7 Seconds - "Good to Go" - CD
(Side One Dummy Records 6201 Sunset Blvd Suite 211 Hollywood, CA 90028)
Another solid release from Kevin Seconds and the boys. They haven't lost it. Great lyrics and punchy guitars. What more do you want from a hard core punk rock band???? Get this one, you won't regret it!!!! {Gail}
Side 1 Web Site

59 Times the Pain - "End of the Millennium" - CD
(Epitaph Records 2798 Sunset Blvd 211 Hollywood, CA 90026)
Standard hardcore with chanting choruses. Angry vocals for the common man and the system which he sees attacking him. There is also a touch of old style garage rock thrown in which lightens the mood a bit. Good, but nothing new. {Grog}
Epitaph Web Site

78 Revolutions per Minute - "Figure it Out" - 7"
(Cheetah's Records P.O. Box 4442 Berkeley, CA 94704)
This really surprised me it's kind of a punkabilly type thing with a casio keyboard. Really fun music that borders on nerdcore. It's like an updated version of The Dead Milkmen. {Grog}
Cheetah's Web Site

Agalloch - "Pale Folklore" - CD
(The End Records 556 S Fair Oaks #101-111 Pasadena, CA 91105)
An eerie musical journey into the depths of darkness stained with wicked heartache and centuries of doom and gloom. This is a must for any death/goth head. I absolutely adore the breathy vampire like vocals. It gave me goosebumps. Yngwie Malmsteen eat your heart out. {Gail}
The End Web Site

Alkaline Trio - "I Lied my Face Off" - CD
(Asian Man Records P.O. Box 35585 Monte Sereno, CA 95030)
While this 4-song c.d. is a pretty decent listen there is nothing that really stands out on it. This band is best described as top 40 snotty punk alternative. A nice release none-the-less. {Mite}
E-mail Asian Man Asian Man Web Site

American Steel - "Every New Morning" - 7"
(Cheetah's Records P.O. Box 4442 Berkeley, CA 94704)
{Superchunk Steve}
Cheetah's Web Site

Animal Chin - "20 Minutes from Right Now" - CD
(Fueled by Ramen Records P.O. Box 12583 Gainesville, FL 32804)
This is a good ska punk band with lots of good change-ups and stops. The vocalist sounds like the guy from Buck-O-Nine, but with better, positive-based lyrics. Nothing too new on this release, but they play it well and it has me skankin' about the room. They even pull out the keys on one song and do an old ska rock-out. {Grog}
Fueled by Ramen Web Site

Anti Domestix - "This Demon Called Love" - 7"
(Cheetah's Records P.O. Box 4442 Berkeley, CA 94704)
{Superchunk Steve}
Cheetah's Web Site

Arch Enemy - "Burning Bridges" - CD
(Century Media Records 1453-A 14th Street #324 Santa Monica, CA 90404)
An aggressive metal band from Sweden with talented musicians having one been in such bands as Carcass, Carnage , Candlemass, and Merciful Fate. Nothing really stands out on this cd is being too original or unique. 7/10 {Johnny Death}
Century Media Web Site

Ash - "Nu-Clear Sounds" - CD
(Dreamworks Records)
Ash starts off their album with Jesus Says which explodes off the album with jangly guitars and pure pop vocals. Ash is uplifting and optimistic without being obnoxious which is quite a fine line to walk. There seems to be some influences from 60's pop music, new wave, and 90's bands like Weezer. If you just want to listen to some music that will make you feel good without getting too messy from the sappy bubble gum pop music, try this release from Ash. {Gail}
Dreamworks Web Site

Beefcake - "My Dominatrix" - 7"
(GFY Records P.O. Box 598 Clifton, NJ 07012)
{Superchunk Steve}

Adrian Belew - "Salad Days" - CD
(Thirsty Ear Recordings 274 Madison Ave Suite 804 New York, NY 10016)
At one moment the music on this c.d. has a Paul McCartney-esc feel about it, and at the next moment it's like an XTC inspired acoustical poem. Adrian Belew is one of those people in which musical genius is an apt description. Adrian plays every instrument and sings on all of the cuts on this disc except for one in which he is joined by a string quartet.

