The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love, Capitol Records
As always with these literary indie-folksters, you may want to listen to this one with a dictionary handy. You might not need it as much as on previous efforts, but there are still plenty of dead words you don’t hear on an average day like “fetters” and “taiga.” What really differentiates The Hazards of Love is that it’s a full-blown concept album - 17 tracks, with several repeating musical themes. This may sound a bit self-indulgent, but this album contains some of the best material they’ve written to date. Sparing details of the story, interludes “A Bower Scene” and “The Abduction of Margaret” build into crescendos of distorted blues guitars. This is as heavy as The Decemberists get, and boy, does it have stomp! There is a Cruella DeVil vibe when the “queen” sings anywhere on the disc, and what Colin Meloy writes in “The Rake’s Song” rivals the goriest of death metal lyrics. Look for this one to be on lots of “Best Of ‘09” lists.
(D.J. Ivie)

Hollywood Undead - Swan Song, A & M Records
With a semi-industrial-goth-pop sound and rap-inspired vocals, these west coast provocateurs do not adhere to a specific genre – assuming that mixing 311 and Marilyn Manson isn’t a genre. Though Swan Song attempts to maintain the evolution of American music, it’s more like a drunken hiccup in the grand scheme of music evolution - rather than a movement or distinguished moment. The lyrics are mostly shallow and appeal to lowbrow topics such as partying and “making the booty drop.” A few songs do, however, rise above the rest and display the band’s questionable merit. Best example is “Young.” To the suspicious mind, Swan Song indicates that trite efforts of being marginally different are still the rage in the rap-metal circuit. Oh, and by the way, the band sports cheesy “mysterious” and spooookey masks, which confirm the above claims.
(Shane Epting)

Rock A Bye - Jerry Markham, Self Released
If only Doc and Marty were real, and time travel in a DeLorean was possible. Jerry Markham’s newest disc is so steeped in glamorous 80’s synth that he could’ve easily been the next Jan Hammer (Miami Vice theme) or Harold Faltermeyer (Axl F from Beverly Hills Cop).
OK, so it’s not the 80’s anymore, but this disc is still totally tubular and seriously bad (in a Michael Jackson sort of way). It’s still fresh and modern enough to feel relevant, though undeniably retro. Luckily there are no vocals to get in the way of the synthetic sounds and electronic beats - a big plus.
Of the five tracks, “Music Is My Mistress” is the most retro. As the disc progresses, each new track moves toward a more organic, flowing and futuristic sound. “Obstacles” is the pinnacle of this transformation, sounding like a soundtrack to walking on Mars. (Jason Janik)

Lunitica - New Shores, Napalm Records
As symphonic metal goes, this kicks ass. Lead singer, Andrea Dätwyler, has a fan-freaking-tastic voice with great range. You can tell that she’s not a smoker. While a lot of songs sound like the soundtrack to some kind of evil version of Lord of the Rings, some slower numbers rock several notches above the rest. As a whole, they’re longer than a meth-induced diatribe by an angry stripper from New Jersey. If, for whatever reason, you find yourself in a pagan orgy somewhere in the forest of gothic elf people, then you will need this disc – and some purple candles.
(Shane Epting)
Additional reviewer commentary: I don’t know who the f*ck is in charge of the lame ass voice- over on this CD, but you suck. I almost broke this disc in half because I got so tired of hearing: “You are listening to...” Stop it, you prick bastard.

Patty Belle - From the Inside
This slice of Americana is easy on the ears, yet articulate. It rolls by without difficulty and provides southern comfort, like a Sunday drive. The lyrics blend well with the laid-back rhythms that make this disc so enjoyable and accessible. Many tracks feel like a banjo might make an appearance at any moment, but such a reality is only an unfulfilled passing thought. Belle has a modest voice but occasionally lets loose, which gives the songs great heart and spirit. “From The Inside” and “Long Time Coming” are two of the EP’s best. You will accompany Belle best while drinking a glass of spiked lemonade on a screened-in porch in the summer time.
(Shane Epting)

Bronze Whaler - Rise With the Tide, Self-Released
In Denton, where everyone is a music major, it’s hard to stand out. Bronze Whaler has done exactly that with their debut EP. These guys have already landed some big gigs despite even though they’ve played less than a handful of shows. What immediately stands out is the Thursday/Circa Survive-esque dual guitar attack of Sean Bonacum and Brady Kinkade. Bonacum’s soulful vocal delivery provides an earthy balance instead of coming off as pretentious, which is usually the case for newcomers to the genre. While the production on Rise With the Tide is top-notch for a self-release, the songs are more explosive when played live. Bronze Whaler has a bright future ahead of them. (D.J. Ivie)

Throwing Color - The Static Seas, Big Machine Media
This band has lots of talent, but the singer seems kind of…. bored. Don’t get the wrong impression - the album is chalked full of great guitar riffs, beats and shit, and the drummer sticks out well. The songs have skill and creativity, but even if they’d had that dude from Gwar singing, it would sound better. They’re much better though, than the band, Throwing Fist Fulls of Monkey Feces, from Running Bear, Wisconsin.
(Shane Epting)

Viet Kong - The End is Nigh, Self Released
Although this disc is only four tracks long, it rocks like six. These dudes put the “fu” back in fun-ass music. They seriously have a great ability to rock with soul, which is great for a band that sounds anachronistic yet appropriate for this year. They have the spirit of 1979 with the balls and style of 2009, an off-the-wall aspect that’s evident throughout. The guitar work blends well with the drums, and lead singer, Jason Ashley, has style with his vocals – whatever that means. Some of the EP’s best are “The Lotus Lords” and “O Sorceress.” If you have the chance to see them playing around ye old metroplex, do so. (Shane Epting)

The Fame - Lady Gaga, Streamline/Interscope
The Fame could quite possibly be the most difficult and most fun album to listen to. It’s one of those guilty pleasures that starts out delightful and eventually ends up repulsive. It is cookie cutter pop/dance fluff, but still hard to keep from dancing to.
Lady Gaga is due its 15 minutes of fame, but nothing more, as there’s absolutely nothing new and original on the 14 tracks of shiny, thumping club music. Rather, it’s a flavor of the moment type of fun. Just like everyone couldn’t get enough of Ace of Base in 1993, and now nobody can resist throwing up at the mere thought of “The Sign”.
Gaga’s “Just Dance,” “Lovegame” and “Paparazzi” may seem irresistible now, but they’ll quickly turn sour. Other duds like “Starstruck” and “Paper Gangsta” don’t need to wait for their shelf life to expire - they’re just plain disgusting right out of the gate.
Listeners may enjoy The Fame’s infectious sound for now but should remember that fame is fleeting – especially for disposable trash like this.
(Jason Janik)