Shorts EP by Man Your Horse

For fans of: Foals, ASIWYFA, Other groovy math rock shit
Genres: Math Rock, Slightly Post-Rock at times, Progressive Indie?
Preview: Bandcamp

Just found this sweet Vancouver (CAN) based trio over the weekend and it turns out they are playing a free show tomorrow night in Portland. It's kinda hard to place MYH's sound. Not that they go from genre to genre frequently, but they carve such a distinct (dare I say unique?) niche that while it is clearly defined, "almost" sounds like a lot of other bands. It's like taking American Football but substituting upbeat and happy themes in place of the mellow and somber, bringing that to a rolling boil, then adding a dash of The Bulletproof Tiger, Rooftops, and the post-rock grooves and tightness of bands like And So I Watched You From Afar and simmering for about 10 minutes. Ridiculous analogy, I know, but these guys are cool. And come on, you get 6 tracks for FREE from their bandcamp page. Check it out. Maybe I'll post a show review on Wednesday as the other two bands sharing the bill I've not heard of before. We'll see how the motivation factor plays into my plans.

I don't entirely agree with this review but here it is anyway:
"[Man Your Horse] This Vancouver based band offers the type of technical proficiency and indie-schooled spirit that will go over well with anyone who likes their hard-rock jams with a dose of rhythmic inventiveness. Delivering a high-octane sound that’s too stripped down to be a Mars Volta, not quite arty enough to be a DD/MM/YYYY, and slightly off-kilter to be a Queens Of The Stone Age, this trio expounds on experimental math-like bouts of guitars, bass, and drums into an ambitious vision all their own." - Lonely Vagabond (Exclaim! Network) (May 15th 2010, Toronto)

Get yo'self a free download

(Classic) Since I Left You by The Avalanches (2000)

Kind of Like: LCD Soundsystem, Panda Bear, Air France
Genres: Electronica, Hip-Hop
Preview: Myspace

When writing any sort of article/paper, you always start off with a hook right?  A sentence or two that catches the attention; this is something that has been pounded in our heads since elementary school.  Well, I have the perfect hook for these guys, that will especially boggle the vinyl collectors out there.  I kinda ruined it though by going on like this, but here goes: this album was assembled from approximately 3500 vinyl samples.  I'm sure they used certain records for several samples, but that still is a buttload of records to go through.  Basically they did cool mash-ups before that dude named Girl Talk came along.  This was the Avalanches debut album as a electronica/dance/hip-hop outfit (they were a noise punk band prior to this), and it was such a huge success for them.  I'm sure you've seen the video for "Frontier Psychiatrist" right?

So, I decided to throw this classic up here because I am always on the lookout for their next album.  Like Dre's Detox, there are a lot rumors about it and it keeps getting pushed back.  At least Detox has had some tracks from it that have been released/leaked.  The Avalanches' untitled next album was supposed to come out this year, but now it appears that it will get a 2012 release, but the lead track/single will be released this year.  Until then, listen to this and read up on their wiki because their origins are kinda interesting.

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Within and Without by Washed Out (2011)

Kind of Like: Cut Copy, Robot Science, Toro y Moi
Genres: Electronica, Chillwave
Preview: NPR


I woke up at 5 in the morning, god knows why.  But it works out because look at what just hit the interwebs.  I featured Washed Out's critically acclaimed EP Life of Leisure back in February (click here).  Now here is Ernest Greene's debut LP called Within and Without.  The way it starts off abruptly makes me want to say this is a webrip.  That sided with the fact that the stream for the album just hit NPR yesterday and the album isn't due out until July.  Get your hands on this while you can; I don't know how long the mediafire link will work.  I'm gonna be chilling at the lake with this album today on my day off, I do believe

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Fools Will Crush the Crown by The Rodeo Idiot Engine (2011)

Kind of Like: Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, Ed Gein
Genres: Chaotic Hardcore, Grindcore, Mathcore, Thrash
Preview: Bandcamp

The french aren't known to be brutal as fuck, but these french guys are...brutal as fuck.  This was mastered by Alan Douches (hehe, douches...) who has worked with Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan and Converge.  If you liked that Ed Gein post earlier on this month, this is another angry/rip your face off album.  You can buy the LP/CD here.  Great job!

