Posted by thomas7155 on 2007-08-28 10:13:53
My Score:

sounds like a REALLY bad hot water music, as if they wern't bad enough already.

Posted by jimmyjjackamoose on 2007-08-19 22:32:28
My Score:

THANK YOU FOR SUBMITTING THIS REVIEW!!! i ordered some stuff from suburban homeand this piece of shit came free. i can see why. its absolutly horrible. there aren't even really any songs. just pieces of mess. i like bad vocals. so does everyone else who listens to punk/hardcore. but these just don't make any sense. horrible lyrics and guitar too.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 12:14 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Out of the gate, let me be clear: I thought this album was 'okay', I was looking forward to it after the first record, it was just alright.

Now that I've established I'm not saying this because I'm overly biased, I think this review is very badly done, and doesn't really need to be here.

First, the review shows a clear lack of background for whats being reviewed.

This band is made of members from Pinhead Circus, they've been around the block a few times. PCircus was melodic punk too, this is a bit more on the 'rise against' side PC.

What kills me is that there is some saving grace for the review because he isn't supposed to know everything before he reviews a record.......then why the fuck is he reviewing records? If I hate a record, I'm still going to do the band the justice of making apt references and associations. I'm not going to say 'I hate green days new album because it sounds like the lemonhead'. If I do, don't listen to any review I ever write.

I don't have to track down every memorable album from some bands ex-members, but if I'm going to write a review for a public forum, have the decency not to just do some surrealist automatic writing.

Score is for taking the training wheels off early.

wyzo

To the guy below, I don't think this band was going to sell a million albums and this review will make them only sell 5. I just know people are much more prone to influence on bands they don't know well (like Love Me Destroyer), and my be less likely to check them out. Like I said, I don't think it's an amazing album. I think it's pretty good and I just think a review that seems this lopsided may discourage a few kids who might end up digging the band. When you are a small band like this 5 kids means more 500 does to most.
As for not seeing them live, I caught their live show hear in the Bay Area when they opened up for Smoke or Fire. So maybe it was just right place right time.
-Dante
P.S. I don't think Anchors is wrong either, he's welcome to his opinion. I just think someone who is more into this album may want to give a view that focuses outside of the negatives, as there are some positive aspects.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 7:45 PM (EDT)
My Score:

"Straight bush league."

score is for that nasty little comment. i love it.

probably one of the best reviews by anchors i've seen.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 7:27 PM (EDT)
My Score:

this record does indeed suck. its old and tired and much like some of the members past bands, its about 10 years too late. as far as impacting a band cause of a bad review? how do you figure? like the 800 hundred people that would have maybe bought it over a period of a couple of years will diminish to half that? bands don't move units anymore. you want to support these dudes then go see them live but you'll have to go to denver to do it cause they don't tour.

Posted by recordtheory on 2007-08-16 15:00:08
My Score:

I gotta say, I disagree with this review. Personally, I don't really follow most of the comparisons you have made in this review.

But, to each his own. I like it.

Godamn, this record is insignificant -- and all the hot air below is contributing to global warming! Bad, bad people. Learn to conserve energy.

insert irate 'anchors is a dummy-head' comment.

i couldn't give a shit whether you like this album or not. it's just, like, your opinion, man.

however, MY opinion is that this review is a crock of shit. not only is it way off-base in it's comparisons, but it's also factually incorrect in it's classification.

if we can agree that the plain white ts 'every second counts' is a pop-rock album, then i can't see how this can be described as the same.

-member of the love me destroyer street team(!).

I think the main problem that I see with the obscure and invalid reference to Finch/Drive-Thru bands is the fact that if I was someone who had never heard of Love Me Destroyer before and read this review, I would immediately equate LMD with the drive-thru sound. The reality is that they simply do not sound like that at all. Maybe you heard instances (although I'm still not sure where or how) of that genre but to have it as the underlying theme or your review is absurd. Despite your best intentions, you fail to actually give the reader a good idea of what this band sounds like. I realize that you're proud of your reviews and will defend each one to the end but admitting a little bit of fault on this one wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 11:40 PM (EDT)
My Score:

It's his FUCKING OPINION. Jesus fucking Christ, if he doesn't like the album, he doesn't have to like it or give it a positive review. Quit shitting yourselves because he gave this a low score. Write your own fucking reviews if you feel this one was inaccurate.

