Local H Here Comes the Zoo Palm Pictures Sometimes having that song everyone can remember can be a blessing and a curse. With Local H you can always say, "you know, they did the copacetic song." But then again, if you knew who they were I wouldn't have to tell you that, so you see what I mean. But what this duo brings to the table is pure, unadulterated rock songs that are not only fun to listen to, but a kick to sing along to. On this, their fourth album, the two-some take their abilities to a new level and create some of the best music of their career; ear-splitting guitar driven anthems that are lacking in today's shoegazer music world. Half-Life is ferocious. A driving drum arrangement and a killer guitar mountain give lead vocalist Scott Lucas all the tools he needs to belt out the signature vocals he is known for. There is a punk rock undertone to the entire album (even bringing in Misfits legend Jerry Only for a track) that make it much more than a radio rock record. This thing has balls as big as grapefruit and it's a very powerful vehicle to boot. It never dies as your CD powers through the catchy Son of 'Cha!', the smooth mid-tempoed Keep Your Girlfriend and the stand out track Creature Comforted. Local H has always been about keeping the pulse set on high and giving you something to rock out to. This latest effort takes us beyond that and proves why these guys should be thought of as more than a one hit wonder.- Che Brooks
Mental Horror Proclaiming Vengeance Deathvomit Records What’s in the water in Brazil? Something’s giving their drummers, particularly Robles Dresch of Mental Horror, an ability to play at speeds beyond my comprehension. Their latest release, on Necropolis Records’ imprint, Deathvomit, sounds as if Mortician collided head on with Krisiun and Raebelliun. Songs like Genocidal Inquisition and Flagellum Forms, like most of the album’s tracks, showcase the fretwork of Adriano Martini (guitars) and Claudio China’s inaudible lyrics, perhaps the album’s only disappointing element. This trio was also featured on the legendary Brazilian Assault with such underground staples as Nephasth and Abhorrence, two of that country’s greatest bands. If you’re into grind-core that knows only one speed, look no further.- Eddie Jorgensen
Student*Rick Soundtrack for a Generation Victory Will hearts-&-flowers pop punk (or whateveryouwanttocallit) fade like the punk-ska craze of the mid-90’s? Will it follow in the footsteps of that obnoxious malady known as nu metal, spurring so many 9-day-wonder knock-off groups that the bands doing it right and well get lost in the crowd? Let’s hope it will navigate it’s own path and demonstrate staying power beyond record store section labels. So is Student*Rick pop-emo? Sensitive-punk? Indie? Intellectual-hardcore? I don’t know, and that’s probably the best thing about Soundtrack for a Generation. Perhaps it’s just a great rock album (listen to the guitar 32 seconds into Through the Window). The main drawback here is that the production value is too good. The wistful lyrics are overpowered by perfect everything. But this may not be all that bad, just think back to Dear You. Production value aside, this disc is without question a gem of sorts, and, along with Thursday’s Full Collapse, has renewed my faith in Victory. With any luck, Student*Rick will join the ranks of Saves the Day and label mates Thursday playing pensive pop punk without overdoing the fluff or becoming a flavor of the week.- Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
Hella Hold Your Horse Is 5RC/Kill Rock Stars Records Sacramento has spawned a two-man arsenal of hyper-speed, technical instrumentalists under the moniker of Hella. Former Legs On Earth members, Zach Hill (drums) and Spencer Seim (guitar), play a different, bastardized version of progressive/math rock. The band’s insistency to not follow conventional song structure and use baffling song titles (see the album’s play on words for starters), further add to the band’s mystique. After only one independently released e.p., the infamous Leather Diamond, Hella toured the US and amassed a sizeable throng of followers. If Primus collided with C-Average at 500mph, Hella would be the inevitable outcome. Metal riffs coupled with self-indulgent drum workouts are just a few of the reasons to reach for another Jolt Cola. Hella’s sound is as portentous as it is therapeutic, providing a good release for the teenager whose Ritalin prescription just ran dry. Pretty damn cool if you ask me.- Eddie Jorgensen
Strife Angermeans Victory When Strife’s last album was released, it was shoved down my throat with such force and persistence that the mere mention of their name resulted in a severe gag-reflex. Then, in 1998, they broke up. Some were sad, among whom I couldn’t be counted. But they got together to play a few benefit shows in 2000 and subsequently regrouped. Well it’s a damn good thing because the result, not quite what I expected, is remarkable. Ever present is Strife’s signature heavy-as-hell Los Angeles hardcore, but on Angermeans it’s pushed to new limits: not louder and noisier as usually is the case, but rather focused and determined. As a nice bonus, Eric Bobo (Cypress Hill’s percussionist) is fucking amazing on From These Graves. Should they break up again, count me among the mourning.- Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
