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Entries Tagged as 'Album Review'

Album Spotlight: The Black Hollies - “Casting Shadows” (Ernest Jenning)

Warm weather calls for a different type of music. No more of this mopey, sad-sack stuff. Bust out the upbeat, the melodic, the toe-tapping goodness that is reserved for the time of year when the weather is nice and no one can stop you from wearing sandals outside.

New Jersey’s own The Black Hollies aren’t exactly reinventing the musical wheel with their newest full length Casting Shadows, but their brand of decades old rock is just the thing that spring calls for. Tracks like “Paisley Pattern Ground” and “That Little Girl” are just the kind of song that would have young girls screaming at the TV set back in the black and white era.

Album Review: Astpai - “Corruption Concealed…” (Rise Or Rust)

First off, Astpai are European. How fucking hardcore is that? Ok, maybe not terribly so. I mean, I lived there for a while and I’m not that hardcore. Still, the Austria-based band represent the genre perfectly. A great mix of politically-minded thrash, hardcore, with a touch of pop-punk melodies can be found on their Corruption Concealed (Under Deceptive Slogans), out now on Rise Or Rust Records. The record takes some time to pick up and find itself, but by the end of the second song you will be totally into it. Somewhat surprisingly, you do find songs like “Hard To Manage Broken Windows” delving into a more melodic acoustic sound, something that you’d think someone like New Found Glory would be using. Soon enough though, the Look Back And Laugh-esque parts kick in with the blistering guitars and vocals growling, enough to sound like they’re bleeding. All of this without the misplaced machismo you’d usually associate with vocals like that. I’ve been on a hardcore fix for a while now and Astpai definitely are helping to sooth that craving, so check out Corruption Concealed… if you come across it.

Tags: Album Review, Astpai, Review, record review by Costa
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7-Inch Corner: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) “Year Of The Rabbit”

This tasty little bit for today’s 7-Inch Corner is from the magnificently-named Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate). Yes, that’s their full name. I know, it’s a mouthful. The Michigan-based band’s Year Of The Rabbit 7-inch for some reason, reminds me a bit of a lullaby. A lullaby that’s both sweet but incredibly haunting as well, without trying too hard.

The title track is my personal favorite, and I can see this band developing a growing following. They take the best parts of indie, pop, and a touch of folk music to make their own unique sound, even as this sorta sound is getting popular these days. I’m pretty sure Empire! Empire! (no way in hell I’m remembering the whole name) are a name you’ll be seein’ later.

Tags: 7-Inch Corner, 7-Inchs, Album Review, Empire! Empire!, Review, record review by Costa
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Album Review: Blacklisted - “Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God” (Deathwish, Inc.)

Two weeks ago was one of those bad, bad weeks where it rained when I was on my bike and it seemed that everyone I knew was too busy for me. A good friend called and invited me to come see Blacklisted with her in NYC and I quickly agreed knowing that a good hardcore show would let me forget the bullshit if only for a few minutes. There is a lot of buzz regarding the band’s new album Heavier than Heaven, Lonelier than God (Deathwish), which is by far their most provocative and intensely emotional release to date.

Album Review: The Gaslight Anthem - “Senor And The Queen” (Sabot)

Three out of four ain’t bad. The Gaslight Anthem’s follow-up EP to their super-duper 2007 full-length Sink or Swim (XOXO) retreads much of the same grizzled, Jersey punk their fans have come to love. It works most of the time. The EP’s title track, however, sounds like a watered-down, hastily-written and recorded version of their stronger material. The “shake shake shake shake shake senora” comes too close to the triteness of Fall Out Boy telling everyone to “dance dance.”