Lollipop Magazine

Alkaline Trio – Good Mourning – Review

October 29, 2003

How can you sit through sugary songs with lyrics about coffins and Satan with a straight face?

Paloalto – Heroes and Villains – Review

September 24, 2003

If it wasn’t for the occasional “loud power chords!” songs, I’d say Paloalto are the closet thing to Travis there is.

Rocket From The Crypt – Live From Camp X-Ray – Review

May 30, 2003

Drawing on snappy stuff from the Dictators, MC5, Springsteen, U.S. punk, garage rock, cool indie stroke saddle-up, this thing’s ready to take you for a ride.

Koufax – Social Life – Review

May 30, 2003

Bombastic moments break up the day, but it’s generally innocuous stuff. “Brightside” is the highlight, with its natural progression and pleasing add-ons.

Viva Death – Review

January 3, 2003

Bright, clean leads soar like eagles over dark jungle chord progressions. Fuzzed vocals are shouted with the battlecry intensity of sex, death, and revolution.

Paul Westerberg – Stereo – Review

November 22, 2002

Westerberg’s new album is made up of two discs, Stereo, and Mono. The former is earnest, well-crafted melodic rock. Mono is noisy and fun, punky pop rock.

The Get Up Kids – On a Wire – Review

November 15, 2002

Not riff-oriented emo, but vocal-centered “song”-craft that brings to mind later Chamberlain. A step in the right direction (after eight friggin’ years).

Audio Learning Center – Friendships Often Fade Away – Review

November 8, 2002

Veterans of pre-Nevermind Seattle cornerstones Pon and Sprinkler have resurfaced. A post-youth journey into reflection, knowledge, and appreciation of aging.

Hey Mercedes – The Weekend EP – Review

October 4, 2002

The Weekend E.P. shouldn’t be passed up not only cuz everything Hey Mercedes pens turns to gold, but also cuz these songs simply sizzle.

Face To Face – Dropkick Murphys vs Face To Face Split EP – Review

October 4, 2002

Face to Face has written songs in the past demonstrating excellent guitarsmanship and catharticly sincere lyrics, but not this year.