Meir is a highly enjoyable record from a band who has already carved out their own niche in the metal scene.

Unfortunately, Tape Deck Heart is not his strongest offering as a whole, but it features a number of fantastic tracks that could conceivably be "hits" and will surely become live staples.

This batch of tunes has got enough of everything The Thermals do best to satisfy their die-hards (who might call it a "return to form") and would even be a good jumping-off point for new fans.

TSSF find its true sound here and it is a pleasant spin of melodic punk.

Because this album snaps together so well with such a varied texture, it does more in 40 minutes than most lecturers do in their entire career.

A nice rebound from the fan service of its predecessor, showing that even this late in the game, Alkaline Trio can still write better songs than the vast majority of their contemporaries and take them to uncharted waters when it feels right.

It is a welcome, surprising return to form.

Abandon All Life isn't a radical departure, but it is the most clever use of the band's tools to date.

New Moon is an exciting, challenging and rewarding listen.

With Wavves, you know what you're getting, and while Afraid of Heights offers no major surprises, it may be their finest hour yet.

Real to Reel would have benefited from more diversity.

In Home, Off With Their Heads have crafted an album that should satisfy both fans looking for more of the same, and listeners who like to see the band stretch their legs a bit, creatively.

While American Weekend had clear standouts in tracks like "Be Good" and "Bathtub," Cerulean Salt manages to maintain a consistently high quality throughout.

By combining the ragged, sloppy riffs of garage rock with the minor scales of death rock and darker music, the band create a haunting sound that also rocks the hell out.

Fans of melodic rock music with a tinge of punk attitude will find plenty to sing along to here.

The worst songs make you wish they had more to say. Their best ones make you glad that they don't.

All in all, with bad songs few and far between, this was a pleasant surprise.

Some improved diversity and novel musical ideas make 13.0.0.0.0 a much more interesting listen, though, and it's nice to hear a math rock band bringing more than just math to their songwriting sensibilities.

The more intelligible lyrics and mid-fi production keep things entertaining and give it the feeling of a fully fleshed-out work.

Wolf's Law doesn't expand on the Joy Formidable's sound so much as it cements their sound.

It's easily the band's best release in the last 10 years, and with time it will garner more appreciation in the overall catalog.

For now, call it a calculated risk that mostly works.

They really proved that they're a conduit for great music and a band that's chomping at the bit to explore and vary their style.

IV is a worthy return that shows the Bronx still have those chops.