Lollipop Magazine

Brain Failure – American Dreamer – Review

February 23, 2005

Rancid/Clash/Stiff Little Fingers-style band from Beijing, China. Produced by Ken Kesey of Dropkick Murphys, tours with The Unseen, and on Give ’em the Boot.

Anberlin – Never Take Friendship Personal – Review

February 23, 2005

Bright-eyed mainstream pop. Strong lead vocals, lots of harmonies, catchy songs, and just heavy enough to wear ripped jeans.

Alove For Enemies – The Harvest – Review

February 23, 2005

Long Island metalcore, predictable sameness of vocal and guitar tone and style, but just a hint of Dark Tranquillity melody amidst the mindless chugging.

Alaska! – Rescue Through Tomahawk – Review

February 23, 2005

Veterans of Lowercase, Sebadoh, and Red Aunts. They pen the clever lyrics and the hooks, but they also like a little feedback and drone and anti-tune bashing.

Transistor Transistor – Erase All Name and Likeness – Review

February 16, 2005

Level Plane knows their stuff. Played with Circle Takes the Square, Fear Before the March of Flames, Blood Brothers, Daughters, and Hot Cross. Debut LP.

Todd – Purity Pledge – Review

February 16, 2005

Craig Clouse played in Texas hardcore band Crown Roast, Negative Step, and AmRep’s Hammerhead. Noisy, demented, heavy rock like Tad, Killdozer, Jesus Lizard.

The Vacation – Band From World War Zero – Review

February 16, 2005

Sleaze rock from the UK. Part party rock, part dark, like good sleaze should be. Toured with Graham Coxon of Blur’s new rock band.

The Upwelling – Review

February 16, 2005

Damn, great press package and production, lush sounds (Pink Floyd, Enigma without the beats), and a singer who’ll break your heart.

The Factory Incident – Red Tape – Review

February 16, 2005

Ex-singer of Government Issue, vocals mixed way upfront. Not a great singer, but there’s not a lot else going on, so I see why he’s upfront.

The Charming Snakes – Ammunition – Review

February 16, 2005

A record that’ll be out (or is out) on Dirtnap. Dirtnap discovered The Briefs, and a bunch of other dirty, noisy “The” bands. Here’s another. Sounds good.