tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1381873735544448782024-02-22T01:56:45.304-08:00PunkRockTheory.comPunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.comBlogger2335125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-69876207509784764202012-09-27T12:58:00.009-07:002012-09-27T12:58:58.508-07:00California Wives – Art History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I’ve never been much of an art buff myself but I’d gladly sign up for Art History 101 if California Wives (nevermind that they’re all dudes from Chicago) are teaching it! On their debut full-length they lay down tunes that harken back to the days of yore with hushed vocals, sweet synth sounds and 80s guitars to create a dreamy sound that’s very pleasing to the ears.<br /><br />As you work your way down the tracklisting, you may find that they stick to the same formula throughout the entire album. Yet in spite of its lack in variation, all of the songs on here managed to keep me dreaming of afternoon naps and road trips with “Born To Run”, “Blood Red Youth” and “Light Year” as my personal favorites.<br /><b>Score: 7.5 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.vagrant.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vagrant.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.californiawives.com/">http://www.californiawives.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-62104642011903183252012-09-27T12:58:00.004-07:002012-09-27T12:58:26.558-07:00The Heavy – The Glorious Dead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s weird that The Heavy aren’t any bigger than they are right now. They’ve been known as the next big thing since 2007 and one of their previous singles has even been used in the season finale of Entourage but still things aren’t quite happening for this UK outfit.<br /><br />I’m not sure why that is because “The Glorious Dead” is a damn fine album that is filled with a catchy mix of soul, funk and rock. Opening track “Can’t Play Dead” is a soulful zombierocker, “Curse Me Good” is a more mellow tune that would make for a great single and the actual first single “What Makes A Good Man?” can easily stand right next to the best of the Black Keys. And while we’re namedropping the Black Keys, check out “Same Ol’” as well which is another blues stomper. <br /><br />These guys have the ‘stick to vintage but keep it contemporary’ sound down pat and the result is an impressive album. Here’s to hoping they finally get some more recognition!<br /><b>Score: 8.5 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.pias.com/" target="_blank">http://www.pias.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.theheavy.co.uk/">http://www.theheavy.co.uk</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-86146853934348621062012-09-27T12:57:00.008-07:002012-09-27T12:57:52.207-07:00Murder Construct – Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Murder Construct is a partnership between members of Cattle Decapitation and Exhumed who felt they just weren’t releasing quite enough sick tunes already even though Exhumed released an album last year (“All Guts, No Glory”) and Cattle Decapitation released one earlier this year (“Monolith Of Inhumanity”).<br /><br />If you’re into extreme metal, this will definitely fulfill your needs. There’s nothing pretty about the songs on “Results” and I’m thinking that melody is a dirty world in these guys’ universe. But what they lack in melody, they more than make up in speed and sheer aggression. Listening to their bludgeoning mix of death metal and grindcore is much like getting the shit kicked out of you for half an hour. <br /><br />Just like a solid beating though, it only hurts in the beginning and after a couple of songs the lack of variation causes a kind of numb sensation and you end up rolling with the punches instead of resisting.<br /><b>Score: 6 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.relapse.com/" target="_blank">http://www.relapse.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.murderconstruct.com/">http://www.murderconstruct.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-6588280572166539262012-09-27T12:57:00.002-07:002012-09-27T12:57:15.196-07:00Landscapes – Life.Gone.Wrong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Following up the “Reminiscence” EP, these UK natives are back at it with their first full-length. Striking just the right balance between melody, atmosphere and aggression is not easy but these guys make it seem easy on “Life.Gone.Wrong”.<br /><br />Tapping from the same vein as Verse, Defeater and La Dispute among others, Landscapes effortlessly weave together swirling guitar lines, a hard-hitting rhythm section and a rather desperate sounding vocalist with a bleak outlook on life. It all adds up to an album that builds up tension in the nicest of ways before letting it all go in one big cathartic climax.