Monthly Archives: August 2014

Indie, Music, Punk, Rock

Check It Out: Beach Slang

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Beach SlangIt’s pretty safe to say that 2014 has been the year of amazing releases by artists old and new.

Honestly I think I say that every year, but you know what?  I mean it every single time I say it.

I have a new favorite band to listen to as of late and they are called Beach Slang.  Featuring members of Weston, Ex Friends & Crybaby, this Philadelphia threesome is seriously one of the best new acts I have heard in a while.

If I had to compare them to someone out there in the music world, I would say an easy-going Jawbreaker.  This indie pop-punk act defines themselves as: “Guitar, bass, and drums. Played loudly.”  I could not agree more.

Recently, Beach Slang debuted their EP Who Would Want Anything So Broken? and I can not stop listening to it.  Check out “Punk or Lust” and “Filthy Luck” to see why exactly I am all about these guys.

I seriously can not wait until Beach Slang drops a full length.  I have the feeling it is going to be an incredible listen.  Until then, good luck finding this EP on a 7″.  I think it’s sold the hell out right now on Dead Broke Rekerds, but with good reason of course.

Music, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Rise Against – The Black Market

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Rise Against - The Black MarketI have always enjoyed watching bands grow, mature, and most importantly, succeed in the music world.

Honestly, if it were not for all the bands out there, this blog, or whatever you want to call it, probably would not have lasted as long as it has.

Like many of you, I don’t always stay a fan of a band throughout their journey due to  conflict between the listener (me) and the the approach that the band may take on over the years.  Sometimes it has to do with change in style due to bandmates coming and going. I can name off a handful of bands right now that I feel that has happened to, but I would rather get to my point.

Rise Against are definitely a band that I have grown with over the years and have remained a fan.  The Chicago punk rockers have more or less transformed themselves into outspoken rock heroes without losing that punk edge that helped capture me as a fan early on.  As they moved from the small stages to headlining, I was there never growing tired of what they continued to push.  Sure, bandmates have come and gone, but I just feel Rise Against never lost their initial style.

With that said, their latest release, The Black Market, is their most radio-friendly album I have heard and I am ok with that.  I have listened to this album over and over and I must say, I am digging it more and more with each listen.

The Black Market is more something that fits in with material you might hear from the likes of  Foo Fighters or Thirty Seconds To Mars at times, but don’t threat, there is plenty of that signature Rise Against contained we all know and love.

If anyone knows anything about Rise Against, it is that they love to speak their minds in their material.  This album certainly showcases that with plenty of pleads for change, forgiveness, and acceptance.

“The Great Die-Off” started the album off with such force as Tim McIlrath and crew rocked out and soon declared “we want it all and we want it now” over and over.  I loved the hammering of the bass and heavy drumming throughout.  Full of just force and just overly catchy, this track is why I will always be a Rise Against fan.

“I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore” was the first single off of this album and with good reason, this track is amazing.  From start to finish, this song is just a beast.  Mixed with plenty of punk, rock, and even a touch of hardcore, this track about potentially giving up is forceful and likable.

“Tragedy + Time” sounded like a sequel of “Ready To Fall”, a track from the band’s previous album The Sufferer & the Witness.  Once again, McIlrath sung about someone on a rooftop, but this time it’s someone different and they were looking for reasons to continue on.

I would not be surprised if the next single off this album was the title track “The Black Market”.  I loved the break-downs on this track almost as much as the singing.  I have the feeling this song is going to get some attention.

I loved “The Eco-Terrorist In Me” as it started off more old school Rise Against with McIlrath clearly giving it his all vocally.  “When it all comes down will you say you did everything you could” repeated throughout with the rest of the band playing their hearts out.

“A Beautiful Indifference” carried that sound that make me think of Thirty Seconds To Mars.  Don’t worry folks, it is not bad at all and I think plenty of people will be thinking the same  “Methadone” was another track that would slay during a arena show.

“Zero Visibility” sounded a little astray from the other tracks at the beginning but soon conformed with the rest.  I liked the change ups throughout the track and especially the lyrics of defeat and victory. The last 1:30 minutes of the song was pretty bad ass too.

“People Live Here” was really a song of closure for me for another Rise Against track.  For years, “Swing Life Away” haunted me as the song once was deemed “our song” between yours truly and someone that destroyed my heart.  Even though I am over that part of my life, “Swing Life Away”, when heard, always seemed to try and cut open that healed wound.  This track alone hit me in a good way and literally brought a smile to my face.

Rise Against have continually polished their sound making necessary changes that ultimately have resulted in maintaining and building upon their fan base.  I know I said they sound more rock than punk earlier, but that is ok.  They have not lost their sound at all and continue to prove to me they are a strong act with no intentions of slowing it down.

I will admit,  when Rancid opened up for Rise Against in 2009, I was confused and felt it should have been the other way around.  Years later Bad Religion did the same.  It occurred to me though while Rancid and Bad Religion will always be two of my favorite bands, it is Rise Against’s time to shine and they deserve to be headliners.  They have worked so hard and continue to impress this fan, that is a fact.

