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.
Kind of Like: 1994!, Chalk Talk, Coping Genres: Punk, Pop Punk, Emo, Post-hardcore, Rock Buy: Topshelf Preview:
Jose from Peace Be Still is in town for work. When I picked him up to go catch Tycho, he asked me if I had heard the new Sirs yet. Unfortunately, I hadn't. He also told me they might be planning some kind of Canadien tour with them. Anyways, this morning I saw posts about it on facebook that reminded me to check this out.
Biblical cattle, this shit is good. It's been a minute since something hit me like this right off the bat. I had listened to these guys before with their split with Chalk Talk, so I knew what I was getting into. They really have outdone themselves with this debut full length though; it's fresh, fast, powerful, catchy and many other adjectives. I am going to order this right now.
Kind of Like: Titus Andronicus, Restorations, The Sidekicks, Kite Party Genres: Indie, Punk, Folk, Pop Punk, Rock Buy: Salinas Records or Answer Key Records Preview:
These two new songs from the State Lottery shows them trying their take at having "walls of sound". Instead of being mainly a punk/pop punk band, these songs have a ton of folk/indieness to them that I really enjoy. It makes me wonder if they are working on a full length/ep, and if so, is this the direction it will be going in? At reminds me a bit of Kite Party's Baseball Season, which is not bad at all seeing as how that was one of my favorite albums last year which I still spin quite a bit still.
This was recorded in Detroit at Roshambo Records, which is also where The Summer Pledge did some of their recording for their latest full length we featured on here a week or so ago.
This was featured on IfYouMakeIt.com, which is a great resource for finding new music and is also run by people from The State Lottery.
Kind of Like: Grails, King Crimson, The Globes, Yeasayer Genres: Indie, Rock, Experimental, Psychedelic, Noise Rock Preview:
Hollow Stars began as a side project for ex-Deerhunter guitarist, Chris Mee. Chris no longer appears to be part of the band, but they didn't let that get them down. Instead, they forged ahead and recently came out with this effort. This reminds me of Grails, but instead of being a post-rock band with eastern music influences, this is like an indie/noise rock band with eastern music influences. It is nice to see bands taking on music like this because it can be really hard to translate the scales and tendencies of eastern music and making it accessible to people here.
Apparently, this Atlanta group is up to big things, so look for more news coming in the near future?
Kind of Like: Boys Night Out, Damiera, The Get Up Kids, Look Mexico Genres: Emo, Indie, Post-hardcore, Rock Spotify: Here Preview: Myspace
Maybe I will lose some cred for this. I dunno. I can say that this is one of my favorite albums to sing along to. It's just plain catchy, and Kenny Bridges vocals are somewhat high and fun to belt out. The guitar riffs/harmonies aren't terribly hard to play, but the overall composition of each song is what brings me back time and time again. I haven't listened to this album in years and I recently popped it in, and it hasn't really gotten old for me. I could drown in the weight of it all.
I listened to the album after this, Red Tree, like once or twice, but it just didn't stick with me. I haven't listened to their latest album that came out in 2009 either. This album and Theory of Harmonial Value are enough for me. In my opinion, Theory was rough around the edges, but still had a few great songs on it, and this album that came after it, Are We Really Happy?, was their strongest and more fine-tuned material.
Kind of Like: Queen, River City Rebels, Tub Ring Genres: Rock, Punk Spotify: Yessum Preview: Myspace
Foxy Shazam has been an ever-mutating band and along with that is a polarization of their listeners. Either people hate them or they love them, or they love their old sound and hate their new sound, or they love their new sound and hate their new sound, or they like all of their music for a different variety of reasons. I fall into the last group. When I was first introduced to them, they were fresh off releasing Flamingo Trigger; an experimental post-hardcore effort with a surreal mix of piano and pop elements at times. Even way back then Eric was a focal point of this band. His visceral screaming, catchy singing and his quirky oddities not only fit in with the experimental style of music but you knew before even seeing this band that this guy could put on a show.
As they continued to release records the began to focus less and less on the hardcore focus to rock n' roll and eventually even glam rock. Their last album was almost an epitome of this glam rock phase, but I still found that I was incredibly hooked on the songs and found myself singing along.
