Music Reviews of Punk, Indie Rock, Emo, Ska
Band Spotlight
Chiodos
Perhaps no one can explain the sheer ferocity and timid quietness it is better than when vocalist Craig Owens says “we don’t want to let the kids down” when discussing the group’s intense vocals live at shows. Well they never let a single kid down with their vicious assault on the ears and grip on the jugular...
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Skinny Puppy - Mythmaker
Converge - No Heroes
The Graduate - Anhedonia
Death By Stereo - Death Alive
Comeback Kid - Broadcasting
The Snake The Cross The Crown - Cotton Teeth
Dear and the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
The Geeks - Every Time We Fall
Limbeck - Limbeck
WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Punk, Indie Rock, Emo, Ska
A Verse Unsung — Sleeping Tigers Buy it at Amazon
Minneapolis-based rock band A Verse Unsung is very difficult to pinpoint in the genre-ification game. Some songs have elements of post-hardcore, still others are pop-punk, while some sound like indie rock or ‘90’s alternative. But one thing that’s for sure is this extremely young band (the oldest member is 19), sounds like a very polished mature group. Certainly Grammy winning producer Steve Hodge only helped when he produced this debut record. Touring with the likes of Secret Lives of the Freemasons and Karate High School will only help this unique brand of heavy rock grow even more popular and revered.
- J-Sin
Algebra of Need — Self Improvement Buy it at Amazon
Philadelphia post-hardcore group Algebra of Need are spastic nerd rockers that sharpen their guitars with witty yet catchy metallic overdriven noise. Spastic drums flail about as the guitars are mixed densely with the groove of the bass. There are definitely some vibes of stoner metal here and are similar to a more modern Jesus Lizard. Fuzzy guitar heaven that dangles ‘90s DC-era post-rock, spazz rock, and topped off with a seminal glaze of math rock. This is the new sound.
- J-Sin
The Yum Yum Tree — Paint By Numbers Buy it at Amazon
Going on some seven years now, the Yum Yum Tree has been bringing a hard edged pop-rock sound to their fanbase in Atlanta on a virtual silver platter of catchiness. Already garnering praise among the well-informed Internet zines and even the mainstream with the likes of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution unleashing big kudos upon the band, the group is devilishly clever with heart-string-pulling rock ballads on “Paint By Numbers”. Michelle Friedman is a recent addition and her vocals, guitar work, and keyboards take the band to a new soaring height. I was doubtful that this band could supercede the seminal apex in their “The Tetherball” EP released two years ago, but boy was I wrong.
- J-Sin
Dynamic Brown Hips — Wave the Old Wave Buy it at Amazon
Recorded live onto a one-track tape deck at the Midwest Page to Prisoners project in Bloomington, Indiana in mid 2007, “Wave the Old Wave” is spastic freeform jazz that doesn’t care about melody one iota. Using a trumpet, saxophone, slide trombone, violin, recorder, upright bass, and various percussion, Dynamic Brown Hips record massive amounts of chaos and lots of noise. This is not for the timid or weak-willed.
- J-Sin
Last American Buffalo — Marquis For the Debutante Buy it at Amazon
Indie rock in the vein of Catherine Wheel, Last American Buffalo rocks out on all fours. Cracking guitars wail and distortedly wave throughout “Marquis for the Debutante” with dismal alt-country asides and smooth indie pop flavors. Melancholic vocals cry out with the suffrage of Spoon reminiscencing in the background as if this was some ‘90’s throw-back. Soulful lyrics seem to search our hearts and minds, tickling each with daring and often challenging wit and guts. A nice aside from the doldrums of indie rock.
- J-Sin
Bob Marsh — Viovox Buy it at Amazon
Eclectic apartment experimental “pop” that is lo-fi to a whole new level of DIY. Using a Boss Harmonizer to create effects on the vocals, Bob Marsh wigs you out. Using loops made from violin, cello, and his voice, Marsh is certainly unafraid of doing something so different you’ll never hear it again. Weird, different, and elastic, this is the ravings of a madman with a tape recorder.
- J-Sin
Dartz! — This Is My Ship Buy it at Amazon
Ok, I will be the first to admit the sigh that emanated out of my body could be heard across counties when I read “dance punk” on Dartz!’s bio. But thankfully that is not the sum of their parts. “This Is My Ship” is a dashing delivery of dance punk, indie rock, and math rock. Emotional choruses that are ridiculously catchy are but an after-thought after the frenetic and angular guitars grab ahold. Vocally it can bounce from Fugazi-tough to electro pop hot. Quirky punk in the vein of Franz Ferdinand’s less accessible hits and Futureheads spaciness. Clap along with this joyous debut of righteous indie rock and dance punk abandon.
- J-Sin
Ride Your Bike — Bad News From the Bar Buy it at Amazon
Band leader Mike Getches understands that pop music needs a story. “Bad News From the Bar” provides the commentary and narrative backdrop both through his lyrics and the transitions of the songs. Produced by none other than Andrew Berlin (Suicide Machines, Lemonheads, A Wilhelm Scream) and Chris Jak (Rise Against), there’s a certain laidback indie pop feel to the album that is both airy and tight. Emotional melodies haunt the listener as Getches and crew avoid pop clichés and indie rock guffaws with seeming ease.
- J-Sin
Human Host — The Halloween Tree Buy it at Amazon
Baltimore’s Human Host has been playing and doodling in music since ’02. “The Halloween Tree” finds Human Host once again addling and dwelling in the mysterious sides of lo-fi rock ‘n’ roll, often punking things up or revisiting anti-folk in new and crafty ways. It’s definitely not an album for the timid of ears and will probably surprise even the most open-minded. Also, “Thunder Moth” probably has the weirdest vocal effects I think I’ve ever heard on an album.
- J-Sin
Post Harbor — Praenumbra Buy it at Amazon
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Post Harbor is no grunged out rock group following the noted sounds that emanated from the Seattle scene in the ‘90s. Indeed they found solace in that scene but perhaps in the groups like Sunny Day Real Estate rather than the Nirvana’s. Shadowy and haunting melodies are drenched in visceral harmonies that cast your mind back to the crux of your emotional awareness. Taking feedback and shaping it with keyboards and vibes as well as the standard set of rock instruments, Post Harbor craft intriguing songs that are well written and even more masterfully recorded. Beautiful!
- J-Sin
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