Score is for whiny, illiterate fucks who won't shut up about the score for this cd.
Blow me, you cum guzzling fags.

Just because the vocalist sounds a bit scruffy in some parts of the album, does not mean they sound like Hot Water Music.

Hot Water Music was extremely, extremely talented. This band is not.

Posted by Kursk on 2007-08-15 22:32:05
My Score:

you know, from what i've seen Anchors you usually are petty good with reviews, but uIhave to say this time, you have no fucking clue what you're talking about. I have NO idea where you pulled the drive thru records reference for a band that shares more in common sonically with the gritty hot water music punk sound than the drive thru pop punk scene.

That said, this CD isn't perfect, but it's a really good sophomore release and a huge step up from their last album. So yeah, don't be fooled by the review, give this a spin if you wanna hear some new music from a band along the lines of HWM, the draft, signal to noise, the sainte catherines, etc.

This band is just like all those other drive thru bands and I know becuase I played a show with them... and all the kids there to see them were wearing thursday shirts and shit. Crap band and the review I could care less about all reviews suck really I hate them but read them when im bored.

Posted by RiseAgainstAllAuthority on 2007-08-15 20:02:22
My Score:

I dont mind if a band copies another bands sound, but at least come up with your own melodies and shit..

Who said I'm punk? I sure as shit didn't. I don't, and have never considered myself to be 'punk,' if for no other reason than to not associate myself with the most close-minded group of people on the planet. Only in punk do people spend absurd amounts of time posturing, in hopes that people will label them as the genre they listen to.

In any event, I also back Timberlake because I really dig his music. Dude has an amazing voice, and does a great job putting it to the songs that he, Timbaland, or whoever else produced. He's an extremely talented guy.

yeah man, a bad band/weak songwriting still deserves "good press"

i forgot punk rock is a charity and that starting a band at all means you deserve other people's time and money

You no read so good, huh? I never said they were a bad band. I actually enjoy the record. The thing is I don't believe it deserved such a harsh review. If that's Anchors opinion, that's cool but I do think such a negative review could impact a band like this.
-Dante

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 6:46 PM (EDT)
My Score:

haven't heard more than one song by this band but that was a pretty bland one, so I can't claim the review was that far off the mark, but score is for anchors backing timberlake's musical career solely on the amount of ass it has landed him.....how very fucking punk of you.

yeah man, a bad band/weak songwriting still deserves "good press"

i forgot punk rock is a charity and that starting a band at all means you deserve other people's time and money

Posted by Dante3000 on 2007-08-15 18:21:27
My Score:

Wow...I'm assuming some of Scooter's illegitimate children must post here. I stand by my comment that I think it's odd that "You'll never take me alive" (I believe is the title) isn't mentioned in the review as it's the most oddball song on the album but I really don't think this review is as bad as someone(s) is making it out to be. And both sides seem a little too heated.
My only concern is that as a growing band, negative press impacts a group like Love me Destroyer a lot more than, say, NOFX. People are more prone to be influenced regarding them and I think this review lays it on a little thick.
But
Everyone is still welcome to review it and post their own opinion of it. However, I know that's unlikely.
-Dante
P.S. I never got into Spears. She was really hot but I could never get over how much she sounded like a dumb hick. It was just unreal.

Posted by maverick on 2007-08-15 18:10:45
My Score:

Score is for the phrase "pussy hurt."

-Scott

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 5:30 PM (EDT)
JT also went with Britney....... that's soooooo wrong it cancels any rights he may make or have made already.

Yeah, he did. Like five years ago, when she was probably the most sought after women in the world. He didn't date the cracked-out, fat and bald Britney Spears, he dated her back when she was gorgeous.