Soon, there were rumblings of a new album. And I caught the video for the single off this album, "I Like It" and while I thought it was funny, overall I thought it was too gimmicky and not really a song that I liked. So, I had this bad feeling that maybe they were just plain wearing off on me.
I listened to this album once and wasn't sure how I felt about it. But I also felt that same way after listening to their last album for the first time. I have revisited it again, and now I am finding that I love the songs just like I did from their last album (Except "I Like It", I just don't like it).
There are still the strong glam rock influence and I feel like Eric really wants to be Freddie Mercury at times, maybe a little too much. But, what amazes is me is that he still does things to his voice that totally catches me off guard in a great way. For example, the screech in 1:56 into "Holy Touch" (Great song by the way), and the squeaky vocals in "Wasted Feelings". As I said, the whole Queen thing is there, but I feel like this album is deviated from their last album in that this is less glam rock and more just rock n roll (Hence the name, Church of Rock N Roll).
Even if you don't enjoy Foxy Shazam's music, I challenge people to go see them live. It's a freakshow (cigarette eating, ceiling hanging), comedy show (Eric's stories inbetween songs), and rock show rolled into one.
Kind of Like: The Fucking Cops, Spraynard, Cain Marko, Stable Boys Genres: Punk, Pop Punk, Rock Spotify: Nope Preview:
Here's a group from out of Grand Rapids that features members from Cain Marko, Traffic & Weather, North Lincoln and The Fucking Cops. Hopefully that's enough to make you want to pick this up, but in case it isn't, it's being given out for free by If You Make It, which has proven time and again to be associated with some great releases. I am not really sure if these guys are going to do more besides releasing this considering all the other bands they are all associated with.
Some great americana State Lottery type punk going on mixed with the raw emotive pop punkness of Spraynard and noisiness of a recent band featured here: Stable Boys. That was a horrible sentence.
Kind of Like: Seasick Steve, The Snake the Cross the Crown, O'Death Genres: Folk, Indie, Rock, Punk Preview:
When I mentioned these guys in the last post, I realized I never really shared them on here. It may not be something you all will like, but hopefully some of you will. It was hard pinning a genre on them because they have been in so many forms since they began.
I was first exposed to them in a trailer/showcase for Michigan's Scrambled Visual, a group that used to record different artists including The Suicide Machines, Snoop Dogg, Murder By Death, Anti-Flag, and fordirelifesake. I have no idea what happened to them, I always liked their videos. Here is the song I heard on that showcase/trailer that first got me into this band like 8 years ago.
This is one of their earlier albums and it kind of electronic/folk/post-rock going on. I never shared this, but I became so obsessed with the chord progression in this song, I used it in a song I wrote for a ska band at the time. Listen to the trombone part after the dumb intro thing in the song Rethink and Regroup, then go back and listen to the above Murder by Death video, can't miss it. And yes, I have a ska history. So does Max from Signals Midwest. We had a good time talking about being in ska bands.
Rethink and Regroup
Rethink and Regroup (I also did the skramz in the chorus, how embarrassing. Kenny is going to love this post.)
Anyways, I only liked a couple songs on that album besides "...Virginia Wolfe", and then In Bocca Al Luppo came out, and I was shocked with how much their sound had changed. I didn't like it at first. This album was a prime example of a grower for me. They were much folkier, not electronic at all, and somewhat old-fashioned. Eventually, I came to love the old-fashioned folk/western feel to it and I especially loved the narrative throughout the whole album. Each story seems like a clip out of an old western movie, and even Adam has provided all the lyrics to the songs on their website along with an explanation of them.
The artwork to the album is awesome, I had the CD at one point and I remember it folded out into an elaborate insert that followed the tree's roots down through the bowels of the earth. I wasn't into record collecting when I first heard this album, but I really would like this to be part of my collection now.
Kind of Like: Seahaven, Junior Battles, Spraynard Genres: Punk, Rock, Post-hardcore, Emo Preview: Bandcamp
This album kicks hard ass. The vocals remind me of BTMI!, the music is kinda like catchy punk like Seahaven mixed with Junior Battles and some riffage like RX Bandits at times. They are also playing a house show on January 7th in Philly that is somewhat of a Tiny Engines showcase. I am debating roadtripping to this thing. Restorations, Glocca Morra, Everyone Everywhere, Jet Set Sail, and this band right here. Yeah, I think I'm gonna try and get this weekend off.
