Average Rating: 3.60 Rating Variance: 0.78 Objectivity Score: 76% (Well Balanced)
Sorted by Rating | Sort by Name5 classicAnimal Collective Merriweather Post PavilionBeach Boys Pet SoundsSometimes, albums are regarded as "classics" by absolutely every music fan, critic, lover, etc. And you don't get it at first. Pet Sounds is one of those records. Initially, you will be misunderstanding and interpret this record as a boppy, clever pop record. More listens, however, establish it as far more than simply this. It will hit you eventually, but you will learn over time that this is one THE most immense, delicate and truly beautiful works of music history, let alone pop music. Pet Sounds is evidence alone of claiming Brian Wilson as a genius.Ben Lee Breathing TornadoesThree albums in, pop whizkid Ben Lee created his masterpiece. A well-produced and impeccably written left-of-centre pop gem filled with samples, diverse arrangements and an eye for lyrics and melody well beyond his years. This still continues to amaze, intrigue and impress after all these years. It's something very few Australian musicians, let alone Ben himself, can one-up.Black Sabbath ParanoidRock music needed Black Sabbath. Sure, there was great music around before and beyond them, but it seems that rock was not truly evil until Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill delivered a wild, confident and solid mixture of rock and roll, blues, heavy metal and pop ("Paranoid" and "Iron Man", regardless of what you may think, are pop songs through and through, albeit very heavy ones). From the mammoth E chord that signals the arrival of "War Pigs", to Ozzy's confession that fairies do, indeed, wear boots, this album effortlessly turned the musical world on its head. It remains the Sabbath magnum opus, and an album that few others could have even attempted to pull off. Bloc Party Silent AlarmBloc Party A Weekend in the CityBruce Springsteen Born In The USABurial UntrueOne of the most amazing records I have experienced in a long time. This wasn't even a slow-burner- the impact was hard, fast and truly remarkable. Whoever the person behind this is a true master of beats, samples and creating atmosphere with limited material to do it with. The minimalism is the key to the triumphs here- the beats go on and on, but not once do they become repetitive. It's all a part of this record's journey. If you like Unkle, Massive Attack and Thom Yorke's solo album, then this record is for you. Hell, if you like melodic death metal, this record is for you- it needs to be heard to be believed.Cog The New NormalCynic Traced In AirWell, there's no use fighting it - Traced in Air is the best metal album of the decade. Every twist and sharp movement is an exciting joy; the shifts between the sweet vocoder harmonies and the guttural, piercing growls an initially shocking but ultimately rewarding display of versatility. Your attention seldom wanes across eight engaging, intricately-arranged works of dense modern art - "The Space for This" and "King of Those Who Know" the best examples one can provide. This is an essential listen. No, we're not even talking genres any more. You'll be hard pressed to find a stronger, more forward-thinking and overall brilliant album from recent years.Death Cab For Cutie TransatlanticismFleetwood Mac RumoursAn essential listen for pop and rock fans of every generation. If you have ever experienced the demise of a relationship, then there is plenty on this album to connect with - from the female perspective (Stevie Nicks), the gorgeous "Dreams"; from the male perspective (Lindsey Buckingham), the anthemic "Go Your Own Way" - to just give two examples. Brilliantly produced and masterfully created in a time of great tension between band members, Rumours may just be the best thing you'll find in your parent's music collection.Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu GurrumulThe language is not yours- the man sings in his native Aboriginal Australian language. And still, one feels a strong, purposeful connection with this man and his music. A voice that soars with true emphasis and stunning imagery (even when the words are not understood) leads these twelve incredible creations of music as a reclusive, quiet, blind man opens his heart and mind for the world to see. A truly breathtaking album.george PolyserenaIncubus Make YourselfKanye West The College DropoutKasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson Rattlin' BonesThe joining of these two singers, both in holy matrimony and in music, wasn't just luck - this kind of connectivity has destiny written all over it. Chambers and Nicholson have created one of the landmark Australian releases of the decade - perfectly harmonious, melodic, powerfully emotional and instantly lovable. From the nomad blues of the title track to the cold, fragile acoustic numbers such as "Adeline" and "One More Year", the couple bring to life tales of love, loss, travel and new life. Essential listening for fans of country, bluegrass and folk from all walks of life.Lightspeed Champion Falling Off The Lavender BridgeMichael Jackson ThrillerMy Chemical Romance The Black ParadeIn a year of "Laffy Taffy", "Promiscuous" and "London Bridge", it was the most unlikely of bands to make rock music relevant to the kids once again- My Chemical Romance, the same band that had been building a cult following just a few years before. With this unique rock opera, the band catapulted themselves to superstardom on the back of the best songs they had ever written- the rambunctious "House of Wolves", the stirring "I Don't Love You" and the unforgettable anthems that were released as singles- "Welcome to the Black Parade", "Famous Last Words" and "Teenagers". This record has had a massive impact on the music industry, proving that one must always expect the unexpected. The Black Parade is a standard-setting, perfectly executed rock album- hands down one of the more important records of this century thus far. Here's to the future.Nick Drake Pink MoonPanic! At the Disco A Fever You Can't Sweat OutHands down one of the most genuinely excellent works in mainstream pop music since the turn of the century. Your attention does not wane from start to finish as two acts of fantastically written and performed rock operas- the first a synth-laden electropop adventure, the second a stark contrast with flamenco guitar, a horn section and a string quartet (amongst many others). What makes this so important a record is the fact that not a single album is quite like it, no matter how many Fall Out Boy comparisons you may choose to make. Combining this and Pretty.Odd., it's plain to see this band as one for the history books if their track record continues with huge successes such as this.Paul Kelly Songs From The SouthR.E.M. Automatic For the PeopleR.E.M. GreenSigur Ros með suð à eyrum við spilum endalaustSilverchair Neon BallroomSilverchair DioramaDiorama has seen a lot of praise in the six years since its release. It has been praised as a great Australian album, Silverchair's best and even a masterpiece. Whilst all these are certainly true, there's more to it than simply this. This album has evolved into a cornerstone of modern Australian culture. Encompassing nearly every imaginable emotion and establishing the full-album experience that songwriters twice the age still struggle to achieve, the disturbed genius of Daniel Johns created a visionary technicolour dream. With his two best friends by his side, Silverchair created not only a timeless work, but an album that every Australian album since would be compared and contrasted. As it stands, no album stands greater in Australian music history than Diorama.Silversun Pickups CarnavasFew albums of recent years have managed to create so much with so little surrounding it. After only one EP, Silversun Pickups were just another American rock band making their way amongst the alternative rock circuit. How it was even fathomable for them to create such a beautiful work of art is beyond comprehension. It all just doesn't make sense...and then you listen to the record itself. The music itself- a sparkling yet hard-hitting daydream, a sunlight-infested room of buzzes and brilliant shine. On showcase throughout, Brian Aubert's penetrating howls and helium rasps make for one of the most unique and genuinely interesting voices in rock music today. The four musicians that comprise Silversun tesellate in exceptional style, consistently contrasting energy levels and developing a sound that recalls shoegaze, industrial, indie rock, grunge and the nineties movement of rock (no, not the goddamn Pumpkins); yet at the same time is a movement and creation on its own level. The layered meanderings of "Future Foe Scenarios", the steady rise and culminate explosion of "Lazy Eye" and the jazz-like "Waste it On" all present a listener with an amazing array of versatile rock songs that are amongst the best of the decade, let alone its year of release. And that is just the beginning. Forget Whatever People Say I Am...