Review: His Hero Is Gone - Monuments to Thieves:

Upon first listen it was not all what I was expecting. Musically engaging, but virtually indecipherable lyrics really hold it back.

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Review: Harvey Danger - Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?:

Upon first listen it's punk-influenced pop from the mid-'90s. Perfectly adequate yet unspectacular. Almost worth the price of admission just for Flagpole Sitta, a monster single that barely belongs on the album.

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Review: Fucked Up - The Chemistry Of Common Life:

Upon first listen it's like if the Mars Volta were a hardcore band. And not Spanish-speaking. I wasn't sure they would be able to top Hidden World, and while I'm not sure they have just yet, they sure made more than an adequate attempt.

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Review: Ben Folds - Way to Normal:

Upon first listen Mr. Folds is at his best when he's goofy and slightly over-the-top. He does both of those things here, as well as some more traditional Songs of Silverman-esque tracks.

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Review: Fiery Furnaces - Remember:

Upon first very long listen it's a staggering amount of audio. Forgive the hyperbole, but it seems like it's 112 tracks and 74 hours long. Still, they find a way to reinvent nearly all of their songs in sometimes positive, mostly negative (for those that listen to them a lot) ways. I think it wildly appropriate when artists rearrange, tweak or modify songs after they've been released and/or in live settings, but this takes it to a level I'm not entirely comfortable with. Yet.

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Review: The Explosion - Bury Me Standing:

Upon first listen it's not going to be able to touch Flash, Flash, Flash which is in my top 10 punk albums of all time, but it is their version of New Wave. Grown up, well-produced, yet familiar. A lot better than Black Tape.

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Dungen - 4:

Upon first listen it's not nearly as pyschadelic, intense or passionate as Ta Det Lugnt, instead opting for what would be considered pop songs. Hard to get into without knowing what the words are.

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Review: Champion - Promises Kept:

Upon first listen I finally get why people love Champion. Straight edge hardcore done right and in the vein of the mid-90s Boston scene.

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Review: Civ - Thirteen Day Getaway:

Upon first listen it's a perfectly fine pop-punk album. Nothing too revolutionary from the former Gorilla Biscuit.

Gorilla Biscuits Space

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Review: Bloc Party - Intimacy:

Upon first listen this is the ablum in which we'll look back in 10 years and say one of two things: A) This is when Bloc Party really started expanding their sonic pallette and taking us with them - or B) This is when Bloc Party stopped being cool (forgiving Weekend In The City).

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Review: Bigelf - Cheat The Gallows:

Upon first listen I was initially going to call this Beatles-esque but airy, drawn out and darker. And just then, I realized that Pink Floyd would be more apt - and in a good way.

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Review: The Adversaries - The Adversaries:

Upon first listen it's straight forward punk from a bunch of high school kids. Fast, aggressive, terribly produced and wholly unremarkable. Except for the fact it was Tom Gabel's first band.

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Review: Adamantium - Traditions:

Upon first listen it had been a long time since I'd listened to anything by Adamantium. Now I know it was because I didn't like it that much to begin with.

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Review: Wire - Object 47:

Upon first listen it was certainly post-rock/punk, but far more expansive, if a little repetitive.

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Review: Various - The Fountain Original Motion Picture Soundtrack:

Upon first listen this holds up remarkably on its own. Still, it makes me want to rewatch the film very badly.

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Review: Various - This Is Boston, Not L.A.:

Upon first listen I was expecting most of the bands to run together. Stylistically, they do, but their is more than enough nuance to differentiate. Still, I don't think I could listen to more than EP worth of tracks from any of them.

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Review: The Tallest Man On Earth - Shallow Grave:

Upon first listen if you had told me this was a long-lost Dylan album from the early '60s I'd have totally believed you.

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No word on US release date as of yet. Available on iTunes

Review: The Terrible Twos - Jerzy The Giant:

Upon first listen it's not quite as little-kid-friendly as Owl, nor is it as catchy. Still, the concept is great and there are some really terrific tunes on here.

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Review: The Suicide File - Some Mistakes You Never Stop Paying For:

Upon first listen I've heard most of these tracks before, but they still sound invigorating, fresh and angry.

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