Average Rating: 3.16 Rating Variance: 1.02 Objectivity Score: 94% (Very Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicblink-182 Blink-182One of my very favorite albums of my childhood (although I was probably 17 at the time of its release...) Although Tom Delonge has little to no talent (in anything.. i.e. Angels and Airwaves), this album shows that a lot of creativity can go a long way. Tom is a creative person with a vision and it is carried out in this album. Mark Hoppus comes along for the ride with his steady bass picking and significantly less album singing time (good? bad? worked I guess-). Travis Barker is a beast, bringing some of his best work to the table (only Blink knows how much of Barker's work is still in original form/ it's probably a different animal whem not cut up and edited; see any making of special..) -When the album works it works oh so well... later in the CD the songs begin to lose steam (I usually turn it off around the end of track 13). Probably not a 5 in all honesty, but hell, I rated that shit like 2 years ago. A 4 today I say!!!Brand New The Devil and God Are Raging Inside MeRadiohead Hail to the ThiefRelient K Forget and Not Slow Down"Forget and Not Slow Down" is what "mature" pop punk should be - heartfelt, dense, catchy, and brutally honest, Relient K are back with a vengeance and a lazer-honed purpose. The album flows oh so well, interspersing intro and outros into the tracklist. The instrumentation isn't mathy, prog, or even incredibly original... but that isn't pop punk. Great pop punk instrumentation propels the lyrics along instead of bogging it down with tricks and unnecessary bullshit. You can tell that on this record (due to lost love and solitude), Relient K have seceded any dreams of wowing us with bells and whistles. And thats the beauty of it. I vote this the best "hopeful" break up record of all time - a tour de force of emotions and many layers of melodic and harmonic instrumentation. Check this out if you enjoy substance in your lyrics and well-constructed pop punk trappings.Taking Back Sunday Tell All Your FriendsThe Mars Volta De-Loused in the ComatoriumOne of my few "classic" albums. DITC will stand the test of time not only as a great collection of songs, but as a cohesive narrative with lessons to be learned and warnings to dole out. The brilliance is evident at first listen, as you are transported into the mind of a suicidal morphine addict who has some major issues. All in all, the Mars Volta capture something that cannot be explained, only experienced.Underoath Define The Great Line4.5 superbBen Folds Rockin' The SuburbsBen Folds Songs for SilvermanBrand New Deja EntenduColdplay A Rush of Blood to the HeadDeath Cab for Cutie TransatlanticismDr. Dre 2001Eminem The Marshall Mathers LPEminem The Slim Shady LPEvery Time I Die From Parts UnknownHORSE the band Desperate LivingIncubus (USA-CA) Make YourselfIncubus (USA-CA) Morning ViewKendrick Lamar good kid, m.A.A.d cityManchester Orchestra Mean Everything to NothingIf this is indie, I want more of it. Manchester Orchestra proves that expert instrumentation is not necessary to create poignant music; no, instead singer/songwriter Andy Hall and co. birth a beautiful epic, built of witty lyric and wall of sound. The songs are deep, catchy, and impossible to predict - more than often tumbling into hoarse screaming and thick guitars and shifting to slow acoustic atmospherics the next. An indie classic - while not perfect, (lack of outstanding musicianship) "Mean Everything to Nothing" will mean a LOT to many people, including myself. A must buy.mewithoutYou It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All A Dream! It's Alright!To be honest, I there are not many of the Christian roots left intact in my life which were grown at a young age - like most adolescents (or maybe 'some' is a better word), I rebelled against my parents' worldview at the ripe age of 14. Or so. Regardless, the things I still keep are the things that I think TRUE Christianity is about: helping others, being happy with yourself, loving others, loving yourself, God exists, God created, and of course "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" - among other things. Point is, regardless of MeWithoutYou's super-obvious religious view, there is not a preachy moment on this entire album, instead, the band focuses on what makes them happy and incidentally their worldview just flows out. What ensues is a beautiful album, full of rich textures, incredible flowing-dynamic lyrics, beautiful storytelling, and some really neat moments. I have been an on and off MWY fan, but after spinning this album umpteenth times, I am convinced they are one of the most solemn, complete, and important bands of our generation. Sing along!Muse AbsolutionOutKast StankoniaPantera Cowboys from HellPantera Reinventing Hell: The Best of PanteraRadiohead The BendsRadiohead Kid ARadiohead OK ComputerRegina Spektor FarSlipknot SlipknotStill one of the most punishing and brutal albums of all time. As claustrophobic as their masks, Slipknot crafted an album of straight hate. Sure it lacks technicality and bores the shameful name of nu metal upon its back but damn son, this rocked me back then and continues to rock me now. Possibly a piece of pure hateful genius. Some people hate it, some people suck. Slipknot kills it if you ask me.Slipknot Vol. 3: The Subliminal VersesSum 41 Does This Look Infected?The Chariot One WingThe Dillinger Escape Plan One of Us Is the KillerThe Mars Volta Frances the MuteThe Mars Volta AmputechtureThrice VheissuPossibly one of the best flowing albums of all time, "vhiessu" is a powerhouse of an album. I don't lie when I say I lived and breathed this album for months after its release. Sure it borrows from many other bands (which makes me eek it ever so cautiously from the 5 'classic' spot), this album still has the magic. From soft and slow to heavy and brutal, Thrice covers all the bases and more. What is truly incredible about this album is the theme; cheesy and overdone as it may be, other "lost at sea" or "ocean voyage" concept albums have jack shit on "vhiessu". This is the pinnacle of the idea: the rough waves, the tales and trials; hell, Thrice probably watched 10,000 Leauges Under the Sea 10,000 times to gain inspiration. Sure, I fanboy this album to death; but here we are, 5 years later, and I sill put "vheissu" in my CD player when I feel the 'need'. Give it a try.Thrice Live At The House Of BluesWell filmed, great sound, badass show.. "Live at the House of Blues" is the definitive Thrice DVD to own. I wish the vocals were higher in the mix and there are very few shots of Teppei, but these points do not detract from the overall experience. Not the greatest DVD on earth but a must have for the Thrice fanatic.Underoath Lost In The Sound Of SeparationUnderoath Ø (Disambiguation)Weezer Weezer4.0 excellentAnti-Flag Die For the GovernmentAphex Twin Come To DaddyAphex Twin WindowlickerAs Cities Burn Son, I Loved You at Your DarkestAs I Lay Dying Shadows Are SecurityAs Tall As Lions You Can't Take It With YouAtmosphere You Can't Imagine How Much Fun...Avenged Sevenfold Waking The FallenBetween the Buried and Me Alaskablink-182 Take Off Your Pants And JacketBlur BlurBotch We Are the RomansBrand New Your Favorite WeaponCirca Survive JuturnaCirca Survive Blue Sky NoiseColdplay ParachutesCreed WeatheredDeath Cab for Cutie PlansDeath Cab for Cutie Narrow StairsDeath Cab For Cutie's new outing is at first