dead to the World" are two of the most sensational songs on the album, while the album's 10-minute epic, "Beauty of the Beast" easily showcases the band's extensive amount of talent. The bottom line is: you must purchase CENTURY CHILD.
-SupZac

NOAM CHOMSKY
THE EMERGING FRAMEWORK OF WORLD POWER
ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES
Jello Biafra and the gang at Alternative Tentacles want you to be informed about the world that we live in. Here is yet another golden opportunity to spend some time with one of the great minds of our time: Noam Chomsky. Mr. Chomsky connects the pitfalls of modern life with the history that led us here. This is frank and sometimes illusion-trampling information. We need to know the truth now more than ever. I implore you to get this disc and listen with an open mind. There is trouble that is of our own making that is more than likely going to get worse. It is time to be someone with information rather than just someone with an opinion. Dare to know the facts. Dare to listen to Noam Chomsky.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

ORIGINAL CAST
PEARL AND THE PUMPKIN
Visit Website
PEARL AND THE PUMPKIN is a pure old-fashioned delight. Written in 1904 as a children's book, it debuted on Broadway two years later. Now, Daniel Freeman has written new music and lyrics for this amazing and magical 21st-century version of this magnificent tale. This production is a treasure for the child in each of us. I loved it - and so did my four-year-old niece. PEARL AND THE PUMPKIN is a masterpiece. Wow!
-K. Barry Zimmerman

PSYCHOTOGEN
THE CALCULUS OF EVIL
CRASH
While the latest, eight-track endeavor by Psychotogen sounds like a class that they may give at your local community college (sign me up, please), it is, in fact, not remotely close to that. However, there is a lesson to be learned from this Maryland-based troupe that employs modern metal techniques ‡ la Meshuggah and Candiria to hammer its point across. The lesson for today, boys and girls, is that metal is an art form which transcends boundaries and stereotypes. Just check out the acoustic alchemy of "The Poison Sleep" or the atmospheric keyboards in "Psychotogen II" for proof that, when combined with crushing riffs such as the frantic "Descending", a monster of a band is born that can wipe away all preconceived notions about metal and its sub-genres. For the adventurous metalhead, Psychotogen delivers. And for those doubting Thomas dumbasses, Psychotogen adds a blistering cover of Judas Priest's "All Guns Blazing" to quell the critics. Visit Website
-Mike SOS

QUICK FIX
THE PUSH
LONESOME RECORDINGS
THE PUSH is the third release by Boston's Quick Fix. Not steering too far from their first two efforts, GET YOURS and ANIMALLOVE, this record gets by on its aggressive, no-nonsense hard rock. A lot of this abrasiveness you'll hear in tracks such as "Sick" and "Do Us a Favor", riding upon crunchy guitars and snarly vocals. There are also those tunes that move slightly slower, such as "Love Is Like Ephedrine". THE PUSH has a pretty good game plan: power guitars, gutsy lyrics, and some hefty rock 'n' roll. It works for me.
-Darren Ratner

RADA
THE DOUBLE TALL SESSIONS
BLUE WORM RECORDS
There has been a recent influx of Fugazi-esque bands invading the airwaves for the last few months. RADA is a Minneapolis-based rock band that has incorporated different elements from artists such as Fugazi, Radiohead, and The Mars Volta. The sound can not really be described as heavy, but more as emotional. The vocals remind me of Radiohead, in the sense that they carry a very ambient melody. Some of the guitar riffs border on classic rock. If you're a fan of the aforementioned bands, RADA might just be worth a listen.
-ADF

RANDOM JEFF
THE CREEPY PEE PEE E.P.
SELF-RELEASED
Once again, another band made up of musicians who truly aspire to be the best they can be but yet succumb to mediocre music. The songs aren't bad, they just sound like the pop-TRL-punk of bands like New Found Glory, Blink 182, and The Ataris (come to think about, neither of those bands are punk, they just wear mall-punk clothing and accessories). Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Random Jeff commits to California for the better weather, only to be influenced by the no-brainer, corporate pop-punk machine. Why the band chose this path is beyond me, because it possesses the talent to play more original stuff.
-Larry Lugz

RENO DIVORCE
YOU'RE ONLY MAKING IT WORSE
BOSS TUNEAGE
Denver's Reno Divorce offer up some quality, fast-paced, melodic punk on their follow-up to 2002's NAYSAYERS AND YESMEN. On YOU'RE ONLY MAKING IT WORSE, the guys conjure up some of punk's greatest acts. For instance, "Bitch, I Hope You're Happy" brings to mind Pennywise, while elements of Bad Religion come through on the darker "A .45 Will Pay the Rent", and "Always Be Your Slave" and "Kiss It Goodbye" have a Down By Law feel. However, the trio meld these influences in their own way with gritty, raw rock 'n' roll, so the songs don't ever sound rehashed or unoriginal. Also included on the disc are a few mid-tempo songs (like "Getting' Used to You" and "Talk of the Town"), which add to the album's diversity.
-Janelle Jones

