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7.30am on your way to work with your mum driving maybe isn’t the best time to pop Cry For Silence in the CD player for a quick listen! Be ready for an onslaught of British hardcore metal, to literally pierce your eardrums and engulf your surroundings! Mine being at that precise time was a 3 door Corsa…mmmmm cosy!! Watford is home for this 5 piece; it was the local frenzy they caused from a couple of shows that pushed them to get their material on record. There is a heavy intensity brooding across the whole of this debut album, which follows in the footsteps of numerous demo releases and EPs. Hidden beneath the extreme hardcore vocals of Adam Pettit, is some serious drumming, and Alex Venturella supplies some quality uplifting riffs on lead guitar. None does it work better than on Some Kind of Wonderful, when every aspect of the band comes together perfectly. Pettit definitely matches his peers, for angst and urgency in his voice, and he is duly supported by some ...
Cry For Silence – The Glorious Dead
Visible Noise Records 		When this record first started playing, I closed my eyes and it was like I was in front of the TV on a Sunday afternoon. The opening credits’ rolling on another BBC period drama, Bad movies indeed great soundtrack, well that’s the where the question lies. The Fake Exterior are a 4 piece hailing from Southampton, and “Bad Movie…Great Soundtrack”, is their debut self funded album. After the deceptive intro (sampled or self penned?), The Fake Exterior reveal their true colours. Opening track Suffer In Lies, is the bands best track and it is this formula of fast melodic rock, which is carried throughout the other 13 songs. The drums and guitar playing are real highlights on this track, increasing the pace of the song with the vocals to a frenzied climax. At times mid song, such as Treasure, the tempo is brought right down to contrast with the usual pace, before taking it right back up again. In this case (Treasure), with vocal shrieking and hard drumming. The lead...
The Fake Exterior – “Bad Movie…Great Soundtrack”
Unsigned 		One word to describe Haemostatic Picnic Races’ (HPR) debut album would be immediate, from the off there is an intensity, which engulfs your senses. It doesn’t matter that “technically” it’s only your hearing, which is being treated, if you let your imagination succumb to HPR’S ferocious style you’ll be in sensory overdrive! There is undoubtedly an endless list of adjectives, which could be flung about and pinned to this exciting debut…energetic, raucous, creative, alternative and so on. Hailing from Tunbridge Wells, where they’ve already caused chaos with a sold out album release party, this foursome have received the backing from Small Town Records who have put the record out. Front man Jake Armstrong can screech and scream with the best of them, and nowhere more throat wrenchingly painful then on opening track Orangutang-orang, which certainly sets the template for the rest of the album. Future single I’d wear a hat like that if I was Yorkshire (18th Feb), ...
Haemostatic Picnic Races- Helios! These are instructions
Small Town Records
Blame the Dillinger Escape Plan. But I really can't think of another band to credit, or discredit if you ask some, for the spurt of mathy metalcore bands that came out in the last 5-7 years. Most of them replace actual songwriting chops with technical time signatures and over the top dynamics. The majority of these bands are forgettable but there is the rare exception from time to time. The unfortunately named The Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravaganza definitely owes their style to DEP but luckily they possess enough impressive musical ability to overcome their lack of originality. On their new album, Danza II: Electric Boogaloo, they do everything short of jumping from your speakers with pick axes to get your attention. Audio assaults like "Go Greyhound" pummel your senses with shrieks of guitar harmonics and battering ram drums. You will be left breathless. Vocalist Jessie Freeland screams and growls with the might of a mountain lion so you'll have to break out the lyric book to...
The Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravaganza - Danza II: The Electric Boogaloo
Blackmarket Activities 		Lately, a lot of hardcore/punk bred bands have been injecting more traditional rock elements into their approach. Gallows, The Bronx and Cancer Bats would be fine examples of this kind of hybrid. UK murder squad, The Plight spit and shine the approach with their recently released EP Black Summer. What this five piece does is strip the fat out of the more punkish sections and replaces it with memorable twin guitar fronted melodies. Think of Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson era Thin Lizzy as seen through the eyes of kids raised in the Attention Deficit Disorder plagued 90s. Throwing in bluesy licks like the one that kicks off the galloping "Lifestyle" was a really interesting move. These kinds of diverse moves show the band's maturity and knack for taste. Frontman Al shreds his vocal chords to bits but commands enough clarity to get the tales of r-n-r excess across effectively. The standout here is "It Only Gets Worse" with its Black Flag meets Deep Purple boogie. Songs this kick ass...
The Plight - Black Summer
Visible Noise