puzzling, and at length a joy to listen to. Masters of the simple melody, Death Cab set out to do something a little different this time around, most notably, taking decidedly darker tone. Everything on this album is on point; all the instruments have their own unique vibe (The guitars contrast beautifully on a great deal of the album). This is exactly what needed to come out from Death Cab; a raw, powerful album to further their musical prowess and status in the music scene. The album is not perfect, and may in fact turn some fans away with its at times, somewhat abrasive sound. There are a few songs that fall flat ('Talking Bird' and 'Your New Twin-Sized Bed' lack the quality of the rest of the material. Bottom Line: 'Narrow Stairs' is a solid effort from an established rock 'n roll band with loads of talent and important things to say; well done.Deftones Around the FurDeftones DeftonesDr. Dre The ChronicDream Theater Train of ThoughtDream Theater Live at BudokanDream Theater OctavariumEl Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez CryptomnesiaEminem The Eminem ShowFinch Say Hello to SunshineGreen Day DookieHaste the Day Burning BridgesIn Flames Come ClarityIncubus (USA-CA) Fungus AmongusJack's Mannequin Everything in TransitJimmy Eat World Bleed AmericanJimmy Eat World FuturesKillswitch Engage Alive or Just BreathingKillswitch Engage The End of HeartacheKillswitch Engage As Daylight DiesKorn KornLinkin Park Hybrid TheoryLostprophets Start Something"Almost perfect" comes to mind first, but, I know as well as anyone else that Lostprophets aren't capable of perfection. Their first album showed promise- hope of a bright future. At the beginning, Start Something almost rings true as the magnum opus- everything fans of the first album hoped for. Sadly, due to the overall shortness of the album, frequent lyrical missteps, and one too many slow filler songs, Start Something is just a teaser for what could have been. As of late, Lost Prophets have edged into the puss-tastic category- shadows of their former badass selves. Many bands have fallen as far as they have recently, I'm just extra upset that it had to be them. Not the point- Start Something posseses one of my favorite songs of all time (Last Train Home) a few sick metal-tinged masterpieces (#1,2,5,9) and a few other slightly less good anthems. The rest is history- Lupe Fiasco The CoolManchester Orchestra Simple MathI agree with many of the reviews of this album but offer a grain of salt: because of poor production choices (the drums *cough* *cough*) and short running time "Simple Math" isn't quite the classic I hoped for... but damn it's close and I love it all the same. Buy this thang.Maylene and the Sons of Disaster IIMetallica Master Of PuppetsMinus the Bear Planet of IceMoby PlayMuse Origin of SymmetryMuse Black Holes & RevelationsMuse HAARPAs a CD, "H.A.A.R.P." holds its own but does not shine in the areas of mixing or tone quality (the crowd is boosted beyond what is necessary, and the bass is nearly lost in the equation), however, the DVD makes up for it by providing ample concert coverage. Muse is one of my very favorites, mainly because they kick major ass live. Although the CD doesn't sound top notch, it is a worthy addition to any Muse fans' collection. Pick 'er upNorma Jean RedeemerPantera Official Live: 101 ProofPantera Vulgar Display of PowerPantera Reinventing the SteelPeriphery IcarusPeriphery Periphery II: This Time It's PersonalPoison the Well The Opposite of DecemberPolvo In PrismProtest the Hero KeziaA solid outing from a very young and very talented PTH. Most problems lie in the production which does not give justice to the true talent of the band. Also, Roddy (vocals) isn't on 100% of the time, but he is killer about 90%- The guitars and bass are incredible, of course, except for how low the bass is in the mix. Kezia is a deep album with some classic songs but as a whole; due to the production, some vocal missteps, and some same-y sounding cuts, Kezia is just a great album instead of a classic.Protest the Hero FortressLet me tell you why 'Fortress' ISN'T the best album of the year. The bass is too low in the mix (a travesty! but still more audible than on 'Kezia'); there are SO many incredible riffs/melodies/ideas that they begin to melt together by the end; and there are not enough songs that stand out. The album is a showcase of pure creative energy- everyone is at the top of their game: Rody has never sounded better or been more badass on the mic (he may be the best vocalist living sans Cedric from TMV **personal opinion alert**), both guitarists churn out mind-blowing riff after riff, Arif is a bass-wizard, and drummer provides ample heavy drumming. 'Fortress' is slightly dissapointing because PTH has the talent and certainly has the imagination to create such a masterpiece... unfortunately 'Fortress' fails to provide cohesion, replayability, and the memorability that is needed in a classic album. I will say though that "Bloodmeat" is one of my favorite PTH songs, being as perfect as any contemporary song in its class. 'Fortress' is a solid effort but in the end it is just too damn... out there. Hey, I still love it to death... don't get me wrong.Protest the Hero Fortress (Instrumental)Queens of the Stone Age Songs for the DeafRammstein MutterSay Anything ...Is a Real BoySigur Ros Heima (DVD)Slayer Christ IllusionStraylight Run Straylight RunSum 41 All Killer No FillerPop-punk-rock at its finest. The name says it all (albeit in a rather pompous way). Before SUM 41 started chugging cock (after Brownsound left) they were surfing the mainstream airwaves with instant classics such as "Fat Lip" and "In Too Deep". SUM 41 used super catchy melodies and semi-difficult riffs/ideas to take punk rock to a new level. A punk rock classic.Taking Back Sunday Louder NowAfter 'Where You Want to Be', I didn't have much hope for good ol' Taking Back Sunday. After losing their original guitarist and bassist, TBS's originality and song quality seemed to be running on E. That is, until Louder Now reared its head. What emerged from the studio is a new, glitzier, heavier, and dare I say... cooler... TBS. The songs are mixed to perfection, the vocals are classic, yet refined, and the riffs and band-work is top notch. While 'Louder Now' is not their crowning achievement (That would be the classic 'Tell All Your Friends"; TBS suprise and entertain again with a brilliant piece of work. BUY BUY BUYTaking Back Sunday Taking Back SundayTextures SilhouettesThe Chariot UnsungThe Chariot Long LiveThe Crystal Method Legion Of BoomThe Crystal Method TweekendThe Dillinger Escape Plan Calculating InfinityThe Dillinger Escape Plan Miss MachineThe Killers Sam's TownThe Prodigy The Fat Of The LandThe Prodigy Music For The Jilted GenerationThe Prodigy Always Outnumbered, Never OutgunnedThe Prodigy Invaders Must DieAdmittedly, I love the Prodigy. "Invaders Must Die" isn't as much as a "return to form" as it is a statement of purpose to the electronic scene. Liam Howlett and crew are not ready to throw in the towel, instead they throw even more tricks into the mix, ultimately creating an arresting but familiar album. A good word to describe this record is 'schizo' as it jumps willy nilly from song to song - often pausing to let us breathe. I am a huge fan of Howletts beats, and although a few border on self-plagiarism, there is enough new awesomeness here to whet my whistle. Buy it.The Used The UsedThrice The Artist in the AmbulanceThere are