Wretched - Cannibal

Who:  Wretched

What:  Fourth studio album of blackened-yet-flamboyant death metal. Released on Victory Records.

When:  June 2014

Where:  Charlotte, NC

Why:  Because this record is a thousand times more brutal than what passes for metalcore these days.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Wretched - Cannibal - Victory

1.  Gold Above Me -- *****
2.  Morsel -- ****
3.  Calloused -- ****
4.  Thin Skinned -- ***
5.  L'Appel Du Vide -- ***
6.  Cranial Infestation -- *****
7.  Salt Lick -- *****
8.  Cannibal... -- ****
9.  Wetiko -- *****
10.  To The Flies -- *****
11.  Engulfed in Lethargy -- ****


Radness Average:  4.272


Wretched - Cannibal


Verdict:  I've seen this road warrior band twice in Austin just this year. Good and getting better. The next album is going to be something special.

For fans of:  Black Breath, The Faceless, Black Crown Initiate, Dying Fetus





\m/

1349 - Massive Cauldron of Chaos

Who:  1349

What:  Fifth studio album of bludgeoning Norwegian black metal. Released on Seasons of Mist.

When:  September 2014

Where:  Oslo, NOR

Why:  Punishing black metal that is closer to Satanic grindcore than anything Lord Of The Rings related.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

1349 - Massive Cauldron of Chaos - Seasons of Mist

1.  Cauldron -- *****
2.  Slaves -- *****
3.  Exorcism -- *****
4.  Postmortem -- *****
5. Mengele's -- *****
6.  Golem -- *****
7.  Chained -- *****
8.  - -- *****
9.  Godslayer -- *****
10. The Heretic (Possessed) -- *****

Radness Average:  5.000


1349 - Massive Cauldron of Chaos


Verdict:  Beyond the low-baroque Satanic histrionics, 1349 takes Motorhead/Metallica-style heavy metal to its illogical extremes. Plus, 1349 plays a Possessed cover! Massive Cauldron of Chaos proudly earned its Perfect Album rating.

For fans of:  Emperor, Satyricon, newer Darkthrone, Inquisition, Slayer

\m/

Indian - For All Purity

Who:  Indian

What:  Fourth studio album of haunting, pummeling doom metal. Released on Relapse.

When:  January 2014

Where:  Chicago, IL

Why:  Indian follows up the brain-scrambling Guiltless album with even longer and crazier songs.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Indian - For All Purity - Relapse

1.  Rape -- *****
2.  The Impetus Bleeds -- *****
3.  Directional -- *****
4.  Rhetoric of No -- *****
5.  Clarify -- ***
6.  Disambiguation -- *****


Radness Average:  4.667


Indian - For All Purity


Verdict:  One the best albums of 2014. I got to see Indian play at The Mohawk, an outdoor venue, during SXSW this year. Indian played so loud that they could be heard six blocks away, over the sound of the rest of the festival.

For fans of:  Grief, Eyehategod, SUNN0))), Hammerhead, Corrupted





\m/

Converge - Live at the BBC

Who:  Converge

What:  Vinyl 7" release of a short live set recorded last year on BBC Radio One. Released on Deathwish Inc.

When:  March 2014

Where:  Salem, MA

Why:  Studio MV4 is the previous home to the legendary John Peel sessions, which birthed legendary recordings from artists like New Order, The Cure, Carcass, Napalm Death and countless others.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Converge - Live at the BBC - Deathwish Inc.

1.  Dark Horse -- *****
2.  Axe to Fall -- *****
3.  Damages -- *****
4.  Hanging Moon -- *****


Radness Average:  5.000


Converge - Live at the BBC


Verdict:  A literally perfect EP. It is Converge's Peel Session after all. Can you believe that this is the first Converge record ever posted on No Funeral? Long overdue.

For fans of:  Nails, Converge, The Jesus Lizard, Cursed, Entombed





\m/

Code Orange - I Am King

Who:  Code Orange

What:  Second studio album of metallic hardcore punk-violence. Released on Deathwish Inc.

When:  September 2014

Where:  Pittsburgh, PA

Why:  Teenage grind-violence sensation Code Orange "shows maturity" on latest record. This is the first release by the band as Code Orange; as opposed to the old Code Orange Kids.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Code Orange - I Am King - Deathwish Inc.

