Lollipop Magazine

Linda Linda Linda – Review

February 1, 2008

Four Japanese girls in a band are set to perform at their high school’s festival when one of the girls is injured and can no longer play. Controversy ensues.

Einstürzende Neubauten – Palast Der Republik – Review

February 1, 2008

The Godfathers of the German industrial movement perform in a palace that serves as the seat of parliament. Demolition is underway; the hall is empty and cold.

Helloween – Keeper of The Seven Keys – The Legacy World Tour – Review

January 1, 2008

Andi Deris’ voice sounds superb, the musicianship is spot on, and the audience sings along with fervor. Not much more that you could want out of a live album.

Sex Gang Children – Live At Ocean – Review

January 1, 2008

A bootleg with bad sound and shaky footage. Once past that, it’s pretty enjoyable. Contemporaries of Joy Division, Sigue Sique Sputnik, and Sisters of Mercy.

Naked Raygun – What Poor Gods We Do Make – Review

January 1, 2008

An anomaly. We knew of their urgent style of punk, but the locals knew the mythology. When Riot Fest facilitated a reunion, Raygun added to the legend.

The Jesus Lizard – Live – Review

December 21, 2007

The Jesus Lizard was rhythmic, sweaty, loud, and sexual. Singer David Yow gyrates, howls, and flails, molesting the audience at every available opportunity.

Chthonic – A Decade on the Throne – Review

December 12, 2007

Chthonic on their turf, playing to thousands of screaming Taiwanese fans with a backing choir, laser light shows, and, of course, the prerequisite corpse paint.

Propagandhi – Live From Occupied Territory – Review

November 1, 2007

On July 19th, 2003, melodic thrash punk masters Propagandhi played a benefit show for Grassy Narrows First Nation Blockade in Winnipeg, killing it as usual over 17 songs of blood-boiling, spirit-rousing anthems.

GG Allin and the Criminal Quartet – Carnival of Excess – Review

September 21, 2007

Reish of GG Allin’s country-rock move fully remastered by Kramer to pure and beautiful effect. Odd to hear GG with this level of clarity.

Kreator – Enemy of God Revisited – Review

July 13, 2007

A best-of set from all their records, much of which comes from Pleasure to Kill, Terrible Certainty, Extreme Aggression, and Coma of Souls.

The Fest 3 – Review

June 22, 2007

One weekend a year, punk/indie/hardcore bands descend upon Gainesville, FL and turn the place into one giant party. Fuck CMJ & SXSW, this is how it ‘s done.

Oasis – Morning Glory – A Classic Album Under Review – Review

June 22, 2007

A buncha people (all Brits) familiar with the band talk about why they think Morning Glory is their best. I’m not arguing, it’s the only one I’ve kept.

Rising Son – The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi – Review

May 11, 2007

His story is one of dreams, heartbreak, adrenaline, and legend. Out of prison and drug-free, Hosoi has gotten back to pro skating, when not doing pastor work.

Re-Animator – Review

May 4, 2007

Director Stuart Gordon wisely chose to film Re-Animator as a violent black comedy, and succeeded in adapting the uncanny feel of the Lovecraft serial.

Heavy Metal Parking Lot – 20th Anniversary Edition – Review

April 27, 2007

Put together for local cable, it’s become the stuff of legend, mullets afire, beers in hand. Everybody was skinny, and the girls had mullets too.

Big Audio Dynamite – Live E=MC2 – Review

April 27, 2007

Madchester flourishes and samples, literal and musical quotes. The open-hearted joy and hope override the pensive realism and downcast tone.

The Charms – Easy Trouble – Review

April 27, 2007

The Charms hit signifiers (organ, chintzy brat vocals) more than the thing itself. The “rock me shock me” guitars flop on the bass/drums rather than ride’m.

Dwarves – FEFU – Review

April 20, 2007

Young girls, little people, blood, sex ‘n’ violence have been explicitly expressed via song and performance as the Dwarves spill seed into their third decade.

The Knights of Fuzz – The Garage and Psychedelic Music Explosion from 1980 to Now – Review

April 20, 2007

A DVD of clips from bands that dug cool stuff book-ended by ’62 -’68. They were usually fueled by the concurrent snot punk and power pop stuff swirling around.

Obituary – Frozen Alive – Review

April 20, 2007

Recorded the same night as a Grave DVD, this is just as clear, well-produced, and packed full of crushing death metal. Live Grave, it’s the band’s first DVD.

Wendy O Williams – The Plasmatics – 10 Years of Revolutionary Rock And Roll – Review

April 13, 2007

Groundbreaking. Chainsawing. Car bombing. Culture shocking. The Plasmatics flew in the face of convention. Great information thrown together like a scrapbook.

Styx – The Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland – One With Everything

April 13, 2007

Styx’s pomp, prog, and hard rockin’ lends itself to the orchestral treatment. 115 in the orchestra, 56 in the choir: This is a big, loud celebration of rock.

The Mission of Burma Story – Not a Photograph – Review

April 13, 2007

Professionally filmed, with great direction and better editing, this 70 minute documentary perfectly documents these grown ups getting their rock back on.

Botch – 061502 – Review

April 6, 2007

In nine years (two full-lengths, an EP, and several singles), this quartet took hardcore to the next level. 061502 presents the last show in the band’s career.

Touch Me In The Morning – Review

April 6, 2007

No one can legitimately call this “boring.” “Foul and unwatchable,” maybe, but not boring. Castration, shitting, and old man cock just do not a dull film make.