REV NEIL DOWN
WHEN A WRONG TURNS RIGHT
BURN BARREL RECORDS
This is what happens when middle-aged people from Alaska skip their meds and fly to Ireland to record songs. Most of this record plays like a samba gone terribly wrong. As quirky as it may be, this music remains irksome and void of any truly intriguing material. Mr. Down (the eccentric, dark-haired singer after whom this shaky troop is named) insists on singing songs in an absurd pseudo-Latin tone that doesn't work much better than a laptop in a swimming pool. It is difficult to assess how serious the folks behind the scenes of this musical train wreck truly were, especially in light of their asinine puns and ultra-cheesy song titles (such as "Sometimes Paradise (Seems So Far Away)").
-Dave Kargol

THE RUM DIARY
POISONS THAT SAVES LIVES
SUBSTANDARD RECORDS
Leave your dancing shoes at home, because The Rum Diary specializes in moody, experimental rock in the vein of Three Mile Pilot, Mogwai, and Sense Field. Named after a lost Hunter Thompson novel, The Rum Diary are a quartet based out of Cotati, a semi-rural town 50 miles north of San Francisco (best known for its annual accordion festival!). This is spaced-out, shoe-gazing indie rock ideal for lying in bed and doing absolutely nothing. Tracks like "Say Goodbye to Nothing" and "It's Midnight" have a very layered sound due to the fact that they perform with two drum kits, two basses, reverbed guitars, a Moog synthesizer, and hushed vocals. If you dig experimental music, pick this album up immediately. For everyone else, this album makes a great soundtrack to your Mary Jane sessions.
-Jude Ruiz

SCOTT MILLER AND THE COMMONWEALTH
UPSIDE DOWNSIDE
SUGAR HILL
Regardless of whether you love it or hate it, there is no denying that Scott Miller and his crew of cornbread musicians are as country as they come. If the presence of plaid flannel coats and pet dogs within this album's liner notes wasn't enough to convince, you can bet the farm that Miller's sassy and Southern-flavored brand of rockabilly will drive the point far beyond home. "Upside Downside" paints a picture of any given saloon in the dirty South. Unless you're a tried and true Billy Ray Cyrus fan (the album elicits some very unwelcome memories of the "Achy-Breaky Heart" era), this record is more than likely to lack the allure to bring you into the square dance with Miller, his gang, and the rest of the squares.
-Dave Kargol

SHAWN ALEXIS
KJELL
SELF-RELEASED
The sophomore release from Los Angeles-based folk diva Shawn Alexis showcases her deeply resonant, country-tinged vocals against her often sparse folk arrangements. It is never easy being the daughter of a musician(her mother, Mars Bonfire, wrote the hit "Born to Be Wild"), but Alexis has forged her own path and used her talents well. The music on this disc ranges from pure acoustic guitar to more upbeat, rock-influenced numbers that include electric guitars, banjos, and a plethora of background instruments. Though often soft and bordering on a fusion country sound, this music is very listenable. While she is still playing local L.A. gigs, Alexis has already had two record labels try to sign her to their rosters. It is only a matter of time before she gets picked up by a label that can afford to promote her music the way it should be. Visit Website
-DUG

SIDE WALK SLAM
AND WE DRIVE
TOOTH AND NAIL RECORDS
The third full-length release from this Evansville, IN, punk trio is another catchy, hook-laden album full of tunes that instantly bring Blink 182 and MxPx to mind. After losing original singer Marcuss Hall, who had written all the tunes on the first album and all but two on the second release, bassist Josiah Curtis has stepped in with some admirable songwriting of his own. Perhaps the biggest rap against this group is that they sound too much like Blink 182; but what do you want from a group of 18-year-olds signed to an ostensibly "Christian" record label? The band has a Website, which includes its own e-mail chat board, wallpaper downloads, free music, and a video for the legions of young church-goers who will flock to this band's live shows. Once again, Tooth and Nail has found a band full of musicians who can wear their hearts on their sleeves without being preachy or sounding like Amy Grant. Check out band's site at Visit Website.
-DUG

SINAI BEACH
WOLVES IN SHEEPS CLOTHING
STRIKE FIRST RECORDS
This is definitely not the Pope's new album. In fact, this is probably the type of music that fucked up all those priests. What happened to these guys to make them hate so much that they felt the need to write this album? As soon as you put it in your car stereo, you will want to kill all the fucks who decide to cut you off on the 101 freeway. I know this is a weak review, but everything about this CD was awesome. Pretty soon one of these band members is going to figure out that they all need some serious therapy, and that will be the end of this (I dare say) great band. If you ever decide you want to commit mass genocide, then make this album you anthem. I did.
-Ian Wilkins

SLEEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM
LIVE
SICKROOM
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, what were you thinking creating this live CD? I'm not too sure what the fuck this is. Music? I think not; more like an inept effort at creating what seems to be homemade hardcore noise. Being open-minded musically, I am accepting to all forms. But this did not strike me as appealing - although the band is talented. Think along the lines of Autopsy Summer Camp with a homemade industrial twist. All of the songs remind me of a drawn-out outro that would conclude a CD. Amazingly, you get 16 outros for the price of what you would hope to be one decent CD. How ironic. Track 11, "Edge of the World/GIBBERISH", describes Sleepytime Gorilla Museum's latest release: a bunch of gibberish. I would much rather get a lump of coal than this piece of shit as my stocking-stuffer. Visit Website
-Courtney Riot