1.  I Am King -- *****
2.  Slowburn -- *****
3.  Dreams in Inertia -- *****
4.  Unclean Spirits -- *****
5.  Alone in a Room -- ****
6.  My World -- *****
7.  Starve -- ****
8.  Your Body Is Ready... -- *****
9.  Thinners of the Herd -- *****
10.  Bind You -- *****
11.  Mercy -- *****


Radness Average:  4.818


Code Orange - I Am King


Verdict:  Love the record. Got to see them live. The band's attitude leaves a lot to be desired but you can't deny how mad the new songs are. One the best albums of 2014.

For fans of:  Trash Talk, Nails, Converge, Weekend Nachos, ACxDC





\m/

Body Count - Manslaughter

Who:  Body Count

What:  Fifth studio album from LA's most notorious thrash metal/rapcore band; featuring Detective Fin Tutuola on vocals. First album on Sumerian Records.

When:  June 2014

Where:  Los Angeles, CA

Why:   Because hip-hop sucks right now, Body Count still rules, and Ice T still has something to say.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Body Count - Manslaughter - Sumerian

1.  Talk Shit, Get Shot -- *****
2.  Pray for Death -- *****
3.  99 Problems BC -- *****
4.  Back to Rehab -- ****
5.  Manslaughter -- *****
6.  Get a Job -- ****
7.  Institutionalized 2014 (Suicidal Tendencies) -- ***
8.  Pop Bubble -- *****
9.  Enter the Dark Side -- *****
10.  Bitch in the Pit -- *****
11.  Black Voodoo Sex -- ****
12.  Wanna be a Gangsta? -- *****
13.  I Will Always Love You -- *****
14.  99 Problems BC (rock mix) -- *****


Radness Average:  4.643


Body Count - Manslaughter


Verdict:  Awesome album with one major flaw: I didn't dig that cover of "Institutionalized." It's a divisive song. Some hate it, others love it. Either way, Manslaughter totally rules.

For fans of:  Ice T, Hatebreed, E Town Concrete, Biohazard, Law & Order: SVU




\m/

Boddicker - Crime Upheaval

Who:  Boddicker

What:  Second cassette EP released by the band's just this year!

When:  June 2014

Where:  Indianapolis, IN

Why:   The four Cs of Midwest Hardcore: crime, crust, core, cassette. Also, they cover a Danzig song on this one.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Boddicker - Crime Upheaval - Ritual Knife

1.  Crime Upheaval -- ****
2.  Rise of the Downtrodden -- *****
3.  Halo of Bullets -- ****
4.  Bath Salt Baptism -- *****
5.  Vigilante -- ****
6.  Executive Decision -- ****
7.  The Isolationist -- *****
8.  Drygulch -- ****
9.  Social Control -- ****
10.  We Are Watching You -- *****
11.  Energy Blackmail -- *****
12.  Brand New God (Danzig) -- *****


Radness Average:  4.500


Boddicker - Crime Upheaval


Verdict:  Earlier this month, you read me going gaga over False Flag. Boddicker is crucial listening. The most impressive band in the America right now.

For fans of:  Cursed, Converge, Trap Them, Bolt Thrower, Insect Warfare




\m/

Architects - Lost Forever//Lost Together

Who:  Architects

What:  Sixth studio album from this British metalcore band, released on Epitaph Records for some reason.

When:  March 2014

Where:  Brighton, UK

Why:   The band wanted to return to its roots.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Architects - Lost Forever//Lost Together - Epitaph

1.  Gravedigger -- ***
2.  Naysayer -- ****
3.  Broken Cross -- ****
4.  The Devil Is Near -- ****
5.  Dead Man Talking-- ***
6.  Red Hypergiant -- *
7.  C.A.N.C.E.R. -- **
8.  Colony Colapse -- ****
9.  Castles in the Air -- ***
10.  Youth is Wasted on the Young -- ***
11.  The Distant Blue -- ***


Radness Average:  3.091


Architects - Lost Forever//Lost Together


Verdict:  This band's roots are buried in sand. Also, I really hated the digital production on this record. Architects can actually play. Why hide behind the computers?

For fans of:  Bring Me the Horizon, Volumes, Suicide Silence, a less-technical Born of Osiris




\m/

Arch Enemy - War Eternal

Who:  Arch Enemy

What:  Ninth studio album from this prolific melodic Swedish death metal band, released on long-time label Century Media.

