My Chemical Romance and The Black Parade - Australia & New Zealand 2007
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:::::: MARCH 10th, 2008 ::::::
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Out Now
VARIOUS - TRIPLE J'S HOTTEST 100 VOLUME 15 [ABC]
That time of the year again where a selection of tracks from the big countdown are crammed onto two discs and put out there in celebration of the massive event that attracts over 700,000 votes. One of those discs that you pretty much know what to expect when you purchase, so a review is hardly going to change your mind on whether you pick it up or not. There isn't really any surprise packets awaiting you on here, you've probably heard all the songs multiple times. There are though quite a few moments where you must wonder about the tastes of the people voting, each to their own taste wise I guess, out of 43 tracks I could probably count the tracks that appealed to me on both my hands. The positive thing is that there are lots of Aussie bands tracks which is always good to see. So, if the BDO is the highlight of your year and your ears are glued to Triple J outside their specialist programs, then chances are this one will be up your alley.
[WEBSITE] - Available Through Warner -
Buy Online from Play4me.com.au [$30.68]
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~~ FIRST LOOK ~~

Out This Weekend
THE MATCHES - A BAND IN HOPE [EPITAPH]
The Matches truly are an interesting band, they pump out albums in double time, and sound totally different each time, this one is no exception. I've given it quite a few spins and still cannot decide if it's genius or annoying. It certainly won't be an album for everyone's taste, I think you'll need to be very patient, and willing to put in the hard yards. Opening track 'AM Tilts' sounds like something you'd expect from a 90's UK pop act, then ends in a flurry of guitars. It's odd, yet compelling at the same time. 'Wake The Sun' is pure pop through and through with a big upbeat chorus that glows, it's just hard to digest who this kind of song is coming from. There are moments where you just ask yourself what is happening, then there are moments where you wouldn't at all be surprised if it catches on and becomes massive. It's going to take me a few more listens before i'm totally convinced i think, but it's safe to say this will go down as their best work yet.
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Out Now
SAOSIN - COME CLOSE [VIRGIN]
There is two sides to Saosin that have become pretty clear over the last year. There is the studio side, where everything sounds perfect, well produced and got them to the point where they were hyped as the next big thing. On the other side is Saosin live, which can be unpredictable, maybe Australia has been unlucky, but we've yet to see them live up to that 'next big thing' tag in that setting. So their latest offering is billed in the bio as "Saosin at their peak", interesting, makes it sound like someone doesn't hold much hope for their future. You get a cd and dvd of this live show from November 2007, the DVD is the full set, while the CD is just a selection. They've pulled out all the stops to entertain, and give a pretty solid package, it's definitely one of their "on nights". Highlights include 'Voices' and 'You're Not Alone' from their s/t album. As a bonus on the cd they've added an acoustic track, and a couple of piano based versions of their songs. Nothing amazing, but a nice addition nonetheless. Let's hope next time they come out here, we catch them when they are "on". Good value for the fans.
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Out Now
VARIOUS - SUBURBAN MOVEMENT [FAULTLINE]
One for those who like their metal and are looking for something new. A bunch of Aussie unsigned metal bands make up this 18 track compilation. All the heavy styles are represented from hardcore and rock to the extreme. A little something for everyone. I'm not the biggest of metal fans, but this one did offer some material that appealed to my ears, mostly those who had some kind of understandable vocals, once you go all cookie monster on me i'm lost, so bands like Tenth Dan, Mindset, Sirkus, This Future Chaos and Burns Unit were the highlights. If you do dig it loud then this is the perfect way to discover someone new. Good to see people still giving unsigned acts a chance to be heard.
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Out Now
VARIOUS - SOUNDWAVE 2008 [SHOCK]
Want a reminder of your day at the festival? Then this double cd is for you. The majority of acts who performed at the festival are included across the two discs. Even if you didn't go along the compilation serves up a mixed bag of sounds, some of which are bound to appeal to you, and you might just be surprised by a few others and find yourself some new bands to investigate and get into. From pop-punk to acoustic, punk rock to metal it's all here, big names to smaller names. Worth a look.
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THE BEER SCALE
Beer is good, this though, was not.
Like a match with no head, didn't spark a flame.
Not bad, give it a go, might appeal to you.
Solid effort, worthy of a spot in your collection.
The beer can wait, go buy this now!
  Don't just take our word for it, our thoughts aren't the be all and end all and are just that, our thoughts, go check out these new releases for yourself and make up your own mind!
UPCOMING RELEASES
MARCH
10 - Angela's Dish - War On Time [Pre-Order]
10 - In The Face Of War - We Make Our Own Luck
10 - Gyroscope - Breed Obsession [Pre-Order]
10 - Various - Triple J Hottest 100 Volume 15 [Pre-Order]
10 - Various - Crusty Demons Unleash Hell '08 [Pre-Order]
10 - Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon [Pre-Order]
10 - Moneen - DVD
10 - Presidents Of The USA - These Are Good Times People
10 - Her Nightmare - Come Anarchy, Come Ruin [Order]
10 - Less Than Jake - Losers, Kings.. [Re-Issue]
10 - Less Than Jake - Pezcore [Re-Issue]
10 - Less Than Jake - Goodbye Blue & White [Re-Issue]
10 - Less Than Jake - Peoples History Of [DVD Re-Issue]
10 - Jeff Buckley - Live From The Road [CD/DVD] [Pre-Order]
10 - Mike Patton - A Perfect Place [CD/DVD] [Pre-Order]
15 - The Matches - A Band In Hope
15 - Skindred - Roots Rock Riot [Pre-Order]
17 - DeVotchKa - A Mad & Faithful Telling
10 - As Tall As Lions - As Tall As Lions [Pre-Order]
22 - Millencolin - Machine 15
22 - Even - Even [Pre-Order]
24 - New Found Glory - Hits [Pre-Order]
24 - MUSE - Live From Wembley Stadium [Pre-Order]
24 - Shihad - Beautiful Machine
28 - R.E.M - Accelerate
29 - Pennywise - Reason To Believe
29 - Panic At The Disco - Pretty.Odd [Pre-Order]
29 - Bulldog Spirit - Ain't No Angel [Pre-Order]
29 - Meatlocker - Meatlocker [Pre-Order]
31 - Anti-Flag - The Bright Lights Of America [Pre-Order]
31 - No Use For A Name - The Feel Good Record Of The Year
31 - The Black Keys - Attack & Release
31 - Trial Kennedy - Neighbours [Pre-Order]
APRIL
7 - Bad Religion - New Maps Of Hell [Deluxe Edition]
7 - The Breeders - Mountain Battles
11 - COG - Sharing Space
19 - Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
21 - Story Of The Year - The Black Swan