Posted by booker_pee on 2007-08-15 17:30:50
My Score:

score is for justin timberlake, who i like for his music and not (only) his ability to bag some nice tail. i just picked up his first records on vinyl, it's wonderful.

so i guess anchors isn't all bad.

also:
What up Pat.
what's happening, eric?

JT also went with Britney....... that's soooooo wrong it cancels any rights he may make or have made already.

everyone on this website is a big baby.

Posted by jacktheskipper on 2007-08-15 16:07:24
My Score:

Worst review I can remember reading on here!!! That`s for sure ... this may take some more time to get into than their debut record, but this is a really rewarding listen and to even mention Finch in the same sentence is a crime!!! Score is for the record not the reviewer ... perhaps you should retire ...

really bland music. not anything to get worked up over.

i completely agree with the review, in that these songs totally lack direction and memorable elements. i know they're going for some "anthemic" feeling in some of these songs but they really miss the mark on most occasions.

Anchors,

You review piles and piles and piles and piles of shit music (with this being one of the only exceptions). Seriously, you're taking the space for a review of a good punk band that deserves money, not some emo/indie/screamo/"hardcore" fad garbage. "it's not emo, it's post-hardcore dude"-You "Suck it queer"-Me

The Lawrence Arms are about as jazz as Love Me Destroyer is pop-rock. Listen to the fucking album next time.

For the record, I still back Justin Timberlake.

Dude has been with Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, and Scarlett Johansson. He's obviously doing something right.

"I swear I'd get less of an uproar if I reviewed a Lawrence Arms record and called it jazz."

That's just because everyone would think you were misspelling "jizz". Seriously, I've disagreed with Anchors in the past (Justin fucking Timberlake?), but everyone needs to chill out and just write their own God damn review. Remember when people flipped out over the Daughters review? Some dude submitted one more to his liking.

That's what PN is all about, baby. That and excessive homoeroticism.

Points for talking about testicles, but this comment does nothing to discredit the other guy's argument. He's entirely right: You can't defend or write off an album based on a few songs.

Why not? That's what Anchors does!

I don't get it? I believe it's the other way around here.

I listened to the album in it's entirety, about 5-6 times even, and I came away from it feeling as though the band were going for, at least loosely, a pop-rock feel. If you want to call it something different, call it something different, it's of no consequence to me. I heard what I heard, and I wrote about what I heard.

As far as I can tell, Love Me Destroyer aren't trying to write catchy, sing-along choruses and feel good riffs

"As far as I can tell." That's it right there. As far as you can tell, why is that different from what I discerned from listening to it? I heard a pop-rock band, and a hopelessly boring one at that. If you and everyone else want to knitpick about it being indie rock, space rock, shoegaze-y, or whatever else, feel free.

I swear I'd get less of an uproar if I reviewed a Lawrence Arms record and called it jazz.

*sigh* You still don't quite get it do you Anchors? Having an opinion on an album and misclassifying an album are two very different things. Yes, you did use your opinion justly in a few spots throughout the review but as a whole, you based everything off of the fact that Love Me Destroyer is a "pop-rock" band. (ie: The combinations of vocals and rhythm are consistently battling with each other, and this is no situation for a band playing pop-rock music to be in.) A thorough listen to the album will show quite apparently that they are not a pop-rock band. As far as I can tell, Love Me Destroyer aren't trying to write catchy, sing-along choruses and feel good riffs. Believe me, I understand that reviews are just one persons opinion on something but I think as a staff member of punknews.org you at least owe it to the readers to do a bit of background work on an album and listen to the entire album before jumping to conclusions and then irrationally trying to defend them with no real backing.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 11:41 PM just goes to show that reviews, whether read or written, are just one person's opinion.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 11:41 PM just goes to show that reviews, whether read or written, are just one person's opinion.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 11:41 PM just goes to show that reviews, whether read or written, are just one person's opinion.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 11:41 PM just goes to show that reviews, whether read or written, are just one person's opinion.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 11:41 PM just goes to show that reviews, whether read or written, are just one person's opinion.