SLUGG-O
BROKEN
MELROSE
It's cool to see that SoCal's Slugg-o covers a roaring rendition of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger", but the rest of BROKEN is even cooler. Take a listen to tunes such as "Back and Forth", which carries steady, rousing percussion to complement its light vocal harmonies and hard electric guitars. A lot of the CD does more of the same, belting forward hunks of bubble-gum pop-punk (e.g., "Left Behind", "Broken"). The attractiveness in sound and overall charm, however, is something to smile about indeed. Slugg-o was nominated for Best Punk Band at the 2002 Orange County Music Awards, and it's not hard to see why.
-Darren Ratner

SMALL AXE
RIDE TO THE BOTTOM
HOeX RECORDS
Formed in Western New York, Small Axe were voted best band of 2001 in New York's METROLAND MAGAZINE, and I can see why. Small Axe sounds like something that would happen if The Butthole Surfers had jammed with The MC5. RIDE TO THE BOTTOM is the trio's forth release and showcases the group's penchant for making rock music with a retro feel, yet still managing to make it sound very here and now! Songs such as "Autumn Ter" and "Cinnamon Grove" are straightforward, guitar-driven rock tunes with traces of psychedelica, while others delve into the experimental rock vibe with heavy doses of psychedelia (for example, "Windy Hill" and "Misty Hallow" (the latter even features Jimi Hendrix-esque guitar riffs)). In a nutshell, you can't go wrong with this one.
-Jude Ruiz

SMARTY PANTS
ANNOYAGER
LITTLE MAFIA RECORDS
" What rhymes with 'smarty'? 'Party'! / What rhymes with 'pants'? 'Dance'!" With lyrics like that, how can a band go wrong? The new CD from Oklahoma's bizarre robotic weirdoes Smarty Pants is a voyage into every strange and quirky corner of the mind. With a sound that mixes equal parts of The B-52s, Devo, and Flo and Eddie, the band has crafted a body of comic music that is as astounding as it is entertaining. This could be the band's third full-length, or sixth, or 12th, release, depending on whether you count the myriad of singles compilations, re-releases, and truly hilarious EPs on the band's Website. There is plenty of entertainment on this disc, including several small capsules in the CD that expand into colored animals when dropped in warm water. I guess I really don't know if this band is ever going to escape from Oklahoma or what the future might holds for these madcap artists. One can only hope this insanity continues for a very long time.
Visit Website
-DUG

STELLAR TUESDAY
EP/DEMO
SELF-RELEASED
One reviewer wrote that "if David Bowie started a band today on the pop-punk scene, Stellar Tuesday are the likely result" - and that is precisely why this person should be shot and killed. This sounds nothing like Bowie. Glam, yes; Bowie, no. I'm not much of a fan of watered-down emo/pop/punk, but this sounds to me like Jimmy Eat World, Something Corporate, or Eve 6 with a hint of glam. Stellar Tuesday are formidable musicians, and their EP has a very melodic sound (similar to the '80s band Enuff Z' Nuff). The band's two-song demo "Everything Reminds Me"/"I Wish Tonight" has a more confident sound that's demands to heard, though at times the singing is so theatrical that I feel like I am listening to songs from the musical RENT. In fact, I think I'll go listen to that right now!
-Jude Ruiz

STEREOSOUL
STEREOSOUL
SELF-RELEASED
Stereosoul come crawling from the corpse of Asbury Park's Cosmic Avenger to deliver hope-for-fame power-pop on their debut. New lead singer Joon Quinn and singer (as he was for Cosmic Avenger)/drummer Gene Pompilio share songwriting credit, thus share guilt for songs like "Internet Life Sucks" (setting a lame tone from track 1). "Mary Stuyvesant" exhumes the lame lounge-act kitsch and preschool wordplay of Smash Mouth, and "(I'm in Love With a) Porno Star" is a piss-poor Weezer-esque take on lusting for a girl on film who'd give up the cash and cock for lame Jersey rockers who aren't Bon Jovi. Most songs by Quinn are brought down by his dispassionate nasal drone (think Tragically Hip's Gordon Downie at '80s karaoke night) - the question is: to what extent? Pompilio's vocals are unique and add considerably to "Baby Blue", which maybe their best song. He tries on "Victims of Capitalism", but can only do so much with a wordy, awkward chorus. Ultimately, Stereosoul lacks enthusiasm and purpose in vocals and melody, but with Pompilio's voice and the right songs, they'd be ahead of the game instead of sounding like Barenaked Ladies falling down a flight of stairs.
-Rob Macy

STICKS AND STONES
THE STRIFE AND TIMES
CHUNKSAAH
Comprised of two CDs, 41 tracks, and almost 120-minutes of music, THE STRIFE AND TIMES is an excellent career retrospective of the influential NJ punk band Sticks and Stones (who were around from 1987-1995), featuring demos, 7"s, previously-unreleased live cuts, and two full-lengths. The material on this compilation is presented chronologically, and so reflects the band's progression. For instance, dominated by scratchy guitars, heavy bass, stomping drums, and off-the-cuff vocals(quite similar to Reagan Youth(the first disc's opening eight tracks are gloriously lo-fi, amateurish, energetic, and just drenched in youthful vigor. Meanwhile, the second disc is far more polished, as over time the band honed their skills. In fact, the final tracks included on this disc (which are originally from 1994's THE OPTIMIST CLUB, their last LP) are some of the strongest on the comp, proving that the band went out on top.
-Janelle Jones

