- KYS: 85
- User: 10
- 48
Pulled Apart By Horses - Tough Love
Pulled Apart By Horses claim they are a better band than before and ‘Tough Love’ proves it. From song-writing style and diversity to the sound in general, this record bumps the band up a level and is definitely something worth checking out.
- KYS: 90
- User: 85
- 88
Pianos Become The Teeth - The Lack Long After
The refined style of ‘The Lack Long After’ is a huge leap forward in maturity from its raw toned predecessor, ‘Old Pride.’ Judging by the quality of the records produced by this new wave of post-hardcore bands, the future of music may not be as dim as the radio would have us believe.
- KYS: 80
- User: 37
- 58
Patrick Stump - Soul Punk
Patrick Stump has shown he doesn’t need a band to shine. Through slick production and with his ear for a sugar sweet melody, he has created a sublime collection of pop songs that have the potential to be a massive hit commercially.
- KYS: 85
- User: 50
- 68
Polar Bear Club - Clash Battle Guilt Pride
Every song on 'Clash Battle Guilt Pride' is better than the one before it. The band's sound is more polished than on their past efforts, which when combined with their solid songwriting and Stadt's awesome vocals, make for their finest album to date.
- KYS: 80
- User: 10
- 45
Portugal. The Man - In The Mountain In The Cloud
The chorus lines are catchy, the guitar riffs are the most memorable sections of the songs and whilst this isn’t music easily digested by everyone, and at times can seem a bit drawn out, Portugal. The Man have released a very unique album.
- KYS: 72
- User: 80
- 76
Periphery - Icarus Lives! (EP)
Icarus Lives! (EP)' is a contrasting, nine-track, intermediate offering that contains plenty of the band's djent-inspired grooves juxtaposed with differing remixes. It's not intended to have the same impact as a studio album. The band's trademark sounds are still strong, let us just wait for a new full-length now.
- KYS: 90
- User: 90
- 90
Protest the Hero - Scurrilous
Protest the Hero have engineered an album this is so well-crafted it almost gives the illusion that 'Scurrilous' was an entirely effortless production. It's a serious release delivered in the most light-hearted of manners. You get the feeling this will rightfully rank highly at any end of year musical discussions. C'est La Vie indeed.
- KYS: 78
- User: 64
- 71
Panic! At The Disco - Vices & Virtues
Vices & Virtues is a tough one to judge. It’s one of those records that failed to convince me first time around. A few more listens later, and I was hooked; Pretty Odd had a similar effect on me. Panic! At The Disco, or whatever is left of them, have written an honest record that doesn’t quite transcend their previous efforts A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out and Pretty Odd – though, given the context of the record, it’s hard not to sit them all on mutual ground.
Urie soars vocally without a note of doubt, and the instrumentation of the record remains mature, and grounded. If you’re a Panic! At The Disco fan, regardless of your record preference, Vices & Virtues will surprise you. As a brazen Ryan Ross fan, I feared the void left by his departure would be too much – turns out, musically, it’s hard to tell he is even missing. Lyrically is another story.
- KYS: 87
- User: 55
- 71
Phantoms/I Exist - Bad Romance
There’s no denying that this is both Phantoms and I Exist as we’ve come to know them for the past two years, and it’s in this way that each track could easily have featured on each of their respective, previous albums. Whilst nothing entirely new for either, what’s presented are two satisfying tracks that boast a sound of the most refined and matured quality, culminating in what is some of the best song writing offered by both to this date. 'Bad Romance'? Great love.
- KYS: 89
- User: 60
- 74
Phantoms - As Above, So Below
The band’s very intoxicated guitarist told me a few months ago that this record is one of the “best Australian hardcore releases of the last five years,” and after hearing it, his claim isn’t as silly as I thought it was at the time. Phantoms have released a full-length of absolute quality, a definite contender for Australian hardcore record of the year.