 |
|
|
|
|
| Can't find Razorcake at your favorite store? Lend us a hand and we'll send you a free issue. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | Razorcake will send you one free issue if you ask your librarian if they would carry Razorcake in their stacks. (This offer is good for both traditional libraries and independent libraries.) To get the free issue, you must send us the librarian's name and email and the library's postal address. We will then contact them directly and donate a subscription to them. U.S. libraries only, due to postage. | |
|
|
|
|
|
| | 
Record Reviews1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | 0-9| A| B| C| D| E| F| G| H| I| J| K| L| M | | N| O| P| Q| R| S| T| U| V| W| X| Y| Z| Below are some recently posted reviews.  RSS Feed
NO TRUCE:
My Life, My Struggle: CD
Mean, burly, hardcore in the vein of Blood For Blood, and various others of the same ilk, comprised of angry, shouted vocals amidst guitar feedback, and lyrical chants about being dealt a bad hand, stabbed in the back by so-called friends, and general disdain for the world. Can’t help but think I’ve heard this song (or songs—all sounds the same to me) one too many times. I imagine these dudes never really colored outside the lines in their coloring books. Every now and then, you gotta venture outside the box and add that extra panel where Charlie Brown returns with a firearm and discharges it in Lucy’s face for pulling that goddamn football away countless times. Now that’s hardcore.
–Dave Disorder (High Fidelity)
| |
|
MONIKERS:
Eat Your Young: CDEP
Take Jawbreaker, Crimpshrine, and really disturbing cover art, make them into ice cream, and then let that ice cream get a little runny, and then eat that ice cream, and you will have...Monikers. Gruff vocals, lyrics generally about politics and girls, and... a drawing of a mom eating her baby’s intestines on the CD cover. Seriously! These Florida-based boys probably play some amazing local basement shows. Not as powerful as Mr. Blake and Sir Cometbus, but still good! If this were a cereal, it’d be the store brand Honey Nut Cheerios I bought the other day. Not as good as the name brand, but still!
–Maddy (Kiss of Death)
| |
|
MODERN MACHINES, THE:
Atama Ga Onara: cassette
Oh man, I almost feel bad for reviewing this; it’s a homemade compilation of various 7”/split/comp tracks, not to mention the last songs that Hanson played on. Oh yeah, and the songs are fucking amazing. This is even still pretty cool to have, even if you already have all the other records these songs are on.
–Joe Evans III (Dingus)
| |
|
MERRY WIDOWS, THEE:
Revenge Served Cold: CD
An all-girl psychobilly band whose success is owed to novelty, not talent.
–Jessica Thiringer (www.Merrywidowsmusic.com)
| |
|
MAKEOUT MUSIC:
Get off My Soapbox: CD
This is fairly standard, fast tempo, melodic hardcore. The lyrics are kind of cliché. The fake Soviet propaganda poster cover is mighty cool though, but it’s not enough to save this six-song record from sounding like it was made by a machine.
–Jason Donnerparty (Makeoutmusic)
| |
|
MAG SEVEN, THE:
The Future Is Ours, If You Can Count: CD
This is an instrumental surf/punk band that, at the time of this album’s recording, had like 3/5s of Only Crime in the lineup, including Bill Stevenson on drums. I like surf music, but this doesn’t quite nail it for some reason. It’s not bad, but none of the songs have those parts which jump out from the best of surf rock, grab you by the ears, and make you think, “My god, how did any mere person ever tap into such unbridled coolness with their guitar (or in some cases drums)?” I wanted to like this more but I’ll probably still go for some Dick Dale when I want my instrumental surf fix.
–Adrian (End Sounds)
| |
|
LOCO GRINGOS:
Self-titled: CD
Re-issue of late ’80s/early ’90s studio and live tracks from a defunct Texas bar punk band. A cavalier punk attitude doused with elements of Tex-Mex, Latin, dark Santana-esque guitar and ballads. Pensive and devil-may-care, it’s just like Texas to give us the gem that inspired Reverend Horton Heat’s “Loco Gringos Like to Party.” RHH also covered Loco Gringos’ “Nurture My Pig.” A local (Austin?) treasure, very representative of the national punk club bar scenes of the time.
