Lollipop Magazine

Minus – Halldor Laxness – Review

November 5, 2003

Breaking off a chunk of melodious/atmospheric nü rock to blow open the emotional palette and drawing textural tools from old and new psychedelic bands.

Freya – As The Last Light Drain – Review

November 5, 2003

Freya is nothing more than Earth Crisis 2003, but with a different agenda. It still reeks of the same attitude and sound. No thanks.

Darkest Hour – Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation – Review

September 11, 2003

A relentless blast of drums, cymbals, high-horse, note-dense riffs, and vocals that sound a bit like a hardcore snob making fun of the Gothenburg sound.

Snowdogs – Deep Cuts, Fast Remedies – Review

July 23, 2003

Influences from Soul Asylum to Aerosmith, but if those bands tried to integrate soul-ska, joke rap, or sea chanteys, they’d come across as grade-A assholes.

Spitalfield – The Cloak & Dagger Club – Review

July 13, 2003

Comparable to Thursday, or a harder Saves the Day, Spitalfield uses soft drums with fluctuating guitar strums that tease your ears, and then pound them.

The Reunion Show – Kill Your Television – Review

June 13, 2003

Kill Your TV definitely categorizes them as catchy, pop rock fun, in the vein of of Ultimate Fakebook and Midtown.

River City Rebels – No Good, No Time, No Pride – Review

May 30, 2003

At their worst, they sound like a terrible ska band whose singer just returned from the dentist. At their best, they play solid, original rock ‘n’ roll.

Dead To Fall – Everything I Touch Falls to Pieces – Review

January 3, 2003

An energetic band trying to bring new dimension to the well-traveled hardcore/metal route (with traces of Gothenburg in tow), but they fail on many levels.

Ten Foot Pole – Bad Mother Trucker – Review

January 3, 2003

A great record title and album cover, and a peppy, melodic record, if a little dated and thin.

Snapcase – End Transmission – Review

January 3, 2003

As Snapcase has carried on Refused’s progressive hardcore, they’ve been swept aside by the rise of nü metal and “poppy” hardcore. An unfair turn of events.