- as far as overall quality is concerned, this is one of the best debut albums of all time. There is much to come of this. We shall just have to wait and see.Soundtrack Avenue Q - Original Broadway CastSouth Park South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut OSThe Beatles Rubber SoulThe Beatles Abbey RoadThe Drones Gala MillA raw, unabashed vision of a poet, a madman and, first and foremost, a musician - Gareth Liddiard, and his band The Drones. Gala Mill is a collection of consistently outstanding, ingeniously written and, frankly, quite frightening songs. Based around tales of shattering loss, human demise and the life of early convicts and settlers in Australian history, this music will often leave you feeling threatened and short of breath. From the opening mammoth, "Jezebel" to the quiet, subtly heartbreaking tale of "Sixteen Straws", this is an album that needs to be experienced from start to finish as a landmark of 00s Australian music. You won't be the same after it clicks.The Forest The Forest EPThe Format Dog ProblemsThe White Stripes ElephantIt's still interesting to figure out just how the hell they pulled it off. A tumbleweed of dirty delta blues, DIY ethics, primal drumming, commanding, eccentric vocals and one flaming red guitar created, ultimately, a summation of everything that is good about rock music in the twenty-first century. "There's No Home For You Here" nails seventies rock with layered harmony, "Ball and Biscuit" is arguably the best jam track since "If Six Was Nine", "Little Acorns" still remains the most bizarre introduction of a song ever and "You've Got Her In Your Pocket" is beautifully delivered by a pensive Mr. White on his lonesome. Yes, we know Meg isn't a brilliant drummer. We know that Jack's solos aren't thought out and meander far too much for their own good. We know how sick you are of hearing every school band cover Seven Nation Army. But the fact that this record still holds up in such impressive manner, five years after its conception, whilst many of its peers fell off the face of the earth, speaks volumes about these addictive, intense, diverse and more-than-excellent songs.TV on the Radio Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty BabesWilliam Shatner Has Been4.5 superbA Perfect Circle Mer de NomsAFI Sing the SorrowAlexisonfire CrisisAmanda Palmer Who Killed Amanda Palmer?Amy Winehouse Back To BlackHow could something so polished still maintain such grit? On her breakaway sophomore, Winehouse delivers eleven heartfelt and dark tales of lust, addiction and need that encompasses both classic soul and modern pop in a damn-near-perfect amalgamation. You can also thank this record for making Mark Ronson an international star - his work here is flawless.Amy Winehouse FrankAngels and Airwaves I-EmpireAntony and the Johnsons I Am A Bird NowArcade Fire FuneralArctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am....At the Drive-In Relationship of CommandAtmosphere When Life Gives You Lemons, You...Battles MirroredBeastie Boys The Sounds of Science (AnthologyBen Harper and Relentless7 White Lies for Dark TimesBertie Blackman Secrets and LiesBlackalicious Blazing ArrowGift of Gab and Chief Xcel present listeners here with an eclectic, left-of-centre collection of exceptionally well-executed hip-hop. Sliding effortlessly from roller-disco grooves to keyboard-lead slow jams, the album displays an impressive array of beats and fantastic bass lines. Standouts include the stripped-back "Make You Feel That Way" and the nine-minute hip-hop epic "Release", which features the genius poetry of the visionary Saul Williams and the hands-up-in-the-air feelgood flows of Lyrics Born.Blaqk Audio CexCellsblink-182 blink-182The defining moment of the careers of DeLonge, Hoppus and Barker at the time of its release. The band had always shown a flash of their serious sides on previous albums (Stay Together For The Kids, Adam's Song, etc), and they were the highlights of those records; but could never keep it consistent. What this album did was keep consistent, not indulging on fart jokes- and the result was brilliant. The darker side of blink-182 (I Miss You, The Fallen Interlude, All Of This, to name a few), in the end, brought out the best in them. It's a relief to think that the band ceased to exist after this, in a way- it's unlikely they could have ever topped it.Bloc Party IntimacyBob Dylan Bob DylanBon Iver For Emma, Forever AgoBrand New DaisyDaisy is just as good as people believe. At times, even better. Anyone that knows something about music besides this decade knows that Brand New is more like Brand New right now than ever before. This is Brand New’s troubled-mind record with some gritty emotion throw in the mix, but different than their previous records – where The Smiths/Morrissey influences work beautifully – it’s no longer really present to me: I can’t help but think about how good Brand New are while listening. And how they’ve done before and only once have they made a record as good as this (The Devil and God). People saying that this is better than Thrice’s Beggars or any of Brand New’s previous are right. In short: Brilliant record is brilliant. Epic win, Brand New, way to go. Now Jesse, start working on a solo record asap and blow us away, will ya?Brand New The Devil And God Are Raging Inside MeThe late comedian Bill Hicks once said of what made great music- "I want someone who plays from his fucking heart." With this definition in mind, one would be hard pressed to find one more fitting than singer-songwriter Jesse Lacey. Alongside his band, Brand New, Lacey presents the listener with a defining album, complete with vented frustrations, paranoid questionings of faith, showing of scars and both the light and the dark of what a human can feel. Despite a slightly lacking second half and a superfluous reprise of highlight "Luca", this album's quality is at times overwhelming- this is some of the best music to be released in years.Bright Yellow Clean EPBuck 65 Secret House Against The WorldHow do you describe the beauty of an album that leaves you completely lost for words? An album of defiant art that redefines alternative hip-hop for a new generation.Butterfingers Breakfast at FatboysCity And Colour Bring Me Your LoveCog Sharing SpaceColdplay Viva La VidaCopeland You Are My SunshineThere's not a great deal of context or deeper purpose to You Are My Sunshine. This is simply a collection of bright, emotive and pensive shoegaze pop, rich in harmony and soaring vocals. For fans of Silversun Pickups and Frou Frou.Cradle of Filth Damnation and a DayCrowded House WoodfaceDead Letter Circus Dead Letter CircusDeath Cab For Cutie We Have The Facts And We\'re Voting YesDeath Cab For Cutie Directions"I think that this is a beautiful experiment", says guitarist Chris Walla. One cannot help but agree as you watch the eleven truly brilliant videos made for each of the outstanding songs on Death Cab For Cutie's major-label debut. Highlights include "What Sarah Said", "Summer Skin" and the touching "Stable Song".Death Cab For Cutie PlansDeath Cab For Cutie The Photo AlbumDeath Cab For Cutie Forbidden Love (EP)Death From Above 1979 You're a Woman, I'm a MachineDJ Danger Mouse The Grey AlbumA groundbreaking, revolutionary release which took the concept of illegal art to the next level. What we have here is a collision course between two defining acts of their times, The Beatles and Jay-Z, who prove the diversity of defining genius. The newfound contexts of Jigga's lyrics not only work in a shockingly seamless fashion, but leave the listener wondering why on earth hip-hop producers hadn't looked into the Lennon/McCartney catalogue for samples before- "What More Can I Say" and "December 4" are especially brilliant creations. In terms of not only hip-hop, but sampling, mash-ups and recomposition, this is a triumphant release.Dream Theater Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a MemoryDresden Dolls Yes VirginiaEagles Very Best Of The Eagles 1972 - 1979Eagles Farewell 1 Tour DVDEels Beautiful FreakElvis Presley Elvis: 30 #1 HitsEminem The Eminem ShowEminem The Marshall Mathers LPOn "If I Had", from the Slim Shady LP, Eminem began the song with the phrase "Life, by Marshall Mathers". Unfortunately, that record proved to be more about his maniacal alter-ego, Slim Shady, as the title would suggest. This record, however, is truly Marshall Mathers- an essay on hate, love, confrontation, family, the media and the hypocritical way of things in the modern world. This is truly "Life, by Marshall Mathers". Call it disgusting, as "Zoe" did on the Slim Shady LP. Call it misogynistic, as many amongst the pop music community and mainstream media chose to do. Honestly, call it whatever the hell you like- just don't try to pass this off as anything short of a milestone in popular music.Eskimo Joe GirlFall Out Boy From Under The Cork TreeFoo Fighters The Colour And The ShapeFoo Fighters Skin And BonesFoo Fighters The Colour and The Shape (10th Anniversary EditionFrou Frou DetailsAs far as the poppier side of electronica goes, this is the best thing you are going to find. A courageously varied, gorgeously arranged and masterfully executed collection of songs that stand not only head and shoulders above its contemporaries, but managed to set a standard that not even Imogen Heap herself has managed to top. Highlights of the record include the one-two introduction of Let Go and Breathe In, songs I regard as some of my all-time favourites, as well as Pyschobabble, Only Got One and The Dumbing Down of Love. Highly recommended, no matter what your preferred field of music.Gallows Grey BritainGirl Talk Feed the AnimalsMusic is evolving at a ridiculously rapid rate. If you'd have said a few years ago that just one man with a knack for sampling and a few good programs on his laptop could create not only one of the best records of the year, but one of the most critically-acclaimed live shows on the planet, then you'd probably get the shit kicked out of you. Thankfully, today's world and technology in particular allows this to happen. Greg Gillis slams together odd couples better than Gnarls Barkley AND Jack Lemmon and Walter Mattheau put together. Lil Mama, Metallica, Lil Wayne, the Chili Peppers, T.I. and Sinead O'Connor...the list only gets better from there. Hugely exciting, hugely danceable, hugely unique- this is what party albums should be.Girl Talk Night RipperGnarls Barkley St. ElsewhereGoo Goo Dolls Dizzy Up The GirlGorillaz Demon DaysGorillaz GorillazGreen Day American IdiotHilltop Hoods The CallingIncubus Alive at Red Rocks (DVD + CD)Incubus Morning ViewJackson Browne Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1Jackson Browne Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2Jimi Hendrix Experience Hendrix: The Best of HendrixJimmy Eat World ClarityJoanna Newsom YsJohn Mayer ContinuumJohnny Cash American IV: The Man Comes AroundJohnny Cash The Essential Johnny CashJose Gonzalez VeneerJose Gonzalez In Our NatureKanye West Late RegistrationKanye West 808s And HeartbreakI had my doubts. So did you. The second that Mr. West announced his next record would be entirely sung, as opposed to his normal rapping, teeth were grit and lips were bitten. A disaster was predicted. And then?a miracle occurred. 