Having have the opportunity to have done volunteer work with 3/4 of the band, I know they are quality musicians and care about humanity almost more than touring.  For more on that, check out my post I wrote up a few years back.

The Black Market is on sale at pretty much every record store and retail giant out there.

 

 

Garage, Music, New Release, Pop, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Baby Ghosts – Maybe Ghosts

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Baby Ghosts - Maybe GhostsWhat happens when you take your unforgotten obsession with  late-90s pop punk rock and mix it with the styles heard in female-led DIY punk / garage rock jams of today?

The answer is Salt Lake City’s very own Baby Ghosts.

Warning: This band has the full potential to become your new favorite band and I’m pretty sure you’ll be kicking yourself for not getting into them earlier.  It’s ok.  I am in the same boat.

In a perfect blend of pop punk and garage rock, Baby Ghosts have been doing their thing since 2010.  At one time, the band could have been considered a local act, but those barriers have long been broken.

Baby Ghosts recently dropped Maybe Ghosts, an all new album full of poppy hooks, sneaky guitar solos that could make J. Mascis blush, and plenty of just straight up fun.

“Ghost Boyfriend” completely floored me when I heard it for the first time.  I adored the garage rock sounds tucked behind the blaring pop punk goodness.  I am reminded slightly of RVIVR in a way with the female / male singing style, but this jam is way more fun to rock out to.

Baby Ghosts“Tumblr” had the band taking on at least 3 decades of different punk rock styles in under three minutes.  I was so wowed that I had to listen to it over and over again.  Maybe the band did not intend this, but listening to this track alone was something special.

“Oil/Sunshine” was a pop punk gem with forward intentions of moving onward.  “Crash” went a little dark for a moment but it did not change the way I felt about this album at all.

I loved the guitar shredding that was hidden behind the singing in “COOKIES”.  Coincidentally this is also one of my favorite kinds of treats.  “alien.edu” easily was one of the best tracks on the album.  “Computers” was very riot grrl sounding in a good way.

“Oh, a Surprise” should have been titled “This is What Rancid Would Have Sounded Like if Tim and Lars Were Females”.  That is all I have to say about that.

I had a hard time not thinking of Juliana Hatfield and Kim Gordon while listening to Kar and Kat sing throughout this album.  I hope to hell that was the idea.

I’m glad Baby Ghosts was suggested to me by a swell guy (Thanks Chris).  I would hate to have missed out on this band even longer than I already have.  These talented SLC punks deserve to be heard by all.

Baby GhostsTruth be told, I can not keep up with all these bands today.  Perhaps this music lover is just too preoccupied with fighting off being an adult to take notice to every single act out there throwing down good music.

If you do find yourself digging this release as much as I did, don’t be shy and snag a copy of the LP.  Lost Cat Records, Drunken Sailor Records, Dirt Cult Records, Hip Kid Records, and Waterslide Records all have assisted with releasing the album.  I doubt it will be a challenge to find but I know the 1st pressing will be gone sooner than later…

Music, Music News, New Release, Punk, Rock

Check It Out: New Song By Anti-Flag

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Thanks to the fine peeps over at For The Love Of Punk, everyone gets to hear the new previously unreleased Anti-Flag track titled “Close My Eyes”.

Anti-Flag 20 Years Of HellThe track was taken from the band’s final 20 Years Of Hell 7-inch split series which was only made available to those who subscribed to the  limited release through A-F Records.

I am not going to lie, I am just stoked for these Pittsburgh heroes and am thrilled to have grown up a fan of them.

I can not wait to see what they drop next.  I know it is going to rule.

Check out the track below:

Alt Rock, Music, Music News, Music Video, Rock

Check It Out: Young Fox

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Pittsburgh natives Young Fox are an up and coming rock outfit that just released a lyric video for “Diet of Worms”, a track that is featured on their recently released EP Predecessors via Spartan Records.

Young Fox

I know someone out there is questioning why I am sharing a rock act when usually everything I post is punk, folk, metal or some variation.  Well, I like rock music too ya know.  Also, one of the members of this band shreds in Zao and I adore that band.

Young Fox reminds me a lot of the early rock bands of the 2000s and are really worth checking out.  Just check out the video below to get a taste of what they sound like.

Not typically something I am into but I will admit, I am liking what I am hearing so far.

Taken from the band’s press release:

Formed in 2012, Young Fox came together over drinks in a neighborhood pub in Pittsburgh. Martin Lunn (bassist), who’s also in revered metal band Zao, Luke Cypher (vocals / guitar / keys), who happens to share his time as the head chef at Piccolo Forno in Pittsburgh, and Chris Lehberger (drums) began writing, rehearsing and recording and eventually added Brian Schultz (guitar) to the mix, rounding out the four-piece band.

Hear the entire EP by visiting: http://substreammagazine.com/2014/07/exclusive-stream-young-fox-predecessors/

For more information on Young Fox, check out the following links:
http://www.youngfoxband.com
https://www.facebook.com/youngfoxband
https://twitter.com/YoungFoxBand
http://spartanrecords.com
https://www.facebook.com/spartanrecords