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Smoking Popes on Faith, Politics, and Judy Garland

Josh Caterer of Smoking Popes talks with PopMatters about musical and spiritual experiences, and reflections about the legendary Judy Garland, who inspired their new album Into the Agony.

Music

Alkaline Trio Discovers That the "Young Idea" Has Never Left Them on 'Is This Thing Cursed?'

Alkaline Trio diehards will find themselves, by turns, nostalgic for what came before and thrilled by what they hear now on Is This Thing Cursed?

Music

The Get Up Kids Return... Again with 'Kicker'

The Get Up Kids are searching for an elusive position, that nostalgic allure of their previous glory on new EP, Kicker.

Music

The Breaking Pattern - "Shadow of the Moon" (video) (premiere)

The rising Arizona emo group capture the picturesque beauty of their state's natural landscapes as a story of love-struck fantasy unfolds.

Music

Wovenwar: Honor Is Dead

Wovenwar returns with an entertaining if safe sophomore effort. The group hasn't yet found its groove, but it's getting there—one radio-ready growl at a time.

Music

The Yin and Yang of the Universe: Conversations With Max Bemis and Chris Conley

Max Bemis and Chris Conley discuss the new Two Tongues record, family matters, and connecting to the rock and roll muse.

Interviews

Balance and Composure: Light We Made

The Pennsylvania post-hardcore band Balance and Composure have changed a bit. Is it a slick and successful movement toward a fresh sound, or is it an awkward stumble?

Music

At Folsom Prison: Every Dream and Every Crisis Means the Rise

Nervousness and talent make the band’s third album a brilliant departure point from which to venture into unknown territories.

Music

Desaparecidos: Payola

Desaparecidos find giddy joy as they tear the establishment to pieces.

Music

Blake Bliss: Friend, Enemy, Stranger

This album is so distraught and, I hate to say it, silly in its studied seriousness, that it’s what people might kick around as the punchline to a perverse joke.

Music

The Best Emo Albums of 2014

Like emo's first wave, today's revival has taken issue with the category itself. But concerns over labels shouldn't get in the way of appreciating the connections between the subgenre's up-and-comers and legacy acts that reconvened like Y2K never happened.

Ian King

Music

Dads: I'll Be the Tornado

I’ll Be the Tornado is an enrapturing album, and one that you simply must hear with your mind and your heart.

Music

Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate): You Will Eventually Be Forgotten

You Will Eventually Be Forgotten boasts some solid craftsmanship, which is quite endearing, but also has some wretched singing, making the proceeding seem rather average at best.

Music

The Relapse Symphony: Shadows

This is the sound of a band making waves, and, despite its slight faults, it’s largely enjoyable and a soundtrack to your next backyard summer barbeque.

Music

Tigers Jaw: Charmer

Adding new textures and the vocal talents of Brianna Collins, Tigers Jaw does the impossible, and that is evolve without leaving anything behind.

Music

JPNSGRLS - "Smalls" (video) (Premiere)

The kinetic, off-the-wall music video for JPNSGRLS' infectious tune "Smalls" is available for viewing exclusively at PopMatters.

Music

Pop Ten

Birds, Bees, and Desperate Housewives, or How Joe Sarno Made Sex Look Good

Say It Loud! 100 Great Protest Songs: Part 1 - Beethoven to Janis Ian

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