Lollipop Magazine

Ilya – Poise is the Great Architect – Review

September 24, 2003

Ilya succeed at what so many desperate indie bands are tripping over: The combination of sultry female vocals backed by minimalistic, tasteful arrangements.

The Casket Lottery – Survival Is for Cowards – Review

September 20, 2002

Intricate, angularly melodic LOUD rock ala Shiner, Someday I, Jawbox, etc. Strings are bent and drums are smashed; musical fists are thrown and poetry is read.

Rocky Votolato – Burning My Travels Clean – Review

July 5, 2002

Rocky Votolato is basically Dashboard Confessional with a better sense of craft.

This Changes Everything – Review

April 19, 2002

Second Nature’s roster has always been patchy. They’ve got giants like Coalesce and The Casket Lottery, but rip-offs like Reggie And The Full Effect.

The Casket Lottery – Moving Mountains – Review

June 1, 2000

Pop-punk’s melodic know-how blending with art rock ala Big Black/every other Chicago band to produce a new genre all its own. Why didn’t I think of it first?