Endwell – Homeland Insecurity (c) 2006 Victory RecordsEndwell? It doesn’t even start well. Jimmy says, �It’s like they have all this mello music with someone screaming over it. If you’re gonna be screaming like that have the music to support it. It’s top heavy. Jerry Actually says, �This CD is pointless and pissed. Every time you listen to this CD god kills a kitten and Jebus cries. I give it 18 thumbs down. Eject. Sincerely,Team !upstarter
Author: teamupstarter
Moros Eros
Moros Eros – I saw the devil last night … (c) 2006 Victory Records !upstarter team member Krystal says that she likes the cover art. The CD starts well (66% opinion). But let me tell you a story about a little band called Modest Mouse. You are them. Get a style, emulators! After track one, it is all down hill. Save your bucks and buy something else. Hell stock up on ramen instead, ’cause if you like this you are obviously a jobless loser. All thumbs down. With sympathy, Team !upstarter
Spitalfield
Spitalfield – Better Than Knowing Where You Are (c) 2006 Victory RecordsRiding Rick Springfield’s coattails straight to hell, Spitalfield brings a weak attempt at emotainment. It could sure as hell get a lot better than this. Fuck this whiney pussy rock. If this CD were toilet paper, I wouldn’t even wipe my ass with it. I bet that 14 year old girls would like this, if they had mental problems. Perhaps you could use the proceeds from this record and get some testosterone implants and maybe grow a collective set. Then again I think a large portion of the world would be happier if you just quit.Love Team !upstarter
Dream Seeker – The Velvet Mask
Dream Seeker – The Velvet Mask Tony DeCarvalho & Damian Hospital (c) 2006While I appreciate the content, I can honestly say that The Velvet Mask has nothing in the way of punk, ska or hardcore. It is, in fact, SCI-FI. If you’re into that..read it. If you are looking at !upstarter as a sort of WAL-MART for your media, by all means, BUY AND READ THIS BOOK. If have you come to read about music, music reviews and interviews with musicians, PLEASE, don’t waste your time. This novel has not been written well, it has NOTHING TO DO with music and it has TOO MANY BASEBALL AND BROADWAY REFERNCES. The Velvet mask reminds me of a comic book written as a film script for a Hollywood blockbuster. NO MUSIC, NO PUNK, NO SKA, NO HARDCORE. Just sci-fi. I’m sorry, not good reading. You would be better off with a copy of your favorite comic book. Might I recommend anything from DARKHORSE?
This Feels Like A Riot Looks
This Feels Like A Riot Looks – Killian Betlach (c) 2005With a title that all but screams to be read and a prologue that sucked me in with the first paragraph, This Feels Like A Riot Looks was a decent read. The characters have a quality that makes them seem very familiar and there are a few laugh out loud antics I found entertaining. I can’t say that I put it down with any sense of insight or inspiration, after all this story is merely human, but I think the author has something with his first novel and I hope I get a chance to see some more of his work. -Krystal TolleGet a copy of the book here .