Eightfourseven Everlasting Pistol Records Their first show was a little over a year ago, playing lunch for an all-girls high school. Pizza joints would soon follow. Then the little club on the corner of the capitol of the 7th largest economy in the world. Hello TRL: Four lads with instruments, will travel straight out of the 916 area code, and into your hydroponic stereo with their first release of new noise that lies somewhere between melodic rockism, the second episode of Twin Peaks, and Tommy Lee’s Methods of Mayhem. Are you ready to rock? This is a wonderfully diverse release from one of the most talented acts out of Sacto since Tesla got big off a fucking cover song. Eightfourseven ain’t no fucking cover band! Not yet, at least, and with all the ambient drum ‘n bass here and there, and the secret electronic track your appeal with the lady folk might increase, but be wary. Eightfourseven is no substitute for real game but it will definitely set the mood better than scented candles or designer drugs. Tune in and drop out.- Brad Oates
Poison the Well Tear From the Red Trustkill Poison the Well was one of the first bands to play the hardcore/metal-emo mix, and they do it the best. Bold gruesome lyrics accompanied by heavy guitar and powerful break downs would be enough from any other band, but PTW add melodic parts so perfectly they should get a patent for it. This album is hands down amazing, but what helps put Tear From the Red over the top is the design. It has a very unique, dark feel that fits perfectly with the music. This new record from PTW is worth finding, stealing, doing whatever you have to do to acquire it.- D Klein
Frank Jordan Enemies Cornerstone RAS From the label that brought you The Ziggens, Filibuster, Sublime, and Wesley Willis, comes Sacramento’s greatest trio, Frank Jordan. Their last release, Decoy, sadly went unnoticed and dropped into obscurity. If the deity of good music exists, let him shine his/her light on their latest triumph, Enemies. This e.p. features some new studio tracks and some live tracks from a So-Cal showcase. Mike Visser (guitars and vocals) has never sounded more focused on recurring melodies as evidenced on Redefine and No Valid Lie, which could easily be mistaken for lost Jeff Buckley outtakes circa Grace. Devin Hurley (drums) and Matt Onjes (bass) are an odd pairing with Hurley’s open shuffling beats and Onjes’ minimalist, lead bass lines. The band’s ability to fuse discordant emo stylings with traditional rock are showcased on this short, yet poignant set of Frank Jordan staples.- Eddie Jorgensen
Little League Through our ears, through our hearts Too Damn Hype I get excited when I hear good CD's that are intelligent and sound great, without sacrificing their musical vision. A lot of times a group will work with someone "Hot" in the studio and come out sounding like commercial butt biscuits, losing that special quality along the way. I would call these guys Emo 2.0 because while they are super sharp and write from the heart, they also rock pretty hard. Their songs are great and you can just feel the passion for the music and the commitment on every note and lyric. But above all it sounds good, and when it comes down to it, that's what matters. Little League definitely qualifies. These guys do their own thing in a sea of conformists, and it really pays off.- Drew Lawson
Tijuana Crime Scene Change of venue Arise This is a nice mellow six-song disc combining Pop and Emo styles. Melodic and introspective, with good rhythm and song writing to boot. I like this CD and play it to relax when I am drawing in my studio. Songwriter and front-man Alex Brahl has a good grasp of how to write a nice melody and songs worth playing more than once. On Forever Leaving he crafts a beautiful ballad with just basically piano and voice. Someone to look out for in the future. If you like the mellow sappier stuff, check this out. If you are a hairfarmer who likes to rock, better leave this one alone.- Drew Lawson
Hi-Standard Love is a Battlefield EP Fat Wreck Chords Another shot of pure power-pop from Japan, there’s four songs about love on this 8-minute disc. With titles like This is Love and My First Kiss, Hi-Standard, once again, delivers loving punk rock with the vivacity of a 14-year-old. As Ali Campbell and UB40 can attest, a spunky cover of (I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You never hurt anyone. This album, albeit quick, is the essence of refreshing.- Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