SYMPHONY IN PERIL
LOST MEMOIRS AND FADED PICTURES
FACEDOWN
On this band's press sheet and on the packaging for the CD reads: "featuring vocals by Shawn Jonas, formerly of ZAO!" Too bad Jonas's new band isn't nearly as innovative - or entertaining, for that matter. It's pretty generic hardcore, complete with double bass, psuedo-metal guitar playing, clever song titles, and harsh, harsh vocals. The songs that are worth listening to are few and far between and spread out through the record. There's no consistency in quality, only in noise. I would not recommend this to fans of ZAO, because they didn't get good until "Self-Titled"...and Jonas's exit maybe the reason why.
-Ryan Pangilinan

THE BANANAS IN THE BAHAMAS
CAKES OF POO
SELF-RELEASED
The Bananas in the Bahamas are not a Jimmy Buffett cover band, but they could only sound worse if they were. You can call it garage rock, because their mom's don't want that crap sound in the house. Call them The Soledad Brothers without soul, but you can't call them witty. They deliver four songs that (hopefully) come off as ridiculous as they're supposed to be when being delivered by the teenage "something to do between masturbation and X-Box" set. However, if covering (and butchering) The Velvet Underground in their 20 minutes of fame says anything, it's that their influences won't do too much damage to your hopes for the future.
-Rob Macy

THE BERLIN PROJECT
THE THINGS WE SAY
ORANGE PEEL RECORDS
Pittsburgh 20-somethings The Berlin Project "evolved" from a teen ska-punk act into the beloved emo-punk category over three years ago. Now they deliver their sophomore release THE THINGS WE SAY and ride high on a second stage spot on the Warped Tour. Unfortunately, the group musically digs the barren middle ground between Blink 182 and Bad Religion, while lacking either's ability to say anything interesting in the process. Luckily, these sensitive thugs have a clear and mediocre pattern to follow, in the long line pop-punk acts turning boy band. They provide their 11 tracks of dull, unmemorable, Jimmy Eat World-thieving riffs and effects that can (and will) get buried between Juliana Theory, Simple Plan, and Midtown, all while teetering on the brink of stardom by looks alone.
-Rob Macy

THE BOOZE
INVASION OF THE HYMEN DESTROYERS
SELF-RELEASED
These kids look young, and the music reflects it. There is some cool garage attitude at moments, but overall, INVASION OF THE HYMEN DESTROYERS is amateurish and just not very good. The Booze need to practice and work at it and mature - and then who knows? In a few years, we could all be kneeling at their greatness and calling them genius rockers...but not today.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

THE COME N' GO
RHYTHM N' BLOOD
VOODOO RHYTHM RECORDS
The Come N' Go are four pissed-off cats hailing from Biel/Bienne (a small Swiss town), and they throw together a mix of distortion-heavy, scuzzed-out R&B, punk, garage, and rockabilly. For their debut album, they enlisted Robert Butler (Reverend Beat-Man, Miracle Workers) to produce a very raw sound that falls somewhere between The Cramps and The Oblivians. This album kicks off with a sleazed-up version of a Jimmy Reed blues classic "Baby What's Wrong", then rocks right into "Loosers Avenue", and never lets up. On the downside, there's not a lot of variation here, and girl drummer Marina has only one beat. At the very least, RHYTHM N' BLOOD should have what it takes to get you amped up. If not, go get a fuckin' Red Bull!
-Jude Ruiz

THE EMPTY
SELF-TITLED
UNKNOWN LABEL
If you like emo that crosses the line of ass-kicking straight into annoying, Portland, OR's The Empty might be for you. This three-track EP has some good guitar slamming going on throughout, along with a bit of hardcore punk and indie ("Her Flames", for example). All in all, though, there's not much here to grab on to, and the calamitous sound becomes way too much.
-Darren Ratner

THE FORMAT
INTERVENTIONS AND LULLABIES
ELEKTRA
If you haven't already heard of this duo emerging from the ever-growing Arizona scene, you will soon. Sam Means and Nate Ruess have put together and released a finely-crafted pop album from their new home, major label Elektra. Just like the name implies, the band has created 12 songs that seem to fit a perfect power-pop format, acoustic guitars and all. The first track on the album is perfectly named "The First Single". Despite the cookie-cutter shape INTERVENTIONS AND LULLABIES seems to fit into, it still shines brightly as a pop gem, with a bit of country and indie influences to balance it out. Some songs that stand out include "Give It Up" and "Tune Out". The lyrics are satirical and clever, making you question everyday habits and tendencies. This is an all-around great first full-length to follow up a catchy first EP. Visit Website
-tChow

THE FRISK
AUDIO RANSOM NOTE
ADELINE
What do AFI, The Nerve Agents, Loose Change, and The Criminals have in common? Two words, one band: The Frisk, whose sophomore release, AUDIO RANSOM NOTE, is a brilliant follow-up to 2001's striking RANK RESTRAINT (Adeline). The Frisk's AUDIO RANSOM NOTE is a 17-track collection of hard-hitting rock 'n' roll that is sure to captivate you slowly but surely. Take Turbonegro, The Stitches, and add a splash of '80s guitar riffs combined in a unique way and you get a 38-minute masterpiece. With tracks like "Down by the Beautiful Bay", "Small Town Myopia", "We Will", and "Bully On", it's apparent The Frisk have one goal: to make sure you rock out. And, believe me, you will! Add this CD to your Christmas list, fucker. It's a must-have! Visit Website
-Courtney Riot