Mastodon
Mastodon – Blood Mountain (c) 2006 Warner Bros. RecordsMastodon, “Blood Mountain;” Scaling the peak. Approximately one minute into Mastodon’s third full length release, “Blood Mountain,” one gets the feeling they aren’t exactly listening to just any old record. From every riff, every transition or seeming lack thereof to every�beat, bass swirl and drum�fill to the�ever changing vocal styles of both Troy Sanders and Brent Hinds, (not to mention guests Scott Kelly of Neurosis and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age) all the way down to the immpeccable guitar tones and drum sounds, this is a release to be taken seriously. And that is no accident. Mastodon have themselves claimed this as their greatest work to date, and while they have cultivated a loyal following thus far, they clearly had intentions of raising their proverbial bar, dare I say at the risk of alienating some entry-level fans. At times quite heady, filled with complex timing, intricate guitar work, blazing drums, highly unique lyrics dealing with myriad fantastical creatures and adventures sung in interesting ways,�and even a few “what the hell what was THAT!?” noises, Blood Mountain is certainly a couple of things. First, a finely crafted work of art by highly skilled individuals. Second, one intense son-of-a-bitchin’ ride. Never a dull moment, never a predictable one. As a side-note, upon waiting for the hidden track to kick in, a discussion about how Rob Halford is the most badass gay guy on Earth fired up. Just as I made my final�note about how even the most jock-esque dudes fail to stack up to his merits, Mastodon appeared once more, simply to laugh at my point. -Nick McGarvey�
Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin – Phobia (c) 2006 Hollywood RecordsTrack one: Shitty intro, Track two: The Diary of Jane. You have heard the rest of the album already, you just don't know it yet. Take most of the bands you have heard on modern rock garbage radio ( Stained, Creed, Fallout Boy, Pan Full! of Crisco) and just kind of smash them all together until a bastard child emerges. Here he is! Breaking Benjamin. While I found most of the cover art and photography pleasing to my eyes, I can't say so much for my poor little ears. NO! NO! Don't break a Benjamin. Don't event break a Washington. Krystal Tolle
Grrrl : A Novel
Grrrl : A Novel – Jennifer Whiteford (c) Razorcake / Gorsky PressIf you ever were, are, or wonder what’s going on witha teenage suburbanette… READ THIS BOOK. Ottawa’sJennifer Whiteford weaves a boldly textured andbrilliantly colored tapestry of early 90’sadolescence. Grrrl is a wonderful adaptation of a highschool riot queen diary . There are too many awesomethings to tell you (the reader) about but I bet you’llenjoy it. When you get finished, pass it on to yourlittle sister. – Krystal Tolle
The Welch Boys
The Welch Boys
(c) 2006 Sailor’s Grave Records
The Welch Boys are doing their part to keep Boston, MA on the punk rock map. With the official release of their self-titled CD out now on Sailor's Grave Records. The Welch Boys are a 5 member street punk band from straight outta Boston replete with aggressive guitar work crashing drums and rowdy sing-a-long choruses. Comprised of members of legendary acts such as The Blue Bloods and Slapshot, The pedigree of The Welch Boys doesn't fail to impress. If you're a fan of Dropkick or Streetdogs, odds are great that you'll also be a fan of The Welch Boys. The 15 tracks clock in at just over a half an hour so those with short attention spans need not be concerned. The songs contain many usual punk concerns such as unity, false friendship, emotional struggle, and as with most of the Boston punk, there is an overwhelming sense of civic pride. Though they run around a lot of familar territory, The Welch Boys bring a fresh sound and voice to the anthemic Boston punk sound. Bottom line, The Welch Boys don't dissapoint.
Satori – Savor Every Moment
(c) 2005 Asian Man Records
Rating: 
Comprised of the Rx Bandits with guest spots by Chris Murray and members of The Exit, is the outfit known as Satori. “Savor Every Moment” is their debut album out now on Asian Man Records. I insist that you do, in fact, savor every moment of this CD. All the elements of Dub, Rock Steady Reggae and Ska are artfully combined to create a soulful and soothing record. I’ve listened to “Savor Every Moment” about 4x in a row now and I’m still interested and still discovering new hooks and melodies. There are striking similarities to Sublime and Long Beach Dub All-stars. However, where as the aforementioned bands seem a little locked into 1 style, Satori runs the gambit of Jamaican musical styles as well as displaying R&B influences. The songs often recall the likes of Skatalites and early Wailers, yet infused with modern tones and beats, an dI’m not kidding when I say that these guys have some serious Stevie influence. “Savor Every Moment” is a beautifully restored classic car, refined with modern luxury appointments. Truly a must have disc for all fans of Jamaican music. As a bonus, check out the bands website for an audio stream of the first 3 tracks off of the CD.
http://www.satoriband.net
http://www.asianmanrecords.com
–Jerry Actually