Category Archives: Review

Emo, New Release, Pop, Punk, Review, Rock, Vinyl

7-Inch Review: State Lines – Self-Titled EP

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I am one of those guys out there who has no problem admitting that they like the band Brand New.  Yeah, I can be a little sensitive when I need to be and sometimes pop-punky emo rock is all I need to soothe my nerves.  I am beyond the point in life where if you question me about this confession that I will challenge you to a duel with fists and a spiked club, but you get my drift.  Point is, I like all sorts of music and it was no surprise to me when I first heard State Lines and immediate dug them.  They sound relatively close to a younger Brand New and I am sure they are completely aware of that.

Earlier this year, State Lines, with help of Tiny Engines, released a 4 song self-titled 7-inch EP.  The result is a quick listen, but those four songs beg to be played over and over again.  They may have formed in 2010 and were probably born right around the time I was kicking ass in high school, but they do not sound very novice at all.

Speaking of high school…that guy on the cover of this 7-inch reminds me of Rotor Man.  Unless you grew up in Cleveland and went to Geauga Lake in the 90s, chances are you have no idea who I am talking about.

Anyways…

“5’s On The Elephant” started things off and was hands down the best track of the four.  This song that reminded me of the all the bands I started branching out to once I became a late fan of poppy punk  thanks to a girl who used to work with me at a record store back in the day.  It was almost a blend of Brand New and Taking Back Sunday and I completely was sucked into it.  Pounding drums matched up with catchy guitar playing just carried along a fun vibe throughout.  “Plenty Of Time” followed, but was not nearly as powerful as the opener.  Still, it was a good track that sped up halfway though.  B-side “Win Free” was another solid track to listen to.  I loved hearing the raspy voice of Dimitri met with Werring’s harmonic singing throughout the track.

Here’s hoping that this EP is just a sample of what they have in store for their next release which should be coming up shortly.  So what if they sound like Brand New? They sound amazing and I think that hey are well aware of that and plan on acting upon it.  Here’s hoping that their follow up LP drops very soon. I am stoked about this young act and can’t wait to see where their talent takes them next.

Check it out for yourself and see what I am taking about:

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

Album Review: Luther – Let’s Get You Somewhere Else

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In case you did not know, today is a very important day.  No, not because everyone is being all political and American and waving their “I Voted Today” stickers in the air, but because today a sweet punk rock band from Philadelphia by the name of Luther is celebrating their 2 year anniversary.  That right folks, there are way more important things going on today other than this rich man presidential selection campaign bull mess.

In all seriousness though, Luther has a lot going for them and has grabbed a ton of attention since forming in 2010.  The band caught my attention in a good way last year and their EP topped my Best Of 2011 list with Siblings & Sevens.  Since that EP was released, they have toured non-stop and caught the attention of a little record label home of the Bouncing Souls.  Recently, the band released their first full-length album entitled Let’s Get You Somewhere Else on, you guessed it, Chunksaah Records.

Without talking them up too much, I will say listening to Let’s Get You Somewhere Else brought back memories of me years ago when I first was introduced to bands like Hot Water Music, Jawbreaker, and even the Bouncing Souls.  From the moment the album started, I was enthralled and wanted to immediately be their biggest fan.  At my age that might sound a little far fetched, but what I am trying to say is that I got that same feeling of a musical satisfaction, you know, that great feeling of knowing you just listened to something not just good, but amazing.

Luther’s debut EP, Siblings & Sevens, really rubbed off to me as DIY punk rock album with some folky style sewn in and I absolutely loved everything about it.  Let’s Get You Somewhere Else was an amazing follow-up with the band sounding like they just had fun creating all the songs while improving their sound as a band.  From the moment “The Concrete Sound” started, you cold just hear the confidence the band had in recording the track.  The track “Heavy Monday” really was just a fun song all around to listen to with plenty of lyrics that have flowed through my head once or twice at the beginning of a workweek.

I loved how “The Glory Bees” started off with a certain 90s rock feel only to transform into a catchy ass track.  Maybe it was the mono-toned opening vocals that reminded me of yesteryear, but the song picked up  and changed style in a good way.  “Backyard Fence Appeal” kicked things up a bit with a faster paced track with “oh my good look at this mess around me” repeating throughout.  How could I not like that track?  I was singing along my first time in.  “The Second Star” really was a deep track to listen to and I really dug the lyrics throughout.  I especially loved the lyrics”rotting like an apple and bringing down the tree or so it goes that the devil is strong, the devil is right for turning on us and letting us lie here.”

