The Rocket Summer - Do You Feel, Island Records
It’ll be a miracle if the regular Dallas media doesn’t give Bryce Avery a collective hand-job over this album. Compared to other artists inside his genre, it is a great album. But judged outside those strict confines, the gloves must be removed. Do You Feel follows an uncompromising formula, with overly predictable hooks and somewhat cheesy sentiments used as the primary vehicle for expression. The only exception, which is questionable itself, is the track, “A Song Is Not A Business Plan.” This arguably insightful number spotlights the cookie cutter affliction of pop-punk and “emo [1]” bands that pollute the FM radio dial and line the shelves of Target. But is he really exempt from his own contention?
(Shane Epting)
[1] Emo used to pertain to bands such as At The Drive In - before it became a marketing tool.

The Hives - Black and White, A&M Records
This one rocks as like a truckload of winning lottery tickets and Czech-made roman candles. Black and White proves that Sweden cranks out more than slapdash furniture and rancid meatballs. These guys remain on top of their game. Though most tracks are tough enough to have origins in New Jersey, many have pop-esque qualities that provide a splendid sense of balance. All the songs on this one rock, but those that rock harder include: “Tick Tick Boom,” “Try It Again” and “Won’t Be Long.” Rock? You bet your sweet ass it rocks.
(Shane Epting)

The Frontier Brothers - Solar Power Struggle, Final Frontier Records
The first track on this EP, “Jump Blues,” does not fit into this alt-folkly mix in any shape, form or fashion. It confuses and angers the listener. The fourth and final track, “Technicalelectronic-supersonicrobot,” is the ditty that redeems this disc. Hell it makes the album. HB writer, Jason Janik once wrote something to the effect that, “It is the mediocre bands that are hard to write about.” This is one of those bands. The Frontier brothers do not suck. They have true potential, but it needs to be actualized!
(Shane Epting)

The Pleasures of Merely Circulating - Untitled, Ettabelle Records
Bands such as The Pleasures of… make one wonder if anything meaningful can be said about music that’s not purely arbitrary. Many overly apparent aspects indicate this band rocks - Jeanne Sinclair’s lyrics and vocals, the tightness of the musicianship and their resourcefulness. TPOMC exhibits that a simple formula often works best. Most tracks are lightheartedly complex, and they get the job done correctly - whatever that means. If you are a fan of bangs or wearing multiple shiny black bracelets, this band is up your alley.
(Shane Epting)

What’s Not Plastic? - Digby, Toucan Cove
There’s something comforting about Digby’s classic blend of country, pop, blues and rock. While the band’s new EP may not push any musical boundaries, it’s still a nice, solid set of songs.
Some music fans may find the lack of real experimentation a bit dull, but most will enjoy the straightforward tunes. Sounding like Matchbox Twenty covering their favorite tunes from The Black Crowes - with a bit of Wilco thrown in for good measure - the group keeps things nostalgic without seeming old. Paul Moeller’s vocals add a nice texture to the tracks, with his Rod Stewart meets Jeff Tweedy delivery.
The best tracks are the mellow ones, like the catchy “Bad Swing.” “Knocking at Your Door” is a bit too moody, but “How Long” finishes off the 20-minute disc on a high note. The only downside is the lack of runtime, as good EP’s are always too short.
(Jason Janik)

Parata - Heads! Heads! Heads!, Gutterth Records
In a world with many shitty artists such as The Cheetah Girls and Hanson, you can count on original ass-kickers such as Parata to make respectable rock music properly. This music is off-the-beaten path, yet it’s not too far from a sense of “normalcy.” The tunefulness and timing is furiously calm as if it were a ravenous tiger about to pounce on some unsuspecting prey. After careful investigation, the lyrics are insightful. Songwriter and mastermind, Timothy Jarrod Smith, proves his skills and abilities excellently with ditties such as “High Dollar Whore” and “Leather Seating in a Lincoln Hearse.” (Shane Epting)

Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere In The Between, Victory Records
If you examine the use of the preposition Between in the title, it’s being used as a noun. This usage indicates the “between” is an abstract place or concept, and is an insight into the creativity of these die-hard ska buffs.
Such is evident in their intriguingly awesome horn section that blows remarkably like Paris Hilton does on a first date. Somewhere In kicks more ass than Motorhead’s Lenny in bar-brawls. Ska is arguably a dying art form, but these guys resuscitate it suitably. Some of the best in this collection include “Watch It Crash“ and “The Receiving End Of It All.” If you dig the sounds of Liquid Cheese or Big D and The Kids Table, you will like these dudes. Rock indeed.
(Shane Epting)

Pokadot Cadaver - Purgatory Dance Party, Rotten Records
PC releases a wickedly decent mix of uber-gothic industrial dance music. And they have an excellent sense of humor. One must read the linear notes to appreciate the funny punch they pack. Even if you don’t enjoy the genre of music they embrace, you can enjoy PC on a comedic level.
But it mostly ends there. An excellent example is “A Wolf In Jesus Skin.” If you ever wished The Aquabats had a dark side, you will highly enjoy Pokadot Cadaver.

(Shane Epting)