Trivium - Watch The World Burn
Heights - Lost & Alone
The Body Rampant - Sativa
Foster The People - Helena Beat
letlive. - Renegade 86'
7.01.2011
5 & Alive
Trivium - Watch The World Burn
Heights - Lost & Alone
The Body Rampant - Sativa
Foster The People - Helena Beat
letlive. - Renegade 86'
Fresh Ink
Heights
Bands like heights come along every so often, and like most music you'll either love it or hate it. People tried predicting the end of the world randomly, so my prediction may be bold and prove to be wrong, but I do not think so. Heights is going to be big, not in a billboard charts kind of way, but in the way Converge are. I am officially hailing them the second coming of Christ... Converge.
Dead Ends is a masterful debut cd, it mixes hardcore, with post hardcore, and smashes both. There some absolute gems of a moment in these tracks, times where hardcore isn't supposed to have such epic music and when post hardcore shouldn't be so brutal. It goes beyond those genres though and really stands on its own amongst its current peers. Buy this
RIYL - Converge, Trap Them, Bring Me The Horizon
Fresh Ink
The Body Rampant
California's The Body Rampant should be taken seriously. This band will undoubtedly be lumped into the 'scene', unfairly however. They write catchy songs, intertwined with careful technicality. I say careful as their parts add to the song's appeal instead of just exist in it. Without any doubt this band will be popping up on various tours in the near future. Get onboard so you're not late to the party.
RIYL - Finch, Chiodos, Incubus
4.27.2011
Futurish
Incubus - If Not Now, When?
We Are The Ocean - Go Now And Live
Enter Shikari - Live From Planet Earth DVD
The Strokes
August Burns Red - Leveler
Fresh Ink
Young Guns
This is melodic rock music, for people who like rock and roll bands. Young Guns deliver straight ahead messages and driving guitars, within radio friendly confines. These tunes have given the band slots on the main stage at Reading Festival in fornt of a shit ton of people. A vocally driven band by singer Gustav Wood, you get a voice needed in today's 'scene', which can be heard on their Mirrors EP
These young Brits will undoubtedly expand their sound similar to the above video, a new single from early this year. A bit of a Lostprophets incarnate, they will have to fight hard to make mainstream waves. Similar to their countrymen and other acts like Anberlin, it has not always been easy to get open ears for this type of rock. However with some roadways paved by their predecessors they could follow suit. They're myspace is playing some of their new tunes which are checking out.
RIYL - Anberlin, Lostprophets, Kids In Glass Houses
4.26.2011
Fresh Ink
Lower Than Atlantis
Out of a random myspace friends search I came across this band, and I'm fucking glad I did. An advance copy of Lower Than Atlantis' World Record played about 3 straight times last night alone. A British rock band that offers more then their contemporary countrymen, as the lean more towards American punk. Mike Duce's scratchy voice and mid level range carry a British tinge and something a bit different in this genre.
While they are not a game changing band, offering something you've never heard; they are quite good. Their witty catchy lyrics, and sensible guitar parts make the future of this band something worth watching.
RIYL - Four Year Strong, Alexisonfire, Young Guns
4.04.2011
Pressed to Impress
Thursday - No Devolucion
A first listen to what is to be Thursday's 5th official release left me a bit confused. This is because I have no idea how to really feel about it. It's good, the songs are solid and what could be expected after "Common Existence", in that it is not much like it at all. It expands on the spacey, echoey sound Thursday has been toying around with for years.
However, with that being said it is just missing something. Granted these are two of the latter tracks, but coupled with another stream of "Past and Future Ruins"there is a glaring difference form previous efforts. There is just no urgency in the music, no in your face aggression this group has been known for. So on one hand you have so far a few good sounding songs, but on the other where's my Thursday? Maybe the rest of No Devolucion will provide us with satisfaction. Although does the world need another typical Thursday record? Is this change needed for this 'scene'? This has thrown me for a loop and I hope it is resolved soon enough.
1. Turnpike Divides
2. Magnets Caught In A Metal Heart
sjs
4.03.2011
Fresh Ink
We Barbarians
With such a profound moniker you'd expect some life destroying tunes but Long Beach, California trio We Barbarians, is in simple terms an indie rock band. They'll have you move and groove along to some of their catchy tunes but it kind of ends there. We Barbarians is a good band but do not stand out amongst the countless other bands similar sounding acts. They have the memorable choruses, croony singer, and spacey guitars all which has been done to death.
Regardless check them out, they are still worthy of some listens and new fans. Perhaps their new EP will change my mind but for now this is not doing it for me.
RIYL - Kings of Leon, Mona, Abandon Kansas
Myspacesjs
4.01.2011
Pressed to Impress
North Korea - Basement Tapes vol. 1
Short but sweet review since it's late... Great little release by these four guys, heavier the what I anticipated in a good sort of way. Solid four songs that aren't really boring and repetitive, which is easy with a few tracks so another release will tell if they indeed are really likable. Singer Ryan Hunter's qualms about writing music for the industry and slave driving and not being able to be free are the contradictory point here. Similar to his former band, Envy On The Coast, North Korea's song structure seem rather structured and marketable. So really all the complaining was for naught? Old EOTC fans beware this is opposite of their original EP.
Enjoy Yer' Time With - "My God Can Beat Up Your God"
RIYL - Envy On The Coast - Lowcountry, Incubus - Make Yourself,
Glassjaw - Worship & Tribute
sjs
3.31.2011
Pressed to Impress
Protest The Hero - Scurrilous
The third proper album from Protest The Hero, Scurrilous, is a logical progression for this shredfest group. It picks up where Fortress left off and furthers the band more and more from the days of Kezia. This band has with out a doubt left the idea of writing possible single worthy songs in favor of going with what makes them stand out. However, that is not to say previous singles lacked any creativity and intensity.