<br /><b>Score: 8 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://cityofgoldrecords.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">http://cityofgoldrecords.bandcamp.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/landscapesuk">http://www.facebook.com/landscapesuk</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-39929649132687206102012-09-27T12:45:00.000-07:002012-09-27T12:45:02.064-07:00Cheap Girls – Giant Orange<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Over the course of two albums and a bunch of splits, Cheap Girls have gotten consistently better with every single release. “Giant Orange” – the band’s third full-length and first for Rise Records – is no exception. Is it merely experience or the help of producer Tom Ga… no wait, Laura Jane Grace? I don’t know and I honestly don’t care. Fact is that this album kicks ass!<br /><br />This Lansing, Michigan outfit has always been heavily influenced by 90s acts such as the Gin Blossoms and Dinosaur Jr. without simply ripping them off. But this album sees them truly coming into their own with a sound that pays tribute to the bands that came before them while at the same time sounding all crispy and fresh. Check out opening track “Gone All Summer” which is as good a blueprint of this band’s sound as any other song on here. The guitars are buzzing away nicely, there are extremely catchy hooks ,the drums sound huge and the guitar solo would make J Mascis proud.<br /><br />Cheap Girls are not exactly breaking new ground on here, but they have perfected their sound and ended up with an album without a single song that falls short. And I for one am happy that I can keep on going through life claiming that I like cheap girls… ha!<b><br />Score: 8 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.riserecords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.riserecords.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cheapgirls.net/">http://www.cheapgirls.net</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-68435155424461923332012-09-27T12:44:00.003-07:002012-09-27T12:44:27.288-07:00Green Day – ¡Uno!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Green Day is back! But where do you go after you’ve released two rock operas? Well, you simply release not one, not two… but a whopping total of three albums. “¡Uno!” is the name of the first instalment and the other two will follow over the next five months. <br /><br />“¡Uno!” sees a return to the more straight-forward pop-punk tunes that got them famous in the first place. Think “Dookie” if you will. No more concept albums about suburban Jesus figures and whatnot, just honest pop-punk. The only difference being that these guys are now around the age of 40 and it’s a bit awkward to hear them sing about wanting to kill the DJ. Like Fred Durst still singing about how he’s still doing it all for the nookie. The song itself is catchy though and closely related to the most danceable moments The Clash ever offered. Elsewhere they reminded me of The Jam (“Nuclear Family”).<br /><br />Most of all though Green Day sounds like Green Day with a great mix of singalong choruses, tons of energy and a whole lot of fun. So much fun even that Billie Joe Armstrong had to check himself into rehab! I don’t know about you but I’m ready for part two and three…. Let’s hope that this will be one trilogy that doesn’t suck.<br /><b>Score: 7.5 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.repriserecords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.repriserecords.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.greenday.com/">http://www.greenday.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-59186326669117330872012-09-27T12:43:00.006-07:002012-09-27T12:43:47.555-07:00Band Of Horses – Mirage Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have heard 2010’s “Infinite Arms”, then you already know that the band around Ben Bridwell headed for calmer waters. And while it was a really good album, I felt it wasn’t quite up to the level of its predecessor. I admit, it was a helluva lot to live up to. So how does “Mirage Rock” compare to Band Of Horses’ previous releases?<br /><br />Well, they’re off to a good start with “Knock Knock”, which is also the first single. With plenty of handclaps and lots of oohooooh moments, this is Bridwell at his most exuberant. “How To Live” is already a little more mellow and sets the mood for acoustic cuts such as “Slow Cruel Hand Of Time” and “Everything’s Gonna Be Undone”. Oh, and then there’s closing track “Heartbreak On The 101”, a song that will tug at your heartstrings like few others songs will this year.<br /><br />It’s all seventies rock and west coast pop on “Mirage Rock” and as a result the songs on here have a timeless quality about them while still sounding fresh. Think The Eagles, The Rolling Stones (“Electric Music”) or Neil Young (“Dumpster World”). It may take a couple of listens for the songs to get under your skin. But once they do, you’ll find “Mirage Rock” to be a near flawless autumn album.