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Record Reviews1 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 | 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| < Prev Section | Next Section >  RSS Feed
SUGARBOMBS:
The Game, Not the Rules: CD
Another alternative pop punk band with a stupid band name trying to make it in big time. There are some mentionable guitar riffs on this album, but, for the most part, it’s very radio friendly. Fits well with the cheeses of the early Fat Records bands which I’m, unfortunately, not meaning to be a compliment.
–Corinne (Rockstar)
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SUGARFIST:
Media Date Rape: CDEP
The guitarist loves metal. The bassist and the horns love swing and ska. The male singers love Sublime, and the female singer loves No Doubt. Pure speculation on my part, of course. They all hate Bush and the American Media Fuck Fest. More than just speculation. They get a brownie for effort, but don’t quite float this man’s boat. If I’m in the mood for some politics on the backdrop of horns and quick tempos, I’d much rather go listen to Xray Spex or Streetlight Manifesto. Hands down.
–Mr. Z (Sling Slang)
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SUICIDAL TENDENCIES:
No Mercy Fool/Suicidal Family: CD
This whole CD consists of re-recordings of old Suicidal Tendencies/No Mercy songs. I’m assuming that having them re-recorded instead of reissued stems from some legal debacle, but I can’t be sure. I’ve actually never heard the original versions of the No Mercy tracks so I don’t have a real point of reference, but the Suicidal tracks I was dubious about actually sound pretty good compared to the originals. The recording sounds really full and is really high energy. The problem is that the bass sounds like complete shit, and the midtones drop out of the recording, so all you hear are the high end “pops” when he goes to the top two strings. It’s not enough to ruin it, but it’s really annoying. In any case, the record isn’t bad, but if you’ve got the originals you’re not missing out on anything life changing here. For the die-hards or newcomers out there, this is actually worth your time to pick up
–Ian Wise (Suicidal, suicidaltendencies.com)
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SUICIDE BID:
This Is the Generation: CD
Now that the ska-punk wave of the late ‘90s is long gone, the current wave of bands isn’t coming out from under every rock in the universe. This London band reminds me of a mix of, say, The Specials, The Clash, Bad Manners, and The Four Skins. Apparently, this band was formed from the ashes of many bands that I personally never heard of, but their collective experience shows on this recording. They pull off the sound with precision and not one member is dragging the band behind. This easily could have come out in the early ‘80s and would have fit right in.
–Donofthedead (Household Name)
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SUICIDE DOLLS, THE:
Prayers in Parking Lots: CD
I loved The Suicide Dolls when I saw them open for Ceremony. Their fuzzed-out guitar and chunky bass sound really caught my ear. Guitarist Brian Albano creates a wall of noise with his crazy riffs and leads, and even employs some slide-guitar techniques that give The Dolls a very distinct sound that I enjoyed. With all the praise I have for their live performance, I don’t feel their album Prayers in Parking Lots lives up to the band’s amazing live sound. The fuzzy, blown-out live sound that I loved feels very subdued, almost confined on this recording. This tempered sound works well on some tracks, like “Go,” which is a very low key track; very dark and brooding. However, on tracks like “Senses,” which gets more frantic, particularly during the choruses, I’d have liked the more blown-out sound. Though not quite satisfied with the sound, “Senses,” is probably my favorite track on this recording, because it does showcase some great songwriting, including my favorite lyrics of any songs on the album. Overall, I don’t feel this is a bad album, in fact I’d suggest checking it out, but I feel it does not live up to live experience of the band, and for that I’m a bit disappointed.
–Paul J. Comeau (thesuicidedolls@yahoo.com)
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SUICIDE MILKSHAKE:
No Set Destination: CD
Hey, every lovelorn, one hit wonder from the '80s called. They want their song back. No bonus points for taking the music for one song and trying to pawn it off as four different ones by rearranging the cliched lyrics.
–Megan Pants (Submerge UK)
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SUICIDE MILKSHAKE:
No Set Destination: CD
Hey, every lovelorn, one hit wonder from the ‘80s called. They want their song back. No bonus points for taking the music for one song and trying to pawn it off as four different ones by rearranging the clichéd lyrics.
