Posted on Under The Gun Review on Sunday, January 15th 2012.
On first listen it’s clear why Boston’s The Saddest Landscape are part of the Topshelf Records roster, they have an abrasive post-hardcore sound that doesn’t hold back. It’s also no surprise that their past releases include split EP’s with Pianos Become The Teeth and We Were Skeletons, which should give you a general idea of what to expect with The Saddest Landscape.
Their latest release, ‘After The Lights’ is a blistering 24 minute tour-de-force of frantic post-hardcore screamo that instantly grabs your attention. ‘In Love With The Sound’ opens the record with delicate guitar plucks before bursting through with rolling, pummelling drums and stabbing guitars. It’s a combination that is instantaneous, and with the bands use of aggressive vocals, it adds to the bands overall energy and sets the tempo for what is to follow.
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Posted on Play Crack The Sky Music on December 2nd, 2011.
Listening to “Neighbors,” the opening track from Young English’s new EP, “I Hate My Friends,” it is clear that the Orange County, New York band are influenced by post-millennium alt-pop rock bands such as Hot Rod Circuit, Saves The Day and The Get Up Kids. As “Neighbors” is a bright, thriving number that neatly sets the tone for this four-track release.
“Anchors” is next and keeps up the momentum, as Young English show an effective blend of melody and upbeat tempo. Whilst the bands guitar tone hints a mid-90’s emo sound. It’s a sound that is pleasing and highly favourable, and “New England” takes on a similar approach.
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Posted on Play Crack The Sky Music in December 2011.
2011 has been another incredible year for music. From stunning debuts to compelling and concise finales, the “alternative” music world has been spoiled by an abundance of superb albums over the past 12 months.
Although there has been more than plenty of notable releases, compiling a list of the 10 best has, as always, proved to be a difficult task. Releases from the likes of Thrice, Into It. Over It., Patrick Stump, New Found Glory, Seahaven, Man Overboard and several others are unfortunate to miss out on our top 10. Nevertheless those releases, along with the following 10 records just show how outstanding 2011 was for music.
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Posted on Under The Gun Review on Tuesday, December 6th 2011.
Earlier this year Frank Carter stunned fans by announcing he was leaving London Hardcore Punk mob, Gallows. Carter stated that the band were in a creative crossroads, and his ideas differed from the others. Shortly after Carter’s announcement, acclaimed Canadian post-hardcore group Alexisonfire disbanded with vocalist George Pettit stating two members had departed, and had ultimately led to the band splitting up. Wade MacNeil was one of those two members (City & Colour’s Dallas Green being the other,) and within days he was announced as Carter’s replacement in Gallows.
So you’re now up to date, how does Gallows version 2.0 sound? Well with Death is Birth coming in at a short 8 minutes, it could be considered to be a difficult task. Nevertheless MacNeil and company make an instant and heavy impact with “Mondo Chaos,” a riff-filled number with clear intentions showing this band are reinvigorated and passionate about what they’re doing. Whilst MacNeil quickly shows he is perfect replacement, as his raw vocals tear through the bands rough, thriving hardcore punk sound. Lyrically the band haven’t lost their way, with MacNeil declaring “Hey! Say fuck the world! I say it’s already fucked!“
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Posted on Play Crack The Sky Music on Thursday, December 1st, 2011.
With their “Definitive Guide to Pop-Punk 2011” compilation being released today, Play Crack The Sky Music recently spoke to Sebastian Simone of UK-based Pop-Punk label, Lazy Bear Records.
“Definitive Guide to Pop-Punk 2011” is Lazy Bear’s first release and will feature tracks from familiar and unknown UK bands such as Paige, Fine Young Firecrackers, Who’s Driving? Bear’s Driving!, Next Stop Atlanta, A Day Overdue, Maycomb and more.
Simone spoke to PCTS Music about how Lazy Bear Records started, how the compilation came together, the label’s clothing line and involvement with the Hauser Bears charity, why Pop-Punk has made a comeback and more.
How did Lazy Bear Records start?
We founded Lazy Bear Records for a final year university project in Spring 2011 on a music management course. Following the founders graduating in June (with 1st class honours just to add!) we decided to carry on the label, which has been functioning as a real venture for almost 4 months now.
You’ve recently announced plans to release a compilation entitled “Lazy Bear’s.” First of all, where did the idea come from?
We wanted our first release as a label to be something that would get some good, great exposure and in order to do that, apart from the resources and capabilities we have, we wanted to get some really enthusiastic bands involved who would not only help expose the label, but also get some well deserved recognition themselves.
We’re really passionate about pop-punk music here at Lazy Bear HQ and we know there’s some awesome talent, particularly here in the UK, so we took this opportunity to basically help push the UK pop-punk scene.
