MAY | JUNE REVIEWS

As Friends Rust. A Young Trophy Band In The Parlance of our Times. This EP has its greatest strength in the singer. Damien Moyal can wail, sing and scream and seems to be the only thing holding the not more than average guitars together. The first two songs have a rap rock feel almost, definitely with the third song (like that scene in the movie "rock star" with marky mark). A few of the songs are pop punk cachy though and i have to admit I like the 4th song in that "emo head bop" kinda way. Equal Vision. Order. Listen.
Bayside. Long Stories Short. Piebald did it years ago bro's. Sorry. These guys could be rockin' if they didnt rely on seven year old guitar hooks and played to death "emo riffage." The music sounds like what happens when you use a death metal effects pedal to enhance poppy emo guitars and cranked the treble up too high on the bass guitar (attn bassists: bass's are for making bass notes). Buf if you like whiny wuss rock, get this. dying wish records.

Celebrity. sle.ep. These reviews would have been posted sooner but I kept listening to this cd! Elliott vs Gloria Record vs the Cure. These guys know the meaning of rich textured and deeply contrasting guitars and the vocals are pratcially part of the riffs! Great music for laying in bed and stargazing and dreaming of brighter tomorrows and new found love. The songs are exceptionally intricate, melodic, soothing, shit the list of adjectives goes on and on! Cure fans will LOVE this. One Day Savior. Order. Listen.

Electralane. Rock It To The Moon. A little slow to start but once it gets going, you get into it, if youre into upbeat, a little trancy, lo fi indie with a flare for the dancable. Its like old makeup without the vocals and more keys and synths. The tempo is a bit repetitive but strangely erie yet thumping at the same time. The music is progressive and climactic which i like, it builds to the point that i caught myself rocking out the finger drums! A little dark at times but good mood music. Mr. Lady. Order. Listen

Ex Number Five. The Team Players Association. I've heard a lot about this band and my first impression was "this would be what Sugar would have sounded like if they were emo." This CD is poppy and catchy but not in a 14 year old punk kinda way, and when you think theyre going to let you down, the bands pulls out good breakdowns. at times cheesy, but the guilty pleasure cheese that vegans want to eat and makes you realize you bop along to n'sync cuz its not all that bad. One Day Savior. Order. Listen.

Kaia. Oregon. Slow and soulful, angelic and heartbreaking. kaia again drags you through the intimate and almost physically tangible emotions coming out of your speakers. kaia takes you home with her unique voice and the pitch thats always in key with the guitar. this record is like a book and kaia is the storyteller, sitting by your bed with one hand stroking your hair ever so softly while she reads you to a serene slumber. slow, folky songs for moonlight rainy nights in Oregon springtime. Mr. Lady. Order. Listen.

Remembering Never. Can we say Poison the Well ripoff? Not all a bad effort in their own, the record is hard hitting and there are some good breakdowns, and some definitely pretty riffs and i do appreciate the fact that this record isnt like every other chugga chugga hardcore recording, but it sounds like a lot of bands today that put out a "at least this doesnt sound like every other chugga chugga hardcore band" record. The music is tight though and I didnt say it was bad, just a rip-off. Ferrett Music. Order. Listen.

The Reputation. Self Titled. Elizabeth is back from the ashes of Sarge with her most prophetic, sultry, heartbreaking, and mature record yet. there are songs for every occasion, from incredibly catchy pop songs, straight up rock songs, jazz infused mellow songs about life, love, lost relationships, and the desire for purpose and moving on. ranging from the darker side of the heart to the throttling emotions that move us all, this record is a #1 winner and a milestone in indie rock. Initial Records. Listen. Order.

The Rise. Signal to Noise. The first song sounds like the mission impossible 2 theme for about a minute then goes into "holy shit this sounds like Refused" rock for the rest of the CD. dont let that be the expectation though, cuz this record takes off on its own accord and grows on you after a few listens. not in my heavy rotation but the songs are edgy and different from the hoard of shitty emo and hardcore and this band is definitely not either and offer a fresh sound with a mix of.. techno.. Ferrett Music. Order. Listen.

Rocking Horse Winner. Horizon. Tired of cookie cutter pop or indie bands trying to win you over with scene points and style? Well get this cd for a refreshing, heartfelt and grown up take on love songs and friendships with a sound that only comes from experience and wisdom. Jolie's vocals, also featured on dashboard confessional records, remind you of the adult in you that wants to be a silly kid in love with the world and makes you dream of brighter days over the horizon! Equal Vision. order. listen.

The Stryder. Jungle City Twitch. Eh.. This record sounds like what happens to good bands who go radio friendly. Two songs stand out but the others sound like the band tried to hard to be top 40 and ended up with a boring product. This is music people in the mid 30's would enjoy. The band can certainly play their instruments, but i was hoping for a bigger and better sound from their EVR debut. The songs are great pop songs, but.. i dunno. I think the band is better live. Equal Vision. order. listen.

