Lollipop Magazine

Youth Group – Skeleton Jar – Review

December 9, 2005

As much Death Cab For Cutie as alt rock, Youth Group play emotively lush, atmospheric pop with occasional explosive guitar and plenty of higher-note plucking.

Turbonegro – Party Animals – Review

December 9, 2005

Returns speed and scum to Turbonegro’s arsenal, retaining the early years’ hunger with the post-reunion fondness for stadium rock. Best secret song EVER.

Tsar – Band-Girls-Money – Review

December 9, 2005

They have go-go girls, they sing about gettin’ drunk and gettin’ laid and likin’ porn, and they calculate their rebellion perfectly.

The Juan Maclean – Less Than Human – Review

December 9, 2005

Juan Maclean was the guitarist for Six Finger Satellite. Less Than Human is produced by James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy, aka DFA, underground dance legends. A couple tracks feature vocals by Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem. By all accounts, it should be one monster of an album. So what happened?

The Bloody Hollies – If Footman Tire You – Review

December 9, 2005

Shit-hot rocker-garage cum kick-ass mixed with dynamism collected from hot pennies handled by The Sonics, The Up, The Makers, and many other “The” bands.

The Absence – From Your Grave – Review

December 9, 2005

Debut full-length by a Tampa, Florida band that, quite amusingly, play melodic Swedish death metal. Very expertly, I might add. No clean vocals for these guys.

Leaves’ Eyes – Vinland Saga – Review

December 9, 2005

Sexy female vocals, chugging, monster guitars, the heavy version of the stuff that gets watered down for TV show themes and action movies with kick-ass chicks.

Dear Leader – Captured at the Paradise – Review

December 9, 2005

Singer Aaron Perrino of The Sheila Divine’s side project, until that amazing band disbanded. Now Dear Leader is the main band. Hear one song and you’re hooked.

John Vanderslice – Pixel Revolt – Review

December 9, 2005

Moments of suspense, subtlety, resolution, and – especially in “Exodus Damage”‘s drum treatment – superb sound handling. Where do all these elements go?

Clutch – Robot Hive/Exodus – Review

December 9, 2005

Full-time addition of keyboard player who plays lots of tasty Hammond, adding a more Southern rock feeling. The lyrics aren’t quite as inspired this go-round.