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




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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

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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

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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




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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




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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

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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

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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

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Aborted - The Necrotic Manifesto

Who:  Aborted

What:  Eighth studio album of Belgian slam/gore/death metal on Century Media.

When:  April 2014

Where:  Waregem, BEL

Why:   This band is the middle ground between Carcass and The Acacia Strain.

[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.]

Aborted - The Necrotic Manifesto - Century Media

1.  Six Feet of Foreplay -- ****
2.  The Extripation Agenda -- *****
3.  The Necrotic Manifesto -- *****
4.  An Enumeration of Cadavers -- *****
5.  Your Entitlement Means Nothing -- *****
6.  The Davidian Deceit -- ****
7.  Coffin Upon Coffin -- *****
8.  Chronicles of Detruncation -- *****
9.  Sade & Eibertine Lunacy -- *****
10.  Die Verzweiflung -- *****
11.  Excremental Veracity -- *****
12.  Purity of Perversion -- *****
13.  Of Dead Skin & Decay -- *****
14.  Cenobites -- ****


Radness Average:  4.786


Aborted - The Necrotic Manifesto


Verdict:  More of that Western European mosh/slam/death that you know and love. Beavis & Butthead approved!

For fans of:  Carcass, The Acacia Strain, Devourment, Impaled, Dying Fetus




\m/

The Abandoned Hearts Club - Rarities

Who:  The Abandoned Hearts Club

What:  Collection CD of stray compilation tracks. Released on Robotic Empire.

When:  October 2009

Where:  Toronto, ON

Why:   Obscure recordings from a criminally underrated band. Contains the band's best song, "Experimenting With Maturity."

[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 Abandoned Hearts Club - Rarities - Robotic Empire

1.  Metropolitan Sentences -- ****
2.  The Enthusiast -- *****
3.  Theme Song From The Film Noir Volatility Perversion -- *****
4.  Experimenting With Maturity -- *****


Radness Average:  4.750


The Abandoned Hearts Club - Rarities


Verdict:  Never got to finish the fabled first LP. What could have been...

For fans of:  The Dillinger Escape Plan, Botch, Death From Above 1979, Deadguy, Rorschach

\m/

Terror - One With The Underdogs

Who:  Terror

What:  Second studio album released on Trustkill Records.

When:  July 2004

Where:  Los Angeles, CA

Why:   The record that launched these ex-Buried Alive and ex-Carry On members into the big time.

Back When:  I previously wrote about One With The Underdogs back in April 2009 when the album was a new release. Click here to read the original review.

[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.]

Terror - One With The Underdogs - Trustkill Records

1.  One with the Underdogs -- *****
2.  Keep Your Mouth Shut -- *****
3.  Less Than Zero -- ****
4.  Are We Alive -- *****
5.  Overcome -- *****
6.  Spit My Rage - *****
7.  No One Cares -- ****
8.  Not This Time -- *****
9.  Crushed -- ****
10.  Out of my Face -- *****
11.  All I've Got -- ****
12.  Find My Way -- *****
13.  Enemies in Sight -- *****


Radness Average:  4.692


Terror - One With The Underdogs


Verdict:  I hesitate to use the word "legendary" but this highly-regarded album has aged very well.

For fans of:  Hatebreed, Donnybrook, Grimlock, Ten Yard Fight, Ringworm




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Truckfighters - Universe

Who:  Truckfighters

What:  Fourth studio album released on Fuzzorama Records.

When:  January 2014

Where:  Orebro, SWE

Why:   Swedish stoner/fuzz band sets its sights on North America.

[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.]

Truckfighters - Universe - Fuzzorama Records

1.  Mind Control -- *****
2.  The Chairman -- *****
3.  Convention -- ***
4.  Get Lifted -- ***
5.  Prophet -- ****
6.  Dream Sale -- ****
7. Mastodont -- ****


Radness Average:  4.000


Truckfighters - Universe


Verdict:  Solid and well-received album is not the international breakthrough hoped for by the band.

For fans of:  The Sword, ASG, Fight Amp, American Sharks, Clutch

\m/

Various Artists - Victory Spring Rock Sampler 2014

Who:  Most of the Victory Records lineup.

What:  A compilation CD containing the latest singles from all of these bands.

When:  April 2014

Where:  The label is based out of Chicago, IL.

Why:   I've loved this compilation series since it was originally called Victory Style. That said, not all of these songs are winners.

[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.]

Various Artists - Victory Spring Rock Sampler 2014 - Victory Records

1.  Emmure (Queens, NY) - "Nemesis" -- ****
2.  Comeback Kid (Winnipeg, MB) - "Should Know Better" -- ****
3.  The Bunny The Bear (Buffalo, NY) - "Pale Green Eyes" -- *
4.  Reverend Horton Heat (Dallas, TX) - "Let Me Teach You How To Eat" -- *****
5.  Close Your Eyes (Abilene, TX) - "The End" -- *
6.  Seeker (Dallas, TX) - "When Hope Fails" -- ***
7.  Neurotic November (Miami, FL) - "Nonchalant" -- **
8.  Erimha (Montreal, QC) - "Condemned to Desolation" -- ****
9.  Tear Out the Heart (St. Louis, MO) - "Dead by Dawn" -- **
10.  Islander (Geenville, SC) - "New Colors" -- **
11.  Terror (Los Angeles, CA) - "Hard Lessons" -- *****
12.  Counterparts (Hamilton, ON) - "Compass" -- **
13.  Darkness Divided (San Antonio, TX) - "Remnants" -- **
14.  Ill Nino (Newark, NJ) - "La Epidemia" -- ****
15.  Sister Sin (Gothenburg, SWE) - "Fight Song" -- *
16.  Wretched (Charlotte, NC) - "Karma Accomplished" -- ****
17.  A Day To Remember (Ocala, FL) - "The Downfall of Us All" -- ***


Radness Average:  2.882


Various Artists - Victory Spring Rock Sampler 2014


Verdict:  The same old Victory as always. Half of this is miserable crap. The other half will blow your mind.

For fans of:  Any of the bands on this compilation.

\m/

The Abandoned Hearts Club - Live on CIUT 89.5 FM

Who:  The Abandoned Hearts Club

What:  Short set recorded live at the University of Toronto's CIUT 89.5 FM. Self-released by the band.

When:  2002

Where:  Toronto, ON

Why:   This CD-R was limited to 20 copies and given away by the band in the Toronto area. You have a genuine collectible if you own a physical copy of this.

[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 Abandoned Hearts Club - Live on CIUT 89.5 FM - self-released

1.  Theme Song from the Film Noir Volatility Perversion -- *****
2.  The Abstraction of Form and Function -- *****



Radness Average:  5.000


The Abandoned Hearts Club - Live on CIUT 89.5 FM


Verdict:  Unfortunately, this is a glorified single. Only EP length recordings or longer are eligible for the No Funeral Perfect Album Award.

For fans of:  The Dillinger Escape Plan, Between the Buried and Me, Death From Above 1979, Deadguy, Rorschach

\m/