Ultimate Fakebook “Before We Spark” (Initial Records) According to the liner notes, UFB had been listening to post-“Pet Sounds” Beach Boys before they headed into the studio to record this ep. But nary a sliver of sunny orchestral pop similar…
Under the Weather “Self-Titled” (Orange Peal Records) These guys used to be the Sloppy Meateaters, remember those guys? Well, they lost one of their founders and decided to switch it up, but they still sound pretty good. Their self-titled EP…
Various Artists “The L.A. Shakedown 2003 Compilation” (Acetate Records) Christ, I hope people from out of state don’t mistakenly buy this thing thinking this is what LA music sounds like. I may hate on LA a lot, but let’s face…
Various Artists “Shout! The Revolution Rave-Up Alive 1997-2003” (Kemando Records) Holy Hell, I’m almost out of words for the review after wasting them all on the title for this compilation. I’ve never been to New York City but if I…
Various Artists “Warped Tour 2003 Compilation” (Side One Dummy) It’s hard to find fault with an $8, double-CD compilation of 52 songs from just about every band that have played the Vans-sponsored traveling punk rock summer carnival. Say what you…
Vaux ““There Must be Some Way to Stop Them”” (Volcom Entertainment) “”This is the anthem of the year and I’m fucking gold”” declares the opening line on Vaux’’s latest release ““There Must be Some Way to Stop Them”.” I can…
Verbal Assault “Volume One: The Masses and Learn” (Mendit Records) Verbal Assault were around in the mid-80s, when hardcore was underground like those monsters from “Tremors”. Mendit has taken it upon themselves to re-release two of their earlier efforts, “The…
Waterdown “The Files You Have On Me”” (Victory Records) Fuck yeah! This is the kind of shit I’ve come to expect from Victory, head banging jams that make you want to jump out of a car at 50 miles an…
We Talked About Murder ““Expecting The Explosion”” (Has Anyone Ever Told You?) These kids are another Austin, Texas based outfit with a fairly “a” typical rock sound. Their method of assault is likened unto early (very early) Seaweed, but also…
The Majesticons “Beauty Party” (Big Dada Records) Spearheaded by Mike Ladd, The Majesticons CD “Beauty Party” as a concept is both smart and satirical. The premise of the album is revealed in the overly jiggy lyrical content as well as…