Altsounds Recommends The Plight - Black Summer
Knowing I have seen this band live, I had a good idea on if I would like this EP or not. So you may think that the text below might be slightly biased. I had only heard the songs live and never on CD and what I noticed were the good beats they had going. (Mainly from Sam on Synth who looks like a 12 year old, ironic?) But the vocals were a bit all over the place and couldn’t quite tell if he was singing or up against the microphone just for the sake of it. Anyway, back to the actual CD. There was a reason why I quickly evaluated their live performance because the record is very similar in my response. The music has been put together well, the drums, guitars and how they have included the synth knowing full well that Sam joined the band after it was first put together. Throughout this EP, the chorus’ of each song turned out to be written better than the verses. They seemed bland and boring, yet still listenable compared to the chorus’. Even though (In my opinion) Tom can sing, he...
Said Mike - Stop The Clocks EP
Xtra Mile Recording
When I got given the CD to review, I looked at the cover and if I have to be honest, I thought that this won’t be a good CD. I know you should never judge a book by its cover but the image on the front wasn’t convincing me. The first track on the album isn’t a very good start; I would have imagined it to be more powerful to get my attention immediately. The cliché pop punk rhythm and the weak vocals didn’t impress me, but I thought “Hey, maybe it’ll get better, no one is perfect.” But as the tracks continued to play, nothing was changing my mind. Well, not in a positive way. It didn’t feel like there was much difference between the tracks, the album seemed like it was one long song which lasted 39 minutes instead of 12 separate 2 minute songs. Rhythmical, nothing chances. The drums and guitars sound like they are the same tempo, tuning and chords throughout this record making it tiresome. The vocals doesn’t seem to improve during any time of the album too, Max’s voice is weak and...
OneDayLife – Heroes, Hoods and Headphones.
Frontierless Records 		Yet another contender in the metalcore sweepstakes, Still Remains have returned with their second album and it seems like they've showed with actual songs this time out. The Serpent succeeds in many ways but their songwriting chops are what's most evident here. Tunes like "Stay Captive" and the melancholic "Maria" demand your attention and get it with soaring vocal refrains and arena-sized choruses. Another obvious improvement from their older output is the use of cleaner vocals from T.J. Miller. Don't be mistaken, there are still bountiful screams to be found on the album but they are used more tastefully this time out. I wouldn't be surprised if they abandon them completely on their next album. Credit must be given to keyboardist Ben Schauland who's dresses the material with glorious melodies and never suffocates the heavier sections. The guitar harmonies, courtesy of Mike Church and Jordan Whelen, race along in a style that brings to mind bands like In Flames and Trivium. The...
Still Remains - The Serpent
Roadrunner Records 		Baumer hail from Columbia, South Carolina but from the sounds of their new album, Were It Not For You you would never know it. Their synthed out sound has more in common with celebrated European bands like New Order and Kamera. These Europhiles have their brand of dance-rock down to a T on this album. Frontman Nate Boykin, like The Killers' Brandon Flowers, even sings with a heavy British accent for full effect. Being that they hail from the American south, this affectation probably is for the better. I don't really see a South Carolina twang working to well with this kind of stuff anyway. Most of the songs on Were It Not For You are trimmed to down to their bare essentials. With tracks as infectious as "On Our Way" and "Don't Panic" gracing the album, keeping the song lengths shorter was a wise move. In fact, your focus never wanes and you'll find yourself singing along to the first-class hooks instantly. Unfortunately, the production by D. James Goodwin falls a bit flat. Bringing...
Baumer - Were It Not For You
Eyeball Records
Gone are the days of hardcore bands getting shunned for incorporating traditional metal elements to their sound. In the last five years even heavier sub-sets like death metal and grindcore elements have been incorporated into the genre. On Maniacal, New York City's Sworn Enemy build on the melodic death metal infused hardcore they last visited on 2006's The Beginning of the End. Produced by As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis and Joey Z. of Life of Agony, the album brims with a full-on guitar assault that never lets up in energy and precision. The guitar team of Lorenzo Antonucci and Jamin Hunt have really become a force to reckon with. Their tireless gallops and solo runs adorn the album with raw aggression that few other guitar duos in their scene are capable of. As I Lay Dying drummer Jordan Mancino plays on all of Maniacal and his solid, almost machine-like thump anchors the songs better than anyone else they've played with in the past. Now we get to Sworn Enemy's Achilles...
Sworn Enemy - Maniacal
Century Media Records 		Let's face it, the current metal scene is overflowing with sub-par metalcore bands. Every time you open an issue of Decibel or Rock Sound magazines your eyes are assaulted with ad after ad for another band offering you the same old mosh and dance. As soon as I'm about to give up on these younger bands, a record like Animal gets thrown into my lap. The latest from the San Francisco murder mob known as Animosity is 29 minutes of unrelenting death metal with occasional forays into hardcore paced beatdowns. With compositions this demanding, it must really work this unit into a killing machine on tour! The rhythm section of drummer Navene Koperweis and former Reflux bassist Evan Brewer rarely get the chance to sit on a groove too long. But I'm not complaining with songs this ruthless! The production by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou flawlessly captures the band's violent yet technical instrumentation. I'm not really familiar with his set up at God City studios but from what we have here,...
Animosity - Animal
Blackmarket Activities