808s and Heartbreak is a brilliant album. No longer does his cocky, self-assured side take prominence in his music as it has so frequently done in the past. There?s certainly no ?Good Life? to be found on 808s- this is an album of frustration, distance, loss, anxiety and a life in lethargy. West risked commercial and critical success in favour of creating something completely on his own terms- and if songs like Say You Will, Robocop and Street Lights are anything to go by, perhaps his risks are worth taking more often. Karnivool Sound AwakeKate Nash Made of BricksIf there's one album I never expected to be brilliant, it was Kate Nash's. The single was a sugary treat, but what from there? Many more simplistically beautiful pop numbers was the answer- the adorably silly metaphor of Birds, the fast-paced hyperactivity of Mariella and the Octopus' Garden bop of Merry Happy all made for some quality listening and some good old singalongs. But it didn't stop there. There is a genuine sense of sincere and even autobiographical mannerisms throughout the music- from the lyrics, to the childlike piano right down to Nash's unforced accent. And when the music isn't joking around, we get incredibly honest and moving songs such as Nicest Thing and Little Red. Let's forget about any inch of hype or promotion surrounding this young lady here- this is true talent, true emotion and an exceptional, underrated album.Keane Under The Iron SeaVery special indeed. In our last encounter with the band, they were making glorious, uplifting piano rock. This time, however, it's quite the different story- a melancholic and sombre collection of electronic delicacies with a distinctively dark underbelly. "Try Again" is a late-night daze, "Broken Toy" is a jazzy portrayal of a broken heart and "Hamburg Song" is a genuinely beautiful composition which depicts the demise of frontman Tom Chaplin. The most alarming thing about that, however, is that it is Chaplin singing these words about himself from the perspective of another- pianist Tim Rice-Oxley. These were dark and tumultuous times for the band, and this is reflected throughout the album in a layered and honest way. With a new record on the way, it seems almost Mission: Impossible that the band will better this record. If they do, however, we'll be experiencing something remarkable. Keane Hopes & FearsThe British trio came out of practically nowhere and released the best debut album of the year. Amazing vocals, soaring atmospherics, tight drumming and beautiful piano work made this an all-round winner.Kings of Leon Youth and Young ManhoodLa Dispute Somewhere at the Bottom of the River...La Roux La RouxLed Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IVLeonard Cohen Songs Of Love And HateManchester Orchestra Mean Everything To NothingMattafix Sign Of A StruggleOne of the best debuts of 2005. Some exceptional production, excellent lyrics and a powerful message of racial inequalities in the U.K. The group are releasing a new record in a matter of months; and indeed it will be interesting to see if this album will be topped.Maximo Park Our Earthly PleasuresMC Lars This Gigantic Robot KillsMetric FantasiesMew And the Glass Handed KitesMinus The Bear Highly Refined PiratesMoby PlayMotion City Soundtrack Commit This To MemoryMuse Origin of SymmetryNas Hip Hop Is DeadAlmost criminally underrated, this is Nasir Jones' concept album in which modern technology is embraced in the beats, often with brilliant results (the uplifting "Blunt Ashes" and the hard-hitting title track as examples). Lyrically on fire, Nas is loaded with accusations, anger, reflections on life and even a bizarre change of character on "Who Killed It?". Even when former rival Jay-Z briefly steals the show on the excellent "Black Republican", this is a shining point in the fruitful yet occasionally hit-and-miss career of Nas. Arguably his best since Illmatic, and certainly his best this century.Nas IllmaticNeil Young HarvestNewton Faulkner Hand Built By RobotsNick Drake Five Leaves LeftAhead of its time, delicate and an outright powerful record, Nick Drake surrounds his quaint fingerpicking with piano tinkering and gorgeously arranged sections that enhance the music that much further. Songs such as River Man and Day Is Done will haunt you for many moons to pass. As the vocals linger and sting with such conviction and emotion, you cannot help but wonder exactly how this phenomenal performer went so unnoticed in life.Nine Black Alps Everything IsNine Inch Nails The Downward SpiralNirvana MTV Unplugged in New YorkNirvana In UteroNirvana Greatest HitsNirvana NevermindNoah and the Whale The First Days of SpringOutkast Speakerboxxx/The Love BelowPanic! At the Disco Pretty. Odd.I get really frustrated when Silversun Pickups get compared to Smashing Pumpkins, or when Mika gets compared to Queen. Similarly, I really don't appreciate all the Beatles comparisons that have gone into Pretty. Odd. It's as if that's the only possible comparison to be made to a collection of classically-influenced guitar pop songs. There's a lot more to it than that, and herein lies the album's appeal. Urie's voice has flexibility and a much warmer tone, many new avenues of the band's overall sound were explored and it's another fun and layered adventure in music, much like Fever was. This album needs time- Lord knows I had to give it plenty- but the reward is more than worth it.Paul Kelly Stolen ApplesPaul Kelly So Much Water So Close To HomePearl Jam YieldPearl Jam TenPerson L InitialPortishead DummyPortugal. The Man Censored ColorsR. Kelly Trapped in the Closet (Chapters 1-12)R.E.M. Dead Letter OfficeR.E.M. DocumentR.E.M. In Time: The Best Of REM (1988-2003)Rage Against the Machine The Battle Of Los AngelesRage Against the Machine Rage Against the MachineRed Hot Chili Peppers Greatest Hits And VideosRed Hot Chili Peppers Live At Slane Castle DVDRegurgitator UnitRise Against Siren Song Of The Counter CultureSam Cooke Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964Soul Function: noun 1: the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life 2: the spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rational and spiritual beings, or the universe bcapitalized Christian Science 3: a person's total self 4: an active or essential part 5: the moral and emotional nature of human beings 6: person 7: personification 8: a: a strong positive feeling (as of intense sensitivity and emotional fervor) 9: Sam Cooke Saul Williams The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiSeether Karma and EffectHave you ever enjoyed an album in ridiculous amounts and have never been able to properly explain just why? In a way, that's me and this record right here. What makes Karma and Effect so damn listenable? Could it be the irresistible accessibility of the mix of downtuned Cobain-isms and guitar pop hooks? Perhaps Shaun Morgan's ear for a tight song structure and big choruses? Maybe even the fact that you're drawn back to each and every song for a variety of different reasons? Whatever it is, Karma and Effect is a triumphant album- it soars where most of its contemporaries plod, and (in a shocking turn for a post-grunge record) manages to get everything right for once. Let's rock.Silversun Pickups SwoonSlipknot Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)Soundtrack O Brother, Where Art Thou?Spiderbait Grand SlamSufjan Stevens IllinoisSwitchfoot Nothing is SoundSystem of a Down ToxicityThis is the record that broke System Of A Down into the mainstream, and it couldn't have come at a better time. The best way to describe this sound is to take the genre of "nu-metal" at the time and arm it with literacy skills, leftist opinions and, surprisingly enough, pop sensiblities. It may sound awkward on paper but this album just WORKS. There is a wide array of music here, from the ridiculously outspoken (Prison Song), the ridiculously catchy (Forest), the ridiculous angsty (Needles) to the just plain ridiculous (Bounce). Sure, there are tracks better than others here. But there isn't a terrible or even bad song present on Toxicity; and this is why SOAD broke and became so popular. An excellent record that has stood the test of time.Tegan and Sara The ConTenacious D Tenacious DThe Beatles RevolverThe Blues Brothers Music From The SoundtrackThe Cure Seventeen SecondsThe Dear Hunter The Lake South, The River North EPThe Dissociatives The DissociativesThe Drones HavilahIf you're into Australian music at all, no doubt you've heard great things about the Drones. Just in case you've never listened...they're all true. With their fourth record, the Drones continue on the warpath with a passive-aggressive undercurrent omnipresent throughout the album's entirety. From the electric alt-country stomp of opener "Nail it Down" or the emotional shipwreck of "Careful as You Go", the raw howls of frontman Gareth Liddiard accompany his magnificent lyrical imagery to a t. It's very difficult to pinpoint exactly what drives the band musically, but there is no doubt that the band are already off to a flying start in becoming one of the greatest Australian bands of all time.The End ElementaryThe Flaming Lips Yoshimi Battles the Pink RobotsThe Format Interventions and LullabiesThe Go-Betweens Before HollywoodThe Gossip Music For MenThe Killers Hot FussThe Living End The Living EndThe Mars Volta De-Loused in the ComatoriumThe Mars Volta The Bedlam In GoliathThe National BoxerIf you haven't heard Boxer yet, chances are one of the magazines you read put it in its top ten list of last year. And why not? Chilling low key vocals in the spirit of the late Johnny Cash or a young Paul Banks tell masterful tales of how a globalized lifestyle has infected ways of being, accompanied by excellently toned guitar and thudding drums. There are moments on the record, such as "Mistaken For Strangers" or "Apartment Story", where you may come to the conclusion that music should not be allowed to be this good- a world of emotion, pain and isolation never sounded as fantastic in terms of indie rock. Far surpassing the band's previous effort, Alligator, this is a record that you must own.The Postal Service Give UpThe Shins Chutes Too NarrowThe Smiths Meat is MurderThe Smiths Louder Than BombsThe Starting Line Based on a True StoryPop-punk, as a whole, isn't exactly the kind of genre that breeds masterpieces. The closest it will ever get is From Under The Cork Tree. Oh, and this. Based On A True Story is a diverse, witty, energetic and genuine body of work. Its genius lies in the fact the lyrics and concept of the overall album, the work of one Kenny Vasoli, is obviously very personal and introspective; and yet manages to be universal enough that it can connect with many...certainly when