Details are correct to the best of our knowledge at time of publishing, some titles might hit shelves 2-3 days before the published release date, if you have a date to submit or correct, email us!
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QUICKIES
SERJ TANKIAN - SKY IS OVER
It's hard to adjust to these unique vocals we've associated with the heavier sounds of System Of A Down all these years, now in a more solo setting. While hard rock is still the basis of the sound and that quirkiness is there, it's still a fair way from System. Probably the goal, not bad, just takes a little getting used to.
[WEBSITE] [MYSPACE]
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YOUNG KNIVES - TERRA FIRMA
Disco rock I guess is the best way to describe the sounds of this UK outfit, if strong British accents irk you as they do me, then this one might not sit well with you. Musically it's not half bad, everything is a little repetitive but that's half it's charm. Not sure if i could stomach a whole album of it, but on it's own it's ok.
[WEBSITE]
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:::::: TRACK BY TRACK ::::::

TRACKLISTING
1. Machine 15
2. Done Is Done
3. Detox
4. Vicious Circle
5. Broken World
6. Come On
7. Centerpiece
8. Who's Laughing Now
9. Brand New Game
10. Ducks & Drakes
11. Turnkey Paradise
12. Route One
13. Danger For Stranger
14. Saved By Hell
15. End Piece



INSTORES MARCH 22ND
BURNING HEART | SHOCK

THE VERDICT
If you have followed the last few albums, you'll know that progression is a big thing for MC, true to form they've progressed to a whole new level. I reckon even those clinging for another 'Life On A Plate' style album will appreciate how far they have come since then and lap this album up. It truly is some of their best work to date.

"Machine 15" opens things up nicely, an energetic power-pop / rock track with some bite. It's catchy, memorable and really is a taste of what is to come from the guys on this album, if you like this song, then get comfy because you will enjoy the rest.

"Done Is Done" follows on as if the song hasn't even changed, perfect flow, then comes the string section. Something you wouldn't have expected from a band like Millencolin, but it works really well, a great balance of power and pop goodness in this track. The opening vocal lines had me thinking it was 1997 again, and John Feldmann was lending his lungs. He's not though, and this is one of the stronger tracks on offer. A great build up to a big ending. Great use of string section too, adds that extra layer.

