Pedals by Rival Schools (2011)

Kind of Like: Sparta, Mock Orange, Quicksand, No Knife

Genres: Indie, Post-Hardcore, Emo

This is a sophomore effort that has taken 10 years to make.  Rival Schools debut album was 2001's United by Fate.  By post-hardcore, I mean in terms of Sparta or No Knife, not bands like Kidcrash.  Much more of an indie/post-hardcore band.  The sound of this album makes it apparent that this is by no means a reunion to help the band members pay for a mortgage.  Or, I guess it could be.  You know what I mean.

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The Collective by Scale the Summit (2011)

Kind of Like:  Animals as Leaders, Russian Circles, Between the Buried and Me
Genres: Metal, Progressive, Experimental, Post-rock

This is an instrumental metal band from Texas.  They look really young, but you wouldn't be able to tell that from their music.  But don't just take my word for it:

"Articulate, intelligent and profound, 'The Collective' is a beautifully composed, fifty-minute example of how to tackle music in a clear and precise manner."
-Killyourstereo.com

You got some jazzy sections, post-rock, metal, there is a bunch of stuff to enjoy on this album.  People are already buzzing over this quietly-released album.

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The Draft by Football, etc. (2011)

Kind of Like: Braid, Empire! Empire!, Rainer Maria, Joie De Vivre, 

Genres: Emo, Indie

I think the tag "midwest 90s emo revival" for them on their last.fm is appropriate enough for this description, and should be enough to make you want this, in case you haven't heard of this band yet.

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So They Say by I Am Alaska (2011)

Kind of Like: At the Drive-In, Lady Radiator, The Fall of Troy

Genres: Post-Hardcore, Progressive

Nice EP by these guys, a little taste of what their upcoming LP will be like.  The vocalist has an edginess that reminds me of At the Drive-In a bit at times.  The music is somewhat similar to that as well, but not completely.  I really don't feel like writing much, I have a lot of stuff on queue.  I will be slowly putting albums up here as I drink Torpedos and watch the Red Wings.  Ahhhh, spring break.

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Silesia by Jeniferever (2011)

Kind of Like: The Appleseed Cast, Deathcab, Sigur Ros, Sunny Day Real Estate

Genres: Ambient, Post-Rock, Shoegaze, Emo

Here's a group of Swedes I like that play music, not hockey.  Not a big fan of the name Jeniferever, but whatever I guess.  Most people call them ambient indie rock from what I see, but I think it fits more into emo than indie.  Correct me if I'm wrong.  Meh, I'll put it down for both.

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Life Like by Joan of Arc (2011)

Kind of Like: Cap'n Jazz, Owls, Ghosts and Vodka
Genres: Emo, Experimental, Math Rock

"Musically, Life Like picks up right where the Meaningful Work 7” left off. With straightforward instrumentation (guitar, bass, drums and vocals) + the addition of new member Victor Villarreal (Cap’n Jazz, Owls, Ghosts and Vodka), Life Like shows a brand new side of Joan of Arc while still using the same old rock machinery."
-Official Website

Making the first song one that is nearly 11 minutes is unprecedented, but it honestly seems like a bunch of songs smashed into one.  I can already tell that this album will probably in my heavy rotation.  Gonna be listening to this as I finish up my last paper before spring break.  Woo!

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Don't Say We Didn't Warn You by Does It Offend You, Yeah? (2011)

Kind of Like: Klaxons, Delphic, Hadouken!, Daft Punk, Bloc Party
Genres: Electronica, Punk (Dance-punk)

Oh man, you may remember these guys from action movie trailers, and if you actually got their album you found that they deserved more credit than just being featured on trailers for The Fast and Furious and the A Team.  Another part of this band I like is their sense of humor.  Listen to how they thought of their band name:

""When me and James Rushent first started writing music together we decided to put it up on MySpace. We needed a name to put as our profile name so just put what was the first thing that was said on TV, we switched it on and Ricky Gervais said "My Drinking - Does it offend you, yeah?" so we just went with that. No thought went into it whatsoever"
-Synth Player

The only song I've heard so far is "The Monkeys Are Coming", which again exemplifies their catchiness and comicality.  The song features samples of the black homeless guy yelling at skateboarders.  Things like, "THE FUNKY MONKEYS IS COMIN'!!" and "There's a new rock coming to town, coming to eat all y'all, mother fuckers!" and "EAT OUR SHIT AND SUCK OUR DICKS!".  If you have no idea what I'm talking about please watch the following video, and then watch the video following that video of "The Monkeys Are Coming" by Does It Offend You, Yeah?, which actually starts off with some nice awkward british humor.

It's gonna be a big nut bust.

