Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Meltdown 1.15
A very special Christmas episode featuring holiday music from House of Heroes, Emery, MxPx, and Queens Club
Top 10 Favorite One and Done Tooth and Nail/Solid State Bands
Next week I'm going to rock Top 10 Christmas theme lists. This week it's my favorite bands who only released one album on Tooth and Nail and Solid State Records.
Honorable Mention: Spitfire
Spitfire is a great band. Their 3 post Solid State albums are absolutely phenomenal and Please Don't Go Out Tonight from The Dead Next Door is one of my favorite metalcore songs ever. But to be honest, The Dead Next Door has never been an album I loved.
10. Too Bad Eugene
While Too Bad Eugene was promoted as a pop punk band who was formerly signed to MxPx’s label, Rock City, the band was much more then a cheap MxPx punk knock off. Moonlighting was 3-5 years ahead of it’s time. A couple of years later when bands like Fallout Boy and Motion City Soundtrack started hitting big and Too Bad Eugene could’ve been a big ticket for T&N.
9. Poor Old Lu
It only made sense that Poor Old LU would eventually put out a record on the Nail. Christian’s alternative rock giants released one reunion album on T&N, The Waiting Room. With two catchy singles in Revolve and Crushed, The Waiting Room brought Poor Old Lu new fans.
8. Waking Ashland
Composure is probably the best record Tooth and Nail has put out that you haven’t heard. Piano driven adult rock/emo, I’m a little shocked this record didn’t do better then it did, although it did help the band land a deal with Immortal records. While lyrically a little hollow at times, musically Waking Ashland is what I had always hoped Mae would be. Just catchy and beautiful songs.
7. The Agony Scene
The Agony Scene’s self-titled debut is a metalcore beauty. Heavy Zao influence, which I love. The band put out one record on Solid State mostly because the band’s renouncing of Christianity. And while they released music post Solid State, nothing was ever as heavy or nearly as good as their self-titled debut.
6. Life In Your Way
I caught wind of Life In Your Way far past the bands break-up. People loved their record and continued to talk about it enough for me to pick it up. Waking Giants is melodic metalcore perfection. It’s what Means second record should’ve been. A good band I wish I would’ve discovered sooner.
5. AP2
AP2, the second coming of Argyle Park. While industrial was never a huge genre and it’s minor popularity had all but passed when Suspension of Disbelief came out, AP2 still delivered a musical masterpiece. Each song had it’s own personality and you never knew what was going to hit your stereo next. The vocal talents of Joel Bell and Mark Salomon are great and Resurrection of the Ravens is such a killer song.
4. Society’s Finest
Society’s Finest was advertised as the band for fans who were upset about Embodyments change in sound. And to be fair Kris McCaddon was in the band. But The Journey So Far was far more a metalcore record then the great death metal of Embrace the Eternal. While I The Drunkards took on an even more metalcore feel and was the bands best work, The Journey So Far is still a fantastic record and an underrated one.
3. Driver Eight
Driver Eight had one fantastic record and was done. Watermelon is alternative rock at it’s finest. I don’t know a whole lot about the band but I do know Watermelon is one of the best rock records T&N ever released.
2. Frodus
Frodus were underground DC punk legends before they ever signed with T&N. They put out one record with the label, and though not their best, Conglomerate International is pure DC punk frenzy. While the band signing to Tooth and Nail did and still has people scratching their heads, there’s no denying that Conglomerate International is a fantastic punk album.
1. Beloved
If you haven’t heard Failure On, you’re really missing out. Just a great post-hardcore/melodic hardcore record. While their Running EP really showcased how good Beloved could be, Failure On was one of those records that really was perfect start to finish. Great guitar riffs, heavy at moments, and just all around beautiful. It’s a shame this band never released a second album.
Honorable Mention: Spitfire
Spitfire is a great band. Their 3 post Solid State albums are absolutely phenomenal and Please Don't Go Out Tonight from The Dead Next Door is one of my favorite metalcore songs ever. But to be honest, The Dead Next Door has never been an album I loved.
10. Too Bad Eugene
While Too Bad Eugene was promoted as a pop punk band who was formerly signed to MxPx’s label, Rock City, the band was much more then a cheap MxPx punk knock off. Moonlighting was 3-5 years ahead of it’s time. A couple of years later when bands like Fallout Boy and Motion City Soundtrack started hitting big and Too Bad Eugene could’ve been a big ticket for T&N.
