Nightlights – So It Goes

- by Thomas

“So It Goes” is like listening to a Latterman tribute. The guys that make up Nightlights obviously spent a lot of time with that band’s discography and that’s probably why they ended up with songs that come with the same kind of thumping bass lines, the funny song titles, the gruff vocals and the melodic yet potent riffage.

While they are not quite as impressive as say Iron Chic or Banner Pilot, these guys do a pretty good job nonetheless and if this is the kind of sound you’re into, you won’t be disappointed by Nightlights’ “So It Goes”.
Score: 6.5 out of 10
http://www.eulogyrecordings.com
http://www.nightlightsband.tumblr.com

Therapy? – A Brief Crack Of Light

- by Thomas

On lucky number thirteen, Ireland’s Therapy? are still doing what they do best… writing rock songs that are full of piss and vinegar and which are best served loud as fuck. Opener “Living In The Shadow Of The Terrible Thing” and “Stark Raving Sane” are great examples of this and it’s nice to see that these veterans still go at it with the same kind of enthousiasm they had back in the days of “Teethgrinder”.

There is a more experimental streak as well that runs through the album. Like the instrumental and upbeat “Marlow”, the unpredictable and very noisy “The Buzzing” or “Get Your Dead Hand Off My Shoulder”, which is the band’s interpretation of a dub song. It only adds more diversity to the album, always a good thing.

The best thing about “A Brief Crack Of Light” however is that Therapy? managed to maintain their trademark sound while throwing in some new elements at the same time, making it one of their best albums in their 20-year-long career. Kudos!
Score: 8 out of 10
Blast Records
http://www.therapyquestionmark.co.uk

Smith & Burrows – Funny Looking Angels

- by Thomas

Can you imagine Tom Smith doing the voice of a character in a Disney movie? Shit, children would be depressed for years! Best known as Editors’ vocalist, “Funny Looking Angels” sees Smith teaming up with former Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows for a christmas album. A slightly depressing christmas album that is.

“Funny Looking Angels” starts off with a short intro before “When The Thames Froze” kicks in. Well, it doesn’t as much kick in as slowly fade into being. And while it may sound like a traditional, it’s actually been written by Smith & Burrows. It’s one of four originals on the album, the rest of the songs are covers (Black’s “Wonderful life”, Yazoo’s “Only you”,…).

These self-proclaimed funny looking angels know very well that there is a fine line between kitsch and lush yet sincere arrangements and manage to stay on the right side throughout the entire album. The abovementioned “When The Thames Froze” is a beautiful example… while it’s filled with horns, backing vocals, marching rhythms and so on, it never sounds fake. And when Burrows takes the lead in songs like “As The Snowflakes Fall”, it’s like hearing a couple of previously unreleased Elliott Smith gems.

It’s that vocal diversity along with the beautiful, warm arrangements that make “Funny Looking Angels” a Christmas album worth listening to well into the new year.
Score: 8.5 out of 10
http://www.playitagainsam.net
http://www.smithandburrows.com

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – The Magic Of Youth

- by Thomas

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have been doing their thing for a very, very long time already and they still haven’t tired of it. Which is a good thing because I haven’t either. Their latest album is called “The Magic Of Youth” and on it the horns are blazing yet again.

While I have grown tired over the years of most of the ska bands, the Bosstones continue to serve excellent tuneage and that’s no different on “The Magic Of Youth”, an aptly chosen title when it comes to these guys. From raging cuts like opener “The Daylights” and “The Package Store Petition” to more mellow ska tracks such as “Sunday Afternoons On Wisdom Ave”, it always sounds great and comes with plenty of punch, power and melody.