<br /><b>Score: 8 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.columbiarecords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.columbiarecords.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bandofhorses.com/">http://www.bandofhorses.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-82592400711071797102012-09-27T12:43:00.001-07:002012-09-27T12:43:11.651-07:00The Dirty Panties – I Am A Robot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Apparently girl power didn’t die with the demise of the Spice Girls! The Dirty Panties are an all-girl punkrock band who won’t be pushed around, have been around since 2001 but have only just now gotten round to releasing their debut full-length. That’s eleven years! It didn’t stop them from already becoming ‘iconic’ in Vegas and beyond if I am to believe the bio sheet… which I guess puts ‘em right up there with Elvis and Celine Dion?<br /><br />“I Am A Robot” comes with 13 songs, all of ‘em loud and in your face. Not sure if we needed another cover of “Money (That’s What I Want)” but hey… what you gonna do about it? They try to keep things as varied as possible throughout the album with mixed results (“Overt” and the title track really are crap) and Melanie Ash has a pretty good voice. Unfortunately those are pretty much the only good things about the album. Plus the whole album sounds like it was recorded for 5$.<br /><br />I don’t mean to be harsh but if this is the best you can come up with after having been around for eleven years, then maybe it just isn’t in the cards for you.<br /><b>Score: 3 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.squidhatrecords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.squidhatrecords.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thedirtypanties.com/">http://www.thedirtypanties.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-18429326345800028652012-09-21T14:52:00.006-07:002012-09-21T14:52:38.792-07:00Jr. Juggernaut – Wake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was a teenager in the nineties and so the sounds of alternative rock and the sight of flannel shirts will always make my heart beat a little faster. And that’s why a band like Jr. Juggernaut immediately has my sympathy.<br /><br />On their second album (“Wake”) they sound very much like a band from that era that everybody overlooked back in the day. I’m even thinking that the Jr. in their name is not just there because it sounds good. Just like J Mascis, these guys sure love their guitars loud and vocalist Mike Williamson has that same kind of apathy going on in the vocal department while he is rocking the fuck out. <br /><br />If you are too young to know who Dinosaur Jr is (even though they just released a new album as well), think Cheap Girls. The country twang that always seems to be lingering around somewhere in the background, gets played out more in a song like “Give Me My Son” and it adds a little variety. <br /><br />Which brings us to the album’s only flaw… all of the songs kinda sound the same and it’s not as if they were that original to begin with. But just like their slacker heroes, I’m sure that Jr. Juggernaut doesn’t really care about that. <br /><b>Score: 7.5 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.paperandplastick.com/" target="_blank">http://www.paperandplastick.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/jrjuggernaut">http://www.facebook.com/jrjuggernaut</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-26834892469085682392012-09-21T14:52:00.001-07:002012-09-21T14:52:03.379-07:00Supreme Commander – Paper Tigers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On their debut full-length, DC’s Supreme Commander (featuring former members of Daycare Swindlers, Latchkey and Wake Up Cold) cranks out some seriously fun tunes that combine the best of 80s hardcore a la Dag Nasty along with some of that NYHC bounce that I came to love about H20. <br /><br />This results in short energy blasts with just the right amount of melody thrown in to keep things interesting. These guys aren’t going to blow anybody’s mind with “Paper Tigers” but this should be quite the party live. I know it was in my living room.<br /><b>Score: 6.5 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.basementrecords.net/" target="_blank">http://www.basementrecords.net</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/supremecommanderdc">http://www.facebook.com/supremecommanderdc</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-70314097303999870412012-09-21T14:51:00.004-07:002012-09-21T14:51:29.799-07:00Tantara – Based On Evil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4h5ezaNTXVS5RRgTG5OZFX8HMwEUqSY6oynelTsz9GS_RXPnvl89Ri9A2VD7m0d3Qwy0tWRa2bP6ufUrSaDh5dfBZnPHJSc4oJ5wT_zva9A1bM59TKYNAsXTESM0_F3E7CMmf7rJ8_2i/s1600/tantara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4h5ezaNTXVS5RRgTG5OZFX8HMwEUqSY6oynelTsz9GS_RXPnvl89Ri9A2VD7m0d3Qwy0tWRa2bP6ufUrSaDh5dfBZnPHJSc4oJ5wT_zva9A1bM59TKYNAsXTESM0_F3E7CMmf7rJ8_2i/s1600/tantara.