It took me a few weeks to get around to writing this review mainly because I wasn't even sure if I liked this record. When I first heard The Moon & Antarctica way back in 2000, I was instantly converted to a MODEST MOUSE fan. But then their 2001 EP on Epic was so horrible I couldn't believe it was the same band and I gave up hope.

Luckily the group has returned to form on this latest record and deliver an eclectic assortment of quirky tunes, like "#6." The opening track instantly reminds fans of The Moon & Antarctica with Isaac Brock's warbled vocals over an almost non-existent backdrop of music. And then the album transitions into a more ambitious song with an up-tempo beat and grittier vocals.

This dynamic continues throughout the rest of the record mixing a number of different styles together while still maintaining an atmosphere that screams MODEST MOUSE. It's also one of the reasons it took so long for me to make up my mind on the record. Once you think you've got it figured out they throw you a loop like "The Devil's Workday"'s Tom Waits-esque ramblings complete with horns.

In the end the record stands up as one of the strongest as the year from beginning to end and is worth the aural digestion.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, The End Of Heartache (Roadrunner)

WARNING: Comments below may sound as if coming from an old man.

Back when I was young, heavy metal was king. Headbanger's Ball was all about MEGADETH, SLAYER and the almighty PANTERA. Not only did grunge kill the crappy hair metal of the day it also made the earache-inducing thrash go into hiding as well.

The rise and fall of nu-metal has left a huge void to be filled and a new wave of acts like SHADOWS FALL, EIGHTEEN VISIONS, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE have brought back a thrashy element back to today's youth. When I see kids lining up to see one of these shows I feel almost happy that teenagers are no longer flocking to crappy hard rock (of course I'm not in line to see EVANESCENCE, either so I'm blissfully ignorant to how many kids are there).

The End Of Heartache is an exceptionally well-polished disc of a dozen tunes that features equal amounts of harsh screams and powerfully sung choruses. There's no question it is the more pleasing sounds on tracks like "When Darkness Falls" that will be palatable to a wide audience. But equally alluring are the pounding & relentless tracks like "Rose of Sharyn" and "Inhale."

And even though flashbacks of the metal of yore come flooding back when playing this disc, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE has enough songwriting ability to make the music their own. If kids were just lining up to here the same song I heard 15 years ago it would be a sad statement on the new crop of bands and their talent. Luckily they pay homage by creating original music that still has power and will induce just as many earaches.

Indie Pick Of The Week
DIVISION OF LAURA LEE, Danotcompute (Epitaph)

When I first heard DIVISION OF LAURA LEE, it was hot on the heals of the whole HIVES (who?) craze. Black City was a better album than most of the Burning Heart stuff I had heard and had a distinctively dark tinge to the R&B style they and every other band was playing. It was the worst time for D.O.L.L. to make a name for itself and it was lumped in a whole scene that never really fit.

A few years later and everyone has forgotten THE HIVES. That allows D.O.L.L. to stand on their own with Dasnotcompute. Per Stalberg's voice is gritty enough to add some rock punch to the post-punk his band is blasting out at high speed. Opening track "Does Compute" is a blueprint for the rest to come with its impressive guitar work and attention to melody.

There are even more melodic offerings like "Endless Factories." The song's cascading riffs and driving rhythm harkens back to the greatest rock bands of the past generation. Fuzzed out guitars great listeners on "Dirty Love" a more straight ahead take on the group's sound. BLONDIE-esque backing vocals from The CARDIGANS' (who?) Nina Perrson doesn't hurt either.

It's amazing how good music shines outside of the context of a scene or trend and D.O.L.L. can safely proclaim their Swedish heritage now that it won't make people think they're being force-fed.

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