Both Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine have been busy with the release of new albums in 2011.

Rather than simply releasing a new full-length, Down will be dropping 4 EPs over the course of a year, each one focusing on a different aspect of the band’s sound.

I have to say that this is some strange album art. Whereas I was expecting to hear well, anything but a metalcore album, House Vs Hurricane turns out to most definitely play just that.

Yes, The Adicts are that band that still likes to play dress-up even though they’re almost  legally required to retire. And yes, they are that band with a Clockwork Orange fetish.

I think something went wrong with the pressing of this album. It’s as if they put the same song on here thirteen times.

Out Cold A.D. is a band that operates out of New Zealand and apparently people can get pretty pissed off there as well.

On The Fifty is a Brooklyn-based pop-punk band who just released a 5-song EP called “Fast Hands, Bad Timing”.

What the fuck? I admit I really like AFI’s albums but this offshoot has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

When opener “Halcyon Days” is off to a somewhat hesitant start before erupting in a whirlwind of noise, it becomes obvious that five years between releases can change a lot.

Dan Padilla (the band, not the man) gets to call San Diego home and features members of Tiltwheel and Madison Bloodbath.