–Megan Pants (Submerge UK)
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SUICIDE NOTE:
You’re Not Looking So Good: CD
Highly noisy, mid-tempo hardcore with lotsa weird, ringy chord fingerings, a screamy singer, and just the slightest dash of pop sensibility. A pretty fun listen here.
–Jimmy Alvarado (Ferret)
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SUICIDE NOTES, THE:
Suicide Notes: 7”
Bubblegum pop punk fronted by multiple female vocalists, which is decent enough in execution but lacks any real spark to make it stand out from the rest. Apparently, this band includes an ex-member of The Epoxies, who I loved, but it’s not really coming through here. This has potential and is certainly not the worst thing I’ve ever heard; it’s just not too terribly exciting.
–Mark Twistworthy (Hovercraft, hovercraftpdx.com)
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SUIT OF LIGHTS:
Self-titled: CD
You get easily deceived by this. The opening track is a decent rock meets dancehall track that reminded me of a cross between Sublime and Linkin Park. But the rest of the disc is college rock meets modern radio rock in the vein of—but does not stand up to—the UK band Squeeze or XTC.
–Donofthedead (Visiting Hours)
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SUITE 666:
Pretty Corpses: CDEP
I amuse myself sometimes. I will look at certain releases and think right off the bat I’m going to dislike it. I thought the same thing here. But the first track, “Personal Safety of Midget,” starts with a bass line that reminded me of a cross of the intro to the Circle Jerks’ “Trapped” and Black Flag’s intro to “Six Pack.” Then the band blast forward with a punk meets death rock attack that reminded me of the Super Heroines because of the dual female vocals. Whoa! I’m wrong again. Then the other tracks veered into cowpunk, straight forward punk and pop punk territories. Not sure if this is their debut. But from what I have heard so far, I like what I hear.
–Donofthedead (Suite 666)
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SUK:
Self-titled: CD
Pretty run of the mill hardcore. No big whoop here.
–Jimmy Alvarado (Incriminating, 1021 E. Broadway #125, Long Beach, CA 90802)
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SUK:
Self-titled: CD
Pretty run of the mill hardcore. No big whoop here.
–Jimmy Alvarado (Incriminating)
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SULTANS, THE:
Shipwrecked: CD
I don’t understand how John Reis can be so prolific and still have so many tricks up his sleeve. After about a million Rocket From the Crypt records, a few Drive Like Jehu records, a couple of Hot Snakes records, and the first Sultans album, you’d think that maybe he might be running out of ideas. Apparently, that’s not the case, as this whole album pretty much rules. It’s a lot different from the first one, Ghost Ship, which is more fuzzed out and garagey-sounding, but it’s still really, really good in a slightly laid back kind of way. It really is amazing how these songs don’t sound like castoffs from a RFTC album. No artsy motives or pretensions, they merely rock. Totally recommended.
–Josh (Swami)
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SUMFUX:
: CD-R
Good ‘n’ terrible hardcore from Buffalo, New York. Crusty, unpolished, ‘80s era influenced, hardcore punk that’s injected with some venom. The kind of punk that conjures up images of circle pits and trips to the hospital. This recording is bad in a good way. Classic, like a crackled out record spinning on a turntable. Yet it’s a CD-R.
–Dave Disorder (Self-released, 29 Custer, Buffalo, NY 14214)
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SUMMER OF ‘92:
Long Kesh: CD
If there’s anything I don’t typically love, it’s “Celtic” or “folk” punk. It all reeks of tradition, patriotism, machismo, and organized sports: things that I think should maintain at least some distance from punk rock. Sure, there are exceptions—The Pogues being a prime example—but for the most part, this just isn’t my thing, and on first listen, Long Kesh was a record I dreaded reviewing. It opens with a track that conjures clinking beer-steins and Maritime-accented chanting. Delving a little more deeply though, I came to fully appreciate the darker undertones of the record, the melancholia of the lyrics, and the more-than-a-few Stubbs-y nods. So yes, there are certainly “folky” elements to this record, but it’s not so easily pigeonholed. It’s not corny, it’s by no means funny, and it’s furious and fist-pumping in that great American Steel way (as opposed to that Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly way). Really quite impressed.
