Lollipop Magazine

Smoking Popes – Destination Failure – Review

November 1, 1997

A melodic and sweet portrait painted for all the women and the blind suckers who love them with blood from a too-far-gone severed artery.

Funbox – 523 – Review

November 1, 1997

A guitar band: the hyperactive squawking chord changes backed up by the equally proficient percussion are the stars of 523. The vocals are rather monotonous.

Down by Law – Last of the Sharpshooters – Interview

October 1, 1997

An interview with Dave Smalley

Verbow – Chronicles – Review

September 1, 1997

Verbow sounds big. It has the kind of wheatfield-raking feel that leads me to believe it makes one hell of an acoustic set of its own.

Union 13 – East Los Presents – Review

September 1, 1997

A good stab at Hüsker Dü’s Land Speed Record in intensity. It’s more punk than hardcore, and a very refreshing glass of youthful angst on this hot sunny day.

Thought Industry – Black Umbrella – Review

September 1, 1997

You can fuck to it, drink to it, declare a point of grave creation, sit in exile under fist over lecture, or stare at a dark wall with a gun in your underwear.

The Heartdrops – This is the Heartdrops – Review

September 1, 1997

What good old American rock is all about. Many bands try to get it right, and get boring instead. There is no gimmick to hide behind. This rock is heartfelt.

Baboon – Secret Robot Control – Review

September 1, 1997

Baboon has succeeded in interjecting some high-quality, palpable, and richly if not delicately textured material into Secret Robot Control.

The Criminals – Never Been Caught – Review

July 1, 1997

The tunes, though void of any pleasantry, are jammed full of conviction. The violence is real, tight, and smoking like a gun against a setting sun.

Splitsville – Ultrasound – Review

July 1, 1997

Ultrasound, retaining some of its playground playfulness, is, in my opinion, the only time I ever remember an album I love following up a debut I hated.