Eyes Averted - Self Titled EP

I love Eyes Averted. They are one of the best, most original acts the Syracuse, NY area has offered. Yep, I said it. I’ve known these guys for an incredibly long time and I’ve seen them progress and get better and better over the years. In my personal opinion, they have really peaked with the sound they established on their full length “Paralyzing Passion and Motion”, released in 2006. Having seen pretty much every incarnation of the band leading up to that album and hearing all the different sounds they produced up to that point, I can easily say that they hit their sweet spot. The power trio. Time tested, mother approved. 

The “Eyes Averted” EP continues with their trade mark style, and they are still on top of their game. 4 songs, almost all of them under 3 mins long. But from the brief inhale of breathe at the beginning of “Epidemic Of Disaster” to the end of “Casting Shadows” this EP does not let you down for a second. The opening track immediately kicks in with EA’s high energy. Powerful screams, vocal harmonies, noodlely/riffy guitar parts, technical drumming and equally technical bass work. I mean, this is Eyes Averted’s bread and butter.  If you’ve heard them before, none of this will be a surprise to you. This EP is a great follow up to “Paralyzing Passion and Motion.” Pretty much continuing, and expanding where they left off.

If you havent heard them, well, where the fuck have you been? A Disturbed concert? While so many bands out there, that I suppose could be considered contemporaries to EA, are trying to make Calculating Infinity: Part Deux, Eyes Averted plays there own kind of mathy metal that in no way sounds anything like that. Its spazzy. Its all over the place. Start/Stop dynamics. Overall, its refreshing. 

How this band is not signed and the biggest thing around is beyond me. Honor Bright is on MTV with all their mediocrity and yet this band sleeps in obscurity? I’ll never understand why things are the way they are in music. Hopefully someday soon Eyes Averted will get the credit they deserve. The members of EA are all over the country now but expect them to keep releasing amazing music in the future. Please just do yourself a favor and check out this band!

On a personal note, I would just like to thank the band for allowing me to hear and review this EP before its even released. You can trust I've listened to it more times then I can count in the couple days I've had it. Haha.

-matthew st.

The EP I reviewed is going to be coming out in the near future. "For The Weary", one of the tracks off of the EP, is on Eye Averted's Myspace page. Go listen to that track and the other songs they have up there. 

I also highly recommend purchasing their full length “Paralyzing Passion and Motion”

You can buy it online here.

Lynx

Lynx was a four piece instrumental math rock band from Boston that ended up moving to Chicago and then broke up. They were only around for a couple years. Short lived, but very good. Their guitarist, David Konopka, went on to be in Battles. I’m sure that’s how most people hear about this band. Fuck, its how I heard about them honestly. But personally, their bassist Paul Joyce’s musical track record is much more impressive to me (I’ll be reviewing at least one more of his bands in the near future). Anyway, they’ve been compared to bands like Oxes, Don Caballero, and even Tristeza. So definitely give them a listen.

-matthew st.

Personal LP Highlights:

-Prynx

-Explosive Diarrhea

-Look At That Table And Make It Spin In Your Head

Lynx EP

Lynx LP

Both of these releases are from now defunct record labels. They arent made anymore and you probably cant get them. You can always check your local independent record store though.

This fan myspace page has unreleased songs and a full live show! Get into it!

So

So

It's fucking Peter Gabriel.

Bonus Recommendation: Jon B - They Don't Know
(note that this is NOT fucking Peter Gabriel)

Prize Country

Prize Country hails from Portland Oregon and plays an interesting style of rock that hasnt been heard too often at least since the late 90's. Band is all over the place as far as melodies and time signatures. Hard to follow yet somehow you catch yourself singing it all day at work ("Ill toss a few back later").

I had the amazing experience that went along with seeing this band live 2 years ago at Mohawk Place in Buffalo and it was great (mind you there was only 5 people there and I want to say it was a wednesday night) but I still had a blast.

Buy there record, Ill post a link to some songs but im telling you dont waste your time. Just order it, and thank me.

Dig it.

<3Justin "Hockey Fight" Tisdale

Oh, Canada (Part 2): Jakartah - In The Nervous Lights Of Coincidence

Even though this band is a recent find for me, they are from Canada, so I will include them in my ongoing “Oh, Canada!” series. Also, they are fucking great, so why not show people another awesome Canadian band?

After much pondering, I think I have come up with a short description of this band, and more specifically this album, that is at least mostly accurate.  Jakartah sound like a more riffy Jawbox, or a heavier Burning Airlines, with a singer that sort of sounds like the singer of Young Widows. Weird right? Haha. Please give it a listen and let me know what you think. I recommend it to any fans of Jawbox and other good post hardcore bands in that vein. And though I’m not sure if fans of Young Widows would like it, I still say at least give it a listen. Cause you never know. This is the Vancouver band’s first and only full length. They broke up. Which is bummer fo shaw. But it’s also kind of amazing, considering they released stuff of this caliber right off the bat.

-matthew st.

Personal Album Highlights:

-A Young Boy Forgets About Heaven

-Rosa Unida drinks Anxiety

-A Thousand Miles Connects You To Me

-Liaisons At The Woodward Building

Download The Album Here

If you like it, please purchase it from your local independent record store

Torche - Meanderthal

Once upon a time a tour of mythical sludge proportions dredged through the unprepared city of Syracuse, NY leaving a total wake of destruction and perpetual head banging in it's path. The year was 2005, and that tour featured three bands that have since grown incredibly popular in the underground metal scene; the then recently formed Torche, 'Cuse mainstays Coliseum (I could always count on seeing this band every few months despite being from Kentucky), and Georgia's own proprietors of mayhem Kylesa.

