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Reviews

New England is Sinking

Deathkiller

2 out of 5

Released: Apr 24, 2007
Label: I Scream Records
Reviewed by: William Jones
7 comments

I'll admit, I put off listening to this CD and writing this review for quite awhile now. I opened my package from Ian and thought, "Aw, come on, Ian! Deathkiller?" I finally listened, and it was actually a bit better than I expected, which still isn't to say "good." It wasn't total crap, but it was mostly generic metal/hardcore with a few interesting punk inspired bits here and there. Still, I didn't really have much to say about it, and I put off the review. It may have never gotten done if it weren't for the AIM conversation I had with my fellow podcast (Top Welt! plug) cohort and friend. I've changed the SNs to protect the innocent, or something, but our quick banter on the album basically says it all...

ME (3:06:45 PM): and i have to review a band called deathkiller

ME (3:06:56 PM): though the name deathkiller seems like a review in itself

HIM (3:06:57 PM): with a name like that, it couldnt be good

ME (3:07:06 PM): heh, my point exactly

ME (3:07:34 PM): i get confused trying to think about what killing death would entail

HIM (3:07:55 PM): death as in the grim reaper?

ME (3:07:57 PM): it's sort of like your ridding the world of death, but your doing it by killing something, which is already dead, but if you've killed death, can anything be dead anymore

HIM (3:08:01 PM): or as in the end of a life

ME (3:08:04 PM): it's kind of a paradox

HIM (3:08:19 PM): and we have put more thought into their name than they ever had

ME (3:08:54 PM): anyways, to live up to a name like deathkiller, it should basically make your head explode upon listening, and it comes nowhere close

ME (3:09:28 PM): it's just a generic metal/hardcore sound, pretty formulaic

HIM (3:09:43 PM): just like their name

ME (3:09:54 PM): you know what, i think i'm just going to copy and paste this conversation as my review

ME (3:10:16 PM): i think I could get away with that at least once, do you have anything else to add about deathkiller

HIM (3:10:18 PM): haha

HIM (3:10:30 PM): if it were a video game, I would rent it

ME (3:10:37 PM): nice

User Comments

Bill Folsom To each his own, Kev. Though you're both clearly in a minority.

As for me 'spreading my wings'- Trust me, I knew more about punk and its culture before I was 17 than you will know in your lifetime. Bet on it.

Let us know if Chuck Ragan ever answers your love letters, sweetie.

kisses.

 Sep 20, 2007
Michelle This review cracked me up. Also, I almost did the exact same thing for Boys Night Out, but I scratched it last minute and wrote some more traditional shit. Sep 17, 2007
Kev i like the idea of the review i just don't think that conversation was the one! not interesting or funny enough.

as for the band, well Folsom, dude you need to spread your wings a bit if you think this is some of the best hardcore in years! these dudes dont even come close to being the best band i've heard this week...

the artwork is terrible to boot and the band name just tops it of nicely.

nil points! Sep 17, 2007
william_david Thanks for taking the civil approach to this conversation and considering my perspective. Obviously, there's no way I'm going to try arguing that this was the most thought out and well written review I've put together. Maybe people with musical tastes more aligned with your own will dig it, but for those with the Swinging Utters still in the rotation, it's probably best to avoid. (Queue Swinging Utters fan that also likes this CD...)

Bill Sep 16, 2007
Bill Folsom Thanks for replying. I understand what you're saying, I just think that this CD deserved better from the site. Yes, their MySpace page lists all great reviews, even from AltPress. But come on, there are 24 reviews listed there. How many times do you think this CD has been critiqued in print since its release? 30 times tops. that's a pretty good ratio for any band.
Their name is a goof on these super dark band names that are so popular these days and the singer has been involved in the punk scene since Black Flag was a touring band. That may hold no relevance within the context of your review, but otherwise I (and apparently many others) think that this is the best Hardcore-punk album to come across in years.

Thanks again for the reply,

Folsom Sep 16, 2007
william_david Trust, me, I listened to the album three times...and it kind of hurt. Given, it is nowhere near the best review I've written. Maybe the worst, probably irresponsible, as you point out. But consider this, I found the album to be very "disposable," so it kind of makes sense to write a disposable review to accent this point. Consider that this is a "PUNKBANDS" website. So, maybe I should take the Swingin' Utters comment as a compliment. I've consistently written my reviews on this site as a fan of punk music, and yes, sometimes that means my reviews are a bit harsh on other genres of music. Sometimes, I find something in another genre I do enjoy, but I am what I am--a punk music fan. The only class I've ever taken relating to review writing taught me one important thing. There really isn't an absolute right or wrong in a review. Everyone has different tastes, and everything is subjective. The goal of writing a review is to build a relationship of some sort with the reader, make them understand the perspective you are taking, and leaving them with something to think about, whether they like what you say or not. It is clear in my review that I'm writing as a punk fan, and yes, dismissing what I considered to be a rather bland record by a band with a silly name. If you don't agree with me, that's perfectly fine, as long as you understand where I'm coming from, and that I did, indeed, give the record time. Also, the link you sent is to the band's myspace page, where, of course you are going to find a list of great reviews. Magazines like Hails and Horns, that may be more into this type of thing. I'm not asking you to agree with my review of the record, just consider the site you're reading it on, the writer that wrote it. Thanks,

Bill Sep 15, 2007
Bill Folsom What an irresponsible review of this record. Judging from what was written here it's hard to believe that you even listened to it. Put down the Swingin' Utters CD for a few minutes and broaden your musical scope, dude.

I've been reading the reviews on this site for almost a year now and usually always agree, but I had to register just to voice my disgust at the disposable tone of this review.

For a more accurate critique of this CD check any one of the links here: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=63671023&blogID=284279098

hear that, Will? it's the sound of New England is Sinking going right over your head. Whoosh!

 Sep 13, 2007

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