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Funny/Not Funny by How Do We Jump This High? (2011)

Kind of Like: Thousandaires, The State Lottery, Get Bent
Genres: Emo, Punk, Indie
Preview: Myspace


This is my second time in a row referencing Thousandaires for a post, you can pick up the Thousandaires 7 inch here.  I actually picked up that record at Vertigo while in Grand Rapids, and I've been listening to it quite a bit.  Anyways, here is another 7 inch that that has a similar feel to it.  How Do We Jump This High? features members from Get Bent, Thousandaires, The State Lottery, and Frame.  I am not sure about the first song, chorus kinda hits me the wrong way (En roooooouuuute!), but overall this is a pretty damn good EP.  Make sure you support these guys and buy the EP from Answer Key Records.

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The Wild/Run, Forever Split (2011)

Kind of Like: The State Lottery, Thousandaires, Against Me!
Genres: Folk, Punk, Emo, Pop Punk
Preview: Run, Forever Bandcamp


This split was just put on If You Make It, and it's a solid couple songs for each of these bands.  I never heard of either before, so maybe this split will get them some more exposure.  Run, Forever is from Pittsburgh, and The Wild is from Atlanta.  Check out their jams, hopefully they will have a full length or something coming out soon.

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Fang Island by Fang Island (2010)

Kind of Like: Andrew WK, Adebisi Shank, Maps & Atlases
Genres: Math Rock, Post-rock, Indie, Rock
Preview: Bandcamp


Summer is now upon us, and this was my summer album from last year for sure.  I began following these guys through Sargent House (great label/collaboration).   There are three guitarists, a bass player and drummer.  One of the guitarists is formerly from Daughters, but they don't sound anything like Daughters.  The music they make is incredibly catchy; it's basically really epic, melodic rock/guitar riffs/harmonizations.  It has the power and production that immediately reminded me of Andrew WK (oddly enough, I would find out later he guest starred on a song on one of their 7 inches).  There aren't really many vocals, but when there are they usually play a supporting roll.  I got the chance to finally see these guys a few months ago after listening to them for awhile before that.  Their live set is just as epic as their music puts off.  The following video doesn't really do their sound/live set justice because they usually have a lot of lights and visuals, but here is a bunch of 5 year olds rocking out to them:

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(Classic) Dr. Dre

Kind of Like: Snoop Dogg, NWA, Biggie
Genres: Hip-Hop
Preview:


If you haven't ever heard of Dr. Dre, you are doing something wrong.  I credit Ratatat for transitioning me into the hip-hop genre, and I credit Dr. Dre as one of the guys that fully blew me into it (no homo).  90's emo and 90's hip hop have something in common, it highlighted a great era for their respective genre.  Most of the mainsteam hip-hop/rap is pretty much garbage.  The beats are heavy bass drum and random fast hits on a hi-hat, I would much rather listen to this than most contemporary stuff.  Here are two great albums, and maybe Detox will drop someday.  But based on what I heard from the first leaked song, it doesn't sound like it will live up to the massive hype that Dr. Dre has given it the past decade.  I'm sure Dre wouldn't mind you downloading this either, seeing that he lost a court ruling the past year to his prior label when they rereleased The Chronic without his permission.

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Feel To Believe by Turtle Giant

For fans of: City And Colour, The New Amsterdams
Genres: Acoustic, Indie, Rock with a little folk thrown in from time to time
Preview:

This popped up on Elementary Revolt's best of the blogoshpere xviii and I feel it deserves more exposure. Based in Barcelona, but originally from Sao Paulo, Turtle Giant creates some interesting and catchy emotive indie music. I haven't been able to find a lot of information about this band online, but it appears they are mainly two guys (brothers Fredji and Beto Ritchie) who began recording in a bathroom-converted-studio in 2008. After hearing this for the first time about a week ago I've listened to it consistently and see this being a big part of my soundtrack to this coming (I guess it's officially here now!) summer. Throw on some headphones, turn off the lights and enjoy this beautiful gem.