With 11 songs in 35 minutes, this is one album that doesn’t wear out its welcome and if you’re into any of the albums they’ve released since 200’s “Pay Attention”, you should have already ordered your copy of the Bosstones’ latest.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
http://www.ruderecorz.com
http://www.bosstonesmusic.com

The Lemonheads – Hotel Sessions

- by Thomas

When Evan Dando found himself holed up in a hotel room in Australia somewhere in the early nineties, he laid down demos for the songs that would go on to become “Come On Feel”. Armed with just an acoustic guitar, a walkman and a cassette (a what now?), he recorded these songs in a stripped down version, sounding ever so vulnerable.

There’s the occasional comment between the songs and along with the hissing of the tape, it makes “Hotel Sessions” a very charming album for the fans. Everyone else will probably not be overly impressed by these hotel sessions.
Score: 6 out of 10
Hall Of Records
http://www.thelemonheads.net

The Mighty Fine – In Revival

- by Thomas

There’s something endearingly arrogant about calling your band The Mighty Fine. This San Luis Obispo-based outfit is allowed to do so though because on “In Revival” they crank out some fine rootsy punkrock. Armed with a powerful rhythm section, a knack for writing catchy melodies and a vocalist who wouldn’t sound out of place in a Tom Gabel impersonation contest, The Mighty Fine race through a dozen songs that will get you belting along at one of their shows in no time.

With just enough grit in place, these guys rock out in a way that you might not actually expect based on the artwork. If you’re Against Me or The Menzingers, you should have no problem getting into “In Revival”.
Score: 7 out of 10
http://www.solidarityrecordings.com
http://www.themightyfine.com

The Menzingers interview

- by Thomas

The Menzingers have worked themselves up to a punkrock powerhouse and I doubt that'll be stopping soon now that they've signed with Epitaph and just released a new album called "On The Impossible Past". Make sure to check them out at this year's Groezrock fest and read on to see what vocalist/guitarist Greg Barnett had to tell us.

PRT: First things first… one thing I’ve always wondered about ever since I first heard you guys… what the hell is a Menzinger?
Greg: The world may never know.

PRT: Things are going pretty good for you guys… you’ve toured with the likes of Against Me and The Gaslight Anthem, you signed a deal with Epitaph, you have a new full-length coming up. What does it feel like to see all your hard work paying off?
Greg: It's amazing to say the least! I honestly never thought I'd be fortunate enough to be in a band that people care about. The biggest appeal to me is being able to travel around the world and make new friends. It's the most rewarding "career" path anyone could ever ask for. Im the luckiest kid in the world.

PRT: You’re on tour now with Rise Against and A Day To Remember. How’s that working out for you guys?
Greg: It's incredible! I never thought it in a million years that my band would ever play places this big. I mean our dressing rooms are professional sports teams locker rooms! It really is the most surreal experience I've ever had in my life.

PRT: Your new album is called “On The Impossible Past”. I’m guessing it’s a reference to how you can’t change things that have already happened. Am I close or completely missing the point?
Greg: It means whatever you want it to mean. It's a quote from Vladimir Nabokovs "Lolita" and the record title is shortened from the quote: "I was weeping again, drunk on the impossible past". Nabokov is my favorite writer and I always loved the complex layers of his prose. I think it would be silly and dishonest to offer a clear cut explanation here. This record is essentially an accidental concept record that runs along the theme of "On The Impossible Past". Hopefully listeners take what they want from the concept, lyrics, artwork, and title and make it their own.

PRT: While the album still contains all of the elements I’ve come to love about The Menzingers, it’s a big step forward for you guys with some of your most mature material to date with songs like “Gates” and the title track. Is that something you talked about when you started work on the new album or is it just the way the songs turned out?
Greg: Yeah, absolutely. We obviously didn't want to write the same record again and wanted to create some type of lose fitting story. I think the major difference between our previous records and this one is that "On The Impossible Past" was written with the idea that it should be listened to in full. I think the digital age has really fucked with the way albums are digested. Its a bummer.

