By Dan Fitzpatrick, September 2008
Waver of the Verificationist, School Glue Records
Waver of the Verificationist, the debut album from ex-Pet Monument guitarist Jon Waller’s solo project, Starmaker, picks up where PM left off two years ago, creating a beautiful and engaging tableau of fuzzy indie-rock splendor.
By Allison Candreva, September 2008
Wonderful!, Eleven:11 Entertainment
If you like The Fray and Snow Patrol, you’ll like Jacob Jeffries Band. Wonderful!, the second of three EPs released over six months, is inundated with catchy lyrics and piano lead-ins.
By Jake Crown, September 2008
The Second Gleam, Ramseur Records
The Avett Brothers know how to write songs that are honest and true, and their new album The Second Gleam might be their best example.
By Travis Fristoe, September 2008
Nouns, Sub-Pop Records
I used to get too self-conscious thinking about music too long and unapologetically. No Age understands, and these songs stand as irrefutable testimony to keep playing, keep listening and maybe even enjoy some things in life.
By Fred Sowder, September 2008
Yellow and Elephant, Fearless Records
The accompanying press release with this disc describes this band’s musical style as “cinematic rock.” From the tempo and vocals of the opening track, “I Knew You’d Never Fly,” I’d be more pressed to call them “extreme emo.”
By Sarah Wears-Garcia, September 2008
Portuguese Prince, Sorin Records
If, on your debut album there is a song called “Make it Stop,” you would be wise to make your music eminently listenable. Which Goldcure wisely does.
By Jake Crown, September 2008
From the Bottom, No Idea
This might be the best punk record of 2008. Every single song is a sing-along, fist in the air, basement punk song.
By Matt Walker, August 2008
Empty Rooms, Hawthorne Street Records
It’s difficult to classify the music on Suicide Note’s third full-length, which is a good thing. The band’s roots lie in the screaming, metal-driven hardcore of the late ‘90s, but they have constantly challenged that genre and have ultimately surpassed its boundaries.
By Fred Sowder, August 2008
Comeback Cadillac, Esperanza Plantation
For a young band hailing from Jackson, Miss., The Weeks have certainly attained a wealth of great rock influences.
By Fred Sowder, August 2008
Small-Time Answering Machine Mixtape, Self-released
As a post-release free treat to his fans, CWL mastermind Jason Drake has released a 32-minute treatise of electronica-meets-folk rock.