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Damn, this is some old school thrash… think Destruction, Exodus and Slayer. There are only eight songs on “Based On Evil” but they all seem to go on forever, constantly switching between hard-hitting parts and more atmospheric, instrumental bits. This has all been done before a really long time ago and I’m pretty sure that just by looking at the cover, you’re gonna know whether this is one for you or not.<br /><b>Score: 4 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.indierecordings.no/" target="_blank">http://www.indierecordings.no</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/tantarathrash">http://www.facebook.com/tantarathrash</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-2112021685844230392012-09-21T14:50:00.006-07:002012-09-21T14:50:53.477-07:00Youth Pictures Of Florence Henderson – Small Changes We Hardly Notice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s hard to picture anything this warm and gentle to come out of a harsh and cold country like Norway, but the boys and girls (there’s seven of them in the band) that make up Youth Pictures Of Florence Henderson get to call Oslo home. And it’s there that they write songs that are nothing short of epic.<br /><br />With the shortest song clocking in at just under five minutes, this band likes things long… as you can probably already tell just from looking at their band name and the album title. The four songs on this EP all consist of layered guitars, horns, shifting rhythms and hazy vocals that can turn into screams that all shift in and out of focus as the song unfolds itself. <br /><br />The best description I can come up with is a mix of Explosions In The Sky and Sigur Ros with comprehensible vocals.<br /><b>Score: 7 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.cylsrecords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.cylsrecords.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ypofh.com/">http://www.ypofh.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-34567232867873551622012-09-21T14:50:00.001-07:002012-09-21T14:50:14.052-07:00Kite Party – Baseball Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kite Party is apparently already working on a new album, but I only just got my hands on “Baseball Season”. This Philly-based band self-released the album around this time last year but it’s gotten the vinyl treatment just now thanks to Animal Style Records.<br /><br />These guys keep a brisk pace throughout all nine songs that come with the kind of jangly guitars that many hipster bands would envy all the while staying true to the spirit of mid 90s emo. There is nothing overtly catchy about these songs yet somehow they stuck with me… I think it’s the way the guitars swirl around all over the place with repetitive ease while the vocalist lays down some sweet vocals. Kite Party is also very adept at creating more atmospheric parts like the percussion-drive chanting towards the end of “Buried In Dogs”.<br /><br />They rock a little harder in “Southpaw” which won’t floor you but it does get you safely to closing track “We Won’t Survive” which comes with a trumpet that they smuggle in in the most subtle of ways towards the end.<br /><br />I for one am looking forward to their upcoming album and if you’re one of the lucky bastards attending this year’s Fest, you might to check these guys out.<br /><b>Score: 7 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.animalstylerecords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.animalstylerecords.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://kiteparty.bandcamp.com/">http://kiteparty.bandcamp.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-73094961354985605372012-09-21T09:11:00.001-07:002012-09-21T09:11:06.082-07:00Fighting With Wire – Colonel Blood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-hRW4BFk5oUIrqRj8Xlour-OgLv6lM1kLdPsQOPqy-83YWqfICXyguM6QzlBu81vp1tJFMFSF8WRxmSVzAMUEy2_8N6U7BRMR3sWgSalfCMk6idgM7NZ8L_MFEdDmc5RvH5W0yxGcFc9/s1600/fightingwithwire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-hRW4BFk5oUIrqRj8Xlour-OgLv6lM1kLdPsQOPqy-83YWqfICXyguM6QzlBu81vp1tJFMFSF8WRxmSVzAMUEy2_8N6U7BRMR3sWgSalfCMk6idgM7NZ8L_MFEdDmc5RvH5W0yxGcFc9/s1600/fightingwithwire.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When Fighting With Wire first combined their love of nineties rock and punkrock on 2008’s “Man Vs Monster”, they ended up with a pile of rave reviews, tours with Biffy Clyro and Million Dead among others and a major label deal. And so off to Nashville they went to record the follow-up with Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Deftones,…). That was two years ago. But thanks to Xtra Mile “Colonel Blood” is finally seeing the light of day on October 1st.