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Tuesday, March 15, 2005
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Big Business - Head for the Shallow (Hydra Head) [mp3] [upcoming shows]
I'm pretty sure that they've already done a study, but I'd like to hypothesize that listening to Big Business' debut full-length will instantly make you party harder. Instantly. This two man crew bring the "drum and bass" thunder like you've never heard. It's like sitting at home, drunk out of your mind and then an entire season of Convoy crashes through your living room. Comprised of Jared Warren of Karp and Coady Willis from Murder City Devils, their liner notes sum it up best: "We are Big Business."
- brian
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Released 01.25.2005
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Monday, February 28, 2005
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Queens of the Stone Age - Lullabies to Paralyze (Interscope) [audio/video] [e-card] [upcoming shows]
Everyone's asking... "Will they still be able to kick ass without Nick Oliveri?" "They lost Mark Lanegan, too?!" "What the fuck? The Disneyland marching band?!" Don't worry your pretty little head. The Queens of the fuckin' Stone Age are still kickin' all the ass that needs to be kicked. This is what it sounds like when you disappear into the desert, smoke more pot than should be humanly possible and then put the whole thing to tape. Crushing hooks. Killer riffs. Fuzzed out majesty. Bow to your fucking Queens, baby.
- brian
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Released 03.22.2005
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Tuesday, November 23, 2004
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Nirvana - With the Lights Out (Geffen) [audio]
Let's clear something up: I love Nirvana. I bought In Utero on the day it came out. I still have the fucking receipt. Needless to say, I've been waiting for this set forever. So... is it worth it? You bet your sweet ass it is. It's a cornucopia of ultra-rare, unreleased goodness. "Beans?" Check. "Opinion?" Check. In Utero demos from the "Rio Session," including what sounds like the first time they ever played "Scentless Apprentice?" Fuckin' CHECK! Verdict: If you love Nirvana, buy this or you'll hate yourself and want to die.
- brian
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Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
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Velvet Revolver - Contraband (RCA) [audio/video]
Let's get this out of the way, right now: Despite the hype, despite the past members of that great band, Velvet Revolver is NOT Gun 'n' Roses. Velvet Revolver goes more for the power chords. The punk riffs. Fine and dandy, as long as we have some rippin' Slash solos, right? Oh yeah... I forgot the other important point: Scott Weiland? Horrible fucking voice. Deep lyrics about his battles with drug addiction don't matter if I can't stand to hear his chump ass sing 'em.
- brian
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Black Sabbath - Paranoid
This is still a great fucking record. If you don't agree, you're an idiot.
- brian
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Thursday, July 15, 2004
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Neurosis - The Eye of Every Storm (Neurot) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Wow. I've typed this review about 3 times. I mentioned the (great) acoustic albums released by Steve von Till and Scott Kelly. I mentioned the (not so great) collaborative album with Jarboe of Swans. I mentioned my intense curiosity on what those releases would add up to this record sounding like. Fuck it, man. I'm gonna sum it up right here: Mellow. Intense. Beautiful. Goddamn motherfucking MAJESTIC. Buy it. Listen to it in your car while driving through a summer rainstorm. You won't regret it.
- brian
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Tuesday, July 13, 2004
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Minus the Bear - They Make Beer Commercials Like This (Arena Rock)
Usually, I would never use the phrase "sounds like Depeche Mode" along with the term "awesome" in any sentence unless it read like this: "It would be awesome to kill every band that sounds like Depeche Mode." Well... I guess there's a first time for everything, huh? The band with the name inspired by BJ and the Bear (think about it) drops a new EP filled with sweet hooks, great riffs and... depth. So... yeah... it sounds like if Depeche Mode were awesome.
- brian
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Friday, July 02, 2004
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PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her (Island) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Polly Jean appears to be going back to her roots. Completely reversing direction from Stories From the City, she's gone back to a very stripped down, venomous approach. Gone are the sweet melodies... Fuzzed out guitar, sparse drums and more feminine angst than you can shake a soccer mom at is the order of the day. While it has some good tunes on it, this record sounds about half done. Maybe she just used up all her good ideas on that Desert Sessions record and this is the leftovers...
- brian
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Thursday, April 01, 2004
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The Get Up Kids - Guilt Show (Vagrant) [audio and video] [stream the album] [upcoming shows]
Wow. If you're anything like me, after that last record, you were prepared to skip this one, all together. Never fear, though, this record represents a bit of a return to form for the ol' TGUK. They holed up in their own studio and did all the recording themselves (with help from Ed Rose). They rock. They don't pretend that they're being played on some adult contemporary radio station. And there's no Scott Litt to be found. Buy without fear, children.