How did the compilation come together?
The compilation took a while to get rolling. As a start-up label our credibility was pretty low and we were getting a lot of ‘maybes’ and ‘who else is involved’ responses, which ultimately slowed down the process a lot. After we got a a few of the bigger bands confirmed, the rest sort of fell into place. Now we’re stoked about the line-up. We’re working with some amazing bands!
Is there any reason the compilation only has UK bands?
We wanted the 2011 compilation, our first release, to be focused on promoting UK bands. Like we said before, we know there’s so many amazing UK artists and we just want to give them some of the recognition they deserved.
The compilation has both familiar and unknown bands, what bands are you especially excited about?
We’re big fans of the pop-punk music scene and had done some extensive research into who we wanted on the compilation. Admittedly, we wanted to keep it to around 13 tracks, but once we had the credibility factor from a few of those familiar bands confirming, the rest flooded in. We’re very excited about Sell Your Sky, these boys are incredibly talented and are going to be doing some awesome things in 2012.
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Posted on Under The Gun Review in November 2011.
On O’Brother’s last effort, 2009′s The Death of Day EP, the Atlanta, Georgia group produced a mix of layered alt-rock and post-rock, which resulted in a collection well-crafted, emotionally charged songs and on the whole, showed a lot of promise.
Two years on, the bands debut full-length, Garden Window sees the quintet growing and taking a huge step forward, as they take you on an intriguing, hour-long musical journey that goes back and forth from experimental to indie rock to softer, (slightly) ambient moments.
One of the first things you’ll notice on Garden Window is how much darker, intense O’Brother sound. From the opening fuzzy guitar chords of “Malum;” you’re welcomed with a thick, edgier sound that on first listen is discomforting yet compelling. Nevertheless “Malum” gives way to “Lo;” a vibrant, energetic number that takes the fuzzy guitar tone of the opener and combines it with a thriving energetic tempo and suitable melody, which gives it a (slightly) much needed sense of calm.
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Posted on Play Crack The Sky Music on November 23rd, 2011.
Fearless Records’ “Punk Goes…” series hasn’t always been welcomed with open arms by critics but with this being volume four of it’s “…Goes Pop” collection, it’s clear that fans continue to eat up these compilations that have never really been all that “Punk.”
The money-spinning fourth volume is your usual mix of post-hardcore, screamo, and (accessible) pop-punk bands putting their own spin on a number of radio hits over the last twelve months or so.
As always there is a mix bag, some of the offerings on show are truly disastrous but are expected from the band performing the cover. For example For All Those Sleeping’s take on Taylor Swift’s “You Belong To Me” keeps the bright, feel-good chorus of the original, but unfortunately mix it with horrible electronic swirls and heavy, nasty breakdowns that ruin the chance of the cover becoming passable.
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Posted on Under The Gun Review on Monday, November 22nd 2011.
One year on from their demo EP, Diamond are back with their second offering; Don’t Lose Your Cool; a seven-track mix of upbeat alt-rock with sensible pop harmonies, something which is an exit for members of this band, as it features members from two Hardcore bands; Down to Nothing and Trapped Under Ice.
Nevertheless Don’t Lose Your Control certainly rectifies the idea that Diamond is a separate project and does not come close in comparing to either of those bands. Much like their previous EP, Don’t Lose Your Control provides summery alt-rock that flows along a steady, feel-good pace.
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Posted on Under The Gun Review on Monday, November 14th 2011.
The thought of two of the best up and coming Pop Punks releasing a split 7-inch with two popular and emerging DIY labels, sounds incredibly exciting. The two bands in question are Rochester, New York’s Such Gold and Boston, Massachusetts’ A Loss For Words. Both are bands that have slowly and firmly been gathering on both sides of the Atlantic for the best part of 18 months.
The four-track split is jointly being released by two of the most well-respected DIY labels at the moment. No Sleep Records is home to the likes of Into It. Over It., Koji, Aficionado, Santah, Touché Amore and more. Whilst Mightier Than Sword Records is better known for re-pressing releases from Blink-182, The Ataris and The Movielife, but it’s roster does have notable name such as Bayonet, Last Call and So Many Ways.
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(Source: underthegunreview.net)
Posted on Play Crack The Sky Music in November 2011.
Before I start this review, I must state that before hearing The Tower and The Fool, I was unfamiliar vocalist Alex Correia’s previous group, Therefore I Am, something I am going to change as soon as possible, because if his voice as superb as it is on these two songs, I’m going to be impressed.
Nonetheless The Tower and The Fool is Correia’s post-Therfore I Am band and XIII is the bands first release since their self-titled mini-album of late 2010.
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