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Living Decorations by Maps & Atlases (2011)

Kind of Like: This Town Needs Guns, Minus the Bear

Genres: Math Rock, Indie, Experimental, Electronica

Wow, this EP came out of literally nowhere for me, and I am a big fan of Maps & Atlases.  When I was browsing and stumbled on this  I was initially excited.  Then I remembered "Living Decorations" was a song off their last album Perch Patchwork.  It turns out this EP is the original Living Decorations off said album, a live version of "Solid Ground", and then electronica remixes of "Pigeon", "Living Decorations" and "Perch Patchwork" (all of which off Perch Patchwork).  Basically they did something like what Minus the Bear did for Menos el Oso with Interpretaciones Del Oso, which was a forgettable release by them.  Living Decorations may follow the same fate, but it's still worth a listen if you are a Maps & Atlases fan.

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The Infinite Et Cetera by Lower Definition (2011)

Kind of Like: Dance Gavin Dance, Coheed & Cambria, Damiera
Genres: Post-Hardcore, Emo, Progressive,

I've started to put this album up a couple times now, but something has stopped me each time.  Something about the vocals reminds me of bands like Chiodos or something, and after listening for a bit it pisses me off.  I'm looking past that now and the music has merits, plus maybe you guys will like it.  I'm gonna stick with listening to No Omega for now, maybe I will come back to this again.

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The Great White North by Norris (2011)

Kind of Like: Converge, The Red Chord, Gaza
Genres: Mathcore, Metal, Hardcore, Chaotic Hardcore

When I saw "For fans of Converge, The Red Chord, Dillinger Escape Plan, and Gaza", I was instantly pumped.  I don't see a great Dillinger connection as the other bands, but I'll give it to them.  It's nice to find another decent newer mathcore band to put up here though.  Give it a listen before you download if you want: Norris Bandcamp

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Last Night on Earth by Noah and the Whale (2011)

Kind of Like: Neutral Milk Hotel, Bonnie Prince Billy, Belle & Sebastian
Genres: Indie, Folk

I haven't really listened to this band, but I know a lot of cool kids do.  It's not due out til next month I think, so people will want this.  I just found out that the name was derived from the film The Squid and the Whale, which was a pretty great movie.  It's pretty catchy.

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The Drunkies Part 1

In lieu of the Academy Awards tonight, and that I've surpassed the 100th post on this site.  I am going award albums within certain genres from this site.  Think of it as a guide for what albums you should take away from this site if anything.

Best Doom/Drone

Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1 by Earth (2011)

Runner-up: Deep Politics by Grails (2011)

Best Electronica
Cerulean by Baths (2010)

Runner-up: Life of Leisure EP by Washed Out (2009)


Best Emo
I Could Do Whatever I Wanted If I Wanted by Snowing (2010)

Runner-up: Breakthroughs in Modern Art by Six Gallery (2010)

Best Experimental
This Is The Second Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank by Adebisi Shank (2010)

Runner-up: The Cosmic Birth & Journey of Shinju TNT by Akron/Family (2011)

Best Folk
All Through the Night by The Sand Band (2011)


Runner-up: Good Old War Discography (2010)

Best Hardcore

The Armed Discography (2010)

Runner-up: No Omega 7" by No Omega (2011)

Best Indie

Kaputt by Destroyer (2011)

Runner-up: In Search of Elusive Little Comets by Little Comets (2011)

Best Math Rock

Lava Land EP by Piglet (2005)

Runner-up: Maps & Atlases Discography (2010)

Best Post-Hardcore
Kidcrash Discography (2010)

Runner-up: Wrestling Moves by Native (2010)

Best-Post Rock
Everyone I Ever Met by Spokes (2011)

Runner-up: Little Symphonies by My Dad Vs. Yours (2011)

Best Punk
Cavalcade by The Flatliners (2010)

Runner-up: When the Night Comes by The State Lottery (2010)

Best Screamo
Loma Prieta Discography (2010)

Runner-up: Caravels EP by Caravels (2011)

Best Sludge
Black Masses by Electric Wizard (2010)

Runner-up: Agonist by Latitudes (2009)

Mind Bokeh by Bibio (2011)

Kind of Like: Boards of Canada, Baths, Black Moth Super Rainbow
Genres: Experimental, Electronica, Folk

I've seen a bunch of people getting into this guy lately. So when I saw this available a full month before its release I was all like, let's do this.  Also, I'm sure many a people are anticipating this album. Apparently, this album is less lo-fi and more electronic than his other albums, and people are upset about it.  I'm sure when Pitchfork puts it on Best New Music people will shut up.  I like this, but I think I'm gonna have to look at his older stuff.

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