Lollipop Magazine

Chumbawamba – Readymades – Review

January 3, 2003

Very catchy and playable. Still, it lacks the teeth-gnashing anger of Tubthumper, with its backwards Hail Mary and lines like “kick your face in so politely.”

Hatebreed – Perseverance – Review

October 28, 2002

Easily one of the best albums of 2002, Hatebreed’s Perseverance is a solid kick to the face, a welcome dose of violent aggression.

Jeremiah Freed – Review

July 12, 2002

Maybe it’s a Maine thing, but Jeremiah Freed practically oozes “down-home honesty,” and in a world of preening peacocks, that’s refreshing.

Flaw – Through the Eyes – Review

June 28, 2002

In nü metal terms, “diverse” seems to mean “we can play loud and soft.” Kind of a snoozer of a record, really.

Mushroomhead – XX – Review

June 28, 2002

Ministry added samples to metal riffs. Now that’s mundane. Mushroomhead added death roar, icy detachment, loony narration, keyboard eeriness, and rap bombast.

Afroman – The Good Times – Review

April 20, 2002

Afroman is laid-back party rap, with a distinct feel-good vibe like reggae (without any politics about, like, oppression and stuff that’s such a buzzkill).

Stroke 9 – Rip It Off – Review

April 12, 2002

“Kick Some Ass,” (in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back) rules. I like when bands make fun of shithead fans/bands, especially when the dipshits still don’t get it.

Colony – Who I Wanted to Be – Review

April 12, 2002

The second half remembers that funky rock the Spin Doctors did that we’ve worked so hard to forget, but the first few songs aren’t half bad radio rock.

Shades Apart – Sonic Boom – Review

February 22, 2002

Sonic Boom is as neutered as the unimaginative title suggests. While the three members can still play their instruments, they’ve retained none of the spirit.

Take a Bite Outta Rhyme – A Rock Tribute to Rap – Review

June 4, 2001

Classic rap, the time period even today’s rappers realize they can’t match, covered by a buncha white kids who’ve been encouraged instead of bitch-slapped.