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(Classic) Kidcrash

Kind of Like: Native, Daniel Striped Tiger, L'antietam
Genres: Screamo, Math Rock, Post-hardcore, Emo (first album)
Preview: Website

I posted their website that has their entire discography up for download, you can read that here.  They just released a new song that will be off their new album, Naps.  The song marks an even closer return back to the singing they had on their debut album, New Ruins.   It's been interesting because they started off as a emo/post-hardcore band that had very melodic and clear vocals.  Immediately after that album and the dispute with the label, they went to the complete other side of the spectrum.  They focused on the guitar work and the vocals became drowned in the background with barely comprehensible screaming.  Over time, they shifted slowly back to bringing vocals more to the forefront; their last LP, Snacks, saw the vocals being more of a yell then a curdling scream.  Now in this new song even the yelling gets somewhat melodic and could even be considered singing at certain points.  And as always the guitar work is great.  I am very excited to hear Naps, and it should be released soon.  For now here is: "Hibernationstate".

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Sulla linea d'orizzonte tra questa mia vita e quella di tutti by Raein (2011)

Kind of Like: La Quiete, Kidcrash, Orchid
Genres: Post-hardcore, Screamo, Punk
Preview: Myspace


I threw punk up in the genres because that's what the band put under "genre" for this album, and I like to respect what the band thinks their music is like.  It certainly has a punk perspective to it; screamo always has been related in one way or another to a punk sentimentality.  But enough about that, if you picked up Ah, As If a month or two ago, you will find this album to be fairly different.  Ah, As If  was a compilation of older material and harder to find songs.  This album here is actual new tunes moving more in a direction that was like their last EP, and is done gritty, but still great sounding DIY recording.

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Cain by The Dirty Words

For fans of: Modest Mouse, Neutral Milk Hotel, The National
Genres: Indie, Rock
Preview: Bandcamp

This is my band. I've spent nearly 10 hours the past two days working on booking our first tour in California in September and I thought it was due time for me to post this up here. It's going to be quite a bit different from the rest of the bands on here, but I hope some of you like this. Leave comments and let me know what you think, good or bad, I'm interested. Here is what our summer plans look like right now:

8/25: Seattle WA
8/26: Bainbridge Is WA
8/27: Bellingham WA
8/28: Yakima WA

9/16: Ashland OR
9/17: Sacramento CA
9/18: San Francisco CA
9/19: San Jose CA
9/20: Santa Cruz CA
9/21: San Luis Obispo CA
9/22: San Luis Obispo CA
9/23: Chico CA
9/24: Bend OR

You can follow us on Facebook and our Website.

I try to limit the amount of self promotion I do on blogs, so if you hate this, I apologize, and recommend you tell someone you hate about us. Who knows, maybe they'll like it...

FREE DOWNLOAD HERE

Ok. Thanks. Bye now.

Diamonite by Bell (2011)

Kind of Like: Bjork, Feist, Radiohead, E*Vax, Destroyer
Genres: Electronica, Indie, Female Vocalists
Preview: Bandcamp

To be clear-and I think I've said this before- I am not usually a big fan of female vocalists.  I think I've said that each time I've reviewed a band that is fronted by a female.  Anyways, usually it has to really catch me immediately in order for me to like it.

Bell is a New York-based band led by Russian-born, Alaska-raised songstress Olga Bell.  The layered synths and varied percussion create a very beautiful, intricate and catchy soundscape/world throughout the album.  She derives inspiration from Bjork, but her voice is not a high intonation like hers, instead it is cool and confident.  It isn't another imitation of Regina Spektor either- a trend that I hope has died out by now.

