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.
10. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light (Listen on Spotify)
After releasing a few less than favorable releases, Dave Grohl and company returned with an almighty blast in 2011 with “Wasting Light.” A straight-up rock album from a band that sound refreshed and reinvigorated. From the opening fiery“Burning Bridges,” to the hooky “Arlandria” to the thrashing “White Limo,” Foo Fighters’ seventh full-length is a consistent and strong record.
9. The Wonder Years - Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing (Listen on Spotify)
For many 2011 has belong to one genre, Pop Punk. While there has been numerous and worthwhile releases in the genre, none of them has stood out more than The Wonder Years’ latest record. “Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing”defines the bands style and approach; accessible lyrics with instant (mature) pop punk hooks. From the soaring “And Now I’m Nothing” to bold ”Local Man Ruins Everything,” “Suburbia…” has everything a Pop Punk fan wants, and more.
8. Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math (Listen on Spotify)
After producing two stunning records in “I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child” and“Mean Everything to Nothing,” Manchester Orchestra latest effort, “Simple Math” proved that the Atlanta, Georgia group are one of the most consistent groups today. “Simple Math” is a deep yet rewarding musical and lyrical journey, that has it mixture of warming, delicate moments (see “Deer”) and uplifting, satisfying parts (“Simple Math,”) which inevitably leave you hooked.
7. Great Cynics - Don’t Need Much (Listen on Spotify)
Despite a name change (from Cynics) and the transformation from a solo act to a trio, Great Cynics’ debut full-length turned out to be a sensible record that, fused folk and punk rock together and created an uplifting and honest sound that helplessly wins you over.
6. Basement - I Wish I Could Stay Here (Listen on Spotify)
On their debut full-length, Ipswich five-piece Basement somewhat ditched their Pop Punk style for a more post-hardcore/emo sound that takes its influences from bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and The Promise Ring. The outcome of this change was “I Wish I Could Stay Here,” a thorough, confident record that is well-paced and balances itself between louder, raspy moments and slower, smoother ones. Although the end result is somewhat surprising, it repeatedly leaves you hooked.
5. The Vaccines - What Did You Expect from The Vaccines? (Listen on Spotify)
Written off by some as another over-hyped NME indie band, The Vaccines’ fulfilled their hype and (over-)exposure with “What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?,” a record that on surface is your usual British indie rock record, but in tracks like“Norgaard” and “If You Wanna” are quick jangly guitar gems, that show their influences lean towards 80’s post-punk. Whereas “Wetsuit” and “Family Friend” are slow-burning, compelling tracks that gives the record variation. On the whole The Vaccines’ debut is a straight-forward record, that allows itself to have the right balance between favorable,lively melodies and necessary, engaging somber moments.
4. Thursday - No Devolución (Listen to on Spotify)
Before calling time on their 14 year long career, Thursday delivered an outstanding record in “No Devolución.” Their sixth album built on the expressive basis “Common Existence” provided, and combined it with a brilliantly executed atmospheric and textured sound. With a sensible, well-crafted mixture of light, softer moments (for example “Empty Glass”) and darker, musically thicker parts (“Magnets Caught in a Metal Heart”,) this New Jersey has left us with a highly satisfying record that, at times, leaves us stunned.
3. Bon Iver - Bon Iver (Listen on Spotify)
After receiving wide critical acclaim for their debut record, “For Emma, Forever Ago.” Bon Iver returned with their highly anticipated follow up in 2011. Thankfully“Bon Iver” delivered in abundance, as front man Justin Vernon provides with a potent, delicate record that thrives off its honest, sincere approach and subtle musical ambitiousness. Vernon and company gently take you on a gratifying musical journey, one that flows with much ease and warmly humbles you from start to finish.
2. Balance & Composure - Separation (Listen to on Spotify)
Following on from several acclaimed EP releases, Doylestown, PA’s Balance and Composure surpassed expectations with their debut full-length, “Separation.” A record that is brilliantly crafted and collectively radiant, with lyrical depth that adds to the bands endearing style.
1. The Horrible Crowes - Elsie (Listen on Spotify)
While side-projects at times prove to be indifferent and uninspiring, The Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon (along with guitar tech, Ian Perkins) blew us away with The Horrible Crowes’ highly compelling record, “Elsie.”
From the soothing opening moments of “Last Rites,” to the soulful “Go Tell Everybody,” and beyond, Fallon and Perkins humble, pristine musical approach and lyrical clarity repeatedly leaves you stunned and results in “Elsie” being a perfectly-tuned and accurately-timed record.
