Orthodox by Native (2013)

Kind of Like: So Many Dynamos, Kidcrash, Caravels
Genres: Post-Hardcore, Punk, Math Rock, Post-rock
Buy: Sargent House
Preview: 

As soon as I heard rumblings of Native's next endeavor, I was beyond excited.  It has been almost 4 years since Wrestling Moves!  These guys have always been overall a really solid band in my eyes.  They seem to take a few steps forward with each release and they absolutely kill live shows, which are all I really ask for in a band.  I feel like the biggest biggest jump forward on this release so far is how the vocals have evolved.  From the standard baseline yell throughout this to softer, haunting coos/chants, there just seems to be much more variety in the vocal department.  They have seemingly altogether ditched the high-pitched single-toned scream/yell from Wrestling Moves to something that is much more chromatic/vibrant.  The music really just picks up right where Wrestling Moves left off, and there is definitely nothing wrong with that.  I have only listened to this guy one time through and I can already tell there are going to be many more listens of this in the near future.  As excited as I am right now after the initial reaction, I just know how great it is going to be to digest this.

Oh yeah, also stoked to catch them this Saturday, check them out on tour.

Illumination Ritual by The Appleseed Cast (2013)

Kind of Like: Moving Mountains, Old Canes, Explosions in the Sky
Genres: Indie, Post-rock, Emo, Experimental
Buy: Graveface 
Preview: Pitchfork

Nowadays, it takes a lot to pull me away from school and label stuff to come visit this humble, little blog.  Appleseed Cast are just plain pioneers, and they have sense of nostalgia attached to them that few bands can emulate because, well, they have been around for awhile!  Mare Vitalis came out over 10 years ago, and there are songs on there that blow plenty of bands out of the water to this day.

I am only a couple songs into this release, but I really like it so far.  Sure, it isn't exactly groundbreaking, but it is fuckin' Appleseed Cast and they still have that sound that sets them apart, but there are hints of maturity along with an experimental vibe that bands tend to get to as they age.  Everyone come out of hibernation, come out from under the rocks and bad news, and greet the spring with this great album.

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Foxing/Send Away Stranger split 7"

Kind of Like: Empire! Empire!, Joie de Vivre, Hunter Gatherer | Nai Harvest
Genres: Emo, Indie, Post-rock, Screamo
Buy: Carucage
Preview:


Both of these bands have been featured on this blog recently.  I have been fortunate enough to have one of the guys in Foxing, Josh, be a frequent visitor to this site, and he has sent me tunes along the way.  Hunter and Gatherer was the first band of his I listened to and it was pretty rad post-rock.  This split has been sitting in my inbox for about a month, and I am just now getting to listening to it.  But holy shit, this is one of the better split 7"s that have come out in the past year.  As with previous efforts (by both bands), just really great thematic development which is what really gets me invested into a band, but these songs are something else.  Pick this one up on powder pink or black vinyl.  I was about to say this weird ambient, tinkling part is really kind of overdone though, but I realized my music player just moved on to Frances the Mute by Mars Volta without me noticing.  Whoops.

All Hail Bright Futures by And So I Watch You From Afar (2013)

Kind of Like: Fang Island, Adebisi Shank, You Slut!
Genres: Indie, Math Rock, Post-rock
Preview:


ASIWYFA's last release in 2011, Gangs, was easily one of my favorites from that year.  As far as fast-paced, epic, math rock goes, these guys along with Adebisi Shank are the front runners.  If you don't like Adebisi Shank, you definitely won't like this because as soon as the intro track starts, that's who I started thinking of.  That and Invalids because the track is called Eunoia (Quick trivia: Eunoia is the shortest English word containing all five main vowel graphemes).  This album hasn't come out officially yet, so all the links are disappearing fast...

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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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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.

