(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.

Listen Here

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?

Listen Here

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.

Listen Here

(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.

Listen Here

Like Beasts by Like Beasts (2011)

Kind of Like: Kidcrash, Touche Amore
Genres: Post-Hardcore, Screamo
Preview: Myspace


"Like Beasts is a group of five friends from Watertown, Connecticut that strives to deliver an important message through music. From a raw yet technical atmospheric guitar section to a complex poetic writing style, the band intends to fill a void in their listeners lives."
-Last.fm

I dunno if it fills a void in my life, but it's aight.

Listen Here