Thank you.

i like finch so fuck you all.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 11:41 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Wow, I'm usually in agreement with reviews on punknews, but i think this one missed the mark. i should go find the review i wrote a few months ago. reminds me a lot of hot water music / boy sets fire and is a band that can actully play their instruments and stray from chords. i really dig the lead guitar work that the second guitarist plays over the riffs. real solid cd. just goes to show that reviews, whether read or written, are just one person's opinion.

'I lost credibility in the eyes of a guy who named himself 'ibitchslappedyourmama?' Heartbreaking.'

No, you lost credibility with everyone on this site, i just announced it. Listen to an album in it's entirety before you decide to review it in the future.

"In the past, when you were still swimming around in daddy's testicles, people used to base opinions and buy albums upon listening to only 1 or 2 songs (singles) I know, people in the past were so fucking dumb."

Points for talking about testicles, but this comment does nothing to discredit the other guy's argument. He's entirely right: You can't defend or write off an album based on a few songs.

this band sucks

the last line is the best way to end a review.

Posted by ven89 on 2007-08-14 16:41:18
My Score:

If you disagree with the review and it bothers you that much, write your own. You know, DIY and all that.

Alternately, read this one: http://pastepunk.com/reviews.php?v=2193

Good band, decent album, I miss Pinhead Circus.

There's a reason it's called an "album review" mate. So people don't make a judgment off of two songs found on a myspace site

4 songs, bitch.
In the past, when you were still swimming around in daddy's testicles, people used to base opinions and buy albums upon listening to only 1 or 2 songs (singles) I know, people in the past were so fucking dumb.

Ps. I'm not your mate.

it's hilarious that someone actually quoted Alternative Press as though they have any amount of credibility or are more trustworthy/authoritative than anything on here.

Terrrible review.Great band.

If you actually read the comments you'll see that nobody is suggesting you "change your point of view" on the album. We're all just simply hoping you actually put a little bit of time and effort into your reviews (ie: listening to the full album) before posting a review. Everyone has a right to an opinion but that is far different than completely mis-classifying an album and basing an entire review off of it.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 3:58 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Anchors:

Hold on a minute. Everyone is unfairly attacking you? What about fair attacks?

Such as you not knowing anything about the band (pop-punk?, wrong vocalist?), a dubious review that makes people wonder if you listened to the album, unnecessary derogatory remarks? Petulant crying when people point all of this out?

Tighten up or your reviews or stop being such a pussy in the face of (much deserved) criticism.

Four distinct times? You want to count again? I'm only seeing two. You can question whether or not I listened to the album all you want, it's not going to change my viewpoint on it. Is this beyond the understanding of you, and most other people in the thread?

Posted by ibitchslappedyourmama on 2007-08-14 13:45:02
That's just insane....You just lost any and all credibility.

I lost credibility in the eyes of a guy who named himself 'ibitchslappedyourmama?' Heartbreaking.

Posted by ibitchslappedyourmama on 2007-08-14 13:45:02
My Score:

'Yes, the Plain White T's album was better than this.'

That's just insane....You just lost any and all credibility. This record is definitely not as good as Black Heart Affair, but it's nowhere near as bad as you claim. score is for the album and the power ballad which you failed to mention.

Anchors, I don't think the problem is that you compared LMD to Finch (although they were referenced four distinct times) it is the fact that you completely mislabeled and band. Describing Love Me Destroyer as pop-rock is simply an error and as said earlier, severely makes me question if you actually listened to this album in its entirety.

I'm sick of hearing about how things are "not professional" around here.

Punk rock is not professional. Deal with it, crybabies.

(I miss Pinhead Circus and I doubt I'll listen to this)

What up Pat.

Usually agree with Anchors but in my opinion you are way off on this one.

Perfect example right here of me making a comparison and people getting pussy hurt over it. The entire album doesn't sound like Finch, but there are definitely parts on here that remind of the first album.