<br /><br />Was it worth the wait? Well, it’s not an instant classic but there’s plenty of goodness to be found on Fighting With Wire’s sophomoric release if you like distorted guitars, catchy hooks and big choruses. Just like the Foo Fighters, these guys manage to mix noisy rock tunes with pop sensibilities into slick anthemic rock tunes like “I Won’t Let You Down” and “Graduate” that should work especially well live. <br /><b>Score: 7 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.xtramilerecordings.com/" target="_blank">http://www.xtramilerecordings.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fightingwithwire.co.uk/">http://www.fightingwithwire.co.uk</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-43417793048918198292012-09-21T09:10:00.002-07:002012-09-21T09:10:26.423-07:00Just Like Vinyl – Black Mass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoY0QuMmdfPyYpcNV_Cljiv7Iz5t8AZmjmdz1GU_PdZr1Cz6Nf0QRJiyL_q6OW8W-1pkQPP9so6obfTb74SXeGTf7eQSLitVLiq_gPbVtQNaa3g2mjIaA3a8qO0tP58rKb4NjEDYcRTHt/s1600/everyonediesinutah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just Like Vinyl is a new band around The Fall Of Troy’s guitarist/vocalist Thomas Erak. And after having heard “Black Mass”, I’m fairly sure he really likes his emo / post-hardcore. How do I know? Because that’s what I’m hearing on “Black Mass”… I know, sometimes I’m genius like that. The atypical song structures, a weird riff that jumps in out of nowhere, whiny vocals… it’s all present and accounted for. And it’s really not good at all. <br /><b>Score: 4 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.superballmusic.com/" target="_blank">http://www.superballmusic.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.justlikevinyl.com/">http://www.justlikevinyl.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-34544034229702825772012-09-21T09:08:00.003-07:002012-09-21T09:08:59.677-07:00Everyone Dies In Utah - +//- (Polarities)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoY0QuMmdfPyYpcNV_Cljiv7Iz5t8AZmjmdz1GU_PdZr1Cz6Nf0QRJiyL_q6OW8W-1pkQPP9so6obfTb74SXeGTf7eQSLitVLiq_gPbVtQNaa3g2mjIaA3a8qO0tP58rKb4NjEDYcRTHt/s1600/everyonediesinutah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoY0QuMmdfPyYpcNV_Cljiv7Iz5t8AZmjmdz1GU_PdZr1Cz6Nf0QRJiyL_q6OW8W-1pkQPP9so6obfTb74SXeGTf7eQSLitVLiq_gPbVtQNaa3g2mjIaA3a8qO0tP58rKb4NjEDYcRTHt/s1600/everyonediesinutah.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These Texans already seem to know where they are going to end up, but not before they try to tear it up with some metalcore tunes. I for one am hoping that retirement will call them to Utah soon enough because the songs on offer on “Polarities” are way too predictable… and as a result, boring.<br /><br />Frantic drumming, guitars that go chugga chugga, one vocalist that screams his lungs out and another one that chips in with choruses deemed too cheesy by the Linkin Park crew… oh, and synth sounds that are layered over every single song without serving a single purpose. We’ve all heard it before and while it already didn’t sound great first time around, this is even worse.<br /><b>Score: 3 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/tragicherorecords" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/tragicherorecords</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/everyonediesinutahtx">http://www.facebook.com/everyonediesinutahtx</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-68221854043476814282012-09-21T09:06:00.005-07:002012-09-21T09:06:37.458-07:00Fang Island - Major<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHp7AbduY1QTV7dyIHdcy7IcFz4UzcPSTyzxx36ZmOZaGS-ZSVRTsBnqhAM3Y3N6nk5hX2jEGRP47-85k9n4GRSUHoU79CV84Ai1Xsi5S0Wed1NKLJpLqf3ZcYWowftsMJlMAxEQEnBnpl/s1600/fangisland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHp7AbduY1QTV7dyIHdcy7IcFz4UzcPSTyzxx36ZmOZaGS-ZSVRTsBnqhAM3Y3N6nk5hX2jEGRP47-85k9n4GRSUHoU79CV84Ai1Xsi5S0Wed1NKLJpLqf3ZcYWowftsMJlMAxEQEnBnpl/s1600/fangisland.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Major” is Fang Island’s second album and just like their debut, it’s basically one big tribute to fun. I think it’s impossible to listen to this and not start grinning ear to ear. You can try it if you want but you’ll fail miserably. Not that ‘miserably’ is a word that has much to do with this album. There’s just something about so much unbridled enthousiasm that is contagious and when the band members describe their music as ‘everyone high-fiving everyone’, you’ll know what they mean the second you hear opener “Kindergarten”.<br /><br />It’s noisy , it’s incredibly poppy and almost too happy-sounding! It’s like listening to a Weezer album without the mediocre songs. Or think of an updated version of Rush if that makes any sense. Feel free to pump your fists while listening to “Make Me”, sing along to the chorus of… well, every song on here and don’t forget to hug everyone around you in the pit as you bask in this band’s sun-soaked harmonies.