Year: 2013
Review: Terror – Live by the Code
Besides the unfortunate misstep of “You’re Caught” (ugh) Terror’s flown the flag of dependability in hardcore’s ho-hum parade (cynics may call it “predicatable”), and though the band has endured lineup and style changes a-plenty in this new Keepers of the Faith era, the band continues to keep it fresh, exciting and, to many, life-affirming. … read more
Review: Teen – Carolina EP
This five-song EP is just as impressive as TEEN’s sophomore full-length, In Limbo, from last year. The Brooklyn girls have strayed from their Shangri-Las-meets-psych vibe and have moved into a more diverse, rock-oriented direction. … read more
Review: the band in Heaven – Caught in a Summer...
Annoying name aside, the band in Heaven combine dream pop with California nostalgia. Straightforward lyrics about ocean swells and summer romanticize adolescence. Honestly, it’s something I’ve heard a million times before, and the band’s whole image is something I grew tired of, like, five years ago. … read more
Review: Sundowner – Neon Fiction
Themes of coldness, loss and drifting permeate the album, but there is a wistfulness that seems almost hopeful. Neon Fiction lacks some of the more aggressive songs from previous Sundowner albums, but it is easily the most consistent and fully realized album under the name yet. … read more
Review: Tadzio -
Queen of the Invisible
Want to go to a Renaissance fest, but there’s not one happening in your town, or it just isn’t happening soon enough? Here’s a solution: play this album, dress up in your royal gear, and stuff turkey legs down your throat like a knight. … read more
Review: Take Offense – United States of Mind
When Take Offense first started making waves beyond their native Chula Vista, the predominant buzz surrounding the band was a seamless integration of heavy metallic hardcore with a funky Venice thrash kick. On their second full-length, they continue in the same vein with some more of the metallic embellishments that have kept them a head above many of their contemporaries. … read more
Review: Succubus – Descend Unto Gehenna
Succubus take the chaotic approach of their slashing over grooves fixing on great—for a lack of a better term—“old school” qualities of the death metal and thrash genres, but do it without sounding like a hack or re-hash artists. … read more
Review: Sumie – Self-Titled
Blending European and Japanese imagery, Sumie invokes complex lyrical ideas, creating an interesting juxtaposition between the simple and the intricate, which ends up working beautifully. Instrumentally, at its most complicated, it uses only background vocals and a piano while Sumie’s voice spins gracefully around, intricately weaving each piece together into the stunning closer that is “Sailor Friends.” … read more
Review: Sunwolf – Angel Eyes
The lyrics are cheesy, and the instrumentals would be really well received at a high school house show. There is a lot of simple, cheesy lo-fi out there that is really good, but this album lacks the charm required to turn those weaknesses into strengths. … read more
Review: Synkro – Lost Here EP
This EP reflects the softer, more experimental side of dubstep that got its start in the UK. Dreamy vocalist Robert Manos graces half of the EP and makes the album easy to listen to. … read more
Review: Take Berlin – Lionize EP
Nothing induces a hypnotic state of relaxation like pulses of the gentle, vibrato Wurlitzer notes that fill Lionize. In fact, the dreamlike Wurlitzer, along with a clean acoustic guitar, make up the majority of the album’s instrumentation. … read more
Review: Teengirl Fantasy – Nun EP
This duo, comprised of Logan Takahashi and Nicholas Weiss, make quite a cohesive pair. “Eric” stands out to me as the strongest track on this EP, launching into a heavy drum and bass breakdown. Nun EP is fairly mellow and more downbeat, which ends up working as either a perfect warm-up or cool-down to an evening. … read more