THE GAY
YOU KNOW THE RULES
MINT RECORDS
Following in the footsteps of fellow Vancouver natives The New Pornographers, The Gay have collected some of the most flawless and delicate pop songs since The Shins' debut. Maija Martin and Sara Lapsley catfight for the sweetest voice in the band and the world's female population, leading to some disparity from song to song, as lesser vocalists chime in (leaving "Robert Smith" with a droning and irritating cheese-grater-to-your-last-nerve effect). Despite the occasional vocal snags, they make up for by employing the accordion in a manner that maximizes its potential for making pleasant noise. Drummer Keith Perry, the lone boy in the group, pulls his weight with tight, precise drum work beside Coco Culbertson's bass. Tobey Black is tasteful on guitar, occasionally overplaying her required bits, yet never to the overall detriment of the song. The mixed writing duties keep the tunes fresh from one to the next, but the all-girl estro-fest harmonies know cozy hooks and perfect choruses like sugar knows sweet.
-Rob Macy

THE JEFF KAISER OCKODEKTET
13 THEMES FOR A TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIC
PFMENTUM
The term "avant-garde" gets tossed around in Jeff Kaiser reviews like a bleeding tourist in a Sea World shark tank. Appropriately, the twisted and almost shapeless compositions of his ockodektet (consisting of 17 musicians) embody a highly uneasy sound that seems, at times, to hint at a lurking and hidden danger. These songs are better described as experiments, continually flailing miscellaneous sounds and endlessly shifting form. Although it can be difficult at times to pinpoint a structure within these scattered concoctions, their continual free-form antics hint at a strong rooting in jazz - and an even stronger inclination for balls-out experimentalism, no explanation necessary. This is a gutsy journey into the bleak and unexplored depths of symphony, with no flashlight to be found.
-Dave Kargol

THE MAGDALYNS
WORD-SPOKEN GET-UP MAN
SUGARPLUM RECORDS
The Magdalyns are from Pennsylvania. They play a dark type of punk rock that isn't metal or anything too heavy. They play a type of punk rock that's more in the roots of PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, and Tom Waits, a big, deep, dark sound that rocks. The singer has a great voice, too, a defiant moan that pleads to simultaneously escape and embrace the darkness his lyrics conjure. WORD-SPOKEN GET-UP MAN is their second album. You should check them out now before they're all the rage so that you can tell your friends you were into them first.
-chad

THE METHADONES
CAREER OBJECTIVE
THICK/STARDUMB RECORDS
One hell of a heavy-hitting debut. Fast, frantic, frenzy, fist-pumping punk fuckin' rock. This band features Dan Schafer (a.k.a. Dan Vapid), who in the past has graced many a band (e.g., Screeching Weasel, Riverdales, Queers, Mopes, Sludgeworth) with his punk-rock ethos and purity. This time out, he definitely outshines all of the aforementioned bands. The style is pure punk mayhem, akin to the likes of The Damned, Deadboys, and The Ramones, mixed with a bit of mid-era Meatmen and early Electric Frankenstein. The guitar work is solid and meaty. The vocals are straight-up barroom sing-along anthems. This is destined to be a classic. Plus, you get the ultra-groovy, neato music video "Say Goodbye to Your Generation". What more do you need to get this party started?
-Larry Lugz

THE REVOLVERS
END OF APATHY
- PEOPLE LIKE YOU RECORDS
Holy shit! Punk rawk! The Revolvers are insane. High-energy guitar rock that bridges the gap between old-school punk like The Deadboys and new rock hybrid insanity of Turbonegro. Chunky guitar licks, over-the-top vocal churning, breakneck drumming, and thundering bass lines make this the tell-all rock album of all time. Hailing from Germany, it's balls-out American rock meets American punk sound kicks you heavily in the balls - and then makes a beeline to a heavier kick in your ass. Not for the faint of heart. More suited for the criminally insane. Get this, or forever admit you're an emo pussy wimp.
-Larry Lugz

THE SILENCE
AUDIO ALCHEMY
SELF-RELEASED
Scream a little, play fast guitars, have a lot of energy, and write songs about being miserable, and you just might have some success. That seems to be the credo of The Silence, as their new release AUDIO ALCHEMY clarifies. "This is the saddest story I hope you'll ever hear." With lyrics like this, how can you lose? "Stained blood and the smell of roses and cheap perfume." As far as I'm concerned, that's a license to print money. The Silence sounds like they know what they're doing. There are many interesting harmonies - the kind that really impress - followed up by some soulful screaming. However, The Silence still just strikes me as a band trying to fit in. Pretty fond of random samples, the band whispers and screams, trying to seem multi-dimensional...and it works, to an extent; but it eventually wore me down.
-AC Lerok of Philadelphia

THE SKEPTICS
RIGHT FROM THE START
SELF-RELEASED
To put it in simple terms: good musicians doing their best to sound like Less Than Jake. The Skeptics do their best to deliver the sugar-coated goodness of cutesy ska-punk. I just don't buy into that stuff. On a musical level, The Skeptics got what it takes to nail those tricky tempos, lightning-paced breaks, and catchy chorus romps. Sure, it's fun...it's just not all that original.
-Larry Lugz

