Album Review

Most band’s first EP is nothing more than a glorified demo. New bands are constantly handing me their EP’s, and to be honest, they usually hit the trash can ASAP.

The Hives have made a career out of being crazier than anybody else — and with their fifth studio effort, ‘Lex Hives,’ the crowd provoking, guitar twirling, eardrum crushing garage glam-punk Swedes have made the comeback album of the year.

The Melvins — or more accurately, to use the name they’re operating under for this record, Melvins Lite — fearlessly conquer even more new sonic territory on their 18th album, ‘Freak Puke.’

Fresh off his induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his former band Guns N’ Roses, guitar great Slash returns with his second solo disc, ‘Apocalyptic Love.’

“I hope you’re satisfied, I’m alive,” states singer Sully Erna in the lyrics to Godsmack‘s hit single ‘Awake.’ Well, fans are now very satisfied that, after more than a decade of work, the band has released its first live album.

To call anything about ‘The Only Place’ new would be generous. To call Bethany Cosentino’s lyrics thought-provoking would be generous. To call Best Coast‘s second studio album interesting would be absurd — though it is fun.