When I looked at this album cover, I jumped to the conclusion it would be rehashed 80's punk, or something along that line. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The Louisville, Kentucky band Christiansen have created an almost perfect album with Stylish Nihilist. With great riffs, progressive time changes, and catchy lyrics, they pull you in and don’t let go.

The first image you see of Chrash frontman Chris Bernat is of him yelling into the mic while manhandling a ten-inch dildo in his left hand. After a little reading, I find out it's a prop microphone that works its way into the live shows. I guess these guys are supposed to be really fun and entertaining live.

So I pick up this CD's press release and start reading through it. The person that wrote it is using the typical two-cent words, describing the music as "ethereal", "hypnotic", and blah blah blah. Needless to say, I dreaded putting this self-titled album by Peoria, Illinois-based Brief Candles into my CD player,.. but it shocked the shit out of me. This album is really, really good.

Oh, my,... Who is this new band calling themselves Phantom Planet? They're a lot rougher and gruffer than the earnest pop rock kids from Phantom Planet's last album, The Guest-- which was swell in its own right-- and I dig it, Jack! Their new self-titled third album-- especially the first single, "Big Brat"-- makes me wish I was five years younger, skinny-as-hell, and singing through a muffler, rocking out on a fuzzy guitar! DAMN! Why did I learn to play the tuba of all things in high school? I mean,.. shit!

I'm a sucker for that indie pop/rock sound. You know, not overproduced, but actually sung and performed by the artist with their own voices and musical instruments. It's good stuff.
If you share my love of organic sounding, poppy/rocky music, you should definitely check out The Marlboro Chorus's new album, Good Luck (Future Appletree).

Whilst listening to Some Girls Would Say... (Future Appletree Records), the new album from Driver Of The Year, I made the very personal and private decision to grow a big mustache and perm my brown-to-graying hair.
For why? Dunno for sure. Felt appropriate while I was listening to the first track, "The Squeeler". Felt like it was high time for me to get in on the Mr. Kotter action.

You know how sometimes after a long day at the office or job-hunting or panhandling or whatever, you just want to take a load off, relax, and chill out for an hour or so? Let your body be still and your erratic heartbeat slow down, and maybe stop your hair from graying for at least a little bit? Sure you do. If you don't, damn, you're going to live forever.

I've recently come to the conclusion that not only am I a mediocre lover, I'm also a shitty reviewer. Why? Because as far as reviewing goes, I hate being negative. Every time I am, it feels about as natural as Debbie's breast implants. So, with that in mind, I was in a pickle as to how to review 1208's new album, Turn Of The Screw.

Aw, fuck it. I was really trying to be as polite and constructive about this as possible, because I really do like some things about this album. But, frankly, the things I dislike about it, I dislike so intensely that, were I to be polite, I might be driven mad enough to serial kill some house pets.

This is what it is like to stand high atop a city building, arms spread wide, eyes closed, to kick your right foot out, smile, then follow through, taking one hearty step onto a ground that sits 13 stories below the bottom of your foot.
You free fall, eyes still closed, calm as a bomb. It’s a lovely day: warm sun; baby-bluer than normal sky; brighter, whiter clouds. You fall faster, brushing against death on your way down. Then you hit-- warm ocean water.