PRT: You once again worked with Matt Allison. What is it that makes working with him so easy for you guys?
Greg: It all comes down to trust. We're very fortunate to say that Matt has become a very close friend of ours and we respect him and his work immensely. I can't even begin to say enough wonderful things about the guy! He knows how to get the best stuff out of us for sure.

PRT: “On The Impossible Past” will be your first release on Epitaph. What does being signed to a label like that change for you guys exactly?
Greg: Mainly it gives us more resources to grow as a band. We're still the same drunks essentially.

PRT: Epitaph has released its share of albums that have helped shape the punkrock scene… do you still remember the first Epitaph release you went nuts over? Greg: Rancid's "...and Out Come the Wolves" and Bad Religion's "No Control" blew my fucking mind when I first heard them. I'll always remember skating around Lake Ariel, PA and feeling like everyone was ok in the world.

PRT: While you’ve already achieved quite a lot, what is the one thing you’d still love to accomplish with The Menzingers?
Greg: "I'd love to be that lucky one on chill avenue, one to keep your heart warm when ice has turned it blue".

PRT: In the movie “Almost Famous” there’s this one scene where the band is in a plane and they think they’re gonna crash and so they come out with all these big confessions. If you were in that situation, what would you confess?
Greg: Haha I have no idea what I would confess... I still love 311? In reality I'd just run to the booze cart and get loaded before my impending doom.

PRT: Why did The Menzingers cross the road?
Greg: To get burritos and liquor.

PRT: In April you will be playing at the Groezrock festival in Belgium… have you already heard about that festival and are you excited about it?
Greg: Yeah! Groezrock is a festival I've always dreamed of playing and the lineup is completely insane this year. A bunch of our European friends are coming as well so it's gonna be pretty incredible. I mean the fucking Refused are playing!

PRT: You have ten seconds to write your final words for our readers. Go!
Greg: Zoltan!

Butch Walker And The Black Widows – The Spade

- by Thomas

After having previously dabbled in arena rock, glam rock and alt-country tunes somewhere during his decade-long solo career, Butch Walker and his Black Widows went for yet another sound on “The Spade”. This time it’s poppy rock songs all around that are all about having a good time. Echoes of the past still linger in songs like the glammy “Every Single Body Else” and “Bullet Belt’, which reeks of hair spray and latex pants.

But it’s songs like opener “Bodega And Blood” and “Summer Of ‘89” that make this album a real treat. “The Spade” is not without its flaws but at 42 years old, Butch Walker doesn’t seem to care anymore. He just does whatever he feels like and you can hear the fun in just about every song. It’s an attitude you can only embrace, especially if it makes for albums like “The Spade”.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
http://www.lojinx.com
http://www.butchwalker.com

Deadman – Take Up Your Mat & Walk

- by Thomas

Austin, TX’ Deadman released “Live At The Saxon Pub” not too long ago. It was a good way to get some attention but now they have released an even better calling card. There is not one flawed song in sight on “Take Up Your Mat & Walk”!

Their particular brand of country and folk is heartbreakingly beautiful at times and truly shines in songs like “Till The Morning Comes” and “”… echoes of The Band are never really that far away. They also throw in some soul in songs like “Don’t Do This” and “We All Need Love” whereas “This Old World’s Not Gonna Change” has a bit of Dylan in it… I’ll leave it in the middle whether I’m talking about Bob or Jakob.

Whatever route they go for, they always pull it off with subtle rocking, gentle vocals and great melodies and it makes “Take Up Your Mat & Walk” a great album that you should check out if you’re a country kinda guy.
Score: 8 out of 10
http://www.rootsy.nu
http://www.deadmanonline.com

Nekromantix – What Happens In Hell, Stays In Hell!

- by Thomas

Psychobilly die-hards Nekromantix are back with a new album called “What Happens In Hell, Stays In Hell!”… which is a seriously lame album title! To make things worse, they haven’t changed a thing about their sound. That means they still use the same rhythm in basically every song, the same ticking bass sound and while we’re at it… the same subject matter and the same cartoon-ish artwork.