I first heard this album in 2005, it became the soundtrack to my life. So many years on, the album still has life and a connectivity to growing up in this day and age- and it nails it far greater than any other of their contemporaries.The Streets Original Pirate MaterialThe Streets A Grand Don't Come For FreeThe Used The UsedThe Vines Highly EvolvedThe Whitlams Eternal NightcapA landmark Australian release. Tim Freedman's unmistakable songwriting and subtly piercing vocals give a poignancy and genuine emotion that few other songwriters in Australia can really take on properly. Highlights include the beautiful Charlie trilogy, "Up Against The Wall"'s spiraling tirade against a former lover, and the undeniable modern classic that is No Aphrodisiac. Simply, the band's best release and for you, dear reader, an undiscovered gem. Discover it.Tim Minchin Ready For This? [DVD]Trial Kennedy New Manic ArtTV on the Radio Dear ScienceU2 Go Home, Live From Slane CastleU2 The Best Of 1980-1990Underoath Define the Great LineWeen Chocolate and CheeseYeah Yeah Yeahs Show Your Bones4 excellent30 Seconds to Mars 30 Seconds to MarsA Perfect Circle Thirteenth StepAC/DC Back in BlackAC/DC High VoltageAC/DC Live At DoningtonAhh, Acca Dacca. In the studio, they haven't been relevant in the slightest since 1980. Live, however, they remain one of the most exciting and enjoyable acts around. This massive performance is no exception to this rule- even the mediocre tracks from their Johnson-era records rock and roll with the best of their classic tracks. The highlight here, however, is a ten-minute plus rendition of "Jailbreak", with an intense breakdown that the highly enthusiastic crowd laps up. With "Black Ice" on the horizon, expect a few last shows out of this rock and roll beast. Even if the new record sucks, you know you're in for a treat if you get to see them live.AC/DC T.N.T.AFI DecemberundergroundAFI Crash LoveAgainst Me! New WaveAlexisonfire Watch Out!Anberlin CitiesAnimal Collective FeelsAnimal Collective Strawberry JamAnnie Don't StopArch Enemy Doomsday MachineArctic Monkeys Favourite Worst NightmareArctic Monkeys HumbugAudioslave AudioslaveBen Folds Five Ben Folds FiveBen Harper Diamonds on the InsideBen Lee Awake Is The New SleepBiffy Clyro Only RevolutionsBilly Talent Billy Talent IIBilly Talent Billy TalentBlack Sabbath Master of Realityblink-182 Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (Bonus Tracks)Bluejuice Head of The HawkBob Dylan Another Side of Bob DylanBon Iver Blood BankBrand New Deja EntenduBright Eyes I'm Wide Awake, It's MorningConor Oberst is a unique individual, that's a certainty. Always finding intriguing and important ways of expressing his views through the majesty of song. Here is no exception- I'm Wide Awake is a collection of mostly intimate, raw acoustic observation of the world around. The only exception to this rule, ironically, is the album highlight- album closer Road to Joy is a brilliant, layered jam session with erratic guitar and wild blurts of trumpet. Also worth checking out is the pensive First Day of My Life, the soaring Landlocked Blues and the quiet-is-the-new-loud glory of Lua.Britney Spears CircusBruce Springsteen MagicBruce Springsteen Devils & DustBurial BurialCannibal Corpse Evisceration PlagueCap'n Jazz AnalphabetapolothologyCaptain Kickarse and the Awesomes Falsimilies from the Facts Machine EPCat Power The GreatestCity And Colour The MySpace Transmissions EPCity And Colour SometimesCoheed and Cambria Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV...Coldplay LeftRightLeftRightLeftCradle of Filth NymphetamineCradle of Filth ThornographyCream Disraeli GearsCrowded House Time on EarthCrystal Castles Crystal CastlesD12 Devil's NightDaft Punk Alive 2007Daft Punk DiscoveryDananananaykroyd Hey EveryoneDavid Bazan Curse Your BranchesDead Letter Circus Next In Line - EPDeath Cab For Cutie The Stability E.PDeath Cab For Cutie Something About AirplanesDeath Cab For Cutie Narrow StairsAfter the modern classic that was Transatlanticism, Death Cab for Cutie decided quiet was the new loud on Plans. This time, however, on their second album for a major label, they just weren't sure where to go. Fuelled by Jack Kerouac and Can, the band decided to delve both into the past ("No Sunlight", "Cath..." and "Long Division" all could have been on their Architecture era records) and into the future ("Bixby Canyon Bridge" and the immense "I Will Possess Your Heart" show promise for a complete band progression). It doesn't always work, let alone flow, but it is a strong release nonetheless.Deftones DeftonesDivine Heresy Bringer of PlaguesDizzee Rascal Showtimedredg El CieloDrowning Pool SinnerEagles Hell Freezes OverEddie Vedder Into The Wild [Music For The Motion Picture]Editors An End Has A StartEmery ...In Shallow Seas We SailEminem The Slim Shady LPEminem Curtain Call: The HitsEnslaved VertebraeYes, it's a little samey in parts. Yes, it takes itself far too seriously. Yes, this is black metal. Having said that, this is still by far one of the best metal releases of the year- consistent, flowing, energetic and just a little bit ridiculous.Enter Shikari Take To The SkiesAmongst a plethora of bands on the hardcore scene in Britain caring more about what they're wearing than what they're playing, it has been hugely depressing seeing bands like Bring Me The Horizon explode worldwide. One band amongst the community, however, stood out, to use some British slang, like dog's bollocks. Enter Shikari didn't so much arrive as stagedive headfirst into it- and if their debut is anything to go by, then they're here to stay. Two things set them apart. The first is the inclusion of some highly danceable and well-executed synth and electronic drum patterns- of course, they're not the first to pull such a thing off, but I'm strained to think of one that's done it better in recent years. The second is the genuine sense of fun about their music- the energy levels are always high, and even when vocalist Rou Reynolds is screaming to the point where it is noticeably straining his voice, the music never seems angry or overly aggressive. From the insistent catchiness of "Sorry You're Not A Winner", the anthemic self-titled track and the sentimental ballad "Adieu", Enter Shikari cover a lot of ground. They show a lot of promise for the future- and I can't wait to see just where they go from here.Envy on the Coast Lucy GrayEpitomes Demo.Eric Clapton UnpluggedErin McCarley Love, Save the EmptyEskimo Joe Black Fingernails, Red WineEvanescence FallenFall Out Boy Folie a DeuxFlight of the Conchords Flight Of The ConchordsFlorence and the Machine LungsFoo Fighters In Your HonorFoo Fighters Greatest HitsFranz Ferdinand Franz FerdinandGallows Orchestra Of WolvesThis is as raw and real as hardcore music has been in the past few years. Vocalist Frank Carter howls, seeths and screams through an epic, solid hardcore punk record that anyone who is truly into the "punk" scene should appreciate. A real breath of fresh air on a scene taken over by bands who care more about what they wear than what they play.Gin Wigmore Holy SmokeGnarls Barkley The Odd CoupleGoo Goo Dolls JedGorilla Biscuits Start TodayClassic hardcore. Loud, fast, thrashing and angry as hell...yet with a strong, positive and meaningful message? Damn, who'd have thunk it? Highlights include New Direction, Two Sides and Start Today, which is quite possibly my favourite hardcore song of all time.Green Day International SuperhitsGreen Day DookieGrizzly Bear VeckatimestDammit, once you eliminate the hype and begin to cut to the core of Veckatimest, you've got yourself a fucking good record. At first, the album will seem boring and difficult to take in. Following this will be a development of interest in particular tracks - the swaying "Cheerleader", the chiming and harmonious "Two Weeks" and the divine "Foreground" just a few examples. Finally, you will find yourself immersed in the entire record as a listening experience. And by this point, you're soaked head to toe in charming, soulful and heartfelt indie-leaning pop. Very much worth the effort.Guns N' Roses Appetite For DestructionGwen Stefani Love. Angel. Music. Baby.Hanson Middle of NowhereHole Celebrity SkinHowling Bells s/tImogen Heap EllipseIncubus S.C.I.E.N.C.E.INXS KickIron Maiden Somewhere Back In Time: The Best Of 1980 - 1989Isis Wavering RadiantJackson Browne Looking EastJackson Browne Time the ConquerorJaguar Love Take Me to the SeaJet Shine OnJimmy Eat World Chase This LightOnce again, Jimmy Eat World have delivered another great pop record that worms its way into your head with hook after hook after hook. Adkins is a smart and intriguing lyricist and can still hold a tune as well as he could in the Clarity days, if not more so now. Highlights include Big Casino, Electable, Gotta Be Somebody's Blues and Dizzy. Probably won't win any new fans, but will most certainly please current ones.Joanna Newsom The Milk-Eyed MenderJohn Mayer Room For SquaresJohnny Cash American III: Solitary ManJustin Timberlake FutureSex/LoveSoundsA pop juggernaut. A dancefloor anthem. A Prince tribute album. A sex-obsessed concept album. Thriller for the 21st century. A hell of a good time. The crown jewel atop the head of the new king of pop. FutureSex/LoveSounds was all of these things upon its release. And still is.Justin Timberlake FutureSex/LoveSounds: Deluxe EditionKaiser Chiefs EmploymentKanye West GraduationKarnivool ThemataKate Miller-Heidke CuriouserKeane Perfect SymmetryKeating! Company B 2007 Original Cast RecordingKilling Heidi ReflectorIn context, this was the creative explosion of the Hooper siblings that they had worked so very hard to finally create and release after catching their big break from Triple J's Unearthed competition. The result was an enthusiastic and infectious collection of spaced-out pop that's rough around the edges whilst still maintaining rock music roots. Lead single "Weir" has stood the test of time as one of the great modern works of Australian pop music, but this record holds so much more instore for its listeners: the slow-burning "A Jar Labelled Small", the twirling "Leave Me Alone" and the gorgeous "Black Sheep" are just a handful of examples. They never matched the greatness of this record ever again, but Reflector still remains a solid release.Kings of Leon Because Of The TimesKings of Leon