The Line The Monsters We Breed Volcom Entertainment Sick of the mundane? Bored by the purchase program the major labels have established for you? So is The Line, who for the better part of the 90’s were releasing some of the most originally delivered melodic rawkus lead by two guitarists, and one bassist, who all sang, bringing down ski town after ski town and playing to every “brah” west of the Mississippi. Maybe you’ve heard them in skate, snow, or surf videos, but they’ve quietly managed to stay under the radar of U.S. Special Forces with three releases that would rival anything musically and creatively being explored in the rock genre of today, tomorrow, and next year. The Monsters We Breed is a triumphant fourth release for 4 lads who call conservative Orange County home. The combination of their earlier chaotic punk roots and their more experimental rock undertones have come to a boil this time around. The result is compelling listen after listen; an album that grows with every experience. Check this into your head.- Brad Oates
Teenage Fanclub & Jad Fair
Words of Wisdom & Hope Geographic Records Jad Fair has released over fifty albums, both with his own band, Half Japanese, and with so many other groups and individuals it could make your head spin. Spinning heads and the dizziness they can produce are things that are probably very familiar to anyone who has heard some of those collaborations Mr. Fair is truly in a class, and probably a world, of his own. Unlike some of his past attempts at mixing his singular brand of insanity with other artists’ work, this latest one is extremely accessible and just plain great. Teaming up, this time around, with veteran Scottish underground pop trio Teenage Fanclub, Fair takes on the well-worn topic of love. With songs like You Rock, Love’s Taken Over, and The Power of Your Tenderness, this is quite possibly the nicest and sweetest music he’s ever made (although he still throws in the occasional token reference to things like Vampires and the joy of getting punched in the stomach by Frankenstein that we all love and expect from him). Like past collaborator, Daniel Johnson, he has a knack for writing an honest love song and an even better way of realistically portraying a very youthful love-struck feeling. In his cracking, adolescent-sounding voice he sings the praises of being in love with such proclamations as, "Early morning, the sun is coming up and there’s no chance of a robot uprising." Supporting this sort of lyrical genius is the flawless work of the Teenage Fanclub and Katrina Mitchell of the Pastels. The music goes from a clean and sweet jangle to rocked out fuzz-pop, providing a solid background for Fair’s hilarious and wild lyrics. Though his name might not be the first that comes to mind when, for example, you’re looking for a nice little love song to put on your beau’s mix tape, I would bet that Fair’s latest songs will get you two into the sack way faster than anything Barry White or Al Green has ever written.- Dani Kando-Kaiser
Deepsky In Silico Kinetic One of the reasons why I like "techno" music so much is because, true to its name, it is pretty much the most technically advanced music out there, in both its sound and production. I fancy myself as something of a synthesizer nerd and frankly there is no other music to better indulge my nerdery than trance/techno/etc. I'm not talking about thin, cheesy-ass, Dance Party Vol. 4 bullshit here, I'm talking about big, rippling, textured aural washes of synthesizer sweeping over your body and enveloping you in an intricate maze of sound. Of course, there are tons of other forms of music where synths are commonplace and I dig that shit too. From the old school shit like Floyd, P-Funk and Kraftwerk, to newer shit like Weezer/Rentals, The Anniversary and even fucking Madonna, synthesizers kick ass in whatever musical genre they are featured. If you are like me and synths are what you dig, then In Silico, the new disc by LA-based techno producers Deepsky, is what you need to pick up. In the realm of Deepsky, synths thrive and strut as the mighty lords of your speakers. One of the most remarkable facts about In Silico is the fact that over 90% of the production, synths included, was done in a computer, hence the name of the album. Surprisingly, the sounds on this album are supple and luscious despite the fact that they were fabricated in little silicon chips and not grungy old analog circuits. When I say high tech, In Silico is exactly what I'm talking about. You know when you first see a movie with incredible special effects and cool shit is just happening so fast that you can barely take it all in, much less utter something like "...whoa, fuckin' a...."? That is what it's like when you listen to In Silico on headphones. Spanning breakbeat, Trance/Progressive House and even a little of the old drum and bass, this disc has certainly got a little something for everyone and I'm sure you will hear tracks from it rockin' the club and amazing stoners and synth nerds everywhere.- Andy Barrett The Beltones Cheap Trinkets TKO Soused, energetic, and dirty, Florida’s Beltones are the east-coast answer to the Swingin’ Utters. Both aspiring sons of Stiff Little Fingers, the Beltones resemble their west-coast brothers after some ephedrine and a quick roll in the mud. Bill McFadden’s lyrics walk the thin line between run-of-the-mill brouhaha and poignant storytelling. There’s even a cover of Bob Marley’s Concrete Jungle to boot.- Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