"Detox" is bound to be a live favourite, you can just picture a sea of punters finding that extra bounce as the opening chords of this one ring out. It has it all, singalongs, energy, and a chorus any band would love to have in their arsenal. No surprises that it's the first single, it might take a few listens for you to adjust and remind yourself it's Millencolin, but after those few listens, you'll be shouting along.

"Vicious Circle" takes us back a notch to a more mellow rock song, still catchy, and still very appealing, just a little less upbeat, one that really grows on you, something different, and it works.

"Broken World" is all about the chorus, this one pops out of nowhere, and when it does, shines. It brings everything up a notch and makes it one of the tracks that you remember instantly. You will be singing along by the second time it rolls around... and the third..

"Come On" is pure pop, this is going to be one of the tracks that you either love instantly, or will need a while to get around. I'm a sucker for a good dose of power-pop, so i'm sitting on the love side of the fence, but I can see some people probably asking "what's going on here".

"Centerpiece" is just a few seconds intro for the next track.

"Who's Laughing Now" picks up the pace again and offers a little more grunt than the previous few tracks. Another solid track, not the best on offer, but not just plain filler either, easy to nod along to.

"Brand New Game" flows nicely in tune with the general vibe of the album, a well structured song that has plenty to offer. While it won't be a single, it'll be up there as a fave for many.

"Ducks & Drakes" is probably the closest you'll get to filler on the album, a simple, mid-paced track that doesn't really have that "build up" when it comes to the chorus. Not awful, just not as good as the rest.

"Turnkey Paradise" has that nice power-pop glow about it, just how the sound should be, non-cheesy, just overall catchy and easy to digest, nod along to, tap your feet, and after a few listens, sing along with.

"Route One" is one of my favourite's on the album, it doesn't instantly stand out, but is very solid nonetheless, flows really well and has the right amount of grunt to it. A great chorus and a song where the drumming stands out a little more than other tracks. I dig.

"Danger For Stranger" follows on well before finding it's own ground, based around a solid rock beat, this one sounds like it'll be a nice one in the live setting, plenty of energy, lo's of backing vocals and plenty of opportunity to get a crowd worked up. Another highlight.

"Saved By Hell" is the song that tells you the end is near, the pace is slowed down, the string section is back and things begin to really wind down, we've been through a range of sounds over the album and this song combines most of them together into one piece, a fitting way to end a very solid album.

"End Piece" closes everything up, just a bunch of noise fading away.

:::::: PREVIOUS 2008 LOWDOWNS ::::::
[Monday March 10th] - Millencolin, Triple J's Hottest 100, The Matches, Saosin, Suburban Movement, Soundwave, Serj Tankian, Young Knives.
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[Monday March 3rd] - Gyroscope, Smashing Pumpkins, Paint It Black, Murder By Death, A Cursive Memory, The Raveonettes, This Is Hell, The Used, The Red Paintings, The Death Set, Simple Plan.
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[Monday February 18th]
- The Gaslight Anthem, Forgiven Rival, The Phoenix Foundation, X-Box Presents... Start, Dora Mah, Subwaste / Tommy Gustaffson & The Idiots, The Reason, Panic At The Disco, Shihad.
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[Monday February 11th]
- Time Again, Socratic, Bedouin Soundclash, The Getaway Plan, Angela's Dish, Juno Soundtrack, Boys Like Girls, Regular John, Louis XIV.
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[Monday February 4th]
- The Loved Ones, Chris Walla, Fast Forward - Indie Trax #2, Bullet For My Valentine, Promise Of Redemption, Mae, Enter Shikari, Jack Johnson, Unpaid Debt.
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[Monday January 28th]
- Flogging Molly, Vice Pirate, 50 Years Of Australian Rock 'N Roll, Our Last Night, Sherwood, Change!, Pee Approved #4, The Mars Volta, Danny Diablo, The Hampdens, Carpathian, Pee Zine.
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[Monday January 21st]
- Horrorpops, Lungs, The Audition, The Contact, Rise Against, Gyroscope, Milloy, The Gaslight Anthem, Dark Skies, Straightjacket Nation, Puddle Of Mudd, Damien Rice.
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[Monday January 14th]
- City And Colour, Run! Hide!, Protest The Hero, Teenage Bottlerocket, Dub Trio, Too Pure To Die, Memphis May Fire, The Leap Year, Mindless Self Indulgence, Crapulous Gee Gaw, Liam Finn, Blackpool Lights.
...