<br /><b>Score: 8 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/" target="_blank">http://www.sargenthouse.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fangisland.com/">http://www.fangisland.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-74588734566527046632012-09-21T09:05:00.008-07:002012-09-21T09:05:59.143-07:00Stepdad - Wildlife Pop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIyJLLPzTERBSpxpQD0LRB1rEr6s2DhtOXniQOiESAoNOgbY95ZwaaFbFonpiFWSp-YWbWjPmEEgCohgORhrlNmrsh8WzWqvP7awJNQMwOd9VViQEGkRJaDNKKiE12eKkCHaxvxKAiprt/s1600/stepdad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIyJLLPzTERBSpxpQD0LRB1rEr6s2DhtOXniQOiESAoNOgbY95ZwaaFbFonpiFWSp-YWbWjPmEEgCohgORhrlNmrsh8WzWqvP7awJNQMwOd9VViQEGkRJaDNKKiE12eKkCHaxvxKAiprt/s1600/stepdad.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Following up their “Ordinaire” EP, this Michigan-based outfit cranks up the pop factor on “Wildlife Pop”. If you’ve already heard their previous single “My Leather, My Fur, My Nails” (which you’ll find on here as well in a reworked version), you know what you’re in for. Ridiculously slick pop tunes with layers of synths, 80s throwbacks, catchy choruses and a whole lot of falsetto courtesy of vocalist ultramark. Yeah, I’m guessing that’s not the name his mother gave him either.<br /><br />Okay, so “Pick And Choose” gets a bit too sugary. But if you listen to “Jungles” or “Treasure Hugs”, you’ll find “Wildlife Pop” to be a particularly fun album to spend an afternoon with to get in the mood for that night’s party.<br /><b>Score: 7 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.blackbellrecords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.blackbellrecords.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.stepdad.us/">http://www.stepdad.us</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-64919080125781150492012-09-21T09:05:00.002-07:002012-09-21T09:05:22.319-07:00Wintersleep – Hello Hum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5T7eiwB5o6dkAVx3RT0Y1LAWoL5PX0Ow51HwN8ieTQDgM3V-kSsShf138S_dQh2WlTaRx7NcCyqg4CAQEEvMm5DGcdU0cn-H_H86sMyXcOICw10FBipMKyruLO-KipBrPSWogv_4Y4NY/s1600/wintersleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5T7eiwB5o6dkAVx3RT0Y1LAWoL5PX0Ow51HwN8ieTQDgM3V-kSsShf138S_dQh2WlTaRx7NcCyqg4CAQEEvMm5DGcdU0cn-H_H86sMyXcOICw10FBipMKyruLO-KipBrPSWogv_4Y4NY/s1600/wintersleep.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Canada’s Wintersleep hooked up with The Flaming Lips’ not-so-secret weapon/producer Dave Fridmann to record their fifth album. And basically, “Hello Hum” is everything you’d think this combination would sound like.<br /><br />The band’s indie rock is still very much the same but Fridmann made the vocals sound a bit spacier and introduced some more experimental atmospherics. This becomes clear from the get-go as “Hum” kicks off with all kinds of percussion taking off in the background. The synths that bubble up in first single “In Came The Flood” and carry the song home are pretty awesome as well. <br /><br />Not everything on here comes with an equally full sound. “Saving Song” for example is as stripped down as it gets and it gives the song the kind of melancholy I love about fellow countrymen The Weakerthans. It is followed by “Rapture”, a sweet upbeat tune that’s another album highlight.<br /><br />“Hello Hum” makes it clear that Wintersleep is a band that’s comfortable enough in their own skin to fool around with their sound in order to keep things sounding fresh. Well, mission accomplished.<br /><b>Score: 8 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.rollcallrecords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.rollcallrecords.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wintersleep.com/">http://www.wintersleep.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-17333152164393360082012-09-21T09:04:00.006-07:002012-09-21T09:04:46.564-07:00 Make Do And Mend – Everything You Ever Loved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE27WHDabG54podwirwwh-ddDbxtF_DjLYnJ16QVMPaxi6j7CwPPAo7skHOTJ6432G7qRP537st-Xtn35snb56f0sZm9NZPsyn5X5AdGaQrtsEQGJH_xEd-DsvjPfimpxrCK2P3OUijw_/s1600/makedoandmend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE27WHDabG54podwirwwh-ddDbxtF_DjLYnJ16QVMPaxi6j7CwPPAo7skHOTJ6432G7qRP537st-Xtn35snb56f0sZm9NZPsyn5X5AdGaQrtsEQGJH_xEd-DsvjPfimpxrCK2P3OUijw_/s1600/makedoandmend.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As much as I liked “Bodies Of Water”, I thought that Make Do And Mend took a giant leap forward on 2010’s “End Measured Mile” with their slicker take on post-hardcore. Two years later they’re back already with a new full-length (their first for Rise Records) and holy shit, they pulled it off again!