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Aesthethica by Liturgy (2011)

Kind of Like: Raien, Orchid, Black Metal

Genres: Metal, Post-hardcore, Screamo

Preview: Soundcloud

Ken showed me this band a little bit ago and I've taken the time to give it a listen.  This is a proclaimed black metal band.  There is definitely a black metal foundation (thrashing, blast beats, boiled-pitch screaming), but I think that this album really has a lot in common with screamo/post-hardcore bands like Raien in a really good way.  There is well over an hour of material on this album, so I could see it getting redundant, but there are some really great ideas going on here and this could be a great album to help kids not normally accustomed to black metal get a introduction to something like it.

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Remainders EP by Harbours (2011)

Kind of Like: Pianos Become the Teeth, No Omega, Loma Prieta
Genres: Post-Hardcore, Hardcore, Screamo
Preview: Bandcamp

I'm glad Ken and Poppelganger decided to post the past couple of days because I took a break from putting stuff up here for almost a week.  The weekend in Grand Rapids was a blast.  It was awesome seeing some of my favorite bands in the span of four days.  Not to mention the city and the people there are pretty damn cool too; Grand Rapids is proud of Michigan brews.  I also got a chance to meet guys from Circling the Drain and Chug Life.  By the time I got back on Monday, there wasn't much to review and I needed some time to recover.  So here is my first update on here in a good minute.

This is a band that has been here earlier (their demo), and I was curious to see how they progressed seeing that they called this an EP and not a demo this time.  The overall quality of the EP compared to their demo is a step forward which is to be expected.  I dig the music for sure, but the only thing that turns me off at times it the vocals;  I think it would be better if the vocals were a little less prevalent.

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Sans Souci by Brontide

For fans of: Enemies, And So I Watch You From Afar, Gallops
Genres: Math rock, Post Rock,
Preview:

Found these guys from Beatcast which is a really awesome site with oodles of live footage of awesome British, Irish, and European bands. Brontide use loops heavily and in doing so create really beautifully layered and complex music. For being a trio, these guys craft a very expansive soundscape and use dynamics and songwriting to experiment with structure often taking songs to a different place then you'd expect. If you liked the "Gangs" LP from ASIWYFA and the experimentation of groups like Adebisi Shank, you will dig on this.

Listen here

The Color Spectrum: The Complete Collection by The Dear Hunter

For fans of: The Receiving End Of Sirens (Casey Crescenzo is the main songwriting force in TDH and was one of the members of TREOS's first album, which is pretty "...meh", but TDH rules), As Tall As Lions, Coheed And Cambria (in a progressive sense, not vocally or even structurally, so not really "like" Coheed, but if you are a fan of them, you will like this.)
Genres: Alternative, Experimental, Indie, Progressive, Rock
Preview:
(this is the track "My Body" (track 3) from the Black EP (note: NOT on the abridged ver.))

So The Dear Hunter has been a favorite band of mine for a while. Casey is a very original and talented songwriter and pretty underrated IMO. Indeed, they are signed to Triple Crown Records and have a not-exactly-underground following. Regardless, TDH make amazing music and deserve the recognition they receive. The story behind The Color Spectrum is they intended to do something unique that demands an attention apan. The Color Spectrum consists of 9 x 10" EPs each housing 4 tracks defined by the visible color spectrum: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Inidigo, and Violet with Black and White as the "book ends", with each EP embodying a different style (for those who recall the "Alchemy Index" from Thrice this is that to the fullest extent, and executed with perfect precision). I have included both the "Abridged" (11 track) version as well as "The Complete Collection" (36 tracks and 2+hrs). I WILL MAKE THIS KNOWN THAT I DID NOT UPLOAD THESE FILES! I found these links from Mediafire/Depositfiles and they will probably be taken down soon (Poo, if you get shit for this, I apologize profusely...). I first heard about this project over a year ago and have been looking forward to it since then, and it does NOT disappoint! I may be biased, but this is by far the best album i have heard all year mainly due to it's depth and scope. For those who wish to explore The Complete Collection", I recommend listening to it in entirety through quality headphones and enjoying every nuance at least once uninterrupted. I have also included a link to purchase the vinyl box set (again, 9 x 10" records all on colored vinyl). I plan on seeing them during their headlining tour this summer and purchasing the box set and cherishing every moment of this release for months (years?) to come. Honestly, one of the coolest ideas I've ever heard of and executed so incredibly well it becomes truly inspiring.