Kind of Like: Daft Punk, Gnarls Barkley, Radiohead Genres: Hip-hop, Electronica, Rock, Indie Preview: Myspace
This 10 year celebration isn't really for big fans of the Gorillaz. They probably have all of these tracks on their computer as it is. This definitely would be for someone that has been living under a rock and hasn't had a proper introduction to this band yet. Also, if you do know a Gorillaz fan, then this would make a great X-mas present. Especially the records; you can either get a double LP of it or a 7" box set (awesome concept). Now how about that for a good gift idea? Personally, I think I'd rather get the remastered 4LP of Doomsday as a gift though.
Kind of Like: Hey Rosetta!, Johnny Foreigner, Tokyo Police Club Genres: Indie, Rock Preview: NPR
If you never heard of this band, you probably haven't watched a sports game in your life. Or maybe you have, and you skipped the commercials every time when they play Budweiser commercials. Honestly, "You! Me! Dancing!" was the only song I really listened by them. I saw this on NPR, and chose to listen to it straight through, and you know what? I am having a really hard time finding reasons not to enjoy this. If I put a link up here for you to find a download of it, I guarantee this post will be taken down in an hour. Also, if this album was side of a barn, and your mouse was a rock, you would get the worst metaphor ever. Look at the comments section below, perhaps a random person will provide some info on where to find this album.
Kind of like: Jawbreaker, The Promise Ring, Braids Genres: Rock, Indie Rock, Emo, 90's Alternative Preview:
I recently rediscovered Jets To Brazil and forgot about how awesome these guys are. Great songwriting coupled with amazing lyrics and hooks that will get caught in your brain for days and days. Jets To Brazil formed after combined members of Jawbreaker, Texas Is The Reason and Handsome. Their debut LP, Orange Rhyming Dictionary, provides intelligent songs and unique ideas married through solid dynamics that bridge the gap between indie rock and emo; with a backdrop setting of late 90's New York. Standout tracks are the sad and despondent track "Sea Anemone" witch reads almost as a questioning of suicide, anthemic 6 minute crushing beauty "King Medicine", and the feel good final track "Sweet Avenue". If you have never heard this band before, get this and listen to it immediately, and if you already have this, listen to it again. Truly an amazing album.
Kind of Like: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Smith Westerns, Bright Eyes Genres: Shoegaze, Garage Rock, Indie, Rock
Preview:
The song starts off slow for sure, but the further it gets along, the more I like it. They have a shoegaze feel, but at times explode with some heavy garage rock/rock n' roll riffs. They feel almost nostalgic at times, especially in the last couple minutes of this song. Their other songs are also pretty varied, ranging from folky/indie-y Bright Eyes stuff to surfy sounds. So far I like "Alex" and "Vomit" a lot. Then there are songs like "Die" that have straight up Queens-of-the-Stone-Age guitar riffs that I think even Kenny might appreciate.
Other news:
I'm sure you all heard, the beloved band, Snowing, has broken up. It's a shame because I really was interested to see what their next LP brought. I feel like they were getting a lot stronger as a band. Not to mention, the title of this blog is lyrics from one of their songs. I'm happy I at least got to see them twice before they broke up, and hopefully we will be seeing new projects by them soon.
Those of you waiting for the Prawn/For Hours and Hours split, I talked to Tony the other day, and it looks like it won't get a formal release. They did sell about 100 cd's of the split while they played with For Hours and Hours in Texas, but that is the only format that the split will see the light of day. They weren't happy with the quality of their songs, but he did say the songs will be released on a forthcoming EP after they are rerecorded. So if anybody in the Texas area got their hands on the split, and would like to share it, I'm sure people would still be interested.
So, Fest released it's schedule, and I finally got my tickets and my mode of transportation set. The end of October can't come soon enough. It's going to be a fantastic road trip. I even got all organized and made a spreadsheet of the bands I want to see and when they are playing. What a nerd.
***=I won't really care if I miss them for some reason.
And I also want to visit this place to or from it. It's a town of hundreds of cats, living in hand carved buildings. D'awwww.
