Staff Picks

Black Sharpie Review Guy

Album Artist	Review
A Healthy Distrust Sage Francis	The first Hip Hop album released on Epitaph, and currently one of my favorite records of the year. Just a fantastic album that I can not stop listening to.
Early Scritti Politti	Collecting the early work of this late 70's Welch Post-Punk/ early 80's New Wave band. In the span of one CD you can see the bands sound evolve. I'm more partial to the Post-Punk earlier on the disc myself, and the sound quality is unique as it was cut from the actual vinyl. The plethora of Post-Punk revivalists owe something to Scritti Politti, if they realize it or not.
World Psychadelic Classics 3: Love's a Real Thing Various	David Byrne's world music label collects an array of early 70's West African Psychadelic music. The blending of Western influences like James Brown, Hendrix and the Beach Boys with African traditional music works well. Some of the best songs come in over 6 minutes but are well worth it.
The Best Little Secrets Are Kept Louis XIV	I'm going to recommend this before the hit single ("Finding out True Love is Blind") makes the Clear Channel summer playlist and gets played to death. Sexually charged Garage/Glam rock that reminds me of The Hold Steady or the major label Mooney Suzuki album. Pitchfork gave it a horrible review that seemed more like a creative writing assignment than a review but I digress. This doesn't claim to be high art, it is just a fun smarmy record.
13 Six Feet Under	This could be the worst band you have ever heard. Sludgey Death Metal that is so completely mind numbingly beyond good that I can't stop laughing when I hear it. Lots of songs about death and maybe politics...I can't really make out half of what Chris Barnes is saying with his gutteral bark. Fans of Celtic Frost or Barnes' former band Cannibal Corpse might think this is actually good, I just find it funny bad, but highly recommended in small doses.

Greg Rice - Loud Rock

Album Artist	Review
Jesu Jesu	Justin Broadrick of Godflesh fame returns with his new album producing heavy sedated sludge in the vein of My Bloody Valentine with dense instrumentation.
Head for the Shallow Big Business	The bastard child of drug-induced sex between Black Sabbath and Lightning Bolt. Defiant drum and bass without the castrato vocals and hand clapping.
The Design Into the Moat	In a genre plagued by formulaic hardcore breakdowns and singing-screaming repetition, this five-piece Florida band has successfully defined their own sound in tech metal. Expect pit-clearing instrumentals intermixed with dissonant guitar textures, brutal bass riffs, and intricate complexity.
Fall of Rome Winter Solstice	Few new melodic swedish influenced death metal bands today still pack talent. Despite the generic dual guitar harmonies and tremolo picking runs, Winter Solstice lays down a churning attack of metal promising great potential.

Neal's New-ish Picks

Album Artist	Review
Akron/Family Akron/Family	You're walking through the woods in the pacific northwest, and you stumble upon some dudes playing music.. They see you and disappear.. All you are left with is this CD... This is one of my favorite releases from 2005 thus far...
The Evens The Evens	Ian MacKaye's range constantly amazes me... Minor Threat, Fugazi, Dischord Records.. Some of the most crucial things from the past two decades.. College radio owes him a major debt.. So play this record its rock solid! Flex your head!
RaydonCong Mahjohngg	Its just a solid dance album.. They are from Chicago.. Support the MidWest bitches..
Arular M.I.A.	I am proud of you DJs not buying into the hype around this album.. Or at least that's how I explain the fact that it isn't getting the expected play... Seriously though, it's a solid album that you kids who like to dance should be playing..
Feathers Dead Meadow	This album is pretty heavy.. But its OK to play it on your indie show, its on matador!!!! You shoegazer kids should all be spinning this.. Its black Sabbath meets my bloody valentine.

Miscellaneous Mentions

• World Psychadelic Classics 3: Love's A Real Thing
• William Eliott Whitmore - Ashes to Dust
• Big Business - Head For the Shallow

Rebekkah Nelson

Album Artist	Review
House Down the Block Kenny and Amanda Smith Band	Old-fashioned bluegrass, with harmony to rival the sounds of the mandolin and banjos. If you like ameriana folk and enjoy sitting outside on your porch with lemonade, tapping your feet, this album is for you!
Lonesome and Blue: The Complete Country Recordings Red Allen	A complition of songs from the 1960s recordings of bluegrass legend Red Allen. Including some of his best work--"My Baby's Gone", "Whose Shoulder Will You Cry On" and "Love Gone Cold" among others.
Hard-Headed Woman: A Celebration of Wanda Jackson	This tribute to the Maverick Queen of Rockabilly includes Neko Case, Robbie Fulks, Wayne Hancock, Bottle Rockets, Kelly Hogan, and more!
Jubilee Shurman	A new album by an old favorite, Shurman will appeal to anyone who wants to more rockin' feel to their country. This is country with soul.

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