The Complete Collection
TCS Abridged
BUY THIS SHIT!!!
BUY THIS SHIT!!!
BUY THIS SHITTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Classic) The Lawrence Arms

Kind of Like: The Falcon, The Menzingers, Sundowner
Genres: Punk
Preview: Myspace

As promised, here is the bigger band related to Colossal that doesn't really sound like them except as far as punk music goes the Lawrence Arms are one of the most emotional and lyrically driven punk bands I know.  I present to you their three albums that I listen to the most out of their body of work.  The Greatest Story Ever Told was their first album I picked up, and it remains my favorite work by them.  It is an album that is excellent from start to finish, and after one or two listens you will already know most of the words.  Buttsweat and Tears is their latest work to my knowledge.  It is an EP, but it is what I listen to second most out of their material.  "The Slowest Drink At The Saddest Bar On The Snowiest Day In The Greatest City" is one of their best songs and it's on that newish EP.  Then there is Oh! Calcutta!  Which came after Greatest Story.  Some people argue it is better than Story, but I don't agree with that.  Either way, these three albums are a great introduction to a great band.  If you like what you hear there is also other albums like Apathy and Exhuastion, but I don't really listen to that as much as their other stuff except for a couple songs.

Brendan's raspy higher voice and Chris's wide-ranged clean voice are like the Phife and Q-Tip of the punk world.  There is definitely a contrast, but they go so well together (especially in harmonies), that it makes for really great vocals for this band.  I would probably say that if it wasn't for bands like the Lawrence Arms, there wouldn't be hip bands around like Tigers Jaw today.  They don't play many shows any more and I don't know if they have an album in the works at the moment, but if you get a chance to see them, do it.  They put on some of the most entertaining, sing-along shows ever.  Finally, here is an old ass video clip from the Daily Show featuring Ed Helms before he was famous, Brendan Kelly (Larry Arms bass player/singer), and Michael Graves.  And remember... punks cry.



Listen Here:
Greatest Story Ever Told
Buttsweat and Tears
Oh! Calcutta!

Brave The Elements EP by Colossal (2003)

Kind of Like: The One Up Downstairs, penpal, Pennines, Braid
Genres: Math Rock, Indie, Emo, Post-Hardcore
Preview: Myspace

I saw that Mimmers posted Colossal's 2004 effort, Welcome the Problems (which you can view/download here), I decided to throw up their EP that came before it because it has a couple of really great songs by them on it that are worth checking out.  You may be saying to yourself, that handsome guy on the far right looks familiar!  You'd be right if you are a big fan of the Larry Arms because that is noneother than the drummer Niel from the Lawrence Arms/The Falcon- two bands that deserve a classic post for them.  Other noteable bands that are related to this band are Slapstick, Tuesday, and the Smoking Popes.  Basically, have an all-star cast of musicians from varying punk/alternative backgrounds playing some great noodley emo/math rock before it was really hyped.  Download this EP, and then head over to Circling the Drain and pick up their LP as well.  Then check back here later for one last post before I leave on my trip.

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The Foster Portfolio by One Last Thing

For fans of: Everyday Victory, Longshot, Divit, Kidcrash, Daniel Striped Tiger
Genres: Emo, Indie, Screamo

Had a decently shitty day today. Mainly first world, white person problems, but still kinda shitty. So I decided to drink a few beers, get high, and break my silence on this blog by posting this. I started going to shows back in 2001 when these guys were playing regularly. Released during that same year, One Last Thing's "The Foster Portfolio" is one of the first albums to help garner (then) indie label Rise Records health dose of respect and recognition. Do not get discouraged from that tag, as Rise used to be amazing. Now they are shit. There aren't many bands out there that create this caliber of music now-a-days IMO (not saying there aren't great bands, in fact POO posts some really awesome music and you should tell your friends about this blog and these bands. Then make said friends buy their shit) but there is a passion in this recording that reverberates with me in such a way that I enjoy the music in a deeper sense. We all have those albums and "The Foster Portfolio" is exactly that for me. Can't find a preview link, but this album is legit. I strongly urge you to check it out.