Don't let me stop you guys from furiously typing your comments out, though. Maybe after the 12th irate comment about how I'm "a big dummy head" or whatever other oh-so-intelligent quips you guys come up with, I'll change my mind and start liking it.

Yes, the Plain White T's album was better than this.

This record isn't amazing but it certainly isn't as bad as the review makes it out to be. If you get it as part of the Suburban Home 5 for $25 sale it's a pretty good deal. But as a $10 album I might be slightly hesitant.
The fact that the last song (which is both strangely out of place and the most recognizable song on the album) isn't even mentioned in this review makes me question if Anchors even listened to the whole album.
-Dante

Doesn't sound like Finch, but certainly isn't all that great. Still, with Planes out of the picture, Denver needs a new Best Hard Band.

"Ok, so I listened to their songs on myspace. This is not good music, it's average, very average. All you street teamers need to deal with it."

There's a reason it's called an "album review" mate. So people don't make a judgment off of two songs found on a myspace site.

Posted by booker_pee on 2007-08-14 10:56:19
My Score:

wow, as if the review wasn't bad enough, you really felt compelled to get even meaner/less professional by throwing in that last line. what the fuck? did someone in this band steal your girlfriend, anchors? get the shit out of your ears and actually listen to a record for once.

I'm confused... is this good or not?

The webzine comparing this shit to Hot Water Music, that's the funniest shit I heard all day.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 6:31 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Ok, so I listened to their songs on myspace. This is not good music, it's average, very average. All you street teamers need to deal with it.

Posted by justinius on 2007-08-14 05:35:26
My Score:

i'm giving this an official UNREAL.

as in, what he's talking about is not real/imaginary.

score is for the review.

Remember Anchors, with reviews it's about quality, not quantity.

"[3.5/5] In a refreshing reminder that not all heavy bands are polished to a Pro Tools sheen these days, Denver's Love Me Destroyer offer up a gritty, raw second record to follow up 2003's Black Heart Affair. Between singer James Wellensiek's coarse-although notably solid-vocals and the foursome's grimy melodies, The Things Around Us Burn sounds like the product of a band who haven't slept in days and are pouring their hearts out in a basement studio surrounded by the remains of cigarette butts and alcohol bottles. The gimmick-free music lands somewhere between early Rise Against and Hot Water Music, igniting a longing for the days when punk bands played garages instead of Clear Channel-run clubs and cared more about the passion behind the music than how glossy it sounds-not surprising from a band who rose from the ashes of Colorado legends Pinhead Circus. Imperfection has never sounded so perfect."
-Altpress.com

There’s the dual vocal attack a la Hot Water Music. Add some blistering guitarwork that’s a lot more complex than on the band’s debut “Black Heart Affair”. Proceed by throwing in some hardhitting rhythms, great hooks and choruses that’ll have you pumping your fists along in no time and you’re looking at one helluva addictive album that should have fans of Latterman and Hot Water Music drewling all over the place. 8/10

-punkrocktheory.com

I'm not even sure where to begin with this one. This is an absurdly bad review of a solid album. To begin, Love Me Destroyer do not sound like Finch. They do not sound remotely close to Finch. I'm not even quite sure how this reference was made in the first place. LMD plays rough, gritty, punk rock. Think The Bronx, Leatherface, and Pinhead Circus wrapped into one.

To counter this terrible review I will post two other reviews which I found online...

Posted by punkengineer on 2007-08-14 01:29:51
My Score:

Hmmm, don't agree with this review at all. Doesn't sound anything like Finch or anything from Drive-Thru.

Wow, you gave Plain White T's a better score than this?

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 1:06 AM (EDT)
My Score:

hold on mother fucker. this record isn't that bad. i don't see how the fuck you can put garbage like mars volta ahead of this. second of all, this band has been around for a while and they aren't comparable to emo/screamo/hardcore bullshit. it's more of a harder pinhead circus. the first full length is much better. check that one out. also, this band rules live, they're funny as fuck and good musicians.