Superdrag – Last Call for Vitriol – Review January 3, 2003 Their newest release – their second on indie label Arena Rock (and fourth total) – is a shining beacon to all bands who think they know how to rock.
Sparta – Wiretap Scars – Review January 3, 2003 Sparta has emerged from At The Drive-In’s cocoon soaring like a butterfly, its melodic wings tinged with bitter poetry and howling whirlwinds.
Sinners and Saints – The Sky Is Falling – Review January 3, 2003 Former members of Blood For Blood, The Ducky Boys, Ten Yard Fight, and In My Eyes make a puzzling move towards arena rock.
Safety In Numbers – Build and Structure – Review January 3, 2003 The side project of Hot Rod Circuit’s vocalist/guitarist Alan Jackson. As frontman again, he uses HRC’s formula and it works successfully on this debut.
Retisonic – Lean Beat – Review January 3, 2003 From the ashes of Bluetip and Garden Variety comes Retisonic, a (formerly) two-piece that transforms its album title into effective practice.
Red Animal War – Black Phantom Crusades – Review January 3, 2003 Black Phantom Crusades is not only the label’s most unique offering to date, it’s a victory in the often-regurgitated indie rock battlefield.
The Chase Theory – In Pursuit of Excellence – Review November 22, 2002 Though only an EP, …In Pursuit of Excellence packs more chops, hooks, and production value than most indie labels’ entire rosters.
Slowride – Red Animal War – Split – Review November 22, 2002 The two best non-emo bands on Deep Elm knock it out of the park on this split.
The Prom – Under The Same Stars – Review November 22, 2002 Spine-tingling piano songs ala Ben Folds/early Elton John that – unfortunately – have California-earthquake-shaky singing all over ’em.
Red Animal War – Slowride – Split – Review November 22, 2002 The two best non-emo bands on Deep Elm knock it out of the park on this split.