9. Poor Old Lu
It only made sense that Poor Old LU would eventually put out a record on the Nail. Christian’s alternative rock giants released one reunion album on T&N, The Waiting Room. With two catchy singles in Revolve and Crushed, The Waiting Room brought Poor Old Lu new fans.
8. Waking Ashland
Composure is probably the best record Tooth and Nail has put out that you haven’t heard. Piano driven adult rock/emo, I’m a little shocked this record didn’t do better then it did, although it did help the band land a deal with Immortal records. While lyrically a little hollow at times, musically Waking Ashland is what I had always hoped Mae would be. Just catchy and beautiful songs.
7. The Agony Scene
The Agony Scene’s self-titled debut is a metalcore beauty. Heavy Zao influence, which I love. The band put out one record on Solid State mostly because the band’s renouncing of Christianity. And while they released music post Solid State, nothing was ever as heavy or nearly as good as their self-titled debut.
6. Life In Your Way
I caught wind of Life In Your Way far past the bands break-up. People loved their record and continued to talk about it enough for me to pick it up. Waking Giants is melodic metalcore perfection. It’s what Means second record should’ve been. A good band I wish I would’ve discovered sooner.
5. AP2
AP2, the second coming of Argyle Park. While industrial was never a huge genre and it’s minor popularity had all but passed when Suspension of Disbelief came out, AP2 still delivered a musical masterpiece. Each song had it’s own personality and you never knew what was going to hit your stereo next. The vocal talents of Joel Bell and Mark Salomon are great and Resurrection of the Ravens is such a killer song.
4. Society’s Finest
Society’s Finest was advertised as the band for fans who were upset about Embodyments change in sound. And to be fair Kris McCaddon was in the band. But The Journey So Far was far more a metalcore record then the great death metal of Embrace the Eternal. While I The Drunkards took on an even more metalcore feel and was the bands best work, The Journey So Far is still a fantastic record and an underrated one.
3. Driver Eight
Driver Eight had one fantastic record and was done. Watermelon is alternative rock at it’s finest. I don’t know a whole lot about the band but I do know Watermelon is one of the best rock records T&N ever released.
2. Frodus
Frodus were underground DC punk legends before they ever signed with T&N. They put out one record with the label, and though not their best, Conglomerate International is pure DC punk frenzy. While the band signing to Tooth and Nail did and still has people scratching their heads, there’s no denying that Conglomerate International is a fantastic punk album.
1. Beloved
If you haven’t heard Failure On, you’re really missing out. Just a great post-hardcore/melodic hardcore record. While their Running EP really showcased how good Beloved could be, Failure On was one of those records that really was perfect start to finish. Great guitar riffs, heavy at moments, and just all around beautiful. It’s a shame this band never released a second album.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Rocky Loves Emily - American Dream
The Warp Tour, Pop Punk, Emo scene has passed me by. I feel really irrelevant about modern rock music. DC's two rock stations are stuck in the late 80's/early 90's. So whatever might be popular with the Hot Topic, teen scene hitting Warp tour is not something I find myself consuming on a regular. But Tooth and Nail's latest band, Rocky Loves Emily, seems like a band signed 6 months to a year behind a trend. While Tooth and Nail has had some good recent signings and put out handful of records this year from new bands with tons of potential, Rocky Loves Emily isn't one of those bands in my opinion.
American Dream is an ep of songs I've heard over the last 5 years from various emo/pop punk acts. American Dream isn't anything original or at least interesting to my ears.
But like Family Force Five, Attack Attack, and you know, every band on RIse Records, Rocky Loves Emily is a band that will probably do really well with the younger audience. While it's a trend and style of music that escapes my ears and my likes, American Dream is a well produced ep full of songs about teenage love, played in that upbeat emo rock sound that is popular.
While I wish Tooth and Nail would sign and release more records like they used, 90's alt rock and early 2000's punk aren't big money makers and Mr Ebel is running a business. While I don't enjoy American Dream, I see Rock Loves Emily being a big band for the label. Fans of We Are Kings, Cobra Starship, and other bright colored shirt emo bands will love American Dream.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
As They Sleep - Dynasty
It took me about 10 seconds to fall in love with As They Sleep's debut Blacken the Sun. A simply solid tech death metal album. Dynasty didn't grab me right away.
While my first time through the record didn't have me falling in love with the album, by the third time through I was sold. It's nice to hear a very technical death metal record and not have to hear breakdown after breakdown. A metal record with no core attached to it is very nice.
