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 | Born Gold Bodysongs 4 2012-02-03 by Conrad Tao
How did we sleep on this? How can we sleep on this?.. |
 | The Gaslight Anthem iTunes Session 4 2012-02-02 by Davey Boy
The Gaslight Anthem perform some classic tracks! How did we all miss this?.. |
 | Cate Le Bon CYRK 4 2012-02-01 by Robin Smith
a really good album that, contrary to popular belief, wasnt written by Nico.. |
 | The Fray Scars and Stories 3.5 2012-02-01 by SowingSeason
The Fray continue plodding down paths already traveled, succeeding in spite of their resemblance to other contemporary piano-rock outfits... |
 | Jacques Greene Concealer 3 2012-01-31 by Deviant
Chic house producer finds himself hiding the very things that made him such a breakway success.. |
 | Anthony Raneri New Cathedrals 3 2012-01-30 by Davey Boy
Bayside frontman belatedly joins the cavalcade to release a solo record... |
 | Lana Del Rey Born to Die 4 2012-01-27 by Nick Butler
Utterly brilliant... |
 | Hit The Lights Invicta 3 2012-01-27 by Davey Boy
Succinctly charting the layman’s definition of “pop-punk”... |
 | Lana Del Rey Born to Die 3 2012-01-27 by Channing Freeman
A construct of various things people look for in music right now, but it is not without merit... |
 | Grimes Visions 4.5 2012-01-27 by Conrad Tao
Spacey, hypnotic parallel-universe pop, and so much more... |
 | Gonjasufi MU.ZZ.LE 3 2012-01-26 by Deviant
Yoga instructor continues to serenade the end of the world; bad juju ensues.. |
 | Lana Del Rey Born to Die 2.5 2012-01-25 by Adam Downer
goochy goochy goo barf- lewis.. |
 | Lacuna Coil Dark Adrenaline 3.5 2012-01-25 by Trey Spencer
Lacuna Coil arent breaking down any barriers, but they have returned with another album that emphasizes their best qualities while fixing a few previous mistakes... |
 | Rodrigo y Gabriela Area 52 2.5 2012-01-24 by Deviant
Fascinating guitar playing duo take several steps back.. |
 | Ingrid Michaelson Human Again 2 2012-01-24 by SowingSeason
Emotive music signifying nothing... |
 | Say Anything Anarchy, My Dear 1 2012-01-24 by Channing Freeman
And the shit rains down... |
 | Alcest Les Voyages De L'Ame 3.5 2012-01-21 by Kyle Ward
Neige displays a certain je ne sais quoi that makes him succeed where others fail.. |
 | John K. Samson Provincial 4 2012-01-20 by Adam Knott
Weakerthans frontman reconstructs his own world a little more sparsely... |
 | Courtships The Feral Sound 4 2012-01-20 by Channing Freeman
A very promising, very heavy hardcore debut... |
 | Lamb of God Resolution 4 2012-01-18 by SowingSeason
Sludgy, raw, and incredibly forceful – Lamb of God is back... |
 | Nada Surf The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy 3.5 2012-01-18 by Rudy Klapper
Age is just a number... |
 | Craig Finn Clear Heart Full Eyes 3.5 2012-01-16 by Adam Knott
...the hero that you are when no ones watching... |
 | Cloud Nothings Attack On Memory 3 2012-01-16 by Adam Downer
Like that chill kid you knew who came back from college a philosophy major and a total drag... |
 | Rose Elinor Dougall The Distractions EP 3 2012-01-15 by SowingSeason
Straightforward indie-pop, or is this something more?.. |
 | Gabrielle Aplin Home 3.5 2012-01-11 by SowingSeason
More of the same (great) stuff from Somersets prized pop starlet... |
 | The Big Pink Future This 2.5 2012-01-09 by SowingSeason
The Big Pink scale down the style on which they were founded and turn the epic factor up...way up... |
 | Les Doux Dialects 4 2012-01-08 by Adam Thomas
Come all ye weary.. |
 | Lagwagon Duh (Remastered) 4.5 2012-01-06 by Trey Spencer
This is the version of Duh that every fan will want to own... |