–Jessica Thiringer (Saustex)
| |
|
LITTLE BRAZIL:
Tighten the Noose: CD
Smoking Popes meets Ben Folds (however many he’s folding these days).
–Megan Pants (Mt. Fuji)
| |
|
LINDSAY, THE:
Man Up: CD
This band has powerpop/postpunk sounds like the Pixies and some neo-psychedelia like My Bloody Valentine. It’s not my favorite type of music, but The Lindsay do an acceptable job at it.
–Jason Donnerparty (Manup Music)
| |
|
LEGEND OF DUTCH SAVAGE:
All Will Be Good When I’m Gone: CD
Heavy rock with a bit of a ‘90s garage feel to it. Maybe a little like Radio Birdman meets the Humpers or something like that. Also reminds me quite a bit of the Soundgarden side project Hater from the early ‘90s. I would say these dudes dig bands like the Supersuckers and Monster Magnet about equally. Pretty good disc for heavy rockers.
–Mike Frame (www.myspace.com/legendofdutchsavage)
| |
|
LEFTÖVER CRACK / CITIZEN FISH:
Deadline: CD
Citizen Fish kicks off their half of the split with some skatomatic horn goodness. Their brand of ska-punk utilizes its horns and up-strokes with just enough precision to get you up and skanking, but not so over the top that they become cloying. Citizen Fish aren’t really all that far removed from their sister band the Subhumans in producing intense yet memorable punk rock (at least on this release). Favorite tracks on this half have to be “Working on the Inside” and “Meltdown,” although both unfortunately engage in dangerous leftist rabble rousing (why won’t people learn to just let the smart people in charge to take care of everything?). Citizen Fish also takes a stab at covering Leftöver Crack’s “Clear Channel (Fuck Off!)” and Choking Victims’ “Money.” Both of these covers come off quite well because they maintain the original versions’ spirit but manage to sound uniquely different, in that they get a more minimalist but just as raw sounding Citizen Fish makeover. Leftöver Crack is in fine form, too. I’m a huge fan of their last effort Fuck World Trade, but where that was almost operatic with its expansive-sounding production and arrangements, this batch of songs has a more straight-ahead, back-to-basics vibe going on (except for the chorus of “World War 4” which sounds pretty damn epic). Stza still carries every song vocally, but he seems not quite as fierce this time out. Instead, every song’s main hook kicks in when somebody else takes over on vocals for a little bit, like when Brad or Ezra step in for a chorus or verse. “Baby-Punchers,” in particular, features a near perfect guest spot from Jello Biafra that almost makes the song twist apart with manic tension. At the end of their side, L.O.C. takes a shot at covering a song apiece from Citizen Fish and the Subhumans. All in all, this album provides a good soundtrack to dance to as the apocalypse approaches (which should really start to hit around 2050, according to the news article I just saw about global warming). Sigh… I guess it was a nice enough Earth while it lasted.
–Adrian (Fat Wreck Chords)
| |
|
LAZARUS:
Dead Chicks Can’t Say No: CD
Move along people, nothing to see here. Unless you like “hardcore” songs about Gettysburg, written by the Confederates. I can’t make this stuff up.
–Jessica Thiringer (self-released, chuck@lazaras.com)
| |
|
LASERHEAD:
Ride Your Static: CD
A plethora of late ‘80s/early ‘90s swirling shoegazer guitar chords and ethereal vocal melodies blend for some post hardcore/indie rock that sounds more like Swervedriver than Superchunk. I was always more of a Punch Me Harder kind of guy, but I was into My Bloody Valentine, Lush, Curve, and some of the other bands who musically remind me of Laserhead. I just run into the same problem with those bands’ recordings as I do with this one, in that eventually it all just blends together too well and ends up drowning me into a doldrums of sound that really doesn’t have enough highs and lows for my short auditory attention span. But if that’s your thing, maybe you should stop staring at your shoes and head over to the No Idea page and pick this up.