When it came time for Torche to play the PA began to malfunction much to the delight of singer/guitarist Steve Brooks who memorably proclaimed "Sweet, instrumental set!" before launching into a thirty minute jam session with his bandmates. Initially put off by his vocals, I certainly wasn't complaining. I enjoyed the other bands sets throughly, and with a cloud of smoke (literary) the tour carried on. That was that...

Fast forward three years, and a couple records later to their Hydrahead Records debut "Meanderthal". As soon as "Grenades" hit my speakers any misgivings I had about the vocals were torn away and spit back into my face. Meanderthal seems so much more smooth and well rounded without losing any of the heavy stoner charm of their previous releases. The crossover appeal of this record is also quite evident; had this come out fifteen years earlier I'm convinced it would have garnered some major airplay. With heavy nods to everyone from Jawbox to Queens of the Stone Age these boys managed to release one of the catchiest and melodic rock records of last year and should not be overlooked. Highly recommended for fans of the previously mentioned bands, Helmet, and stoner rock in general.

-Daniel Marc Cafferty

P.S. Did I mention the art direction/packaging is absolutely phenomenal as well? The jacket folds out into a mountain!

Personal album highlights:
- Grenades
- Across the Shields
- Without a Sound
- Fat Waves

Meanderthal - if you enjoy the album please support the band and your favorite independent record store by purchasing a copy

Here's a fan made video for "Grenades" utilizing a picture from when they played Syracuse (Halloween):

Cult Ritual - 2nd EP

I wasn’t positive on what record I thought I should first review until I read everyone else’s entries. I think this is a good starting point as it’s a dramatic change in style from what’s been featured thus far (which is killer, mind you). There are a few records I’ve found myself listening to over and over for the past few months, and this one’s near the top of the list.

It’s been thought that perhaps Tampa, FL’s Cult Ritual is only receiving a lot of attention because of their association with the infamous Youth Attack Records. While there are certainly some questionable releases YA’s done, I’d say Cult Ritual deserves all the credit they receive and more for perfectly bringing the urgency of their live sound straight to record. All 4 songs here are spastic, noisy, and ferocious hardcore punk in its purest form. While the band seems to fit snugly into a rising niche of noisy hardcore(ala Total Abuse, Sex/Vid, etc.), Cult Ritual’s sound and visual aesthetics set them apart from their contemporaries. There aren’t enough adjectives to properly describe how quickly this record will drag you into its discordant soundscapes, violently shake you up and leave you wondering what happened. Each song runs into the next so frantically, it’s hard to sift through the wall of noise on first listen. Before a song begins, it’s on to the next one. Instead of coming off as too brief, they make you feel an intended panic. Trust me that they’re worth repeated listens.

While I feel I could go on and on about all 3 of Cult Ritual’s EPs, this particular one was selected for it being the best representation of Cult Ritual as a band sound and art-wise (I can’t describe this, you need to see it). Also, was the fact that because of how obnoxiously limited and expensive this record was to begin with (how goes the cult morale, Youth Attack?) you won’t be able to physically own one unless you want to drop $70 on ebay (owning the physical copy is rad, but everything should have its limit). Thankfully, the boys in Cult Ritual have made all their current releases to date, including this one, available for free to download at: http://cultmaternal.blogspot.com/

-weston.


Leaves you wanting more:
-Haunted Ground
-Leather

Valina - A Tempo! A Tempo!

Valina is from Australia. The only thing that gives this away is the vocals.
I feel their sound is distinctly influenced by American bands.
Fuck it. Three bands whose styles I hear on this album, in this order: Jawbox, Bear Vs Shark (I know,) and Faraquet.
Here's a sentence you've probably read before: this album was recorded by Steve Albini.
Mr. Anal-Log's production helps these tunes sound the way they ought to...loud and live!
The songs are well-rounded.
The drummer hits really hard, and he is just an animal.

A Tempo! A Tempo!

Official Website

- Peter "Gary Sinise Blow Up Doll" Bermel

Bonus Recommendation: New Mastodon Track!

Joiya

I'm going to try to keep it short today as per Tisdale's request/expectations of us contributors. But believe me that I could go on and on about Joiya. They are great people and good friends of mine. They are also probably one of my all time favorite bands I've ever seen live.

This Michigan band blew my fucking mind when I first saw them 5 years ago. It was another case of “why does this awesome band, like my shitty band?” haha. The four piece consisted of a guitarist, drummer, cello player and a piano/violin player. Both male and female vocalists. They played an awesome blend of mellow and high energy indie rock. They also did some extremely mathy and technical stuff. These guys are real musicians and their music can easily be appreciated by other musicians. But I think fans of bands like Aloha and Rachel’s could easily get into them. They sadly don’t play anymore because the members are spread all over the country. Its truly sad because they created some really beautiful and original music together. One can only hope that Joiya will someday be able to reunite and produce more awesomeness. 

-matthew st.

