Brandtson – Dial in Sounds – Review July 12, 2002 Tighter both rhythmically and vocally, Dial in Sounds is lean muscles all over and two spoonfuls of sugar too much.
Slowride – As I Survive the Suicide Bomber – Review July 12, 2002 This Texas three-piece wrangle their instruments like professional cowboys, directing chord changes and arpeggios like seasoned herdsmen.
Seven Storey – Dividing By Zero – Review July 12, 2002 Where have the gorgeous, anthemic melodies gone? And why the hell did you record a full-length by yourself on an eight-track?
Volta Do Mar – At the Speed of Light or Day – Review July 5, 2002 Volta Do Mar are content letting “space sounds” do the talking when the band’s not strumming angular chords on their (what sound like) Telecasters.
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Plastic Fang – Review July 5, 2002 It’s nice to see Jon Spencer Blues Explosion rockin’ unhomogenized again, cuz their last couple records’ stylized missteps sorta brought ’em down a peg or two.
Dashboard Confessional – So Impossible – Review July 5, 2002 Welcome to “More Than Words” for the new millennium. Except instead of it being just one song, the sappiness now stretches across entire albums…
Custom – Fast – Review July 5, 2002 Chill, easy-going beats, light rapping about Life, the Universe and Everything You Can Make A Bong Out Of In A Pinch.
Red Shirt Brigade – Home of the Cannon Saints – Review July 5, 2002 Jangly, stringy-sounding, intricate guitar exercises that employ fragile sounding production and quick-stepping drummers.
Rocky Votolato – Burning My Travels Clean – Review July 5, 2002 Rocky Votolato is basically Dashboard Confessional with a better sense of craft.
Gorillaz – G Sides – Review June 28, 2002 G-Sides, an EP and remix album that further cements their hold in the mainstream’s consciousness.