–Dave Williams (Self-released, summerof92.bandcamp.com)
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SUMMER PEOPLE:
Good Problems: CD
This one messed with my head. Started out like a folkier/hippy Reconstruction Site-era Weakerthans. Then it quickly turns into a weird mixture of a jammier Bridge And Tunnel mixed with noisy, atmospheric (which I don’t find myself saying about most of the stuff I get here) indie rock, like that broken up New York band, the Sea Change? I could get into it a little more if it was more consistent. However, when I looked at the press sheet, it explains “In lesser skilled hands, the album would sound disjointed and random. Instead, these thirteen tracks are cohesive; fitting perfectly into the band’s collage of beautifully fractured noise.” Well, I guess I’m wrong then!
–Joe Evans III (Red Leader, redleaderrecords.com)
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SUMMER VACATION / JOYCE MANOR:
Split: 7”
Summer Vacation: gotta love these kids. They set up so many shows, and are pretty killer musicians. Catchy, angsty tunes that are equally questioning and complaining. I always love seeing them play and would love to see some more records out. Joyce Manor: Party Marty’s “rookie of the year” band. Do you have a Hot Water tattoo? Against Me tattoo? Jawbreaker? Chances are you’ll love this band as well.
–Daryl Gussin (Muy Auténtico)
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SUMMER WARDROBE:
Cajun Prairie Fire: CD
Like the Jesus And Mary Chain or Sky Cries Mary, but from Austin, which explains the Tombstone-style dress. Dreamy instrumentations and deep, detached vocals provide a modicum of distraction.
–Jessica Thiringer (sauspop.com)
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SUMMERBIRDS IN THE CELLAR:
With the Hands of the Hunter it All Becomes Dead: CD
Note to band: If I really wanted to be bored, I can do it myself.
–Donofthedead (Slow January)
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SUMP PUMPS:
Revenge of: CD
The first track, a short,
trashy raver called “Space Camp,” is summarily followed by what can only be
described as a speed-addled Braniac paying a visit to Servotron so they can
listen to Devo together on a shitty old record player. While there are
occasional nods to gloomy new wave and techno-pop, the aggressiveness they
infuse their songs with will handily make them worthwhile listening to even the
most snooty punk rocker.
–Jimmy Alvarado (www.8bitrecords.com)
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SUN GOD:
(S)Pain: 7” EP
Shimmery, poppy punk neck deep in Hüsker-land, right down to the drony guitar leads, crossed with some nods to early Samiam. What they put down here might not be as tight as some of their influences, but they sure as hell make up for it in delivery.
–Jimmy Alvarado (Pizza Pants)
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SUN GOD:
Self-titled: Cassette
Despite the downright gorgeous silkscreened packaging, the recording quality on the tape (and this is coming from a fan of the format) was a smidge too muddy for my tastes. Thankfully, it also comes with a download code for what looks to be the band’s entire discography to this point. And, holy shit, what a surprise. Muscular pop songs that nod respectfully to both Hüsker Dü and Naked Raygun’s sense of structure and melody. Hell, songs like “(s)Pain” and “Time Lord” could have been buddies with J Church in the era when Broken Rekids was getting the Camels… singles comp together. Their only downfall is their tendency to noodle a bit too much—tunes like “Black Bag” and “Trails” almost, almost suffocate under the weight of the wankery—but other than that, these are some seriously good, reaching songs. Recommended.
–Keith Rosson (Big Purple)
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SUN GOD:
Time Lord: 7"
Dug their (S)pain EP from a while back, and this follows along similar lines, maybe a little more straightforward than its predecessor, but it’s clear they still do love them geetar leads. Only gripe is that, like (S)pain, the mastering makes this sound a bit muddy.
–Jimmy Alvarado (Pizza Pants)
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SUN OF EYES:
Bedroom Demo: CD-R
One o’ them bands that prance around the gray area between noise rock and industrial music, which means that it’s in turns noisy, sludgy, plodding, brooding, and often more interested in mood than rocking the party. I reckon it’s an acquired taste, but I thought the six tracks here were nifty. Back says this is limited to forty copies.
–Jimmy Alvarado (No address)
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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 | 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| < Prev Section | Next Section > | |
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