Lollipop Magazine

Map – Secrets by the Highway – Review

March 22, 2004

A distinctively different Map. The “band” (Dooley, Swift and Lenz often moonlight in Starflyer 59) sounds much, much “lighter,” with sprawling Californian sunshine replacing past shadows and darkness.

Life at Sea – Is There a Signal Coming Through? – Review

March 22, 2004

Life At Sea sound vaguely familiar, like lost b-sides of your favorite albums or a supergroup made up of your favorite ex-members. Life At Sea have good songs. And you should listen to them.

The Hidden – The Hymnal EP – Review

March 22, 2004

Seven edgy but catchy little numbers, the frenzied but slightly off-center energy of the band’s attack bringing to mind both Fugazi and Di’Anno-era Iron Maiden.

Karmella’s Game – What He Doesn’t Know Won’t Hurt Him – Review

March 22, 2004

Karmella’s Game write accessible synth pop without dumbing down too much. There are smart vocals, tasty harmonies, and most importantly, songs that go somewhere.

Julian Coryell – Rock Star – Review

March 22, 2004

Born with the same visceral affection as Jeff Buckley and the sixth sense of pop mastery ala Jason Falkner, Coryell’s moody take on polished California pop is like an aural orgasm.

Explosions in the Sky – The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place – Review

March 22, 2004

Truth be told, I probably prefer this band to Godspeed You Black Emperor, simply because the music on The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place is simpler, more efficient, and more pure in its evocation of formless beauty.

Embodyment – Songs For The Living – Review

March 22, 2004

Embodyment have grown from a metalcore band into a smart, well-oiled radio rock machine that, unlike most of this mold, refuses to dumb down to their audience.

Stavesacre – (stAvz’A’kEr) – Review

March 22, 2004

Stavesacre were one of the first aural architects to create the “Christian power rock” sound that’s currently dominating Tooth & Nail Records.

Stavesacre – Live From Deep Ellum – Review

March 22, 2004

Languid bass lines and mournful vocals blend with explosive power chords and grooves, expertly timed like a Hollywood movie to lift you out of your seat during climaxes.

Dream Theater – Train of Thought – Review

March 22, 2004

The band’s strength lies in majestic melodies and carefully thought-out instrumental passages. Here, both are abandoned to cram in boiling rage, from gorilla stomps to guitar hero shreds that leave no lasting impression.