not many albums that make an impact like "Artist in the Ambulance" did for Thrice. Released and subsequently fan-boyed by many critics and kids alike, I remember a Jimmy Kimmel Live concert in the not-so-distant past where AITA was hailed as the "...best album of 2003". In retrospect, yes, this album kicks major ass. The intensity, heavyiness, and general badassness can not be overlooked. Holding it back from a 'classic' rating, however, is its lack of polished production, some song flow hiccups and one or two 'meh' songs make it slide down the slope a small ways. Not to worry though, if your looking for something heavy, melodic, and technically sound, look no further. This album is/was epic.3.5 greatA Static Lullaby ...And Don't Forget to BreatheA Static Lullaby Faso LatidoAesop Rock None Shall PassAesop Rock Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and KnivesAesop Rock returns with more crazy, "What did he just say?" lyrics. Once again, if you don't have them in front of you or memorized, you will not be able to catch anything. Aesop is a smart cat and he's not afraid to preach. I recommend this only for the die-hard hip-hop listener who is tired of the mainstream trash. If you want a little substance in your musical taste, dial up some Aesop Rock.AFI Sing the SorrowAnthony Green AvalonI do believe in the power of the acoustic song, and I am most certainly a fan of acoustic music. I am also a huge fan of the good points in Anthony Greens' career (Saosin, 'Act Appalled'). "Avalon" is a nice collection of songs, but not much more than that. Really, as with most of his work, you either love Mr. Green or you despise him; I have met both types of people and I personally can see both sides, but ultimately fall into the 'like' category. Fans must have it; maybe it will make you a fan- check it outAs I Lay Dying Frail Words CollapseAs I Lay Dying An Ocean Between UsAtmosphere Strictly LeakageAudio Adrenaline UnderdogAvenged Sevenfold City Of EvilBleeding Through This Is Love, This Is Murderousblink-182 Enema Of The StateBox Car Racer Box Car RacerThe classic example of Tom Delonge's un-talented yet frequently brilliantly-creative music; the man who later helmed the absolute worst band in modern rock n' roll, Angels and Airwaves, had a soul once... that soul was manifested in Box Car Racer- the dirty, less-successful step-brother of Blink 182. The album is frequented by songs that can be played by any third-grader willing to learn the material, yet sometimes the formulas tweak and the blandness blurs into something that is oh-so-good. Maybe its the fact that Delonge has two guitarists to work with for once, or the fact that he is actually trying his best at something other than getting stoned or doing something stupid (i.e. AVA). Either way, Box Car Racer can be brilliant and is worthy of note in the punk-pop-rock timeline... somewhere haha Brand New DaisyCreed My Own PrisonDead Poetic Four Wall BlackmailEngineer The DregsEvery Time I Die Gutter PhenomenonEvery Time I Die Hot Damn!Finch What It Is to BurnIncubus (USA-CA) A Crow Left of the Murder...Incubus (USA-CA) Light GrenadesJack Johnson Sleep Through the StaticJustin Timberlake FutureSex/LoveSoundsSometimes brilliant, sometimes gag-inducing- this JT/Timbaland joint venture (ah, and the Neptunes) has songs that will blow you away ("My Love", "What Goes Around...", the latter being one of my favorite pop songs of all time). At first listen I was ready to deem this as the re-birth of pop, but after repeated listens certain songs become loathsome and many are obvious filler. A solid effort nonetheless which shows JT in his full-on king of pop garb; enjoyable, yes, but things quickly go stale.Linkin Park MeteoraLinkin Park Live In TexasLostprophets The Fake Sound Of ProgressA treat of an album. Contains such classics as "Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja" and "Kobrakai". British Hip-Hop-tinged nu-metal with a nice 90's sheen- this was just cotton candy to my ears. These days, the overall flaws are obvious: copy-cat riffs, sub-par vocals and lyrics- Lostprophets were fueled on sheer will and determination, their live shows raw and energetic. What the band lacked in true songwriting ability they made up in being badass and not giving a damn what anyone else thought. A good listen- check it out.Lupe Fiasco Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor Meshuggah obZenMetallica ...And Justice For AllMetallica Death MagneticWhat can I say that hasn't been said? First off, I'm going to point out the glaring flaw of "Death Magnetic": Lars Ulrich. By going with Rick Rubin's expert opinion (sadly, this album does not dig him out of his slump. Rick Rubin is the new joke in music my friends), Metallica goes for the garage-rock sound and in doing so does not hide how horrible and generic Lars has become. Seriously people, the Paramore drummer displayed a better performace on "Riot!" than Lars does here and its a damn shame. Drums aside, the album is really quite exhilarating. James sounds better than ever; the riffs are fresh enough and the songs (although vintage Metallica-long) go to interesting places. I would call this a return to form, yes, but sometimes I wished for a little more brutality, better lyrics, and goddamnit a competent drummer. Sweet shit someone please tell Lars that every fill doesn't HAVE to be a simple snare fill. Lars brings "Death Magnetic" down, bringing what could of been an incredible album down a few notches. Buy it if you can stand it.Moby Wait for MeModest Mouse Good News for People Who Love Bad NewsMotion City Soundtrack My Dinosaur LifeMutemath MutemathNapalm Death Smear CampaignNeil Diamond Home Before DarkNorma Jean Bless the Martyr and Kiss the ChildNorma Jean MeridionalPantera Far Beyond DrivenPantera The Great Southern TrendkillParkway Drive Killing With A SmileParkway Drive HorizonsAwesome production, awesome vocals, awesome drumming.. besides the ever-present nonexistent bassist and "been there, heard that" guitar lines, Parkway Drive step their game up just enough to have an album with the esteem of a "classic genre album". Metalcore is known for its similarities between songs, and PD doesn't do much to combat this stereotype- instead, 'Horizons' sticks to the formula to a "T". Sure, it kicks ass, but its not new news. For this reason, I have to give 'Horizons' a 3.5, but I sure do enjoy the album. If you love metalcore, you will LOVE this.Protest the Hero Gallop Meets the EarthRadiohead In RainbowsRammstein SehnsuchtRammstein HerzeleidRammstein Reise, ReiseRammstein Live Aus BerlinReggie and The Full Effect Songs Not to Get Married ToSigur Ros Med Sud i Eyrum vid Spilum EndalaustStatic-X Wisconsin Death TripStill Remains Of Love and LunacyStill Remains If Love Was Born to DieStory of the Year In The Wake Of DeterminationIn the Wake of Determination is an interesting album indeed. After much commercial success with Page Avenue, SOTY decided to cut ties with their former producer and make an album strictly to their taste. What emgered was a mix of pop-punk vocals, old school(ish) riffs, and straight up drumming; a very nice album indeed, but not without its flaws. Yes, sometimes the lyrics suck, and some songs seem to just not go anywhere sometimes; but there is no denying that there is some good shit on this album. If you want to hear a band that is tired of the 'scene', check out this album.Sublime with Rome Yours TrulySum 41 ChuckTenacious D Tenacious DThe Bled Heat FetishThe