Listen Here:

leaving. by arrows in her (2012)

Kind of Like: Deer Leap, Prawn, Moving Mountains
Genres: Emo, Post-rock, Indie
Buy: Glass Nail Records
Preview:


If you liked that new Deer Leap album, you are really going to like this.  I was told about this band on facebook, and I have been listening to this newest of theirs ever since.  The guy behind the mic has a really powerful voice but doesn't distract from the musicianship behind him.  With the year coming to a close, these guys may break into a top of the year list.  I am currently working on mine and it will be out in a couple weeks!

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The Summer I Joined the A Harlem Globetrotters Split EP by Alaska/Oranges (2012)

Kind of Like: Touche Amore, Pianos Become the Teeth, Moving Mountains

Genres: Post-hardcore, Screamo, Post-rock, Math Rock

Buy: Bandcamp

Preview:

Both of these bands bring a lot of different genres to the table,  and it's been a minute since I shared a couple of screamo band with you guys.  I don't have much time for a proper review though, sorry.  I will just say these are a solid couple of songs from two solid bands.

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Chronopoly by Town Portal (2012)

Kind of Like: You Slut!, Stage Kids, Bulletproof Tiger
Genres: Math Rock, Post-rock, Post-hardcore
Buy: Bandcamp
Preview:


Some really great stuff from this instrumental band from Denmark.  They got the mathy-ness, the heaviness and the softness.  Lots of transitions between odd key and time signatures.  I have a lot of submissions and stuff to go thru so I am going to keep this one pretty short.  If you like You Slut!'s Medium Bastard from earlier this year, you will probably really dig this.

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Fade by Cloudkicker (2012)

Kind of Like: Russian Circles, Scale the Summit,
Genres: Post-rock, Metal, Post-hardcore
Preview/Buy:


 Cloudkicker consistently puts out great albums.  That is what you tend to get when you have a talented one man show that can put everything together on his own.  Sure, playing with other people has the perks of adding up people's different styles and perspectives together, but Ben Sharp seems to have enough styles/perspectives in his own head to make up for that.

Last year's Let Yourself Be Huge saw Cloudkicker get dialed back a little bit, it was less heavy but still great.  This newest album so far seems to be the best of both worlds again.  And like always, he provides the digital downloads for free.

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Here. Home. by Deer Leap (2012)

Kind of Like: Prawn, Six Gallery, The World is a Really Long Fucking Name, Moving Mountains
Genres: Emo, Post-rock, Indie
Preview:


You know, since I got busy with all the other stuff, I have been really out of the loop with new releases.  I happened to look into my old sources for new releases and found so much music that I want to listen to.  I have a couple hours between class and work, so I figure I would get some new stuff up here.

I was familiar of these guys through their split with TWIABP.  I listened to their side a couple times but really didn't get too focused on it.  I am really glad I took the time to immerse myself in this LP.  I have been noticing a recent influx of traffic heading towards the defunct Six Gallery album, and as it just so happens, there are many aspects to that album that I immediately recognize in this one.  The vocals especially are similar (along with Moving Mountains circa Pneuma) , they are clear and epic at times, swelling and climaxing with the post-rock music.

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A Fanatic Socialist Looked Up At the Stars by A Picture of Her (2009)

Kind of Like: Climb the Mind, American Football, Toe, Ghosts & Vodka
Genres: Emo, Indie, Post-rock, Math Rock
Preview:

Hey people!  I have been pretty busy with school, work, and the You'll Live release, so it's been hard keeping up on this.  Here is a neat instrumental Japanese band that I have gotten into lately.  Probably old news to a bunch of you, but if not, check these guys out.  Just something to tie you guys over until I have more time.