Altsounds Recommends Animosity - Animal
Champaign, IL's Headlights specialize in the kind of brittle indie pop that doesn't take many listens to win you over. Lead by the exquisite vocals of Erin Fein and Tristan Wraight, the band chooses to work with a "more is better" approach to their musical presentation. This opens up the sonic possibilities and pushes each song to places they probably wouldn't have gone normally. On their second album, Some Racing, Some Stopping, they headed to rural Illinois and recorded in an old farmhouse. Without time constraints and an expensive studio bill looming over their heads, the band had the time they needed to experiment and really see each idea through. Although they aren't on the lips of every rock critic yet, Headlights deserve the respect the same kind of adulation their fellow bands get showered with. In all honesty, Rilo Kiley would have killed for a song like the organ laced "Cherry Tulips" and Belle & Sebastian wouldn't kick "Catch Them All" out of bed either. Luckily the trio...
Headlights - Some Racing, Some Stopping
Polyvinyl Records

Altsounds Recommends Headlights - Some Racing, Some Stopping
When this arrived in my mailbox I have to admit, I hadn't heard of Khann. I really wasn't sure what to expect from their band name and the fact that the album was entitled Tofutopia didn't make the picture any clearer. The only thing I could think of was that they played some kind of spaced out jam-band kind of thing. I was wrong. I mean, really wrong! This Florida band specializes in chaotic, yet technical grind. Guitarist Andrew LaCour's (second guitarist Matt Sutton joined after the album was recorded) fretwork is laced with elements of European death metal and the dissonant style of vintage Neurosis. Some songs stop and go like they are riddled with Attention Deficit Disorder. Complete musical anarchy. While songs like "Bird" plod along like an Elephant walking through snow. Former Bodies in the Gears of the Apparatus vocalist Josh Vitale does a stellar job of coating the songs with enough screeching and growling to satisfy even the most hardcore grind fan. His versatility falls...
Khann - Tofutopia
Black Market Activities

Altsounds Recommends Khann - Tofutopia
Since Slingshot Dakota consists of a drummer and keyboardist/singer, the first thing that came to my mind was Mates of State. While the latter band's quirky pop often ventures off into chaotic places, Slingshot Dakota have a far more focused songwriting style. The band, OK duo, was formed in New York by drummer Pat Schramm of punk heroes Latterman and Commando in 2003. Now with drummer Tom Patterson in the fold, the band have returned with their sophomore album which they chose to self-release after a stint on Immigrant Sun. The 10 songs on Their Dreams Are Dead, But Ours Is The Golden Ghost hark back to a sound that brings to mind bands like The Anniversary and Rainer Maria. Keyboardist and vocalist, Carly Commando does not boast the most powerful of voices but she more than makes up for it in the charm department. Her unhinged delivery fills out the space with a conviction that really cuts through the album's atmospherics. The standout track has to be "Ohio!" with its sugary...
Slingshot Dakota - Their Dreams Are Dead, But Ours Is The Golden Ghost
Self-Released 		Much like Neutral Milk Hotel, Magnetic Fields and Of Montreal, Sleep Station is mostly the work of one musician/mad scientist. New Jersey native David Debiak has been releasing thought provoking concept albums under this guise for the past few years. While his earlier work found him playing within the confines of indie guitar rock, his last couple of releases were much harder to pin down style wise. His unorthodox instrumentation and kitchen sink production techniques have widened the scope and really taken Debiak's songs onto another level all-together. The foundation for most of the songs on The Pride of Chester James are the clean guitars that are most prominent on "Tired of Me Now" and "Settle On Your Name." From there they venture into country, folk and REM inspired jangle. The quieter moments are usually tempered with hints of dissonance giving them a haunting quality. Some of the more challenging moments reminded me of A Ghost Is Born era Wilco but Debiak's ambition never out...
Sleep Station - The Pride of Chester James
Eyeball Records