THE SNAKE THE CROSS THE CROWN
LIKE A MOTH BEFORE A FLAME
WASTE OF TIME RECORDS
The debut record from Huntsville, AL's The Snake the Cross the Crown, LIKE A MOTH BEFORE A FLAME, is emo that, ultimately, follows through on fiery melodies to make it a winner. Tracks such as "Hot Anger Soon Cold" meld together interesting beats with stretchy-sounding electronics and crisp guitars. Emotion in the music follows through, as well, especially in ballad-like tunes such as "Moneymaker", where introductory piano and harmonies stand as the highlights. An intriguing band name never hurt, either.
-Darren Ratner

THESSALONIAN DOPE GODS
HIGH IDOL PULSATION
SIN KLUBB ENTERTAINMENT
With some kind of Martian purgatory interpretation of the HOUSES OF THE HOLY cover, you would think Ohio's Thessalonian Dope Gods were trying to pull off an illusion of depth. Drawing on every '90s industrial-death metal influence from Nine Inch Nails to KMFDM to White Zombie to Front Line Assembly, they can't seem to find anything new on their second effort, HIGH IDOL PULSATION. The mush and jumble of Mortal Kombat death blips and vomit gurgling vocals serve as a veil for the fact that the low-end mix is shit. None of the tracks touch on the studio quality or artistic creativity of any of their heroes, as they come off more as a sloppy GWAR cover band (without all the rad bodily fluids) than what was suggested by their debut: a band that might carry the torch passed on by the likes of NIN and Ministry.
-Rob Macy

THE STAGGERS
ONE HEARTBEAT AWAY FROM HELL
HAUNTED TOWN
With subject matter pertaining to bloodlust revenge ("Kill By Kill"), aliens ("Darkest Before Dawn"), souls who are "cursed to walk the Earth" ("Lost Souls"), and the "Book of the Dead" (which, of course, pays homage to EVIL DEAD), The Staggers display a penchant for the macabre. Like The Misfits (but nowhere near as hardcore and aggressive), they make the ghoulish unbelievably fun with their B-move horror imagery - just check out "Damnation" ("I've tasted human flesh and drank the blood of babes") or "Earth Dies Screaming" ("I will laugh when you cry / Rejoice when you die / 'Cause I am that deranged") - all enveloped in a punk/rockabilly hybrid. The foursome let their inner hillbilly shine with an admirable cover of Hank Williams's "I Saw the Light", which is followed by a bunch of ditties performed by frontman Joe Blow (accompanied solely by his acoustic guitar).
-Janelle Jones

THE VEXERS
GANGLAND BALLADS & THE DEATH SEX SET
ACE FU RECORDS
The Vexers sound like early-'80s Los Angeles new wave band. Between Ross Warren's dirty, urban surf riffs and Jennifer Taylor's vampish, rockin' singing (she is a star) on top of a steady, dark rhythm section, The Vexers have come to give the party some sweet, dangerous cool. This 20-minute debut starts off with a clip from Dario Argento's (Italy's horror god) film OPERA, which works brilliantly. Then, track 1, "Vexers Radio", rips. The Vexers music is hard and menacing without being metalish or obnoxious. I wish that GANGLAND BALLADS & THE DEATH SEX SET was longer - that's my one and only beef. The Vexers rock, and that's the bottom line.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

THOSE UNKNOWN
THOSE UNKNOWN
TKO
Putting the street back in street punk, the working-class wares of Those Unknown have been re-released, thanks to the kind folk at TKO. Recorded in 1995, much of the seething apathy in tunes such as "Bound for Glory, Headed for Hell", and "Darker Hours" still resonates today, as bands like Dropkick Murphys and One Man Army cite this New Jersey trio as a major influence on their music. Nothing fancy or contrived here, punkers, just three guys pounding out noisy, three-chord rock anthems for the disaffected blue-collar clan. Visit Website
-Mike SOS

UNCLE MAX'S COSMIC BAND
LICKING THE TOAD IN THE BLACK CHURCH
HALLUCINATTI 22
The debate is over: hell exists, and it comes in the form of a compact disc. It's difficult to conjure the appropriate adjectives to describe the unfathomable worthlessness of this album, and I feel fairly confident in guessing that my assignment to review it comes as part of some sort of SKRATCH hazing process. I personally would have preferred a pin through the chest. This poorly-assembled CD-R documents collaboration between 10 dirty burnouts and culminates into one colossal ear-borne audio ass explosion. I assume that the band's distribution skills are probably no better than their cover-art production talents - though you should still consider yourself lucky if you're fortunate enough to never cross paths with this stewing garbage-brew. This shit isn't even worth a laugh.
-Dave Kargol

U.S. BOMBS
PUT STRENGTH IN THE FINAL BLOW
DISASTER RECORDS
PUT STRENGTH IN THE FINAL BLOW is an expanded version of U.S. Bombs 1994 debut record (now long out of print), plus some 7" material and some live recordings from the same period. It opens with an instrumental, "Time Is Loose", which is practically shocking - an instrumental, wow! U.S. Bombs carry their love of The Clash and British punk on their sleeves, but this is pure Orange County, CA, punk - you can hear the skater energy and "fuck you" in the assault. And the packaging is great with loads of commentary from Bombs voxster Duane Peters. PUT STRENGTH IN THE FINAL BLOW is worth every dime you'll pay. Turn it up and get wasted.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

