Seriously is 10 tracks of blazing post-hardcore influenced rock music in under 20 minutes from ex-members of Thursday, Texas Is the Reason, Milhouse, and Garrison.
Vocalist Joseph Grillo's vocals are so emotionally powerful, and his lyrics are at times tongue-in-cheek and ironic, making the record fun to listen to and comprehend.
...and you know what? ...What is exactly is "post-hardcore?" How does a sound get labelled as "post-hardcore?" It's too easy anymore to call music "post-hardcore." All I know is that the sounds that come out of my speakers when I play this album are refreshing and just plain awesome!.
That fact that I find it awesome is enough for me to consider it something I like. I'm tired of listening to music because this person likes it, or because it sounds like this or that, or because it's on this record label, or because it features members from this band and that band. I like music because I like it...hopefully, you do too.
Oh, and check out this band and this album because I told you to, haha!
April 3, 2011
Apr 3 2011 12:39PM
Posted 309 days 4 hrs 8 mins ago
DEFEATER Empty Days and Sleepless Nights (March 8, 2011, Bridge Nine)
(www.myspace.com/defeater)
Defeater are my favorite modern hardcore band because they take me places where I almost forget I'm listening to a "hardcore" band.
They've done it with their last two records, and this new one is the band's best yet.
Like the others, it's a story that should be followed from beginning to end. I'm not going to list my favorite tracks for this one because the album needs to be listened to as a whole. For me, I was dragged right into the scenes as I followed the story's progession. I was so intrigued and intensely paying so close attention that as the final electric track was coming to an end, I could feel the wind of a train approaching. I could feel the rumbling of the tracks in my legs and chest...like I was there. I won't give away the ending.
Then, after 10 raging yet melodic tracks... we calm down, and recollect with 4 stripped down acoustic tracks. The songs don't even sound forced; they are actually unique, well-written and passionately performed.
If you enjoy hearing the same music over and over again, then this album is probably not for you. But it definitely was for me, and it's one of my favorite of the year so far.
April 2, 2011
Apr 2 2011 4:33PM
Posted 310 days 14 mins ago
YELLOWCARD When You're through Thinking, Say Yes (March 22, 2011, Hopeless)
(www.yellowcardrock.com)
After nearly a two and a half year hiatus, Yellowcard are back with a new album. However, it's a shame that the pop punk of today is not what it once was.
There was a moment where the band were one of the biggest alternative bands in the country, and were close to sounding like Hoobastank hybrid (circa 2006). However, this new album is their best since Ocean Avenue in my opinion. The first single, "For You and Your Denial," seems like long-lost single from 2003.
Ocean Avenue was the big breakthrough for this band. Yellowcard became rock stars and then even pop stars to an extent.
Will this album shoot them to superstar status once again? Probably not, but it's still a fun springtime listen. It even references the good ol' days of pop-punk (see "With You Around").
Basically, just give this album a chance. Don't quickly dismiss it before listening simply because they are touring with All Time Low.
March 22, 2011
Mar 22 2011 12:00PM
Posted 321 days 4 hrs 47 mins ago
JOAN OF ARC Life Like (May 10, 2011, Polyvinyl)
(www.joanfrc.com)
Joan of Arc seem to release something at least once a year. In fact, in 2011 they have already released an instrumental album, Oh Brother. The follow-up, Life Like, is the return of Tim Kinsella's vocals, and it is also a return to the post-emo indie rock sound of the first JOA album, A Portable Model Of... from 1997.
Actually, Life Like probably is not all too different from the music Joan of Arc has been releasing for the last 10 years of so, but for some reason I'm so much more in love with this record than I have been with the band since their first two albums.
A Portable Model Of... and How Memory Works were pretty much a continuation of Cap 'n Jazz; Life Like feels like the return of Cap 'n Jazz in way, and maybe partly because of addition of Victor Villarreal (formerly of CNJ and Owls).
Maybe you agree with me, maybe you don't. Either way, we are without any new Cap 'n Jazz music, but this new Joan of Arc album comes pretty close.
These Toms River-natives return with a solid full length in Conveyor. It's amazing how much they have matured in the last 7 years or so.
I remember seeing them play a high school battle of the bands, and now they have released their best material yet. There's some great songwriting and musicianship here, and it's a great straight-forward punk rock record. No bulls**t here.
It's 34 minutes of intelligent and ambitious melodic hardcore blazing to your ears, paying tribute to a few different styles of bands like Refused, Strike Anywhere, and even a little Kid Dynamite. However, clearly the band are more concerned with writing their own story and sounding like One Win Choice.
My favorite track is "Frame Your Favorite Pictures."
They are back nearly a decade since their debut (and only) full length, United by Fate, and it's been well-worth the wait.