Listen here

Poor Lily by Poor Lily (2011)

Kind of Like: Minor Threat, Sick of it All,
Genres: Punk, Hardcore Punk
Preview: Sound Cloud


I found this thru The Needle Drop, and since Anthony can review this album a lot better than I can, I'm going to send it to him where you can listen to his take.  And check out his site.

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Ov3rslept by Acapella (2011)

Kind of Like: Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa
Genres: Hip-Hop
Preview: Preview


When I found out my supervisor at work spit shit, I was skeptical.  I work with a lot of chocolate people, and a lot of them say they rap, and I listen to their stuff and I'm not very impressed.  When I first started listening to Tristian AKA Acapella, I was actually really impressed.  He has got solid beats and actually writes some good shit.  It reminds me a lot like Kanye; I like Kanye's production but not his rapping, and at times I think my bud Acapella is trying too hard to sound like Kanye.  I like this though, he's got some potential, and I think this mixtape is probably gonna give him some exposure.  Apparently he has already opened for Wiz, so he's starting to get there.  This album he is putting out right here is better than any of the previous stuff I've heard from him- beats and lyrics. That is a great sign.

Listen Here

P.S. and I'm not just saying this because he is my supervisor.  I am not looking to progress higher up the ladder at that job.

(Classic) American Football by American Football (1999)

Kind of Like: Owen, Prawn, Pennines [OPP, baybee]
Genres: Emo, Indie
Preview: Boobtube

I got a request for this up here, and I never thought to put it up here because I figured most people that visit this site have already picked this album up.  It's been slow lately though, so why not make this a classic post? Why do they deserve a classic post?  Well, they influence many, many bands; many of which that have been featured on here.  That's a lot of many's folks.  Boston is about to win the Stanley Cup. The more this series went on, the more I realized the only reason I wanted Vancouver to win was for Kesler.  I still want Kesler to win a Cup, but I seriously hate Luongo.  He's pompous and kinda overrated, and I also hate Burrows.  Tim Thomas deserves the Cup more than Luongo based on this whole series.  Plus, it doesn't hurt he's from Michigan like Kesler.  One more day of work then I'm off to the west coast of the state with Lori for music, beaches, and loads of inebriation.  It's gonna be a bender, folks.

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Hand Holder EP by Grown Ups (2011)

Kind of Like: Algernon Cadwallader, Snowing, Living with Lions, CSTVT

Genres: Emo, Punk, Post-Hardcore, Pop Punk

Preview: Bandcamp

Here is the long awaited new material from Grown Ups.  After listening to Songs and More Songs, I sadly was finding the songs I really enjoyed were growing old (except "Pears", still listen to that first part quite a bit).  This new material is pretty good, it certainly renews my interest in them.  The lyrics are cliche at times (if I hear more lyrics about how light is refracted or how things "ebb and flow", I don't know what I'm gonna do).  Still this is a solid band that is part of a highly popular movement, and they still bring some new feels to the table along with what made me listen to them in the first place.  I am way more excited for CSTVT's new release, especially with their newer (and better, in my opinion) sound.

