Thursday

Not since Handsome's 1997 self-titled disc (their one and only) has a band so successfully fused East Coast hardcore, drop-tuned nu-metal fuzz and gorgeous melodies as Thursday does. On their sophomore release, the New Brunswick, N.J. outfit breaks down the barriers between emo and metal and pop with reckless abandon. The result sounds sort of like a jam session showdown between Quicksand and Sense Field. With their Gibsons strapped on and plugged into Marshall amps set at 11, they take us on a wild 14-track ride that starts with the careening "Understanding In a Car Crash" and doesn't stop until some 40 minutes later. Hop in and enjoy the ride!