Here is their amazing full length Sometimes Is And Kinda

I've also uploaded their unfinished album. Just note that the unfinished album is just that, unfinished. Its unmixed and alot of the songs are just ideas. The few "finished" songs are quality though. Included with that is a track off a Xmas comp that they did and a demo song "Rogue", which would go on to be called "Rivers."

You can get all of that right here.

Sometimes Is And Kinda personal  highlights     (even though i love the entire album):

-We're Just Gonna...

-Kill Colours With Kindness

-June/July

Unfinished Album personal highlights:

-Suicide Is Painless

-Death and Departed

-The Funearl

Joiya @ Myspace

Mouse on the Keys

So, this time I want someone to listen to this band in hopes that they will enjoy them as much as I have and help me with a little research. This band is brilliant, 2 pianos and a drummer, wish I knew more but since I cant read Japanese Im up shit creek here.

Through the help of some friends I managed to get a hold of the EP as well as a myspace page. I read somewhere (amid symbols I couldn't understand) something about them having a DVD or being featured on a DVD.

Think Emerson Lake and Palmer, only modernized sans egos and Japanese.

I discovered them because they're label mates with TOE (see past review).

I'm stumped here folks... (its 4:03 AM, gimme a fucking break here.)

Mouse On The Keys - Four Song EP

<3 The Reverend Justin James

37500 Yens - Astero

So oh hey France, when the fuck did this happen? And I guess the better question would be, why was I so late to notice this? It seems that somewhere along the line, all of these instrumental mathy guitar/drum duos popped up all over the country. I’m going to be talking about the band 37500 Yens, but I have a feeling that in the future Tisdale will do a review of another French duo, Cheval de Frise.

Of these French bands I have recently heard, I can honestly say that 37500 Yens is probably the most heavy  and aggressive. This record opens up with a dissonant guitar arpeggio that becomes the building block for the rhythmic guitar and drum interplay that punches in and asserts itself for the remainder of the record. This band sounds more like A Minor Forest hopped up on super cool then it does Hella. Jumping from here to there, but never sounding overly bombastic or riffy. From the first song on, you’ll realize that though 37500 Yens is only guitar and drums, they use loops and samples to fill in space when it is needed. Even a saxophone pops up to spread some free jazz love. “Astero” ends with a moment that is the complete opposite to how the record begins. Almost as if the whole album is a build up to that moment. Listen for yourself. 

If you are into A Minor Forest, Don Caballero (Mike Banfield era), Hella, Tera Melos, or pretty much any heavy mathy instrumental bands, I highly recommend this album. 

-matthew st.

Personal album highlights:

-Carnard Boiteux

- The Sullivan's Quartet

Download the album here

If you like this album, please try to buy it from your local independent record store

37500 Yens @ Myspace

The Exploding Hearts - Guitar Romantic

Hello readers, please excuse my inconsistent posting as of late for I have come across more pressing matters of importance. Regardless, I'll continue to bring you my musical point of view although rather inconsistently from this point on (I'm even working on a multi-part feature I plan to unveil at some point over the next few weeks!). Alright, back to the grind with today's top notch pick, "Guitar Romantic" the first and only LP released by Portland pop rockers The Exploding Hearts.

Back around the turn of the century when the punk scene was going absolutely nuts over thrash revival these four lads came out of nowhere playing some of the most rocking, catchy, power pop numbers you could ever imagine. Heavily influenced by artists such as Nick Lowe and The Jam; The Exploding Hearts released two well received singles and soon followed up with this much acclaimed LP on Dirtnap Records. Ultimately destined for greater things the band had a string of shows lined up as well as a full US tour in the works. However, none of this was meant to be...

En-route home from a series of successful shows in San Francisco the Heart's van flipped less than two hours shy of their final destination. Vocalist/guitarist Adam Cox, and drummer Jeremy Gage were pronounced dead at the scene while bassist and driver Matthew Fitzgerald would pass away later at the hospital. Guitarist Terry Six as well as their companion/band manager survived. The band would cease to exist from this day forward.

The tragedy would prove to have a profound effect on the national punk network causing many to organize benefit shows and fundraisers in the bands honor. Their infamy has continued to rise as more fans discover "G.R." as well as the 2006 release "Shattered"; a collection of singles and b-sides . "Guitar Romantic" is often considered a modern punk classic from a band destined for greatness had they not been cut down in their prime. Every song on this LP is just that, a classic and deserves to be treated as such. "Just won't cry cause my life's going by, I'll find someone before the day I die"

- Daniel Marc Cafferty

Personal album highlights:
Modern Kicks
Thorns in Roses
Sleeping Aides and Razorblades
Still Crazy

Guitar Romantic - if you enjoy the album please support the band and your favorite independent record store by purchasing a copy

The Exploding Hearts second to last show in San Francisco

A Camp

Holy cuckold Monday.

I am tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiired, but stoked enough on this album that I want to share.
So I won't be getting too wordy...let's fall back on the wikehpeetya for this one.



"Produced by Niclas Frisk and Nina Persson (of The Cardigans) along with her husband, ex-Shudder to Think member Nathan Larson, the album features contributions from ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, Joan As Policewoman and Guided By Voices drummer Kevin March.