Kind of Like: The Republic of Wolves, Look Mexico, Minus the Bear Genres: Indie, Math Rock, Rock, Surf Rock, Emo Preview: Bandcamp
Kenny hates this band. I don't. Actually I rather enjoy them. Which is probably why I am putting them on here. You may have read in a previous post about how they played with Joan of Arc a couple weeks ago. Joan of Arc was headlining, but these guys stole the show in my opinion. I think their guitarist/singer looks slightly like Bradley Cooper. Catchy indiemo with some noodles and an overall surfy feel at times. They are also one of those cool bands that puts all there music on their website for free. Oh yeah, and apparently Topshelf will be releasing two acoustic EP's by them; one live and one studio. So, look out for that.
I haven't been posting much; I've been working a lot and going out a bit and maybe playing a shitload of Spore, badass game I found on Demonoid. But in the next month or so expect an announcement relating to the next edition of the zine.
Kind of Like: Funkadelic, James Brown, War, Prince, The Temptations Genres: Funk, Soul, Rock, Motown, Pop Preview:Boobtube
It's time to expose yourself to something a little bit outside of the box. I've recently been buying lots of old funk records. They are not only inexpensive, but they are fucking awesome. I know Stanley Clarke wasn't as well received as the other bands on here, but I'm going to continue to force shit like this down your throats. Here are a few records that I have been spinning lately. Fact: Edwin Starr invented hardcore.
Kind of Like: Guided By Voices, Dinosaur Jr., Pavement, Foo Fighters Genres: Rock, Indie, Garage Rock, Noise Rock Preview:Bandcamp
I've been trying to find a leak for this for months. Maybe I just haven't been looking hard enough, but I finally found one. I have been excited to hear this debut from the Chicago based band that got signed to Sargent House. I heard the first song and have been looking for it ever since:
It's a pretty solid debut, and Sargent House continues to impress me by not only having a great roster of bands, but also having a great roster of bands from varying genres. I haven't seen any plans for tours by them yet, but I'm going to keep my eye out. Finally, for the people expecting a zine, I hope to have them mailed out tomorrow.
Kind of Like: At the Drive-In, the Sound of Animals Fighting, Fall of Troy Genres: Progressive, Rock, Experimental Preview:Myspace
Many people ask the question of who do you like more, At the Drive-In or the Mars Volta? If you asked me which of their body of work was better as a whole, I would say At the Drive-In. If you asked for a specific album, I would say this album trumps just about all the material that the core of this band has put out in their different projects. Unlike all their newer releases that the Mars Volta insists on releasing every year, there was a lot of time and work put into this album. The result is a debut album that became a classic. At the Rx Bandits show, I missed the opener, Zechs Marquise, which features family members of the Mars Volta/At the Drive In. From the people who I asked, they said that they had a great set.
Kind of Like: The Sound of Animals Fighting, Mars Volta, Streetlight Manifesto, Portugal. The Man Genres: Progressive, Rock, Indie, Experimental, Ska/Reggae Preview: Bandcamp
I'll never forget the first time I was exposed to the RX Bandits. I was in the car with two friends and my girlfriend at the time, and we had just smoked. We were sitting in the parking structure in downtown Plymouth, and my friend put in ...And The Battle Begun. I was instantly blown away. I found The Resignation and I was blown away further.
These are two albums that I still listen to to this day. I am also including the albums Progress and Mandala. Progress was the album before Resignation, and it was their first material that began to drift away from the ska/punk band they used to be. They were becoming progressive, rockier, and somewhat mathier. Mandala was their most recently released album, and although it is a pretty good album (it has a few really good songs on it), it really doesn't compare to the two albums before that. I have seen them several times live, and one of their shows was where I got to see Maps & Atlases for the first time. I have been meaning to make a classic post for them awhile, but I especially did it now because I am going to their final show in Detroit this week. If you have never heard of or seen them before, I recommend you see them on their farewell tour. Download the albums, get hooked on them, and experience them live. They are certainly a jam band; they tend to mix their songs together. They will jump from one song to another then back to the first, and it makes for a very entertaining and pleasurable experience.
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:
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.