- brian
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Monday, March 29, 2004
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Sultans - Shipwrecked (Swami)
I've been waiting for this record for a while now, and if I needed more proof that this Rocket From the Crypt "side project" could stand on it's own, Shipwrecked provides it. Speedo and Andy bring the goods just like on Ghost Ship, but they add a little more depth and melody. This record is the perfect soundtrack to walking home drunk from your favorite watering hole. But for fucksake... if you're gonna make it portable, put it on cassette. Don't sully the Sultans with your silly iPod.
- brian
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Wednesday, February 18, 2004
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Probot (Southern Lord) [video]
Fucking Probot. That's how this "band" should always be addressed. Maybe Motherfucking Probot. Or Goddamn Motherfucking Probot. One thing's for sure, this ain't a record for sissies. Lemmy will stomp your fucking ass.
NOTE: This record is kinda lacking in double bass-drummery.
- brian
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Monday, October 27, 2003
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My Morning Jacket - It Still Moves (ATO/RCA) [audio] [upcoming shows]
"So what's all the noise I'm hearing about this band?" you ask. "How the hell are some long-haired hippies from Kentucky going to be the saviors of rock?" is another question you might throw out there. My question to you: "Have you bothered listening to this fucking record?" Seriously... miles and miles of reverb, ass-shakin' rock tunes standing next to wonderfully heartfelt songs about everyday life, Jim James' monumentally beautiful (and haunting) voice... did I mention reverb? No kidding... build a temple to this shit and call it a day.
- brian
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Wednesday, July 02, 2003
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Swami Sound System Vol. 1 (Swami Records)
If you're anything like me, you'd pick this up just for the unreleased Hot Snakes song. There's also new and unreleased stuff from Rocket From the Crypt, the Sultans, the White Apes, Sonny Vincent(!) and more. It provides way more rock than its $5.98 list price would seem to indicate, so go get it if you can find it. Hell... I'd pick up your grandma if I thought she had a new Hot Snakes track hidden on her somewhere. I'd be praying she's not hiding it in her ass, though.
- brian
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Tuesday, June 24, 2003
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Uncle Tupelo - No Depression (re-release with bonus tracks)
It must have been the summer of '94 when I heard about the breakup of Uncle Tupelo. I read the bad news in some magazine while sitting on a Greyhound out of Nashville, headed home. I had only discovered the band about 6 months before, but they were one of my favorites at the time. Remastered with extra tracks, this collection is the perfect compliment to a six-pack of beer and a clear summer night. It wasn't until I listened to this that I realized how much I miss Uncle Tupelo.
- brian
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Thursday, June 19, 2003
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Turbonegro - Scandanavian Leather (Epitaph) [mp3s] [upcoming shows]
First off, Turbonegro : The Swedish garagerock scene :: The Melvins : Seattle's grunge scene. Like some weird gay version of AC/DC mixed with the Stooges and dressed like the Village People, Turbonegro is well practiced on making their audience pump their fists in the air and feel really uncomfortable while doing it. They return with a new record that's sure to be a hit in the right circles, cranking up the amps and shouting their trademark ambiguously gay lyrics. My Swedish friend Johan Åberg says "There's nothing I like more than smoking a fat bowl and throwing on some Turbonegro."
- brian
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Monday, June 09, 2003
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Deftones - Deftones (Maverick/Warner)
The White Pony went and got herself knocked up and had a bunch of babies. The Deftones, startled and not knowing what to do, grabbed all of those babies and released them as this self-titled album. As with every "litter" you can't expect all of the li'l boogers to be as good lookin' as their mommy. Flashes of White Pony's power are visible, but horrible choruses (see: the first track) derail a couple of the tracks before they even get out of the station. I think I'll just keep waiting for that Team Sleep record...
- brian
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Monday, May 12, 2003
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Alkaline Trio - Good Mourning (Vagrant)
With another blast of punk rock that sounds like "What if Green Day had stayed as good as their early 7"s?", the Trio returns with more of a bruise than an album. Substance and emotional abuse, set to a backdrop of raging fire. It should have been easier to disappoint than impress after the great From Here to Infirmary, but resting on their laurels isn't their style, it seems. It makes you want to beat the shit out of the last girl that broke your heart, then torch her house."I touch myself at thoughts of flames," indeed.
