Punknews.org (Staff)'s Scores

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For 508 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 61% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 35% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 2.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 75
Highest review score: 100 Pythons
Lowest review score: 10 Just Like You
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 434 out of 508
  2. Mixed: 63 out of 508
  3. Negative: 11 out of 508
508 music reviews
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    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    American Nightmare
    They've always done hardcore pretty well but now, as you can tell off tracks like "American Death" there's something new the band wants to explore and succeed at. In fact, this reminds me of Suicidal Tendencies and set the stage for other punk tracks like "War" and "Flowers Under Siege" to make the record just as political as it is personal. And hell, they're actually succeeding at it.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Nowhere Generation
    Vocalist Tim McIlrath must be given credit as well, as his voice -- and overall production -- is as tight as ever. Technically, I found their last couple albums lacking, feeling too generic and polished, but it's a much better balance now.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Rockstar
    For the most part, Dolly sounds great- her personality pouring through effortlessly, as well as her masterful way to inhabit a song without making it a caricature.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    ONDA
    The shifts between melodic post-rock and Korean folk and the full-on metal sections is what really caught my attention. Typically, bands can do loud well or they can do quiet and subtle well. It’s rare you find a band that excels at both, Jambinai does that here.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A Hairshirt Of Purpose
    While not holding up to Pile's highly-regarded past, still hits hard and reminds you why Pile deserves much more time in the limelight.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Strangers to Ourselves
    If Lonesome and Moon are 10s, Good News is a 9 and Long Drive and We Were Dead are 8’s, then this gets 7/10. Definitely worth picking up for Modest Mouse fans, but those new to the band should start elsewhere.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Guppy
    Guppy as a debut does have room for growth but it's a distinct statement that matches the highs that Hendricks hits and the ambitions of a band whose cult following surely expanded this year.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    No Life For Me
    One or two tracks could have been cut but overall, this is a random yet pleasant surprise. And one that's definitely sure to please fans of both.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Emperor of Sand
    Working again with producer Brendan O’Brien, Mastodon maintains their polished technical expertise. The album is clean but not scrubbed of feeling.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    In the Spirit World Now
    The album's pretty good -- especially as Relapse loves letting bands do this shoegazey wandering and overall 'finding yourself' schtick -- but with something so deep and filled with portraits of different eras and mentors, it's going to take some time to really say just how good, especially compared to an already profound discography.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Compton
    Despite its vocal flaws, if anything, there is a great amount of care in Compton.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Music To Be Murdered By
    If they look hard enough, any artist could find criticism of their work online. That’s sort of the curse of the Information Age. But not everyone overreacts quite as much as Eminem does. But if his fears grow tiring, his lyrical ability can still give you something to admire, even if the album is somewhat uneven.
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