Tami Hart. What Passed Between Us. Being young is fun damn it! Tami hart proves just that with her full band sound and incredbily diverse new cd. She shows you that being young is just as much about trials and rites of passages as it is about rocking out! this cd provides a healty mix of emo/rock with personal and sad folky songs. Tami's agesless voice gets to your core, her rock songs reminding you off Team Dresch with an edge that will leave you wanting more. Mr. Lady. order. listen.

V for Vendetta. Beneath This Mask, Another Mask. Math Rock. not that cheesy wanna be mid 90's midwest rock ripoffs, but something new and different and catchy. its a little jagged and may take getting used to, and dont expect emo-ish riffage or watered down pop jingles, but be ready for pretty yet intricately woven jarred egde with female vocals laid over it all, unifying melodic harmonies with a slight throwback to a mid 90's team dresch rock! the drums really make this cd, theyre always suprising! mr. lady. listen. order.

Ultimate Fakebook. Open Up and Say Awesome. I saw these guys live once and I thought they were a Weezer ripoff. But I was suprised when I heard the record. I was actually bopping along to the tunes. The songs are definitely scoring chicks music but they are fun and some of them are quirky and catchy in that guilty pleasure way that you get into Brittney Spears songs when no one is around. Excellent power pop record. They dont suck like weezer but they remind you of weezer. Initial Records. Listen. Order

APRIL REVIEWS

American Nightmare: Background Music. This cd is good if you like to tear shit up. Capturing the essence of old school hardcore but with a new school twist, its good for anyone who likes fast hardcore. Though a lot of the songs sound very much the same, the breakdowns are tight. But if youve seen AN live, you know that this cd does them little justice compared to the stage, but is good to have if youre in the mood for fast and loud. Equal Vision. Order. Listen.

Ashen: No Other Comfort. If youre looking for new music that is catchy, poppy, but with a deep undertone and amazing female lead vocals and above the standard guitar play, Ashen is it. The music is medium paced for the most part, but Erin's vocals keep you hooked in. Some of the songs are a little long, but its a good and diverse long. The first song, Autopilot, in an amazingly emotional and moving song and you also get a cure cover too! Two Sheds Music. Order here. Listen here.

Boy Sets Fire. Sucker Punch Training. Though only a two song CD: one original and the other a cover of Elton John's Rocket Man, this single is still a good small purchase. There is a third track and its a 4 minute political speech that goes right into the ideology behind boy sets fire. The cover song is a bit cheesy but sucker punch training is a great BSF styled song along the lines of style that the band has undertaken since theyre "after the eulogy" release. Deathwish Inc. Order here. listen.

Burn. Cleanse. This CD is half and half. The CD sounds like the "nu metal" of hardcore. Lyrically, the songs are very political and if you like that, this is your CD Musically, the guitars are hard but not all that impressive. The breakdowns are basic, though the chorus of the songs seem to make up for that. The songs are heavy but not HARD. I dont see kids moshing to this band, but if you like to sing along to politically charged lyrics, youll like. Musically, you might out grow this CD Equal Vision. Order here. Listen

Converge. Jane Doe. I know what I am going to say is what everyone has said, but Jane Doe is THE best and most innovative hardcore release in a long time. Converge prove again that they are the kids of the hill. The guitars are simply amazing and this CD dives into such depth with the interplay of the guitars and vocals. The music has a brilliantly composed ORCHESTRA feel to that is groundbreaking! Best record of 2001. Hands down. Equal Vision. Order here. Listen here.

Converge/Hellchild Split. This is a good intro for anyone who has never heard either band. Featuring studio and live tracks from some of converge's best work, plus an "electronic" music style cover of clean by depeche mode, this is great for new coming converge fans. The hellchild songs are equally as good, with live and studio songs and a bulldozer cover. And with the converge side, the selected songs showcase some of hellchild's heaviest work. Deathwish Inc. Order here. Listen here.

The Dedication. Youth Murder Anthems. Here is a band that knows how to mix rock n roll riffs with the intensity of hardcore, and most importantly, knows how to use tempo and beat to their advantage. The guitarist know their riffs and exactly how to mix them up with the drummer and his time changes. Good intros, good chorus's, good breakdowns, and sing along vocals. This is the kind of band that will have you rocking out in public and not even know youre doing it. Deathwish Inc. Order. Listen

Drowningman. Still Loves You. Drowningman was an instant like for me. They have more depth to their brand of hardcore than just riffs, breakdowns, and finger pointing. The music is technical and they obviously put effort into their song writing. The music rises to pretty and textured at times and though some of the songs are long, the songs build on each other to amazing climaxes. And every song delivers a new punch everytime. Equal Vision. Order here. Listen here.

Fairweather: If They Move, Kill Them. This is a super catchy record from one of the hardest working pop/hardcore bands out there. The music is positive, the vocals and guitar catchy as hell, and the melodic nature is very modern and will have you singing out loud in the car. Every song is danceable, sing songy, full of pop and heart and if you like fun music along the lines of saves the day and new found glory, youll love fairweather. Equal Vision. Order here. Listen here.
Ghost in the Gears Compilation. V/A. This is a good compilation for people into east coast/northeastern hardcore. The comp. features rare or unreleased works by cave in, converge, indecision, jeromes dream, zegota, devola, good clean fun, dahmer, force fed glass, hassan i sabbah, garrison, and many others. Its a great CD if you want to get introduced to a lot of bands from the east/northeast and get a feel for what styles are prevelant to the area. Iodine Recs. Order here. Listen here.