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Reservoir and Bicycle Ride split (2012)

Kind of Like: Rival Schools, Hot Water Music, Small Brown Bike | Owen, Cloudkicker

Genres: Emo, Post-hardcore

Buy: Store

Preview: 

I got to see a lot of Reservoir back in May when Peace Be Still played a couple shows with them on tour.  As a result, I got to know these guys and listen to their music a bit.  They were really nice guys, and they always put on really energetic and tight sets.  This split features two songs from them that flow together, and one from Bicycle Ride.  I like the guitar work/tone on Bicycle Ride's song a lot that reminds me of Owen and Cloudkicker.  The only aspect of the Bicycle Ride song I have little problem with is how the vocals are mixed, the dual vocal tracks just rub against each other the wrong way for me.  Other then that, like I said, the guitar tone and layering is spot on, and is enough to get me into it.  This is out on cassette and the guys are currently trying to get an independent label to put this out on a 7 inch.  I was going to but I have enough on my plate at the moment.

Listen Here:

Old Songs EP by Foxing (2012)

Kind of Like: American Football, Prawn, Hunter Gatherer
Genres: Emo, Indie, Post-rock
Preview:


Holy shit, it's been too long guys.  Things have been busy.  I'm gearing up to get the You'll Live record out, and also gearing up for my last year of schooling.  And also we just moved.  And I'm working a bunch to afford moving.

This was brought to my attention by Josh Coll, who is a member of the band.  He sent me material before by one of his old bands called Hunter Gatherer.  I really liked the three songs and ended up featuring them awhile ago.  Those handful of songs were a mainstay in long nights of studying.

This band features not only members of Hunter Gatherer, but also Family Might and Badgerhunt.  So, I think that would be enough to get your guys' attention.  But in case it isn't, these songs have some really cool parts in it.  One of the things I liked about both Hunter Gatherer and Family Might was that they had a really great sense of developing themes and jamming things out.  You guys will really enjoy this, and they apparently are working on a split to be released on Carucage Records AND a full length.  Woo boy!

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New song by Pan!

You may remember these guys from their album ,Post-rock is Not Dead, from last year that brought uplifting Fang Island-esque music to the table.  Well, they are part of a contest that if they win will feature one of their new songs on a Dodge commercial.  It's a win-win concert because by voting you automatically get a download of one of their songs off of their album that came out earlier this year, These are the things I love, and I want to share them with you.

Phone Home EP by Benthos (2012)

Kind of Like: The Appleseed Cast, The Summer Pledge, Minus the Bear
Genres: Post-rock, Math Rock, Emo
Preview: 


I've been kind of following Tim Barrett's bands since I caught Merlin the Friend play with Prawn over a year ago.  I got to see this band he is in for the first time in the beginning of July when Tycho came to town.  Not really sure how they got to open up for him, but who cares, it was an awesome show.  They just came out with this two song EP a couple days ago.  Really good peanut butter and jams.

Listen Here:

Adaje releases first song off new LP!

If this song is any indication, this album is going to be some of Adaje's best work yet.  I am not sure who will end up putting this out on wax, but I have heard some speculation of Tiny Engines in the past couple months. Either way, I love seeing bands that we have put out move on to bigger and better things because everybody wins in the end.  Check these guys out while they are on tour, you can pick this up as a cd I believe form their shows.

A/B by Restorations (2012)

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Key by pg.lost (2012)

Kind of Like: Barrows, Explosions in the Sky, Gifts from Enola
Genres: Post-rock, Instrumental, Sludge
Buy: Bandcamp
Preview:


This is the third album from Sweden's pg.lost.  If you are a fan of emotional post-rock, this will give you sustenance.  It is more visceral that EITS, I feel.  The guitars churn and whine.  It isn't exactly groundbreaking, but that doesn't mean it isn't a fun ride.  "Terrain" is not only heavy/powerful but extremely catchy which can be hard to come by.  Fortunately, it isn't hard to come by with this album because many of the songs on here are like that.

Listen Here:

StreamPad: Pg.Lost - "Terrain"

New Explosions in the Sky video for "Postcard from 1952"

Unfortunately, not many bands/artists that have a genuinely good touch/taste for cinematography have the funds or equipment to create breath-taking videos like this.  Fortunately, EITS is practically a household name now.  The best part? 5:37.

Head on over to the Huffington Post to get an exclusive look!