All I have to say about “Rattlesnake” is that the recorded hand-claps were not necessary at all.  Great track, but the only hand-claps that should be played during this song should be when the fans clap along when the song is played live.  “A Quiet Stretch Of Weather” easily could have been derived from a Tim Barry track.  The lyrics “I hope I don’ die when I’m forty” are repeated throughout and once again relate to something I have thought multiple times.  I found myself really appreciating this track and almost wished more of their tracks carried the same brash poignant feeling.

I see really big things with Luther happening in the near future and it is easy for me to say that with Let’s Get You Somewhere being such an impressive release.  This foursome contains a bunch of top-notch guys I have had the pleasure of seeing live before (of course there was a small delay due to their van crashing earlier last year before they were able to make it to Cleveland), and let me tell you, they do not disappoint.  They have already won over tons of fans and I am sure there will be plenty more where that came from.    Their Philly pals The Menzingers have already skyrocketed in the punk rock scene throughout 2012 and I know Luther will in no time as well based on their talent without riding a single coattail.  If you like bands like the Sidekicks, Menzingers, Banner Pilot, Cheap Girls, and so on, you really should be checking Luther out.

Happy 2nd Anniversary boys.  Keep up the great work.

Oh, and check out how bad ass their vinyl is:

Yea, I can be artsy…deal.

Folk, Music, New Release, Review, Vinyl

7″ Review: Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo – Fields Of June Featuring Frank Turner

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There is nothing in the world quite as mysterious as a relationship.  From the start until the end, however it may conclude, we have all been there.  There are easily a million songs that have been written over time  about relationships and love.  Some are positive tunes that end happily ever after, and then there are the ones that are straight up depressing with no light in the future for a resolution.  We all know these songs, and honestly almost all of them were written because of love and heartache.

Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo may have written one of the sadder love songs I have heard in my time in regards to the departure of love.  The chamber-folk song, “Fields Of June”, is just depressing as hell.  Considered a murder ballet duet by Barker, it actually was written back in 2007.  The song became even more poignant once the song was re-recorded and the male vocal duties were taken over by a good friend of Barker’s, Frank Turner.   The original duet is nothing compared to the re-released single on Xtra Mile Recordings.  Barker and Turner are perfect in trading verses, no matter how run down they may be.

To make things even more melancholy, the two made a music video, or should I say filmed a silent movie, to accompany said track.  The result is a clip I have watched over and over now.  It hits the heart hard and can cause a laugh or two as well.  Turner has proved quite the performer in the video.

Barker and Turner make for one hell of a duet act on “Fields Of June”,  and it would only make perfect sense that collaborate again in the future.

The song is available for download on iTunes as well as was released on a white 7″ in the UK with another Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo track “Nostalgia” that came from their album Despite The Snow.  The second track may not have been infectious to me as the first, but was really an amazing listen.

After hearing both songs, I must say I am really interested in hearing more of this chamber-folk that Barker and company creates.

Check out the video below for “Fields Of June” featuring Frank Turner:

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

Album Review: Versus The World – Drink. Sing. Live. Love.

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Southern California’s Versus The World is what many night call a pop-punk /alt-rock supergroup. Made up with a former bassist for The Ataris, Mike Davenport, current Lagwagon guitarist Chris Flippin, vocalist Donald Spence and Crooks and Liars drummer Bryan Charleson, the band easily has years of experience rocking out and their recent release, Drink. Sing. Live. Love., certainly proves that.

Dropped though Viking Funeral Records (Fletcher from Pennywise’s part-owned label), Drink. Sing. Live. Love. was an impressive pop-punk/post-hardcore listen from the start.  I really did not know what to expect prior to checking out this release, all I knew was that the band consisted of some standout musicians from bands I have been a solid fan of for years.

Starting off the album was “She Sang The Blues”. a moderately heavy track with a good post-hardcore feel.  Spence and Flippin share vocal duties throughout over distorted guitar playing as well as some fun solos.  I am not going to lie, I was heavily impressed with what I heard, and I was only one song in.

There were plenty on singable opportunities on “A Fond Farewell”, a track that just screamed to be played on mainstream radio.  Yeah, it sounded like a Fall Out Boy song at times (mostly from the singing solo), but who the hell cares?