When:  June 2014

Where:  Halmstad, SWE

Why:   The first LP with new singer Alissa White-Gluz (ex-The Agonist) ushers in the third era of Arch Enemy's existence.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Arch Enemy - War Eternal - Century Media

1.  Tempore Nihil Sanat (Prelude in F Minor) -- **
2.  Never Forgive, Never Forget -- ***
3.  War Eternal -- ****
4.  As the Pages Burn -- ***
5.  No More Regrets -- ****
6.  You Will No My Name -- **
7.  Graveyard of Dreams -- ****
8.  Stolen Life -- ***
9.  Time Is Black -- ****
10.  On and On -- ****
11.  Avalanche -- ****
12.  Down to Nothing -- ****
13.  Not Long for This World -- **


Radness Average:  3.308


Arch Enemy - War Eternal


Verdict:  White-Gluz delivers an admirable performance and War Eternal isn't a bad record, but the overly-polished mix job on the album is distracting from the actual songs.

For fans of:  Human Waste Project/The Start, The Angela Gossow years, Evanescence (in a good way)




\m/

50 Cent - Animal Ambition

Who:  50 Cent

What:  Fifth studio album from New York's Finest. Released by G-Unit/Caroline.

When:  June 2014

Where:  NYC

Why:   Interscope Records' mismanagement of this record in the pre-production phase led to 50 Cent leaving the label in 2012. The end result is an album reminiscent of his pre-breakthrough albums like The Power of the Dollar.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

50 Cent - Animal Ambition - G-Unit/Caroline

1.  Hold On -- *****
2.  Don't Worry Bout It -- *****
3.  Animal Ambition -- ****
4.  Pilot -- ****
5.  Smoke -- ****
6.  Every Time I Come Around -- *****
7.  Irregular Heartbeat -- *****
8.  I'm A Hustler -- ****
9.  Twisted -- **
10.  Winner's Circle -- ***
11.  Chase the Paper -- ****


Radness Average:  4.091


50 Cent - Animal Ambition


Verdict:  50 is over the "celebrity thing," he left the major label, and he just wants to play New York Hip-Hop. I dig it. Then again, I've always been a fan. You'll like it if you dug the old stuff or the hits.

For fans of:  Run DMC, East Coast Hip-Hop




\m/

Animals As Leaders - The Joy of Motion

Who:  Animals As Leaders

What:  Third studio album, and first for Sumerian, from this turbo-technical, instrumental progressive metal band.

When:  March 2014

Where:  Washington D.C.

Why:  Because Tobin Abasi is one of the best living guitarists. Seriously, it's like him, Zakk Wylde, and Joe Satriani.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Animals As Leaders - The Joy of Motion - Sumerian

1.  Ka$cade -- *****
2.  Lippencott -- ***
3.  Air Chrysalis -- *****
4.  Another Year -- **
5.  Physical Education -- ****
6.  Tooth and Claw -- *****
7.  Crescent -- ***
8.  The Future That Awaited Me -- ***
9.  Para Mexer -- ****
10.  The Woven Web -- ***
11.  Mind-Spun -- ****
12.  Nephele -- ****


Radness Average:  3.750


Animals As Leaders - The Joy of Motion


Verdict:  Imagine Eddie Van Halen playing for a vocal-less Dream Theater.

For fans of:  Between the Buried and Me, After The Burial, Periphery, Dysrhythmia




\m/

The Body - I Shall Die Here

Who:  The Body

What:  Fifth studio album of alienating doom/sludge released on RVNG Intl.

When:  April 2014

Where:  Portland, OR via Providence, RI

Why:   British producer The Haxan Cloak helps The Body achieve the next level in rape-eyed audio annihilation.


[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

The Body - I Shall Die Here - RVNG Intl.

1.  To Carry the Seeds of Death Within Me -- *****
2.  Alone All the Way -- *****
3.  The Night Knows No Dawn -- ****
4.  Hail to Thee, Everlasting Pain -- *****
5.  Our Souls Were Clean -- *****
6.  Darkness Surrounds Us -- ****



Radness Average:  4.667



The Body - I Shall Die Here


Verdict:  I haven't felt this unsettled by a record since Venerology by Merzbow.

For fans of:  Thou, Gnaw Their Tongues, Emptiness, Winter, Nurse With Wound




\m/

311 - Stereolithic

Who:  311

What:  Eleventh studio album from America's favorite nu-metal/reggae/ska band, self-released by the band.