The recording of a second A Camp album was officially confirmed by Nina in an interview with Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter in May 2007. The interview stated that, mere weeks after recording had started, half a dozen backing tracks were completed and these were "going to get lyrics about everything from Chinatown in New York to animals in Africa". The album was inspired by "girl-pop from the 60's, 80's punk and David Bowie", but Nina made particular mention of Adam Ant. A further description of the musical styles featured on Colonia can be found in the biography section of A Camp's official website, stating that the approach was more that of "a proper band" (than on the first A Camp record). Lyrically, the album "draws on historical imagery... from the opium den to the Belgian Congo, from the Namibian desert by starlight to Victorian New York by gaslight, and the Bowery of the 70s by neon."

Imagine Lisa Loeb, Tom Jones and John Vanderslice joining forces for a "Matrix"-esque songwriting team.

This music will take you places. Such a diverse, solid record.
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh.
The stylistic chameleon shit going on here is staggering.
Shame that it's taken me this long to give Nina Persson a chance beyond "Lovefool."

A Camp - Colonia

If you enjoy these jams, buy the album, among other shit, from the band.

Bonus Recommendation: 1474 Megapixel Panorama of the Inauguration

TOE

Hailing from Japan toe is a mix of melodic post rock and crazy technicality that is so tightly played you often fail to hear the intricacies of whats exactly going on. The band has had the same lineup since they formed in 2000. Songs are almost all instrumental with a few guest spots featuring mostly Japanese musicians Ive never heard of before. One might compare them to explosions in the sky on coke meets a drunk faraquet sans vox.

Not much else to say....get into it.

<3 Justin James Tisdale III

Oh, Canada(Part 1): The Plan - Only These Movements Remain

There is something about Canada and me. I don’t know if it’s the fact that I have a French Canadian last name, with no actual Canadian ancestry. Maybe I’m searching through the music of the country to find out what the fuck that’s about? Haha. I don’t know. I’m just making an excuse for liking so many Canadian bands (The Plan is one of my favorites). Not alot of people know, but Canada has had an amazing music scene for quite some time. I know, its hard to believe. Most people think Rush or Bryan Adams when thinking of Canadian music. Maybe, if you're lucky you'll get someone that thinks of Godspeed You Black Emperor! But there is so much more to it then that and i hope with this new "series" I'll open some people's eyes to some of the amazing music that has been going on in the Canadian underground over the years.

I always felt that in America, Fugazi was sort of the standard of influence in starting a post hardcore band. It was either them, or a later band whose influence was undoubtedly them. I always sort of thought that in Canada, the same could be said for Shotmaker.  Now I’m not saying that Fugazi hasn’t influenced bands in Canada but I feel like on an album like “Only These Movements Remain” you can hear Shotmaker all over the place. Now that is not to say that Fugazi can’t be heard as an influence on this album as well. I think there might even be a tinge of that “San Diego Sound” that people used to refer to when talking about Drive Like Jehu. Simply put, this album is energy. Yelling vocals with screams coming from behind. Duel guitars coming at you with angular and aggressive movements. The bass work on this album is really great. I would even go as far to say that some of it is noteworthy for the genre. The drums are powerful and tight. As they should be for this kind of music. There are elements of mathiness every now and then. There is even some slight experimentation in the way of cello, vibraphone and trumpet being added to a few songs. But nothing that would turn off the post hardcore purest to this record. 

I am very bad at recommending albums to people. I usually don’t know what to say in a “for fans of…” statement. But I will say for this album that if you have listened to any of the above mentioned bands, and you liked them, you should really listen to this album.

-matthew st.

Download The Album Here

if you like the album , please try to buy it from your local independent record store

or you can get it from the record label's online store

Suis La Lune - Heir

Up until this point, the majority of what I have posted have just been favorite albums and bands of mine. And personally, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. But I'm changing it up today. Instead of posting back to back all time favorite albums, I decided to post today about a band I just heard for the first time earlier this month. This 4 song EP has been on repeat pretty much since first hearing it.

Suis La Lune is a Swedish screamo band. And when I use that term, it is completely related to what that genre used to be and not what the hot topic going masses would try to have you believe it is today. Think of bands from Virginia and Canada in the mid 90’s. The best example for comparison might be the band Indian Summer from California. Suis La Lune plays a style of music consistent with all those bands, but adds elements of later acts that might be tagged “emo.” The guitarists often play together in a way on this EP that brings to mind both Indian Summer and American Football. The loud, screamy and aggressive sound is surprisingly complimented by breaks of clean, beautiful, intricate guitar work. Only to build up and explode again. 

If you are at all familiar with the genres and bands I've discussed above, “Heir” will just make sense to you. Its not difficult to see what the band is trying to go for stylistically. Suis La Lune plays a style of music that I thought was dead. I’m glad, in this case, its not. 

-matthew st.

Download the album here

If you like the album, buy it from your local independent record store

or you can get it from Suis La Lune's webstore

More songs and American tour dates can be found at Suis La Lune's Myspace page.

Pinback: Autumn of the Seraphs

This record has been in constant rotation since I bought it at an amazing record store in Doylestown PA (Siren Records, check it out). Ive been a long time fan of pinback and even had the liberty of catching Rob Crow on one of his solo tours. Rob Crow has more or less had at least a lyrics on half a dozen of my personal favorite records (including Drive Like Jehus' "Yank Crime" oddly enough).

The album has an overall steady and consistent vibe that alot of modern bands just dont manage to do anymore. The entire album has a certian steadiness to it (rhythmically and lyrically) thats unrivaled. Very melodic, yet dissonant at times, the vocal melodies are on par and on key with the greats.

