January 2010
16 posts
6 tags
Album Review: The Wonder Years - The Upsides
Posted on AlterThePress.com on January 20th 2010. If you’re looking for an upbeat pop-punk album, full of positive energy then The Wonder Years’ latest effort, ‘The Upsides’ is the album for you. From opening track ‘My Last Semester’, a lyrical theme of moving on is firmly established, as Dan “Soupy” Campbell states “I’m not sad anymore,...
Jan 31st
8 tags
Single Review Round-Up: Francesqa, Twin Atlantic &...
Posted on AlterThePress.com on January 23rd 2010. Francesqa - A Little Closer Limited Edition single on Pandy Cane Francesqa’s debut single was one of my personal favourites from our ‘2009 Autumn/Winter’ Compilation, which is now being released as a limited edition single, as part of their ‘Singles Club’. The single itself as 4 minutes of superb guitar powerpop, with...
Jan 29th
7 tags
Live Review: Brand New, Glassjaw & Thrice -...
Posted on AlterThePress.com on January 24th 2010 For some a line-up made up of these 3 bands tonight, is one that is from a dream, or one that is very rarely seen on these shores. However dreams do come true; for some, as Brand New, Thrice and Glassjaw, collectively play their biggest UK shows to date. Though the worry of an arena-based sound being a potential hazard, Thrice quickly showed that...
Jan 29th
6 tags
Album Review: John Candy - Conversations
Posted on AlterThePress.com in January 2010. With John Candy, Ant West and George Lindsay show the ability to step out of their pop-punk origins, as ‘Conversations’ is a sombre, mature indie-pop record. The former Tonight Is Goodbye, and now Futures pair, from start to finish provide a somewhat charming record, with tracks such as ‘Conversations’ and ‘Like...
Jan 29th
5 tags
Feature: 2010 Preview
Posted on AlterThePress.com in December 2009. 2009 was a ridiculously good year for music, which means 2010 has a lot to live up to. However there are a whole load of releases planned throughout the year. As we end one year and head into another, we thought we would take a look at just some of the releases for 2010. My Chemical Romance Things have been relatively quiet for the Newark, New Jersey...
Jan 29th
6 tags
Album Review: Motion City Soundtrack - My Dinosaur...
Posted on AlterThePress.com in January 2010. In my 2010 preview I predicted Motion City Soundtrack’s major label debut and the band’s fourth full-length would be rockier and darker. Within seconds of opener ‘Worker Bee’, I am quickly proved wrong as, the bands upbeat pop-punk is cleaner and brighter then ever before. Although the band have abandoned the synth-heavy side of...
Jan 29th
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5 tags
Interview: Portia Conn
Posted on AlterThePress.com on Friday January 22nd 2010. Late last year, 17 year old Portia Conn signed a deal with Tragic Hero Records and LAB Records. The deal will see Portia’s mature, light poppy sound being released on both sides of the Atlantic. Portia is kicking off 2010 with her debut single, ‘I Don’t Care’, a sweet and youthful number, that sets a good impression...
Jan 29th
5 tags
Interview: Scylla Records
Posted on AlterThePress.com in January 2010. 3 years ago Richard Hughes and Ross Packman formed Scylla Records, and has since gone to establish itself, as one of the top up and coming UK independent labels. With a back catalogue includes releases from US bands such as Valencia and Just Surrender, as well as UK bands like Out Of Sight and Scream! Shout! Say Nothing and Ella, the label has...
Jan 29th
6 tags
Album Review: I Hate My Ex - All Things That Are...
Posted on AlterThePress.com on January 7th 2010. Here at Alter The Press we get sent loads of records to review on a regular daily basis. Sometimes some records are just left for months without being touched and very rarely once these records are heard. You quickly realise you maybe should of listened to it sooner. Worcester, MA’s I Hate My Ex are an unsigned band who last October released...
Jan 17th
6 tags
Album Review: SpeakYourHeart - This Is How We...
Posted on AlterThePress.com on January 9th 2010. Speakyourheart provide a different take on the post-hardcore genre on ‘This Is How We Communicate’, as the band swap loud, crunching guitars for more melodic, acoustic ones. From the start, you quickly realise this idea, gives the band more space for their vocals and lyrics to breathe. In addition to this tracks like ‘This Is The...
Jan 17th
6 tags
Album Review: You Me At Six - Hold Me Down
Posted on AlterThePress.com on January 17th 2010. Many people are saying 2010 is going to be the year of You Me At Six, and why shouldn’t it be? 2009 saw the band signing a US deal with Epitaph Records, playing on the established Warped Tour, being part of the high-profile Alternative Press Fall Ball tour, and eventually capping the year off as the main support act on Paramore’s sold...
Jan 17th
5 tags
Interview: Pandy Cane
Posted on AlterThePress.com on January 4th 2009 Alter The Press! talked to Tom Bennett of UK-based fashion and music brand, Pandy Cane. Formed in late 2007 as a clothing label, Pandy Cane has firmly established itself as a underground, independent clothing label. More recently Tom has decided to expand the brand towards music. Although Pandy Cane has a long standing relationship with bands such...
Jan 4th
7 tags
Single Review: Portia Conn - I Don't Care
Posted on AlterThePress.com in January 2010. Throughout 2009 LAB Records grew in status and their roster. One of the their new signings was 17-year-old singer/songwriter Portia Conn, who despite only ever playing 3 shows, manage to bag a deal with both LAB and US label, Tragic Hero. With a EP set for a summer release, Portia teases us with her debut single, ‘I Don’t Care’ next...
Jan 3rd
6 tags
Album Review: Daylight - Sinking
Posted on AlterThePress.com in December 2009. Powerful, raw 90’s-influenced post-hardcore is the basis for Doylesville, Pennsylvania’s Daylight. This 5-track EP called ‘Sinking’ from start to finish, with their influences such as Hot Water Music and Jawbreaker shamelessly showing throughout with ‘Enough’ opening the EP at a fierce pace with passionate delivery...
Jan 3rd
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Album Review: For The Common Wealth - This Is...
Posted on AlterThePress.com in December 2009 London-based solo artist For The Common Wealth is known in some circles as the ex-singer of the now defunct band, Tonight Is Goodbye. ‘This Is Where I’ve Been’ is FTCW’s 2nd album, a self-produced, self-released (and free) record that is more or less your usual acoustic emo-pop, that comes in at a bit too long at 40 minutes....
Jan 3rd
6 tags
Album Review: Kyoto Drive - This Is All We Ever...
Posted on AlterThePress.com in December 2009 First of all I want to start off this review, by apologising to the band for taking so long to write this review. ‘This Is All We Ever Wanted’ was recorded last summer, sent to me in October and left on my desk till December, which is unfortunate because this Birmingham pop-punk 4 piece have came on leaps and bounds since their...
Jan 3rd