Nagykanizsa by Aussitôt Mort (2012)

Kind of Like: Kidcrash, Birds in Row, Daitro, Baton Rouge
Genres: Post-hardcore, Screamo, Post-rock
Preview: 

This is the latest release from French screamo outfit Aussitot Mort (Eng: As Soon As Dead).  Think of the heaviness of Birds In Row but slowed down and more post-rock influences as well.  They just finished up a Russian tour and are currently touring around France.

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Cool Wild Whatever by Send Away Stranger (2011)

Awesome Denver Nuggets shirt right there.

Kind of Like: Joie De Vivre, Nai Harvest, Dowsing
Genres: Emo, Indie
Preview: 


Really solid EP right here that could have easily slipped through the cracks for me.  I'm glad it didnt because I am only halfway through and I am really enjoying this.  The gradual breakdown/outro in "Not Called a Ghost Boat" is something that that is sticking out for me.  The vocals remind me a lot of Nai Harvest, and before the vocals came in, the music reminded me of Joie De Vivre.  A bonus in this EP is that Steven Gray from Dikembe makes an appearance in a song, and Mitch Soule from Guiseppe is in another.

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Wolf's Law by The Joy Formidable (2013)

Kind of Like: Metric, Gaslight Anthem, Arcade Fire, The Pixies
Genres: Rock, Punk, Indie
Buy: Warner Bros
Preview:


The Joy Formidable's last release, The Big Roar, had a few really heavy, powerful, good songs on it, but in the end, I lost interest in it a few months after I first listened.  I have a feeling that this new album may be the same deal for me, but this "Bats" track is killing it right now, so who knows.  I would really like to see these guys live at least once because I have a feeling they would put on a really good show.  As long as it isn't someplace expensive like the Fillmore.  OoOoOo, it looks like they actually will be at the Loft in Lansing this April during their tour.  That shouldn't be too expensive and it is fairly intimate for a band of their popularity.  Hmmmmmmm.

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13.0.0.0.0 by This Town Needs Guns (2013)

Kind of Like: Pennines, Minus the Bear, American Football

Genres: Math Rock, Emo, Indie

Buy: Sargent House

Preview:

There was a time when I was obsessed with the UK based band, Pennines.  They had limited material out and then seemed to fall off the face of the Earth.  So, it was pretty exciting to hear that their singer/guitarist, Henry Tremain, was joining This Town Needs Guns as their frontman.  Not only did he have a great voice to begin with, but TTNG is arguably a much larger, better known band to hop on board with his talents. Now, I have yet to determine personally if Hank is as good as or better than their original singer Stuart. Stuart was a great fit for TTNG, but if there is anybody worthy to fill his shoes it would have to be someone like Hank Tremain.  Either way, the music/instrumentation is phenomenal which is the norm for TTNG.  But I am curious to see how they pull off some of these parts off live with only one guitarist officially.

Recently they changed their name to TTNG because of personal reasons.

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Family Ties/Labors of Love by Les Doux/Citycop (2013)

Kind of Like: Old Gray, Barrow, I really don't know
Genres: Hardcore, Post-hardcore, Screamo, Folk
Buy: Sea of Tranquility, Flannel Gurl Records
Preview: 


Evan from Les Doux is a pretty stand up guy, he wrote me a really nice sincere e-mail and that really goes a long way for me.  I know both of these bands from previous reviews, so I'm sure I would've gotten around to this eventually, but anyways...

If you're looking for something genuinely fresh (I tend to use this term on whim, but these bands really exhibit this to a more extreme degree), then this is the split for you.  If you are tired of what is becoming somewhat generic screamo, then by all means you need to do yourself a favor and listen to this twangy take and see how it makes you feel.  In all honesty, I listened to this maybe a month or so ago and it didn't really move me right off the bat, but I always try to give albums a second go which I did recently. It's visceral, good stuff and I am only listening to it more and more.

Now I need to get some errands done before my day saturated in hockey begins.  Oh, how I've missed it...

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We're All Better Than This by Joie De Vivre (2012)

Kind of Like: Empire! Empire!, Dowsing, You Blew It!
Genres: Emo, Indie
Buy: Count Your Lucky Stars
Preview:


So, I got a little flack for not including this on the 2012 best of the year list.  Truth is, I just never got around to listening to it.  As luck would have it, I went to a show in with TWIABP and Empire! Empire! a week or two ago and they had a CYLS merch set up with a bunch of vinyl.  I saw this and thought, why not?  The record itself is a deep maroon color that I fell in love with.  After listening to it several times now, I definitely would have included this in my best of 2012 list, it would even probably break the top ten for me.  So, do yourself a favor and don't let this release almost slip by like I did.  Get it on plastic too because it is really sharp.

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Having Lost... by Gillian Carter (2011)

Kind of Like: La Quiete,pg. 99, Prawn

Genres: Screamo, Emo, Post-rock, Post-hardcore

Preview:

Fuck yeah, hockey is back.  Nothing to do with this album, but I just want you all to know that I am super happy this lockout bullshit is over.  Which did you hate more, the lockout or the fiscal cliff?  What load of melodramatic garbage we have been through.

Anyways, these guys put this out a couple years ago, but they are pitching it to labels for a vinyl release which is how I happened upon it.  I have had it in my possession for a month or so now, but I just recently sat down and gave it my undivided attention.  It is really great and I am glad these guys came out of hiatus to make it and that they are back to touring and what have you.

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Comadre by Comadre (2013)

Kind of Like: Rites of Spring, Refused, Glasses
Genres: Punk, Hardcore, Screamo
Buy: Vitriol Records
Preview:


It's only January and people are claiming to already have found the first contender for album of the year for 2013.  Rightfully so, Comadre has some teeth on them and so does this album.  There is a whole lot like about this and it is the freshest sounding hardcore/punk album I have heard in awhile.  From hard riffs to blasting horns to curdling vocals, it covers a lot of ground.

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