Fush Yu Mang
Artist: Smash Mouth
Community Score: 6.06

The groovy, '60s soul-funk of "Walking on the Sun" disguises the fact that Smash Mouth is a ska-punk band. With its organ riff and breezy melody, "Walking on the Sun" is a great one-shot single, yet Smash Mouth never come close to replicating its easy charm anywhere on Fush Yu Mang. Regardless, there are some moments that'll satisfy third-wave... Read More

Fancy Birdhouse
Artist: Jack & Jill

Fancy Birdhouse offers a wider sonic range than Jack & Jill's debut LP, spanning from raw, lean rockers to lush, sweeping pop. The overall tone of the record is more lighthearted and loose as well -- in addition to Jonathan Segel's well-crafted originals, there are also fun covers of the Beatles' "And Your Bird Can Sing" as well as an... Read More

Master of Styles
Artist: The Urge
Community Score: 6.75

With their second major-label album, Master of Styles, the thrash-funk-metal band the Urge have created their most accomplished and effective album to date. Not only is the Urge's ambitious material their finest to date, but they have accurately captured their pile-driving, overwhelming live sound, resulting in a visceral, exciting listen unlike... Read More

Fantastic Pirate Satellite
Artist: Liquid Gang
Suck This Live
Artist: The Queers

Why would the Queers want to put out a second live album months prior to releasing Shout at the Queers? For starters, the previous record was only limited to 666 copies -- and only 300 of them had a bonus seven-inch of them doing a horrid version of "Louie Louie." In other words, Shout At is more of a record collector's dream come true than... Read More

Live at the Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco
Artist: Avail

Avail's blistering live show is documented on this set recorded at San Francisco's Bottom of the Hill club; along with tracks from the albums Satiate, Dixie and 4 A.M. Friday, it also includes a pair of new songs, "Nickel Bridge" and "Scuffletown." ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide Read More

Turn the Radio Off - CLEAN
Artist: Reel Big Fish

Although it occasionally sinks in its own smirky, frat-boy humor, Reel Big Fish's debut Turn the Radio Off is a muscular blend of metal, ska and punk. The group's sound is powerful and strong, but their songwriting isn't as accomplished as their sound. Still, the group can turn out a fun party record, as Turn the Radio Off proves. [Turn the... Read More

Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down (D.L.T.B.G.Y.D.)
Artist: The Toasters
Community Score: 4.00

After the exuberance of Dub 56, and its thrill packed follow- up Hard Band for Dead, those expecting yet another high octane set from The Toasters were in for a surprise. The band had taken this opportunity to downshift a gear, further hone their songwriting, and offer up a new, more mature sound.



There's a bit of a... Read More

Hatched
Artist: Inqbator

Psychedelic and oddly jittery, Hatched sports an impressive guest list, including Lenny Kravitz (who delivers an incendiary guitar solo on the single "Electra"), Daniel Lanois (who co-wrote and co-produced "Needles") and Karl Wallinger (who co-authored "Be There"). ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide Read More

Insider
Artist: Ten Foot Pole
Community Score: 8.00

Punk purists will deny it with every ounce of strength in their scrawny bodies, but the simple fact is that punk rock has benefited greatly from being co-opted by the pop mainstream. Or maybe it's the other way around. Whatever. In any case, there's really no denying that much of the best punk rock is deeply informed by pop songcraft -- grumble... Read More