Adrian's song writing skills really stands out on track #2, Men in Helicopters. I also loved his sound collages not only for the atmospheric pictures they paint for the minds eye, but for their fun titles which include Return of the Chicken and Things You Hit with a Stick. A great c.d. from a true artist. {Mite}
Thirsty Ear Web Site

Big Angry Fish! - "The 13 Electric Turn-Ons" - CD
(Beluga Records P.O. Box 146751 Chicago, IL 60614)
{Superchunk Steve}
Beluga Web Site

Big Meteor - "Wild River" - CD
(David Wimble P.O. Box 6043 Ottawa J 1365 Richmond Rd Ottawa, ON K2A 0A0 Canada / $15 Canadian)
{Superchunk Steve}
Big Meteor Web Site

Blood for Blood - "Livin' in Exile" - CD
(Victory Records P.O. Box 146546 Chicago, IL 60614)
"Sounds from the streets on the eve of the apocalypse, white trash, hard core rock n' roll...so fuck you" (Straight from their insert). Hard drinking working class drunk punk. Playing songs of righteousness in true punk rock fashion. Old school soci-political hardcore standing up for the workers and common citizens. They also play a great cover of Motorhead's Ace of Spades. {Grog}
Victory Web Site

The Blue Hawaiians - "Savage Night" - CD
(Interscope Records)
Sultry is a term that fits this bands music to a T. The male vocals intermixed with a Hammond organ, steel guitar and swinging percussion make this release top notch. I would say that they are a cross between Combustible Edison, Morphine and utter coolness. This is an excellent release that's going to be taking a permanent spot in my c.d. collection. {Mite}
The Blue Hawaiians Web Site

The Blue Meanies - "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye" - CD
(The Blue Meanies 219 N. Raye Dr Chicago Heights, IL)
Start off with punk rock aggression, slice in some B-3 Organ, and cover with a healthy layer of horns and you will wind up with some kick ass music. The Blue Meanies rockin' skank sound is definitely all their own. The music is aggressive and keeps you hopping on your feet. If you want a good helping of original punk music, then snatch up this c.d. immediately. {Mite}
The Blue Meanies Web Site

Bombshell Rocks - "Street Art Gallery" - Cassette
(Epitaph Records 2798 Sunset Blvd 211 Hollywood, CA 90026)
{Grog}
Epitaph Web Site

Brand Bland - "Little Ms. Aneroxia" - CS
(1188 Spring Rd Carlisle, PA 17103)
The name is a real misnomer, since they are far from bland. You get some great riot grrrl rock from my friend (and fellow grrrl-gorer) Chloe Snot and friends (husband Moss and bassist Danny). Brand Bland have a harsh sound with loads of feedback, sometimes controled, sometimes on the attack. They even throw in a cameo from Hello Kitty. The cassette was recorded on a four track and you can tell, but that's just how raw punk rawk should sound. Chloe's voice rages at times in total emotional anger that isn't foreced or faked. For a taste of some great pissed off punk ala Pet UFO, Bugatti Type 35 or Nativ Rage try Brand Bland. They will soon have a release out on Austraila's "PDR Records" {Grog}

Bugatti Type 35 - "Ride" - 7"
(Speakeasy Records P.O. Box 260188 Madison, WI 53726)
(Bugatti Type 35 P.O. Box 3254 Madison, WI 53704-3254)
This is a live recording of two of their songs taken from a studio appearnce at WORT (great Madison, WI radio station). This is more of Bugatti Type 35's slow, enthralling, emotionally charged emo / punk with rage filled lyrics and tons of energy. Bug Type 35 is one of the best bands out there that really mean something other than just making fun music. {Grog}
Speakeasy Web Site E-mail Bugatti Type 35 Bugatti Type 35 Web Site

T. Anders Carson - "Stain" - CD
Thirty seven minutes of spoken word poetry by T. Anders Carson. In T. Anders Carson's words, "These poems are a shedding of ancestral skin. A time to reveal, release, and renew. They mark a checkered past with a stain of suffering and a string of hope." {Gail}
T. Anders Carson Web Site

Cats & Jammers - "Hurray for Everything" - CD
(Beluga Records P.O. Box 146751 Chicago, IL 60614)
{Superchunk Steve}
Beluga Web Site

The Chinkees - "Peace Through Music" - CD
(Asian Man Records P.O. Box 35585 Monte Sereno, CA 95030)
Ok, the first thing you notice here is the name…and they give a good explanation on the back why they chose it. Before you ask, yes they are all Asian. Actually this is Mike Parks band of "Asian Man Records" and they play great traditional ska with an organ sans horns. This is another one of those ska bands which stand out from the multitude of ska related bands out there. {Grog}
E-mail Asian Man Asian Man Web Site

The Church - "A Box of Birds" - CD
(Thirsty Ear Recordings 274 Madison Ave Suite 804 New York, NY 10016)
In the true Church style, all of the songs are timeless. A Box of Birds is a collection of covers including The Endless Sea by James Osterberg, better known as Iggy Pop, All the Young Dudes which was recorded by Mott the Hoople, Cortez the Killer by Neil Young, It's All Too Much by George Harrison, and Friction by Tom Verlaine.