“The Kids Are Fucked” easily was one of my favorite cuts off the album.  Perhaps it was the Freaks and Geeks sample of Daniel  yelling at Nick, “rock ‘n roll don’t come from your brain. It comes from your crotch” that got me going.  Besides that, the track had all the qualities of a good listen: catchy hooks, lyrics I cold relate to at my tender age, and good ol’ fashioned guitar playing.  If there is one song you need to check out on this album, this is it.

“A Love Song For Amsterdam” easily could have been a b-side to an Atari’s album.  Then there was “Crooks And Lairs”, a likable typical moving-on-with-life-after-a-failed-relationship track that can make anyone who ever was in a rocky relationship can relate to.  “Donner Pass” was the shortest, fastest, and heaviest track on the album.  No offense, but I almost wish more songs on the album matched the tempo that this track kept.  I have the feeling that Flippin had something to do with this track.  Wrapping things up was “We Were Alive”, a track that was just not doing it for me.  With how the alumb started, I really was hoping for a nice finale.  To each their own of course.

Turns out, Versus The World dropped their debut release back in 2005 under Kung Fu Records.  I think that was the year I moved to Egypt or fell off a cliff…  Seriously, I am scratching my head on how I have never heard of this supergroup until today.  Regardless, I now know what I was missing out on and liked a few tracks off this release.  Pop-punk fans, you need to hear these guys.  They certainly fit the bill.

What i like the most about this band is that it is full of musicians who have taken their lives and dedicated them to music.  10 years ago things may have been different in their lives, but they have all moved on and matured into what they are today.  I respect that.  Rather than recall their past, they have moved on and formed something new to impress the world with.

Drink. Sing. Live. Love. recalled the pop-punk sounds of the early 2000s with close similarities to, you guessed it, The Ataris and also Fall Out Boy and even a young Taking Back Sunday.  Hell, I can even hear some old Alkaline Trio in there.  Leaning more towards a rock sound at times, the album overall was a good listen.  I have a slight feeling that this band might sound even better live.  Here’s hoping I can experience that.

90's, Alt Rock, Emo, Grunge, Indie, Music, Music Video, New Release, Pop, Post-Hardcore, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: The Fake Boys – Pig Factory

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Massachusetts threesome The Fake Boys have somehow taken 90s indie rock and mashed it up with a little DIY pop punk as well as post-hardcore in a good good way on their debut album Pig Factory.

Released by Animal Style Records, Pig Factory was recorded by the great Jay Maas (Title Fight, Transit, Polar Bear Club) and pretty much kicked ass from start to finish.  I will admit, I was super hesitant before listening to this album, but am stoked I checked it out.

“This Is Our Band” opened up the album with the lead vocalist having a very Billy Corrigan singing style (as well as a Ravishing Ride Rude resemblance), but not that “despite of my rage I’m still just a rat in my cage” annoyance.  “This Is Our Sound” followed making this listener think back to the alternative / grunge days, especially with that J. Mascus-like guitar playing.

The sound kept consistent through and didn’t get old at all.  “Don’t Live” might have had some deep lyrics that I could not crack, but the song was great.  “You’re A Loser” followed with a perfect grunge to post-hardcore ratio making for an impressive listen.

“Best Post” had this Five Man Electrical Band sound at first that was completely off from the rest of the tracks.  Don’t get me wrong, it was a good listen with acoustic guitars and such, but that only lasted a moment as the rest of the band kicked in making for a good ol’ 90s alt-rock listen.  I found myself really digging that track a lot.

I really enjoyed the 90s alt-rock-heavy “Hi Friend”.  There’s nothing quite like a fun, friendly song that   just makes you gently rock your head.  Hands down, this was my favorite cut off the release, well at least I thought it was until the next track came on…  Just wait till that distorted bass kicks in, and you will most likely agree with me – “Realist World” ruled.  Lots of emo and post-hardcore going on the track.  I’m sold.

The Fake Boys sounded like a punk rock Smashing Pumpkins with a gracious nod to 90s rock.  I caught hints of Jawbreaker, Briad, and even Texas Is The Reason as well  as Dinosaur Jr.  Spite what I think they sound like, the truth is, this band knows how to deliver their own style and the result is a pretty solid listen.  There’s nothing fake about these guys at all and I am sure they are fully aware of that.  Do you like 90s rock?  Yes?  Go listen to The Fake Boys now.