 | Beth Ditto EP 4.5 2012-01-06 by Conrad Tao
Are you listening very carefully?.. |
 | Opeth Heritage 2 2012-01-04 by SowingSeason
Having a dream doesn’t necessarily mean you can execute it... |
 | Guided By Voices Let's Go Eat The Factory 1.5 2012-01-02 by Robin Smith
In a decade or two of very awesome ideas in indie rock, one of the best also has the least to do with music. It’s chronicled in the to-do list of Stephen Malkmus, and if it turns out that he doesn’t have one, I’m f.. |
 | The Weeknd Echoes of Silence 5 2011-12-29 by Sobhi Youssef
A completely brilliant beginning to what hopes to be a long and bright career.. |
 | Skrillex Bangarang 1.5 2011-12-23 by Deviant
Skrillex to Darwin: Evolution? Im not buying it!.. |
 | The Internet Purple Naked Ladies 2.5 2011-12-22 by Deviant
While The Internet certainly appear capable of hitting the mark, Purple Naked Ladies falters because it attempts to be far more than it is, leaving it as nothing more than a broken collection of half-realized ideas.. |
 | Gabrielle Aplin Never Fade 4 2011-12-21 by SowingSeason
Gabrielle shows us why she is one of the top artists to watch in 2012... |
 | Consequence [NZ] Test Dream 4 2011-12-21 by Deviant
More refined and evolutionary drum & bass from one of the scenes latest contenders to the throne.. |
 | Common The Dreamer/The Believer 2.5 2011-12-20 by Deviant
The voice of the people returns; addresses the wrong crowd in the process.. |
 | Grieves Together/Apart 2.5 2011-12-19 by Sobhi Youssef
Together/Apart is a manifestation of Rhymesayers Entertainments marketing department and their seemingly neverending quest to homogenize hip-hop. Their understanding of the 20-something white male psyche is unrivaled in.. |
 | CityCop Seasons 4.5 2011-12-18 by Adam Thomas
The best EP of the year comes out just as we all finish our lists... |
 | Barrow Being Without 4 2011-12-16 by Adam Thomas
A promising start.. |
 | The Thrills 2002-2007 4 2011-12-14 by Robin Smith
I’m treating this review as the eulogy The Thrills never got, and I’m also using it to lament the opportunity 2002-2007 misses to try for some remembrance. The fourteen songs here heartily celebrate The Thrill.. |
 | Drake Take Care 4 2011-12-12 by Adam Thomas
Drake cries us a river.. |
 | James Blake Love What Happened Here 3.5 2011-12-11 by Deviant
James Blake rounds out a whirlwind year with a much more muted statement, a slightly disjointed but still compelling listen that pays tribute to a tired ghost long since laid to rest.. |
 | Thy Catafalque Rengeteg 4 2011-12-10 by Nick Butler
For this writer at least, its the metal album of the year... |
 | The Roots undun 4 2011-12-09 by Deviant
If theres a Heaven, I cant find a stairway.. |
 | Explosions in the Sky Take Care, Take Care, Take Care 3.5 2011-12-09 by Nick Butler
Unquestionably the best album named Take Care in 2011... |
 | Dia Frampton Red 3.5 2011-12-08 by Trey Spencer
While Red is a million miles away from the DIY recordings of her past, it is still undeniably Dia Frampton.. |
 | The Receiving End of Sirens The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi 4.5 (Staff Pick) 2011-12-06 by Adam Knott
A swirl of torment and, hidden somewhere, beauty... |
 | My Dying Bride The Barghest O’ Whitby 3.5 2011-12-06 by Trey Spencer
The sound of My Dying Bride partying like its 1992... |
 | Nujabes Spiritual State 3.5 2011-12-06 by Nick Butler
His weakest album, and still its pure bliss... |
 | VVV Across The Sea 3.5 2011-12-05 by Deviant
While rich in character and vitality, Across The Sea unwisely tries for too much, and as a result fails to become a dominating force for any of its styles of choice.. |