- brian
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Monday, May 05, 2003
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The Forms - Icarus (Threespheres) [mp3s]
How serious can you take a band that sends out a press release that name drops Steve Albini about 643 times? It goes on to mention what bands they've played with (is that important?) and even goes on to namecheck Will Oldham. If your promotion company is trying to compare you to Slint, don't send the record to Louisville to get reviewed. Basically it breaks down like this: Slint = good. The Forms = limp, pretentious art pop. Needless to say, I took John King's advice and threw it out the window of my car.
- brian
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Monday, February 03, 2003
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Zwan - Mary Star of the Sea (Reprise) [album stream]
I admit... I miss the hair, but his royal baldness seems to have returned to almost Gish era form. He's assembled a band that reads like one of those old "Marvel team-up" comics...himself and Jimmy Chamberlain from the Pumpkins, Dave Pajo (Slint, Papa M) and Matt Sweeney (Chavez). It seems like the villain of the month is the current commercial music market, oversaturated with fake punk, emo and nu-metal. Space rock for the arena set, this is your summertime jam waiting to happen.
- brian
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Thursday, January 16, 2003
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Neurosis - Official Bootleg 1 - Lyon, France - 11.02.99 (Neurot Recordings)
For a live recording junkie like myself, this record is a godsend. I've always considered Neurosis one of my favorite live bands of all time, and this record hits that point home with a giant hammer. The power and sheer massiveness (is that a word?) of their live sound is barely lost in the translation to mass produced compact disc, the only thing you're missing is the intense visual presentation that they have projected behind (sometimes on) them during their shows. Let's hope that the other records planned for this series are half this good.
- brian
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Thursday, January 09, 2003
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Seluah - Self Titled [upcoming shows]
Check it: Sick of his prettyboy posturing, Chris Isaak's band opts to ditch out on him in favor of a brief tour through Hell. When they get there, they decide to rename themselves Seluah, trying to maintain a low profile. After becoming Satan's new favorite band and being granted evil dark powers of destruction, they come back to earth with a new mission: kill Chris Isaak. They then resurrect him, making him sing on a select few new compositions. If any of this sounds good to you, find this record and buy it.
- brian
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Wednesday, January 08, 2003
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Twenty Years of Dischord (Dischord)
I saw this in the store a couple of months ago and thought "Huh... that's finally out?" I didn't end up picking it up, but I did get it for Christmas, for which I will be eternally thankful. You should pick this sucker up for the book alone. But 50 tracks from 50 bands and a disc full of other rare and unreleased stuff (Fugazi's "The Word"... amazing), this thing is easily worth the measly $25 bucks you'll spend on it. Throw it on and get taken for a sweet ride through the history of one of the most influential punk/indie scenes in the world.
- brian
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Tuesday, November 12, 2002
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RMSN - Variegated (Quarterstick)
The third and final release in this series of EPs, this one is, at first glance, one track longer. Take a closer look and there's an extra, unlisted track stuck on the end. This may as well be a whole new Shipping News album. An awesome release except for that damned packaging that makes the process of opening this fucker rougher than Christmas at Harry Houdini's house. No matter... these tracks are soon to be compiled onto one CD, maybe there'll be a jewel case involved.
- brian
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Thursday, November 07, 2002
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Rocket From the Crypt - Live From Camp X-Ray (Vagrant) [mp3]
I could sum this review up in one word: disappointing. If I were to elaborate a bit, I could lengthen it to: very short. If you really wanted me to get longwinded and try to fill up my 75 word quota, I'd say that while it's not my favorite Rocket record (by far), I still like it for what it is: ass-kicking rock and roll. I just wish it rocked a little more...
- brian
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Monday, August 26, 2002
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Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf (Interscope) [audio, video]
What's this? Dave Grohl behind a drum kit again? Kickin' out the heavy jams like a champ? Almost sounds too good to be true, don't it? Well... become a believer. The same grille-punch grooves that everyone has come to expect from the ex-members of Kyuss, this record is the perfect end of summer rock jam. It's really fitting that I got ahold of this record and the metal issue of Spin in the same week. Quit being a tight-belted indie prick and pick it up already.
- brian
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Wednesday, August 14, 2002
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Hey Mercedes - The Weekend EP (Vagrant)
In a nutshell, this is 4 great songs that Hey Mercedes recorded when they were in the studio recording the full-length that was released late last year. "Wait a minute!" you say..."There's only three new songs on here! One of them is just a remixed version of a track from the album!" "Keep listening," I'd tell you. "There's a great cover of 'The Promise' hidden at the end." Definitely worth the few books you might shell out for it.
