Artist: Ivoryline
Album: There Came A Lion
Label: Tooth & Nail
Purchase: Interpunk
Release Date: February 5, 2008

Overall: 7.5
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0

Clean vocals with a hard rock edge ring out on Ivoryline’s debut Tooth & Nail album, There Came A Lion. I’ve always been a sucker for a rock band to have this exact criteria of good clean vocals with a harder edge and Ivoryline pull it off quite well. Stellar songs like “Parade” and “Bravery” are filled with catchy hooks and strong vocals that remind me of everything from Anberlin to Saosin. Its not all that often you find an album you can put in and enjoy without having to think about it too much, its easy to enjoy.

Artist: Children 18:3
Album: Children 18:3
Label: Tooth & Nail
Purchase: Children 18:3
Release Date: February 26, 2008

Overall: 8.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0

Tooth & Nail newcomers, Children 18:3, hail from the smallest of all places… rural Minnesota, however, that doesn’t have any kind of effect on the bands classic punk rock sound. This trio of siblings know how to work together to pull off song after song filled with punk rock hooks and balanced dual vocals. Upon first listen, your ears hear the likes of The Clash and other old school punk bands mixed with a dash of todays upbeat pop punk. This sound will draw you in for a repeat listen and even more as you get the beats bouncing around in your head.

Artist: New Found Glory
Album: Hits
Label: Universal
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 18, 2008

Overall: 7.0
Music: 6.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.0

New Found Glory, I remember when they were going by A New Found Glory and they were putting out some good music, also around the time Drive-Thru Records had good bands on the label. Now a few years have passed by, New Found Glory left Drive-Thru and went major. Then New Found Glory went back to Drive-Thru with their release From Your Screen To Your Stereo: Part II. I don’t know how that release went for them, but I have a feeling it didn’t to that great as Part I. Now they have a Hits.

Artist: Promise of Redemption
Album: When the Flowers Bloom…
Label: I Surrender Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: January 22nd, 2008

Overall: 8.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 8.0

trag·e·dy - Definition: 1) very sad event: an event in life that evokes feelings of sorrow or grief.

Artist: The Boy And His Machine
Album: All That We Make It
Label: Unsigned
Listen: MySpace
Release Date: December 7, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 7.0

Some people may have written off pop-punk over the past few years but for others its still rocking their stereos. The Boy And His Machine’s new EP All That We Make It should be on of those CD’s in your current playlist. Ron Griffo (Vocals, Guitar), Joey Arena (Guitar), Christan Adams (Bass), and Ryan Martin (Drums) bring their edgy rock to the table in tracks like “Thinking Of An Escape” and “Worth The Wait” while cranking up the melody on “The Plan” and the title track “All That We Make It.” Ron’s vocals are compelling and compliment each song’s harmony. My favorite track is “Worth The Wait” as it showcases the bands full style and what they have to offer to their fans.

Artist: The Maine
Album: The Way We Talk
Label: Fearless Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: December 11th, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.5

The phrase “immediately catchy” is often thrown around these days when referring to new music. However The Maine brings upon new meaning to those words with their debut effort, The Way We Talk. The Arizona based quintet is sure to make waves in the upcoming year. Their swaying pop/rock melodies are well beyond their years, as showcased with the opener, “If I Only Had the Heart” and each of the accompanying tracks. All I can say is that Fearless Records has locked in another winner, and will undoubtedly produce more great music in 2008. I greatly anticipate a full length release from The Maine, this band creates fantastic music and has the chops to make that music something exciting and special.

Artist: The Wonder Years
Album: Get Stoked on It
Label: No Sleep Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: October 30th, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 8.0

The Wonder Years have successfully created a fun post hardcore synth fused rock album with Get Stoked on It! The lyrics are fresh and amusing; each song is a vibrant breath of fresh air. From its opening homage to their hometown to the space influenced “Buzz Aldrin: The Poster Boy for Second Place” the album flows impeccably from one song to another. Finally you can slow down and catch your breath with the acoustic track “Racing Trains” however the break is short lived as “Zombies Are the New Black” kicks everything back into full gear. The pace stays frantic and fun through it’s closer the aptly titled “When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong.” Plain and simple this record is a great listen!

Artist: Envy on the Coast
Album: Lucy Gray
Label: Photo Finish
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 7th, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 8.0

Better late than never… even though Lucy Gray was released in August and the fact that I’m just getting to it, holds no barring on the record itself or Envy on the Coast. This album is filled with stirring post-hardcore, laced with incredibly catchy overtones. Each song takes on a different direction and its own unique shape. Lucy Gray is a fun listen, and it’s great to hear a band break the mold and create something as original as this record.

Artist: We Shot the Moon
Album: The Polar Bear & Cougar
Label: Self Released
Purchase: N/A
Release Date: N/A

Overall: 8.5
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 8.0

Infectious pop rock is the best way to describe We Shot the Moon. As the superb combination of Jonathon Jones (Ex Waking Ashland) Joe Greenetz and Dan Koch from Sherwood; they have proven to create some of the catchiest, most compelling songs of the year. “The Waters Edge” alone is enough audio candy to hook anyone in. The Polar Bear & Cougar is nothing short of an awesome introduction for this young band. We should all look forward to more music from these guys in the New Year.