Id give it an 9/10 losing a point just because at times the album gets a little boring and repetitive but overall its a very intelligent and relaxed record.

Definantly check it out. You can here 2 songs here.

<3 the Reverand Justin James Tisdale III

Television - Marquee Moon

What you need to understand is that to me, this is real original punk. Not The Sex Pistols. Not The Clash. For some reason I always thought the first punk music was this: NYC 77. I don’t know why. I think it was probably because my first taste of what old punk was, wasn’t all that British stuff. It was all the New York bands. Television being one of my favorites.

I’ve seen interviews in a few movies on the genre of punk, where members of both The Sex Pistols and The Clash admit that they were all at the first Ramones show in England, and then started their bands after seeing that band. At least those “punks” had a blueprint to build off of. God, or the flying spaghetti monster, only knows what influenced Television to play the way they did. Or be able to play what they did. They did things on their debut full length “Marquee Moon” that I cant honestly think of influence for reference. Lets just take the albums title track for instance. It starts with every member coming in and playing on some off beat of one another. Math rock ancestry fodder maybe? The leads and solos in the song are not your typical blues based guitar lines used in popular rock at the time. You can hear it in the song's however many minute long guitar solo. Which leads into a build up and peak that I have to think influenced Sonic Youth on some level. And that’s only one song. Overall, this is a punk rock record, with an emphasis on the rock. Though there are a lot of ideas from other genres of music. Elements of classic pop songs can be heard in “Guiding Light.” While a song like “Elevation” has an almost reggae vibe in the beginning, but completely changes by the chorus. Singer/guitarist Tom Verlaine has such a distinct voice. It works so well with his lyrical style. And both his voice and lyrics work so well with the music the band produced on this album. Like they were all made for one another.

I feel like, over time, people who have wanted something different in the music they listen to have gravitated towards this record. A lot of the ideas contained on this album might not seem like a big deal today. But viewed in context, its kind of outrageous this band did what they did, when they did it. I think the album still holds up as one of the greatest “punk” albums, and maybe one of the best albums of the 70’s.

-matthew st.

Download the album here

support your local independent record store buy purchasing the album if you like it

Into It Over It

Taken from the website:

"My name is Evan Thomas Weiss.

On Thursday September 27th 2007 I turn 23 years old. I've noticed that my last few years have gone by rather quickly. To combat (or encourage..?) this movement in my life, I will be writing and recording one song for every week of my 23rd year. That's roughly 52 songs.

This page is where you can find them. New songs will be uploaded complete with lyrics (and sometimes additional content) every Thursday. Feel free to right click and download as much as you want (or is available). Pass this link along to your friends and help spread the word. Share the songs with whomever you want. Put them on mixtapes for people you care about. Just don't steal them. Everything is copyrighted.

I haven't decided if I'll actually play any shows, but if you're curious you can send me an e-mail or contact me via Myspace. All of the contact information is below. While this is mainly a project to keep myself motivated, I hope you enjoy it and check back weekly as I document my life for a full year.

thanks + xxoo

Evan Thomas"

This fella played in The Progress and now plays in Damiera.
These songs are alarmingly fresh, considering the conditions under which they were produced.
Some of them sound like, well, The Progress (which is a great thing).
Others are more sparse, acoustic tracks.
Weiss' conversational tone in his lyrics complements the music perfectly.
Usually I'm not a lyrics guy, but in this case, I was compelled to seek them out.

I have all 52 tracks on my computer.
For now I'm just going to link the website, and if any of you readers want all 52 tracks in a convenient .rar file, e-mail listentothisonce@gmail.com or leave a comment.

Into It Over It
myspace

- Peter "Color Me Badd" Bermel

Bonus Recommendation: Nas - Make The World Go Round

Might!!!

Might is a band hailing from Albany which includes a fucking menagerie of "ex-band-members". More or less, these dudes have played with or in every Albany band ever in one way or another. What I'm getting at is they're talented and seasoned dudes.

The reason I got into them is because they sound like a more "thrown together" version of one of my favorite Syracuse bands of all time (Spark Lights the Friction). But that novelty aside, there's a lot more to it than that. The band (even though sounding strikingly similar at times) is miles apart from SLTF. Melody with obvious punk and early 90's rock influence. The music is a mix of 7 seconds and Superchunk. The vocals just come out of left field, but after a while you find out this dude has some fucking range.

Isn't much more to say, aside from this band has no place to go but up.
Let's just hope they keep it up.

I'm posting the myspace and not uploading a demo because the CD's they had when I saw them were 2 bucks and had 10 songs. Suck it up and shell out 2 bucks, it's well worth it and hasn't left my car stereo all week.

http://myspace.com/might518

<3 Mr. Justin James Tisdale III

Umphrey's Mcgee - Mantis

The following is taken from the synopsis for the film "Man On the Moon."

"At the beginning, Kaufman's foreign man comes on saying it is the end of the movie and plays a record alongside the credits before walking off. Kaufman then comes back on in his normal voice saying he "Had to get rid of the people who don't understand me, and don't want to try". He then proceeds to show the actual movie on a film projector starting with his childhood home, c.1957."

Two dirty words: progressive rock.