Aha Shake HeartbreakKings of Leon Only By The NightKisschasy United Paper PeopleKorn UntitledKT Tunstall Eye To The TelescopeLady GaGa The FameLiam Finn I'll Be LightningLiam Finn Champagne in Seashells (with Eliza Jane)Lily Allen It's Not Me, It's YouLinkin Park Minutes to MidnightWith Rick "God" Rubin on their side, Linkin Park created a whole new demon and will arguably be viewed retrospectively as their best work to date in Minutes To Midnight. The old methods are practically gone, but with their departure has come an arrival of a new, professional sound that thrives on hooks and pop-is-not-a-dirty-word energy. Highlights include Bleed It Out, Shadow Of The Day and THE song of their careers, The Little Things Give You Away.Linkin Park Hybrid TheoryOne of the more impressive debut albums of its time, here the band took the "teen angst" module to a new generation. "Shut up while I'm talking to you" replaced "fuck you, I won't do what you tell me", and the kids were hooked. As cliche-ridden as it all sounds, Hybrid Theory still contains some excellent pop songs with catchy hooks and riffs, and turntablist Joe Hahn lets loose (unfortunately not as present on their other two records), bringing a new dimension to the songs.Lisa Mitchell WonderM.I.A. KalaMacromantics Moments In MovementMammal Mammal EPMaroon 5 It Won't Be Soon Before LongMastodon Crack the SkyeMatisyahu Live At Stubb'sMC Lars The GraduateMetallica Death MagneticAnd they're back. A lot can change in five years (I was in year seven when St. Anger came out, and am about to finish school this year, as an example), but this has given Metallica ample breathing space to focus on getting back to what they do best- making great, loud, fast and thrashing music. Essentially, Death Magnetic takes the band out of the ditch they found themselves in because of drop-C and tin cans, and position themselves for a ride down easy street. Everything you hear on this record, 'Tallica have done before (and, in some cases, done better). For what it's worth, though, this is a hell of a fun listen- big choruses, a triumphant return of Kirk Hammett's skillful solos, an obsession with having EVERY song in the key of E, exciting bridges and a completion of the "Unforgiven" saga with unexpectedly brilliant results. This isn't Metallica's best, nor is it a revolution of sound. But it is proof enough that the legends aren't ready to nail in that coffin just yet. Now shut up and get your air guitar or Guitar Hero- Lars and co. are waiting.Metallica Master of PuppetsMew No More StoriesMicachu JewelleryA polarising album, that's for sure. But once this record clicks, you're looking at one of the most impressive albums of the year- infectious, offbeat and creative music that can truly be defined as original. "Vulture", "Eat Your Heart", "Just in Case" and "Worst Bastard" are the highest recommended out of the batch, but it's all worth a listen.Mike Hale Lives Like MineMinty Fresh Beats JaydioheadMinus The Bear Planet Of IceMuse H.A.A.R.PMuse ShowbizMy Chemical Romance Three Cheers For Sweet RevengeAfter a raw, uneasy introduction to the band on I Brought You My Bullets, this is a far more focused and energetic release from My Chemical Romance. A melodramatic, hyperactive and thoroughly enjoyable rock album that flaunts both melody and intensity in its thirteen tracks, although not entirely on a consistent basis.My Morning Jacket OkonokosN.E.R.D. Seeing SoundsNeil Young On the BeachNeil Young After the Gold RushNeutral Milk Hotel In the Aeroplane Over the SeaNewton Faulkner Rebuilt by HumansNick Cave and The Bad Seeds Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of OrpheusNick Drake Way to Blue: An Introduction to Nick DrakeNine Inch Nails With TeethNine Inch Nails The SlipNine Inch Nails Every Day Is Exactly The SameNirvana Live! Tonight! Sold Out!Operator Please Cement Cement EPOperator Please On The Prowl EPOperator Please Yes Yes VindictiveParamore Riot!Paul Dempsey Everything Is TruePaul Kelly ...nothing but a dreamPaul Kelly Foggy HighwayPavement Crooked Rain, Crooked RainPearl Jam rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991-2003)Pearl Jam Vs.With Vs., Pearl Jam began to wane the "grunge" tag and expand their sound to include influence of everything from heartland rock to early funk. Whilst slightly lacking the spark of Ten, the album is still home to some of the band's defining songs: Animal, Daughter and Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town are the strongest examples of this. Not their finest hour, but invariably an essential addition to your Pearl Jam collection.Phrase ClockworkPlacebo Once More With FeelingPlacebo Without You I'm NothingPortraits Of Past 0100101110100011100100100Powderfinger Odyssey Number FivePowderfinger FingerprintsQueens Of The Stone Age Songs For The DeafQueens Of The Stone Age Lullabies to ParalyzeR.E.M. UpR.E.M. RevealR.E.M. Lifes Rich PageantR.E.M. Out Of TimeR.E.M. R.E.M. LiveR.E.M. AccelerateR.E.M. Chronic TownRadiohead OK ComputerRadiohead In RainbowsRadiohead AmnesiacRage Against the Machine Evil EmpireRammstein VolkerballRamones The AnthologyRamones End of the CenturyRamones RamonesRed Hot Chili Peppers Stadium ArcadiumRed Hot Chili Peppers CalifornicationRed Hot Chili Peppers Live At Hyde ParkRed Riders Drown in ColourRegina Spektor Begin To HopeRegurgitator Tu PlangRihanna Good Girl Gone BadRihanna Good Girl Gone Bad: ReloadedRise Against The Sufferer and the WitnessSantogold SantogoldSaosin SaosinScissor Sisters Scissor SistersSeether Disclaimer IIShai Hulud Misanthropy PureSia Some People Have Real ProblemsSigur Ros TakkSilverchair FrogstompSilverchair Young ModernSleep Station Blood of Our FathersSlipknot 9.0: LiveSlipknot All Hope is GoneSmashing Pumpkins ZeitgeistSnob Scrilla Day OneSomething For Kate The Official FictionSomething With Numbers Perfect DistractionSoundtrack Team America: World PoliceSoundtrack Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along BlogSoundtrack The Spongebob Squarepants Movie - MusicSoundtrack Garden StateSpice Girls Greatest HitsSpiderbait Greatest HitsSt. Vincent ActorSunny Day Real Estate DiarySystem of a Down MezmerizeTaking Back Sunday Where You Want To BeTegan and Sara So JealousThe Beatles LoveThe Beatles 1The Beatles 1962-1966The Beatles The Beatles - 1967-1970The Beatles With The BeatlesThe Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club BandThe Butterfly Effect Begins HereThe Cure Three Imaginary BoysThe Darkness Permission to LandThe Decemberists The Hazards Of LoveThe Doors The DoorsThe Fall Of Troy DoppelgangerThe Flaming Lips The Soft BulletinThe Flaming Lips EmbryonicThe Gossip Standing In The Way Of ControlThe John Butler Trio Grand NationalThe Killers Sam's TownThe Living End State Of EmergencyThe Lonely Island IncredibadThe Mars Volta AmputechtureThe Mars Volta Frances the MuteThe Mars Volta OctahedronThe Mountain Goats The Sunset TreeThe New Pornographers Twin CinemaThe Offspring AmericanaThe Presets ApocalypsoThe Red Paintings Feed the Wolf [EP]The Shins Oh, Inverted WorldThe Smiths The Very Best Of The SmithsThe Smiths RankThe Smiths The SmithsThe Smiths The Queen Is DeadThe Vines MelodiaThe White Stripes Get Behind Me SatanThe White Stripes White Blood CellsThe Whitlams Truth, Beauty and a Picture of You: The Best OfThe Who TommyThursday War All The TimeTiger Army Music From Regions BeyondTimbaland Shock ValueTool 10,000 DaysTV on the Radio Return to Cookie MountainTV on the Radio Young Liars EPU2 How to Dismantle an Atomic BombUnderoath Survive KaleidoscopeUnderoath Lost In The Sound Of SeparationVan Halen 5150Various Artists (Hip Hop) 8 Mile OSTWolfmother WolfmotherYeah Yeah Yeahs Fever To Tell3.5 great30 Seconds to Mars A Beautiful Lie36 Crazyfists The Tide And Its TakersAC/DC AC/DC Live Disc 1 (Collectors Edition)Albert Hammond Jr Yours To KeepAlbert Hammond Jr ¿Cómo Te Llama?Alien Ant Farm ANThologyAll-American Rejects Move AlongAll-Time Quarterback All-Time Quarterback!Amplive Rainydayz RemixesAn Horse Rearrange BedsAnberlin Never Take Friendship PersonalAnberlin New SurrenderAnnie AnniemalAtreyu Lead Sails Paper AnchorMaking a change for the better from their metalcore chuggery, Atreyu have released their most accessible, and in turn most enjoyable record to date. The vocals (even the god-awful screams) have made a huge improvement here, and even the more generic tracks have good hooks and tighter musicianship. They're never going to make truly great music, or be a truly great band. But dammit, kudos to them for trying. Atreyu A Death-Grip On YesterdayAudioslave Out Of ExileAvril Lavigne Let GoCertainly she's reached new levels of slutdom now, but back in the day Miss Avril Lavigne Whibley was everybody's guilty pleasure. A star cast of writers and producers make the sugar-sweet guitar pop that much more accessible and enjoyable, but Lavigne's biting accent and high-note hairbrush singing define these songs. "I'd rather be anything but ordinary, please!" she moans halfway through the album. She delivers for the most part on this wish- see the angsty "Losing Grip" and "Unwanted", the little-girl-lost ballads of "I'm With You" and "Naked" and the undeniably catchy "Sk8er Boi"- but a lot of the non-single territory seems far too forced, and things really didn't get that much better for Avril from here. Oh well. Everybody with me: "Why'd you have to go and make things so complicaaaatedd..."Bad Lieutenant Never Cry Another TearBe Your Own Pet Be Your Own PetBeck Midnite VulturesBeck GueroBeck Modern GuiltBen Kweller On My WayBen Lee Ben Lee Sings Against Me! - New WaveBen Lee The Rebirth of VenusBirds Of Tokyo UniversesBjork VoltaBlack Eyed Peas Elephunkblink-182 Take Off Your Pants and Jacketblink-182 Blink 182 Greatest Hitsblink-182 The Mark, Tom, And Travis Showblink-182 Enema Of The StateBloc Party Silent Alarm RemixedBob Dylan New MorningBritney Spears BlackoutIt's ironic that this album is my most enjoyed Britney Spears album and Britney herself is arguably the least important part of it. The production on the album is exceptional, the beats catchy and addictive, the choruses repetitive but effective. Even while we try to figure out just what "cold as fire, hot as ice" means. "Blackout" has already gone platinum here in Australia and will probably do so again. Are people buying this just because it's Britney (bitch)? Probably. If