Chariot Everything Is Alive, Everything Is...The Chariot Wars and Rumors of WarsOK. Everyone knows the Chariot switch bandmembers like Seth Rogen smokes doobies. This incarnation, although not without its high points, is not my favorite but gets the point accross. The instrumentation on 'Wars and Rumors of Wars" is a step down from 'the Fiancee', especially in the guitar dept. David, the newest drummer, brings nothing new to the table but is adequate (I would like to see a Thomas Prigden/Zach Hill collab someday); that said, the band is pretty much business as usual: heavy and loud. Josh is once again the best of the bunch, ripping each scream from his chest with a prowess few can touch in this business. All in all, the Chariot is back doing what they do best - and now with a neutered Norma Jean this may be the most solid release in this genre in some time. Solid yes, groundbreaking, no.The Gaslight Anthem The '59 SoundIf overall catchiness is the sign of a great album, A) Blink-182 would be widely known as the best band of all time B) "The '59 Sound" would earn a 5. Here's the problem: yeah, it's catchy as hell- but goddamn it if the Gaslight Anthem can only write one song. Although this album is a favorite in my cars' CD rotation, I can only listen to the first 4 songs and #11 before I get 'punk rock overload'. "But Bob, it's PUNK ROCK, it's SUPPOSED to be like that. Um.. no excuse. One beat through 90% of the material is enough for me to call fowl. Bottom line: catchy, yes; but musically inept. For you punk-rock lovers- you will love this album.The Killers Hot FussThe Mars Volta TremulantThe Mars Volta The Bedlam in GoliathThe Matches A Band In HopeThe Postal Service We Will Become SilhouettesThe Prodigy Their Law:The Singles 1990-2005TV on the Radio Nine Types of LightWeezer Make BelieveYellowcard Ocean Avenue3.0 goodA Static Lullaby A Static LullabyAlkaline Trio CrimsonAlkaline Trio Agony and IronyWhere 'Crimson' was a step in a newer, less stale approach; 'Agony and Irony' reveals the trio is all out of tricks, offering up a lackluster effort full of the same old chords and the same old song structures. As usual, the true standout feature of the trio are the excellent vocal performances from frontman Matt Skiba and bassist Dan Andriano. Most of the songs pass because of their often impeccable teamwork. 'Agony and Irony' truly demonstrates why punk rock is dead: a child could play these songs. Bland guitar riffs, boring bass work, and no-frills drumming ruin what could of been a very solid effort. Bands should progress, essentially; but Alkaline Trio takes steps back. Check out 'Goddmanit', 'Crimson', or 'Here to Infirmary' (not in particular order) instead to get a taste of Alkaline Trio's true creativity.Atmosphere When Life Gives You Lemons...Full of truly great lyrics and an almost Jay-z-esque delivery, "When Life Gives you Lemons..." is a surprisingly chill record, full of great ideas but ultimately not as upbeat as hoped for. Some rhyme schemes recycled, some choruses sound similar, and some beats are just.. ugly; but Atmosphere has a mission and a voice and it shines through the downsides. This may not be the greatest rap record out, but at least there is meaning and importance in it. I wish there were 'kudos' points on this site, because Atmosphere deserves respect, so give it. Support these guys!Audio Adrenaline LiftAugust Burns Red ConstellationsBetween the Buried and Me ColorsPsh, whatever. 'Colors' by Between the Buried and Me is a letdown. I am noticing a new trend in metal that is displayed all so well in 'Colors': the worst parts of the album are the best parts of the album, just because it isn't the same goddamn thing that the artist has played again and again. Is there any true death metal riffs left? Or good God, is it true that when I pop this album in I pop it out quick because its the same goddamn album I popped in before. Its a fact that BTBAM is talented; I dislike the vocalist (he's always been sub-par) but other than that I concur that BTBAM packs some solid riffs and brutal songs in their arsenal. Maybe they should do something a little different that 'Colors'. Maybe I'm just a douche who thinks Protest the Hero owns. Point is, like the new 'Dillinger album, 'Colors' dissapoints because there's no differentiation from what the band has tried before; a tried and true formula? Maybe. Or it sucks. Skip it-Bleeding Through The Truthblink-182 The Mark, Tom and Travis ShowBrain Drill Apocalyptic FeastingCage The Elephant Cage the ElephantCirca Survive On Letting GoCoheed and Cambria No World for TomorrowColdplay X&YCreed Human ClayDarkest Hour The Eternal ReturnDead Poetic New Medicines'New Medicines' is at times a beautiful record, but falls short in the end because of the bands' penchant for using similar guitar parts, the token inaudible bassist, over-reverbed screams, and similar vocal lines/melodies. On the plus side, the production on the album is stellar. All of the instruments are crisp and clear, and the drums (played adequately by Josh Shellabarger) have a great punch to them. Singer Brandon Rike has an awesome voice and although he doesn't hold up well live, he certainly records well. This brings me to the best part of the album: the vocal and lyrical content. Brandon is a good lyricist, except for a few stumbles here and there he delivers a great performance. His screams, however, have been reverbed and processed into the back of the mix, completely killing any tension released. Listening to the album, you can tell that Brandon has a sick, throat-shredding scream... maybe. 'Four Wall Blackmail' showed his prowess, but 'New Medicines' drops him back a rung on the "extreme vocalist" ladder. The album contains some of my very favorite Dead Poetic songs, including "The Dream Club Murders", "New Medicines", and "Glass in the Trees". These songs show Dead Poetic at their collective best; a beautiful yet punishing sound. Too bad 'New Medicines' isn't solid throughout; it may have helped them out more in the long run. Dead Poetic VicesDeftones Saturday Night WristDragonForce Inhuman RampageDream Theater Black Clouds and Silver LiningsEvanescence FallenEvanescence The Open DoorEvery Time I Die New Junk AestheticFall Out Boy Take This to Your GraveGunther PleasuremanHeavens Patent PendingIn Flames A Sense of PurposeJack Johnson Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for Curious GeorgeJob For A Cowboy GenesisKillswitch Engage Killswitch EngageKorn IssuesMadina Lake From Them, Through Us, To YouMetallica St. Anger"St. Anger" pisses a lot of people off for a few good reasons: the production is pathetic, some of the vocals are lame, and god damn it that snare is a one-trick pony. Here's my spiel; there are times on this album that are truly badass. 