 | Natalie Walker Spark 4 2011-12-02 by Trey Spencer
Natalie Walker returns to trip hop and drags her pop influences along for the ride... |
 | Colin Stetson New History Warfare, Vol 2: Judges 3.5 2011-12-01 by Nick Butler
An album that feels entirely without precedence... |
 | The Mountain Goats Devil In the Shortwave 4.5 2011-12-01 by Adam Thomas
Turns out that the man who has a million albums also has a million EPs.. |
 | Kate Bush 50 Words for Snow 4 2011-11-30 by Nick Butler
Disappointing single aside, its another frighteningly good album from one of Englands all-time greats... |
 | Korn The Path of Totality 0.5 2011-11-30 by Deviant
Korn IV: Forgetting who you are.. |
 | The Black Keys El Camino 3.5 2011-11-29 by Rudy Klapper
I got a love that keeps me waiting... |
 | Taylor Swift Speak Now World Tour 4 2011-11-29 by SowingSeason
Taylor Swift’s enchanting live component to Speak Now proves she is a force to be reckoned with on the stage as well as in the studio... |
 | Girls Father, Son, Holy Ghost 4.5 2011-11-29 by Nick Butler
The more cynical listeners out there might backhandedly describe Christopher Owens, the creative lynchpin behind Girls, as 'a great student of rock history' - in other words, somebody who knows the canon inside.. |
 | The Caretaker An Empty Bliss Beyond This World 3.5 2011-11-29 by Nick Butler
Dixieland jazz meets inner-city depression in one of the years most beguiling albums... |
 | Panopticon Social Disservices 4 2011-11-28 by Kyle Ward
Austin Lunn shows us that he doesnt really mind giving you an education by screaming in your face.. |
 | Frank Turner The Second Three Years 4 2011-11-24 by Adam Knott
If you can picture Frank Turner singing Build Me Up Buttercup with a bitter and frustrated tone, you can almost imagine the brilliance of his new rarities compilation ... |
 | Kingdom [US] Dreama 4 2011-11-24 by Deviant
Fashionable label Night Slugs finally gets its 2011 feather in the cap with Kingdoms follow up to the acclaimed That Mystic.. |
 | The Fall Ersatz G.B. 4 2011-11-22 by Joseph Viney
29 not out for Smith & Co... |
 | Sepalcure Sepalcure 4.5 2011-11-22 by Deviant
An unashamedly no nonsense garage release, Sepalcures long awaited debut LP triumphs on just about every level.. |
 | Raphael Saadiq Stone Rollin' 4 2011-11-20 by Nick Butler
Saadiq introduces rock to his soul and conjures up his best material yet... |
 | Komar, Melamid and Dave Soldier People's Choice Music 2.5 2011-11-20 by Nick Butler
The funniest song ever? Or just simple proof that people are idiots..... |
 | Floating Points Shadows 4 2011-11-20 by Deviant
More sleek and sultry house from one of the genres most acclaimed young producers.. |
 | Mr. Oizo Stade 2 3.5 2011-11-20 by Deviant
More of the weird and wonderful from electros black sheep.. |
 | ASAP Rocky Live.Love.A$AP. 4 2011-11-18 by Cam
ASAP Rocky’s long-in-the-making LiveLoveA$AP is simply one of the best hip-hop records of the year... |
 | The Kinks Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround 5 2011-11-17 by Robin Smith
the song that lasts forever... |
 | Rihanna Talk That Talk 3.5 2011-11-17 by SowingSeason
Rihanna still likes it rough... |
 | Author Author 3.5 2011-11-16 by Deviant
While lacking a clear direction Author still manages to consistently impress, but fails to truly live up to expectations.. |
 | Animal Collective ODDSAC 4 2011-11-15 by Adam Downer
what happened?.. |
 | Tycho Dive 4 2011-11-15 by Mike Stagno
Seven years later, Tycho is as immersive as ever... |
 | Blut Aus Nord 777 - The Desanctification 2.5 2011-11-13 by Kyle Ward