Circulatory System S/T Cloud Recordings This Elephant 6 super-group boasts Will Cullen Hart (and three other members) of Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel front-man Jeff Mangum, and the addition of a string section to round out this playful romp into the new wave of psychadelia. Very reminiscent of Hart's earlier work on OTC's Black Foliage album, the Circulatory System continue their tradition of moody, creeping psych-pop mixed with an undercurrent of upbeat Pet Sounds era Beach Boys style hooks and multi-layered instrumentation. An amazing first effort by this new collective, but what else would we expect from the people that revived and redefined the genre?-Mark Kaiser
MadCap Stand Your Ground Side One Dummy This title should give you a pretty good idea of what you’re in for. That ‘77 British sound resurrected in sunny Los Angeles, circa 2001. The sometimes-tired ilk of riotous punk rock is updated just enough to sound fresh, without losing the get-drunk-and-smash-the-system mentality. The album’s last track, I Hate the Man, is Madcap’s misplaced crown jewel, a surprisingly heartfelt Spanish song that seems to summarize the band’s manifesto over gentle acoustic guitar and liquid
chimes. The preceding 11 tracks, are filled to the brim with
lively gang vocals and loud guitars. Had Blitz recorded Rancid’s
self-titled debut, it probably would have sounded a bit like
Stand Your Ground. This album may not be groundbreaking, but
who the hell cares?-Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
The Detachment Kit
They Raging Quiet Army
Self Starter Foundation
They Raging Quiet Army is the debut album by Chicago's The Detachment
Kit. Right off the bat this album offers a similar sound and
delivery as the recent offering by one-time label co-patriots
Les Savy Fav, and like Les Savy Fav, The Detachment Kit seem
to be derived from a similar set of influences. Hints of Gang
Of Four and other arty 80's post-punk greats peak through thick
guitars, driving vocals, quirky melodies, and hard-hitting drums.
Luckily, The Detachment Kit muster up some great, almost anthemic
moments they can call their own, and pull together an impressive
first album, regardless of influence.- Mark Kaiser
Mates of State
Our Constant Concern
Polyvinyl
As usual, I could give you a million excuses why I haven’t
written this review yet. I moved to Santa Cruz, left my laptop
on a curb and drove away, and did a short southwestern tour
of the Betty Ford Clinic, but mainly I just couldn’t think
of anything “super hip” to say about one of my favorite
bands on the planet earth. The two people who compromise Mates
of State, Jason & Kori, ran off and got hitched this year,
spent a month in Tahiti, then recorded this. Jason still plays
drums and sings better than Don Henley, and Kori plays 3 organs
simultaneously. This is indeed a Guinness World Record , so
look for her appearing on the show later this year my friends.
The new album, their second full length, is a subtle growth
from their previous affair, My Solo Project. Their interweaving
vocals continue to become more and more layered and it’s
fun picking apart what they’re both simultaneously saying,
but maybe that’s just me and God’s good herb. All
the songs hint at marriage, which makes me want to fucking puke,
but since the songs are so God damn good I will overlook it
just this once. The next album better be the porno concept album
they have talked about. Until then, this will do. Great band.
Great second release. This could be bigger than Ron Jeremy.-
Brad Oates
Hatebreed
Perseverance
Universal
Hatebreed is finally back with a brand new full length, it seems
as if the five years since their last full length (Satisfaction
is the Death of Desire) just flew by. This band is definitely
creating a huge buzz for themselves lately, and this new album
is going to help put them over the top. Perseverance is a lot
crunchier with plenty of breakdowns and has a tougher feel than
their past works. Which is refreshing since the common trend
for bands is to soften with age. Look for this one every time
you turn around, cause that's where it is going to be.- D Klein
GO Kart Go
The Ninth Floor
PopSmear
When a pop band in 2002 gets their record to sound like it's
1986 I start wondering what else can happen. I mean bell bottoms
(To my horror) already made a comeback. It's a frightening development.