<br /><br />If you have heard their previous album, then “Everything You Ever Loved” doesn’t hold any surprises. That doesn’t mean it’s any less impressive though. There’s just something about the way these guys come up with the most amazing guitar leads, how they play with dynamics and top it all off with gruff vocals and big choruses, that sets them apart from the pack. Check out “Disassemble” or the more mellow “Drown In It” and get to know your new favorite band!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Score: 9 out of 10</b><a href="http://www.riserecords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.riserecords.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.makedoandmend.me/">http://www.makedoandmend.me</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-36568339978968924352012-09-21T09:04:00.001-07:002012-09-21T09:04:03.103-07:00Gallows – Gallows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqHoLgD21swvFJyZ2kMw3lZx4gIF72TuCBRBDq-JP46LMTd0pTmshfw2z1ShvSnQRsH_hnJ1fQzQTn6JWzNlTQSDc2IKfklsW4FFlusnthAib936I5vK4Xe67c3E9uutfOUY2QF1r0z5l/s1600/gallows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqHoLgD21swvFJyZ2kMw3lZx4gIF72TuCBRBDq-JP46LMTd0pTmshfw2z1ShvSnQRsH_hnJ1fQzQTn6JWzNlTQSDc2IKfklsW4FFlusnthAib936I5vK4Xe67c3E9uutfOUY2QF1r0z5l/s1600/gallows.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are few things that have as big an influence on a band’s sound as the vocals. So anytime a vocalist is replaced, there’s that question… will they still be as good? When the news came that former Alexisonfire guitarist/vocalist Wade MacNeil replaced Frank Carter (who wanted to focus on Pure Love), hardcore fans all over the world asked themselves… will they still be as good? <br /><br />Gallows’ first sign of life with MacNeil – the “Death Is Birth” EP – was promising but it’s with their new self-titled full-length, that these guys proves that yes, they are still doing just fine. The album opens with a spoken word intro before they unleash their particular brand of hardcore punk fury and they just keep on coming at you from there.<br /><br />Gallows had that thing that set them apart from other hardcore bands by sounding melodic and menacing at the same time and luckily that vibe is still intact in songs such as “Everybody Loves You (When You’re Dead)” or “Vapid Adolescent Blues”. And by the time “Cross Of Lorraine” comes around and hits you straight in the face, it’s fair to say that Gallows did another kickass job. <br /><b>Score: 8 out of 10</b><br />Venn Records</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pias.com/" target="_blank">http://www.pias.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.gallows.co.uk/">http://www.gallows.co.uk</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-28761896459029609082012-09-21T09:03:00.002-07:002012-09-21T09:03:16.586-07:00Trapper Schoepp & The Shades – Run, Engine, Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGBcgw_03d6DQNDNKmMptAf_tpXOly-a-z-NzGTfPm3Z36aubxuqe5D_wrh1WgP7XvxXd97ocHga3ZRm5stTRSoIT3u2vR5_11wiVf6uD8JVs_djWViSxNNcWW0_wjJsHc7V48SoMwBVN/s1600/trapperschoepp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGBcgw_03d6DQNDNKmMptAf_tpXOly-a-z-NzGTfPm3Z36aubxuqe5D_wrh1WgP7XvxXd97ocHga3ZRm5stTRSoIT3u2vR5_11wiVf6uD8JVs_djWViSxNNcWW0_wjJsHc7V48SoMwBVN/s1600/trapperschoepp.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Remember the Shoop Shoop Song? It’s in his kiss and all that? Well, these are Trapper Schoepp’ songs and they have absolutely nothing to do with Cher whatsoever. This Milwaukee-based outfit likes to play rootsy rock tunes that tap from the same vein as Whiskeytown. <br /><br />While you normally think of this music as being performed by men and women who’ve already lived a long and hard life, this guy is just 21 years old. Please don’t hold it against Schoepp and his Shades though because songs like “Tracks” and “To Have You Around” are some of the better ones I’ve heard all year in the genre.<br /><b>Score: 8 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.sideonedummy.com/" target="_blank">http://www.sideonedummy.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.trapperschoepp.com/">http://www.trapperschoepp.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-72162333455379657472012-09-19T11:43:00.003-07:002012-09-19T11:43:35.195-07:00Lipona – Networks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhJ7sSjDSVhCAdU49D739A4aXPbrl-4lWqbfAdQ0bio0uE6hIrNWWNOyUqIryENTDqA0N7M0_5IT1LrxkVu8z_IuybbCAdEPUWgexZqJggvxkUw2M1C08kvQR-lwzjVtvMlhuCRmyvFyc/s1600/lipona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhJ7sSjDSVhCAdU49D739A4aXPbrl-4lWqbfAdQ0bio0uE6hIrNWWNOyUqIryENTDqA0N7M0_5IT1LrxkVu8z_IuybbCAdEPUWgexZqJggvxkUw2M1C08kvQR-lwzjVtvMlhuCRmyvFyc/s1600/lipona.