When you add together seven tracks that dont go anywhere it equals one album that ends in the same place where it began.. |
 | Phace and Misanthrop Energy 3.5 2011-11-13 by Deviant
Another unrelenting testament to the powers and prowess of one of the leading drum & bass labels in the business.. |
 | FaltyDL Atlantis 4 2011-11-13 by Deviant
Drew Lustman squeezes out one more triumphant burst of NYC deep bass release before the year finally dies out.. |
 | Yellowcard When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes 4 2011-11-12 by SowingSeason
I’ve never been more ready to move on.. |
 | Owen Ghost Town 4 2011-11-10 by Adam Thomas
The humbling sound of humanity.. |
 | The Republic Tigers Keep Color 4 2011-11-09 by SowingSeason
One of the previous decade’s lost indie gems... |
 | Atlas Sound Parallax 3 2011-11-08 by Robin Smith
youre always down... |
 | Johnny Foreigner Johnny Foreigner vs Everything 4.5 2011-11-08 by Adam Knott
Johnny Foreigner 3-0 Everything: gorgeous, daring and exhilarating from start to finish... |
 | Florence and the Machine Ceremonials 4.5 2011-11-03 by Keelan H.
Well now, if Lungs isn’t the perfect debut for Florence Welch and her machines, then I don’t know what is. Perfect, that is, because of its imperfections. To explain my seemingly circular argument, I would lik.. |
 | Gold Panda DJ-Kicks: Gold Panda 4 2011-11-03 by Deviant
Gold Panda manages to capture perhaps the most honest snapshot of the underground music scene, as truthful and explosive as lightning in a bottle.. |
 | Angels and Airwaves Love Part 2 3 2011-11-02 by SowingSeason
The complete realization of Tom DeLonge’s ambition…take that for what you will... |
 | Megadeth Th1rt3en 3.5 2011-11-01 by Mike Stagno
Megadeth keeps rolling along with a strong, albeit less triumphant, thirteenth record... |
 | Feist Metals 3.5 2011-10-31 by Conrad Tao
Wear walking shoes... |
 | The Decemberists Long Live the King 3.5 2011-10-29 by SowingSeason
A continued expedition into the folk depths and country sway of new age Americana….. |
 | Blitzen Trapper American Goldwing 2 2011-10-29 by Keelan H.
Oh hey, another Blitzen Trapper album. Oh heyyyyy... |
 | Immolation Providence 4 2011-10-29 by Kyle Ward
An EP that proves Immolation are still, after 20 years, at the top of their game.. |
 | Joker The Vision 3 2011-10-28 by Deviant
When a leader forgets how to lead and chooses simply to follow instead.. |
 | Kelly Clarkson Stronger 2 2011-10-27 by SowingSeason
Ms. Clarkson breaks away into maturity mode only to find out that it isn’t all she ever wanted... |
 | Yellowcard When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes Acoustic 3.5 2011-10-26 by SowingSeason
A pleasant retread of one of 2011’s best pop-punk albums... |
 | The Field Looping State of Mind 4 2011-10-26 by Deviant
The Field realize their full potential and craft their most immediate and memorable album to date.. |
 | White Suns Waking in the Reservoir 3.5 2011-10-26 by Andrew H.
Brooklyn-based White Suns realise much of the potential their earlier relases hinted at by pushing their sound further in all directions.. |
 | Coldplay Mylo Xyloto 4.5 2011-10-25 by SowingSeason
Coldplay goes way over the top...again... |
 | Justice Audio, Video, Disco 2 2011-10-25 by Deviant
Audio, Video, Disco is a horrible miscalculation on all fronts, a terrible vindication of the one hit wonder syndrome, its Justice arriving for the wrong party.. |
 | Coldplay Mylo Xyloto 5 2011-10-24 by Adam Knott
Watch Coldplay abandon their sham revolution and take up a real one... |
 | Coldplay Mylo Xyloto 4 2011-10-24 by Robin Smith
give Coldplay credit for their waterfalls... |
 | Purplene Purplene 4.5 2011-10-24 by Andrew H.
