May 2012
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Interview: Diamond
With a mix sensible pop harmonies and driving feelgood guitars, Baltimore alt-rockers Diamond have quietly been building a strong following online with two free digital releases; ‘DMND’ EP and ‘Don’t Lose Your Cool’.
Having written songs by sending material back and forth between Baltimore, Chicago, and Richmond and with the bands sunny upbeat style, Diamond is...
April 2012
2 posts
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Interview: I Can See Mountains
Hailing from Buffalo, New York I Can See Mountains have quietly been making a name for themselves in their short time together. Their latest release ‘Hope You Never Get It’is a bold, thriving collection of indie punk rock that quickly leaves an impression.
With a sound that resembles early Taking Back Sunday and Brand New, the quintet take that rawness and combine it with their...
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Album Review: No Motiv - Winterlong EP
Eight years is a long time for a band to be away. However California’s No Motiv have returned with a new EP,‘Winterlong’ and after such a lengthy period away, they sound refreshed and hungry as they deliver six alt-rock songs that are well-executed.
‘Beginning From the End’ and ‘Dead as the Day’ carry themselves along with an upbeat tempo and confident vocals from Jeremy Palaszewski. [[MORE]]
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March 2012
5 posts
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Album Review: MxPx - Plans Within Plans
Published in Stencil Magazine: Issue 12 on March 20th 2012.
“Plans Within Plans” is Bremerton, Washington’s MxPx’s ninth studio album and with a career now stretching nearly 20 years, the pop-punk group aren’t showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon, as “Plans Within Plans” is 13 songs of blistering, energetic punk that unfortunately doesn’t dare to step out of its...
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Album Review: Sharks - No Gods
Published in Stencil Magazine: Issue 12 on March 20th 2012.
Having spent the best of part of eighteen months touring on and off in both America and the United Kingdom, Leamington Spa’s SHARKS are now set to release their debut full-length “No Gods.” With the record being released by currently popular Rise Records (Man Overboard, Transit, Of Mice and Men, Hot Water Music and more) and being...
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Album Review: Swound! - Into The Sea
Published in Stencil Magazine: Issue 12 on March 20th 2012.
Nottingham-based band Swound! have quietly been making a name for themselves over the last few years with sporadic EP and single releases, all which have received favourable attention from a number of publications and websites, as well as an appearance on Nickelodeon’s Yo Gabba Gabba. Now in 2012, the quartet are ready to unleash...
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Album Review: Say Anything - Anarchy, My Dear
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on March 13th 2012.
Since forming in 2000, the career of Say Anything has been a rollercoaster ride; from the label bidding war following the release ofMenorah/Majora to the well-documented personal troubles of frontman Max Bemis to parting ways with RCA after releasing their 2009 self-titled album.
Now in 2012, Bemis and company have found a new home in Equal...
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Album Review: Pentimento/Young English - Split EP
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on March 7th 2012.
With both bands releasing well-received EP’s late last year, New York’s Pentimento and Young English have teamed up to release an eight-track split through Panic Records. For fans of both bands, this split sees them keeping up the momentum previous releases had. While for new fans, it is an ideal introduction.
Buffalo’s Pentimento open up the...
February 2012
2 posts
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Album Review: The Audition - Chapter II
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on February 19th 2012.
After parting ways with Victory Records in July 2010, the future for Chicago pop-rockers The Audition was unknown; so much so that some fans were led to believe the band had called it a day. However now in February 2012, the band have returned albeit a slight line-up change; Joe Lussa has re-joined on bass and Jimmy Lopez has replaced the...
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Announcement: Play Crack The Sky Music Becomes...
I’m pleased to announce Play Crack The Sky Music has a new name and is now called Already Heard.
Please head on over to AlreadyHeard.com. The full site will be launching in the coming months.
We’re also on Twitter and on Facebook.
Please feel free to contact me at the following address: sean@alreadyheard.com.
January 2012
3 posts
6 tags
Album Review: The Saddest Landscape - After The...
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...
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Album Review: Young English - I Hate My Friends
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...
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Feature: Albums of the Year (2011)
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...
December 2011
2 posts
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Album Review: Gallows - Death Is Birth EP
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...
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Interview: Lazy Bear Records (Sebastian Simone)
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...
November 2011
8 posts
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Album Review: O'Brother - Garden Window
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...
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Album Review: Various - Punk Goes Pop Volume 4
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...
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Album Review: Diamond - Don’t Lose Your Cool
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...
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Album Review: Such Gold/A Loss For Words - Split...
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...
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Album Review: The Tower and The Fool - XIII
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...
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Album Review: Four Year Strong - In Some Way,...
Posted on Under The Gun Review on Tuesday, November 8 2011.
Excuse me while I start this review with a bold statement. You know this whole Pop Punk resurgence that’s been growing over the last 18 months or so? Well it’s going to end. I don’t know when, but like all trends, they eventually come down in terms of popularity. Sure, Pop Punk won’t die but the current height of its popularity...
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Album Review: Pianos Become The Teeth - The Lack...
Posted on Under The Gun Review on Saturday November 5th 2011.