Top 5 EP’s
1. Late In The Playoffs - Everything I Know EP
2. Turnover - Turnover
3. Glassjaw - Coloring Book
4. Diamond - Don’t Lose Your Cool
5. The Tower and The Fool - XIII 7”
Top 3 Record Labels
1. Run For Cover Records
2. No Sleep Records
3. Hang Tight Records
Best Live Show: Jimmy Eat World “Clarity/Bleed American” - HMV Forum, London (22/6/11)
Most Anticipated Album for 2012: Say Anything - Anarchy, My Dear
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 biggest names in rock, indie and hip-hop have performed at the festival. From Oasis to Eminem to Iron Maiden to Blink-182, Reading and Leeds has consistently delivered in terms of headliners, whilst the smaller stages in recent years have played host to new bands that would soon become household names; Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand and All Time Low being strong examples of this.
For some, this year’s line-up isn’t as strong as last year’s and perhaps more importantly it is weaker than other UK festivals like T In The Park and Sonisphere, as well as European festivals. It’s a well-known fact that the UK festival market is crowded with smaller, less-established festivals feeling the affects. Nevertheless for the consumer, there is plenty of choice. However, as always, Reading and Leeds accommodates well to music fans, and with so many bands and acts playing six stages over three days, it means there is plenty to see.
However here at Under The Gun Review, we thought we’d give you a helping hand and recommend twenty-five must see bands.
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Posted on AlterThePress.com in June 2011.
Pop Punk - A genre that originates from mixing punk rock with pop sensibility. With its origins going back as the 70’s Punk Rock explosion and 80’s Hardcore, Pop Punk has grown out of its DIY settings to becoming a universally accepted genre, that continues to thrive in the alternative music scene.
For many people Pop Punk has influenced them in a variety of ways. For some it led them to discover new bands and new styles of music. For others it is a gateway into letting go, having fun and influencing the lifestyle they lead and the community they’re apart of.
In honour of Pop Punk Appreciation Day, here at Alter The Press we are taking the opportunity to celebrate the genre and asks a few friends what the genre means to them and their five essential bands.
READ THE FULL FEATURE HERE.
Posted on AlterThePress.com in May 2011.
In the year 2011 there are endless ways to promote your band, both online and offline. For new and hungry bands, it can be an advantage as well as confusing and with some many options, naive band members may not know the right way on how to get their music heard.
Some put heavy emphasis on their online presence through social networking, blogs, video updates, free downloads etc. So much so you get the impression that some bands care more about getting more followers on Twitter, then they do about their music. Whilst others go down the old-fashion route of playing show after show after show, ever improving and perfecting their choice of profession.
Of course when your band reaches a certain level, you receive help from band managers, PR companies and if you’re lucky, even a record label. However for bands starting out it can be difficult to get noticed and to get to that level where you have others helping you.
With so many different methods for bands to promote and present themselves, what is the most ideal method? Can bands find a right balance between online and offline by themselves?
We asked various individuals within the music industry on various aspects of how bands can promote themselves the right way. The likes of Jimmie Deeghan (Every Avenue), Jesse Cannon, Kevin Douch (BSM Records) and more disussed in depth on various issues such as is merchandise a necessity? Are online free releases affective? and much more.
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(Source: alterthepress.com)
Posted on AlterThePress.com on April 11th 2010.
Think back to a time when you counted down the days to your favourite bands new release and the anticipation you had making the journey to your local high street record shop. For me it brought a good feeling; buying a record then going home to listen with interest (and of course read the sleeve notes). However in the year 2011 that anticipation is fading away; with the dramatic growth of legal and illegal downloading, high street retailers are losing out.
Earlier this year the HMV group announced plans to close 40 of its stores within the UK, with a drop in Christmas profits one of the main reasons given. In addition recent figures show a decline in record sales; 2010 saw a fall of 12.4%. On face value it looks like the music-buying public are simply no longer buying. However in reality the truth is that fans are now using different methods to purchase music; legal downloading via services like iTunes, online retailers like Amazon and Play, as well through independent stores, labels and even the band themselves.
Whilst there is a decline in sales, the somewhat ironic fact is that 82% of album sales come from phyical purchases. Its a statement that shows that despite some peoples willingness to purchase online, a majority of fans still prefer to have a product but it does lead to the question why stores like HMV, Zavvi etc are in decline?
Alter The Press spoke to numerous individuals from several independent labels and record stores, to talk in-depth about how this decline will affect their business, how can independents survive and much more.
READ THE FULL FEATURE HERE.
Posted on AlterThePress.com on Monday January 17th 2011.