Altsounds Recommends Sleep Station - The Pride of Chester James
NYC band Ida have built a small but loyal following since their formation over 15 years ago. Their brand of hushed indiepop even found them signed to Capitol Records at one point. They also have been championed by members of Jimmy Eat World, Promise Ring and Death Cab For Cutie throughout the years. Lovers Prayers is the band's seventh full length and was recorded in Woodstock, NY at Levon Helm's (ex-drummer/vocalist of The Band) home studio. The rustic setting definitely serves this serene material well. Choosing Warn Defever (Low, His Name Is Alive) as producer is also a winning move by the band as his unfussy approach gives these songs more than enough room to float in the mix. New drummer and multi-instrumentalist Ruth Keating and violinist Jean Cook's contributions sit well throughout the album and much credit must be given to Defever's lush production. Ida's music has been described over the years as "autumnal" and one critic even went on to call them "chamber folk" and the...
Ida - Lovers Prayers
Polyvinyl Records 		CAPDOWN – NO MATTER WHAT SINGLE FIERCE PANDA RECORDS By: Fridae Mattas As I write this review once again hoping this ghetto box does not shut down until this is published, no such luck this is my fourth attempt. I am listening to ‘No Matter What’ one of the two tracks on the promo single, the other track is ‘Community Service live’. Both of the tunes are from their recent LP ‘Wind Up Toys’ released in February 2007. Capdown is short for Capitalist Downfall, after a ten year run the band decided to call it quits in November 2007 after they wrapped their tour. Although they say they will disband, rumor has it they will resurface with a different name not the first time for this band they were formally known as SOAP before they were Capdown. It seems as though these dudes from Milton Keynes are the British version of Shitty Diddy. The tune in question is decent only when it comes to the collection of instruments that are played well and in sync but the music is as far from...
CAPDOWN - NO MATTER WHAT SINGLE
Fridae Mattas 		The name of Think:Fire’s forthcoming EP ‘Swings and Roundabouts’ might suggest lots of ups and downs, but there are anything but down points on it. 40 love kicks off the EP, with the lyrics establishing a resilient vibe that perhaps defines the band itself. Take these Maps introduces Bloc Party-esque guitar riffs, but the prevailing passion of the lyrics make it a sound distinctly their own. Making less of a mark overall is Three or Thirteen, but as the song develops, its melodic atmosphere dangerously lures you in. The vocal appearance from Kids in Glass Houses frontman Aled on They Shape Shift injects something extra to the EP, which finishes with the fiery Sunrises. Overall ‘Swings and Roundabouts’ reveals an ambitious group that promises to deliver. Words by Jeni
Think:Fire – Swings and Roundabouts

Altsounds Recommends Think:Fire – Swings and Roundabouts
Thanks to Audience and Audio the EP launches with the cry ‘Can you hear me?’ in a strong Glaswegian accent, and the powerful vocals mixed with eccentric screams evoke a dynamic sound that sets them apart. Attitude is something the band has bags of, and I Cave in showcases this. By the time you hear Time is the enemy it is apparent that the band consciously aims to be as innovative as possible. The title track intertwines the cello with guitars, and produces a unique song which would not be out of place on a movie soundtrack. It is this energetic blending of the classical into an intensely contemporary rock sound that should make 2008 a big year for them. Words by Jeni
Twin Atlantic – A Guidance From Colour 		Hot Springs are the latest band to launch themselves out of Montreal’s thriving Seattle-in-the-90s music scene with their debut full-length album, Volcano, and it really is a cracking first effort. They are a female-fronted four piece whose sound is full of rock/pop energy, with touches of the a tidied up White Stripes along the way, while the vocals of Giselle Webber lie somewhere between Cerys Matthews and Kings of Leon frontman Calleb Followill. Her voice is as good as that combination sounds and, backed by a solid and interesting rhythm section and aggressive guitar playing, it all makes for a attention-grabbing record. From the first chords of the opening track Headrush, you know you’re in for an exciting time. It erupts out of the speakers (aptly, on an album called Volcano) before settling down into a funky, danceable number, akin at times to an early Primal Scream. It’s a feeling sustained throughout the album, while at the same time there is plenty variation. Tracks like Fog...
Hot Springs - Volcano [CD]
Quire Records

Altsounds Recommends Hot Springs - Volcano [CD]
As soon as i found out Dashboard Confessional were heading to the UK again I was really pleased. When I found out that one of the dates was in Cardiff I nearly fell off my chair. http://hangout.altsounds.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=362&stc=1&d=1196794043 The last time Dashboard played in the UK was some time ago and now they are back...... but wait.... whats this.... they are supporting..... who?? Maroon 5???... On an arena tour?? I had mixed thoughts about this news. DC in the UK. Brilliant. Supoorting Maroon 5 on an arena tour. Not so sure about that. Well I went along on a cold and damp December night with a very divided mind about what to expect. I'm going to start now by saying I was pleased with the outcome.
Dashboard Confessional - Live in Cardiff
CIA December 3rd

Altsounds Recommends Dashboard Confessional - Live in Cardiff
This is by far one of the best remix albums that Nine Inch Nails has put out. It's now available for all to hear at Remix - remix.nin.com. Trent has given a window of opportunity for fans to submit their own remixes from the Year Zero album and the results definitely meet high expectations. My favorite tracks by far are Saul William's "Guns by Computer", "In this Twilight" (Fennesz Remix), "Meet Your Master" (The Faint Remix) and another Saul Williams remix of Survivalism. The remix album comes with a second disc for those who want to create their own remix at home! Review by: Flavia
Nine Inch Nails- Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D
Interscope Records

