Lollipop Magazine

Simon Spire – All or Nothing – Review

November 1, 2008

It’s not often that I get to compare a band to Squeeze, but New Zealand balladeer Simon Spire deserves it.

Los Difuntos – Born And Raised In East L.A. – Review

November 1, 2008

Rock and roll rooted in the Western feel and melancholy. Mexican guitar tradition tangling Spanish classicism through native cultures and death’s head imagery.

Chesterfield – Death Grip – Review

November 1, 2008

Metallic-produced punk, often gritty and rough-voiced, yet sometimes frantic and catchy, like Strung Out. Their mid-’90s punkpop is what attracts me the most.

Ligion – External Affairs – Review

November 1, 2008

Strong songs with catchy choruses and hard-strummed guitar over driving beats. Rock, ya know? Ligion is poppy and catchy, no denying it and no need to.

Soulcalibur IV – Review

November 1, 2008

Gorgeous 3D arenas, flashy weapons-based combat, with a tightly-balanced fighting system. Soulcalibur IV doesn’t mess with any of these fundamentals.

Racebannon – Acid or Blood – Review

November 1, 2008

Another spastic, feedback-laden howlfest. No art-school posers here, just AmRep noise-mongers who know Mr. Bungle and Melt Banana and Swans.

Bleeding Through – Declaration – Review

November 1, 2008

The Truth was a pretty kick-ass record, despite the eyeliner and whining. Declaration wants to show you its balls. While polished, they’re pretty big balls.

NHL 2K9 – Review

November 1, 2008

No big innovative leaps this season, but it improves in all the right ways. The solid, simple gameplay feels a little more responsive and satisfying.

Facebreaker – Review

November 1, 2008

The cartoony design of the boxers and comic book presentation is distinctive and attractive, but the concepts for the characters are out of the WWE reject pile.

Panic Cell – What Doesn’t Kill Us – Review

November 1, 2008

Debut album from this UK metal five-piece. Got a tour lined up opening for Sevendust and Drowning Pool, and that seems about right.