Lollipop Magazine

Beyond the Embrace – Insect Song – Review

December 29, 2004

Capable of delivering a solid melodic death metal album, they’ve jumped into a field where the stakes are very high, and their songs just can’t compete. Yet.

Bad Religion – The Empire Strikes First – Review

December 29, 2004

Smartly avoids the dinosaur-sized mid-tempo stompers that permeated non-Brett albums, instead focusing on the kind of affectual, somber, minor-based melodies.

Hyatari – The Light Carriers – Review

December 29, 2004

A droning techtonic soul heave like amplified blood: The rushing whooosh! backed by the steady “ka-thumpa” of your heart worked into distinct songs.

Greatdayforup – Godlovesasinner – Review

December 29, 2004

A five-piece with a true singer/front guy, bass, tubs, and twin axemen. Punk theory and attack, rock dynamism, focus, and attention to craft.

Freezepop – Fancy Ultra-Fresh – Review

December 29, 2004

Singer Liz Enthusiasm calls it as she sees it while ticky-tocky blips and bomps back her up like the “demo” button on that old mini keyboard.

Adem – Homesongs – Review

December 29, 2004

Hushed, velvety confessions draped atop lonesome acoustic pluckings, their only friend the bewildering prairie that stretches as far as the eye can see.

Cathedral – The Serpent’s Gold – Review

December 29, 2004

Cracks a beer and hands it to you, saying Lee Dorrian is back. Seriously, nobody played and recorded and stomped their way through doom quite like Cathedral.

Black Nasa – Deuce – Review

December 29, 2004

Resumes include Godspeed, Atomic Bitchwax, Scene Killer, Gallery of Mites… Y’know, ’70s rocker stuff, proto metal, grunge, and greasy Southern ID’d stuff.

Bill Janovitz – Crown Victoria – Fireworks On TV – Review

December 27, 2004

The hooks make this a triumphant return to his roots. The man has wonderful pop sensibilities, and one only need listen to “Radio” once to appreciate them.

Bad Religion – The Empire Strikes First – Interview

December 27, 2004

An interview with bassist/backup vocalist Jay Bentley