Lollipop Magazine

Starflyer 59 – Vanity – Review

November 7, 2021

Vanity is Starflyer 59’s 16th full release, and it’s treading the same ground as the last four, except without a near-great tune like “Young in My Head.”

Torche – Admission – Review

July 8, 2019

All roads lead to the title track, the heart of the album (placed smack in the middle) and among the best songs the band has ever recorded.

Noisem – Cease to Exist – Review

March 9, 2019

With this album, the band has sharpened their sound to a razor point and it strikes with precision and efficiency.

The Jesus and Mary Chain – Damage and Joy – Review

December 8, 2018

Damage and Joy combines the sneer and guitar barrage of the underrated, monochrome Munki with the somber acoustic trip of Stoned & Dethroned.

The Breeders – All Nerve – Review

December 6, 2018

Kim and Kelley Deal make difficult music. This is tough sledding at first – like much good and great music – but it’s interesting and at times, very good.

Bloodbath – The Arrow of Satan is Drawn – Review

October 26, 2018

If only we could all have this much fun at our second jobs.

Komrads – Resistor – Review

July 24, 2018

Resistor is all over the place, but somehow it all works. A fascinating debut.

Monster Magnet – Mindfucker – Review

March 31, 2018

They’ve gone from tripped-out, psychedelic fare like Spine of God and Dopes to Infinity to a more straightforward rock ‘n’ roll sound on Mindfucker, their 11th album.

Hooded Menace – Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed – Review

February 1, 2018

Rest assured that by the closing notes of “Black Moss” you’ll feel suitably torn asunder and buried alive, with the grime under your fingernails to prove it.

Like Moths to Flames – Dark Divine – Review

November 3, 2017

Metalcore stalwarts Like Moths to Flames make a huge step forward on Dark Divine, their fourth record.

36 Crazyfists – Lanterns – Review

September 25, 2017

As bleak as things can get on Lanterns, ultimately it ends up sounding hopeful.

Comeback Kid – Outsider – Review

September 1, 2017

Comeback Kid manages to outdo their previous work yet again.

Sweat Lodge – Tokens For Hell – Review

April 25, 2017

It’s their swan song, as everyone involved has already decided to put the band on hiatus and go raise kids or pursue other projects.

Monster Movie – Keep The Voices Distant – Review

March 24, 2017

Everything here is just as long as it needs to be, from the beautifully somber title track to the engrossing, multi-part closer “Dead in the Water.”

Iron Reagan – Crossover Ministry – Review

March 15, 2017

Back to the heyday of D.R.I. and Sui-cyco-style crossover metal, the aptly titled Crossover Ministry from Iron Reagan has all you want from the forgotten genre.

c.Kostra – Now I Feel It – Review

January 31, 2017

Heavily distorted vocals push, pull, and mold these tracks into beautiful miniature soundscapes that sound fresh and innovative while managing to be accessible.

True Widow – Avvolgere – Review

December 30, 2016

2016 may have dropkicked all our hopes and dreams, but it also gave us this killer album, so it might be a wash.

Pain – Coming Home – Review

November 11, 2016

From industrial to country to metal to classic rock, Tägtgren is just endearingly weird – in the Les Claypool or Devin Townsend mold- when he’s in Pain mode.

Dean Ween Group – The Deaner Album – Review

November 7, 2016

Mickey Melchiondo’s new offering, The Deaner Album, with his band the Dean Ween Group, sounds like, surprise, a Ween record.

Wovenwar – Honor Is Dead – Review

November 4, 2016

Wovenwar sounds unshackled here, free to create a melodic metalcore sound that feels natural rather than predictably soft/heavy, good cop/bad cop.

Pixies – Head Carrier – Review

September 26, 2016

The Pixies 2.0’s second tilt, Head Carrier, picks up where the first one, Indie Cindy, left off; and like its predecessor, it’s a bit uneven.

Squarecrow – Rammi Jamms – Review

August 26, 2016

Squarecrow sounds focused and energized throughout Rammi Jamms, and they even throw in a snarled, skank-worthy take on The Smiths’ immortal “Bigmouth Strikes Again.”

Violent Femmes – We Can Do Anything – Review

May 13, 2016

Whatever Gordon Gano’s been doing to preserve that awful tenor of his should be patented. On last year’s EP, Happy New Year, he’s never sounded better.

Metal Massacre 14 – Review

April 29, 2016

34 years and 13 volumes later, Metal Massacre 14 compiles a new wave of artists all sharing a true metal mindset. Strictly old-school denim and leather stuff.

Can’t Swim – Death Deserves A Name – Review

March 11, 2016

This New Jersey band covers a lot of ground on a 15-minute, 5-song EP. I love the way they’re constantly playing around with song structures.