Right from the get go, Dynasty is fast and heavy. The drums keep a fast pace, and while super triggered replaced drums normally annoy me, in this genre, on this album it works for me. It's expected and that's fine to me. Aaron Bridgewater's vocals are on point. From his low death metal growls to his high pitched screaming there's never a dull moment vocally. While the riffs aren't anything to write home about, the guitars are solid. The album has just enough melodic moments to keep it from being stale, without ever losing it's heaviness. There are no clean vocals, which almost come standard on metal records these days.
While my quibbles with this record are minor, there is a couple. First is the lack of guitar solos. Attila has one and it's nice but the overall record is lacking solos and my favorite part of metal is the guitar solo. My other issue is minor and it's only an issue because it's clichés. Dynasty does have the standard, low-key instrumental track in the middle of the record. While it's not terrible and doesn't offend me, it's just so cliché that I sigh when I hear it.
Overall Dynasty is great. While I've come to appreciate deathcore a little bit this year (In the Midst of Lions), it is very nice to hear a record that isn't held in this dimension of having to have breakdowns to please the kids. It's the heaviest album Solid State has put out in year. Death metal fans will want to give this album a listen.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Your Memorial - Atonement
As I've stated a hundred times on this site, Facedown Records has killed it in 2010. It's been amazing record, after amazing record this year. There last release of the year, Your Memorial's label debut Atonement, is no different and one of the best.
Atonement is going to remind fans of Misery Signals. Instantly when the album started that's where my brain went, and that's a good thing. While fans of the band's debut Seasons will probably be disappointed with the lack of complete metal onslaught, their new direction and shift in sound as been pulled off perfectly.
Endeavor For Purpose and Hope Era kick the record off with a punch. Both super intense hardcore tracks, with some killer melodic guitar riffs that take the edge off just enough. Desolation is a nice instrumental piece that bleeds right into the title track, Atonement. If the first 2 tracks didn't remind you of Misery Signals, Atonement will. From the tom rolls on the intro, to the guitar riffs, this songs screams Misery Signals.
Surface offers a slight change of pace. The track reminds me of A Hope For Home's latest and the clean vocals on the hook of the song are done real well. My favorite song on the album.
Production is far better then Seasons. The drums sound amazing, the guitar riffs are nice and chunky and Blake's vocals are solid. This is hardcore done right.
Atonement doesn't break any new ground musically but it's done well. Your Memorial has put out a memorable album and one that should be missed. Yes, you could argue that it's a christian Misery Signals but it's not completely fair. While it's derivative, it's not a copy cat. Fans of Misery Signals, A Hope for Home, and Hands will love this album. It's a great hardcore album.
Top 10 Favorite Fall/Winter Albums
As the seasons change and the weather cools, so do my music choices. With Fall and Winter I look for a warmer, lush soundtrack for the cool evening car rides and just chilling at the house by the fire. Here are my favorite go to Fall/Winter albums.
10. Ester Drang – Infinite Keys
Infinite Keys is a terribly underrated album. When it came out it was beloved but I feel like over time, it’s been a little forgotten. The sweeping strings, simple drums, beautifully laid Rhodes piano, Ester Drang really put together a masterpiece. The album’s closing track, I Don’t Want to Live (In A World of Infinite Keys) is just breathtaking.
9. Denison Witmer – Philadelphia Songs
Philadelphia Songs is Denison Witmer’s best. I have this record on white vinyl and it sounds amazing. Just great, sad songs. Put the record on with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and you have a nice evening.
8. Unwed Sailor – The Faithful Anchor
The Faithful Anchor was the first instrumental/post-rock album I ever picked up. Not the most calming and beautiful post rock record and not the most technical and mathy but there’s something very calming about the album. Johnathon Ford’s bass playing is incredible on this album. Maybe because both band name and album title involve the idea of ships and sailing that I like this record so much.
7. Saxon Shore – The Exquisite Death of Saxon Shore
Saxon Shore knows how to create incredible records. After 2 stellar eps the bands first full-length, The Exquisite Death, really knocked it out of the park. While this record isn’t completely laid back, the moments where the band builds to a crescendo are absolutely amazing. How We Conquered The Western World on Horseback is a song that always makes me think of being out in the cool autumn air, with leaves on the ground.
6. LN – Novel
Novel is Beautiful. Cars Must Burn to this day remains a song that I could listen to for hours on end. Dream pop at it’s finest.
5. Sigur Ros – ( )
Sigur Ros’ untitled album is an absolute thing of beauty. While Takk was an equally amazing follow up record, ( ) holds a special place in my heart. Just a beautiful and spiritual record.
