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Reviews
I thought I would write some new reviews to try to get this site rolling again.  The old review page was pretty full, so I made a new page for the new reviews.  Don't worry, the old ones are still around and you can find them here.  ~matt
Further Seems Forever - "The Moon is Down" (Tooth & Nail Records, 2001)
by Matt Chapman

As most people know, this is the band that Chris Carraba sang for before he left to start Dashboard Confessional.  He sang on Further Seems Forever's debut album before leaving, however, and it was a pretty anticipated release.  The first time I listened to "The Moon is Down," I didn't think it quite lived up to the hype (most albums don't).  Sure, it rocked, it was melodic, but it pretty much seemed like just a bland, run-of-the-mill "emo" record: a pleasant listen, but nothing too substantial.  The truth is, the album isn't all that catchy and doesn't really have too many "hooks" to draw you in.  Despite that (and this is where the review stops being negative), I really gave FSF a listen and discovered that this is one of those records that just grows on you, and sometimes those are the best ones.  "Hooks" are nice, but this is emocore, not NOFX.  Upon repeated listenings, the impassioned vocal stylings, intricate guitar work, and emotional lyrics start to cling to you like one of those undersized thrift store sweaters.  The album's greatest strength is its flow: each track seems to blend seamlessly into the next as harder tracks like "The Bradley" and "Madison Prep" give way to the softer sounds of tracks like "Snowbirds and Townies" and "New Year's Project;" it's the kind of album you listen to all the way through like it's one long song.  The ebb and flow of the ten songs on this disc keeps things interesting until the end, and Carraba's poetic words are well worth a glance at the lyric booklet.  This is an awesome CD if you give it a good listen, and the band is even more amazing live.  Further Seems Forever has a new singer now, but their live show hasn't lost a bit of its intensity.  Look for a show feature on FSF soon (that is, when I get around to writing it and scanning some pictures).
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (note: the vinyl version contains a cover of Weezer's "Say It Ain't So," so you might want to pick it up if you have a turntable)
Jimmy Eat World - "Bleed American" (Dreamworks Records, 2001)
by Matt Chapman

This CD is pretty much the opposite of "The Moon is Down."  That's not to say it's not as good, but this is one of those albums that
does draw you in from the beginning.  The production is a little slicker than most of the stuff we review here, but that's not really a problem in my opinion; this album has hooks-a-plenty (yeah, that sounded cheesy, I know).  I'm not going to sit here and call this album "emo" (what does that even mean anymore?) or "indie;" this is a POP album, through and through.  Nearly every song, with few exceptions, is catchy as all get-out and stays stuck in your head long after you've taken "Bleed American" out of your CD player.  The album starts off with a bang on the title track; this is about as aggressive as JEW gets on this release, but the rest of the album is just as catchy.  Davey Von Bohlen from The Promise Ring makes an appearance on "A Praise Chorus," which probably doesn't matter to anyone on this site but me.  "Sweetness" actually manages to make great song out of the (almost) overused melodic device "whoa-oh," while "Hear You Me" is absolutely flooring in its sparse beauty.  Other standout tracks include "The Middle," "If You Don't, Don't," and "The Authority Song."  All in all, this is a really good CD if you want some great pop music that's not that crap that MTV tries to pass off as "pop."
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Limp Wrist "What's up with the Kids" 7" (Paralogy Records)
by Mark

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!  These queers unlike most of the rest of their community no right where they stand.  This album is straight up in your face HARDCORE PUNK!  I bet a lot of you out there think you are Punk as Fuck!  Well your wrong!  One listen to this 7 and you'll realize that.  Lyrics like "Tv shows Abercrombie gays galore, showing to the straight world we ain't weird no more, Fuck all this pity me shit, Bring on the drag kings with their big fake dicks, I'll hang with hustlers leather boys and punks, I'm just not down with this normal world junk."  These guys sing about being PUNK, STRAIGHT EDGE, GAY, and HORNY.  So watch your ass!  If you like lots of screaming and yelling and are looking for new subject matter this is for you!

i give this 7"
4 out of 5 dicks in the ass!
Fear "Live for the Record" (Hall of Records)
by Mark

"OOOF!  I'm such a huge FEAR fan that I really want to like this album, but the truth is it isnt that great.  It was recorded back in the late 80's infront of nearly 200000 people for a radio station and it was recorded by someone in the crowd i think.  This really makes the quality sound like its going to be way bad but its actually pretty good.  The thing is that the cd is completely edited so you hear stuff like, "My House looks just like the zoo, its all full of dirt and puke" instead of "shit and puke."  All the classics are on this one from "I love livin in the city"   to "Let's Have a War."  I don't recommend this for a first Fear cd, but i guess its good for an avid fan who wants to complete a collection.

i give this one
2 1/2 out of 5 beers!
Dropkick Murphy's "Sing Loud, Sing Proud" (Hellcat Records)
by Mark

One word--WOW!  This cd is awesome.  DKM has grown alot over the years.  Lots of Irish Folk roots can be heard.  I remember way back when they sounded totally different.  This cd has the new Scottish lead singer (I don't remember if The Gangs all Here had him or not.)  This cd has something for everyone.  From the Patriotic sounds of "A Few Good Men," to the Irish Folk sound of "Rocky Road to Dublin," to the drunkeness of "Good Rats," to the Chants of "For Boston,"to the I want to go out and kick some ass and need an anthemness of "The Gauntlet," This album could be the greatest ever.  No matter if you are punk or skin, this is a must have.

5 of 5
Drunken Leprachauns (I couldn't think of anything else!)
No Use For a Name "Live in a Dive" (Fat Wreckchords 2001)
by Mark

I'm kinda getting away from the whole pop punk thing but still i decided to try this one and boy I'm glad i did!  This is one of the best recorded live performances I've ever had the opportunity to hear.  NUFAN tears it up with all the classics:  "Justified Blackeye," "Invincible," "On the Outside," "Feed the Fire," and of course their famous cover of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song."  Oh yea, and just in case your wondering, the chick from DHC is there to sing back up vocals on "On the Outside."  Overall the cd is great, and it's a must have for every NUFAN fan.

4 out of 5 stars (I'm not even gonna try to come up with a substitute for stars!)
Starflyer 59 "Leave Here a Stranger" 2001 tooth&nail
by ric

Buy this album bitch!!! You won't be sorry.  The best

5 out of 5 of the best thing ever.