2008 |
Sarah Fimm White Birds | 3.5 |
Rise Against Appeal to Reason | 3.0 |
This is by no means a bad album, but Rise Against have been getting less aggressive since Siren Song of the Counter Culter and it isn't serving them well. They've always been at their best when rocking out full boar. Now don't get me wrong, there are some great tracks here. Collapse is classic Rise Against and Entertainment brings the aggressive tones back out and even brings something new to the table for them. Hell, Savior is one of the best songs they've ever done. And while there's nothing particularly bad on here, outside of 3 or 4 tracks(Really depending on if you like Hero of War) there isn't really anything that is going to grab you and keep you coming back. |
James Morrison Songs For You, Truths For Me | 3.0 |
It's a decent enough album, but beyond the standouts of Nothing Ever Hurt Like You, Broken Strings, and If You Don't Want To Love me...there isn't really anything that's truly great. Everything else is good for a couple spins, but not much more. |
Bayside Shudder | 3.5 |
Innerpartysystem Innerpartysystem | 3.0 |
All That Remains Overcome | 2.5 |
A Static Lullaby Rattlesnake! | 3.5 |
After the tragedy that was Faso Latido, ASL took a step backwards and went to what they do best on their self-titled. After the much better (if not top-heavy) self-titled, they took it a couple steps further. For "Rattlesnake!" ASL stripped down to a four piece, Dan handled all the guitar parts, Joe got sober, and they took a page from Every Time I Die. The result is a much more focused, hard rocking, and fun ASL. If you liked their self-titled, then you'll at the very least enjoy this just as much. Oh yeah, and it turns out that B. Spears can rock, and rock well. |
Hollywood Undead Swan Songs | 1.5 |
Black Stone Cherry Folklore and Superstition | 3.5 |
The Gaslight Anthem The '59 Sound | 4.5 |
Zebrahead Phoenix | 3.0 |
Misery Signals Controller | 3.5 |
Alkaline Trio Agony and Irony | 2.0 |
Shinedown The Sound of Madness | 3.0 |
The Offspring Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace | 3.0 |
36 Crazyfists The Tide and Its Takers | 3.5 |
10 Years Division | 3.0 |
Atmosphere When Life Gives You Lemons... | 4.0 |
Thrice The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV | 4.0 |
Sevendust Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow | 3.5 |
Deadly Avenger Blossoms And Blood | 3.5 |
Flogging Molly Float | 2.5 |
This Is Hell Misfortunes | 3.5 |
Farewell to Freeway Definitions | 1.5 |
The Loved Ones (USA-PA) Build & Burn | 4.0 |
Protest the Hero Fortress | 3.5 |
Atmosphere Strictly Leakage | 3.5 |
2006 |
Killswitch Engage As Daylight Dies | 3.0 |
My Chemical Romance The Black Parade | 3.0 |
I Am Ghost Lovers' Requiem | 3.5 |
A Static Lullaby A Static Lullaby | 3.5 |
He Is Legend Suck Out the Poison | 2.0 |
Saosin Saosin | 3.5 |
There just feels like there is something missing from this album. I think the big thing is that Cove's vocals, while his pitch and voice are great...he just doesn't vary/do enough with his melodies and meters. Another thing is that it feels like A. Rod's drumming is a lot more harnessed on here. I miss the more creative and less predictable patterns of the Translating the Name EP. Finally, there is hardly any screaming on this album. It's not missed a whole lot, but there are moments that would really be heightened and accented if punctuated with a scream. Not that it's a bad album...The guitar work is fun and the band is extremely tight. Cove's vocals are very good and the cd as a whole is extremely catchy. |
Swollen Members Black Magic | 3.5 |
Destroy the Runner Saints | 3.0 |
Papa Roach The Paramour Sessions | 3.0 |
Say Anything ...Is A Real Boy (re-release) | 4.5 |
Alexisonfire Crisis | 4.0 |
This album was a sleeper for me, I didn't dig on it much during the first couple passive listens. However, since the album has sunk in and I've really dissected it, it has tremendous replay value. Everyone has stepped up their game on this cd. The vocal interplay is perfect, the drumming is spot on, and the band is as tight as ever. From the heavier songs (To A Friend, Crisis) to the poppier ones (Boiled Frogs, This Could be Anywhere in the world), this album shines through and through. AoF really hit the mark on this one. |
Lamb of God Sacrament | 3.5 |
Breaking Benjamin Phobia | 3.0 |
Unearth III: In the Eyes of Fire | 3.0 |
Gatsby's American Dream Gatsby's American Dream | 3.5 |
Stone Sour Come What(ever) May | 3.0 |
Black Stone Cherry Black Stone Cherry | 3.5 |
Strapping Young Lad The New Black | 2.5 |
All That Remains The Fall of Ideals | 3.5 |
Rise Against The Sufferer and the Witness | 4.0 |
36 Crazyfists Rest Inside the Flames | 3.0 |
Underoath Define the Great Line | 3.5 |
Between the Buried and Me The Anatomy Of | 2.5 |
This Is Hell Sundowning | 3.5 |
Tool 10,000 Days | 3.0 |
Thursday A City By the Light Divided | 3.0 |
Silent Civilian Rebirth of the Temple | 3.5 |
Bullets And Octane In the Mouth of the Young | 3.0 |
Boysetsfire The Misery Index: Notes From The Plague | 4.0 |
Zebrahead Broadcast To The World | 3.0 |
In Flames Come Clarity | 4.0 |
The Loved Ones (USA-PA) Keep Your Heart | 4.5 |