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lipona already made quit an impression on me with “Atlas” and the “Pigeonholed” EP and they now solidify their status with “Networks”. This Florid-based outfit combines skate punk with more progressive influences into kickass songs that are melodic as hell. With plenty of harmonies a la Bad Religion, a fierce rhythm section and tons of shredding they will have no problem winning you over. <br /><br />If you are into the likes of A Wilhelm Scream, Strung Out or Crime In Stereo, you pretty much have no choice but to pick up a copy of this one. Check out opening track “Followers”… it pretty much tells you everything you need to know about Lipona.<br /><b>Score: 8 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.disconnectdisconnectrecords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.disconnectdisconnectrecords.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://lipona.bandcamp.com/">http://lipona.bandcamp.com</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-44798677173909778712012-09-19T11:42:00.007-07:002012-09-19T11:42:54.957-07:00Wolves At Bay – Only A Mirror<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4cYNoorUwwai1Ea6HVVvR5Z5bDmmCHaCdblVCSBcFt_t19Be95MNQGOM_3-qGLYdTcyD142ygybgTXm3GcpcRKyBk3XtR8cpfY04KJgNFO9ez1pSk5kc3_oI-UtyCFxYpg348kPSreML/s1600/wolvesatbay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4cYNoorUwwai1Ea6HVVvR5Z5bDmmCHaCdblVCSBcFt_t19Be95MNQGOM_3-qGLYdTcyD142ygybgTXm3GcpcRKyBk3XtR8cpfY04KJgNFO9ez1pSk5kc3_oI-UtyCFxYpg348kPSreML/s1600/wolvesatbay.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This Hamden, CT outfit was formerly known as Dear You but apparently the name was taken and so they changed it to Wolves At Bay. I can fully understand that the other Dear You didn’t want these guys’ competition because “Only A Mirror” is an impressive debut full-length.<br /><br />Blurring the lines between post-hardcore and punkrock, Wolves At Bay have a knack for writing tunes that are as melodic as they are raw. Think of Make Do And Mend or Balance & Composure and you’ll get the picture. There’s plenty of variation offered here with a song like “I Have Nothing To Offer” showing off the band’s edgier side and “Breaking In Two” which comes with a focus on atmosphere and a slightly mellower vibe.<br /><br />All this makes “Only A Mirror” a very convincing and consistent debut and if you didn’t know any better, you’d think that these guys have never done anything else than making music together.<b><br />Score: 7.5 out of 10</b><br /><a href="http://www.animalstylerecords.com/" target="_blank">http://www.animalstylerecords.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/wolvesatbay">http://www.facebook.com/wolvesatbay</a></span></span>PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138187373554444878.post-82338356292839803452012-09-19T11:42:00.000-07:002012-09-19T11:42:01.186-07:00The Classic Crime – Phoenix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW4nyHfRlzIQm99bN09j5WIwefD2vETOcyYP7LzpOagg1Wuyl0zXVZj7HhhcSpl-w1t9r9M5f425owNQMmvDZwQ3ZBhmkzgPPWl2kJgqqPQOkKshyphenhyphenGGwKBhS_ba_1qXAbGVAUiW4fbb4R/s1600/theclassiccrime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW4nyHfRlzIQm99bN09j5WIwefD2vETOcyYP7LzpOagg1Wuyl0zXVZj7HhhcSpl-w1t9r9M5f425owNQMmvDZwQ3ZBhmkzgPPWl2kJgqqPQOkKshyphenhyphenGGwKBhS_ba_1qXAbGVAUiW4fbb4R/s1600/theclassiccrime.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Phoenix” is a pretty fitting album title for a band that parted ways with their label and was all of a sudden free to do as they please. With the help of Kickstarter and their fans, they got the necessary funds (and more) together to record the follow-up to 2010’s “Vagabonds”.<br /><br />The “One Man Army” intro does a good job of setting the mood with its brooding tone, before blossoming into this massive chorus. It’s a formula that you’ll hear a lot throughout the album as these guys like to build up tension with bombastic string arrangements, vocal harmonies, rhythms and the likes before letting it all loose in the chorus. Second track “You And Me” is as fine an example as any. It’s extremely slick and catchy yet comes with just enough power to keep me interested.<br /><br />Halfway through the album they tone it down on “The Precipice” and decide to pull our sensitive string with a more mellow song. The thing with elaborate arrangements is that it quickly becomes too cheesy and this one is a bit borderline. Luckily it’s followed by the somewhat bluesy “Let Me Die”, which is a way better ballad.<br /><br />Overall “Phoenix” is an above-average emo / alt rock album that’s enjoyable from start to finish if you can bear all the bells and whistles they added and don’t mind a couple of sappy moments.<br /><b>Score: 7 out of 10</b><br />no label<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/theclassiccrime">http://www.facebook.com/theclassiccrime</a></span></span><br />
<br />PunkRockTheoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710789040180756075noreply@blogger.com0