Artist: Atreyu
Album: A Deathgrip on Yesterday
Label: Victory Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: March 28, 2006

Overall: 7.4
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 8.3

Atreyu are back, and to the dismay of many fans, “A Deathgrip On Yesterday” is not “Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses Pt. II” that they have been waiting for. It is, however, reminiscent of it. It has all the pissed off lines of “Suicide Notes..” while keeping the musical style of “The Curse.” Clocking in at a little over 30 minutes and having nine tracks is bound to upset some people. Don’t ask me what they were thinking, because I don’t know.  Read more...

I drove down to Atlanta with my friend Nolan and we got to sit down and chat with Hit the Lights for a little while. These dudes are super nice, fun to hang out with, have an amazing album, and an even more amazing live set. Listen to them and show them love.

Trevor: Can I get you guys to state your names and what you do in the band?

Colin: Alright, I’m Colin and I sing.  Read more...

Artist: Hit The Lights
Album: This Is A Stick Up… Don’t Make It A Murder
Label: Maverick
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 11, 2006

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.3
Production: 10

I’m a pretty nostalgic person. I long for my early high school years at times. Pop-punk was the dominant musical choice for me back then. Every time I find a really good pop-punk band, I get a warm feeling inside. I’ll open the windows, (be it indoors or in a car) blast the music, and proceed to rock out.  Read more...

Artist: Boink
Album: Carpe Diem
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 12, 2006

Overall: 7.4
Music: 7.6
Lyrics: 7.2
Production: 7.8

Boink, with a name like that you really don’t know what to expect when it comes to the music. But this indie rock band from Michigan deliver high energy songs filled with indie guitars and sing along lyrics. This new EP entitled Carpe Diem is a great take on some of todays best pop/rock sound. The bands sound can be compared to that of Hit The Lights and even Fall Out Boy.  Read more...

Artist: Woodale
Album: Hotel
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: Woodale Merch
Release Date: February 12, 2006

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.3
Lyrics: 7.7
Production: 8.0

Pop rock is the new in vogue, but you don’t have to tell Florida’s Woodale that. With a streamlined harmony-driven sound via Waking Ashland meets The Fold, their tight melodies and choral-styled love verses could warm even the most cynical of hearts. If teenaged girls aren’t already eating this stuff up, come six months Woodale will be a household name. The band’s five song EP, Finish What You Start, is the year’s new I Am For You, meaning now is the time to jump on the bandwagon.  Read more...

Artist: The Fold
Album: This Too Shall Pass
Label: Tooth & Nail
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: February 21, 2006

Overall: 9.7
Music: 9.6
Lyrics: 9.5
Production: 9.8

Imagine yourself reaching the highest level of accomplishment in the music industry. Imagine being signed to a major record label such as Warner Brothers and being well known in the industry. Now imagine giving all that up to start a new band from scratch. This is exactly what happened to Daniel Castady when he decided to start The Fold. The Fold is a impressive group of talented musicians from Chicago that will hook you in with their debut from Tooth and Nail Records, “ This Too Shall Passâ€?.  Read more...

Artist: Karate High School
Album: Arcade Rock
Label: EVO Recordings
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: March 21, 2006

Overall: 7.6
Music: 7.8
Lyrics: 7.4
Production: 8.0

Crack out your old school Nintendo or Atari and get ready to hear some music directly influenced by umm, 8 bit sounds? Karate High School claim their main influences to be not other bands but that of old school video games like Contra, Super Mario Brothers, Millipede, Tron and Paperboy. And you could also say that Arcade Rock is almost better as a genera then the title of this album. The album features customized keyboards, live samples, crushing guitars and a lot of energy.  Read more...

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Music by:
Upper Class Trash – “Sunsets of Bullets
Bidwell – “Twisted Up”
Scenes From A Movie – “You Make This An Art”
Signal The Escape – “Maudlin”