This is a good CD though. Well crafted straight-ahead pop songs
that are pretty catchy, but definitely a retro sound in my opinion.
So if you find yourself saying, "They don't make music
like they did in the 80's!," you are in luck friend. If
not, this record would probably make you twitch all over...-
Drew Lawson
The Miracle of 86
S/T
Immigrant Sun
The Miracle of 86 is one of those talented but greatly overlooked
bands, which makes this album that much better. It’s Indie
pop that is very sincere and has plenty of slow stuff to help
get the point across. Get this album now before they are on
the cover of Rolling Stone and everyone including your little
sister has it.- D Klein
Moodswings
Horizontal
Water Music
Some days you are just tired. You don't know how or why, but
you wake up and you are just fucking tired. Perhaps you stayed
up too late the night before working, playing or doing drugs,
but you wake up and you could swear that you never even slept
at all. When you wake up feeling like this, you know one thing:
this day is going to be hard and you have no choice but to get
through it. Survival can be hard enough without lack of sleep,
but your already tired condition just adds a whole new dimension
of difficulty to the tasks you must complete, whether they be
working, playing or doing more drugs. Every light sears you
retinas, and you curse yourself for leaving Legacy of Brutality
in your CD player, as you groggily search for the classical
station. Anything louder than Bach’s Badinerie would certainly
destroy your eardrums. But fear not good citizen, you are in
luck. An Englishman, it seems, by the name of James Hood is
looking out for your hopeless ass. No stranger to the music
scene, Hood has been a professional session drummer since he
was in his late teens. He has jammed with everyone from The
Smiths to Jeff Beck and was also a full time member of The Pretenders.
Now, in the year 2002, this talented sage of musical versatility
has decided to dig his magical staff of knowledge and wisdom
into the floor of the crevasse and tread a wonderfully different
course. Working under the shadowy alias Moodswings, James Hood
has crafted Horizontal, one of the chillest, most relaxing,
lucid consciousness albums I've heard since Air's Moon Safari.
Though the style of Moodswings is almost completely different
than that of Air, the vibe of being completely enveloped by
a cloud of musically opiated complacency and relaxation is strikingly
similar. However, it is worth noting that there are a number
of interesting and unassumingly complex factors that separate
Horizontal from other so-called chill out discs. Among these,
perhaps the most interesting and innovative, is the fact that
the first disc is comprised entirely of beautiful strings, subliminal
synths and ancient flute-like instruments, and is completely
devoid of nasty headache-inducing drums or percussion. Being
the seriously accomplished drummer that he is, Mr. Hood is well
aware of the fact that there is a time for crystalline, sparkling
arrangements and then there is also a time for fat, smackin’
beats. Thankfully, the second disc contains a number of calculated
remixes of the songs from the first disc, only this time around,
the beats are rolling and plentiful. One might go so far as
to say you could get down to it, that is, if one were so inclined.
Fortunately though, disc two retains the infinitely chill vibes
that hazily emanate from disc one, so the afore-mentioned "get
down" could mean anything: blaze some ganja, occupy your
favorite beanbag chair, do some yoga, give/receive a massage,
lower the lights with your significant other and roll out your
business, or any combination of the above. I especially like
the fact that, unlike so goddamn many discs that are produced
today, Horizontal takes its time, gradually ascending and descending
into unseen peaks and valleys of shimmering aural majesty. Delicate
but extremely tripped out melodies flow throughout both discs,
often resurfacing in the least expected places, only to reveal
their newfound maturity as full-fledged musical themes and motifs.