Pedals is definitely a more mature and experimental album than the debut, but is this really surprising to anyone? Where United by Fate was almost completely full of bursting energy, this album is obviously more different with the addition of more acoustics and distortion. However, one thing I love most about the album is that it's not as if the band tried to sound more modern or relevant. The album is actually a near-perfect mix of post-hardcore and post-grunge, while also even paying tribute to bands like U2 at times (see "69 Guns"). These songs should be huge radio hits (in a perfect world).
While almost every band says something along the lines of "...we just wrote and played what we felt. We didn't try to sound like anything specific," Pedals is an obvious example of just that.
Plus, like usual, Walter Schreifels' lyrics are honest and spirited. It's almost as if he sounds more comfortable than ever with writing and singing about relationships. His voice sounds better than ever too, and he also has thrown in some catchy sing-alongs throughout the record.
There are many different types of music being classified as "post-hardcore," most are not that at all. I wouldn't even consider Pedals to be "post-hardcore." Maybe a better label would be "post-post-hardcore," or better yet, just "great!"
So far, Walter has not made a 3rd full length with an project he's been in. Let's hope we see another Rival Schools album,...even if it takes another 10 years!
My favorite tracks: "Shot after Shot" and "Wring It Out"
February 27, 2011
Feb 27 2011 10:39AM
Posted 344 days 5 hrs 8 mins ago
GLASSJAW Coloring Book (February 15, 2011, self-released)
(www.glassjaw.com)
So after 8 years we not only received an EP collection of singles from the band, but also this gem of an EP. This difference between Our Color Green and Coloring Book is just that: Our Color Green is collection of songs, while Coloring Book is more of a coherent record, with songs that flow nicely into each other.
Also while Our Color Green was a very heavy "Hey, we're back!," Coloring Book is more of a natural progression from Worship & Tribute.
From the previous full length, this EP pushes forward without losing any heaviness or melody. The band proves they are still THE force that drove this post-hardcore alternative rock bus.
Daryl Palumbo's vocals only add to the awesome flow the EP has, laced with a groovy, somewhat-tribal vibe. His voice gets creepy at times to express the fear we should have, and it also expresses his own fear at other times reaching some of his greatest shivers and shreaks.
Once again, this band has proven that they are true innovators...and that almost everything else considered "post-hardcore" really doesn't even come close in comparison.
Now we sit and wonder how long until they release the actual full-length album this EP alludes to.
Here's a band that continue to change with every album, without completely abandoning the recognizable sound that makes them Bayside.
From the beginning, these guys from New York, have paid respect to the obvious: Smoking Popes, Alkaline Trio, and The Smiths. However, on each release, the band attempt something new, and usually successfully challenging themselves as musicians.
I'm a firm believer in the theory that it is okay for punk rock bands to write great pop songs. Bayside are one of those bands who exemplify this theory well.
Although they sometimes get lumped into the "Bamboozle"-esque "scene" (often being mislabelled as a nu-emo band), they really sound like a mid-90's pop punk band, especially NOW!
Yes, hardcore kids may argue that the band have a abandoned some of the heavy riffs of their Sirens and Condolences days, but a true music fan can find appreciation in the slightly-polished up major label sound of Killing Time.
Track 1 is my favorite: "Already Gone."
I've always thought Bayside sounded like a modern day Smoking Popes or Alkaline Trio; and even with their Wind-Up debut, they still do. Let's be glad they don't sound like Seether or any other of their labelmates.
February 19, 2011
Feb 19 2011 6:42PM
Posted 351 days 21 hrs 5 mins ago
DAVE HAUSE Resolutions (February 15, 2011, Paper + Plastick)
(www.davehause.com)
The solo debut from The Loved Ones frontman, takes the catchiness of his punk 'n roll tunes, and mixes in all of his personal musical influences.
There are a few songs that sound like Build & Burn (The Loved Ones' last full length) b-sides, including "C'mon Kid" and "Pray for Tuscon."
Others venture in completely different directions then we are used to with Dave Hause, like "Prague (Revive Me)", "Years from Now," and more.
"Melanin" is a snowy winter tune showcasing Dave a great all-around musician and songwriter. Each time I listen to this song, I'm waiting for guest vocals from Bruce Springsteen to kick in.
Resolutions contains some of Hause's best songwriting to date, including the positive-thinking title track. It was also surprising to hear such catchiness on the album because The Loved Ones have very catchy songs to begin with, and I was expecting to be thrown a curve ball here.
It would be a huge mistake to write this album off as "just another punk rocker, doing the solo acoustic thing" because it is absolutely not! There are many different instruments and influences creatively used on this record.
Plus, all Jersey Shore punk rockers will probably enjoy the closer, "Meet Me at the Lanes." It's not "Mary's Place" (where Bruce partied on The Rising), but it's ok for Dave Hause to write his own songs.