This genre is already not known for its diversity but from a band that is as big in the genre as Nekromantix, you would expect a little bit more time and effort. Seeing as they’re so fond of puns in their titles, I’m thinking “Napocalypse Now” or “From Dusk Till Yawn” would work pretty well for their next album.
Score: 5 out of 10
http://www.hell-cat.com
http://www.nekromantix.com

New Found Glory – Radiosurgery

- by Thomas

Radiosurgery is not only a type of surgery where radiation is used to treat brain tumors or epilepsy, it’s also the name of New Found Glory’s seventh album. Why you’d want to associate your album with a brain tumor is beyond me but hey, to each his own, right?

Working with producer Neal Avron for the first time since 2004’s “Catalyst” was good thinking on the band’s part because he knows how to make them sound poppy while maintaining an edge unlike anyone else. On songs like opener “Radiosurgery”, “Drill It In My Brain” (again with the brain surgery!) and “Map Of Your Body”, you’ll hear plenty of Green Day influences. “Memories And Battle Scars” however showcase the band’s fiercer side and along with the gang vocals and breakdowns strewn throughout the album, New Found Glory prove the punk in pop-punk is still there for a reason.

Basically, this is a fairly standard New Found Glory album without any surprises or it would have to Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino joing forces with Jordan Pundik on “Caught In The Act”. Despite this album being standard, it’s still a good place to start if you’re looking for some decent pop-punk tuneage.
Score: 7 out of 10
http://www.epitaph.com
http://www.newfoundglory.com

Dangerous! – Teenage Rampage

- by Thomas

Dangerous! is a rubbish band name simply because every time you type their name in Word, the first letter of the next word automatically becomes a capital. Luckily their music is not annoying at all… when you use the words rock, garage and Australia in the same sentence, a lot of you will automatically think of The Vines. Well, now there’s Dangerous! to add to the list.

On “Teenage Rampage” these guys tear through twelve songs that sound like The Hives gone wild or a poppier version of The Bronx with tons of energy, attitude and a whole lot of oh oh oh’s to boot. They’re not exactly reinventing the wheel here but if you’re looking for a fun album, then “Teenage Rampage” will do just fine!
Score: 7.5 out of 10
http://www.epitaph.com
http://www.d-or-die.com

Kevin Devine interview

- by Thomas

Kevin Devine released a new album called "Between The Concrete & Clouds" and if you haven't heard it yet, go pick up a copy! It's very good and it's out now on Razor & Tie. Here's an email interview we did with the good man...

PRT: Between The Concrete & Clouds” is the first album you’ve done under your own name that doesn’t have a single song where it’s just you and your acoustic guitar. Was there a specific reason for working that way this time around?
Kevin: I just felt like the songs worked better on record this time around all backed with fuller instrumentation. It wasn't really too dramatic a shift given that most of the last two, three records were predominantly band-backed. This one just totally is. Most of the touring on the last record was me with my band, also.

PRT: So what exactly is there between the concrete and the clouds?
Kevin: Your life, reality, the present moment. Your brothers and sisters. Look around.

PRT: I read somewhere that you wanted to keep the lyrics more straightforward this time. What was the idea behind that decision?
Kevin: Not so much straightforward as concise. I wanted to keep the songwriting in general more economical, compact. I'm still a wordy writer, a pretty verbal person, and I still very much like playing with metaphor and abstraction in writing. I just wanted to keep an eye on meandering or overstating my case.

PRT: Two names that kept coming up while listening to the new album are Elliott Smith and Nada Surf. Are those artists you feel comfortable being compared to?
Kevin: Sure. I like and respect both very much.

PRT: Last year you released an album with Manchester Orchestra under the Bad Books moniker. How did that come about?
Kevin: We'd done a whole bunch of tours together, from 2007 to present, and always discussed making music together, actually writing something. My manager John reminded them of those conversations backstage at one of their shows in LA late in 2009; the next day Robert & Andy wrote me, we picked out some dates, and I flew down to Atlanta and we made the record.

