Lollipop Magazine

Spirit Caravan – The Last Embrace – Review

March 8, 2004

A two-disc odds’n’sods compilation existing mostly to make available the tracks from the two out-of-print full-length albums, Jug Fulla Sun and Elusive Truth.

Pelican – Australasia – Review

March 1, 2004

Former pieces of the Earth’s crust now transformed into deadly projectiles as rockets of liquid magma spurted violently from the newly-created holes.

Flamethrower – Review

February 23, 2004

Essentially a high-speed, high-energy version of rockabilly with just enough guitar wankery to letcha know they’ve got metal chops.

The Lovetones – Be What You Want – Review

February 16, 2004

It’s as artfully crafted and lovingly tended as a highly-polished emerald ring, and you can feel assured that any money you spend acquiring it was well-spent.

Big Midnight – Everything For The First Time – Review

February 16, 2004

Hellacopters naysayers may say that band is too derivative to influence others, but said naysayers have obviously never heard Big Midnight.

New Bomb Turks – Switchblade Tongues and Butterknife Brains – Review

February 16, 2004

Ostensibly an odds’n’sods collection, this curiously-titled release is packed with enough good material that it could’ve passed as a “great lost album.”

Greenleaf – Secret Alphabets – Review

February 16, 2004

A hard rock record with occasional psychedelic dalliances, something I might’ve expected had I known going in that Greenleaf is a Dozer side project.

16 – Zoloft Smile – Review

February 16, 2004

A roiling, bass-centric tub of heaviness, the rhythms surprisingly groovy, but still fiercely vitriolic as they form a solid rock/roll-based metal foundation.

Khanate – Things Viral – Review

February 16, 2004

If the aim is to lobotomize the audience, Things Viral is a success. As effective as Naked City’s Torture Garden at clearing your home of unwanted guests.

Fireball Ministry – The Second Great Awakening – Review

February 16, 2004

Ten songs (11 tracks, but one of ’em’s an intro), four of which are already available elsewhere. The greedy part of me wishes this album was all new stuff.