anyone else was in charge of this record, would it suck? Again, probably- but the point here is that Danja has climbed another rung of the ladder to becoming the next Timbaland, and if he keeps this quality work up then his rise shall be much, much quicker than usual.Carra BorderlineCassie Davis DifferentlyChildren Collide The Long NowCiara Fantasy RideCirca Survive On Letting GoClap Your Hands Say Yeah Clap Your Hands Say YeahClosure in Moscow First TempleClutch Strange Cousins From The WestColdplay A Rush Of Blood To The HeadConverge Axe To FallCradle of Filth Lovecraft & Witch HeartsCradle of Filth Godspeed on the Devil's ThunderDarkest Hour Undoing RuinDeath Cab For Cutie You Can Play These Songs With ChordsDeath Cab For Cutie The John Byrd EPDeicide The Stench of RedemptionGlen Benton and his posse of grumpy devil-worshippers came back with a punch on this record, the first featuring their two new guitarists. The guitar work is exceptional, with riffs as hooky as death metal will get anytime soon and some blazing solos for good measure. Sure Benton hasn't changed his lyrical content since...well, ever- but it's still a solid release from a veteran metal band.Dennis Wilson Pacific Ocean BlueDevendra Banhart Nino RojoDido Life For RentDinosaur Jr. You're Living All Over MeDizzee Rascal Maths and EnglishDoves Some CitiesDoves Kingdom of RustEagles Long Road Out Of EdenBad news first, I guess- the record could have easily been one disc and the bad songs here are really, really bad. A lot of the songwriting is either tacky or just plain obvious here, as well. But if you're an Eagles fan, this just doesn't matter, as the band have made a record faithful to their roots- still the same old fantastic harmonies, some good guitar work (it's Joe Walsh, people- you can't go wrong!) and a title track that can proudly be shelved alongside some of the other truly great Eagles songs of yesteryear.Editors The Back RoomEminem RelapseEminem InfiniteEminem The Slim Shady EPEmpire Of The Sun Walking On A DreamEnter Shikari Common DreadsEric's Trip Love TaraEskimo Joe A Song Is A CityEvol Intent Era of DiversionFall Out Boy Infinity On HighFall Out Boy My Heart Will Always Be The B-Side...Fall Out Boy Take This To Your GraveFinal Fantasy He Poos CloudsFlight of the Conchords I Told You I Was FreakyFoo Fighters One By OneFoo Fighters Echoes, Silence, Patience & GraceThe Fooeys, as they're affectionately known here in Australia, sucessfully bridged the gap of the heavy rock of their early records with the acoustic meanderings of In Your Honor. Top musicianship is especially present in Ballad Of The Beaconsfield Miners, with some hugely impressive guitar work in accompaniment with the gorgeous Kaki King. One can also count The Pretender and Let It Die as some of the strongest singles the band has ever released. Overall, this is a solid rock record that should not dissapoint any long-serving fans.Franz Ferdinand You Could Have It So Much Betterfun. Aim and IgniteGreen Day Bullet in a BibleGreen Day WarningGuy Sebastian Like It Like ThatGyroscope Sound Shattering SoundGyroscope Breed ObsessionHawthorne Heights If Only You Were LonelyYou all know those five mopey kids who called out "cut my wrists and black my eyes". But what became of them after that? A few things- firstly, they learned how to create some great guitar pop songs. Secondly, they discovered the joys of melody and catchy hooks, improving drastically from their previous record. Lastly, they started enjoying themselves. Sure, the themes are similarly bleak, and they haven't become genius songwriters overnight. But the Hawthorne Heights that we find on this album are far smarter, far more skilled at their art and genuinely more exciting than before. And the beauty of this is the fact their best work is still ahead of them.Hilltop Hoods The Hard RoadHORSE The Band Desperate LivingHot Hot Heat Make up the BreakdownI Heart Hiroshima The RipIncubus A Crow Left Of The MurderIncubus Enjoy Incubus E.PJack Johnson On and OnJames Blunt All the Lost SoulsJay-Z American GangsterJet Get BornJob for a Cowboy GenesisJohn Lee Hooker Mr. LuckyJohn Mayer Heavier ThingsJulian Casablancas Phrazes for the YoungKaiser Chiefs Yours Truly, Angry MobKaty Perry One Of The Boys (Platinum Australian Tour Edition)Kelly Clarkson All I Ever WantedKillswitch Engage The End of HeartacheLady Sovereign Public WarningLamb of God WrathLenka LenkaLily Allen Alright, StillLittle Boots HandsManchester Orchestra I'm Like A Virgin Losing A ChildMarilyn Manson The Golden Age Of GrotesqueMatisyahu YouthMaximo Park Quicken The HeartMichael Jackson Number OnesMoby HotelMudvayne L.D. 50Muse Black Holes and RevelationsMuse AbsolutionN.E.R.D. Fly Or DieNas UntitledNine Inch Nails Ghosts I-IVNirvana IncesticideNizlopi Half These Songs Are About YouNorma Jean RedeemerOff Minor Some BloodPaolo Nutini Sunny Side UpParamore Brand New EyesParkway Drive HorizonsPassion Pit Chunk of ChangePaul Kelly Songs From The South Volume 2Paul McCartney Memory Almost FullPearl Jam Pearl JamPearl Jam BackspacerIt'd be easy to just release lethargic, excuse-to-tour records for a band like Pearl Jam. But in my mind, this is a group that keeps on giving. This is every bit as gentle as it is rocking, as cynical as it is hopeful...a very balanced and focused album. Some are calling it their best since Yield. I'm not sure if I'd hand that to them just yet, but for what it's worth this is a great album.Phantom Planet The GuestPixies DoolittlePJ Harvey Rid Of MeHorrible recording and production quality are the main detractor from the record. Whilst we currently face a loudness war, this record suffers its antithesis- you actually have to turn it up a great deal to hear anything. Having said that, there is some excellent, dirty blues to be found here once you have achieved the correct volume- the highlight, naturally, being the filthy "Fifty Foot Queenie". Predominanty a hardcore-fans-only affair, but the best thing to take from the record is that things only got better from here.Placebo Sleeping With GhostsPlus 44 When Your Heart Stops BeatingPowderfinger Vulture StreetProtest the Hero FortressR.E.M. MurmurR.E.M. New Adventures In Hi - FiRadiohead The Best ofRage Against the Machine RenegadesRammstein Reise, ReiseRamones We're Outta HereRed Hot Chili Peppers Freaky StyleyRise Against The UnravelingSaliva Back Into your SystemSaliva Cinco DiabloSaosin Saosin EP/Warped Tour EPSaosin Come CloseSatyricon Now, DiabolicalSay Anything In Defense of the GenreScary Kids Scaring Kids The City Sleeps In FlamesScum Gospels For The SickSerj Tankian Elect the DeadSilverback Bigger Than Beijing EPSilverchair The Best Of: Vol. 1Simon and Garfunkel Wednesday Morning 3AMSloan Never Hear The End Of ItSnow Patrol Final StrawSonic Youth DirtySoundtrack Ghost WorldSparta PorcelainSpice Girls SpiceworldSpice Girls SpiceSpiderbait Tonight AlrightStaind Break the CycleStrung Out Exile In OblivionSwitchfoot The Beautiful LetdownTaking Back Sunday Louder NowTenacious D Tenacious D: The Pick of DestinyThe Beatles Anthology 1The Beatles A Hard Day's NightThe Beatles Please Please MeThe Butterfly Effect ImagoThe Cure DisintegrationThe Fratellis Costello MusicThe Offspring Conspiracy Of OneThe Offspring The OffspringThe Presets BeamsThe Rasmus Dead LettersThe Shins Wincing the Night AwayThe Temper Trap ConditionsThe Used Lies for the LiarsThe View Which Bitch?The Vines Winning DaysThe White Stripes De StijlTinted Windows Tinted WindowsTokyo Police Club Elephant ShellTrivium ShogunTV on the Radio OK CalculatorTV on the Radio New Health Rock EPTzar Bomber Melt On Like This EPU2 No Line On The HorizonUnderoath They're Only Chasing SafetyVan Halen Diver DownVan She VWalls of Jericho With Devils Amongst Us AllWomen can be scary sometimes, but not even your manipulative ex can hold a candle to a woman brave enough to front a metal band. Whilst Candace Kucsulain doesn't have the borderline-demonic grit of Angela Gossow, she still commands with brutal, tirade-spouting vocals which are backed perfectly by howling guitars and unrelenting blasts of drums. Of course, many of the breakdowns are ill-fitting, and their movement into ballad territory most probably should have been avoided. What's good on here, however, is simply exceptional. A diverse, unapologetic and apocalyptic release from a band that can only get better.Weezer The Red AlbumWolfmother Wolfmother (US Version)Yeah Yeah Yeahs Is Is [EP]Yo La Tengo Popular SongsYou Am I #4 Record3 good50 Cent Get Rich or Die Tryin'AFI Answer That And Stay FashionableAFI The Art of DrowningAkercocke Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go...Andrew Bird Armchair ApocryphaArchitecture In Helsinki Places Like ThisAt the Drive-In El Gran OrgoAugie March Strange BirdAugust Burns Red ConstellationsAvenged Sevenfold City of EvilAvril Lavigne Under My SkinBackstreet Boys Backstreet's BackBeastie Boys To the 5 BoroughsBernard Fanning Tea & SympathyBeyonce B'DayBridezilla The First DanceCircle Takes The Square As The Roots UndoFirst things first- this is not a user friendly record. Chances are you'll be like myself and have an initial bad reaction to the album. Most, however, have gone on to speak godlike praises of it. Certainly, there is evidence of a band with a lot of potential here- "An Interview At The Ruins" is a particularly great display of what the band can do, featuring emphatic guitar, loud erratic drums and unexpected shifts in tone. The build-ups, changes in tempo and sudden explosions of full-band accompaniment makes for very interesting listening, certainly assisting it in standing out amongst their contemporaries. It is a redundant argument to oppose the genuine passion that has gone into this release, as well- despite the awful mix and production, this is certainly a finished product constructed with a lot of heart. With this in mind, there is still undoubtedly a lot here that simply does not work- "Same Shade As Concrete" is decidedly awful and unlistenable for the most part, and both "Kill The Switch" and "A Crater to Cough In" are ridiculously overlong and pointlessly stretched, despite having some interesting sections. The vocalists, too, have much room for improvement- not even gargantuan truckloads of emotion can stop the screams from predominantly sounding thin, uncomfortable and ugly, occasionally spoiling the song. Without a