This is one of the better bands I have heard in a while. They are obviously influenced by punk and emo music, but this album stands out amongst what I consider "new rock." The first half is incredible and more towards an alternative sound than anything else. Unfortunately after the first six songs this catchy music disappears in exchange for a more emo driven sound. It is a decent album; especially the first half and I recommend it for anyone that likes alt rock with a touch of emo.

A18-Forever After Nothing -Victory Records

Typical hardcore that we have come to expect from Victory. Nothing ground breaking here; just a lot of screaming into the microphone with authority and the music being played heavy and fast. If you dig Strife and bands of that nature then you will like this album. A18 makes that Victory logo on the back of their CD proud with this release.

ACCEPTANCE -Black Lines to Battlefields - Militia Group

This is an excellent release faturing 5 studio tracks, 2 live tracks, and a ton of CD-ROM footage. I couldn't help but think of The Early November while I listened to this, but don't take that the wrong way. These guys are a bit harder hitting, however the vocals are very comparable. This is a vry good follow-up to their debut release and a good pickup for Militia Group. This is an excellent album worth adding to any collection featuring Early November and Armor For Sleep.

ALKALINE TRIO-Good Mourning - Vagrant

What can you say about this band that hasn't already been said. Just when you didn't think they could get any better, Good Mouring hits the shelves. From it's opening track to closing track I was in a trance. I couldn't believe they were able to blow "From Here To Infirmiry" out of the water, but they did. Words will do this albumno real justice so do yourself a favor and stop reading this review and get down to the local record shop to buy this album. Simply Amazing!

ALL AMERICAN REJECTS - Self Titled-Doghouse Records

It is unreal to see a band this good go unnoticed for so long. The little label out of Ohio has found some great bands and the Rejects are no exception. The MTV hit "Swing Swing" shows nothing of what this band is made of. In today's lingo I guess this is emo, but it sounds like indie rock to me. No screaming anywhere on this album, no heavy bullshit, just all around good music. Thumbs up for taking notice of this band. A must have for any fans of new rock.

ALLISTER-Last Stop Suburbia-Drive Thru Records

The four dorky kids from Chicago deliver on their sophomore release. A much more mature sound with the emphasis on pop punk similar to that of Green Day and Screeching Weasel can be heard through-out this album. The lineup has changed a bit since the first record, but the only changes to the music have been positive. This is by far the best release by Drive Thru this year!

ANBERLIN -Blueprints For The Blackmarket - Tooth and Nail

It seems like all of the good bands on Tooth and Nail end up leaving the label but never getting replaced (see MXPX/Slick Shoes). Well finally Tooth and Nail has delivered in the form of Anberlin. I guess this would be thrown into the emo category for those keeping track, but this has some edge to it. It is not typical whiny, drawn out, emo. It keeps your foot tapping throughout and is very tolerable and very good. There is no screaming in the vocals, just smooth both lead and backing. This is a good album to add to anyone's collection.

ARMOR FOR SLEEP - Dream To Make Believe - Equal Vision

It's about time that something like this comes along. I really wanted to like the band Thursday, but the screaming just killed it for me. Armor for Sleep has me pumped. Their debut album brings the sound of Thursday minus the screamo crap. From the first track (instrumental) through to the last track, this is a solid release. I remember seeing these guys on the 2002 Plea for Peace tour and thinking wow these guys are really good. Who the hell are they? They are ARMOR FOR SLEEP and they have arrived.

AUDIO KARATE-Space Camp-Kung Fu

Found by the Atari’s, signed by Kung Fu, and produced by Trevor Keith of Face to Face; not a bad track record and this album delivers. Some may call them emo, but with the rougher sounding vocals they are just punk rock to me. The vocals help separate them from just being lumped into that New Found Glory category, but it is along the lines of them musically. Thumbs up to a good album and I look forward to the sophomore effort.

COUNT THE STARS - Never Be Taken Alive- Victory Records

This is everything you can want in a pop punk band. Obviously drawing influence from the likes of Green Day and Blink 182 can never hurt if you can pull it off, and these guys do. No words I write will actually do this album it's justice. If Victory decides to promote this band the correct way, Count The Stars can be the next big thing for them. Very good album, very good band, very good all around. I am anxious to see which direction Victory takes these guys.

CRUMBS - Self Titled- - Recess Records

Tis legendary punk/rockabilly band doesn't really do it for me on this album. The vocals are buried so far deep in the mix that at most points they can hardly be heard. The music is played in the vein of Social Distortion, but is so underproduced that only the drums can be heard clearly. Overall I was excited about this release, only to be let down when i finally heard it.

DANDY WARHOLS- Welcome To The Monkey House- - Capital Records

This album really didn’t do anything much for me. I will give the Dandy Warhols credit for being different today by doing the whole Lou Reed/ Velvet Underground type thing, but this seems way overproduced. Maybe I am just used to the stripped down sound of punk, but this album has too many effects on everything and the songs seem to drag on. There is nothing really catchy about this that makes me want to tap my foot.

DARKEST HOUR - Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation- - Victory Records

Listening to his album felt like it was probably the longest hour of my life. More screaming ala Pantera style death metal from Victory. There is nothing different here from any of the 10000 other bands that do this style that made the Darkest Hour stand out. If intense hardcore is your thing then go fir it. I just really can't understand why people even like this garbage.

DIGGER-Keystone-Hopeless

The distant cousins of New Found Glory have arrived in the form of Digger. These guys have been around for some time now and have come full circle to create what I believe is their best album to date. An extra nod to these guys for sticking with Hopeless Records rather the going to the greener pastures known as a major label.

DOUBLE S- Between Yesterday and Today-Broken Line Records

To say these guys sound like a younger version of the Movielife would be kind of gay since the guy who gave me the CD was wearing a Movielife shirt, but call me gay. These guys sound like a young version of the Movielife. The vocals could use a bit of work at certain points of the CD, but for the most part they are good. This is an excellent CD by an excellent band with a ton of potential to blow up in the scene. This is the band to look out for now before they get huge.

E TOWN CONCRETE - The Renaissance-Razor and Tie

Obviously influenced by rap, metal, and hardcore punk, this New Jersey quartet delivers a good effort, but nothing outstanding here. It kinda feels like rap/metal but really isn't. That is just the problem I have with this band. I am not too sure which direction the band is going here. If you are looking for something new and a little different but yet still similar to the trends of today, than this is for you.

EARLY NOVEMBER-For All of This-Drive Thru Records

Drive Thru has finally released something towards today's style of music (emo) that I can dig. This album is more or less similar to many other bands as is today's standard, however something about them stands out. The only thing I really don't like is the extra cd-rom video. Who cares if the guy can play his songs acoustic when they sound better with electric anyways?

EVERYOTHERS-- Self-Titled-- Hautlab

You can bet when I saw the Ziggy Stardust meets the Strokes sticker on this CD, I creamed myself, and believe you me this sounds just like those two bands. I am personally tired of all this garage rock garbage, but hey at least they add a touch of glam to it. I guess if this was the late 70’s and I cared about Gary Glitter I would like this band, but it’s 2003 and I think Gary Glitter sux.