February 6, 2011
Feb 6 2011 8:38AM
Posted 365 days 7 hrs 9 mins ago
THE GET UP KIDS There Are Rules (January 25, 2011, Quality Hill)
(www.thegetupkids.com)
It's The Get up Kids' first full length album since 2004's Guilt Show. It's also the sound of a band who have been given new life and are not looking back. In fact, there's hardly any similarities between this album and anything in the band's back catalogue (with the exception of last year's Simple Science EP).
However, when you think about it, it does sound like the next logical step after Guilt Show and a band break up. At least the album does not sound like a "phoned in reunion."
The album is primarily dark and moody, and is built on a foundation of fuzzy and distorted bass and vocals, murky keyboards and guitars, and other effects. There's also plenty of multi-layers and echos throughout. Plus, we seem to hear Jim Septic on lead vocals moreso than ever. Although many of these are "new tricks," I think it's still pretty obvious to a mature The Get up Kids fan that this is STILL The Get up Kids. Perhaps the band now sound like The Get up Adults, but let's face it: so are most of their fans who've been listening to them since the Woodson EP.
My favorite tracks are: "Shatter Your Lungs" and "Keith Case" (the latter was previously released on the Simple Science EP).
If you're unfamiliar with the band Lemuria, they are a female-fronted indie punk band, with a strong love of the 90's. Thus, making strong comparisons to bands like Superchunk, Sebadoh, The Get up Kids, and even Dinosaur Jr at times, minus the crazy solos.
Pebble was anticipated to be somewhat of a breakthrough album for these guys, and it is a fun listen. For me, it was more fun the second time than the first.
The only problem I have with the album is that many of the songs sound unfinished. With the exception of a few, most tracks are full of fun lyrics and instrumentation that build up and then end. There's rarely a climax, and rarely a comedown.
However, the record is still full of distorted and echo-y (and at most times dueling female/male) vocals, fuzzy guitars and bass, loud and distant drums, and ultra-catchy lyrics. The always-brilliant production of J. Robbins (of Jawbox and counting other performance and production projects) is ever-so obvious, especially on tracks like "Chatauqua County" (the catchiest song on the album) and my favorite track, "Wise People."
So although the album is a slight disappointment personally, the fact that it is still good should not be overlooked. I (along with others I would guess) just had extremely high expectations.
Oh, and I'm not crazy about the album cover, haha. This was have been better: ""
January 24, 2011
Jan 24 2011 2:35PM
Posted 378 days 1 hr 12 mins ago
GLASSJAW "Our Color Green" (January 4, 2011, A Major Label)
(www.glassjaw.com)
It's been 8 years since Glassjaw's sophomore album, Triumph and Tribute. The band released each of the five tracks on Our Color Green as singles before releasing the collection as an EP. Each song actually deserves to be a single, the entire EP is great!
It's a great representation of the band as it stands currently. The record is a combination sounds from the first and second album. So if some fans of Everything You Wanted to Know about Silence dropped off after the release of second album, the band no longer needs to attempt to cater to them. However, fans who stayed, even after Triumph and Tribute, will probably enjoy these new tracks.
There's nothing to really hate about them, unless of course you were never a fan of the band (or post-hardcore in general) to begin with.
If we get a follow-up full-length, great! It will be interesting to hear what it sounds like. If this is the last we hear of the band for a while, well whatever... I'm fine with that too. It's always good to end on somewhat of a high-note.
This is the second EP from one of my new favorite bands, Dear You. The band offer a promising melodic hardcore feel, in the vein of fellow Connecticut natives, Make Do and Mend.
It's probably the hint of emo inspiration in the music that gives me such satisfaction from listening, much like that of Make Do and Mend.
In Dear You's music, in addition to the obvious Hot Water Music and Latterman influences, you can also hear The Promise Ring, The Get up Kids, and Jimmy Eat World.
If you're a fan of REAL emotional pop punk, Dear You is a band for you to check out! My favorite track from The Night a Forest Grew is "Strangers in My Basement."
The third album from metallic hardcore act Killing the Dream expresses a sound somewhere between their first and second albums. Where the debut was more straight-up heavy hardcore in the vein of Bane, and the second was more slower and deeper in the vein of Modern Life Is War, Lucky Me is a great mixture of everything we've received from Killing the Dream, thus far.
The third time around, this is the tightest overall album by the band. The music is melodic and fast, sprinkled with violen interludes, keyboard breaks, and clean singing. They pretty much break from the comfortable and expected throughout the entire record, making it one of the most unique hardcore records of 2010.
Additionally, Killing the Dream are beginning to mix post-hardcore riffs with story-telling lyrics as well, along the same lines as Defeater (one of my current favorite hardcore bands).
