Bouncing Souls-"Hopeless Romantic"
This is the first bouncing souls album I have heard since "maniacal laughter." Let me tell you guys something...these guys have gotten a lot better. Take your average old school punk and spruce it up with melodies and catchy hooks, and here's this gem of an album. This gets my vote for "the" album of 1999.
H2O-"F.T.T.W."
What the? This is an ok album, but what happened to these guys? I guess it was apparent that they were going to evolve, but this album almost reminds me of pennywise at times. I'll take the roughness and intensity of "thicker than water" or the first album any day over this. You be the judge.
Saves The Day-"Can't Slow Down"
It was bound to happen that several Lifetime influenced bands would pop up. Despite the lack of ground breaking material, this is an ok album. There are plenty of energetic Lifetime-ish riffs, and plenty of heartfelt and sincere lyrics.
Hot Water Music-"Forever and Counting"
This is the first HWM material I have gotten my hands on, and I must say I am impressed. The Fugazi comparisons are inevitable here, but these guys bring something more. Imagine if Fugazi was more "ballsy." Not to mention their dual vocals kick some ass. wooo!
BigWig-"Un-Merry Melodies"
Wow I now like two bands on fearless. This is a good CD. Kind of reminds me of older propagandhi sometimes, and sometimes RKL. At any rate you get the picture...angry and fast. Eventhough the quality of this recording isn't all that great, I almost think it adds to the effect.
Avail-"Over the James"
These guys just get better with every release! It blows me away to even imagine what the next album will be like. For those of you who are deprived of Avail, you just have to hear them. Any description I would give would simply be an injustice. Oh yeah...these guys are rumored to be "the" best live band going. I'll see about that myself soon!!
Kid Dynamite-"s/t"
Dr. Dan of Lifetime is back, and this time he's taking no prisoners! What we've got here is almost Liftime-ish melodic hardcore, but with more balls. Throw in some rough, almost crusty at times vocals, and here's Kid Dynamite. Check 'em out!
Zao-"Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest"
For most bands losing all members but one would be utter destruction, but for Zao that's not the case. These guys in the course of one album went from earth crisis firestorm era hardcore to one of the most punishing metal/hardcore bands I know of. The music is one step shy of brilliant. Take some hissing almost black metal vocals and lay them over a wall of thunder, and you've got Zao. In addition, these guys are the best live bands I have seen. You've been warned!!!
At The Drive-in-"In/Casino/Out"
This is Fearless Records' first attempt at releasing an emo/emocore album, and they shouldn't be sorry. This is a pretty solid release with some memorable songs. To pin these guys down...imagine if the singer from earth crisis sang in an emocore band not too unlike Fugazi musically. I'd say on a scale of 1-10 these guys get a 6.5.
His Hero is Gone-"Monuments to Thieves"
This is one raging, powerful release. Good political messages, nice slow sludgy parts, and plenty of chaotic blasts to keep you interested. For those of you into crust/grind already, you obviously know who these guys are. For those unfamiliar with it, check this out. It might surprise you.
Pinhead Gunpowder-"Shoot the Moon E.P."
Aaron and billy are back again with yet another solid E.P. This one seems to be more raw than the previous, but still follows the east bay punk format. You know if you like the east bay sound or not, so there's not much else to say.
Shyster-"Cold Weather"(7")
Yet another band walking that fine line between melodic hardcore/punk and emo/indie. Not exactly like Lifetime or any others, but still in that same vein. You know...poetic lyrics, nice clean vocals, sometimes fast, and sometimes slow and sweet. Not a bad band if I do say so myself.
Teen Idols-"Pucker Up!"
Yet another great, catchy album from these Nashville pop-punkers. Upon the first few listens I wasn't too impressed, but it eventually grew on me and then it was all over. These guys have really came a long way since the "Old Days, Old Ways" 7". Check it out!
Deathreat-7"
Anyone into the crust/grind scene knows and loves copout, and this isn't too far from being like copout. On this 7" Todd and Paul from His Hero is Gone team up with three other friends and burn the house down! All the songs are raw, and were done in one take. I must have for any fan of Copout, His Hero is Gone, or Talk Is Poison.
HighStrung-"Scummy Summer Suicide"
I have been going to see these guys for many years now, and I must say that they are at their best right now. Never before have all four members been into the music like they are now. As for the tape, it's probably their best recorded effort yet. I'd say this tape catches them at their fastest and most melodic. Not bad!
