Hare’s both sides show that in fact, the door of Glass Boys was just what they needed. With their past now packed away, they can essentially do whatever they want and their inherent Fucked Up-ness will still shine through.

It can be thoughtful without losing any of the rage, and at its best, can shake us awake and reignite our awareness of the world around us.

Hairball is their most open, breezy album to date.

Some tracks fall short and come off bland but when Silverstein make a splash, it definitely sticks.

All in all, it's an accessible ride and if this is your first rodeo with them, then Imbue isn't such a bad jumping-on point. However, it doesn't hold up to the young days where The Early November were immature mavericks letting loose.

Angry riffs and gigantic hooks build the base of the album and it's one heavily steeped in frustration and angst. Sadly though, as emotional and honest as the record gets, too many songs are forgettable and lack the punch possessed a couple years ago.

Metz are at their most creative and their most liberal. II is one of the most in-your-face records you'll hear this year.

This is another great Mountain Goats album. If you are a fan you probably have this already but if not, got get it asap. If you’re unfamiliar, this is as good a place as his masterwork The Sunset Tree to start, as this is like the sequel, but coming from a seemingly lighthearted place with the wrestling theme.

Painted Shut is a phenomenal follow-up to 2012 and one that'll be creepin' on you so hard. No longer is Hop Along the world's best-kept secret.

True Brew recaptures the original essence of the band as well as any magic these veterans have picked up on the ride over the past few years.

If Lonesome and Moon are 10s, Good News is a 9 and Long Drive and We Were Dead are 8’s, then this gets 7/10. Definitely worth picking up for Modest Mouse fans, but those new to the band should start elsewhere.

Obviously these tracks are nowhere near as essential as the originals, but it’s two great voices singing a handful of timeless tracks, and fans of any of the artists involved would most likely enjoy at least a few tracks from Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield Sing Elliott Smith.

While each member's technically great at what they do, once more, the magic from the band's debut seems too hard to recapture and as a sum of all its parts, DGD comes up short on Instant Gratification.

Fourteen tracks is way too long for ATL's brand of music and while you get a few pop anthems, most of the music comes off forced and really lacking effort.

Their music isn’t for everybody, but those who enjoy musical adventurism would do well to give The Ark Work a try. Even if you hate it, you certainly won’t be bored. For those of us who are already on board, this is an exciting next step from Aesthetica, and it will be interesting to see where they can possibly go from here.

A couple tracks too long, one or two tracks too bland but overall, it's another album from The Cribs that's more than worth a couple listens.

Another cerebral and emotionally compelling trip. It's haunting, moody and contemplative.

You won’t learn anything about the 44th state, but you will get your fill of more loud, pop-punk goodness.

This is one of the most profound heart and soul records I've ever experienced.

There is a true appreciation and savoring of sonic texture here.

While the sound overall could be described as 80s jangle-pop, we’ve got hints of everything from early 70s Bowie and T Rex, to early-80s XTC to early-90s Vaselines and Beat Happening.

AAF spread all their goodies out over these tracks with the rest of the album lacking energy. Sad to say, the other tracks feel drab and don't translate well at all.

From the Very Depths is an unexpectedly awesome record that should please most extreme metal fans.

Transfixiation shows a dangerous band finally sounding as dangerous as their live show indicates.

Seems like a deliberate maintenance to cash in on the Warped Tour crowd because there's no substance, nor any style, to this record, as has been the case for FIR for years now.

There is a clean, precise vision here resulting in powerful simplicity.

Restarter continues to push the NOS button and races off into the band's new era. Perfect build on the foundation they laid with a few tracks in 2013 as well.

For music fans that like their art on the more confrontational side, 22 minutes of Beneath California on your headphones will be time very well spent.