- brian
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Thursday, July 25, 2002
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The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (Warner) [listen]
To the casual observer, Wayne Coyne might appear to be completely insane. Look from a different angle and you'll realize he's simply a musical genius along the lines of Brian Wilson and that guy from Slayer. Granted, those people (and Mr. Coyne) could also be arguably called "A little off the rocker," but whatever side of the coin you want to look at, you have to admit that this is simply a great album... little black belt girls and giant pink robots in the year 3000 included.
- brian
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Wednesday, June 19, 2002
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Hot Snakes - Suicide Invoice (Swami) [mp3]
Last week I got into a bar fight. I don't think it's a small coincidence that I happened to get this record the very next day. A Hot Snakes record is like the soundtrack to getting your teeth knocked out. Theme music for running through the summer night, screaming at the top of your lungs, knocking over everything in your path. Intense rock riffage mixed with Rick Froberg's trademark yelp, this album begs to be cranked while you search for that jackass with the tazer and settle the score. Hells yes.
- brian
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Tuesday, May 14, 2002
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The Get Up Kids - On a Wire (Vagrant) [mp3]
When did these guys go "adult alternative" while I wasn't looking? It's like "What if R.E.M. went into the studio all fucked up and said 'Let's make the worst album we could possibly imagine! Let's even rip off Pink Floyd (Let The Reigns Go Loose), but butcher that too!'" This comparison is, of course, aided by the fact that Scott Litt produced this steaming turd. "Grunge Pig," indeed. Destined to be one of the worst albums of the year, I would file this one under "music to shit by" ...but that's too generous.
- brian
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Friday, April 12, 2002
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Weezer - Maladroit (Interscope) [audio]
Not everyone was a fan of the last weezer record. I equate it to the band taking a big healthy shit. I don't know about you, but after dropping a big load, I feel much better. Using "Hash Pipe" from the last record as a starting point, Maladroit proves that Weezer is back in good health, producing it themselves (instead of pop turd master Rik Ocasek) and throwing out big rock riffs left and right. New tracks like "Dope Nose" and "American Gigolo" prove the merits of taking your time in the can.
- brian
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Friday, April 05, 2002
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Hot Rod Circuit - Sorry About Tomorrow (Vagrant) [mp3]
The origin of the name Hot Rod Circuit includes the phrase "sitting around stoned, watching the Simpsons." Instant point in my book. Then they put an amazingly hot girl on the cover of their new record. And now I find out that their merch offerings include a Hot Rod Circuit thong... how rockin' is that? Add a fun (not overly groundbreaking or original) rock record with tons of good, Weezer-esque hooks and you've got summer taken care of.
- brian
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RMSN (Shipping News) - Sickening Bridge (Quarterstick)
This is the second in an ongoing series of EPs by Louisville's Shipping News. Three elaborate, moving songs with equally elaborate packaging (handmade in Chicago, land of the starving yet drunk artist). This release features two great additions to the mix: Chris Higdon of Elliott on guest vocals on the second track and one of the longest song titles ever..."Now That Your Diamond-lined Star Is Failing You, What Fair Silhouette Would Best Suit This Satellite." Good thing I had some room in my 75 word quota, or I wouldn't have put...
- brian
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Thursday, April 04, 2002
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Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Nonesuch Records)
When Uncle Tupelo split, I followed Jay Farrar and became a big Son Volt fan. This Sun Volt fandom must have lasted an entire summer and I actually got to see them live a couple of times. I admittedly didn't even pick up a Wilco record until Yankee Hotel Foxtrot found its way into my grubby palms. It's like a modern day Revolver on crack. Tweedy writes songs like he's channeling Lennon. Filled with killer hooks and tons of weird noises, it's amazing. Forget "alt-country." Bring on the Wilco.
- brian
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The Casket Lottery - Survival Is For Cowards (Second Nature Recordings) [mp3s]
I remember picking up the first Casket Lottery CD thinking "Ex-members of Coalesce... this is gonna be totally fucking sick." Then I got it home, popped it into my CD player and was like "Wait...this is competent, heartfelt, emo garbage! Like the get up kids on math! I love it!" Well... this is the second full album since then, and they've still got it. This one is a lot darker than the previous outing, exploring themes of broken family and alcoholism... things I deal with every day.
- brian
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Monday, December 17, 2001
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Superchunk - Here's to Shutting Up (Merge)
- - - 75 or less review template (use this for best results!): - - -
[witty opening line about loving this band] [filler] [comment on how superchunk keeps changing their sound up, but always in interesting ways] [filler] [comment on not always liking albums the first time through, but after a couple of listens you can't live without it] [lame fecal matter reference] [it's in your head, it's in your head, it's in your head] [filler] [obscure punk rock reference that makes me look cooler (important!)] [extremely witty exit line (very important! must be funny!)]