Altsounds Recommends Nine Inch Nails- Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D
Self titling an album is a major thing for a band. By self titling it, you are kind of saying "This is our sound" ... "This is our best album". Luckily for Avenged Sevenfold, in my opinion they have perfectly executed the timing of their self titled release. I actually had a conversation today with a guy that didn't like the new Avenged Sevenfold sound because they thought it went against everything they had previously believed in during their early and more "hardcore" days. I actually don't have the knowledge of the band enough to know if this is true but I also don't care. I don't approach an album by a band I have heard before and expect or even want it to sound just like their other material. Surely that's boring? Surely that's like doing the exact same routine everyday and working the same job for 50 years. To me, if a band doesn't progress then they are wasting their time. This album packs an amazing punch from the beginning and has everything you could want from an...
Avenged Sevenfold - Avenged Sevenfold

Altsounds Recommends Avenged Sevenfold - Avenged Sevenfold
Now I am a huge Oasis fan so when this little gem popped up in the mail I decided I wanted to take this home to review it. I had heard that this DVD was being released and was excited as hopefully it would contain tasters for the new album within it, which based on the single (which is the title of this DVD) "Lord don't slow me Down" it's set to be amazing. Their latest single sounds like 60's music being done in a modern way with new production but old tones being used. I really love the direction that the band appear to be going in. The DVD is all Black and White and has been put together to show Oasis as a 60s band. The editing and general viewing footage has also been done in a certain way to make this DVD feel like a video release from the 60s. The overall DVD has a great vibe and is a behind the scenes documentary of Oasis on an entire worldwide tour. Most of this DVD is excellent and fast paced enough to keep everyone interested. The DVD does become a little boring...
Oasis - Lord Don't Slow Me Down DVD
OUT NOW!

Altsounds Recommends Oasis - Lord Don't Slow Me Down DVD
I always pick out a random CD to review just by it's cover. One of my favourite dance vinyls I ever bought I got from a 99p bin because it looked good. I have actually been known to go out and buy an album by a band I've never heard of just because I liked the cover and wanted to buy some new music that day. I choose to check out this band from the cover alone and I am thankful that I did! Slipping the CD into my player I'm not sure what to expect. The first song starts off mellow with what I can only describe as Hawaiian style tremelo guitaring and I'm unsure what this band will turn out to be. The best way to describe The Ovcean is to honestly say that it is like nothing you've ever heard before. They do some crazy riffs you never thought someone would do, they jam with an orchestra plus so many other twists and turns. They can be the mellowest, most beautiful band you've ever heard and then slam in one of their beatdowns that is heavy as ****. This album has everything...
The Ocean - Precambrian

Altsounds Recommends The Ocean - Precambrian
Some of the UK readers might remember Instruction. They released an album a few years back and toured extensively with bands like Hundred Reasons and Hell Is For Heroes. Although the band was based in NYC the crowds in Europe definitely claimed them as their own. After an album on Geffen Records the band dissolved after disappointing sales. Frontman Arty Sherpard and guitarist Joseph Grillo decided to press on together and formed God Fires Man soon after. Also joined by scene veteran Drew Thomas (Into Another, Walking Concert, Bold) behind the trap kit, the band doesn’t veer to far away from the post-hardcore style that brought Instruction to the brink of stardom in the UK. This four song EP serves as an introduction for the band and opening cut “Dark” doesn’t waste time vying for your attention. The relentless guitars and vocal refrains bust through with enough raw feeling that you know the band want to make a statement. Unfortunately, the next track, “Redefine,” plods along...
God Fires Man - The “Dark” EP
Xtra Mile Recordings 		A Life Once Lost has never been accused of being the most original band in the metalcore heap. Their previous output has been often crucified by fellow critics for coming off as mere imitators of bands like Lamb of God and Meshuggah. Iron Gag will not really change that perception too much. The band have even gone a step further and hired the aforementioned Lamb of God’s singer, Randy Blythe, to produce the vocals on the album. Either they are confident in their stylistic skin or they’re just plain crazy! The charging drums, frenetic guitar parts and abrasive vocal parts are still here but one thing is clear, they’ve added an element of southern tinged metal to their attack. This does actually work in most parts. The bluesy tempos on “Worship” shade the song with an air of Down-esque flavor that serves it extremely well. The standout track on Iron Gag is definitely the thrash inspired “Masks” which comes in just in time to give the record some needed variety. There is no doubt...
A Life Once Lost - Iron Gag
Ferret Music
Having released their first two albums on Jamey Jasta's long running Stillborn Records, Full Blown Chaos are back with a new record and label. Heavy Lies The Crown marks the Queens, NY hardcore band's debut release on Ferret Music. If you are a fan of bands like Hatebreed, Terror and Throwdown, chances are good you are familiar with these heavy hitters. They've toured their brand of metallic hardcore for the better part of five years and in the process have built up an impressive following among the black zip-up hoodie sect. The four piece have not strayed too far from the formula that got them there in the first place. Sure, there is more death metal inspired riffing found on some of the cuts but there are still plenty of windmill kick worthy breakdowns throughout the album. Produced by Billy Graziadei, of Biohazard fame, at his Underground Sound studio in Brooklyn, NY, the sound of the album sounds a bit too compressed. Next time out they should try and cut out a bit of the...
Full Blown Chaos - Heavy Lies The Crown
Ferret Music 		Listening to the new Deathcar single I hear things that I don't expect from Fightstar. There are heavy ass riffs in this song reminiscent of the Underoath album "Define The Great Line". Sounds to me on this single that we are finally hearing a tatse of the real Fightstar. One with artistic freedom and their ability to craft songs that they so wish. Now don't get me wrong I loved the last Fightstar album but this single has taken them into a totally new direction that I personally am really digging. Unfortunately for me the only full song on this promo single is Deathcar. All the extra single goodies like "99" Live at Kok0, "NERV/SEELE", "Shinji Ikari" and "Deathcar" Live at Koko are all just clips on this promo CD. Pretty shit when your trying to do a review but luckily for Institute Recordings, Fightstar pack enough punch in the one song to get this reviewers attention!! Also, this CD single is supposed to be the very first Vinyl CD. Not really sure what it is but I...
Fightstar - Deathcar (Single)
Institute Recordings

