- KYS: 62
- User: 70
- 66
The Get Up Kids - Simple Science
This EP isn’t terrible by any means, but when you compare this to the band’s back catalogue it doesn’t come close. I’m sure a bunch of people will disagree with me about this, but I can’t help but feel a tad disappointed by this release.
- KYS: 84
- User: 54
- 69
Against Me! - White Crosses
From a song-writing and structural point of view, Against Me! seem to get better with each release. Some older fans might be wishing for a return to the initial days circa ‘Against Me! As the Eternal Cowboy’ however, the band seems content with the direction they are heading and ultimately who can argue with that.
- KYS: 73
- User: 90
- 82
Mike Patton - Mondo Cane
To be fair, “Mondo Cane” is an album that is going to appeal mostly to long time Mike Patton fans (especially those who enjoy his music at its most experimental). It’s certainly an original idea that is executed with great passion and precision, but one that’s probably just a little too unusual for the masses and will leave a lot of people scratching their heads.
- KYS: 69
- User: 48
- 58
Bullet for My Valentine - Fever
Third studio album ‘Fever’ follows a similar script. Promise is tempered by monotony; enjoyment is matched by apathy, and so forth. ‘Fever’ has its moments and the music is of a high standard but contemporary metal has a plethora of other bands that deserve more acclaim than BFMV garner.
- KYS: 75
- User: 50
- 62
Blood Red Shoes - Fire Like This
Considering there are only two members in Blood Red Shoes, the band radiate with the confidence and sound of a band with twice the amount of members in their ranks. With that being said, while “Fire Like This” is not a flawless album they still prove that sometimes keeping it simple and playing with passion can have the most stunning results.
- KYS: 89
- User: 30
- 60
Nails - Unsilent Death
There’s a fine difference between music and death. Some artists try to describe it - conjuring all sorts of horrid imagery to depict extermination as lyrically gruesome as possible. Others try to visually represent it through face paint and battleaxes, hairspray and tight jeans or even through cartoon black and white drawings. In their latest 12” release, Nails undoubtedly creates 'Unsilent Death' - boasting 10 tracks of mindless carnage to produce a record that is certain to take fans of this style by complete surprise.
- KYS: 81
- User: 88
- 84
Periphery - Periphery
The potential is self-evident, the blueprint clear, and the music precise. Periphery’s confidence is contagious on their debut release. Still work to be done but this will certainly do in the meantime.
- KYS: 89
- User: 90
- 90
Man Overboard - Noise From Upstairs
The EP is another perfect example of why Man Overboard are one of the best up and coming bands in pop punk at the moment. The band is aiming to tour Australia later in 2010, so support this release and their album when it drops in June.
- KYS: 90
- User: 88
- 89
Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise
Following the mass appraisal of its previous release – ‘On Letting Go’, ‘Blue Sky Noise’ needed Circa to bring every one of their coins, cards and rabbit-in-the hat tricks to continue their winning streak of amazement. Each time I see that act where the magician chops the pretty lady in half, and pulls each part of her body away to reveal a definite slice through the torso, I’m always thinking, “how the ballsack did he pull that off?!” Without a doubt, from listening to their latest album, many fans will be left with the same thought. Whilst distinctly new and somewhat different, Circa Survive’s latest installment holds true to their signature sound in experimental rock, certifying their title as ‘one of the most visionary and forward-thinking young bands in contemporary rock music today.’
- KYS: 73
- User: 67
- 70
Young Heretics - We Are the Lost Loves
Ok, here’s the thing. There are going to be people who will disregard this album based solely on Wright’s fairly dramatic change in musical direction- and that’s fair enough because if you were expecting a continuation of The Getaway Plans’ style of rock music you may feel isolated by this predominantly piano-based pop album. However, to evaluate this album correctly it needs to be judged on its artistic merit and any comparisons to previous bands need to be left out of the equation. Only then can one appreciate it for what it is: an ambitious album punctuated with dreamy yet sometimes corny pop songs.