The sleeve features computer generated artwork. The artists responded to the Church's invitation to submit their artwork for the cover. The artwork is diverse and adds an extra dimension to the band's art form. I wish this collection came out in an album so the artwork could be larger and seen in better detail. {Gail}
Thirsty Ear Web Site

The Church - "Magician Among the Spirits Plus Some" - CD
(Thirsty Ear Recordings 274 Madison Ave Suite 804 New York, NY 10016)
Steve Kilbey's voice is just as ethereal and tantalizing as ever. The music on this release has something left to be desired. The album includes four previously unreleased tracks. The album does not achieve the poppy and catchy quality of earlier works including Under the Milky Way, but there are moments that dive into the depths of being eerie and ominous. Some tracks seem ackwardly out of place and do not add to the statue this album seems to be trying to secure. Magician Among the Spirits and Lady Boy are the stand out tracks in the release. {Gail}
Thirsty Ear Web Site

Cletus - "Horseplay Leads to Tragedy" - CD
(Johanns Face Records P.O. Box 479164 Chicago, IL 60647)
What a fitting name. Really good, if not typical punk-pop music with a touch of metal…but the lyrics/vocals get annoying. It's a bit of snotty punk, which is fine, except it feels forced at times and very nerdish. Like Weird Al Yankovich. The lyrics are very basic and do absolutely nothing for me. I've heard some good things about Cletus…but to me he's just a slack jawed yokel. {Grog}

DAMA - "2000 A.D." - CD
(Eterniti Records 11684 Ventura Blvd Suite 341 Studio City, CA 91604)
We have a band here that at one moment is a melodious alternative rock group and the next is a churning hard rock monster and they do very well at both. The tunes are catchy and all the instruments (guitar, bass, drums and vocals) play a part in this band's overall sound. I get a sense that this group is truly a 'band' in the purest sense and it comes across in their music. The production is slick and the band just plain rocks. My vote for the best tracks on this release are Less is More, Cosamic Nod and tell Ya. A great release. {Mite}
Eterniti Web Site

The Darlingtons - "Mess You Up" - CD
(Melted Records 21-41 34th Ave Suite 10a Astoria, NY 11106)
If you're looking for nasty garage punk then look no further than this release from this band called Darlington. Everything about this release is punk rock 101, steady beats, basic guitar, strained vocals and all. Comes complete with a slang dictionary on the inside of the c.d. booklet. {Mite}
Melted Web Site

Dark Tranquility - "Projector" - CD
(Century Media Records 1453-A 14th Street #324 Santa Monica, CA 90404)
Scandinavian death metal band with a difference. I almost passed this off to Johnny Death, but when I heard a few songs I noticed something intriguing. This band has a definite death metal sound, but they expand on the basics of the geandra greatly. They incorporate loads of melodic changes with a heavy does of goth and eighties style metal. This takes me back to my metal roots and I can even tolerate the growling vocals, which are present, but don't dominate the disc. Parts of the songs get overindulgent, but that's part of what makes it metal. Overall I have to say that this band has surprised me and I'll think twice before passing off every death metal band. {Grog}
Century Media Web Site

Death in Vegas - "The Contino Sessions" - CD
(Time Bomb Recordings / BMG)
The feeling that one gets while listening to this band is mesmerizing and hypnotic. The groove is a rocked out ethereal. The bass and drums do a wonderful job of driving this bands sound. The sound itself is so diverse in it's range that this almost sounds like a comp release. Dirge, the song that kicks off this c.d., will be loved by anyone who is into The Cranes. Then there is the song Aisha, which features Iggy Pop on vocals, which had me thinking of The Swans. Other guest vocals are supplies by Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream and Jim Reid of Jesus and Mary Chain. {Mite}
Time Bomb Web Site