Listen Here:

(Classic) The Flaming Tsunamis

Kind of Like: A Billion Ernies, Fatter Than Albert, Stuck Lucky, The Suicide Machines
Genres: Hardcore, Punk, Ska
Preview: Bandcamp

Here is another band that I have a little history with.  Believe it or not, I used to play trombone in a ska/punk band in high school.  Needless to say, I used to listen to a lot of ska.  I still do on occasion, but not like I used to.  This is one of the "ska" bands I used to love going to see.  They put on extremely energetic live shows, and are beloved on the east coast, where they generally bring a sell out crowd each time they play.  After my ska band became defunct, I was looking at other opportunities.  At around that same time I found out the Flaming Tsunamis were looking for a trombone player.  I learned a couple of their songs and played a few shows with them around the Michigan area while they were on tour.  They even stayed in my mom's condo one night, and we had a pretty good time.  Anyways, things didn't pan out; they were looking more for someone with touring experience and willing to fully commit to a band.  I was just entering nursing school, so I couldn't just drop out and risk it all on a band.  It's a good thing things didn't work out; their new album "Externalities" is likely to be their last.  It hasn't leaked yet, but I would like to share with you two out of their previous three albums which are probably unlike anything you've heard.  Robots vs. Zombies is when they were really starting to find their sound; some songs are corny in a good way.  I would recommend Fear Everything even more because I think it's their strongest effort that features catchy melodies, intricate rhythms, and devastating breakdowns.  You can also preview their new album "Externalities" which sounds like it will be their best album yet.  Great musicians, great people.

Closer to Closed EP by Braid (2011)

Kind of Like: The Promise Ring, Hey Mercedes, Texas is the Reason
Genres: Emo, Indie, Post-hardcore, Rock
Preview: Myspace

Braid, the beloved 90's emo band, has been on and off hiatus for a little bit now. While the band had previously got back together for a tour in 2004, these tunes would be the first Braid songs released since the two-volume odds'n'sods Movie Music compilations came out in 2000.  You can pick up the album in various formats here from Polyvinyl Record Company; make sure you support the artist in some way, ya here?

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This Can't Be Everything EP by Louder than Bombs (2011)

Kind of Like: Fucked Up, Living with Lions, Caravels
Genres: Hardcore, Punk, Pop Punk, Emo
Preview: Bandcamp

I've been meaning to put this up here; this is another nod to a friend's band from around here.  Their band name is a Smiths reference which I can forgive them for.  Personally, I don't like the Smiths much at all.  Luckily, they sound nothing like the Smiths, just emotive hardcore.

Listen Here

I thought I'd stay postive

Perry Bible Fellowship

It's been nice watching Nicholas Gurewitch mature from classic comics like this to the amount of detail he uses for his comics now.  Whenever it's my birthday I think of this comic, and guess what, today is my birthday.  My gift to you is the comic, and then this twenty seven minute infomercial for the Gathering (of the Jugalos).  My favorite part is when they announce CKY is playing and say "...one of the funnest sickest wildest bands of all time.  They're bringing their crazy energy to the Gathering".  And it just shows a clip of them standing there except for one guy.  Prime example of crazy energy.  Probably no music today,  I'm gonna go see that Super 8 movie, I think.

Double Medium: Beats Rhymes and Life by A Tribe Called Quest (1996, 2011)

Kind of Like: Common, The Roots, MF Doom
Genres: Hip Hop


Get geeked.  Here is the trailer for the new documentary about the hip-hop pioneers A Tribe Called Quest, and then after that a link where you can get the album by them that the documentary is named after.

Listen Here

P.S.: Here is also a link for Anthology, their greatest hits album. Ta ta for now.

Listen Here

You Can Just Leave It All by Prawn (2011)

Kind of Like: Explosions in the Sky, American Football, You Blew It!
Genres:  Emo, Post-rock, Post-hardcore
Preview:  Absolute Punk

I first found Prawn on Circling the Drain, and when I hit play for their 2009 effort, False Institutions. I was greeted with perhaps the greatest possible infusion of 90's emo with post-rock (not to mention, occasional elements of post-hardcore) that I probably had ever heard.  I was disappointed to learn they only had that EP from 2009 and a demo, and no full-length yet.  Well that has just changed.  This album not only shows what made Prawn so easily accessible and great with False Institutions; it also builds on that sound for what will definitely be in the top 10 albums this year.  I'm sure these guys will be touring soon, so please check them out, and make sure you pick up a copy.  I really hope they come out with a record of this because I would love to hear it on vinyl.  This is rip of the stream from Absolute Punk, but just come back here June 14th and I will have the high quality version because I definitely plan on buying this.