This is a skill which Hood has skillfully borrowed from his
fellow countrymen who played in a little band called Pink Floyd,
and while he doesn’t execute this concept quite as well
as his elders, it’s ok, because frankly, no one does or
probably ever will. Of course I could conclude by describing
this awe-inspiring double disc with something extremely cliché
like, “Moodswings’ Horizontal is the soundtrack for
some visionary movie no one has dared to make,” as the
press release suggests, but instead I choose to say things like
"interstellar transperience," “astral canopy,”
or “solariffic provise.” And while those phrases might
not mean anything to you now (or even if you looked them up
in a dictionary), pop on Horizontal, get comfortable and you’ll
know exactly what I’m talking about.- Andy Barrett
Antiseen
Screaming Bloody Live
TKO Records
The first time I heard Antiseen the music made me want to get
drunk and fistfight someone, ...anyone who was in the vicinity.
I listened to their CD at full volume while slamming a lukewarm
beer. God it was good! I felt like the depths of hell had been
released onto this album and were now infesting my stereo. Antiseen
has been together as a band for 19 years! That to me is amazing.
I furthered my interest in this vicious band by reading an interview
with them, and found that they were good ole boys from the South
with some pretty harsh attitudes. I also learned that they were
devout politicians, hell bent on the questioning of unfair law
practices and political change, always for the betterment of
the USA. Kick Ass! I listened to this CD that has 24 tracks
of absolute live insanity recorded all over the country. With
track names like Hellstomper, Two Headed Dog, and Guns A' Blazin,
Antiseen have made a powerful name for themselves in the heavy
metal rock world. I have never seen them live, but now I am
on a mission! If you get the chance, check them out, and I highly
recommend getting any of their CD's. I now own them all. Antiseen
is a force to be reckoned with, and their music continues to
cause rolling blackouts wherever they go.- Evil-E Janzillaco
The Gamits
A small price to pay
Suburban Home
I can't stomach calling another band "Pop Punk." Really.
So let's try "Hyper Pop" or "Pop Plus."
Hell, I don't know. These guys are really good though. The writing
is smart and pessimistic in the vein of Living in Darkness.
In a song called Beach Boy about Brian Wilson, and his troubled
odyssey they write "When they prop you on stage put a smile
on your face and pretend you're a Beach Boy again/ When I needed
inspiration you were always there for me. Now I have to change
the station." If you like fast pop that sounds good, and
is smart, check this out. Not everyone will like them, but that's
what makes them so good.- Drew Lawson
Millencolin
Home From Home
Burning Heart/Epitaph
I have been a big fan of Millencolin since their 1997 release,
For Monkeys. It was a great melodic punk rock manifesto from
four Scandinavian lads with a penchant for good song structure,
melody, and skateboarder intuition. This is their fourth album
and their strongest. The band has grown into a strong rock sound
that is all their own. Musically, this is by far their most
cohesive album to date. Every song is golden, and the ska rhythms
that sometimes accompanied earlier releases have disappeared
like David Hasselhoff’s career. Recommended for all those
who play air guitar, air drums, air vocal sing-along, or a mixture
of all three. Enjoy with frozen pizza and a drunken skateboard
sesh for full effect.- Brad Oates
Moore Brothers
Colossal Small
Amazing Grease Records
Are the Moore Brothers really brothers? To listen to the unique
pacing and pitch-perfect vocal harmonies these two guys create
on their first full-length album, one would think they’d
have to be. These San Francisco Bay Area favorites have long
been playing their post-modern, Simon & Garfunkel-esque
tunes in an acoustic format to avid live audiences, and I was
really eager to hear what the recorded and soused-up versions
of their songs would sound like. The result is a pleasant and
highly addictive surprise filled with curious sound effects
and some great nonsense lyrics. In keeping with their live work,
the spotlight is still on the guys’ vocals, but the album
sees them using a lot of piano, some crunchy electric guitar
rips, and some good, heavy beats. The resulting work is fairly
reminiscent of Alien Lanes era Guided by Voices, with an emphasis
on a gentler, more-highly produced overall sound. Many artists
are, sadly, unable to capture the greatness they create in front
of a live audience, but this album captures and vastly improves
on their acoustic work.- Dani Kando-Kaiser
Tilt
Been Where? Did What?
Fat Wreck Chords
If you’ve never listened to Tilt, you might want to try
Playcell or Til it Kills first, but if you’re already an
admirer, how can you not be thankful for this compilation? Been
Where? Did What? reveals Tilt’s rougher side, with demo
versions of White Homes and Berkeley Pier, in addition to numerous
unreleased tracks complete with recording dates and locations.