Dehumanized - "Problems First" - CD
(New Red Archives P.O. Box 210501 san Francisco, CA 94121)
Listening to this release is like taking a trip back to 1983 (or at least how I assume it would be) and hearing the raw, pissed off sounds of the time. These songs would fit right in with any band on the New York Thrash CD such as Kraut, Adrenalin O.D., Fiends, Nihalistics, Heart Attack, etc. {Grog}
New Red Archives Web Site

Delirious? - "Mezzamorphis" - CD
(Virgin Records)
When the first song started on this c.d. I thought that I would probably like it. However, as the c.d. progressed I realized that It was nothing more than top 40 pop trying to sound alternative. In fact this release ranks down at the bottom of my list along with the band Sugar Ray. {Mite}
Virgin Web Site

The Deluxtone Rockets - "The Deluxtone Rockets" - CD
(Tooth & Nail Records P.O. Box 12698 Seattle, WA 98111)
It's rockabilly swing. The music is wonderful, but the singer just doesn't cut it for me. I will give this release an A for music and a B- for the vocals. Which makes this a pretty good c.d. overall, just not up to snuff with other swing bands. {Mite}
Tooth & Nail Web Site

Depressor - "War Whores" - Cassette
(Depressor P.O. Box 472007 San Francisco, CA 94147 - $2)
{Superchunk Steve}

Devl - "Devl" - CD
(Devl 32 Locust Ave Farmingville, NY 11738 - 516-696-9757)
With the use of a beatbox, a moog, and a couple of guitars, this band manages to fill your soul with some good electronic jam. Devl made the mistake of including their vocals on a couple of the songs. To be honest, they should think about getting another singer if they want to include vocals on their songs, or they should just concentrate on instrumentals, which seems to be their strong point anyway. Otherwise a great rocking instrumental release. {Mite}

The Dickies - "Still Got Live, Even if You Don't want it" - CD
(ROIR 611 Broadway Suite 411 New York, NY 10012)
This is another re-release by "ROIR". They put out most of these songs on cassette back in the 1980's. But they have tacked on the Dickies original demo tape. For those of you who don't know, the Dickies are the most famous cover band in the world. Almost every song they perform is a cover from Banana Splitz to The Sounds of Silence to Nights in White Satin. But they don have some great originals such as my favorite if Stewart Could Talk (Steward happens to be the pet name for his willie), You Drive Me Ape, You Big Gorilla, and I'm Stuck in a Pagoda (With Tricia Toyota). The Dickies were one of the funniest bands out there and this CD is a good representation of why. {Grog}
ROIR Web Site

Diesel Boy - "Sofa King Cool" - CD
(Honest Don's P.O. Box 192027 San Francisco, CA 94119-2027)
This sounds like frat boy punk-pop. The thing that saves them in my eyes is the clever lyrics. From the Used Bin rips on many popular alt-rock bands and Literary Love Song is extremely clever with its use of double entandras. {Grog}

Dillinger Four - "Midwestern Songs of the Americas" - CD
(Hopeless Records P.O. Box 7495 Van Nuys, CA 91409-7495)
These guys range from melodic hardcore to fast punk-pop with occasional drunk and snotty vocals. The songs have a loud staticy sound with some really goofy sound clips between many of the tunes. Fun, fast and honest and with song titles like doublewhiskeycokeonice and Supermodels Don't Drink Colt 45 how can you go wrong? {Grog}
Hopeless Web Site

Disappointment Incorporated - "F=0" - CD
(Time Bomb Recordings / BMG)
Another angry sounding alternative rock band. The songs seemed to be constructed pretty well, but the music and vocals on this release seemed forced. So my final say is that I liked the songs themselves, but I think that they would be better performed by other groups. {Mite}
Time Bomb Web Site

Disarray - "A Lesson in Respect" - CD
(Eclipse Records 23 Ward Ave Butler, NJ 07405)
Brutal hardcore / thrash/ death metal. Two vocalists full of angst and hate alternating between hardcore vocal approach and angry as hell throat rattling yells. Cool distorted guitar sounds. Crunchy and bouncy tunes fit for an apocalyptic mosh pit. Songs such as " Exist to Suffer" , and "Enslaved Race" suggest these guys are pissed off a little. Check out the death metal version of "Free Bird" at the end of the cd… interesting. 7/10 {Johnny Death}
Eclipse Web Site