When:  March 2014

Where:  Omaha, NE

Why:   Long-running alt-rock band ditches Bob Rock and its major label for the first time since 1991's Music.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

311 - Stereolithic - 311 Records

1.  Ebb and Flow -- ****
2.  Five of Everything -- *****
3.  Showdown -- ****
4.  Revelation of the Year -- ****
5.  Sand Dollars -- *****
6.  Boom Shanka -- **
7.  Make It Rough -- ***
8.  The Great Divide -- *****
9.  Friday Afternoon -- ****
10.  Simply True -- ***
11.  First Dimension -- *****
12.  Made in the Shade -- ***
13.  Existential Hero -- ***
14.  The Call -- **
15.  Tranquility -- **


Radness Average:  3.600


311 - Stereolithic


Verdict:  Veteran band releases quality album that gets ignored by rock radio. It ain't their fault. "Five of Everything" kicks ass.

For fans of:  Sublime, No Doubt, Incubus, 90s nostalgia, Mix 96 radio stations




\m/

Young Widows - Easy Pain

Who:  Young Widows

What:  Fourth studio album of Kentucky noise-rock released by Temporary Residence, LTD.

When:  May 2014

Where:  Louisville, KY

Why:   Former Breather Resist members continue to forge their own rock and roll path.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Young Widows - Easy Pain - Temporary Residence, LTD

1.  Godman -- *****
2.  Cool Night -- ***
3.  Kerosene Girl -- *****
4.  Doomed Moon -- ***
5.  Gift of Failure -- ***
6.  Bird Feeder -- **
7.  King Sol -- ****
8.  The Last Young Widow -- **
9.  The Money -- *****
10.  In My Living Room -- ***


Radness Average:  3.500


Young Widows - Easy Pain


Verdict:  Not every song is a hit but at least Young Widows is a band with its own voice. Ironically, the single "Kerosene Girl" did score the band a minor radio hit.

For fans of:  The National Acrobat, Lucero, Helmet, Halo of Flies, Shiner

\m/

Boddicker - False Flag

Who:  Boddicker

What:  Early 2014 cassette EP released on the band's own Ritual Knife Records.

When:  January 2014

Where:  Indianapolis, IN

Why:   The four Cs of Midwest Hardcore: crime, crust, core, cassette.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Boddicker - False Flag - Ritual Knife

1.  Hail of Bullet -- *****
2.  Flesh Eulogy -- *****
3.  Gun Walker -- *****
4.  Amoral Axiom -- *****
5.  High Value Target -- *****
6.  War Party -- *****


Radness Average:  5.000


Boddicker - False Flag


Verdict:  Indianapolis-via-Detroit crust/crime/metalcore band delivers the goods on this preview of their upcoming album. The most impressive band in the Midwest right now.

For fans of:  Cursed, Converge, Trap Them, Bolt Thrower, Insect Warfare

\m/

ACxDC - AntiChrist DemonCore LP

Who:  ACxDC

What:  Debut studio album from this controversial L.A. power violence band, released on Melotov Records.

When:  June 2014

Where:  Los Angeles, CA

Why:   A decade in the making, the AntiChrist DemonCore crew opens the next chapter in the power violence saga.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

ACxDC - AntiChrist DemonCore - Melotov Records

1.  Destroy//Create -- *****
2.  Misled -- *****
3.  Paid in Full -- ****
4.  Vegangelical -- *****
5.  Holmes -- ****
6.  Overstimulated -- *****
7.  Cheap Punks -- ****
8.  Hipler Youth -- *****
9.  Savior Complexxx -- ****
10.  Endless Failure -- ****
11.  Blood -- *****
12.  Dead Cops -- *****
13.  Keep Sweet -- *****
14.  Lifeless -- ****
15.  Filicide -- *****
16.  Give Up -- ****


Radness Average:  4.563


ACxDC - AntiChrist DemonCore


Verdict:  SoCal blast-attack keeps the Slap-A-Ham tradition alive.

For fans of:  Infest, Lack of Interest, Code Orange, Weekend Nachos, Chest Pain




\m/

Alt-J - This Is All Yours

Who:  Alt-J

What:  Sophomore studio album from the English alternative pop-rock sensation, released on Infectious Records.