With that being said this is not a groundbreaking album by any means. There are the blazing guitar speeds, solid rhythms, and scowl and sing combo you would expect. This is what PTH does, and they do it better than anyone. The first half of this cd is somewhat identical to Fortress. Though, the previous albums were filled with two lead guitar players merely trading parts on and off, not really giving either a true voice that has changed. With Scurrilous Luke Hoskin assumes lead duties and Tim Millar handles the rhythm end, providing the first ingredient for a much larger record. The latter half of the record shows progression, and believable or not the songwriting has intensified. All care to marketable music or lyrics has been thrown to the wind and replaced with a devil may care attitude. I doubt you'd hear "Sex Tapes" on the Top-40 anytime with lyrics such as "The Jonas generation's got rings wrapped 'round their dicks..."
This album be seen as their best work to date, simply due to the fact each song is clearly its own. This is the most sonic and melodic difference in this age of the band. While the entire 45 minutes is not going to be the first time you hear what is offered, it will provide you with a very enjoyable, heavy, and technical album unlike any in this genre.
Enjoy Yer' Time With - "The Reign of Unending Terror" & "Tongue Splitter"
Rating - ****
RIYL - Protest The Hero - Fortress, The Human Abstract, Converge - Axe To Fall
sjs
Picky Tuesday
Better late than never....
Mona
If leon already has its Kings, then be introduced to its princes. Nashville's Mona is set to take over the radio with a set of catchy, indie rock tunes, and with a bit of Bruce Springsteen here and U2 there this a through and through rock band. One of labels most sought after acts, the past few months saw them sign a sizable deal with Island Records. They have had a swift rise to Indie fame having only been a band for a few years, and releasing only a 5 song EP, Listen To Your Love.
Their self titled debut is set to drop May 16th, and so the waiting game has begun. An array of performances at all music conventions from CMJ to SXSW has been peaking interest among the industry, it will take a bit more to sell the potential buyers. While yes they are a good band, who wrote 5 mediocre to good songs, will it stand out from their future peers?
Plenty of sign point to a continued rise to fame, with similar bands currently finding acclaim on radio. At the same time it may start to sink the ship of a genre that could over saturate itself. Tune in May 16th to find out.
Enjoy Yer' Time With - "Listen To Your Love" & "Lean Into The Fall"
RIYL - Kings of Leon, Early U2, Against Me! - White Crosses
sjs
3.30.2011
3.27.2011
5
Queens of the Stone Age - Go With The Flow
Silverstein - Medicate
Sylosis - Where The Sky Ends
Thomas Giles - Reverb Island
Alien Ant Farm - These Days
sjs
3.25.2011
5
All's Quiet - Fallout
Letlive - Homeless Jazz
Dillinger Escape Plan - Fight The Power
La Dispute - Said The King To The River
Hold Your Horse Is - Forgive And Forget
sjs
3.24.2011
Fresh Ink
Of Legends
This band is not for the faint of heart. Warning, if listening to Of Legends while driving you will want to run every other car off the road. There is no let up period. The band is consisted of members of former ones that have joined together, coming from various backgrounds. Vocalist Luis Dubuc is of The Secret Handshake, guitarist Jacob Belcher of Drop Dead, Gorgeous fame, the rest of the band Zack Ordway, bassist Elliot Coleman, and drummer Travis Orbin all come from Sky Eats Airplane. The group signed to brutal label Seasons of Mist after only releasing a 3 song EP, and now enjoy regular spins on BBC Radio 1.
The reason is simple, Stranded is an absolute beast. It could be called heavy as fuck and make perfect sense. Blasting through death metal, tech meal, and sludge with ease isn't something that could easily separate a band in this scene so this is not something new and ground breaking. However the chaotic vocals with jaw breaking riffs do stand above others and is something that has been missing in this genre. They are beginning to tour and should be getting their name out before long, so be on their side first.
Enjoy Yer' Time With - "Save The Humans"
RIYL - Converge - Axe To Fall, Mastodon - Call of the Mastodon, Botch
sjs
3.23.2011
5
Trap Them - Damage Prose
Of Legends - Save Humans
Mastodon - Mother Puncher
The Canvas Waiting - Chasing Color
Adele - Rolling In The Deep
sjs
5
Kvelertak - Ulvetid
Walk The Moon - Anna Sun
Broken Bells Meyrin Fields
The Strokes - Machu Picu
Syslosis - Empyreal
sjs
Picky Tuesday
Walk The Moon
My second selection for the weekly Pick Tuesday is rather different than last weeks... Walk The Moon is going to be big, very big. They have infectious melodies and indie swag, yes swag. From the actual music they produce to the video for what will be a hit single "Anna Sun", the band appeal to hipsters across the board. But they are so much more, because they are deceivingly indie, there are no typical sounds here. After half a minute of foot tapping you finally realize that they are not a rock or d'n'b band but so indie instead. So i guess that makes them more indie by not being indie,or not indie at all, or perhaps it ruins their brand? There are to many rules to consider in a hipster world.
The point is that this band is a crossover success, waiting to be played to the masses. It will be the guilty pleasure of some and the theme song of others. Their proper full length I Want! I Want! is available through Bandcamp for $9 until some label cashes in, so hurry and get it. After impressive SXSW performances it really is only a matter of time until the mail reaches their door. Anyone and everyone should check this out, swallow your pride and listen to music that makes you want to dance.
Enjoy Yer' Time With - "Anna Sun"
sjs
3.22.2011
3.21.2011
5
5 & Alive
Young The Giant - My Body
Boy & Bear - Blood To Gold
Water & Bodies - Celebration Song
Stranded - Death Eyes
The New Regime - Order Restored
sjs
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