doubt, As The Roots Undo is NOT a classic, hyperbole-inducing release that many build it up to be. Having said that, it's not as awful as I once thought it to be.City And Colour City and Colour LIVEAfter witnessing Dallas Green in concert earlier in the year, both by himself and with Alexisonfire, I am more than aware of his amazing talents as both a vocalist and a guitarist. This is more than present here as he belts out the bulk of his album, Sometimes. As an overall performance, however, far too much time is spent on (very) small talk and tuning of his guitar. Also, the release of the product also feels like a bit of a cash cow. Still, for what's on offer here, it's not half bad.Coldplay X&YCradle of Filth MidianCut Copy In Ghost ColoursCynic FocusDaft Punk Human After AllDash and Will Up in SomethingDimmu Borgir Stormblåst MMVDr. Dre 2001DragonForce Inhuman RampageEminem EncoreEminem Eminem Presents: The Re-UpEvanescence The Open DoorEvermore Truth of the World: Welcome to the ShowEzekiel Ox Winter In SuburbiaFive 5iveFoo Fighters There Is Nothing Left To LoseFrom First to Last From First To LastGrinspoon Alibis & Other LiesGwen Stefani The Sweet EscapeHot Hot Heat ElevatorI Killed The Prom Queen Music for the Recently DeceasedIncubus Fungus AmongusIncubus Light GrenadesIncubus When Incubus Attacks, Vol. IJack Johnson Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for Curious GeorgeJack Johnson In Between DreamsJay-Z The Blueprint 3Jonsi and Alex Riceboy SleepsJustin Timberlake JustifiedKaty Perry One of the BoysYou can get angry at this record all you like. And rightly so- the Avril tomboy antics of "One of the Boys", the whiny and immature "Ur So Gay" and the lame man-hating "Mannequin" are all bland, strained in its attempts to be unique and generally irritating. At times, I'd even give this record less than one star. But, then, it happens: the "Rock and Roll Part 2" drums kick in, the swinging guitars and stomping bass follows..."I Kissed A Girl" is the synth-pop hit of the year, regardless of what interpretation one makes of the song's lyrics. With singles like this, along with her drop-dead-gorgeous looks and musical ability, One of the Boys certainly shows plenty of potential. Here's hoping...Kelly Clarkson BreakawayLeonard Cohen Various PositionsLes Claypool Of Fungi and FoeLimp Bizkit Chocolate Starfish...Linkin Park MeteoraLinkin Park/Jay Z Collision Course (The Ulitmate Mash-Up)I ordered a frappucino! Where's my fucking frappucino?Matt and Kim GrandMindless Self Indulgence IfMurderdolls Beyond The Valley Of The MurderdollsNeil Young Fork In The RoadNickelback Silver Side UpNo Age NounsIt's a very noisy, very lo-fi record. You could honestly just leave it there; the main issue to be had with Nouns is its distinct lack of highlights and continuous struggle to evidence truly quality songsmanship. When a good tune emerges out of the distortion, however rare it may be, one begins to get a better comprehension of just why people enjoy this band so much. Mostly, however, Nouns leaves you in the dark in terms of the band's critical success. It's just noisy lo-fi.P.O.D. SatellitePapa Roach The Paramour SessionsPearl Jam Riot ActPendulum Hold Your ColourPink M!ssundaztoodPlacebo MedsPowderfinger Dream Days At The Hotel ExistencePuddle Of Mudd Come CleanPuscifer V Is For VaginaR.E.M. Around The SunRadiohead Hail To The ThiefRammstein Live aus BerlinRamones It's Alive!Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili PeppersRegurgitator Mish Mash!Rise Against Appeal To ReasonScissor Sisters Ta-DahSeether Finding Beauty in Negative SpacesThe South African nu-metallers ride again. Ho hum. It was going to be a real task bettering the excellent Karma and Effect- quite evidently one that the band could not do. The solution was certainly not attempting to recreate the record in a half-baked and uninspired way, as the bulk of this record is. They were certainly on the right track with the sensational single "Fake It" and the thundering jam of "No Jesus Christ", however. Better luck next time.Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's The Sex Sparta Wiretap ScarsSugar Army The Parallels Amongst OurselvesSum 41 Does This Look InfectedSwitchfoot Oh! (EP)System of a Down HypnotizeT-Pain Thr33 Ringzt.A.T.u. 200 km/H In The Wrong LaneTaylor Swift FearlessThe Academy Is... Almost HereThe Academy Is... SantiThe Butterfly Effect Final Conversation of KingsThe Carnage Visors Midnight Curfew [EP]The Cat Empire Two ShoesThe Fratellis Here We StandThe Horrors Strange HouseThe Living End Roll OnThe Mars Volta Scab Dates [Live]The National AlligatorThe Offspring SplinterThe Rasmus Hide from the SunThe Starting Line DirectionThe Thrills TeenagerIrish quintet The Thrills have brought out their third album quietly and with little promotion. While there are some fantastic tunes on here, and Connor Deasy still knows how to write and sing a good tune, you can't help but feel that something is missing in this album. The band seem out of inspiration at times, and a little tired. Give this album a go, by all means, but for the most part it's fans only.The Used In Love and DeathThe Vines Vision ValleyThe White Stripes Icky ThumpThe White Stripes The White StripesThursday Common ExistenceTom Morello: The Nightwatchman One Man RevolutionTrivium The CrusadeU2 U218 Singles + DVDUsher Here I StandWeezer Green AlbumWWE Forceable EntryYou Am I Convicts2.5 averageAC/DC The Razor's EdgeAtreyu The CurseAugie March Moo, You Bloody ChoirBeastie Boys Solid Gold HitsBen Kweller Ben KwellerSo Ben Kweller has made himself a record all by himself, playing all the instruments. This is all well and good, but here's the problem- nearly half the tracks here are just...dull. There's no life, no spiteful energy that charged his earlier records- just some cruisy old-time pop music. There are some lovely tunes here- Sundress and Nothing Happening are highlights- and closing track "This Is War" brings the record a jolt of electricity. But ultimately, Kweller plays it too safe, and too many niceties have made for his worst album. Sorry, Ben. Better luck next time!Beyonce I Am... Sasha FierceBlack Eyed Peas Monkey BusinessBlack Kids Partie TraumaticBritish India GuillotineChristina Aguilera StrippedDarkest Hour The Eternal ReturnDisturbed IndestructibleDragonForce Sonic FirestormEagles Very Best OfThere's no denying the impact the Eagles have had on rock music, particularly throughout the seventies with classic records like Desperado and the brilliant Hotel California. There's also no denying that the classic rock radio staples that are their singles collection is also fairly impressive. So why, pray tell, do we need "all the hits" repackaged for us once again? Other Eagles compilations are far more detailed, and often with a better song selection. This, however, is a hugely predictable affair, badly tracklisted and ignoring some of the lesser commercial successes (but genuinely better songs). If you're after a real Eagles collection, you cannot go past the 2003 double disc "The Very Best of The Eagles" anthology. This, however, is best left on the shelf for completists and those who aren't sure where to start with the band (for the record, it's got to be Hotel California).Eiffel 65 EuropopEric Clapton Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric ClaptonFall Out Boy Fall Out Boy's Evening Out With Your GirlfriendG-Unit Beg For MercyGood Charlotte The Young And The HopelessGreen Day 21st Century BreakdownHawthorne Heights The Silence In Black And WhiteInterpol Our Love To AdmireJames Blunt Back To BedlamKaiser Chiefs Off With Their HeadsKillswitch Engage Killswitch Engage [II]Little Birdy ConfettiMarilyn Manson Eat Me, Drink MeMetallica St. AngerMoby Wait for MeMuse The ResistanceMMMMYEAHHH WE'RE IN A WARRRR AND THEYYYY WON'TTT WINNNN BECAUSEE I'M A WIZZZARDDD AND I'M IN LOOOOOVE AND LOOOOOVE CONQUERS ALLLL SO LET'S FIIIIIIIIIIGHTTTT MMMMYEAHHHH fin.My Chemical Romance I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought...Neil Young Everybody's Rockin'Nelly Furtado Mi PlanNickelback All the Right ReasonsThe infamous Canadians were battling slightly poorer sales after the dismal Silver Side Up sequel, The Long Road. Within a few hit singles from this record, however, the band were right back on track as soulless stadium fillers. Sure, the production is tight as ever, it's a complete improvement from The Long Road and it even features some of the band's best songs ("If Everyone Cared", "Savin' Me"). Having said that, there's still not nearly enough on this record that makes it worth a start-to-finish listen: "Animals" is laughably un-subtle, "Far Away" is thickly layered with cheese and the irony of "Rockstar" is completely lost when you think that Chad Kroger most probably does all the things he mentions in the song. Keep a few songs for your guilty pleasures iTunes playlist, but the rest is not worth your time.Oasis Don't Believe The TruthPowderfinger Golden RuleQueen and Paul Rodgers The Cosmos RocksRammstein RosenrotRihanna A Girl Like MeRobbie Williams Greatest HitsSam Sparro Sam SparroScars on Broadway Scars On BroadwaySoundtrack Moulin Rouge! - Music From Baz Luhrmann's FilmSwitchfoot Oh! Gravity.An unfortunately huge dissapointment given the top quality record that was Nothing Is Sound. The band sound tired and out of ideas, and only a few songs actually go anywhere. The track "Circles" describes more than it means to with its chorus: "Spinning...in circles...in circles...in circles".Taking Back Sunday New AgainTaking Back Sunday aren't new again. New implies freshness, uniqueness, originality. Practically everything that New Again is not - despite a catchy hook or two thrown in every now and then, Adam Lazzara and co. sound tired, almost lethargic - a shadow of their former selves; a rock band capable of pop perfection. For the diehard fans of the band only, this album shall most probably be perceived retrospectively as another nail in the Taking Back Sunday coffin.The Answer Everyday DemonsThe Flaming Lips At War With The MysticsThe Hold Steady Stay PositiveThe Veronicas Hook Me UpThe Wiggles Yummy YummyThree Days Grace One-XUnderoath 777 (DVD)Weezer Raditude2 poorAC/DC Stiff Upper LipAll Time Low So Wrong, It's RightOne thing I cannot comprehend is the success of so many pop punk bands that have follow the exact same formula. Such