Why try.... |
 | Lou Reed and Metallica Lulu 1.5 2011-10-21 by Joseph Viney
Shite Light/Shite Heat.. |
 | Kuedo Severant 4 2011-10-19 by Deviant
Severant is where grime gives way to something more gorgeous, more expressive; and as a result, something much more eye-opening... |
 | Justice Audio, Video, Disco 2 2011-10-18 by Rudy Klapper
Justice trade in the Ecstasy for a six-pack of Milwaukees Best... |
 | Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds 4 2011-10-18 by Joseph Viney
A mirage or an Oasis?.. |
 | M83 Hurry Up, We're Dreaming 4.5 2011-10-17 by Rudy Klapper
Anthony Gonzalez may be a dreamer, but hes not the only one... |
 | The Jezabels Prisoner 4.5 (Staff Pick) 2011-10-16 by Davey Boy
The rarity of a debut LP adding to an already superlative discography... |
 | Nicola Roberts Cinderella's Eyes 4 2011-10-14 by Nick Butler
We knew it would be interesting. We didnt know it would be this good... |
 | Bjork Biophilia 4.5 2011-10-13 by Conrad Tao
Björks ecstatic cry of what a wonderful world..... |
 | Insomnium One for Sorrow 3.5 2011-10-13 by Kyle Ward
Going home in another direction.. |
 | Rustie Glass Swords 4 2011-10-13 by Deviant
A jubilant and victorious statement by Rustie, and also unashamedly amazing.. |
 | Tori Amos Night of Hunters 3.5 2011-10-12 by Nick Butler
A headfirst lunge toward classical music inspires Tori to her best effort since Choirgirl... |
 | Martyn Ghost People 3.5 2011-10-12 by Deviant
Something new, something old and something borrowed for Martyns highly anticpated follow up, yet this time around hes less forward thinking and more just straight forward.. |
 | Insomnium One for Sorrow 4 2011-10-11 by Trey Spencer
Insomnium have crafted their most diverse and complete album to date. Just about everything has been improved upon and the result is one of the best releases in their history... |
 | Bjork Biophilia 4 2011-10-10 by Nick Butler
Far better than anybody had any right to expect... |
 | Mayday Parade Mayday Parade 4 2011-10-10 by Davey Boy
Using every device imaginable to come up with a crowd-pleasing winner... |
 | Ryan Adams Ashes And Fire 3.5 2011-10-09 by Rudy Klapper
The domestication of Ryan Adams.. |
 | New Found Glory Radiosurgery 3.5 2011-10-08 by SowingSeason
New Found Glory make a return to their former glory... |
 | Opeth Heritage 3 2011-10-08 by Nick Butler
An uneasy step into new territory, or the beginning of the end?.. |
 | Anberlin Cities 5 2011-10-05 by SowingSeason
“If this is salvation, I can show you the trembling.”.. |
 | James Blake Enough Thunder 4 2011-10-05 by Deviant
Still neither here nor there, James Blake is in his element -- on his own.. |
 | Emika Emika 4 2011-10-05 by Deviant
Shockingly cathartic and frigid, but also shockingly brilliant, Emikas long awaited debut is a thing of fragile and, at times, dazed beauty.. |
 | We Are The In Crowd Best Intentions 3 2011-10-04 by Davey Boy
She said... He said... She said... She said... |
 | Jack's Mannequin People and Things 4 2011-10-03 by SowingSeason
Andrew McMahon does it again.. |
 | Girls' Generation Girls' Generation (JP Release) 3.5 2011-10-01 by Nick Butler
K-pop starlets launch an impressive assault on the Japanese market... |
 | Apparat The Devil's Walk 3 2011-09-29 by Deviant
More of the same from an artist simply trying to present too much of himself, when the simple option would have been far more effective... |
 | blink-182 Neighborhoods 2.5 2011-09-29 by Adam Downer