'Frantic' is an incredible song and if it were correctly produced (Bob Rock you shit!) it may have been one of the best Metallica songs. Period. Upon hearing tracks from "St. Anger" played live, I have come to the conclusion that the album was not a mistake, just a clash of ideals. Too many cooks spoil the broth, no? Anywhoo, "St. Anger" rocks my socks off at times and, I hate to say it, but I'd rather spin a few awesome tracks off of "St. Anger" than "Death Magnetic". This album just doesn't get its respect.Moby HotelModest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even SankMorrissey Years of RefusalMorrissey undoubtedly has an incredible voice, but where "Years of Refusal" falls short is not only in the lyrics, but in the music itself. "Years of Refusal" feels like an aging singer/songwriter who wanted to inject a little youth into his repertoire, thus having him search out a band of 30-somethings only to croon over 00's punk rock hooks about *gasp* lost love etc. This album would have been incredible if the band wasn't nearly completely inept.. power chord hungry licks and "does he exist?" drumming and "HE doesn't exist." bass pull this album down from greatness to plainness. Not to mention some of the ridiculous lyrics Morrissey pulls out of his bag from time to time about naked men haunting peoples' dreams and possible ED references... yeah; not great, but OK.Mutemath ArmisticeNas UntitledIn word: disappointing. Nas still brings his trademark lyrical prowess, but the album (arguably a gimmick from the beginning because of its controversial title) goes down the worn gimmick road quickly, offering nothing but poppy un-gangsta rap. Nas is one of my all time faves, but its hard to focus on his words when his music and structures are so ho hum, all glitz and glamour. Nas used to have a message; now its "lets make money". Bullshit Nas, bullshit.New Found Glory CatalystIf you are a fan of this type of music (I was and still occasionally am-) there is no reason to write off Catalyst... this was New Found Glory in their prime, not the beginning as many thought- who knew that two more quick albums would eventually sink NFG to their curret "Who?" status. NFG had just caught on after Sticks and Stones warm response; Catalyst was an attempt at keeping what was good about NFG and expanding into other territories to show their range beyond basic 4-chord pop punk rock. What emerged is an above-average collection; a few classic songs emerge, but as a whole the album sinks. Not a problem then, but a problem now- Catalyst is forgotten because NFG has been forgotten... sad Radiohead The King of LimbsSenses Fail Let It Enfold YouOne of my "guilty pleasure" albums; forced and borderline ridiculous at best, Senses Fail had something that could pass as a very solid album EXCEPT: Buddy can't sing. Sorry guys, but Senses Fail will always be bogged down by Buddy; I've seen them live 4 times and he's been shit, shittier, and shit shit every time.. dude can't hold a tune. They autotune the shit out of his voice and on album, its passable for the most part- until you see them live and find out its a scam. This is only my opinion (hell, could hundreds of teenage girls be wrong?); but I've had to leave their set every time- it breaks my heart.Slipknot IowaStatic-X MachineStory of the Year Page AvenueStory of the Year Live in the Lou/BassassinsStraylight Run The Needles, The SpaceTaking Back Sunday Where You Want To BeThe Chariot The FianceeThe Dillinger Escape Plan Ire WorksThe Game Doctor's AdvocateThe Killers Day & Age"Day and Age" feels like a Killers album.. and that's the problem. It should be a musical law that just because you add more shit that doesn't mean the music has more merit. The Killers have a bad case of instrument envy, opting to throw in horns and a menagerie of goofy sounds. There is a word for this: overblown; and much like their home town, "Day and Age" has the glitz of a Las Vegas night, yet is strangely is as shallow as a stripper. The lyrics (although delivered well) make less sense than usual and the drumming is so poor its disgraceful, yet the Killers do possess the power to move and subdue. There are some good tracks here, but the love is lost amidst layer on top of layer. A sub-par release from the kings of guilty pleasure pop.The Killing Moon A Message Through Your TeethA mix of metalcore and ska? Crazy. Frequently enjoyable and fun, the Killing Moon make you want more (like a full-length). The vocals are Atreyu-ish, which may throw some people off (I think they kick ass) and the live show is legit. Give em a try.The Mars Volta Scab DatesTransplants TransplantsTrenches The Tide Will Swallow Us WholeI really want to like this band. I would love to LOVE this band. Two problems: lazy-ass boring guitar work and drum work. Seriously dude, just because you can play in drop b doesn't mean you have any skill or that your shit is original in the least. Same goes for the drumming; just because the tempos are slower doesn't give you an artistic license to play the most elementary beats and fills. One good thing- Jimmy Ryan. First, let me just say that this album proves that on Jimmy's last album with Haste the Day ('When Everything Falls") he was either sick or recorded incompetently. Ryan is in full form on this album, providing the solidary highlight. Seriously dude, this is plain boring and unoriginal metal (or post-metal if your a douche); hate to say it, but its true. Ambient metal is a good idea, on paper... Jimmy Ryan, you are the man. Your band sucks. Bummer dude.Underoath Survive KaleidoscopeUnderoath 777 (DVD)Velvet Revolver ContrabandWeezer The Green AlbumYeah Yeah Yeahs It's Blitz!For some reason I gravitate towards the slower songs on this release, probably because they aren't mired by stale 80's beats and instead show a mastery of dynamics and lyric. Never the most deft musicians, Yeah Yeah Yeah's have always been enjoyable at least and mesmerizing at best, never the top nor the bottom of their genre. Don't expect leaps in musical execution, its the same ol' with synths instead of guitars for the most part. Karen O is this band, her uniqueness propels each song. Not their best; boring at worst, enjoyable at its best. 2.5 averageAFI DecemberundergroundAlkaline Trio This AddictionAlthough still better than most, "This Addiction" is just more 'Trio -- essentially the same shit that these guys have put out, except this time less-catchy and memorable. This is where the whole 'punk rock' aesthetic comes back to bite you, when the 'tried-and-true' formula gives way to 'no new ideas' and 'stale'/'boring' songwriting. AK3 will always be known for their lyrical content and singing prowess, and thankfully that remains intact on this record. Also, the drumming and bass shine while the lame guitar work takes backstage - yet again. The production is clean and tight but can not save what essentially has been done better before by the same band. Sorry guys - this is a fan-only release.August Burns Red MessengersBen Folds Way To NormalAs a huge Ben Folds fan I was sad to find out "Way to Normal" is a sub-par outing, adding very little to Mr. Folds' repertoire. The songs range from uninteresting to dull, with very little material worth noting (Sadly, the poppy normalcy of 'You Don't Know Me' is the pinnacle of the album). With "Songs For Silverman", Folds grew up a bit and gave us some real winners; unfortunately this outing is more glitz than substance. Resorting to cheap tricks, "Way to Normal" does not live up to the promise of the packaging. If your not a Folds fan, leave this one be. If you are, I hope you agree with me.blink-182 NeighborhoodsBon Iver For Emma, Forever AgoCreed Greatest HitsDarkest Hour Deliver UsDeafheaven SunbatherEmery I'm Only A ManEminem EncoreI Killed the Prom Queen Music for the Recently DeceasedIn Flames Soundtrack to Your EscapeJimmy Eat World Chase This LightKanye West The College DropoutKasabian West Ryder Pauper Lunatic AsylumKorn UntouchablesMastodon Crack the SkyeMaylene and the Sons of Disaster Maylene and the Sons of DisasterMumford and Sons Sigh No MoreN.E.R.D. Seeing SoundsNorma Jean O' God, the AftermathOpeth WatershedReggie and The Full Effect Last