VARIOUS ARTIST
BOSTON SCENE REPORT
TKO RECORDS
Four bands doing eight songs (two apiece), all hailing from Beantown to prove that Boston isn't just pop/ska/melodic fodder but still a major breeding ground for debauchery, nihilism, and degenerate fun. Included here you get the in-your-face streetpunk style of Suspect Device, the aggressive and more melodic punk of Tommy & the Terrors, the browbeating old-school hardcore stylings of A-Team (check out their brutal cover of Motorhead's "Iron Fist"), and the glittery, raucous trash rock of Fast Acting Fuses. All four bands prove that an eclectic array of music is still the focus of the Boston scene. All important and all worth listening to. This is a great sampler and well worth the price of admission to the look inside a tight, energetic scene.
-Larry Lugz

VARIOUS ARTISTS
DOGHOUSE 100
DOGHOUSE
Doghouse releases on November 25th the reasonably-priced compilation DOGHOUSE 100 to commemorate their 100th release. Doghouse Records has become a well-known name in the indie scene, releasing albums from such notable names as The Get-Up Kids, Hot Water Music, and (more recently) the wildly popular duo The All-American Rejects. This relatively short compilation makes up in quality what it lakes in quantity. Beginning with a track from The All-American Rejects, the compilation delivers hit after hit of Doghouse tunes, all the way down to the very last track (from Sunday Driver). At the low price of $5.98, who can resist?! Visit Website
-tChow

VARIOUS ARTISTS
KINKY STAR HOT COLLECTION
KINKY STAR RECORDS
This 15-song compilation from Belgium-based Kinky Star Records is a bizarre collection of everything from surf music to Flemish hip-hop. While Belgian music hasn't made much of a dent in the American market, this label is one of the largest and most successful independent labels in Europe. The CD comes with an audio disc and a multimedia disc (which is more or less a high-tech advertisement that is difficult to navigate). It is always interesting to see how foreign bands sing in English - sometimes resorting to simple lyrics to state their case, often just blurting out funny mispronunciations. Though Kinky Star is a daring label unafraid to sign any type of music, the bands here will never be international stars. Their most popular band, Starfighter, has two songs on this disc, previewing tunes from their soon-to-be-released full-length CD. Their sound is a melodic indie vibe, but it just doesn't sound as if the band will be knocking anybody's socks off on this side of the pond. This CD is more of a curiosity than a collector's item.
-DUG

MIDWEST RULES [COMPILATION]
NO COAST PUNK ROCK
HAUNTED TOWN RECORDS
Anyone else find it ironic that the cover art for a Midwest-themed compilation is a Pabst Blue Ribbon can? No? Well, maybe it was just me. I didn't like this record. Oh, hell, I'll be honest: the songs all sound the same, with a different annoying dude fronting each different band. The guitar runs without interruption from song to song - not as a mixing trick, merely because all the songs are carbon copies of each other. The songs are sloppy and boring. I don't know. I guess I just expected more from a region that has turned out so much good stuff before. There's just nothing here.
-AC Lerok of Philadelphia

VARIOUS ARTISTS
SERVING THE BEST IN ROCK 'N' ROLL
PEEPHOLE RECORDS
Excellent two-CD debut comp from Florida's Peephole Records featuring 50 songs, many of which are previously unreleased. With tracks from established bands like The Queers, Squirtgun, The Norma Jeans, Beatnik Termites, Teen Idols, and The Independents; as well as lesser-known acts, including impressive bands like the male/female fronted Oppressed Logic, Citizen Drake, The Vermin, and the Bratmobile-like Sugardish; and boasting plenty of different styles (including hardcore punk, '50s rock 'n' roll-tinged punk, pop-punk, ska, and indie), there's definitely something for (mostly) everybody. Some standout tracks are The Groovie Ghoulies' rendition of The Ramones' "Pet Sematary"; The Green Goblyn Project's "Blood Splattered Bride"; Ballistic's disturbing, insanely fast and heavy "Bloodlust"; and The Dead Heroes' dark, hardcore "Loved Ya to Death".
-Janelle Jones

VARIOUS ARTISTS
SHUT THE PUNK UP
NEW SCHOOL RECORDS
Not much to really say here. SHUT THE PUNK UP is exactly what is going on here. The majority of the bands here choose to abandon the aggressive intensity of punk and aim for the POP target here. In fact, most of these big name bands here sound identical to each other. However, there are a few bands that choose to go against the grain and rock out. Bands worth mentioning are Strung Out ("Velvet Alley"), Hospital Food ("Alone"), Satanic Surfers ("4am"), and The Bouncing Souls ("True Believers"). Other than that, this is an uneventful comp and doesn't really try to diversify much. Instead, it tries to cash in on big names with mediocre songs (NOFX, Thrice, Stairwell, Good Riddance, and Mustard Plug). It's your allowance - spend it how you like, kids.
-Larry Lugz

VARIOUS ARTISTS
THE SOUTH BAY COMPLICATION
OTIK RECORDS
Maybe I'm just out of touch, but I don't recognize any of the bands on this compilation. I don't even know where South Bay is. Aren't like Blatz and Green Day from the East Bay? So I'm assuming its right around there - just south of East Bay. This compilation is punk bands playing punk songs. Unless you're from the South Bay or planning on visiting there, this compilation isn't that spectacular. But it's a good album, nonetheless. Plus, there are 26 bands and 26 tracks, so that's a good deal! Track 24, "Forget the World" by Scarpochi, is a really good song that stood out to me. Otherwise, there isn't too much variety in artists; they all just sort of blend into each other.
-chad

