Most contemporary country offers little more than the same trite sentiments and regurgitated songwriting often heard in radio rock too.  That said, a few artists strive for something more, filling songs with heart and a true desire to excel musically.  Tift Merritt serves as the perfect example of just this, combining roots-driven country with more contemporary songwriting while avoiding all the cliché dreck of so many of her peers. Throughout Another Country it isn’t hard to imagine hearing some of these songs on country radio, yet they could also be heard on the college radio station as well.  This duality emphasizes the balancing act present on almost every track.  The final song alone, sung in French, would probably be enough for the average country fan to dismiss the album entirely, but what a loss that would be. Merritt has out done herself and created a perfect summer soundtrack.
Fantasy Records

Over the past few years, those who play metalcore have pretty much exhausted all avenues of creativity within that somewhat narrow subgenre.  The result is certain groups either shift their focus a bit or more often than not push stubbornly forward to their own detriment.  Means are of the smarter variety, moving their music in a more melodic direction since their last album, Sending You Strength.  This isn’t to say the metalcore elements have been completely stripped away.  Instead, Means has brought a lot more to the table on To Keep Me From Sinking, including more attention to catchiness and less emphasis on screaming lead guitar riffage.  This transformation isn’t quite awe-inspiring, yet Means definitely deserve credit for maturing musically.  If nothing else, this album will serve as a great bridge to the possibilities that could be seen as a natural next step.
Facedown Records

Since first falling in love with The Slackers’ debut album Better Late Than Never back in 1996, my relationship with these ska devotees has been tumultuous at best.  Since those early days, it seems the band has released a slew of hit-or-miss albums all lacking their original spunk.  This continues to be true with Self Medication, as a handful of the tunes recall the awesomeness of days past, with the remainder being less than impressive.  One song, “Leave Me”, actually sounds uncomfortably similar to a song by some members’ other former project Stubborn All-Stars.  If The Slackers could channel the best of their songwriting into an album, they’d be one of the top groups in the genre, but their lack of quality control is their ultimate downfall.
Indication Records

With an ever evolving band name and an album title like this, it’s hard not to think of the word “pretentious” when discussing Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band. While their music could easily be categorized as such by the casual listener, the group clearly has something meaningful going on. On their latest foray into clashing musical genres, they merge elements of their punk roots with neo-classicism and folk, all the while maintaining a psychedelic overtone. The resulting four songs (excluding the drone-like introduction piece) each develop singularly, but with an overall adhesion to the theme. Clearly, this release demands a bit more of a listener and the rewards may be high for those willing to put forth the effort. That said, this is definitely not for everyone.
Constellation Records

It’s hard to believe that Shai Hulud has had three singers over the last three full lengths and that each has been 5+ years apart.  If their previous album, That Within Blood Ill-Tempered, was the glorious return of a genre-defining band still on top of their game then Misanthropy Pure marks the beginning of the downward trajectory. The departure of vocalist Geert Van Der Velde should have maybe marked the end of the band (and did for a brief moment).  Yet, in what seems like a South Florida phenomenon, the band re-grouped and entered the studio with their fourth singer (the first never recorded a proper release).  This new blood, Matt Mazzali, had some big shoes to fill and honestly doesn’t do such a great job at it.  Musically, Shai Hulud are still on their game, although the formula is growing a bit tired.  That said, this album suffers most in the vocal department with flat, almost monotone delivery lacking the passion previously part of the band’s trademark sound.  I find it hard to believe any die-hard fans being honest with themselves could rank this alongside Shai Hulud’s incredible back catalogue.  Let’s hope the dead horse beating ceases soon.
Metal Blade Records

Who would have thought it would take a commercial flop of an album and the recruiting of a member of New Found Glory as producer to get H2O back on track as a catchy hardcore band… but it’s happened!  Nothing To Prove might as well be the follow-up to F.T.T.W., superseding anything done in the mean time.  This album has been packed to the brim with hook-laden hardcore songs, not to mention vocal appearances by pretty much everyone frontman from NYHC.  Few bands can come back from the dark, dark place H2O ventured into, yet Nothing To Prove does prove it’s possible.
Bridge Nine Records

Split CDs seemed to be all the rage a few years back, yet fewer and fewer are being released nowadays. That didn’t stop Engineer Records from releasing this three-way split between two American bands and one Belgian group. Coincidentally, not only does the format of this release recall the past, but the music does as well. I couldn’t help but think of Revelation Records’ In-Flight Program sampler as each of these bands breezed through ’90s style post-hardcore. Elemae sound like By A Thread mixed with Sense Field, although not quite as concise as either of those bands. Memorial, the true standout of the three, conjure images of Quicksand much like the frontman’s former band Renee Heartfelt. Soon, who stray the furthest from the old Revelation sound, come across a bit scattered with three tracks that all sound completely different. Splits are always an unusual animal in that they feel more like samplers and nothing could be more true about this one. That said, this one is worth picking up, if just for the Memorial songs alone.
Engineer Records

You know, I really wanted to give these fellas the benefit of the doubt, but everything about this album demonstrates a total lack of originality. First, their band name sounds like a gazillion other bands. Second, the album title couldn’t be more trite or cliché… come on, “hand grenades”!? As if these weren’t huge red flags alone, once you make it into the music you realize the problem is systemic. Citing The Beatles and Elvis Costello as influences, it might be more appropriate to describe their music has a half-assed rehashing of all the most typical aspects of these musicians. I rarely feel the need to write such harsh reviews, but this one begged for it.
King Of Hearts Records

Snakepit Comics have quickly become a phenomenon within the world of punk.  Beyond doing his regular zine-format comics, Ben Snakepit also contributes columns to other zines and peddles his writings while on tour with the numerous bands he finds himself joining.  Needless to say, Mr. Snakepit keeps pretty busy.  This collection documents his life in a diary-like flow from 2004-2006, providing a short snippet glance into his life each day (including a listing of the soundtrack song).  Reading through this feels a bit intrusive like browsing someone’s private journal, yet you get the sense this serves as his therapeutic outlet.  The rudimentary drawings with small details added here and there grow on you too.  I can’t imagine many people reading this cover to cover, but it’s a great book to keep handy for those times when you have a few minutes to kill.
Microcosm Publishing

Baltimore’s Mike Riley keeps himself busy.  Between singing for two bands (including the world touring Pulling Teeth), running two labels (Firestarter and Toxic Pop), and working a “regular” job, how he had time to make a zine is beyond me… but he did, thank goodness.  This inaugural issue of Firestarter Fanzine features well-written interviews with Bane, Ruiner, Sick Fix, and Sleepwell… and these are interviews I actually cared to read!  In addition, Riley also packs in a solid write-up about the Crossed Eyes 7″ and a handful of top ten lists from various band/label folks.  A solid zine that I hope lasts more than one issue.
Firestarter Records