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"from a basement on the hill" by Elliot Smith

"from a basement on the hill" by Elliot Smith

Most who never met or knew Elliott Smith before his suicide last October wanted to put him up on a pedestal as a poster boy for martyrdom; someone they could look up to, worshiping someone more miserable than they were. That's not the Elliott I knew and met a few times in the last four years. I'll... [More]

"Chuck" by Sum 41

"Chuck" by Sum 41

When the Boneman threw Sum 41's new album Chuck at me the other day I was frightened. The Boneman said, "Give me 300 words on this shat pack or clean out your desk!" I obliged and prepared to embark on a shit-talking rant to end all rants. Sadly though, I couldn't muster up any good trash on Chucky... [More]

"Size Matters" by Helmet

"Size Matters" by Helmet

You know, if there hadn't been a Helmet, bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit might never have had the influence to do what exactly it is that they do. I don't know how to feel about that personally, since Korn and Limp Bizkit repulse me more than a call girl with the clap, but all I can tell yo... [More]

"Palookaville" by Fatboy Slim

"Palookaville" by Fatboy Slim

After a four year hiatus (you know, since that whole Christopher Walken dancin' around bit) Norman Cook, the Fatboy himself, is back with his newest incarnation Palookaville. Now, call me crazy, but when an artist comes out in the press before their new release and says that "I hate all my other alb... [More]

"Pressure Chief" by Cake

"Pressure Chief" by Cake

It's nice to see Cake giving Modest Mouse's old cover art for The Moon And Antarctica a new home isn't it? Pressure Chief is John McCrea and company's follow-up to my personal favorite album of theirs, 2001's Comfort Eagle. Evidently Cake became a little too comfortable because this new one isn't ev... [More]

"Tambourine" by Tift Merritt

"Tambourine" by Tift Merritt

Tift Merritt got her start in the alt/country club scene in North Carolina. Fronting and shouldering the majority of the songwriting for a band called the Carbines, she saw one deal with Sugar Hill records go south, only to be discovered by Ryan Adams and brought into the Lost Highway fold for her... [More]

"Straylight Run" by Straylight Run

"Straylight Run" by Straylight Run

Produced by Mike Birnbaum, the Midas man responsible for generating such successes as Bad Brains, Coheed and Cambria and John Mayer, shaped the clay of the newborn band Straylight Run. Their sound is a mixture of shaky male vocals from the mouth of singer-guitarist John Nolan (Former Taking Back Sun... [More]

"Astronaut" by Duran Duran

"Astronaut" by Duran Duran

Remember in 1999 when everyone from the hair metal genre in the 80's from Ratt to Slaughter were making comeback albums? Well, 2004 for some odd reason has become the comeback year for 80's new wave and alternative. Some of these albums have been really great (Morrissey, Trashcan Sinatras) some have... [More]

"Cover Your Tracks" by Bury Your Dead

"Cover Your Tracks" by Bury Your Dead

Bury Your Dead is on fucking fire. They also have a very high viscosity rate and a smooth texture to ensure maximum lubrication that allows this New England five man death machine to slide through the inner-most chambers of your ears. Forming in late 2001, Bury Your Dead has been growing strong, sup... [More]

"Strange Bird" by Augie March

"Strange Bird" by Augie March

Augie March, with their sophomore album and American debut, have emerged from down under with a heartbreaking work of swaggering genius. Strange Bird is an epic achievement that has just now set ground on American soil - having been released in the band's homeland of Australia two years prior, under... [More]

"Universal Audio" by Delgados

"Universal Audio" by Delgados

Universal Audio marks the first time that Scottish stalwarts The Delgados have recorded on their own label. The stupendous Chemikal Underground, which has housed other great Scottish artists such as Arab Strap, Bis, and Mogwai at one time or another. What's surprising about this album though, is tha... [More]

"D

"D

Released with little to no fanfare considering his seven year hiatus, Déjà Vu All Over Again is the first studio release from the former CCR front man since the brilliant blues twinge of Blue Moon Swamp. This is the first solo album where Fogerty finally feels at peace with his Creedence past, and e... [More]

"Spooked" by Robyn Hitchcock

"Spooked" by Robyn Hitchcock

Robyn Hitchcock, for all his offbeat brilliance, is far from being a household name. This in spite of delivering a consistent body of work that spans nearly 30 years. Yes it was 1977 when the first Soft Boys record was released, way back before CDs or the internet or . . . AIDS came along. When I fi... [More]

"Worship and Tribute" by Glassjaw

"Worship and Tribute" by Glassjaw

Glassjaw is a Long Island five piece that knocked me out when I saw them live at sno-core in Vegas. I had never heard Glassjaw so I just sat back and let it wash over me like a tidal wave. The power and enthusiasm that singer Daryl Palumbo projected, along with what seemed to be an improv singing st... [More]

"The Definitive Act" by Tsunami Bomb

"The Definitive Act" by Tsunami Bomb

Remember Tilt? Tilt was a Fat Wreck Chords band that had a girl singer and guys playing the instruments. Tsunami Bomb is like Tilt, with that same punk attitude, who also happen to hail from Northern California. Burb-core is what comes to mind when I think about Tsunami Bomb. Yes, pissed-off mallrat... [More]