Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, Ms. Estrella Cristina at first listen sounds like many. After repetitive exposure, her lungs, and moxy can draw comparisons to few that are many.

   This Is Life, a quickly put together E.P. has a consistent upbeat flavor.  "Brighter Than Sunshine" has that spunky Fefe Dobson, Pop/Punk demeanor. Slick production for indie is key here, shining up what seemingly was a short notice recording.  "Non Stop" is cheery and features high-pitched simplistic instrumentalist work that could possibly make it to Mix radio in most major markets, but something is stopping Cristina. Most of "In Between Days" has a very familiar shadow of The Cure guitar-wise anyways. 

   Regardless of whether or not this is my sound, Estrella has a boisterous and hyper sound, and would not doubt seeing her invading Pop Culture given the right amount of marketing.

As one of thrash's forerunning bands (not only in their native Europe but throughout the world), Germany's Kreator have the sort of reputation only albums like Pleasure to Kill (1986) and Terrible Certainty (1987) could justify. They have also been, through distinct differences in their thrash attack, one of death metal's biggest influences. Despite some experimental missteps throughout the 90's, Kreator have seen their star rise once again in recent years with more examples of their extreme thrash attack. Hordes of Chaos is their newest offering and it comes off as a satisfying breath of fresh air in what has become a somewhat stagnant genre this year.

The album is expertly crafted, from a songwriting perspective as well as song placement: it is bookended by it's two longest tracks (the opening title track, definitely catchy and full of memorable riffs, and the closer "Demon Prince", which is a monster of up-tempo riffage and melodic leads), which sandwich short, bruising bursts of death/thrash. 2nd track "Warcurse" just may be the album's best, with frontman Mille Petrozza ripping out some spiteful lyrics over one hell of a fast track, and a chorus that sounds awfully like the best stuff Slayer were ever capable of. In fact much of this album sounds like early-mid era Slayer and would serve as a decent "TIYL..." example. 

I can't think of many metal albums that have, or probably will, top the impact and sheer destructive force the metal-veterans in Kreator have worked up on Hordes of Chaos. They sound as in-tune with the sound that made them who they are as they have been since they first visited. The songs stay short, never get too full of themselves or venture anywhere near stretching too thin. Refreshing to hear a band confident enough in their abilities to keep it short, simple, and pleasurably punishing as they do here. 

Blitzing, overpowering, but still unexpected Screamo from Epitaph. Well maybe not as much Emo and more Scream, and certainly more Punk than Pop. Going into the review, one question simmered... After splitting a 7" in 2005 with Therefore I Am, did Vanna finally breakthrough as one of the great Post Hard-Core acts of the future?

"The Same Graceful Wind" has an epic like porportion of melodic journies from Oi! To Grindcore. Harmonics and consistently contrasting vocals are the heart to most songs, but more intensely, "Like Changing Seasons". Some songs seem a bit over done, or dry, such as "We Are Nameless". More like old school hardcore with a bit more sensitivity, I can only grasp the balls to the wall, and not so much the good 'ole fashioned overwriting and cramming of chords.

These guys have a powerful sound that resonates like their current tourmates, A Static Lullaby. Living on the edge of nuturing rhythm and double bass pedals, fans of Alexisonfire should flock immediately. Though only time will tell if these guys hang around, A New Hope is certainly making a name for these guys in a full sounding genre, no matter what it's called.

Having never been a huge Beatles fan, I didn't have to control my excitement as much as I've had to with the past two Easy Star All Stars' releases. Regardless of my Beatles purchase history, I've always respected their influence on various generations of music I enjoy, as well as their early abilities at creating fairly impressive psychedelic rock. Mixing that aforementioned aspect of The Beatles with The Easy Star All Stars uncanny covering flavor had to be recommendable at the very least no?

The title track is finely tuned in an upbeat transition Reggae Dub licks. Lead singer Junior Jazz's voice is blaring and aggressive, all the while subtle and refuge. "With a little help from my friends" seems a bit overcooked at time, but nonetheless this song could surely be recognized by anyone who's been exposed to music for say, O, the last 50 years. Yes, for those who are familiar with Dub Side Of The Moon and Radiodread, Frankie Paul is back as well and as good as ever. The belief that this song was not originally recorded for Reggae to begin with is hard to swallow after enjoying this retaste. On the closing "A day in the life", has a soft turn in the proper direction of this classic.

Of course, as you can tell, like most Easy Star All Star efforts, this recording is soaked in guest appearances, and its only enhancing the "trip". From the mystique of Matisyahu on "Within you without you" to Steel Pulse on "Good Morning, good morning" this release wreaks of signature Reggae rewrite. Is there any artist in the history of music The Easy Star All Stars can't improve on with their own blend of 21^st century dub? Recommendable? Without a doubt, three in a row for these guys..