I could ramble on about how expansive and brilliant this album is.
But, really, if you're down with the aforementioned genre, you're going to judge it with your own ears.
Aaaand if you're not, you'll judge me with your own special brand of incorrect thought.

Umphrey's Mcgee - Mantis

Listen to it, and if you like it, hit up a live show or buy the record.

- Peter "Charlie Sheen" Bermel

Bonus Recommendation: Skull Gang in '09

Tenebre - In Everything Give Thanks

I’m digging into my secret stash for this one. This band was a myspace find for me. They were in the top friends of Animal, my friend’s band, and I randomly checked them out. Boy am I glad I did. Historically, I’ve probably listened to this album more at work than any other album. And working in a daycare, you have lots of opportunity to listen to music.

Tenebre does something very cool musically on this album. I always considered math rock and post rock to be on different sides of the same coin. But Tenebre’s music is kind of a blend of both genres. Which I didn’t think was possible. The band has the mellow vibes of post rock. With some songs having an undeniable jazz influence. But guitarist Max Foreman is often playing his guitar like he’s right out of Chicago. It’s easy to see why these guys refer to Don Caballero and Owls as influences. But don’t pigeonhole this band as just another tappy, pull off happy instrumental math band. They create crazy amounts of atmosphere on this album. With help of the dynamic drumming, courtesy of Daniel Pearce, and the upright bass skills of Patrick Taylor. Yes, that’s right, their bassist plays an upright bass! How can you not check this out now?

It’s very rare that an album exists that you can see people of opposite interests enjoying. This album is, at times, mellow without ever getting boring and other times interesting without ever getting overbearing. Overall, “In Everything Give Thanks” is a really good record start to finish, which tends to be rare nowadays. If you like to just chill out and relax, or love bands with interesting guitar work, this is a band you need to know. How often do you get to make such an oddly grouped statement? Haha.

-matthew st.

Personal album highlights:

-The Story of a boy on a Ladder

-Libelle

-Painting Walls

-A Call From Jane

Download the album here

if you enjoy this album, please buy it from your local independent record store

or you can buy the album online

You can hear more music from them at their myspace page

Rainer Maria

Today's incredibly short entry focuses on a little indie rock band from the mid west that went by the name of Rainer Maria. Formed in 1995, the band who took it's name from famous german poet Rainer Maria Rilke are greatly characterized by their deeply personal lyrics and the tag team vocals of bassist Caithlin De Marrais and Guitarist Kyle Fischer.

Through consistent releases and constant D.I.Y. touring the band would make quite a name for themselves in the indie rock scene. With the release of 2003's Long Knives Drawn the band had it's first brush with crossover success when the single and accompanying video for "Ears Ring" became a minor MTV2 hit. Eventually the band would pack up from it's mid west roots collectively moving to Brooklyn and signing to a major. In 2006 the band released their one and only major label release Catastrophe Keeps Us Together and promptly called it quits soon after.

Included here are their first three (and in my opinion best) long players. They collectively illustrate the transition the band would eventually make from a more subdued sound to their later more anthemic way of songwriting. As always, if you enjoy these releases please support the band and your local independent record store by purchasing a copy.

- Daniel Marc Cafferty

Past Worn Searching

Look Now Look Again

A Better Version of Me

Personal album highlights:
Past Worn Searching:
- Always More Often
- Put Me to Sleep

Look Now Look Again:
- Rise
- Breakfast of Champions

A Better Version of Me:
- The Seven Sisters
- Hell and High Water

Rainer Maria performing "Artificial Light" from A Better Version of Me

Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool

Yeah yeah yeah I already know what your thinking.

"Why is he doing something so fucking obvious!?!"

Answer: Because its a record everyone needs to listen to at one point in life. A woman stays a girl until she hears this record and a man fails to turn into a man until this record reaches the last few bars of "Darn that Dream".

Im keeping it brief this time. Written and recorded in 1949-1950 and has a bunch of dudes you wish you could play like. If you dont like jazz i recommend this even more.

1. "Move" (Denzil Best, arranged by John Lewis) – 2:32
2. "Jeru" (Gerry Mulligan) – 3:10
3. "Moon Dreams" (Chummy MacGregor, Johnny Mercer, arranged by Gil Evans) – 3:17
4. "Venus de Milo" (Mulligan) – 3:10
5. "Budo" (Miles Davis, Bud Powell, arranged by Lewis) – 2:32
6. "Deception" (Davis, arranged by Mulligan) – 2:45
7. "Godchild" (George Wallington, arranged by Mulligan) – 3:07
8. "Boplicity" (Cleo Henry, i.e. Davis and Gil Evans, arranged by Evans) – 2:59
9. "Rocker" (Mulligan) – 3:03
10. "Israel" (Johnny Carisi) – 2:15
11. "Rouge" (John Lewis) – 3:13
12. "Darn That Dream" (Eddie DeLange, James Van Heusen, arranged by Mulligan) – 3:26

Get into it.

<3Justin James Tisdale III

Zona Mexicana

I have found that when it comes to new shit, I gravitate towards music that is interesting on paper that also holds my ear for other, more intuitive reasons.
The nature of creativity, collaboration, etc...will usually send you toward either/or, and not in the middle of these two worlds.
TYPICALLY, the more technical you get, the harder it is to inform the listener's heart, whereas if you are coming from a purely emotional place, odds are that you will not purposely change meter every measure.
(Obviously these things are not always true, it's just what I've noticed tends to be.)