Altsounds Recommends Fightstar - Deathcar (Single)
I must begin this review by saying Thank You Saul by providing us the fans such an amazing work. I and many others may have been musically challenged by your work, but this album has opened avenues for me to really dissect and understand your work. The collaboration between Saul and Trent Reznor should have been done a long time ago and truly both parties know what this music scene lacks, and that is true creativity. It almost seems that many musicians these days are afraid to try something different in fear that it won't sell or make them enough money. Which brings me to how this album is being sold and promoted, it is a brilliant concept by allowing people to either pay to download high quality files, or download the material in lo-fi for free if they want to see what its all about. I strongly encourage people to support this album and for the sake of the artist pay the $5.00 for the higher quality download. It's a chance to support a brave concept, and how often do you have...
Saul Williams - The Invevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust
The Fader

Altsounds Recommends Saul Williams - The Invevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust
My first impression when listing to the album is how much their sound has a influence of 60's mod sound with a a hint of punk.It's hard to describe much from this ep and I wish I had more music to understand them from. Figure5 has definitely captured me with this ep and I can hardly wait for their full-length release. Review by Flavia1334
Figure 5 - Nitty Gritty
EMI Records 		One could describe this album as melodic/blues with a pop twist. Halfpenny Marvel hails from the windy city of Chicago and may I add that they create their own windy forces . Their originality and talent definitely blows through their first full-length album, which was self-produced by the band. One song that stands out in my mind is "Ashes of an Argument", the combination of the piano and Mike Karmer's vocals make the most perfect and beautiful melody. Review by Flavia1334
Halpenny Marvel - Spectacle & Show
www.halfpennymarvel.com

Altsounds Recommends Halpenny Marvel - Spectacle & Show
This is a 14 track gem from a guy who can really deliver the goods in many and varied ways. Take the opening track, for example - Bob Dylan with an attitude by any other name as the song veritably bites you in the ass by virtue of its driving arrangement and those Dylan-esque vocals. "Mind's Eye", however, is a swinging slice of full-sounding cylclical folk-rock led by piano and soaring vocals over a solid lurching rhythm and surrounded by vocal choruses as it intones its hook and lead vocals with determination. Then, on "Right Moves", we are taken into an almost Travelling Wilburys styled slice of indie-folk-rock-pop, the only thing missing being a Jeff Lynne arrangement - and it's not that far away, actually. "The Temptation Of Adam" starts with mournful trumpet then adds acoustic guitar to become a slice of deliciously loveable heartfelt Tom Petty. "Open Doors" is Americana Richard Thompson with a lurching, solid drum beat and a slightly mor optimistic attitude, while "Rumors"...
JOSH RITTER - The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter
Sony BMG
Sacred music is basically at the root of all the music we know. The oldest gospel songs inspired blues and jazz, which in turn inspired Elvis who, it can be argued (but not here), inspired everything else. Religious language and metaphor in music can often lend it an additional power and substance; Moby’s Play album being one of the more recent examples of this. It is entirely possible to listen to sacred music whatever your ideology, but it does sometimes mean that the music has to be of sufficient interest to make up for the lack of relevant lyrical content. Alas. I tried to give this album a chance, really I did, but upon the fifth wince-filled listen I gave up searching for any saving graces and began plotting the panning I feared Canadian Christian rock group Thousand Foot Krutch’s third album, The Flame In All Of Us, might deserve. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing entirely offensive about this album. Everything is executed with a reasonable polish, all instruments are played...
Thousand Foot Krutch - The Flame In All Of Us
music