Discount - "Love, Billy" - CD
(Fueled by Ramen Records P.O. Box 12583 Gainesville, FL 32804)
Discount covers five Billy Bragg songs on this EP. They are a grrrl fronted garage punk band. The vocalist Allison sounds very natural singing these songs, almost like she wrote them. The songs sound good, like an updated 90's version and were done out of respect for Billy's ideas and politics. I think he would like this. {Grog}
Fueled by Ramen Web Site

The Distillers - "Old Scratch" - 7"
(Hellcat Records 2798 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026 / Epitaph)
Female fronted, melodic punk rock with vocals that remind me of Joan Jett in rock out mode. This is great stuff that had me pogoing around the room. {Grog}
Epitaph Web Site

Dogwood - "More than Conquers" - CD
(Tooth & Nail Records P.O. Box 12698 Seattle, WA 98111)
This sounds similar to Unwritten Law, but with more of a hardcore slant and they seem younger. The song Rest Assured is a promise to his son that he will always be there for him: "I'm already sorry for all the harm that is to come and I'm already thankful for the man I know you'll become". Never Die sounds very metal with hardcore vocals. Nothing super new sounding, but the lyrics are great and I like it. "Live fast, die slow". {Grog}
Tooth & Nail Web Site

Dream City Film Club - "In the Cold Light of Morning" - CD
(Beggars Banquet Records 580 Broadway Suite 1004 New York, NY 10012)
The Dream City Film Club is Fn' great. Brooding is how I would describe their sound. Male and Female vocals are both present with the use of each being very complementary. I loved the tune Fuck It Up which sounded like a Sonic Youth inspired Timbuk 3. The Name of the band and the title of this release gives one a good idea of what to expect in this wonderfully haunting release. {Mite}
Beggars Banquet Web Site

Pat Dull and His Media Whores - "Gimme the Whores" - CD
(Break-Up Records P.O. Box 15372 Columbus, OH 43215-0372)
WOW!!!!!! This release is infested with hypnotic pop songs. I really couldn't stop listening to this. I thought that I was going to hate this band because of their name and the cover of their CD is quite plain, but as our mothers and fathers taught us,' don't judge a book by it's cover." The Columbus, Ohio based band rocks. 17 Pieces is the opening track which sets the pace for the whole album. The songs features slick vocals, hopelessly fun lyrics, and guitars that I haven't heard since "Pleased to Meet Me" by the Replacements. {Gail}
Break-Up Web Site

Ester - "Default State" - CD
(Thirsty Ear Records 274 Madison Ave Suite 804 New York, NY 10016)
{Superchunk Steve}
Thirsty Ear Web Site

Face to Face - "Ignorance is Bliss" - CD
(LadyLuck Records 2118 Wilshire Blvd #413 Santa Monica, CA 90403/BMG)
Face to Face are now on a major label and you know what the difference is musicwise? Nothing. They are still great and I am happy about that. They play their brand of melodic hardcore which invokes thoughts of mellow Bad Religion, but I feel that Face to Face is even better and to the labels benefit more commercially viable. I think that "Burden" will probably be their first single due to the hooks and strings which make this song irresistable. Some of the later songs sound like Fuel, who happen to be another of my favorite bands...alongs with one of my son's favorites too. {Grog}
Face to Face Web Site

The Fairlanes - "Bite Your Tongue" - CD
(Suburban Home Records 1750 30th St. #365 Boulder, CO 80301)
Fun, fun, fun, fun fun...This c.d. is pure fast pop-punk fun. This band reminds me a bit of local band, The Barnhills. Among the ultra-fun tunes on this release is a cover of White Lion's Tell Me. This is a band that I would love to see live. Come on guys you know that you've always wanted to visit Dayton, Ohio. {Mite}
E-mail Suburban Home

Fanmail - "Here Comes Fanmail EP" - CD
(Tooth & Nail Records P.O. Box 12698 Seattle, WA 98111)
{Superchunk Steve} Tooth & Nail Web Site

Fastbreak - "Whenever You're Ready" - CD
(Revelation Records P.O. Box 5232 Huntington Beach, CA 92615-5232)
{Superchunk Steve}
Revelation Web Site

F-Minus - "Failed Society" - 7"
(Hellcat Records 2798 Sunset Blvd LOs Angeles, CA 90026 / Epitaph)
The name of the band almost says it all. The quick vocals makes me think of early Suicidal Tendencies. The music is basic punk with production quality being the same. {Mite} Epitaph Web Site

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