Review: Silver Jews - Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea:

Upon first listen I loved this record. A little cheesy at times, but thought provoking, catchy and addictive. Such a surprise.

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Review: Ratatat - LP3:

Upon first listen these guys have finally won me over. Addictive, catchy and without lyrics.

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Review: Have Heart - Songs To Scream At The Sun:

Upon first listen this is probably the best hardcore album of the year. Grabs me much more than The Effort.

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Review: Fake Problems - How Far Our Bodies Go:

Upon first listen it's country and folk tinged acoustic punk in the spirit of early Against Me! Not quite as catchy, but for those who miss that era, this is for them - and me.

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Review: The Effort - Iconoclasm:

Upon first listen I wasn't as impressed as I was expecting. A lot of people are claiming this to be the best hardcore record of the year, but I just don't hear it. I do hear a lot of promise which will bring me back again, however.

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Review: Die Hoffnung - Love Songs:

Upon first listen it's more accessible than I Hate Myself while maintaining a lot of the same tendencies. Still, it's no substitute for listening to 10 Songs.

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Review: Death From Above 1979 - Romance Bloody Romance:

Upon first listen none of these remixes eclipse the original tracks, but a couple of them (the ones that maintain the familiarity) are really good. In the end I'll listen to You're A Woman far more.

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Review: Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs:

Upon first listen I was very confused by this album. It just didn't sound like what I thought it would have. Certainly a depature from Transatlanticisim/Plans. Darker, sparser, slower and better. A lot better. My favorite album this year (so far).

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Review: Damiera - Quiet Mouth Loud Hands:

Upon first listen I could not stop thinking that this is very similar to a Coheed and Cambria album if they were more pop and less prog. Unfair to be sure, but something I was unable to shake.

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Review: Dave Clark Five - Glad All Over Again:

Upon first listen most people would be surprised at how many of these tracks they know without knowing the band's name. While this is a great way to preserve some of these classic pop songs, it runs a bit long with a good bit of filler. If I share it with friends, I'll likely pare it down to about twelve tracks.

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Review: Cinematic Sunrise - A Coloring Storybook And Long Playing Record:

Upon first listen the only redeeming quality about this album is that it actually comes with a coloring storybook. Awesome.

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Review: The Capstan Shafts - Environ Maiden:

Upon first listen the novelty, for me, has worn off after only the second album I've listened to. I really wish he would flesh out some of these songs.

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Review: Brendan Canning - Something For All Of Us:

Upon first listen I can't wait for the next Broken Social Scene Presents because then I can take the few good tracks from here, Sprit If and from the new one to make a really good followup to their self titled album.

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Review: Beck - Modern Guilt:

Upon first listen I found it very mundane and uninspiring. Bland would be a good word for it.

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Review: Eef Barzelay - Lose Big:

Upon first listen another good release by the former Clem Snide frontman. Low key instrumentation, emphasis on the lyrics and catchy choruses.

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Review: Alive In Wild Paint - Ceilings:

Upon first listen not was I was expecting from an Equal Vision Records release. Very quiet with little energy. Great for those who like Dusk and Summer era Dashboard Confessional (which I did), but likely appeals to a niche market.

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Review: Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer:

Upon first listen I'm just not that into Wolf Parade. I tried many times with Apologies but it never caught on. That trend sadly continues with their follow-up.

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Review: Various - Stereogum.com Presents...Enjoyed:

Upon first listen there wasn't a single track that equaled, nevermind improved upon, Bjork's originals. Until Final Fantasy and Ed Droste's Possibly Maybe. Wow.

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Review: Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell:

Upon first listen it's perfectly fine pop/indie rock, possessing little to set it apart from the virtual sea of same-minded bands.

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Review: Thrice - The Alchemy Index, Volumes III (Air) and IV (Earth):

Upon first listen I was expecting one volume of quiet and one of loud. What I got was one of quiet and one of even quieter. Weird thing is, the quieter one was better. A lot better.

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