I feel that Zona Mexicana have met my ears at the line of scrimmage with this 3 song EP.
Melodically, rhythmically, I am engaged from start to finish.
This is one of many ways to do "math rock" correctly.
Highly proficient musicians playing I-don't-give-a-fuck-music that you can relate to.
They go from on-a-dime stop-start parts to shit that is akin to throwing paint on a wall with ease, all clearly having been rehearsed and hashed out. From the Stewart-Copeland-esque hook in "Let's Get Tired" to the Meshuggah-in-a-ball-pit-at-Discovery-Zone intro of "Bored and Boring," you certainly have plenty to dig into in these too-short 11 minutes. I love it!

Download it, listen, send it to your friends:
Zona Mexicana - 3 Song EP

If you want a physical copy, there is of course a myspace page.

Bonus Recommendation: Jamie Foxx Ruins A Non-Comedian

- Peter "Female" Bermel

1.21 Jigowatts: Knife Crazy Retrospective (Part 1?)

Knife Crazy was a three piece rock band from Buffalo, NY. I can proudly say I was, and am friends with the members of this band. Fen Ikner played drums while Vic Lazar and Phil Freedenberg played guitar. Phil was usually playing his guitar with his fingers in a tapping manner. They played loud, technical, dancy, mathy rock. All three members sang. Often with a simultaneous duel vocal attack courtesy of Vic and Fen. Their voices always sounded amazing together. I had never heard a band that sounded like them. And even after hearing them and being well versed in their songs, I still can not think of any band that they sound like.

Theres used to be a long story here but I took it out because it made this post super long. Maybe ill repost it in a future blog. haha ...Well, for some reason Knife Crazy actually liked my band, and we would go on to play more shows together before they broke up/went on hiatus/whatever it actually is. Fen moved away to Arizona, which pretty much put an end to the band playing. Which is too bad because I felt that band had so much potential. 

Phil and, his then future wife, Lisa had already started a side project called Red Tag Rummage Sale, A guitar/cello duo. So that became his main project. Vic started the spacey Victory Light Black Honey, and later, Patrons Of Sweet, which he still plays in now. Fen is doing a project in Arizona called Hero Alligator. Which is equal parts weird and awesome. But considering he was in Knife Crazy, that combination is not really surprising. He’s also in a band called The Otterssey, which pretty much needs to be heard to be believed. Dude is a fucking genius I tell you.

Recently I went to see Patrons Of Sweet play in Rochester with Mistletoe. While there, Vic gave me a copy of the unreleased Knife Crazy album. Listening to that CD has brought back all these memories and has made me want to tell and show all of you this band you either never heard of, or didn’t give enough of a listen to.

I’ve uploaded their albums “Delicious, Delicious Science” & their unreleased full length “Sweet Ferrari Pics Dude.” Which I got word probably is not going to be released. Bummer. This band is for fans of mathy rock type stuff? There is nothing I can really do to describe this band accurately and do them justice, so please just check them out and get your groove on.

There was talk at the Sinaloa show Sunday that Knife Crazy might be playing some shows in the future. Lets keep our fingers crossed that that happens. They are greatly missed.

-matthew st.

Delicious, Delicious Science

Personal album highlights:

-Hittin' It Big on the 801's

-Your Shampoo Smells Like the Directors Cut of Cocoon

-An Homage to Ants and All the Hard Work That They Do

-Mao Say What?

Sweet Ferrari Pics Dude

Personal album highlights:

-Intrigue At MinelliCon 97'

-Hmm, That's Fishy - A Computerman And His Soldering Gun!

-Moonwalking Over Isotopes with George Washington's Runaway Coda

(note: The song “Saving the Running of the Bulls from Heart Failure” was supposed to be the opening track on "Sweet Ferrari Pics Dude", but Vic didn’t have the finished version. So I included the demo version so you can get the idea. They never figured out a tracklist except for knowing that “Bulls” was going to open the album. How the tracks are numbered is how Vic put them on the CD for me.)

The Trouble - Nobody Laughs Anymore

Without hearing this LP one might find it a bit challenging to actually pinpoint where The Troubles true musical passion lies. Open the linear notes for example and you'll be greeted by two typical looking kids in Nausea and Infest shirts standing side by side with their overdressed straight out of 1977 singer, and 1980's Brat Pack stand-in guitarist. If that doesn't throw you off track; how about the incredibly faithful cover of Joy Division's "Insight" that closes the album? Scratching your head now?

The Trouble in fact borrows much from fellow Boston locals The Bruisers by wearing their street punk influence on their sleeves. This is by no means a happy go lucky record though; for every sing along anthem will soon be followed by a friendly reminder that the human race can just as easily turn it's back on you or my personal favorite "you have fucked up you life miserably". Sometimes successfully combining all the elements into a could be radio hit of I hate myself proportions!

All joking aside, The Trouble somehow manage to mend and weave all of these influences together into an incredibly cohesive modern hardcore classic that would pave the way for later Boston bands such as American Nightmare (see: their "Dead and Gone" cover) and the Suicide File. I really can't add much more than that, so to end our exchange I leave you with two little pieces of advice
1. Proceed to downloading this album.
2. Jump all around your room accordingly like the true "Saturdays Kid" you are.