With their previous release, Old Pride, Baltimore’s Pianos Become The Teeth created one of the best (but forgotten) records of 2010. Now as the band head into 2012, the follow-up, The Lack Long After doesn’t quite have the same zest and longevity as their last release.
On Old Pride, the quintet showcased a compelling blend of...
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Interview: Squid The Whale
Posted on Play Crack The Sky Music on Tuesday, November 1st 2011.
Detroit, Michigan’s Squid The Whale are slowly making a name for themselves as their brand progressive pop rock. Having recently release their first music video for The Greatest Way, and completing a US tour with Bright and Early, the quartet have been gathering momentum, something than begun with the release of their debut...
October 2011
6 posts
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Album Review: A Loss For Words - No Sanctuary
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on October 27th, 2011.
It has probably been said time and time again but 2011 has been the glorious return of Pop Punk. With notable releases from familiar bands like New Found Glory, Set Your Goals, Man Overboard, Tranist, This Time Next Year, The Wonder Years and to a lesser extent, Blink-182. On top of that, there has been numerous promising releases from up and...
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Album Review: Run For Cover - Mixed Signals
Posted on Play Crack The Sky Music on October 20th, 2011.
In 2011, label samplers/compilations are more or less the norm. However Run For Cover Records have taken a more sensible route with ‘Mixed Signals.’ Whilst some labels just sporadically throw out free samplers, RFC have taken the time and effort to treat this as a legitimate release. This is just one reason this compilation has...
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Interview: Bright and Early
Posted on Play Crack The Sky Music on October 17th, 2011.
With the release of their new EP (Getting Through It) imminent, Play Crack The Sky Music recently caught up with Bright and Early vocalist and guitarist John Browne (JB) to discuss the EP, joining up with Pacific Ridge Records, their cover of an Alkaline Trio classic and how they’re not accepted in the Pop-Punk scene.
To begin with...
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Interview: Time Spent
Posted on Play Crack The Sky Music on Thursday, October 6th 2011.
Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Time Spent are five-piece pop-punk band featuring members of Starters, Home Star Runner, Young Wolves and Anderson Mesa.
Formed together by a love for the pop-punk genre and inspired by more recent bands such as The Wonder Years, The Story So Far, and Turnover, Time Spent recently released a free...
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Album Review: Blink-182 - Neighborhoods
Posted on RockLouder.co.uk on September 30th, 2011.
>Comeback albums are often approached with a sense of caution and scepticism, and for pop-punk legends Blink-182, it’s no different.‘Neighborhoods’ is the trio’s first album in eight years and the first since their reformation in 2009. Whilst some fans may want the band to return to their classic sound; fast-paced,...
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Album Review: Rob Lynch - Rob Lynch EP
Posted on Play Crack The Sky Music on Tuesday October 4th, 2011.
Like many others in his field, Londoner Rob Lynch has ditched his former moniker of Lost On Campus infavour of his own name. Though there might be a change of name, thankfully Lynch still provides harmonious, sincere acoustic pop numbers by the dozen.
This self-titled effort sees Lynch picking up where he left off...
September 2011
9 posts
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Interview: Wayne Stadler (Pacific Ridge Records)
Posted on Play Crack The Sky Music on Friday, September 30th 2011.
Recently Pacific Ridge Records have released two new compilations. First of all the Ramona-based label released A Tribute To Alkaline Trio, a two-disc tribute to the Chicago punk group, which featured contributions from Into It. Over It., The Wonder Years, Punchline and Jonah Matranga, as well as several other up and coming...
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Introducing Play Crack The Sky Music
Earlier this month I founded a new alternative music website called Play Crack The Sky Music.
Please keep checking the site for interviews and reviews.
Sean
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Album Review: Into It. Over It. - Proper
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on Monday, September 26th 2011.
Into It. Over It’s Evan Weiss seems to be a busy man. After undergoing two projects; 52 Weeks, a project which saw Weiss write a new song every week for a year, and thenTwelve Towns, a series of songs influenced and based by Weiss’ travels, and released through numerous split ep’s. Add to that last years split record with Koji, and...
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Album Review: Man Overboard - Man Overboard
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on Friday, August 23rd 2011.
For New Jersey’s Man Overboard, last year’s Real Talk gained plenty of attention and praise. After all it proved to be a consicse collection of straight-up pop-punk songs. One year on, and the now five-piece (guitarist Wayne Wildrick re-joined the band earlier this year,) have the difficult task of producing a worthy follow-up.
...
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Album Review: Every Avenue - Bad Habits
Published in Stencil Magazine on September 20th, 2011.
Album number four for Michigan’s Every Avenue, and for those who have become tired with the cliché pitfalls similar US pop-rock acts; Mayday Parade, The Maine, We The Kings and so forth will be surprised with this latest effort from the quintet as ‘Bad Habits’ proves to be stellar collection of driving pop-rock.
From the...
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Album Review: The Horrible Crowes - Elsie
Published in Stencil Magazine on September 20th, 2011.
