Toy Machine is the shit, yes, we have acknowledged this. However, what to do with the dreaded tour video? Remember Label Live? What…no? Of course you don’t, and there’s a reason for this – tour videos suck. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t much into Berzerker either. With that said, I was surprised to find that I kind of…well…liked Lurk-Fest. Granted, there was some good street skating at the end but I don’t think that’s why. I’m going to chalk this one up …

Black Eyes and Neckties
Apparition!
Click Pop Records
9/10
I’m actually surprised on how fucking good this album is. Riffs that kick you in the face are coupled with synth bits that punch you in the nards. I love every bit of it. This is the sound I looked for every time I jumped into a fucking pit, chaos that just causes you to unleash and explode. BE&N are one of those genre-bending bands that sound like bits and pieces of other bands. As I love describing bands in mathematical formulas, here we go: …

Goldfrapp
Seventh Tree
Mute Records
8/10

In my mind, there is this collection of female singers that stick out in the world of ethereal vocals, Beth Gibbons (Portishead), Bjork, Beth Orton and Alison Goldfrapp. Goldfrapp comes at you with another atmospheric journey that can equally lead you to romance or seclusion. Her voice piercing through everything else, Goldfrapp leaves you just utterly satisfied at the end of the album. Sensual and passionate lyrics build upon the layers of synths and percussion to leave you wanting more. Also, she’s hot.
-Jonathan Yost

The Melvins
Nude With Boots – July 8th release date.
Ipecac Recordings
Overall Rating: 10/10
You might think that – coming from the band who’s 24 year career has been successfully grounded on doing the same thing over and over – from extensive touring efforts to an arsenal of 25+ album releases in which every effort maintains the unmistakable Melvins sound (and yet each effort is as well, more delectible than it’s predecessor), you might think that eventually the band would reach a road-block. Eventually, you might think that the band would lose steam, …

Various Artists
RMXXOLOGY
Delicious Vinyl
8/10

Remixes of super sweet hip hop from the Delicious Vinyl catalog could have easily been a massive fuck disaster. Luckily, it takes such sweet tracks as Young MC’s Bust a Move and Runnin’ from the Pharcyde and either spiffs ‘em up or strips them down. You have some other big names remixing shit like Peaches, Hot Chip and Eminem. Yes, apparently he still does shit, or this is old and salvaged. My main bitch is the length of the album, 15 tracks sounds great, until you realize 5 …

I hate clothing brands. I don’t understand why you would have a shirt that just says “ADIDAS” or “Champion,” so when Wesley told me that Toy Machine sent us shirts, I was not really excited. That is, until I saw that that only a couple of the shirts had the words Toy Machine on them, instead they had some sick fucking monsters on ‘em! Now, Racket’s got monsters on our site, so of course I was down. I’ve gotta admit, I feel pretty cool when I walk into a place …

We here at Racket revel in cuss words, discomfort and satire, so you can imagine how devastated we are when an icon of all of these things falls. Below we have three separate eulogies for Mr. Carlin from the Racket Staff. We’ll miss you, man.
There are a lot of comics out there who are known for their specialties or specific routines; George Carlin however was known for his controversial topics such as his “7 dirty words” routine. Mainly his political and dark humor, which made everyone not only scowl, …

Dear Life
The Framework
Uprising Records
9/10
Somehow I became worried about my own safety when I started this CD. The same sense of dread that accompanies any live hardcore show crept in. The amount of energy actually captured on the recording of songs I have seen live is fucking intense. Furious guitar work makes me sad about my own musical abilities, while the vocals make me think that I need to be drinking more Jack and Coke. It takes a special kind of hardcore for me to be into it, but when the …

Metal Mania 2007
MVD Distribution
9/10
Fuck. I thought that this would be a collection of music videos just glancing at the very epic cover art. I was fucking wrong. It’s a video of the Polish Metal Mania festival. This is not only a well produced concert film, it’s an amazing source of new acts to go search out. The first act on the Main Stage segment was Korpiklaani, who somehow utilized bagpipes, flutes, a violin and even a fucking accordion to make some serious fucking metal. Apparently, it’s call Pagen Folk Metal. …

The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
Susquehanna
Space Age Bachelor Pad Records
2/10
The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies have released a Groovtastic (My word) new album!
That’s what I would say if I actually liked it…..which I don’t…..yep, I do not like the new album that’s come’n out, so sue me. I do, in fact, dig the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, don’t get me wrong. In their new album they try a new technique to their otherwise great and successful swing music, and it’s, get ready folks, here it comes: ska. The thing is….it just doesn’t work for them. …

The Strangers
Rogue Pictures
7/10
Most horror films either spend forever or not long enough getting into the back story of the film. The Strangers gives you just enough for you to have an idea of what’s going on, and then starts throwing the scary shit your way. The girl I was with was scared enough to cuddle up next to me, which is always a bonus for fellas and a sign of a decent flick. Decent pacing caused me to get engrosses in it enough so that when the ending came around, …

Hip Hop Times Capsule – 1994
MVD Distribution
7/10
I love hip hop. I really do. However, I like Hip Hop that comes with, you know, verses, a catchy hook and a message, or at least a story. I Left My Wallet in El Segundo doesn’t have a message per se, but damn that’s a rad tune. What I don’t like is the modern day “bling hop” that is basically formulated as three minutes of catchy hook and no real verses or message attached. Bling Hop is created for the sole purpose of …

American Speedway
Ship Of Fools
Prophase Music
7/10
American Speedway is four dudes (Michael Thursby Speedway, Johnny Griswold, Billy Angry and Chris Callahan) who, much like The Emperor, RacketMike and RacketCasey, get really drunk and listen to a bunch of Motorhead. The major difference is that they started a band that actually sounds like what happens when you get drunk and listen to Motorhead. Screaming about throttles, throwing up blood and driving drunk are all the irresponsible actions that would make Lemmy proud and MADD, well, mad. I’m going to go drink whiskey, because …

Charlie’s Angels, 007 and Indiana Jones is what I would compare the awesome comic Danger Girl too. It has all those rolled into one, with all the witty banter back and forth, the action, the adventure and the cheesy yet funny one-liners. Oh, and not to mention gorgeous curvy women to boot! Yep, the art is pretty realistic as to how everyone is drawn, not the fake “Barbie girl” image you tend to see in comics nowadays. They have all the curves in all the right places. Danger Girl has …

Totimoshi
Milagrosa – July 8th release date.
Volcom Entertainment
Overall Rating: 6/10
Two years since their debut release, Totimoshi offers up their mature sophmore effort, Milagrosa. Pllaying heavily into their spanish roots, Milagrosa carries a jamband-esque sound, reminding me at various times of such acts as Goon Moon, the Pixies, Jeff Buckley, or My Morning Jacket (sans Jim James’ odd voice). A poetic vocal melody mixed with the band’s often girtty, driving presense produces an interesting sound that sits on the fence between sludge-rock and early metal, with an unmistakably punk rock feel, very …

Robin McKelle
Modern Antique
Cheap Lullaby Records
6/10
Jazzy cover of Steve Miller Band’s Abracadabra? Thank God it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Actually, it’s not bad at all. Takes some getting used to, but it’s alright. This would be solid to play for one of those “romantic dinners” that couples do. Not too offensive to the dude, and gets the ladies all starry eyed with the idea of makeouts and cuddling. Save the Slayer album for when you’re breaking up. Go with Robin McKelle while you’re, you know, getting …