Last week a British newspaper, The Guardian, released an article that claimed rock was dead, after statistics revealed that only three “rock” singles made the top 100 best-selling singles of 2010. What followed next was a poorly researched piece, where the writer suggested that the major stadium rock act; in case the example used was Bon Jovi, would not be around for much longer and that ”Promoters are panicking” because of this. Whilst the three “rock” singles were Journey’s ’Don’t Stop Believin”, ’Hey, Soul Sister’ by Train and ’Dog Days are Over’ by Florence + the Machine; three tracks that are in my opinion more pop then rock.
I’ll admit rock music as a whole isn’t as “mainstream” as it was but to declare it “dead” is plainly ridiculous. Yes single sales are down, but in reality how influential and important is the single format in the digital age? For many bands I would think not much. Of course album sales do play a part in declaring a bands success but so does ticket sales, and from a fans perspective the live music sector is rather strong at the moment, with more bands touring more often and more festivals springing year after year.
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(Source: alterthepress.com)
Posted on Alter The Press! in December 2010.
Alter The Press! Studio Report is the latest addition to our features section and sees the site speaking to bands, who are currently in the studio working on their forthcoming release.
Band: O’Brother
Title: ’Garden Window’
Label: Favourite Gentlemen Recordings
Studio: Favourite Gentlemen Studios (Atlanta, Georgia)
Date Due: March/April 2011
Website: beneathyourgardenwindow.com
The first ‘Studio Report’ sees ATP! catching up with Atlanta, GA experimental rockers O’Brother.
Having spent much of 2010 on the road with the likes of Circa Survive, The Felix Culpa, and Biffy Clyro, the five-piece recently entered the studio to work with Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull and Robert McDowell to work on their first full-length, and the follow up to their 2008 release ’The Death of Day’.
Guitarist Tanner Merritt spoke to Alter The Press to give us an update on the recording of new record titled ‘Garden Window’, working with Hull and McDowell, the bands musical progression and more.
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(Source: alterthepress.com)
Posted on AlterThePress.com in July 2010.
With their return to the UK imminent, we thought Good Charlotte’s 2002 breakthrough album, ‘The Young and The Hopeless’ would be the ideal candidate for the latest ‘On Our Stereo’ instalment.
Back in 2002 the mainstream “pop-punk” scene was dominated by blink-182 and Sum 41. Like them, Maryland’s Good Charlotte were influenced by bands like NOFX and Social Distortion. The band’s 2000 self-titled debut got left in the shuffle with numerous other bands within the genre.
With ‘The Young and The Hopeless’, the Madden twins and company took a more guitar-based pop approach and saw the band work with producer Eric Valentine, who had previously worked with Smash Mouth and Third Eye Blind. Lyrically the band built upon the catchy pop-punk style that was seen on their previous effort, and incorporating an accessible, “mainstream” sound that would ultimately prove to be a winning combination.
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Posted on AlterThePress.com in July 2010.
Hailing from Dublin, Ireland pop-punk quartet Starters are the latest in a long of line bands to bring back the genre back to its DIY roots. Influenced by the likes of Title Fight and Tigers Jaw, the band got together late last year after several years playing in hardcore bands, as bassist/vocalist Ian Kelly recalls: “We had all been involved in the Dublin Hardcore scene for a long time. I think Ian (Fox - guitars/vocals) was talking about how he would love to do a band that sounds like Tigers Jaw and Ciarán (Parnell - guitars/vocals) and myself were both down so we took it from there.”
With the addition of Anthony Kelly (no relation to Ian) on drums shortly after and the band quickly realised it was going to work. “We’d been involved in the scene a long time and been in various bands but never with each other. I really liked the idea of being in a band with these lads where we could all sing together and bring our various vocal styles to the table. After jamming together a couple of times I was so excited about this band. says Ciarán.
The bands instant connection led to the creation of their 4-track demo, which was recorded in the lead up to their first gig. Ian Kelly told us how the demo came together; “The demo basically came together in the weeks leading up to our first show which was in March this year. Ciarán and Ian both had a bunch of really cool ideas. We recorded the whole thing between our practice space and Ciarán’s bedroom.” “We basically scrambled four songs together pretty quickly from various bits that Foxy and I had.” Parnell remembers.
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Posted on AlterThePress.com in April 2010
Nearly a year after its US release and its UK release approaching, along with the bands first UK shows imminent, we thought it’d be the ideal time to feature The Dangerous Summer’s debut album‘Reach For The Sun’.
The young Maryland quartet bring about a refreshing and motivating approach to the pop-rock genre, as ‘Reach For The Sun’ from start to finish makes you feel good. Tracks like ‘Where You Want To Be’,‘Settle Down’ and ‘Symmetry’ are upbeat with a youthful tone that hints lyrical maturity; partly introspective and partly escapist, as you get the feel that AJ Perdomo and company want to elsewhere.
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