With most “side-projects” its inevitable that The Horrible Crowes’ Brian Fallon is always going to be compared to his Gaslight Anthem work in some form or another. In The Gaslight Anthem, Fallon has established himself as a charismatic frontman and acclaimed songwriter but with The Horrible Crowes, Fallon along with Gaslight Anthem...
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Album Review: Late In The Playoffs - Everything I...
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on Wednesday, September 14th 2011.
Every once in awhile an unknown band drops in your inbox and instantly grab your attention; and I don’t mean by some fancy hyped-up press release. When I heard “You Won’t” by Late In The Playoffs some months back, their radiant energy instantly won me over and got me interested in the Chicago group, so much to the point that I...
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Album Review: Kids In Glass Houses - In Gold Blood
Posted on RockLouder.co.uk on Thursday September 8th, 2011.
With their third full-length, Cardiff’s Kids In Glass Houses make the natural progression from emerging British alternative rockers to full-on, mainstream rock band that both widens there appeal and keeps their credibility in tact at the same time. As always, the Welsh five-piece show their capability of producing broad, anthemic...
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Live Review: Leeds Festival 2011
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on Saturday September 3rd, 2011.
EVENT: Leeds Festival 2011 DATE: August 26-28 LOCATION: Bramham Park
Despite the apparent lack of ticket sales, the annual Leeds Festival was a busy and satisfying weekend of music and comedy. With a mix of indie, punk rock, folk, dub step and more or less anything else you can think of, this year’s Leeds Festival was an eccentric...
August 2011
5 posts
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Feature: Reading and Leeds Festival 2011 Preview -...
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on Monday, August 22nd 2011.
This weekend, two of the biggest UK festivals take place. The annual Reading and Leeds Festivals have become a highlight for music fans, as year in, year out it showcases a valuable blend of established and emerging bands, as well as comedy acts.
Since Leeds Festival was paired with the established Reading Festival in 1999, the...
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Album Review: Into It. Over It. - Twelve Towns
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on August 11th, 2011.
Over the past 18 months, the output from Chicago’s Evan Thomas Weiss has been more than overwhelming. His Twelve Towns collection was originally released through numerous splits with the likes of Such Gold, Everything Everywhere and Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate). As a result of these splits receiving such good feedback, Weiss...
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Album Review: Alkaline Trio - Damnesia
Posted on RockLouder.co.uk on August 4th, 2011.
The idea of an Alkaline Trio acoustic record may not sound all that ‘punk’, nevertheless‘Damnesia’ is a record that is mostly for the fans who have stuck by the band throughout the years. Whilst the brash punk rock style is pretty much non-existent, it’s replaced by a sombre tone that fits the bands re-worked approach...
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Heartsounds - 'Drifter' Review on... →
Yesterday UnderTheGunReview.net posted my review of Heartsounds’ new album, ‘Drifter.
The review can be viewed here.
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Interview: Buddy Nielsen (Bayonet)
Posted on AlterThePress.com on July 30th 2011.
Note: The original source does not state that I am the writer, however I set up and put together the questions for the e-mail interview before I departed AlterThePress.com.
Alter The Press was lucky enough to speak to Buddy Nielsen of Bayonet about the origin of the band, signing to Mightier Than Sword Records and more. Alter The Press: All the...
July 2011
13 posts
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Album Review: The Dangerous Summer - War Paint
Posted on AlterThePress.com in July 2011.
Let’s admit it, The Dangerous Summer’s 2009 album, ‘Reach For The Sun’, was a revelation to many and it more or less came out of nowhere. However the problem with producing such a favorable and impressionable record like ‘Reach For The Sun,’ is that it can be difficult to produce a strong follow up. Nevertheless, The...
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Live Review: Man Overboard, The Living Daylights,...
Posted on AlterThePress.com in July 2011.
Tonight’s show sees Man Overboard taking a break from their UK tour with Polar Bear Club for a intimate headline show in Derby. Although a slightly smaller show, the organizers (Derby DIY Collective) pulled together an impressionable line-up. First up were local band, Directions with their Balance & Composure-esque sound which at times seemed...
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Album Review: Heartsounds - Drifter
Despite last year’s ‘Until We Surrender’ being a thorough punk rock release it ultimately looked like it didn’t receive the attention it deserved. Whilst Heartsounds could potentially changed their sound to fit the current DIY pop-punk resurgence, they have thankfully stick to their guns to provide and an exuberant punk rock record. ‘Drifter’ picks up where...
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With a heavy heart I must inform everyone that I am no longer part of Alter The Press. I would like to thank all of those involved in ATP, both past and present. I would especially like to thank Jon Ableson for giving me the opportunity to be part of the site from day one, and for letting me help it grow to what it has become today, I wish the site all the best for the future. I would also like to...
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Interview: Greg Attonito (Bouncing Souls)
Posted on AlterThePress.com on July 18th 2011.
Over the past 20 years, Greg Attonito has been best known as the vocalist for New Brunswick, New Jersey punk rock band, Bouncing Souls. Nevertheless earlier this month, Attonito released his debut solo album, ‘Natural Disaster.’ A laid back, acoustic record that sees Attonito taking a honest and heartfelt approach. Despite this solo...