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
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03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Punk, Indie Rock, Emo, Ska
Goodbye Tomorrow — Goodbye Tomorrow Buy it at Amazon
Ex-Terminal (Tooth & Nail Records) frontman Travis Bryant is now the vocalist to the enigmatic Goodbye Tomorrow after a couple of lineup shifts in the past three years. Having opened for the space rock adventure of Angels & Airwaves (Tom DeLonge of Blink 182’s new band), the band has built a bit of a following. This three-song self-titled debut EP is only the beginning from this sweet indie pop-rock group. They’re hoping to tour a bit for the rest of the year and then record what proves to be an incredible album next year. While it’s short and sweet, these three songs are rich in harmony and ingenious songwriting. Check out this emerging act immediately so you can be the first on your block.
- J-Sin
A Heartwell Ending — Trust Us, We Lie Buy it at Amazon
Six dudes in a band? Well wouldn’t that crazy and confusing on stage? A Heartwell Ending doesn’t care and doesn’t bother with the insignificant on their “Trust Us We Lie”. Having played alongside the likes of As Cities Burn, The Sinai Beach, Maxeen, As Hope Dies, Fight Paris, I Am Ghost, and the Adolescents among others, they’ve never found a crowded stage that they couldn’t conquer. Their melodic pop-punk sound with synth riddling it through and through is something you may have heard before but who cares, this is damn fun.
- J-Sin
Death Ships — Seeds of Devastation Buy it at Amazon
Iowa is somewhere in the middle of America. It’s known for its agriculture and as the 29th state to join the Union. But maybe it will soon be known as the birthplace of the amazing group Death Ships. Despite their moniker and the name of their album, this isn’t a metal band or anything remotely “heavy”. Instead they lean towards the Shins and Wilco with imaginative indie rock and some alt. country guitar swagger. Deeply melodic vocals haunt you as he relays the message of their enigmatic yet somehow simple lyrics. I first heard them on the Deep Elm Records compilation “This is Indie Rock” and knew that I’d love them—who knew how much?
- J-Sin
Dirty Pretty Things — Waterloo to Anywhere Buy it at Amazon
Featuring the Libertines’ (the band that supposedly is no more) Carl Barat and Gary Powell who are no doubt sick of their band leader’s (Pete Doherty) antics and drug problems, Dirty Pretty Things are here with their debut. Sounding very similar to the Libertines in style—it’s “the” band garage punk—“Waterloo to Anywhere” boasts some compelling choruses that have a high degree of sing-along-ness. Punk rock that parties but knows when to say when.
- J-Sin
Scott Solter Plays Pattern is Movement — Canonic Buy it at Amazon
First off Scott Solter is awesome. Second, Pattern Is Movement is equally awesome. The two paired together are breathtaking. Backbeats rhythmically lull you into a hypnotic trance bouncing from one foot to the other. The first three tracks are reinterpretations by Solter of “Stowaway” from the upcoming analog remix album. It’s followed by their three respective original tunes. He tape loops their sound with duct tape visionary apartment rock experiments and crafty lo-fi weirdness. Did I mention that I love this?
- J-Sin
The Transit War — Miss Your Face Buy it at Amazon
The last album by The Transit War was “Ah Discordia!” and was thrilling to say the least. They bounce back with this dynamic full length produced by Grammy nominee Joe Marlett whose past work has included a couple bands you’ve heard of, Relient K, Queens of the Stone Age, and Fenix TX. The Zoloft of indie rock, The Transit War delivers magnificent catchy hooks and terrifically raw rhythms with solid vocals. Simply stated, if you don’t own this album, you’re missing out on one of indie rock’s best adventures this year.
- J-Sin
Portable Folk Band — Introduces the Royal Postal Bazaar Buy it at Amazon
The Beatles are old man. Beck is tired and stopped being good several albums ago. That’s what you start to think once you’re done listening to the manic schizophrenic psychedelic folk rock weirdness called Portable Folk Band. Eclectic lyrical content that dapples in civil engineering, insects, robberies, debt, and telescopes—in other words themes you don’t often find on a rock album. It’s part indie rock, part art house, and very delicious. Fitting melodies help give it a repeat listen or fifty.
- J-Sin
Mike Nicolai — God Fatigue In the Post Atom Age Buy it at Amazon
Members of The Replacements, Son Volt, and the Gourds have contributed to some of the songs that Mike Nicolai has recorded over the years. His music is a roots folk apartment rock with intentionally lo-fi vibes. His vocals are spotty at times but it’s apparent that he doesn’t seek perfection but to show the flaws in the human condition. Bottling up his lyrics into a drinkable form would be impossible as he tabulates bizarre stories and experiences into a maze of crazy—but good crazy, ya know?
- J-Sin
Her Next Friend — New #2 Buy it at Amazon
Coming at me from my backyard in Northern Virginia, Her Next Friend percolate indie rock with pop-punk noodlings and garage rock raunchiness. They cover the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” and do it justice. There’s certainly elements of alternative rock that makes us all miss the ‘90’s and become all nostalgic and whatnot. Good tunes that would rock any small pub nicely.
- J-Sin
The Jolenes — Get It to Go Buy it at Amazon
I get that you’re three cute chicks who are trying to rock it out with a little pop-punk and rock ‘n’ roll. But you need more than two or three chords in a song. And you need to write lyrics that don’t seem like the scrawlings of a half-retarded ten year old. The a/a b/b rhyme schemes are so predictable it just makes you laugh. Yeah I thought “Clueless” was funny too.
- J-Sin
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