The Icarus Line. Mono. Want a band that is pure rock? Want a band that tears up the stage (literally) and knows how to play no bullshit rock!? Well then get the Icarus Line's debut CD These guys will rip you a new asshole. Definitely for lovers of california style rock. Lots of screamy and screeching, yet not annoying vocals and heavy drum and basslines that throwback to good rock like the jesus lizard and big black. To sum in one word: TIGHT! Buddyhead. Order here. Listen here.
Kampai Comp. V/A. This is a great comp if you want bands that break away from the indie/emo/hardcore norm. Featuring more experimental or mathy or post hardcore acts like monochrome, serotonin, ladderback, strike anywhere, chocolate kiss, stammer, 65 film show, marion, legend of the overfiend, and more. Get introduced to a lot of music from the Carolina's as well. Featuring bands from germany, japan, canada, and elsewhere. Bifocal Media. Order here. Listen here.

Killing a Camera. Braid. This very well put together documentary on Braids last five days as a band is a must have for all Braid fans. The quality is amazing for being shot in 1999 when digital video was still a new thing. With a mix of multi angle live performances, footage shot on 8 mm and 16 mm film for an authentic look, and the amazing interviews and commentary, this video takes you into the heart of who Braid were as friends and as the influential band they were. All the camera work is professionally done in true music documentary style. And if you never had a chance to see Braid live, this video has lotsss of live video from the last shows they ever played, covering songs from all Braid's records. If you have ever wanted to know what kind of guys braid were, the interviews will hook you in. You learn a lot about why the band came to be and who they are as people. Bifocal Media. Order here. watch

The Ladderback. Introductions to departure. This CD is for those of you into music like 400 years, milemarker and engine down. At times indie rock, mathy, or post hardcore-ish, its an ever changing CD The vocals and guitar contrasting could use some work, but if youre into semi melodic, deeper sounding math/art rock, then you will like this. The songs have off key guitars that seem to go nowhere, , but its good when it gets heavy. Bifocal media. Order here. Listen here.

Orange Island. The Shape of Calling. This CD really suprised me. I had to listen to it a few times but it grew fast. I was expecting typical indie rock but Orange Island pull off that Garrison and Cadillac Blindside type rock with seamless effort. One song is cheesy, typical of the genre, but the songs actually have depth and hook to them and the upbeat nature of the CD is great for keeping your spirits up. OI have managed to surpass the staleness of most bands that play their style. Iodine Recs. Order. Listen.
Seratonin: Universal Time Constant. Seratonin is back and universal time constant is one of the best CD's ive listened to in months. From the first song, its fast and the contrasting guitars totally hook you in. These guys KNOW how to play and their mathy, melodic, yet fast and intricate guitar and bass work makes this CD the type you put on full repeat and listen to for days. These guys mix up pretty and mathy for amazing results. Bifocal Media. Order here. Listen here.

Sharks and Minnows. Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board. If youre into Sugar, Archers of Loaf, and Braid, youll like this band. Lots of catchy hooks and basslines, as well as very impacting vocals. I wouldnt call them pop because some of the songs are sad, sung about love or losing yourself in the bottle, but they all amount to a very moving record. Some of the songs are slow and droning but most of the record will take you in. Two Sheds Music. Order here. Listen Here.
Slightest Indication of Change Comp. V/A. Slowdime records has put out a sweet compliation of indie rock's best. Featuring songs by kind of like spitting, jejune, sunday's best, no knife, small brown bike, the casket lottery, the trans megetti, and more, this comp. is good for driving or listening at night or when you just want something pretty and sweet to listen to while taking a load off. Sweet songs and nothing to heavy and abrasive to ruin the mood. Slowdime. Order here. Listen here.

Small Brown Bike. Dead Reckoning. SBB have put out a pretty hard hitting CD with Dead Reckoning. I noticed that a lot of the drums and beats were the same, but the overall music speaks for itself. Though at times repetitive, the repetition is at least of good songs. SBB have this unique sound to their brand of punk/hardcore and if you listen to the CD enough, its this repetition that you hear and its good because they know how to handle and deliver with this sound and it is catchy. No Idea. Order here. Listen here.

Whistle of the Missle (VHS). Bifocal media brings yet another amazing video compilation to the forefront. The video is a collection of live bands and independent films. The band videos are pretty good, some of them high quality, some not and the sound is a little bad in some of them, but you do get amazing bands like converge, his hero is gone, the episode, dillinger escape plan, monochrome and more. Check out bifocal's automatic magnet or actuality of thought video for amazing and high quality live footage and interviews. Anywho, what really makes this video good is the independent films. Some of them are truly experimental, some sad, some comical, and some that will flat out make you laugh! One video, the encounter, takes place in philly and is a totally hilarious encounter between a bunch of breakdancing kids, playa's, and a nutty guy who says everything in rap rhymes. Bifocal Media. Order here. watch