–Dave Disorder (Barracuda Sound)
| |
|
KRUM BUMS:
As the Tide Turns: CD
Not sure why, but I’d always written these guys off as a bunch of crusties ala Fleas And Lice or some Dis-styled band. Pop the disc in the player and that idea is shattered in about six seconds flat—the intro could’ve come straight from the first Tragedy LP, and after that it’s just thirteen songs of rock-solid consistency: dark, bitter, and oh-so-catchy punk rock with a slight streetpunk tinge. Every song on here’s a keeper—they know when to overlay a guitar lead to accentuate, without strangling the rhythm section or turning the entire song into a Van Halenesque wankfest, the backing vocals aren’t overused, the shit’s simultaneously anthemic and mean as hell, and the production is even and crisp without being glossy. This one came out of left field and punched me right in the eye, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
–Keith Rosson (TKO)
| |
|
KRIMINAL POGO:
Demo: CD
I like this CD. It’s uptempo streetpunk with a female singer (for most of the songs). The female vocals make this stand out from other similar bands. The songs are catchy and there are some good guitar licks that are not wanky. I wish it was a little better produced, or at least mixed to make it sound a little thicker. But it is a demo, so hopefully I’ll see a real produced record from them. Thanks for the free patch and pin, too.
–Jason Donnerparty (Ditchdiggin’)
| |
|
KYLESA:
Time Will Fuse Its Worth: LP
Sometimes it’s all in the intent. Too much of the stuff that I’ve come across in recent years is in reality heavy metal played by short-haired jocks trying to cash in on the “thug” aspect of punk without having to pay any attention to the subculture that comes along with it, and you can totally suss out those bands from the very first note. Those kinda bands make me just wanna laugh in their faces ‘cause you know deep down they wouldn’t last fifteen minutes in front of a hostile Slayer audience, let alone a night at the Cuckoos Nest circa 1981. Then there are those bands whose sound is just up to its eyeballs in metal influence and yet still sound like a hardcore band, and you just know they mean business. Kylesa is one of those bands. Although I ain’t too into the metal tinge to what they’re doing, it’s patently clear that the “crossover” brass ring is just not even in their field of vision and they’re more interested in pummeling you with the metal than rocking you with it. It’s all in the intent, man, and they mean you no good, and that makes all the difference.
–Jimmy Alvarado (Havoc)
| |
|
JIZZ KIDS, THE:
How about a Nice Cup of Shut the Fuck up?: 7”
This band features Kevin Aper and a cameo appearance buy two guys from the Queers (namely Joe and Phillip Hill). Despite such a nice helping of pop punk cred…this 7” fell flat for me. Mediocre at best.
–Mr. Z (Rally)
| |
|
JEWDRIVER:
Hanukkah Hangover: 7” EP
I’m not going to win any friends with this, but I like Skrewdriver’s first record a fair sight more than this. (The reissue with “You’re So Dumb,” misprinted as “You’re So Dump,” is priceless.) Jewdriver’s music reminds me of second-tier, early ‘90s East Bay punk (fill in band names of your own choosing), with guitars-so-waiting-to-wank, the scuzz of the recording, the scream-shouted vocals, the songs that could end nicely two or three times before they actually do, and the ultra-obvious theme running throughout. I get the joke, but it left me tepid. Sorry. I really wanted to like this more.
–Todd Taylor (myspace.com/jewdriver)
| |
|
JEWDRIVER:
Hanukkah Hangover: 7” EP
Funny, but I seem to remember hearing something about these guys being a Skrewdriver cover band with some much-needed changing of the lyrics, a la Manic Hispanic, but the only obvious cover here is of the Nuns’ “Decadent Jew.” The rest sound like no Skrewdriver song I’ve heard and, truth be told, they remind me more of the Fuck Ups or maybe, maybe the Nihilistics than anyone else. Either way, it’s not a bad listen. Also dig the cover model’s tattoo.
–Jimmy Alvarado (www.myspace.com/jewdriver)
| |
|
JETT BLACK:
Dead Town: CD
Straight ahead, no bullshit rock from Denver. The title track and “Dirty Girl” stand out on this second release from this outfit. Was there ever a question with a bass player named Igor? Plus, this baby features the best version of a Joe Walsh chestnut since Triumph covered it. No, I’m serious!