Some of you may know Gibby (vocalist) from his later stint in the band Panic as well as the founder of makeoutclub.com (not kidding). The guitarist later went on to help form The Explosion as well.

-Daniel Marc Cafferty


Prepare to tap your feet to:
- Reckless
- Shadow on the Streets
- Youth is Wasted By the Young

Bash your head into the wall to:
- Dead and Gone
- Come to Grips


Nobody Laughs Anymore - if you enjoy the album please support the band and your favorite independent record store by purchasing a copy

Live videos are scarce to non-exsistant. Preview a few select tracks on myspace.

The Kinks Greatest: Celluloid Heroes

The Kinks Greatest: Celluloid Heroes was an interesting record hated by most over the years. It recieved such poor ratings because during the bands time at RCA records the Kinks wrote a series of concept records and towards the end they pieced together a "greatest hits" consisting of random picks from said concept albums. So more or less your listening to bits and pieces of various stories.

Any other band I would hate this. I hate...hate...hate "greatest hits" records because there almost always a poor example of the band tossing in a couple singles and maybe 1 or 2 B-sides to try to save a little dignity for the band and label. This on the other hand is a brilliant representation with nothing but catchy, sometimes deep, but overall excellent songs. Id say find this on vinyl if you have a record player for the full effect.

If you dig the individual tracks do a little research and get into the concept albums.

tracks to pay extra special attention to include...
-20th century man
-alcohol (later covered by the murder city devils....awesome...)
-everybody's a star

-Justin

Ozma

Ozma have been at it for nearly 15 years. Their first taste of national exposure came through a tour opening for Weezer (who their detractors have ceaselessly accused them of ripping off...not to pour salt on that wound, but these guys are WAY more interesting, especially considering =W='s latest output...oof.)

They put out three full lengths and did several USA/Japanese tours. Called it quits in 2004, then reformed in 2006 with a new drummer and put out their latest, "Pasadena." Since they toured to promote that record, they've been pretty quiet.

Why is Jadakiss the hottest it gets? Because, god-durgit, when assholes like me throw the words "smart" and "pop" around, THIS is what they SHOULD be talking about, not fucking Tokyo Police Club. Bassist Daniel Brummel is a master of his craft. This is the rock band he formed in high school, and it has served as a canvas for his development as a musician and composer, as well as an outlet for McCartney-to-his-Lennon Ryan Slegr's (guitar & vocals) often less ambitious but equally engaging tunes. This music is just RICH and so satisfying.

My personal favorite Ozma songs (bundled neatly for you, babydoll):

Come Home Andrea
Gameover
Heartache vs. Heartbreak
I Wonder
Lunchbreak (Cobras Theme)
Incarnation Blues
Maybe In An Alternate Dimension
Restart
Spending Time
Domino Effect
The Business of Getting Down


If your fancy is sufficiently tickled, you can peep the records through their myspace page.

Bonus Recommendation: Thomas Haake Drum Cam - "Bleed"

- Peter "Sandwich Artist" Bermel

Sinaloa - Oceans Of Islands

I, and the other contributors to this blog, had the pleasure of seeing this band perform this past Sunday. And i was really excited for the show. Not only because a couple of my friend's bands were playing, but because in the weeks leading up to the show, Sinaloa had become my new favorite band and this album was probably the album I listened to most.

Sinaloa formed in 2001. The Massachusetts natives have released three full length albums, Oceans Of Islands having been released just last year. They have appeared on some various comps and have also put out a boatload of splits with bands like Ampere, Catena Collapse, Wolves and Daniel Striped Tiger. And that is just naming the few that I know of off hand.

The band, which consists of two guitarists and a drummer, never sounds flat or dull on this release. They somehow make the space work for them and sound as full as any band. After listening to the album, I actually went through and checked the liner notes to see if there was a bass on this album. Not even because I thought I heard a bass on the recordings, but because it sounds so full, it was hard for me to believe they were able to achieve this sound otherwise. There isn't any bass on the recording. Every member of this bands sings and their vocals all work really well together and with the music they make. The music sounds energetic and urgent. Technical drumming, without ever overplaying. The guitarists work beautifully together crafting guitar lines that compliment one another and make the songs really powerful and moving. The vocals are sung and yelled like the members of the band are trying to say, “Please understand what these words mean to me." And that is exactly the type of band Sinaloa is. In their album, they have the lyrics for all of the songs, but they also have explanations for what each of the songs are about and what lead to them being written. But what I love is, that is where they keep it. So many bands just love to go on these long winded speeches about this and that live, and honestly, it turns me right the fuck off and takes me right out of the music most times. Even though they are very conscious about many different issues, Sinaloa aren't preachy live and their lyrics certainly aren't straightforward or blatant. And yet, once you read what the songs are about, it makes the music they play and how they sing to the songs make just that much more sense. Sinaloa will spell it out for you, but all of it is already there in the songs they are playing.

I recommend this album to everyone. Though, having an appreciation of mid 90's indie music wouldn't hurt.

-matthew st.

p.s. the band was amazing live. :-D

Personal album highlights:

-Tread, Not Trudge

-We Could Not Move

-Rows Of Tops

-Echoes

Download The Album Here

If you like this album, please buy it from your local independant record store!

OR, you can order it online from Level Plane Records Online Distro! LP / CD

Sinaloa @ Myspace