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(Classic) The Suicide Machines

Kind of Like: Against All Authority, The Flatliners, The Arrogant Sons of Bitches
Genres: Punk, Ska, Hardcore
Preview: Myspace


When I think classic album, I think Destructions by Definition.  That album easily defined (pun intended) a few years of my life.  To this day, I can still go back and listen to it and be filled with fond memories; I probably haven't seen a band more live than the Suicide Machines.  I also am posting this because Michigan native and physician-assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian died this past week.  If you didn't know, the Suicide Machines used to be called Jack Kevorkian and the Suicide Machines (wonder why they changed it?).  One time at a show a long time ago, I saw a guy wearing a shirt that had their original name and had their iconic logo on the front, and I was very jealous.  A lot of people feel that Kevorkian was an egotistical self-promoter, but I honestly believe in physician-assisted suicide and a person's right to die.  But that is a whole other issue altogether. Anyways, I found a bunch of links of some of their best albums and decided to throw them up here.  Oh yeah, and if you look closely you can see me in this video for War Profiteering.  They had a video shoot in a factory using space for bands to practice, and my cousin invited me.  I remember it being really hot and humid in that room, but they actually had coolers of cold beer and water for us.  It was a blast.  However, I also remember not wanting to hear that song ever again after having to sit through it for hours as they shot the video.

Listen Here:
Destruction by Definition (1996)
Battle Hymns (1998)
A Match and Some Gasoline (2003)
War Profiteering is Killing Us All (2005)

More for Monday: Young Widows Old and New (2008, 2011)

Kind of Like: These Arms Are Snakes, Coliseum, Breather Resist
Genres: Noise Rock, Post-hardcore, Math Rock
Preview: Myspace


A lot of times when I find new records by a band I already like, I will think, "Hey, people should know about their older albums as well".  Seeing that I was able to find a mediafire link for Young Widow's first effort Old Wounds I thought I would throw it up here with their new seven inch called Future Heart.  Their 7 inch features "Future Heart" which was on their latest album plus a b-side called "Rose Window" which is a song I am really liking the first time through and is showing the band further explore more melodic sounds.  I know I gave some flak to Old Wounds when I reviewed their latest album, but it still is a good album and arguably better than their new album.  It really depends on what mood you are in, I suppose.  Old Wounds wasn't as powerful as their live performance but it was a lot more powerful than In and Out of Youth and Lightness.  Long story short, go see them live if you even think you like their music because they put on a great show usually.  I just keep digging a bigger hole here, I'm just gonna end this shit review.

Listen Here:

Old Wounds

Future Heart

Empty Conversations/I.Witness Split (2011)

Kind of Like: Optimus Prime, Louder than Words, La Quiete, Orchid
Genres: Hardcore Punk, Post-Hardcore, Screamo
Preview: Bandcamp

I. Witness is from Russia, and Empty Conversations is from Kazakhstan. Although Kazakhstan a glorious country, it have a problem, too: economic, social, and Jew.  Sorry, I just always think of Borat when I see/hear Kazakhstan.  I wonder if people from Kazakhstan hate him for that.  Anyways, this is great mix of hardcore punk, post-hardcore, screamo and La Quiete-esque emo breaks.  If you like I. Witness, they have all of their material available on their last.fm.  Very Nice!

Sexy time!

Existence EP by Winter Dust (2011)

Kind of Like: Moving Mountain, Hot Water Music, Thrice
Genres: Emo, Screamo, Post-rock, Post-hardcore
Preview: Bandcamp


"Italian (Padova) band mixing emo-violence, dark and rock in a peculiar mixture of energic and violent sensations. Their sound is [characterized] by piano inserts in hardcore structures and [rhythms]."
-Last.fm

Finally got around to starting to go through the e-mail requests.  This is a good one, and I like all the information and links they provided.  These guys don't sound like their italian screamo counterparts Raein and La Quiete.  They sound much more like Moving Mountains.

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