PRT: And was that a one time thing or have you already talked about doing another album?
Kevin: We definitely have discussed doing another one. Probably sometime next year.

PRT: If you could pick any other artist to collaborate with, who would it be and why?
Kevin: I'd above all else love to have Sinead O'Connor sing one of my songs, or to write a song with her. I think she's totally amazing, principled, specially talented, and just someone I'm really in love with as an artist and a citizen of the world. Just such a bad ass.

PRT: You already have quite the discography. Are you one of those guys who when he has written new songs, just wants to get the songs out there as soon as possible?
Kevin: I guess. It just feels like what I do. I write songs, I put them together, I record them, I release them, I play them in front of people. It just feels like my spot in the world.

PRT: So what’s up next for you? A whole lot of touring? Any plans for coming over to Europe?
Kevin: I've got another 3.5 weeks of US/Canadian touring initially supporting the record's release that'll take me through October 27th. Afterwards, I do the Harvest Festival in Australia in November and then some regional dates back home to close out the year. Next year, yes - UK, Europe, both Australia & US/Canada again, hopefully. Everywhere the record comes out.

The Wild – A Collection

- by Thomas

From Atlanta, GA comes The Wild, a folky bunch that swear by DIY ethics and who released an album called “A Collection”, which is just what the title might lend you to believe… a collection of songs from splits, live cuts and EPs thrown together. I have to say, it all gels together surprisingly well. But that might be because The Wild’s jangly folk-punk has the tendency to sound the same-ish after the first couple of songs. Feel free to think of everyone from Bob Dylan and Woodie Guthrie to Andrew Jackson Jihad to get on the same page RIYL-wise.

Earnest lyrics, male/female vocals and more harmonica than you can shake a stick at… it does become a bit too much if you have to listen to it for an hour. But hey, it’s a compilation and the band’s enthusiasm is addictive so here’s to hoping they offer a little more diversity on a regular album!
Score: 6.5 out of 10
http://www.asianmanrecords.com
http://www.quoteunquoterecords.com
http://www.thewildatl.com

Tony Sly – Sad Bear

- by Thomas

Tony Sly is back with another solo album called “Sad Bear”. It did make me feel a little bit like a sad bear because the songs on here are plain boring. Don’t get me wrong, I love singer-songwriters. The arrangements on here however are very basic, even if they are enhanced with an organ or a tin whistle here and there. Basically, these are pop-punk tunes played acoustically which never really leads to the most exciting songs out there. And then there’s the fact that Tony Sly’s voice is a bit too limited to carry this kind of music.

I like the guy and everything he did with No Use For A Name but his solo output is wasted on me.
Score: 4 out of 10
http://www.fatwreck.com
http://www.myspace.com/tonyslymusic

Citizens Patrol – 2006-2011

- by Thomas

Named after a terrible, terrible movie in the Police Academy series, Holland’s Citizen Patrol has been spreading the hardcore reality since 2006. In those five years they have released a demo, two 7”, a split 7” with The Shining and a full-length. To celebrate the band’s first five years, there’s now “2006-2011”, a collection of everything they have released so far plus a couple of previously unreleased tracks and a complete live set.

That makes for a whopping 50 cuts of 80ies inspired hardcore along the lines of MDC and Black Flag. It’s a bit much to take in all at once with the only diversity on here being the quality of the recordings, but other than that this is a solid introduction to Citizens Patrol!
Score: 6.5 out of 10
http://www.shieldrecordings.com
http://www.myspace.com/citizenspatrol

Alcatraz – Smile Now, Cry Later

- by Thomas

I’m guessing Alcatraz didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about their band name seeing as they get to call San Francisco home. Other possibilities were Transamerica Pyramid and Fisherman’s Wharf but out of those three Alcatraz sounded the most badass. Which is what they are going for with their music as well so I guess it makes the most sense.

