SAM They sound like all your favourite punk/hardcore/(can't...bear...to....say...it) emo bands rolled into one, and still manage to produce a sound that is all their own. Breathing life into the all-to-often stagnated punk scene. There really is something for everyone.

Who's into any of the aforementioned genres, and even if you're not, this album will convince you otherwise. The unique interlocking vocals, contrasting Adam Lazzara and John Nolan's excellent vocals, awesome riffs and powerful lyrics and choruses make this a superb album. Ghostly female backing vocals ('Ghost Man On Third') and piano ('The Blue Channel') are also used to great effect, adding variety to an already quite unique sound. At only 10 tracks and little over 30 minutes it is a little on the short side, but this is a great album from start to finish. From the brooding 'Ghost Man On Third', to the get-up-and-go of 'Timberwolves At New Jersey' this is an excellent album which every fan of great guitar music should have.

²Turn It Up Track: 'Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team)'
²Turn It Off Track: 'Head Club'

Album rating: 9.5/10 «««««««««½

DAZZA This emo band from New York are favourites of mine and Sam. Sam is obsessed and practically knows the history of this band :-) but seriously this band rocks. Songs like 'Cute Without The ‘E’ (Cut From The Team)', 'Ghostman On Third' and 'There’s No ‘I’ In Team' are classic rocking emo tunes.

Which hold the whole album together. Taking Back Sunday are THE best emo band around without a doubt!! And the lead singers voice (Adam Lazzara) is truly amazing and perfect for a perfect emo band. Once again, go out and buy this album cos it rocks.

²Turn It Up Track: 'Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team)'
²Turn It Off Track: 'Bike Scene'

Album rating: 8/10 ««««««««

HUMMY Another debut, this time from ‘Victory Records’ Taking Back Sunday. Another album with strong ties to another rocking band, Thursday, this isn’t unusual considering it was produced by none other than Sal Villanueva of Thursday fame. I like to think of their sound as organised mess.

The duo-vocals are devastating striking and something that really sets them apart from their contemporaries, lyrically things remain simple, but nonetheless pack a punch, its brutal, ferocious and furious, especially when both vocalists bounce lines off one another, there’s something about such a thing, which really gets the heart pumping, they’re the sort of band, that makes you want to start you’re very own band. The album is consistent, while centring on the break up of a relationship, retain individual themes through out.

²Turn It Up Track: 'Great Romances Of The 20th Century'
²Turn It Off Track: 'Blue Channel'

Album rating: 9/10 «««««««««