I read the following question the other day; "remember Tantric?" I suppose it's understandable to think that way when considering the four year span between their last album and The End Begins...

| 04.07.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Children of Our Mistakes is the remixed and re-mastered major label release of Vayden's 2006 album... It did not take me long to figure out why they were picked up by SMG for wide-distribution...

| 04.07.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Jinnrail's sound is reminiscent of many acts over the years, from the Rolling Stones to Oasis, and more. It's the type of blues rooted rock that has a familiar feel, but with a distinctly modern twist. And that is part of the music's appeal...

| 03.24.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

The previous works of Burton C. Bell and John Bechdel seem to have little bearing on the content of this recording. The dark ambient music with Pink Floyd-esque vocals is almost chant-like in its repetitive nature...

| 03.24.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Dub Trio's brand of dub-rock is a refreshing alternative to the normal pretentiousness of art-rock instrumental albums. Like any decent instrumental album, there is plenty of studio experimentation with complex layers, sounds, effects, and sometimes wandering arrangements...

| 03.24.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Let Your Tape Rock sounds like a cross-breeding of desert rock with early New York punk. The loud guitars, melodic vocals, and driving bass lines...

| 03.24.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

When one first opens (hed) P.E.'s latest album, Insomnia, the booklet opposite of the record says "Sick and tired of the status quo we're pissed off and we're ready to go"...

| 03.17.2008 | Review by Michael Levy | Read more |

George Stanford has put together an EP of stripped down, fun, and catchy tunes...

| 02.29.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

The Re-Consumation is the "sonically enhanced" re-release of HURT's independent release The Consumation...

| 02.28.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Dreaming Out Loud is the debut album from the pop-rock quintet OneRepublic. The album's Executive Producer is Timbaland...

| 02.25.2008 | Review by Kristen Pierson | Read more |

Josh Kelley's Special Company is an eclectic mix of blues, soul, funk, and neo-southern rock inspired compositions...

| 02.11.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Nearly six years since their last album, Course of Nature returns with Damaged...

| 02.06.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

It's easy to hear how Jeremy Fisher's Goodbye Blue Monday is heavily influenced by the works of Paul Simon. If you listen more closely you can hear echoes of Tom Petty and John Mayer, and then at some point you can get on with it and listen to Fisher himself...

| 01.24.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

"Pink leopard print? Oh, this can't be good" was my first thought when I opened up Megan McCauley's Wind-up debut, Better than Blood. But after listening to this album, I realized that I still haven't fully learned the lesson that appearances can be deceiving...

| 01.22.2008 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

When the title-track of Storm the Gates of Hell began playing, I immediately thought to myself "I hope this one doesn't disappoint me"...

| 12.19.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Maynard James Keenan's latest project, Puscifer, is nothing like what you may be familiar with in Tool or A Perfect Circle...

| 12.17.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Once in a while, an album comes along which reminds me that many of us take music too seriously. The Greatest Show Unearthed has a macabre and novelty sound that's reminiscent of a Tim Burton movie soundtrack, or a Crypt-Kickers release...

| 12.13.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

In the past, Seether has always struck me as a band struggling to find its own identity and sound. But after giving Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces a few spins, I've realized...

| 12.04.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Dawning Days is the debut album from Hello Mahalo, released on the fledgling label Band Stand Live Records...

| 12.02.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

We've been waiting eight years for Shannon Curfman to release another full-length album since her acclaimed debut... which sounds strange considering that she's only twenty-two years-old...

| 11.19.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

If Lucy's Revenge's self-titled EP doesn't bring the good-fight out of you by the first track "Giving in is not giving up" then it is sure to comfort ears and set you straight by the last one...

| 11.13.2007 | Review by Matt Phillips | Read more |

The Metalcore scene is extremely hard to stand out in. Merging Iron Maiden's infectious melodies, guitar octave changes and noodling lead lines with the olden days of Metallica's glory thrash is nothing unseen in most European speed metal...

| 11.05.2007 | Review by Michael Levy | Read more |

The Kin's album Rise and Fall is, at times, reminiscent of the music of Cold Play or Interpol with one striking difference; these guys can sing...

| 11.01.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

The biggest problem with Framing Hanley, a new group of Tennessee rockers trying to make their songs known, is that they sound too generic and don't take risks. Nothing on their new album surprises me...

| 10.30.2007 | Review by Michael Levy | Read more |

State Radio's Year of the Crow combines roots reggae, punk and rock music. The sound often varies from song to song, but the band's talent and chemistry...

| 10.26.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Orchestra of Wolves is an appropriate title for this album, because I imagine that the sounds a wolf-pack makes while it's disemboweling you would not be too dissimilar...

| 10.08.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

When Nick Oliveri isn't getting arrested for performing naked onstage in Brazil, he's recording with his now full-time project, Mondo Generator...

| 10.02.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Rising above the ambient noise of New York City is Jessica Vale and her Brand New Disease, the follow-up to the aural intercourse of The Sex Album...

| 09.17.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Namesake Caution, recorded by Colin Marston, is Time of Orchids fifth, and possibly most dramatic album yet. This collection of chaotic compositions is extraordinarily compelling...

| 09.13.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Many of my preconceptions about how this album might sound were shattered. It is different, and better than I expected...

| 09.09.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

The songs on Paramore's RIOT! are crafted for two main purposes; to hit the charts and to elicit a rousing crowd response during live performances...

| 09.04.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Metal fans have something new to look forward to; Five Finger Death Punch's debut album, The Way of the Fist...

| 08.26.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Bad Religion purists may think only a few songs on New Maps Of Hell rank as some of their best, and the whole album doesn't quite stack up...

| 08.26.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

On the brink of nearly calling it quits after leaving their previous label, The Exies have returned with their fourth studio album...

| 08.16.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Carry On is Chris Cornell's first release since the dissolution of Audioslave. On this album Cornell takes his famous voice down some interesting new paths...

| 08.11.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

20+ years since Dream Theater's inception comes the release of their 9th studio album, Systematic Chaos. Once again they demonstrate the highest levels of proficiency in their musical craft...

| 07.17.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Megadeth returns on United Abominations with a new line-up, a new label, and a renewed enthusiasm. This is one of their most straightforward metal albums in years...

| 07.08.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

The second full-length album from Sick Puppies provides ample doses of great songs with catchy lyrics, driving rhythms, and kick-ass bass lines...

| 06.17.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Haste the Day's first release with new lead vocalist Stephen Keech proves to be their most mature effort to date...

| 05.29.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Goon Moon features Jeordie White (Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails), and Chris Goss (Masters of Reality)...

| 05.17.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Chevelle's fourth studio release Vena Sera provides the listener with a slightly different sound than the trio's previous work...

| 05.10.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

From soft spoken to "scaring the balls off your daddy" screams, Otep's vocal performances are some of the best I've heard in quite some time...

| 03.18.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

Be careful to watch your speedometer if you listen this album while driving...

| 03.17.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |

The opening track, "So Many People" takes brutal aim at our fascination with pop culture, and fame (not to mention no talent lip-syncing hacks)...

| 03.16.2007 | Review by J. Pierson | Read more |