–Sean Koepenick (Fivecore)
| |
|
JETSET RADIO:
From Ashes to Life: LP
I’ve nothing against these guys, but I don’t seem to have a whole lot for them either. They live up to their self-described “Alkaline Trio, The Ataris, and Jimmy Eat World” influences and there certainly is a niche out there for their “Emotion, Pop, Punk und Rock” sound. They’re German and for some reason I hadn’t ever imagined this type of German boy angst, so perhaps their music can be considered an important cultural import in our understanding of their particular sensitivities and is therefore of some sociological value in that regard.
–Susan Chung (Wanda)
| |
|
J CHURCH / FLAMINGO 50:
Split: 7” EP
Must avert the need to comment on the number of J Church records! Must resist... Must... ack! Must resist statements about how cool Ben Snakepit is, as they are unrelated to the matter at hand! Must comment that the cover of The Cars “Just What I Needed” is ridiculous and unwarranted and totally dumb (in a good way)! Must state that the first Flamingo 50 song is fucking awesome! Must state that their lyrics are sometimes completely incomprehensible, in a good way! Must state: super catchy energetic power pop melodies with back-up vocals, leading me to declare this record Trix! Yummy sugary cereal! Hooray!
–Maddy (Los Diaper)
| |
|
IRISH BROTHERS:
Freedom Is a Lonely Thing: CD
Rock’n’roll sound with a bent for rocka/psychobilly: excellent production—consistent with their other releases—congruent harmonies, tight, talented musicianship, and a good, gruff tone in the vocals. However, the vocal and musical style range is expected and undeviating. Limited and repetitive.
–Jessica Thiringer (Heap O’Trouble)
| |
|
(INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY, THE:
Live at Oslo Jazz Festival: CD
An exceptional live album from a favorite period of mine from the (I)NC. I’ve listened to Survival Sickness and A New Morning, Changing Weather many times through for years now and the songs still squeeze my heart, from the whispered dissatisfactions of modern living in songs like “Born into a Mess” and “Survival Sickness” to the rebellious dance-a-thons of songs like “Capitalism Stole My Virginity” and “Ever Felt Cheated?” This performance is an especially exuberant rendering of songs from that period, the seductive psychedelic dramas drawn out into intricate riots of sound. The song “Bodyheat,” which I’ve never seen elsewhere, will have you falling back in lust with the (I)NC all over again. If you missed this CD the first time around when it was an import, it is now available through Alternative Tentacles. If you missed seeing them live back then (as I did), pick up this album and relive a time now long gone but—thankfully—well-preserved here.
–Susan Chung (Alternative Tentacles)
| |
|
INFECTED, THE:
Out for Blood: CD
This band lists their influences as Broken Bones, the Misfits, and Iron Maiden. I’ll admit I am not intimately familiar with those particular bands, so my interpretation of their reliance on those influences is going to be fairly vague. That being said, The Infected is pretty fucking sweet. Their blistering metallic guitar riffs pay homage to ‘80s metal and hardcore that even I can recognize, without sounding too derivative. I’m pretty picky about screaming and Cookie Monster vocals, but vocalist Luke Diseased pulls it off with aplomb, sounding badass without coming off like he’s trying too hard. The difference between this and so many other “hardcore” acts out there is that this is still rock’n’roll at its core; noisy, frantic, and pissed off as hell, but it’s still music, and doesn’t tip the scales into the “just noise” category as so many others sadly do. They’re not afraid of a little production, either: the album still sounds raw, but not like it was recorded by someone’s cousin in their mom’s basement. Overall, a quality piece of punk rock worth checking out. Plus, they sound like they’d kick ass live. –Sarah Shay
–Guest Contributor (Bouncing Betty)
| |
|
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 673 674 675 676 677 678 679 680 681 682 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 730 731 732 733 734 735 736 737 738 739 740 741 742 743 744 745 746 747 748 749 750 751 752 753 754 755 756 757 758 759 760 761 762 763 764 765 766 767 768 769 770 771 772 773 774 775 776 777 | 0-9| A| B| C| D| E| F| G| H| I| J| K| L| M | | N| O| P| Q| R| S| T| U| V| W| X| Y| Z| | |
|
|
|
|
| If you live in the Los Angeles area and want to help us out, let us know. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Get monthly notifications of new arrivals and distro and special offers for being part of the Razorcake army. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