When:  September 2014

Where:  Leeds, UK

Why:   Follow-up record to 2012's surprise-hit debut LP An Awesome Wave.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Alt-J - This Is All Yours - Infectious Records

1.  Intro -- *****
2.  Arrival in Nara -- **
3.  Nara -- ***
4.  Every Other Freckle -- ****
5.  Left Hand Free -- *****
6.  Garden of England -- **
7.  Choice Kingdom -- **
8.  Hunger of the Pine -- ****
9.  Warm Foothills -- **
10.  The Gospel of John Hurt -- ***
11.  Pusher -- **
12.  Bloodflood Part II -- ***
13.  Leaving Nara -- ****


Radness Average:  3.154


Alt-J - This Is All Yours


Verdict:  The "Sophomore Slump" strikes but it's not a fatal blow. Half of a great album. "Left Hand Free" totally rules.

For fans of:  AWOLnation, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, MGMT




\m/

Abrams - February

Who:  Abrams

What:  Debut digital EP released by the band.

When:  May 2014

Where:  Denver, CO

Why:   AmRep-style noise-rock meets new-school stoner metal.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Abrams - February - self-released

1.  The Fucking Cops Are Here -- ****
2.  Mr. Pink Always Wins -- **
3.  Limped Off -- *****
4.  Sea Salt Lines -- ****


Radness Average:  3.750


Abrams - February


Verdict:  These new-school Colorado noise-rock weirdos are on to something. Can't wait to hear more in the future.

For fans of:  Death From Above 1979, Unsane, Hammerhead, Fu Manchu

\m/

Angel Du$t - A.D.

Who:  Angel Du$t

What:  Debut studio album released by React Records/Reaper Records.

When:  June 2014

Where:  Baltimore, MD

Why:   Trapped Under Ice, Turnstile, and Diamond Youth members try to reinvent the wheel by mixing all styles of punk rock together at the same time.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Angel Du$t - A.D. - React/Reaper

1.  A.D. -- **
2.  Smash You Up -- ***
3.  Let It Rot -- ****
4.  Beat My Brain -- ****
5.  Take My Love -- *****
6.  Squeeze -- ***
7.  A.D.D. -- ****
8.  Stepping Stone -- ***
9.  Poison -- ****
10.  Big One -- **
11.  Pacify Me -- ***
12.  Set Me Up -- ****


Radness Average:  3.417


Angel Du$t - A.D.


Verdict:  Pretty good for a scattershot effort by a band still trying to find its voice.

For fans of:  Down To Nothing, A Day To Remember, New Found Glory, Bouncing Souls

\m/

7 Seconds - Leave A Light On

Who:  7 Seconds

What:  Thirteenth full-length album, and first on Rise Records, from this long-running straightedge punk band.

When:  May 2014

Where:  Reno, NV

Why:   Unlike the lame-asses reuniting to cash in on the nostalgia wave, 7 Seconds never left!

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

7 Seconds - Leave A Light On - Rise Records

1.  Exceptional -- *****
2.  Upgrade Everything -- *****
3.  Slogan on a Shirt -- ****
4.  I Have Faith in You -- *****
5.  30 Years (and still going wrong)  -- *****
6.  Leave A Light On -- *****
7.  Empty Spots -- ***
8.  Your Hate Mentality -- ****
9.  My Aim Is You -- *****
10.  Rage Quit -- ****
11.  Heads Are Bound to Roll -- ***
12.  Standing By Yourself --  ****
13.  Someday, Some Way -- ****
14.  Simple or Absolute -- ****


Radness Average:  4.286


7 Seconds - Leave A Light On


Verdict:  The members of 7 Seconds prove that they've still got it while resisting the urge to morph into grumpy old men a la Bob Mould.

For fans of:  Youth Brigade, Social Distortion, Propaghandi, Husker Du, Minor Threat

\m/

'68 - In Humor and Sadness

Who:  '68

What:  Debut album released on eOne/Good Fight.

When:  July 2014

Where:  Atlanta, GA

Why:  Former mainman of The Chariot channels his inner White Stripes.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

'68 - In Humor and Sadness - eOne/Good Fight

1.  Track 1 R -- *****
2.  Track 2 E -- *****
3.  Track 3 G -- ****
4.  Track 4 R -- ***
5.  Track 5 E -- *****
6.  Track 6 T -- ***
7.  Track 7 N -- ***
8.  Track 8 O -- *****
9.  Track 9 T -- **
10.  Track 10 . -- *



Radness Average:  3.600


'68 - In Humor and Sadness


Verdict:  Solid debut gets crippled by unoriginal riffs and ideas.

For fans of:  The White Stripes, Jack White, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather

\m/