April 2005 – Page 11 – Lollipop Magazine

Troubled Hubble – Making Beds in a Burning House – Review

April 4, 2005

Sounds kinda clever lyrically, but with Ben Fold around, who needs 1500 potential openers? To be fair, I can see how short-sighted fans could think this rules.

The Van Ermans – Under the Gun – Review

April 4, 2005

Basic melodic pop rock, reminds me of mid-tempo Bracket. Melodic, nice harmonies, good production for an unknown debut.

The Spinto Band – Nice and Nicely Done – Review

April 4, 2005

Bar/None has a long and scattered history of putting out quite nice powerpop. The Spinto Band is their latest.

The Phantom Limbs – Random Hymns – Review

April 4, 2005

Like most stuff of this ilk, it’s a damn good start down the right dark and noisy path. Some off-kilter rhythms and freakshow keyboards, but it’s all 101 stuff.

Russell Allen – Atomic Soul – Review

April 4, 2005

Russell Allen is or was the singer for Symphony X. Anything using the words atomic or voodoo is cheesy and should be avoided.

NRA – Machine – Review

April 4, 2005

Real-sound punk rock. At it 15 years, and good at their craft. Gearhead has released The Hives, Mensen, and The Wildhearts, so they know their stuff.

Muller and Patton – Review

April 4, 2005

Calculatedly clever Beatles pop and Elton John piano balladeering, these guys pull out every cliché in the book, and rub it all over yer secret pop spot.

Heavy Trash – Review

April 4, 2005

Jon Spencer and the guy from Speedball Baby. Yup, it’s dirty r&b-laced rock’n’roll. Music for your next bender.

Gito Gito – Hustler – Review

April 4, 2005

The bio sez this is not yer typical Japanese pop-punk girl band, but I guess I don’t know the nuances. A perfectly listenable, uh, Japanese pop-punk girl band.

Eyes Like Knives – Slow Distractions – Review

April 4, 2005

Part DC, part Boston, this is angular, edgy, semi-jangly, semi-drony indie rock that’s catchy but slightly abrasive, tuneful but not formulaically sweet.