With Lucky Me, Killing the Dream evolve and continue to develop and master a very impressive sounds, lacing their formulaic metallica hardcore nucleus with hook-heavy melodies.
The band are proving that they can grow without leaving themselves or their fans behind.
My favorite tracks are: "Blame the Architects" and "Past of a Saint (We Were Thieves).
If all you're waiting for is a new Kid Dynamite record, then this record is not for you. If you were disappointed in the first two None More Black records, then Icons is not for you.
However, longtime fans of None More Black should enjoy Icons. The gruff vocals and captivating melodies that we have grown to love from Jason Shevchuck are here, along with complex and ambitous instrumentation.
There's heavy guitars and crazy rhythms throughout the album, in fact a little more so than on past releases.
None More Black continue to execute a well-constructed structure of chaos, rather than produce simple formulaic songs or a mess of nonsensical madness.
90's alternative/pop punk band, Superchunk, return with this awesome follow-up to their 2001 album, Here's to Shutting Up. Majesty Shredding is a great example of a "mature" album that does NOT return to nor depart from any previous sound the band once had.
It really is a confident sounding record, with well-placed harmonies, guitars, keyboards, etc.
Throughout the Majesty Shredding, there is an equal amount of strong (and sometimes fuzzy) guitar work and intelligent pop hooks that fans of both Dinosaur Jr. and The Get up Kids will love.
With the band's past efforts, they have been considered sort of "folk punk" and comparisons have been made to bands such as Against Me!.
On their latest, Rebellion, The Riot Before have really come into their own. I have always been a fan, but this new record is truley the band's strongest to date.
If you are unfamiliar with The Riot Before, they write and perform great songs that are enjoyed most while surrounded by friends and drinking.
This time around, J Robbins (of Jawbox and punk/hardcore production guru) was behind the boards, and it definitely sounds like a "J Robbins record."
The drums are slightly more "chugga chugga" than the band's past releases, and the guitars punch right through you.
Before you give Rebellion a first listen, check out the exclusive S*ALT Session by frontman Brett Adams, by CLICKING HERE!
Make Do and Mend's sound is an excellent blend of melody and abrasiveness, almost like a mix between Jimmy Eat World and Hot Water Music.
In fact, I would even suggest that fans of either (or both) of those bands would enjoy Make Do and Mend, especially End Measured Mile.
The most consistent positive throughout the album is the great choruses in each song. They are so good, that it sometimes feels like you're listening to pop punk, but then you get back into the music again and realize, "wow! Actually, it's just 'good music.'"
I had very high expectations for this album before it was released. Most of those expectations were met, except for one thing that slightly bothered me while listening. It's really minor, but as a music fan I thoroughly enjoy music that I can make strong personal connections to. While I can do this to parts of the album, there seems to be a lot of "band on the road" or "being on the road" referencing. Now I get it, but I was sort of let down in that aspect because I have never played an instrument in my life, nor have I ever been on tour.
However, the album still managed to become one of my favorite albums of the year. This was because the songs that I love on the record, I really LOVE!
The best song is the closer, "Night's the Only Time of Day." It's an excellent all around tune, and one of my favorite songs of the year.
Another surprising treat is track 6, "Stand Stagger." The song has some of the strongest lyrics about not necessarily agreeing with the beliefs of your loved ones or people closest to you in life. It's some really heavy stuff, and just intelligently well-written. Check it out!
It would be incorrect to label this band or record as "post-hardcore." It's more "post-rock" musically, with "hardcore" vocals.
As I listen to this album time and time again this year, and still not understand one lyric (because it's in all Japanese), I grow less and less interesting in explaining music to others. I'd so much rather just suggest music.
So that's just what I'm going to do. I'll tell you that this records reminds me of a Mogwai band, fronted by a Japanese Dan Yemin of Paint It Black.
Check out... hopefully you will love it. It's hardcore, powerful, emotional, and epic! ... and if the vocals were in English, it might be my favorite album of the year!
When this band released their last record, Invasions of the Mind (2008), I had difficulty describing it and even deciding if I really enjoyed it.
After hearing this new EP, I have decided to solely suggest you give it a listen, rather than attempt to compare the band and record to other bands and records.
Here's my one thought on Walk into the Fire: the catchy choruses, gallant vocals, and evocative keyboards make it one of the most (if not the most) melodic and unique hardcore punk records of 2010.
I HATE OUR FREEDOM Seriously (February 22, 2011, Mightier Than Sword)
"
The Riot Before Rebellion (September 7, 2010, Paper + Plastick)
!["Emergy]("http://imgsrv.shorealternative.com/image/shalt/UserFiles/Image/Upcoming%20Releases/energywalkintothefire.jpg")
Energy Walk into the Fire (November 2, 2010, Bridge Nine)