Featuring former and current members of outfits such as First Blood, Embrace The End, Allegiance and a whole bunch of other bands, these guys tear through a whopping 20 songs on their debut full-length. It’s fast-paced hardcore with a punky edge that takes cues from Death Threat, Integrity, Ringworm, Hoods, and Buried Alive and I’m kinda digging it… it’s just that 20 songs is a bit much to take in all at once. But hey, the album does come with the songs from their sold out demo tape.
Score: 6 out of 10
http://www.demonsrunamok.de

Do Or Die – The Downfall Of The Human Race

- by Thomas

Belgian noisemongers Do Or Die are back with a new album called “The Downfall Of The Human Race”, which – let’s be honest here – is kind of a lame title. And to make matters even worse, the songs on here are as cliché-riddled as the album title. It’s metalcore that taps from the same vein as Bring Me The Horizon and Hatebreed… lots of chugga chugga riffs, more guitar squeals than you can count and a rhythm section that doesn’t think it’s necessary to switch gears every now and then.

If you want to mosh your little heart out, this will do the trick. If you’re looking for something however, then you can just skip this one because it’s next to impossible to tell the songs apart.
Score: 4 out of 10
http://www.demonsrunamok.de
http://www.myspace.com/officialdoordie

SOS interview

- by Thomas

SOS. Stop.New hardcore band. Stop. With guys from Terror and Hatebreed among others. Stop. Here's something that barely qualifies as an interview with Scott Vogel. Full stop.

PRT: How did you guys first get together?
Scott: Just basic stuff. Five guys from separate bands and cities whose bands played together and toured together, that talked about making music. So we did.

PRT: You’re all involved in other hardcore bands, how come you felt the need to start a new band?
Scott: It's cool to step outside the band you're with all the time and try something different. New ideas and angles.

PRT: SOS is a distress signal… is that what you want to send out to the world?
Scott: That music today is mostly watered down garbage. No pulse. No truth.

PRT: For people who haven’t heard you before… if you were the lovechild of two other bands, which acts would’ve had sex and which position were you conceived in?
Scott: Agnostic Front and Brotherhood. Standing up.

PRT: You recently released “I Owe You Nothing”, an EP with a very personal and in your face title… are those characteristics that reflect on SOS as a whole as well?
Scott: Of course. This is all about a quick calculated assault.

PRT: Being involved in other bands with busy touring schedules, are there any plans for heavy touring with SOS?
Scott: Not at all.

PRT: Was “I Owe You Nothing” a one-time thing or are you already thinking about a sequel?
Scott: Only time will show

PRT: Any last words for our readers?
Scott: Listen to Hatebreed. Feel the realness.

Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan – The Night Eternal

- by Thomas

From the authors of the New York Times bestsellers “The Strain” and “The Fall” comes the final chapter in their vampire trilogy. “The Night Eternal” picks up right where we left the CDC’s former head of the biological threat team Eph, his colleague and former lover Nora and the Russian exterminator Fet behind with vampires now ruling the world under the guise of nuclear winter.

The Master – an ancient vampire with enormous powers – controls everything with our freedom fighters as the only real threat. Like cattle, people are either interred in camps to breed or to be bled in order to provide sustenance for the Master’s vast army. Meanwhile Eph’s son Zack is being held by the Master and Eph is torn between rescuing his son and helping the others overturn this new world order.

Our freedom fighters do get help from Mr. Quinlan, the halfbreed offspring of the Master who is hellbent on revenge. But is it enough now that there is evidence of a traitor lurking in their midst?

The final installment in this collaboration between director Guillermo Del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy) and novelist Chuck Hogan works well with the combination of Del Toro’s rich fantasy and Hogan’s blistering pace. Basically it’s just one hell of a fun read you can really sink your teeth in.
Score: 8.5 out of 10
http://www.harpercollins.com