- brian
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Monday, December 03, 2001
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Bluetip - Post Mortem Anthem (Dischord)
If you like Bluetip, chances are you already have this CD and know how hard it rocks, in typical Bluetip style. If you don't like Bluetip, or you've never heard of them, you probably either don't know this record exists, or you couldn't really give a fat shit. The real reason to buy this CD is the extensive liner notes in the form of a long narrative by the 'Tip's Jason Farrell. At once informative and extremely funny, it easily makes this record worth the price of admission.
- brian
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Sultans - Ghost Ship (Swami / Sympathy for the Record Industry)
It's a pretty well known fact that I'll buy almost any record that has John Reis on it. My love for all things rock (you know, spiders, snakes, hard drinkin', jail time, etc.) tend to make this an absolute necessity. Strictly adhering to the "three take" rule and recorded and mastered on used media, this album is one of those no-fi rock masterpieces that makes you want to kick the shit out of your dad, just to prove you're a badass.
- brian
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The Get Up Kids - Eudora (Vagrant)
This guy next to me at work keeps telling me about "The Poop List" while I'm trying to write a review for this record. I keep telling him that I've heard it all before, that it's nothing new, blah blah blah. Then I realized... that kinda sums up this collection of 7", comp songs and covers. It's nice to have all these songs on one CD, especially the stuff I only have on vinyl. The cover of Suffragette City is worth it, alone. I may have heard it all before, but it's still good shit (pun intended).
- brian
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Monday, November 26, 2001
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New End Original - Thriller (Jade Tree)
A while back, I downloaded a couple of tracks by this band New End Original. It's got Jonah from Far, Norm and Scott from Texas is the Reason and the drummer from Chamberlain. These songs were really good. Really, really good. Once I realized the album was out, I spent two weeks scouring the record stores for it. I'd even check under all the ex-bands these guys were in, trying to find this fucking record. Well... I found it. And now that I have it, I kinda wish I hadn't gone through all the trouble.
- brian
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Sunday, November 04, 2001
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of Asaph - ...what a wonderful day it was
This EP is a lot like one of those old "What if..." comic books. You know, the ones where they take your favorite heroes and twist the situations that actually happened into something completely new, producing new and sometimes unexpected results? Well...this EP is like "What if that last Don Caballero album had, at some point, started to rock?" Dynamic, powerful, and (dare I say it?) melodic. Definitely worth your time to check it out.
- brian
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RMSN - Carrier (Quarterstick)
RMSN = Shipping News. For some people, that's enough reason to snatch this album off the shelf and cram it into the nearest CD player. Throw in insane, limited edition packaging and you have a hit. That is, of course, if you don't notice that there are only three tracks. Three really good tracks, mind you, but only three, nonetheless. The songs are great, but I feel like it took longer to open the fucking thing than it did to listen to it. Word is that this is only the first in a series.
- brian
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Monday, October 29, 2001
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Iggy and the Stooges - Raw Power - Remixed and Remastered (Legacy/Columbia)
When I was a young punk, I listened to the stooges' raw power on vinyl religiously. I wanted to be badass. I wanted to be Iggy Pop. I didn't care if I had to shoot myself full of heroin, cut myself to ribbons and wear skintight silver pants and a badass cheetah print leather jacket and nothing else. I wanted to be Iggy Pop. Now I'm a much older post-punk, listening to the remixed and remastered version of raw power on CD in my nice car. Let me check...yep. I still wanna be Iggy Pop.
- brian
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Neurosis - A Sun That Never Sets (Relapse)
It finally happened. Neurosis went pop. It was only a matter of time I guess. They started working with Steve Albini a couple of years ago on their follow-up to Through Silver in Blood, Times of Grace. It seems like they've added more and more pop sheen to their already complex foundation. Is that an acoustic guitar I hear? Is that Britney Spears doing soulful backing vocals? Okay... I lied about Britney. Let's face it...this album kicks your ass up and down the street.
- brian
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Hey Mercedes - Everynight Fireworks (Vagrant)
First off I should confess that I am friends with this band...they get me in free to their shows and pump me full of free beer. I would like to state that I can give them a completely impartial review. The sad fact is...I can't. This album rocks. If you liked Braid, it's fairly certain that you've been waiting for this one for a while. Go buy it. If you downloaded it from the internet, send money directly to me or the band, preferably me.
- brian
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