At times reminiscent of Exene (there’s a cover of X’s
It’s Who You Know), Cinderblock’s vocals are sincere
and striking, right on every time. I prefer this type of release
over the ‘best of…’ sort because it allows their
entire career to be sampled for those unfamiliar with the band,
while still offering something new to old fans.- Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
Boards Of Canada
Geogaddi
Warp Records
If you don’t own Music Has The Right To Children, Boards
Of Canada’s last full-length release, consider Geogaddi
your next reason to indulge in a little game of record store
bin-browsing. Switzerland’s Marcus Eoin and Michael Sandison
have created yet another timeless piece of fragmented, minor
key-laden electronica. The duo’s latest, not unlike their
earlier Peel Sessions and 12” releases, weaves spoken-word
interludes with backward notes (see Dandelion) alongside repeating
drum sequences awash in delay and rack effects. Geogaddi is
the soundtrack to the ultimate driving experience that, ultimately,
leads us with marked reassurance from land to sea to the underworld
and back again. BOC exude this and much more, evoking a time
where bliss means a lack of agenda, a lack of time and space.
If you’ve ever wanted the backdrop to those confusing moments
of desperation and solitude we all endure at one time, Geogaddi
should provide ample reward.- Eddie Jorgensen
Heaven Shall Burn
Whatever It May Take
Lifeforce Records
Let me just start off by congratulating these guys on creating
one hell of a package. Seems the art of making something exciting
to hold and look at has been lost on many of the non-vinyl buying
public, but this one has the solid digipak style CD case with
artwork and lyrics that clearly took some time to develop. The
album itself is even more impressive. A destruction of instruments
and a plethora of amazing sounds ooze from my stereo as these
guys mold their talents. This is the culmination of many influences
and easily runs the musical obstacle course in terms of style.
Vocally it challenges the almighty Tomas Lindberg of At The
Gates, but musically you can put it into the hardcore realm
if you want to, but you'd be wrong. There are death metal influences,
the American hardcore element is there somewhere, and the underlying
Swedish guitar work is the glue that keeps it all together.
Think of a Carcass meets Shadows Fall Meltdown and you're almost
there. Implore the Darken Sky even has the guitar harmonies
of Emperor, without all of the keyboard excess. Lyrically these
guys don't mess around either. Touching on subjects like racism,
veganism and other heavy issues, Heaven Shall Burn isn't trying
to just get by as a heavy band. This is a group that will fly
underneath the radar and then swoop up on you to take what you
hold dear. Their rapacious sounds are some of the most amazing
I have heard in the last six months. An amazing collection of
impressive work from this young band only means that we will
surely hear more from them in the future.- Che Brooks
Adam West
Right On!
Telegraph Company
Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. As you pursue the
CD racks at your favorite local music joint, you come across
this album cover featuring a picture of a bikini clad female,
a picture clearly taken during the 70's, as she straddles the
front end of a decked out Harley motorcycle. As she looks out
over her shoulder you can easily tell that there won't be any
concerto strings on this bad boy. Adam West, hailing out of
the nation’s capitol, combine the early rock sensibilities
of the Stooges with rock n roll elements of bands like Zeke
to take the listener on a nitro fueled extravaganza of speed
filled retro goodness. Sometimes sounding like freaked out Misfits,
lead man Jake Starr sings on record as if he were pounding it
out live. It wouldn't surprise me at all if you told me these
songs were all done in one take. The groove of songs like Swagger
and Piece of Ass place this band smack dab in the American psyche
of the new rock revival. They lack the classic rock appeal of
many of their Swedish counterparts, but more than make up for
it in their garage band appeal. Are you looking for the soundtrack
to your next biker rally? Look no further.- Che Brooks
Jucifer
I Name You Destroyer
Velocette
On their major label debut, Jucifer stuck with what they knew,
which at the time was mounds of fuzz guitar and a knack for
creating interesting, and even sometimes annoying music. But
this Athens, GA duo refuses to do anything sonically unless
it is creating challenging music for the masses. Their latest
effort picks up where their previous left off, but this time
there is an effort to showcase the amazing talents of vocalist
Amber Valentine. Backed by these ferocious guitar riffs and
changing rhythms, miss Amber’s vocal skills are somewhere
between the strength of Shirley Manson and the explosiveness
of Morgan Lander of Kittie fame. Queen B displays her back and
forth efforts that were lacking in Jucifer's early works. Smart,
quirky tunes that each have their own identity and spirit. One
song sounds like it should be on the radio, and the next sounds
like a tape you would hear a group of sweaty guys listening
to on their way to see Slayer. And though there are Sonic Youth
qualities in this one, there is something for everyone on this
disc. When She Goes Out showcases the talents of a band that
is being given a second chance. They can't all put out monster
first albums that make you stand up and notice. Sometimes a
band like Jucifer needs to learn how to spread its wings so
that it can fly higher than before. Be prepared to take this
feedback-induced flight.- Che Brooks
Angels in the Architecture
The Distance in Writing
Law of Inertia
One of the real joys of writing these things is discovering
new bands from far off and distant places. OK, so Angels in
the Architecture hail from Buffalo, NY, hardly a distant land,
but it is their sound on this latest release that takes me adrift
to places I rarely get to travel. Sometimes music doesn't have
to be about anything or be blinding fast to get your attention.