VARIOUS ARTISTS
THIS IS SOLID STATE VOLUME 4
SOLID STATE
Like a blow to the head, this compilation knocks the hell straight out of you...literally, as Christian-friendly label Solid State rolls out its latest and greatest on a CD/DVD set. Focusing on the heavier side of the spectrum, acts such as Norma Jean, Demon Hunter, and Stretch Arm Strong bulldoze their way through your CD player, annihilating all in their path. With 13 tracks of audio and 11 video cuts to choose from, how can the God-fearing metal fan go wrong? Solid State has done wonders for the heavy music scene, as the Seattle-based company has broken so many underground heavy artists as of late. So get on the stick and check this whale of a deal out. See what's rising from the underground so that you can be the coolest kid on your block. Visit Website
-Mike SOS

VARIOUS ARTISTS
GREATEST HITS 2
TRAMPOLINE RECORDS
This organic roots-rock compilation, much like its preceding Vol. 1, exists to celebrate the evolving roster of the Hollywood-based Trampoline Records. The label is owned in part by Pete Yorn and Rami Jaffee of The Wallflowers and has been picking up steam since its formation last year. Not surprisingly, it has inherited material from major-label acts such as Liz Phair and has also generated previously-unreleased covers from Yorn and The Wallflowers. "Blue Eyes," an air-tight jingle from a quartet called The Few, stands out with shimmering style and displays their enthralling sound (which has been compared to The Replacements and Bright Eyes). Minnie Driver (like, the actress) also contributes a very impressive musical sonnet that cascades with pensive acoustic guitar and keys. Available at Visit Website.
-Dave Kargol

VISION
DETONATE
CHUNKSAAH RECORDS
Late 1970s punk meets 1980s hardcore, with a very melodic outcome. 15-year veterans of the punk/hardcore scene, Vision have released new material to satisfy the melodic punk/hardcore hunger. The sound is reminiscent of groups like H2O and Agnostic Front. Vocalist David Franklin keeps showing the world that he can still write very circle-pit-friendly songs that will get you singing along. If you're a fan of older hardcore and enjoy straight-ahead punk-core, then the new Vision record is for you.
-ADF

WESLEY WILLIS AND THE DRAGNEWS
GREATEST HITS-VOLUME 3
ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES
In late August 2003, Wesley Willis died at the age of 40 of leukemia. He sounds like he was an interesting, creative person. He was also a bizarre, stream-of-consciousness performer, as this collection proves. Accompanied by a keyboard set on the silly program, Wesley Willis sings about Spider-Man, Oprah, Burger King, the Viper Club, and just whatever seems to be on his mind at the time. His style of singing is comparable to Biz Ramone, only even more raw and more off-key. Wesley Willis was an abstract cat, and if you can't dig that, you will not dig this disc. To say this disc is odd is to say that the world is big. But if you have an ear for something fun and off the beaten path, GREATEST HITS - VOLUME 3 is a hoot.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

WIDOW
MIDNIGHT STRIKES
TRIBUNAL
This album was a lot of fun from start to finish. Widow pulls of a sort of Judas Priest/Iron Maiden sound, but with a few modern influences such as Dark Tranquility or Hammerfall. What's great is that the album really does sound like it was recorded in 1986, and the vocals are just clear enough to keep the mood pre-1990. My only criticism is that many of the tracks are almost identical in formula, going from intro to verse to chorus to verse to chorus to solo to end. As catchy as that may be, it begins to get tedious and childish. If you happen to find this one in the used bin pick it up, but for retail price-probably not worth it.
-SupZac

YOB
CATHARSIS
ABSTRACT
Yob is a Pacific Northwest trio whose doom-laden dirges move at a snail's pace, albeit that of a 100-foot snail. Featuring three songs of gargantuan down-tuned riffs slow-cooked to perfection, it's easy to get lost in the haze of Yob's ethereal smokescreen. Containing 50 minutes of spacey, tripped-out sludge, Yob is not for those with a short attention span; but for those who have the luxury of sitting still for nearly an hour, CATHARSIS is the CD most likely to take the listener to a land outside of their mind. Visit Website
-Mike SOS

YOUNG AND SEXY
LIFE THROUGH ONE SPEAKER
MINT RECORDS INC.
The sophomore follow-up to this Vancouver, BC, band's critically-acclaimed debut, STAND UP FOR YOUR MOTHER, is another wonderfully-realized batch of beautiful tunes. The vocal combination of Lucy Brain and Paul Hixon Pittman lures the listener into a mellow trance, where the music seems to take over every synapse of the mind. The songs are mostly slow, melancholy pieces, with lyrics that speak from a broken heart about lost loves and the consequences we face for the routine decisions we make. Every time I hear this music, I'm reminded of the PET SOUNDS-era Beach Boys. These songs are perfectly-crafted pop songs that haunt the subconscious. Though there are some upbeat tunes on this disc (such as "herculean bellboy"), don't expect any moshing. Instead, revel in some of the finest soft music in the world today. Visit Website
-DUG