Stop: Crappy TownAfter sneaking into my mail (I had no idea this CD existed... no marketing?) I soon found out why there is little to no buzz about this effort. Instead of taking the old approach; a synthy-pop punk vibe, 'Last Stop: Crappy Town' erupts into synth-tinged screamo. Cool? Not really. There are no original ideas here and songs get tiring fast. Over-simple guitar lines, basic melodies, no-frills drumming, and a complete lack of coherent, meaningful lyrics. Is there a theme? A Story? Fuck if I know, the whole thing is way too confusing and outright boring. This may have been a good look/sound to bring out, but it is poorly executed and ulitmately not effective. A sadly average Reggie album.Senses Fail Still SearchingTake Senses Fail, add a guitarist worth a damn (good vocals too! omg!), add a pinch of radio-friendlyness... and then take half the cupcakes away because Buddy still can't sing. Sorry guys, but Buddy ruins the birthday party by not bringing anything to the table.. again. If you can't play live it doesn't count. "Still Searching" lacks the replay value of "Let it Enfold You", mainly because it reeks of radio.. ness. Not the point. Point is, a new guitarist who actually has talent and a drummer who keeps getting better can not save Senses Fail. Search for a new singer!Silversun Pickups SwoonFor those who say "there is nothing new under the sun"... this album is a great example for you.Slipknot All Hope Is GoneThe amount of reviews that instantly sprang up in lieu of this release is proof that Slipknot is still turning heads; but this time, it's not for many good reasons. The pros: Corey sounds better than ever, scream/growl-wise. He brings his 'A' game this time, an evolution of the stylings on "Vol.3". His clean singing, however, falls flat. Maybe it's just too damn melodic (i.e. Stone Sour-esque); if you ask me it just doesn't fit and ruins songs that could have been that much better. Also notable: Rick Rubin actually mixes bassist Paul Grey into the mix. I've been waiting to hear him play for 3 albums now; too bad it had to come so late in the game. The downfalls of this album are immense, starting with my biggest grievance: Joey. His inventive and brutal drumming has always been something to behold ("Vol. 3" being his magnum opus); but sadly on this outing, it's all double bass city. It's almost like he just came into the studio and didn't give a shit about doing anything interesting. Not only that, but the riffs are as uninspired and boring as ever; I always turn my musical expectations down a notch in favor of enjoying the pure brutality Slipknot provides, but this time its mostly of the ho-hum "heard that before" bag of metal riffage. And what about the extra percussion? DJ Sid Wilson? Why wouldn't they be included more or made more audible? Why wouldn't Rick Rubin want to present Slipknot in a cool, new way? Good lord Rick, grow your dick back! "All Hope is Gone" doesn't provide what Slipknot requires: solid, mature material. Still Remains The SerpentSwitchfoot The Beautiful LetdownTaking Back Sunday New AgainAh, TBS old friend... its been interesting to watch this band through the years. Regardless of motive, Adam Lazzara went down another guitarist/singer and got himself a new one. First off, lets talk Matt Fazzi: in my opinion (after watching him live), Fazzi is the most capable musician TBS has opitioned yet, his voice far and beyond those of Fred and John respectively. What brings 'New Again' down is that for some reason unbeknownst to me, the powers that be (Adam) make Fazzi hold way, way back, not offering him ANY lines and only a few awesome guitar lines. In this way, the music bolsters Adam as usual, yet showing his flaws even more this time around. Adam's vocal work is in a word - underpar. Although there are many great parts and melodies, Adam's voice often cracks and goes wildly out of tune which, back in the day, would fit, but here it brings 'New Again' down a notch. As far as the rest of the band goes, things are solid: Matt Rubano shows his bass chops, offering probably the most consistently great performace of his career with TBS - the other two, well, lets just say its business as usual. 'New Again' is growing on me, but I'll be the first to say that if this is the new sound TBS is going for, 1. its not that different, and 2. its really not any better. Check out "Sink Into Me" and "Swing"... other than that this is for TBS fans only. A shame indeed.The Almost Southern WeatherThe Contortionist IntrinsicThe Devil Wears Prada Dear Love: A Beautiful DiscordThe Elms Chess HotelThe Used In Love and DeathThrice The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IVUnderoath They're Only Chasing SafetyWolfmother Cosmic EggYellowcard Paper Walls2.0 poorAnti-Flag For Blood and EmpireAnti-Flag The Bright Lights of AmericaAnother Anti-Flag album?? Don't get too excited- its the same damn album as ever; chock full of anti-government sentiments and other stuff that these punk-rockers hate and despise. The only true difference with this album is that it is on a major label (wait a second... Anti-flag- anti-establishment? I guess punks are get less 'revolutionary' as they grey) Nothing sticks out on an album full of the same ol' same ol'... I will give some props though: Justin Sane- you are a kick ass bassist and kill it live... you're band is on the fritz though buddy.Bon Iver Bon Iver, Bon IverDragonForce Ultra BeatdownThis is "Inhuman Rampage" part deux; listening to this album is a trial by fire- and God damn it I didn't make it. That's right, I stopped mid-album. Reason: I've heard all of this before. ALL of it. There is not a riff, drum beat, melody, synth line, or bass line (or wait... was there one? Fuck it. Couldn't hear it anyway) that the 'Force hasn't already thrashed through at 5000 bpm before. This is unfortunate because these guys really are immensely talented; the riffs are nuts, the drummer is inhuman, etc.; but this all deflates quickly and gets oh so stale so quickly. If you can enjoy this, CONGRATULATIONS! I don't care. Dragonforce may have tons of talent and pwn all the n00bz lol, but they write the same song over and over and over = they're on par with musics' most songwriting-inept bands. Dream Theater Systematic ChaosDrop Dead, Gorgeous Worse Than A Fairy TaleSo yeah, I was horribly dissapointed in this album. Frankly, it sounds like a Thrice album - except theres little creativity and the singer is terrible. Yeah, that yelling kinda whiny guy... well, he's not super whiny on this one (OMGZ! MAkEs tHe AlBuM SUPER! right?), just bad. His vocal delivery is somewhere in the gray area between yelling and screaming, non-tonal, and pretty much bland and stale. Maybe the next album will be better... but its not here yet. Skip this one.Fall Out Boy From Under the Cork TreeGreen Day American IdiotHaste the Day When Everything Falls'When Everything Falls' is a letdown in the truest sense of the word. Not because of the riffs (their intact), or the drums (killer as usual), or even the inaudible bass (I'm used to it by now); no, 'When Everything Falls' is trash becasue they fucked up Jimmy's scream. On 'Burning Bridges', Jimmy Ryan was a force; posessing an inhuman jaguar-like primal scream, he really had something great going. Although most of the lyrics were indecipherable (Let's face it, Haste the Day isn't 'classic' material anyway), 'Burning Bridges' kicked a lot of ass and took a lot of names. Now, I don't know what happened in the