a band is All Time Low. Given, you can sing along happily to the chorus of Six Feet Under The Stars, and the band have a little more heart than, say, Cute is What We Aim For. But catchiness alone cannot save an entire record of the same kind of song; and having more heart than CIWWAF isn't exactly a huge feat. Perhaps when they've cut their teeth a little more over the course of a bit more touring and recording, we'll see All Time Low reach higher potential. Until then, we're stuck with this dross. Ho hum.All-American Rejects When the World Comes DownAtreyu Suicide Notes And Butterfly KissesAtreyu Best of AtreyuAudioslave RevelationsYou could go on about how soulless and hollow Revelations sounds. You could rant about how bored Morello sounds with sports-montage guitar rock, how tired and forced Cornell sounds in his vocal delivery and the dire attempts at stadium rock (only coming slightly close with "Original Fire" and the title track). But really, everything about this record, as we would eventually find out, can be summed up with one song title: Nothing Left To Say But Goodbye. Thanks for the memories, Audioslave. Now let's just forget this ever happened.Ben Folds Way To NormalBen Lee RipeCongrats, Mr. Lee- you have officially taken out the title of The Biggest Dissapointment of The Year. The songs have become bland, the lyrics uninspired and starkly in contrast to his former records, and not even a couple of good singles (Love Me Like The World Is Ending and Numb) can save this. It's a step backwards from the already mainstream-leaning Awake Is The New Sleep when it could have been something so great in terms of pop music. I usually hate elitists who only like the "old school" music- but in this case, I am more than happy to make an exception. Oh, to think I used to hold you in such high regard...Carpathian IsolationChristina Aguilera Christina AguileraCirca Survive JuturnaDisturbed The SicknessThis album is fairly generic, looking at it now. But when it first came out, as a kid I loved it; especially "Down With The Sickness". Their lead singer still has a good voice on him, and the cover of "Shout" is excellent.DragonForce Ultra BeatdownEskimo Joe InshallaEvermore DreamsGood Charlotte Good CharlotteHarvey Milk Life... The Best Game in TownHawthorne Heights Fragile FutureHouse Vs. Hurricane ForfeitureKram Mix TapeLady Sovereign JigsawMika Life in Cartoon MotionMiley Cyrus BreakoutNickelback The Long RoadNine Black Alps Love/HateOutkast IdlewildP.O.D. Payable on DeathPendulum In SilicoRick Astley Whenever You Need SomebodyRobbie Williams Sing When You're WinningSaosin Translating The Name (Death Do Us Part)Secret And Whisper Great White WhaleSet Your Goals Mutiny!There was hype and worship behind THIS? Sure, they're unique in the fact they have two vocalists- but this is quickly discarded when the only time you can tell the two apart is when they speak on the title track. Without direction (do they want to be pop-punk? Rock? Punk rock? Hardcore?), without any real talent at their instruments (typical guitar, inaudible bass, typical 4/4 rawk beats) and without anything relevant to say, Set Your Goals really need to do just that. And this time, achieve them.Spice Girls ForeverThe Used ArtworkThe Veronicas The Secret Life Of...1.5 very poorAirbourne Runnin' WildAvril Lavigne The Best Damn ThingBehind Crimson Eyes A Revelation For DespairFew records give out an immediately negative response. But upon hearing this album, the first words I said? "Are you fucking serious?". To put it lightly, this band is a joke- everything from the black-clad desperate fashion to the hugely irritating vocals. Even when they try and get quasi-political on "The Bonesman", it again results in the band embarrassing themselves. A very poor release from five sadly-potential-filled young men with dollar signs in their eyes.Billy Talent Billy Talent IIIProblem: Have made two respectable, catchy, well-produced and very energetic pop-punk records with a rock edge. Solution: Make a third that completely drains all life and energy out of the music that made you popular to begin with.Bon Jovi CrossroadBoys Like Girls Boys Like GirlsBritish India ThievesBullet For My Valentine The Poison-Live At Brixton Academy (DVD)From the opening shots of the plethora of black-clad scenesters, we know we're in for something terrible. As the four members of Bullet for my Valentine take the stage, this is only confirmed even more. Like a poor man's Trivium, they generically "rock" the crowd, "shred" on their guitars and "thrash" like only a metalcore-by-numbers band can. Matt Tuck howls excitedly throughout, overwhelmed that people actually enjoy this t(h)rash- hell, I'm amazed myself. Def Leppard HysteriaEric Hutchinson Sounds Like ThisEscape the Fate This War Is OursEvermore Real LifeFive InvincibleGood Charlotte The Chronicles of Life and DeathINXS SwitchJason Mraz We Sing, We Dance, We Steal ThingsJenny Wilson Hardships!Jonas Brothers Lines, Vines and Trying TimesMarilyn Manson The High End of LowMetro Station Metro StationOneRepublic Dreaming Out LoudPuddle Of Mudd FamousRobbie Williams Swing When You're WinningSaliva Survival of the SickestAHHM A ROLLAH AHHM A RIDAHHH A NUMBAHH ONEE MUTHHA FUKKN SURVIVAAHHHH YEHYEHYEHHHHHHHHHH Enjoy that? No? Then don't get this album.Soulja Boy Souljaboytellem.com1 awfulAC/DC Black IceBlack ice is ice frozen without many air bubbles trapped inside, making it transparent. Black ice takes the color of the material it lies on top of, often wet asphalt or a darkened pond. Its difficult-to-detect nature makes it a significant hazard to drivers, pedestrians, and sailors. Anyway, album sucks.Aiden Nightmare AnatomyBilly Ray Cyrus Some Gave AllChristina Aguilera My Kind of ChristmasCute Is What We Aim For Same Old Blood Rush With A New TouchWhy, oh why, does this band exist? Surely the latest in a long line of clean-cut and positive-thinking pop-punk kids could have simply admired the work of their superiors (The Starting Line, Motion City Soundtrack, Fall Out Boy) from afar without feeling the need to pick up some instruments and veinly attempting to mimick them. Everything about this band, you've heard and scene (pun intended) elsewhere. Whiny, incessant and repetitive vocals? Check. Lame song titles? Check. Unexciting and uninspired guitar? Check. Practically inaubible basslines that are most probably following the guitar? Check. You get the idea. If you're looking for an inoffensive guitar pop singalong, then you're on the ball. For the rest of us, it's just the first two words of the album title, over and over and over.Escape the Fate Dying Is Your Latest FashionFrom First to Last HeroineGood Charlotte Good Morning RevivalGoodnight Nurse Always and NeverHigh School Musical High School MusicalHigh School Musical High School Musical 2Hillsong United United we StandKasabian EmpireWhilst this gang of trendy British geezers were never creating anything excellent in their early input, there were still a couple of catchy tracks here and there. Not so here - Kasabian has devolved into self-centred, plodding yeah-yeah-rock-n-roll. If the appalling title track doesn't deter you completely, try experiencing Shoot the Runner when you're not smashed in an indie nightclub. Pass.Liars Drum's Not DeadHalf-baked ideas from a completely baked trio of droning, incoherent stoner hipsters. If you shed the New York "cool" image and focus on the songs themselves, you'll be left with nothing but boredom and quite possibly a strong migraine. This doesn't even have anything to do with the fact the main bastard used to date Karen O - it's just poorly arranged drivel; almost anti-music. Pass.Lordi The ArockalypseHands down, this is one of the most embarrassing pieces of music ever recorded in history. If I personally had any part to do with the writing, recording, production, mastering, manufacturing or subsequent commercial release of this album, I would kill myself. No two ways about it.Robbie Williams RudeboxRogue Traders Here Come The DrumsSaliva Blood Stained Love StoryI envy the man who makes it through this record start to finish more than twice. Given this band were responsible for the excellent Back Into Your System, it's almost depressing to see that this is what they spiralled into. Absolutely everything on this album has been done better, catchier and more efficiently- not just by other bands, but by Saliva themselves. Hearing Josey Scott drawl about how he's "The black sheep of the family" insinuates here that the rest of his family actually know how to write interesting songs.Short Stack Stack is the New BlackWith thick fringes and little girls' clothing, this trio from coastal New South Wales, Australia, give off a pretty good idea of what they do from their aesthetic get-go. However, things get far worse from this point. The greatest challenge the listeners of Stack is the New Black face is surviving for longer than ninety seconds on each song. You have been warned.Simple Plan No Helmets, No Pads... Just BallsSimple Plan Still Not Getting Any...Story of the Year Page AvenueStory of the Year are the musical equivalent of a brick wall. Lumbering, dull and often unnecessary, they will never serve any greater purpose - no matter how many kids graffiti upon it. Page Avenue epitomizes exactly why this band are awful - amateurish songwriting, uninspired riffing, whining vocals and the most cliched lyrics you'll find this side of a burning city for your heart. Not recommended for persons over fifteen years. The Audition Self-Titled AlbumThe Fray The FrayTo truly appreciate the lifelessness of this record, get yourself a copy. Then, buy a bucket of paint and a brush. Find something to paint. Once you're done, put on the CD. See where you last longer - watching and waiting for the paint to dry, or listening to The Fray.The Galvatrons Laser GraffitiOn the level with Short Stack as being one of the worst acts Australia has produced this century, this retro-mongling gang of arsewipe poseurs put together shitty pop hooks with Van Halen-lite riffage with laughable results. Perhaps if more time was spent actually focusing on creating real music than clenching their fists and thrusting in the name of RAWK N ROLLLLLL there might be a chance for the Galvatrons. Shyeah, and monkeys might fly out of my butt.
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