Sometimes a band can just make well thought out, interesting
music that makes us all forget everything and just listen. AITA
write songs that have meaning and are full of depth. Much of
this variance can be heard in a song like Sweeter Than Winning,
a charming mid-tempo number that combines instrumentations that
lay somewhere between an indie anthem and a pop jewel. Then
there are others such as Three Fourths East & One Fourth
West which twists the dreaded emo context around so that it
meets what they are doing, rather than vice versa. Vocally I
have a hard time placing the smooth sounds that I hear, but
the effortless flow can sometimes be reminiscent of the Smoking
Pope's and maybe a pinch of old school Bob Mould. The album
flows from one song to the next with little if any effort. A
tasty smorgasbord of tunes that fit right into what's happening
right now in music. A sleeper that should definitely be explored.-
Che Brooks
Filmmaker
Break This Fall
Farway Records
After a flurry of label interest and internet success, Canada's
indie sensations Filmmaker are ready to explode into the U.S.
with their debut ep. This six song collection is a massive introduction
to a band that will be on the tips of everyone's tongue in the
coming year. They show so much talent and maturity in such a
small group of tunes that one can only imagine where they will
end up after a respectful full length follow up hits the streets.
But sticking to the matter at hand, this is the real deal folks.
They have the songwriting skills of a Sensefield and a major
rock appeal that could have them all over radio. And this is
a good thing folks, as Filmmaker are not the type of band that
you would listen to and get bored of after the umpteenth listen.
Offences Between Us is a major rock vocal treat with all the
elements of a hit. They glide through songs like they have been
together for years. Who knows how long it takes them to write
these five minute gems because it must have taken twice as long
to nail them down like they have. They can rock in one song
and bring it back to reality in the next, wrapping it all together
with beautiful guitar tones and melodies. A band I can guarantee
we will hear more from in the next few months.- Che Brooks
The Distillers
Sing Sing Death Song
Hellcat Records
Break neck speed punk rawkus fronted by femme fatale punk rocker
Brody Armstrong whose raspy delivery is so harsh and pummeling,
she sounds like the Marlboro Man meets Cyndi Lauper somewhere
deep in the San Fernando Valley. I never heard their first release,
but the songs are good and the band doesn’t sound like
derivative watered down Southern California bullshit punk cloned
rock so I continue to tune in. Ready for liberation? March on
to the record store.- Brad Oates
Pan American
The River Made No Sound
Kranky Records
For the sake of argument, I’m gonna assume that Mark Nelson’s
latest release, his third long player, was recorded in his home
studio under a massive amount of prescription drugs. Ambient
music with this much texture and reverence to the genre must
have been aided by some external ‘elements.’ The somber
feel of the aptly titled, The River Made No Sound fuses distant
pulsating beats over an amalgam of dense melodies, providing
a dreary, yet effective backdrop of electronic wash. Fans of
the latest Loscil, Stars Of The Lid, or the subtleties of Labradford
will find great reward in tracks such as Place Names and For
A Running Dog. Unlike most pseudo ambient releases, Nelson’s
titles provide more than their intended purpose and, in effect,
become integral within the music’s framework. Pan American
is pure unabashed melancholy, executed with passion and grace.
A superlative work, indeed.- Eddie Jorgensen
