Review: Long Fin Killie - Houdini:

Upon first listen this is a very weird album. Post-rock meets prog-rock that can only be adequately judged upon further consideration.

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Review: Handsome Furs - Plague Park:

Upon first listen I had forgotten the pedigree when I put this disc on, but was instantly reminded of it when I heard Dan's voice which as distinguishable and unique as any in rock music today. And while I wasn't the biggest fan of Wolf Parade, I did enjoy this album. It's much more consistent, sincere and even-tempered.

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Review: Gastr del Sol - Camoufleur:

Upon first listen I had to keep checking to make sure that each track was the same band and I hadn't accidentally put in a mix CD. Each song sounds like a different band and in some cases, each song sounds like two or three different bands. While I liked some of the tracks, or parts of some of the tracks it was just too inconsistent to enjoy.

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Review: Boredoms - Vision Creation Newsun:

Upon first listen I can't believe I had given up on these guys a few years ago because this album is really, really good. They don't sound like anyone in particular, but if you're a fan of Godspeed, Mars Volta and Sonic Youth, you'll likely find aspects you really like too.

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Review: The Beta Band - Three EPs:

Upon first listen this coffee-house-sized jam bad belongs where I first heard them: on movie soundtracks. Their sound works well there and possibly as singles, but does not hold up over an album.

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Review: Battles - Mirrored:

Upon first listen this is virtually unlistenable as an album, but tremendous as an audition for production work (which they should be granted).

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Review: Bark Psychosis - Codename:Dustsucker:

Upon first listen the album is intimate and subdued yet intense and immediate. Emotional without screaming and enjoyable without choas. This is post-rock.

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Review: The Polyphonic Spree - The Fragile Army:

Upon firs listen it's neither as good as The Beginning Stages nor as mediocre as Together, We're Heavy, instead falling somewhere in between. Regardless, it's the type of band that you really need to be in the mood for before you put the disc in.

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Review: Interpol - Our Love To Admire:

Upon first listen the album certainly shows growth (albeit limited due to their choreographed sound) that is sorely needed. It had me all the way up until the last two tracks, but I'll be back.

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Review: Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga:

Upon first listen there's enough to make me want to go back for more, but not enough to make me gush.

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Review: Against Me! - New Wave:

Upon first listen most of it doesn't even sound like an Against Me! record and the parts that do sound like a bad imitation of Against Me! record. That being said, it will be getting far more rotation than Searching For A (Former) Clarity.

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Review: The White Stripes - Icky Thump:

Upon first listen this is certainly a more mature Stripes album, not to mention one less eccentric than Satan was. Gone is some of the youthful energy present in previous releases, instead replaced by slower, seemingly-more introspective maturity.

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