Shutdown-"Against All Odds"
The future of hardcore is here! Good old 88' hardcore with a new twist. These guys aren't as heavy as some Victory bands, but boy can they rip though their songs leaving you in awe. The real winner here is the overall message of positivity and open mindedness.
Kid Dynamite/ 88 Fingers Louie- Split CD
Two of the best melodic hardcore bands around team up to make a great, yet short CD. Each band does 3 songs. Good lord, this is the way melodic hardcore is meant to be played; angry, powerful, and aggressive. I'd say the Kid Dynamite tracks are way better, and are definitely more aggressive than the 88 Fingers Louie tracks. I'm telling you kids right now, you will be hearing a lot about Kid Dynamite for years to come.
Promise Ring-"Boys+Girls"
Once MTV finds out about these guys every kid in america will have this crammed down their throats. You know what? Who cares?!?? These guys continue to produce some of the sappiest, heartfelt emo-pop that I know of. I can't make it a day without singing these songs in my head..."micheal d....david k...best lookin' boys..."
Grade-"Triumph & Tragedy"-EP
This flat out rocks! This isn't as hardcore as previous releases, but boy does it rock. This falls right in there with Avail and Hot Water Music, and still remains fresh and original.
ZAO-"Liberate Ex Inferis"
I have been anxiously awaiting this, and I think it was worth it. This album is more of their patented heavy as hell music with black metalish vox. Truly amazing stuff here. Check their live show too!
Codeseven-"Division of Labor"
Where did these guys come from? Good stuff, along the lines of Boy Sets Fire or Converge, but with a sound of its own. You guessed it..metalcore with tons of emotion. Check this out!
Saves The Day-"Through Being Cool"
Seems they've sorta started to shake off the Lifetime comparisons without changing too much, but the pace of things. Still an ok record even if they ripped all this music off of the Stryder.
Reach The Sky-"So Far From Home"
These guys are a decent band. Good melodic hardcore akin to older lifetime or verbal assault. Defintely could get you dancing, but at the same time it's still heart-felt.
In My Eyes-"Nothing To Hide"
I have been anxiously awaiting these guys' sophomore album. This go around they don't seem as predictable with the drum rolls and crew shouts. Overall, however, these guys have only gotten better.
Blindside-"A Thought Crushed My Mind"
Oh yes! It doesn't get any better than screaming, frantic swedish hardcore. It's got a good groove to get you moving, wailing vocals to drive you nuts, and wacky melodies. What else could you ask for?
Poison The Well-"The Opposite of December...A Season of Separation"
Seriously, this is the best release of 2000 so far. Imagine throwing converge, one king down, grade, and a dash of discordat emo into a blender. The music on this album goes from insane metallic frenzies to beautiful emo parts. This band really has a unique sound of its own. A MUST have for any fan of metalcore.
GreyArea-"Fanbelt Algebra"
This is Greyarea's second full length attempt, and it's a bit better than last. Still nothing fabulous in my opinion. Almost exactly like Black Train Jack. Yep, uou guessed it. Slow to mid-paced melodic hardcore.
Walls of Jericho-"The Bound Feed the Gagged"
This is some really good metalcore from some ex-members of Earthmover. There are plenty of fast old school parts, slayer riffs, and on top of all that the best female screamed vocals I've heard.
Brothers Keeper-"Fantasy Killer"
I have mixed emotions about this CD. While it sounds a little more polished and mainstream than typical BK, I believe more people who normally don't like BK are going to like this. On the other hand sometimes I almost feel like I am listening to snapcase. Either way, not their best in my opinion, but still worth the cash
American Nightmare-"s/t"
Probably one of my favorite youth crew/ hardcore bands around these days. For those unaware of this band, they are a tough as nails hc outfit from boston. Not quite as cliche as a lot of stuff that falls into the youth crew genre, but also not as positive as a lot of the cliche youth crew stuff either. I really like this and can't wait for the new LP.
Right Brigade-"s/t"
Another excellent boston hardcore band. I can never remember, but I believe this band or american nightmare have ex members of ten yard fight and also fastbreak. RB are a little more heavy that american nightmare, and in my opinion not quit as good. Still worth what I paid to me