Altsounds thinks Thousand Foot Krutch - The Flame In All Of Us is terrible
For someone as young as Zach Condon (the creative brains and lead singer of Beirut) to have achieved such a reputation at just 21 would seem remarkable, until, that is, you hear him and his band play. Of all the impressive acts booked to play the Swn festival's debut year, the securing of Beirut for the opening night bill at The Point was undoubtedly the biggest coup. Having released one of the most noteworthy albums of 2006 and fresh from summer festival appearances at Glastonbury and Denmark's Roskilde, Beirut arrived in Cardiff to a just atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. Their sound is a deeply melancholic yet jazzy spin on the brooding ballads of Balkan gypsy-folk. In the studio, this creates a much more pensive feel than it does on stage, where it truly comes alive. With 8 band members on stage, including several multi-instrumentalists (and one member who at the last count played no less than 7 different instruments), their live sound is massive. And, as this is achieved...
Beirut @ The Point, 9/11/07

Altsounds Recommends Beirut @ The Point, 9/11/07
Some bands will never learn, so it's up to the likes of me to put it right. I'd never heard of this band before, so I saw the title and thought "how come an unknown band are having a reunion tour?" and assumed it was a live album. Now, as you know dear reader, live albums are never the most popular of things compared with studio albums, so it's my positive delight to report that THIS IS NOT A LIVE ALBUM!!! Not only that, but it's an absolutely outstanding studio album. The band are a quartet from Canada, the tracks were recorded in 14 days in April this year and 4 days in May this year. They are a "song" band. They are also brilliant at writing, arranging and playing. What makes them even better, although hardly any use for this review, is that they don't sound like anyone else I know. I suppose the nearest comparison you could make is a Canadian answer to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, only more emotional, more romantic, more adventurous, still able to "rock" and...
THE WEAKERTHANS - Reunion Tour
Epitaph

Altsounds Recommends THE WEAKERTHANS - Reunion Tour
First thing to say is that the title is wrong - very wrong!! Complete, my aspidistra!! Clapton was always touted, and they allude to it in the booklet, as a guitar genius. Apart from a couple of solos in the Cream tracks, the wonderul coda to "Let It Rain" and the occasionally economic but effective blues solo, there's sod all examples of his magical guitar work on here. No, this is an album for guys who used to rock in the seventies, got married, had families, became professionals, started earning huge sums of money and wouldn't bat an eyelid on spending £40 to go and see Dire Straits play live but wouldn't ever go out to see a band at their local venue unless it was a tribute band playing something they knew. The fire has gone out of their lives, the same way you gradually see the fire disappear the more you sink into this album. What really amazes me is just how slow, dull and sedate it all sounds - by the time I got to "Wonderful Tonight" I was looking for my pipe...
ERIC CLAPTON - Complete Clapton
Reprise/WEA 		Dear bretheren - I come before you as a sinner - confessing my dislike of Depeche Mode - the nearest I have ever come to liking anything by this band is a cover version of one of their hits by some guy called Terry Hoax! But behold! - a miracle has occurred - a miraculous conversion, mayhap. For I have beheld the new CD by Depeche Mode member Dave Gahan - and I am down on my knees in supplication, giving thanks that I've been blessed with such a bright shining light in a world of darkness. For this is heaven itself. The opening track, "Saw Something" starts as a ballad with jaunty synth and slowly bouncing electro-percussive rhythm, soon aided by swirling synths as the canvas has all manner of synth and bass colorations added to it. Gahan's vocal emerges, a kind of emotive brooding, clear and soaring yet quietly subdued, almost passionate. Cello-like waves back the now rising passion of the expressive voice and the arrangement begins to build. In front of throbbing...
DAVE GAHAN - Hourglass
Mute/Virgin

Altsounds Recommends DAVE GAHAN - Hourglass
This is a Four-tracker that is dead good in the sense of the flow of the thing and the whole feel which, somewhat bizarrely, has echoes of electro-acoustic "3" and "4"-era Led Zeppelin, or, more specifically, Robert Plant, running through three of the four tracks on here. The title track, for example, follows that tried and trusted Led Zep path of starting with acoustic and vocals before bringing the band in and surging ahead with this wall of intensity that really just makes you stand there open-mouthed with admiration, grinning with delight - and that's just the effect that this three minute track has. Only difference here is that, instead of a wailing Jimmy Page guitar, we have a soaring Lakeman violin - and it's just superb. "Race To Be King", features rising and ascending bass, sizzling violin flowing below impassioned vocals, as the whole thing becomes the epitome of the phrase "folk-rock", the tension held to perfection, the dynamics almost unnerving, the latent...
SETH LAKEMAN - Poor Man's Heaven EP
Relentless

