band, album: Damn the Empire, With Trends Like These....
label: Pee
for fans of: Down By Law, H2O, Down To Nothing

cd review: Heart and humor can really make an album stand out. I'm totally sick of the generic metalcore rat race. I remember a time when bands like Suicidal Tendencies and Black Flag could be hardcore, angry about how bad things suck and still have fun. I miss those days. Read more ....

band, album: December Peals, People Have Demons
label: Chorus of One
for fans of: Krum Bums, the Casualties, Black Flag

cd review: It's important to broaden your perspective and experience Music from other scenes. I especially like hearing music from other parts of the world. December Peals is a German hard rock band. People Have Demons is the new album and it's an intense ride. Read more ....

band, album: the Love Kills Theory, Happy Suicide Jim
label: Xemu
for fans of: the Velvet Underground, Beck

cd review: People called the Velvet Underground cynics and the Dead Milkmen pessimists. They called Beck a satirist. All the good labels have been used up, so what do you call the Love Kills Theory? Read more ....

band, album: Mister Neutron, Nor'easter
label: Deep Eddy
for fans of: surf instrumentals, Dick Dale, the Ventures

cd review: This is the album that really makes you appreciate instrumental surf. The musicianship really is out of this world. The guitar picking is so crisp and clean you'd think it was built on a CAD machine. I often look for a hint of rawness in surf music as it emulates the whole 60's experience of tube amps and antiquated equipment. Read more ....

band, album: Tubers, Anachronous
label: No Idea
for fans of: Fugazi, Rite of Spring, History Invades

cd review: An album that is stripped to the bone and full of noise, it's like 13 Songs all over again. Sometimes I feel like I compare everything to Fugazi, but they're an awesome band whose impact on modern music is immeasurable. I think Tubers could be equally awesome if they keep it up - Read more ....

band, album: Doug and Telisha Williams, Ghost of the Knoxville Girl
label: No Evil
for fans of: American roots music, Patsy Cline, Justin Townes Earle

cd review: This CD has got my 2010 off to a great start. Doug and Telisha Williams play American roots music that relies on tradition without ignoring modernity. Accompaniments such as slide guitar and upright bass combine nicely with the timbre of Telisha's warm voice. Read more ....