Dammit... |
 | blink-182 Neighborhoods 3 2011-09-28 by SowingSeason
Neighborhoods is a solid reunion album, but it is not a return to form... |
 | Radiohead TKOL RMX 1234567 4.5 2011-09-28 by Deviant
If you thought that this was over, then you were wrong.. |
 | DJ Shadow The Less You Know The Better 2.5 2011-09-27 by Deviant
The Less You Know, The Better sadly lives up to its name, where parts of the record border on the fantastic, but the rest just does its owners name a great disservice.. |
 | Arch / Matheos Sympathetic Resonance 4.5 2011-09-26 by Trey Spencer
This is not an unofficial Fates Warning release, nor is it Awaken the Guardian Part II. This is modern, guitar-driven progressive metal featuring an all-star lineup that manages to avoid falling into a cycle of self-in.. |
 | Wilco The Whole Love 4.5 2011-09-26 by Rudy Klapper
Something sad keeps moving, so I wandered around / I fell in love with the burden, holding me down... |
 | Mastodon The Hunter 4 2011-09-26 by Adam Thomas
The workhorse chronicles.. |
 | La Dispute Wildlife 4 2011-09-25 by Channing Freeman
La Dispute are still screaming your name - in unison this time... |
 | Andrew Jackson Jihad Knife Man 4.5 2011-09-24 by Robin Smith
I wanna give a shit again.. |
 | Needtobreathe The Reckoning 3.5 2011-09-23 by SowingSeason
A delightful hodge-podge of rootsy folk and crunching alternative rock... |
 | Metallica Ride the Lightning 5 2011-09-23 by Channing Freeman
Times marches on... |
 | Polar Bear Club Clash Battle Guilt Pride 4 2011-09-21 by
Clash Battle Guilt Pride is an excellent output and progression for Polar Bear Club, though progression might not be the right word... |
 | Little Scream The Golden Record 4 2011-09-21 by Nick Butler
An album with a Midas touch - every idea, no matter how awkward, turns to gold... |
 | David Bowie Outside 3.5 2011-09-21 by Nick Butler
His most under-rated effort, and also his most conceptually beguiling... |
 | Buck 65 20 Odd Years 3.5 2011-09-21 by Nick Butler
How is he still this good?.. |
 | Thrice Major/Minor 4.5 2011-09-21 by SowingSeason
Over time, Thrice have evolved into one of the most prominent rock bands of the past couple decades. Their roots travel both wide and deep, starting at post-hardcore with The Illusion of Safety, digging into alt-.. |
 | Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Hysterical 2.5 2011-09-20 by Rudy Klapper
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah begin to rust away.. |
 | Wolfgang Gartner Weekend In America 3 2011-09-20 by Deviant
When those long awaited weekends away never turn out the way you want them to, despite months of planning...... |
 | The Midway State Paris or India 3.5 2011-09-19 by Adam Knott
Never relying on anything except its own gorgeous self... |
 | Mister Heavenly Out of Love 4 2011-09-19 by Rudy Klapper
A homage to classic rock n roll from two unlikely worshippers... |
 | Switchfoot The Beautiful Letdown 4 2011-09-19 by Adam Knott
acting as an anchor, which might be the anti-thesis of most life-altering albums, but thats kind of the whole damn point... |
 | The Subways Money and Celebrity 3.5 2011-09-18 by Davey Boy
When music should be listened to without a pen or keyboard in sight... |
 | Opeth Heritage 3 2011-09-16 by Adam Thomas
Opeth is as Opeth does... |
 | Das Racist Relax 4 2011-09-15 by Tyler Fisher
Relax is great, duh. More importantly, Relax brings new meaning to Das Racists identity... |