interim. Maybe Jimmy was sick during recording, maybe they used the wrong mics, maybe he really sounds this bad and real life and 'Burning Bridges' was a vocal hoax... whatever. All I know is Jimmy's powerful scream was reduced to a gurgle, a lame pseudo-scream if there ever was one. The album is nearly unlistenable because of this sound. What kills me is that the album isn't total garbage; the music is solid metalcore fare- not much in the way of suprises. The clean vocals are recorded beautifully; their harmonies are some of the best in the biz. Hell, Haste the Day is talented- don't get me wrong. Sadly, 'When Everything Falls' is destined to be the overlooked Haste the Day album, like it or not (due in part to the neutered version of the single "When Everything Falls" and the boring video that accompanied it). Bottom line: Stick to 'Burning Bridges' for Haste the Day goodness.Haste the Day Pressure the HingesKanye West Late RegistrationKanye West 808s and HeartbreakKorn Take a Look in the MirrorKorn See You on the Other SideLil Wayne Tha Carter IIIMayday Parade Tales Told By Dead FriendsNorma Jean The Anti MotherOutKast IdlewildRammstein RosenrotRick Ross TrillaStatic-X Shadow ZoneThe Almost Monster, MonsterThe Chemical Brothers BrotherhoodBoring from start to finish, "Brotherhood" falls way short, offering a lethargic collection of washed-up, used before beats. The creativity is very low on this record and quickly bores, featuring a menagerie of sloth like tempos and blips and bloops that distract and add nothing to the overall picture. I ended up skipping through many of the songs, most culminating in layered noise and beginner-simple melodies that build and build and burn out. The Chemical Brothers are lazy and offer nothing of interest on this album. This is not the album that this genre deserves. The Devil Wears Prada PlaguesThrice The Alchemy Index Vols. I & III despise this album... in fact, the whole concept is whack. You may say: "But, you gave "Artist in the Ambulance" a 4 and "Vheissu" a 4.5!!! What are you smoking?" First, that is none of your business, second, I hate seeing one of my favorite bands take a gimmick too far. I am serious when I say that the 'Fire' disc is one of the most pathetic attempts at music ever put to tape by a super talented band. Everything on the disc has been done before and better, not to mention with more creativity. The 'Water' disc is a resonable affair; Thrice seems more at home in the slower genre these days (A sad thing in my opinion). I rated this disc as low as I did because of how horrible the 'Fire' disc is... it is nearly unlistenable. The water disc floats, but you will be slowly rocked to sleep. Why did this have to happen to Thrice? While 'Vheissu' was a brilliant experimental hardcore trip 'The Alchemy Index' borrows heavily from past releases and eventually quashs any attempt at progressing their sound. Skip this lame duck.Velvet Revolver LibertadWalls of Jericho The American DreamSadly, Walls of Jericho do not enthrall me. In fact, there is little material on "The American Dream" that does much of anything for me; although the instrumentation is solid and the genre blend (punk, hardcore, thrash, etc.) does its thing; all in all "The American Dream" is just another ho hum by-the-numbers metal album. My main problem (*bracing for the flak I will receive yet again) lies in the vocals. Yes, the screams are produced by female vocal chords, but that doesn't giver her any special attention in my book (If you ask me, Opeth's scream is haunting and genuinely frightening). Candace just has the wrong idea here: she sounds more manly than most men screamers. Her guttural delivery is not without technique, but completely without any sort of range. This leads her to be placed in the bin of screamers that just don't rub me the right way: those who can't sing nor bring something new/exciting to the table. Besides solid drum work and some very nice guitar licks (can't forget the inaudible and thus uncredited bassist!), "The American Dream" is a been-there-done-that retread. Skip it.1.5 very poor+44 When Your Heart Stops BeatingAngels and Airwaves I-EmpireWhile everyone SHOULD make up their own mind about this album, the simple fact is Tom Delonge is a jackass. He plagiarizes himself and wrote two albums twice; not to mention he SUCKS live. Who forgets the lyrics to down? Tom Delonge, the guy who wrote it, does. Sorry, but Tom Delonge needs to shut up. Black Kids Partie TraumaticBoys Like Girls Boys Like GirlsGood Charlotte Good Morning RevivalKanye West GraduationLostprophets Liberation TransmissionMayday Parade A Lesson In RomanticsParamore Riot!A no-risk, all-pop, sugar-coated waste of time. The only redeeming quality of Paramore is... (you guessed it) Hayley Williams and her vocal chords. The band is basically anonymous; dual guitar tracks meld together and lose all distincton of lead and rythmn; the bassists exists (or does he??); and the drummer might as well be the dude from Fall Out Boy. Suggestion: Hayley gets a good band where she can take her shit to the next level... two albums down and Paramore just ain't goin anywhere.Static-X CannibalStory of the Year The Black SwanA disappointingly average outing from the guys from the Lou. The production is glossy and as un-heavy as possible; the vocals (especially the screams) have been sunk way into the mix so that everything sounds nice and in tune but diction is lost. Performance wise, the Black Swan is just Page Avenue + In the Wake of Determination with some melodies and licks borrowed and mixed straight fromt he two. This album is basically just an exercize in making a Story of the Year album more of the Story of the Year-y... does it sound like them, yes; but almost too much to the point that almost every 'moment' can be guessed and every song has a nostalgic feel. Bleh, I'll pass on this one- I expect more than an average effort from a band of Story of the Year's potential.The Nightwatchman The Fabled CityDon't fix it if it ain't broke! Tom Morello digs himself a deep hole on this release from "The Nightwatchman". Marred by a bad Johnny Cash complex, horrible lyrics, and laughable.. everything; one wonders what the hell Morello was thinking. Some people are inspired; I think Morello is bored. Blah. This album leaves a bad taste in my mouth. As much a lover of Rage and occasional Audioslave listener I am, "The Fabled City" is a bland, tedious mess; ultimately proving that Tom Morello can not sing or write lyrics.. but damn; he can play that gee tar! Boo.The Offspring Rise and Fall, Rage and GraceYou'd think that with as much talent as the Offspring have they'd put forth a solid effort to show the world that they are still alive and kicking ass. Too bad. 'Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace' has been written before, and way better. I am shocked that this is all the veteran punk rockers could come up with; a lazy, uninspired, and ultimately disappointing effort. I expect more from my legends. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Lonely RoadThe Used Lies for the LiarsYellowcard Lights and Sounds1.0 awfulA Day To Remember HomesickA shameless, ego-tastic exercise in outright stupidity. Coming from the band who butchered a Kelly Clarkson single (and still act 'hard'??), A Day To Remember is the newest band to forget quickly about. I could barely make it through this album; taking the worst parts of metalcore and the worst parts of punk rock and fusing them together, 'Homesick' makes ME sick. Who thought this was a good idea? Who let these fuckers go anywhere? What the fuck is happening to music these days??? If you are a 13 year old girl with herpes and a taste for self destruction (inside and out), you will most definitely love A Day to Remember. Everyone else, avoid at all costs. An absolute waste of time. Avenged Sevenfold Avenged SevenfoldFall Out Boy Infinity on HighHawthorne Heights If Only You Were LonelyHey Monday Hold On TightCan't say I was excited when this gem arrived in the mail. Pete Wentz should be named "most shameless man in show biz" for this one... on top of the whole FNMTV thing and, well, his own spotlight-chewing self. "Hold on Tight" is a shameless rip off of everything Paramore, except surprisingly worse. DON'T buy this album if you want a hint originality in your music. DON'T buy this album if you are over 12. DON'T buy this album if you have any respect for yourself. And please, pleeease DON'T buy this album and tell me how awesome it is; I do NOT want to hear your opinions. They are not valid at this point. Popular music has dipped this low, it is true. How about we let the money-sucking-attention-grabbing-pop culture whores keep their shitty music. Or maybe we're all too numb to notice. Hey Monday gives me the a blue feeling of the Mondays; ironic, no?John Cena and Tha Trademarc You Can't See MeKanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted FantasyKorn UntitledThis album deeply saddens me; Korn are shadows of their former selves, completely incapaple of writing an original song anymore. Instead of ralling after losing guitarist Head, Korn went into total tailspin free-fall mode and dumped this "Untitled" piece of shit on our chests. An obvious money grab- the album isn't over soon enough as the listener can literally hear Jonathan Davis completely devolve into something we all (us former Korn fans) hoped he'd never be: all-out sellout. Copied and pasted together loosely, "Untitled" is baffling and repulsive; a horrible excuse for a veteran and much-loved band. Ban this shit.Linkin Park Minutes to MidnightThis album solidifies what I've always been afraid was true of Linkin Park: they have no talent. Not only that, but the talented members they do have (i.e. Chester and Mr. Hahn) have been either downplayed, or in the latter case completely cut out. This album boasts some of the worst guitar work since Rammstein (No More Sorrow) and some of the worst rapping since Vanilla Ice (Hands Held High). Overall, M2M isn't without total merit; there are some good ideas (if you like Fall Out Boy-like pop rock), but when it comes down to it, one thing holds true: a true Linkin Park fan should not tolerate this bile. "We've waited years and years for this shit???" Sadly yes. Dump this junk in the garbage and go listen to some real music. We've had enough sellouts in our generation.Lou Reed and Metallica LuluMetro Station Metro StationFans of Metro Station should watch out for my fist.. we tend to meet each other quite often. Just when you thought "the Man" had done everything to brainwash perfectly good children into mindless sex-crazed robots, well you'd be wrong once again. This album is a glaring example of a group of people who don't give a flying fuck about music, yet make it; they're in it for A) more money B) more sluts C) fame (which they may achieve now but will ultimately be lauded in the end). Fuck Metro Station. And All the Cyrus'. They're the new American cancer.Miley Cyrus BreakoutNickelback Dark HorseSimple Plan No Pads, No Helmets... Just BallsSimple Plan Still Not Getting Any...Simple Plan Simple PlanSoulja Boy Souljaboytellem.comThe worst rap album to come out... EVER. This takes bad taste to new lows, i.e. pathetic, non-existant lyrics, shitty beats, and Mike Jones-esque name hollering that no one should give a damn about. The fact that this album sold more than one copy (or even got off the ground even) shows that the record labels don't give flying fuck about releasing good music anymore. It's money first, money last. Get paid Soulja Boy, get paid and laugh you fucker.Static-X Start A WarStatic-X Cult Of StaticI wish I could give this album a 0, I wish I could give this album a negative number; in fact, due to the undeniable fact that this album outright insults those who listen to it, I would like to slap each member of the band in the face (well, maybe not Wayne; his head would bounce back and his hair would poke me in the face. I guess spitting on him with utter disdain will have to suffice). *No joke alert* Immediately after having my mind oatmeal-ized by this filth I took 'Cult of Static' and did what any sane person would do as well: break it in half, light the remnants on fire, and then write an inconsequential review. Seriously. I'm not going to go through everything that is wrong in this release because there is NOTHING good. Even writing a review of this is a waste of my time. If you like this album, you have serious music issues that can only be solved by copious amounts of therapy or suicide (neither of which I condone, but both of which I would prefer to another listen). DON'T SUPPORT STATIC-X. FORGET THEY EXIST. Story of the Year The ConstantSum 41 Underclass HeroThe Cab Whisper Warthe Cab should be royally beat down. Not only are they, A) not talented and, B) overhyped to the max, but they committed an unforgivable sin by calling their latest tour the "Why So Serious? Tour" Do they have NO SHAME?? That's so tasteless, it.. it... good lord. Why do us reviewers even try anymore? People listen to this shit regardless of how many times we rightfully bash the fuck out of it. Depressing. The Cab: I hope we never meet. I may have a baseball bat for your skulls. Be warned; or stop sucking Pete Wentz's dick- its your choiceThree 6 Mafia Last 2 WalkTokio Hotel ScreamA disgrace to music, plain and simple. Bland, boring, worthless radio rock performed by four middle-schoolers (with one dressing in drag) and an army of producers and songwriters. This album SCREAMS (pun intended) sell out rock; my hope for Americas' youth dwindles after seeing Tokio Hotel take the top spot on many a TV video countdown. Do people vote for this shit?? Have we raised child robots who ingest everything that comes along their path?? Hope dwindles. Throw this shit in the garbage and give Tokio Hotel back to Germany. Please for my sanity's sake.Weezer The Red AlbumWhen listening to 'The Red Album', one solid thought sprang to mind: "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS???" Posessing some of the most horrid ideas, shitty lyrics, and laughable musicianship concieved this year, one wonders why Weezer doesn't just throw in the towel for good. Yeah, sure, their old... hell, they sing about it; it's no excuse. Weezer proves they are not aging well at all by releasing what seems to be the most uninspired and downright ugliest record of the year. Rick Rubin must be blamed (Fuck, he should be fined for Linkin Parks' last album) for this debacle as well, not adhering to the age-old adage: "Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should" Instead, Rubin and Weezer pick their brains for every dumbass, kooky, and out-right stupid idea they could come up with and dumped it into Wal-Mart's accross the country. Money grab? Maybe not; but a piece of shit nonetheless. This isn't the Weezer I know and love. Period.Weezer The Red Album (Deluxe Edition)
Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