Altsounds Recommends SETH LAKEMAN - Poor Man's Heaven EP
Named either after a Mansun song or the Nietzschian 'will to power', Everyone Must Win hail from Cardiff and have quite a refreshing take on themselves. Rather than professing to "sound like" a long list of classic bands, which usually only sets bands up for a fall (see: Johnny Borrell), they play reverse psychology with music reviewers by claiming an unashamed and happy-go-lucky attitude. This no doubt spreads into their music, of which the latter description is probaly most apt. Rather than putting on a mockney or wannabe American accent, for example, singer Ryan Stevens just warbles in something probably much closer to his own voice. It's by no means the best out there, but has an impressive Morrissey sort of range to it, as heard on the near goat-herding tones on the 'You Were Right Again' chorus. Musically, the band sound lo-fi and Libertinesey with minimal overdrive on the guitars and no production gimmicks. Whether the latter is by stylistic choice or actual limitation...
Everyone Must Win - You Were Right Again 		Falling Up has built quite the impressive following within the Christian rock community the last few years. The earlier albums found the three piece outfit wearing their influences too close to their creative sleeves. Many secular critics wrote off the band and their first two albums as merely nu-metal clones. On last year's Exit Lights, the band took a huge artistic risk having their previous material gutted by outside collaborators and remixed. Luckily for the band, and the listener, it paid off in spades. For their new album it seems like Falling Up are riding the creative wave first found on the remix project. Produced by the always reliable Aaron Sprinkle (Mae, Eisley), Captiva delivers on the promise of the better material sandwiched between the clunkers on their first two studio albums. Fans of the Oregon's band's more pop-punk stuff will be all over "Maps" with its contagious chorus. I could easily see modern rock programmers adding this track to their regular rotations. But...
Falling Up - Captiva
Tooth & Nail Records / BEC Recordings 		Chances are if you are reading this at Alt Sounds that you are very familiar with Copeland. The North Carolina band has one of the most fervent followings in the past few years. With the band about to make the leap to the majors after a very successful run on The Militia Group, they have opted to release an "odd and ends" collection for their hardcore fans. After listening to the disc a few times, what really comes across is how much better their later material is. Earlier songs like "May I Have This Dance" and "That Awful Memory of Yours" are competent enough but lack the charm of the newer selections. On these songs you hear a band still trying to find their stylistic footing. Sure, nothing sounds out of place but nothing stands out enough after the songs fade out. There are two cover songs included on Dressed Up & In Line. The first, a complete overhaul of Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun," should be applauded for its ambitious reach but ultimately never really works as more than...
Copeland - Dressed Up & In Line
The Militia Group
You could have been forgiven for believing that Johnny Panic were the cursed descendents of Egyptian tomb-raiders given the bad luck which befell them following the release of their last album in 2005. Said album failed to reach much acclaim due mostly to record company incompetence and to top it off, singer Rob was struck down with excruciating and life-threatening septicemia while on tour. In a kindly dose of karma though, their comeback was kickstarted by various good fortunes, including getting a grant to be able head to Austin, Texas to play this year's SXSW, and subsequently to pay for their second album. "Dislocation", then, is the resuscitation single, and from the first power chords which spear towards your ears, they demand your attention and state their aim to overcome. In fact, with lyrics like 'All I needed was to find a little dislocation', it seems the band greet failure and adversity in the face and see it instead as just further fuel for inspiration. They're an...
Johnny Panic - Dislocation
Repeat Records 		Goodbye Glory Pleas for Sanity By: Fridae Mattas As promised, I did go to another Goodbye Glory performance; it was a smaller venue with a more intimate setting. The Drake Hotel, in the awesome city in which so many great Rock bands dwell, underground, undiscovered waiting for that big break. One band makes it big; the others disappear into the vast ocean of wannabe rock stars in the wings, still waiting for their Fairy Godmother. Many bands do just rock out for the love of music, that is where true wealth leys, within the love for the art. To those who like shiny expensive things and love the groupie hobags, those hobags will be gone as quickly as they spend your hard earned money moving on to the next big thing, wrapping around someone new like a scarf. These dudes of Goodbye Glory play as if they love the music but I am sure like every other dude in a band they love the groupie’s too. Until of course, they go all fatal attraction on your ass, infiltrating them self into...
GOODBYE GLORY PLEAS FOR SANITY
FRIDAE MATTAS