Without distribution (or a publicity machine), a band remains unknown. After hearing "Won't Stay Long" from this EP, I knew this unknown band was worthy of my ears; Paint Your Blood doesn't disappoint. Down tempo, heavy riffs combine with an emotional whine to create a sound that is anything but common. Recorded in their own Standing Water Studios (the flooded basement of singer Andy Isham), the album is rough around the edges. If you're feeling musically adventurous, get yourself a copy at CDbaby.com. (Spreading the word can be more effective than distribution and the publicity machine combined.)

This music is meant for summer. Listen with your windows down screaming along like no one is watching. It isn't anything new, not very innovative, but what The City Drive offers is a well-produced, cohesive set of hooks, head-bopping bass lines, and clean lyrics. More importantly, these guys define the EIY movement. Aside from Sarah herself, I've never known a band to work harder, to welcome criticism, accolades, and advice with the same inviting affect. They want it and they know that they need to work to get it. Their success is slow yet weedlike, and they deserve it.

On this collection of rarities and outtakes, Chronic Future has truly moved away from the "rap rock" they started out with, and someday they'll be recognized as the pioneers they are. Songs like "Temper Anthem" and "Home Game" show how they've embraced the funk and underground hip hop they hinted at on Lines In My Face. They still keep the political unrest that popped up a few times on their last album. These are some of the best songs I've heard in the last year. I want more, damnit! I wish there was a rating better than Buy! REALLY BUY!

Why must all these bands open with blandness? I’ve heard the same riffs and lyrics from other bands, some much better than Lorene Drive. I hate to say this, because they're trying; but when I can’t tell a band from five bands in a lineup, they're doing a disservice to themselves. Lorene Drive isn’t bad -- I could deal with a bad band -- but they don't differ from all the other bands in the “emo” genre. If they added a keyboardist, they’d probably stand out a lot. But they don't. It's the same stuff. So what can ya do?

A great combo of the best of Hot Hot Heat and S.T.U.N., you get a great run of political protest songs mixed with dancey rock. And even though the lyrics are cliches to an extent, you can forgive that because, hey, you're dancing! But in the end, the band could really be something down the road, maybe if the protest was toned down a tad. But maybe that would be "against" the rules.

Well, it's a punk compilation album, featuring many of the sub-genres (screamo, girly pop, etc...). Hmmm. What to do? I mean, it's got a Saving Face song on it (and I'm not the person to get an unbiased review from when it involves Saving Face), so I don't know. I'd suggest going to the site and checking to see if you like any of the bands, or if you're feeling dangerous, just go ahead and plop down the $5 and get the thing for yourself. You'll at least have a great Saving Face song out of it.

You look at the CD case, and see the typical Pop Punkers. And their sound is a bit generic. But I have to respect the energy. They do some great harmonies, and a great harmony can get me anytime. But the lyrics are a bit stale, and I swear if I hear that guitar sound again in any more CDs, I will blow out my ear drums to never hear them again. But the boys show a bit of promise, but who knows if they'll do anything with it. Openers "Count Me Out" and "Set Sail" are the standout tracks.

Reminding me of a dirtier, yet cleaner Sixty Stories, Looner is a bit impressive with this EP. Things switch from a sunny pop song, to a more bluesy torch song. And with a main female lead and gruff male back ups, it does add a touch of back and forth. The sound is a bit plain, which is what probably hurts it the most, but you can hear something good that could be brought out with later releases.

Okay, I need to know what drunk person decided this compilation album was worth pressing on a disc? The sad fact is, this is the fourth one. Punk poppers and emo kids singing either Christmas standards or new songs about Christmas is one of the worst ideas I've heard. There's a reason there haven't really been any new hits about Christmas: because all the good ones were done years ago. When I think Christmas, I think Nat King Cole. I think Perry Como. I don't think Anberlin. Go buy Nat King Cole Sings Christmas Songs, not this crap!

Shortly after meeting these three quiet men from Montana, I found that we had more in common than a few friends: good music was in our futures (although for me it is by way of a lo-fi CD player, and for them it was through powerful melodies that are both catchy and beautiful enough to enlist the people of Seattle onto their myspace friends list). If you cannot find this to buy it, then make it to one of their shows in the Seattle area. It is sure to scintillate your senses.