4. Over the Rhine – Ohio
Ohio is two discs full of amazing songs. Ohio was also my introduction to Over the Rhine. The songs remind me of late at night in a smoke filled bar (which doesn’t exist in America anymore). There’s something beautiful about the torment in these songs. There’s a lot of pain and honesty that is translated so beautifully on this album.
3. Hammock – Kenotic
My intro to Hammock was on a Christmas theme compilation. I was sitting in my car, stuck in the snow, waiting to be pushed out. Winter Lights came on. I spent the next 15-30 minutes with the heat blasting, listening to Winter Lights on repeat. When I got home I instantly got online and bought Kenotic. Such an amazing and beautiful record.
2. The Appleseed Cast – Low Level Owl
The Appleseed Cast broke emo stereotypes with both Low Level Owl records and forged into ambient indie rock glory. Both records are phenomenal. One of those life defining bands and albums for me.
1. Slowdive – Souvlaki
A shoegazing classic. When Alison starts, I was hooked within minutes. The swirling guitars, the lush vocals, all combine to create a beautiful landscape.
10. Ester Drang – Infinite Keys
Infinite Keys is a terribly underrated album. When it came out it was beloved but I feel like over time, it’s been a little forgotten. The sweeping strings, simple drums, beautifully laid Rhodes piano, Ester Drang really put together a masterpiece. The album’s closing track, I Don’t Want to Live (In A World of Infinite Keys) is just breathtaking.
9. Denison Witmer – Philadelphia Songs
Philadelphia Songs is Denison Witmer’s best. I have this record on white vinyl and it sounds amazing. Just great, sad songs. Put the record on with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and you have a nice evening.
8. Unwed Sailor – The Faithful Anchor
The Faithful Anchor was the first instrumental/post-rock album I ever picked up. Not the most calming and beautiful post rock record and not the most technical and mathy but there’s something very calming about the album. Johnathon Ford’s bass playing is incredible on this album. Maybe because both band name and album title involve the idea of ships and sailing that I like this record so much.
7. Saxon Shore – The Exquisite Death of Saxon Shore
Saxon Shore knows how to create incredible records. After 2 stellar eps the bands first full-length, The Exquisite Death, really knocked it out of the park. While this record isn’t completely laid back, the moments where the band builds to a crescendo are absolutely amazing. How We Conquered The Western World on Horseback is a song that always makes me think of being out in the cool autumn air, with leaves on the ground.
6. LN – Novel
Novel is Beautiful. Cars Must Burn to this day remains a song that I could listen to for hours on end. Dream pop at it’s finest.
5. Sigur Ros – ( )
Sigur Ros’ untitled album is an absolute thing of beauty. While Takk was an equally amazing follow up record, ( ) holds a special place in my heart. Just a beautiful and spiritual record.
4. Over the Rhine – Ohio
Ohio is two discs full of amazing songs. Ohio was also my introduction to Over the Rhine. The songs remind me of late at night in a smoke filled bar (which doesn’t exist in America anymore). There’s something beautiful about the torment in these songs. There’s a lot of pain and honesty that is translated so beautifully on this album.
3. Hammock – Kenotic
My intro to Hammock was on a Christmas theme compilation. I was sitting in my car, stuck in the snow, waiting to be pushed out. Winter Lights came on. I spent the next 15-30 minutes with the heat blasting, listening to Winter Lights on repeat. When I got home I instantly got online and bought Kenotic. Such an amazing and beautiful record.
2. The Appleseed Cast – Low Level Owl
The Appleseed Cast broke emo stereotypes with both Low Level Owl records and forged into ambient indie rock glory. Both records are phenomenal. One of those life defining bands and albums for me.
1. Slowdive – Souvlaki
A shoegazing classic. When Alison starts, I was hooked within minutes. The swirling guitars, the lush vocals, all combine to create a beautiful landscape.
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Chariot - Long Live
The Fiance and Wars and Rumors of War set the bar really high for the Chariot. BOth records were album to find a way to hardness sheer chaos and madness into two great albums full of killer songs. Each progression for the band has been a step into greatness and you could only assume that the band's fourth full-length, Long Live, and first for new label Good Fight would continue the bands upward climb.
For my money, Long Live is broken up into two interchanging parts. You have 5 songs, named for fans who won a contest and 5 songs kind of based on a them (The Audience, The City, The Earth, The Heavens, and The King). And it's clear that half of these songs are better then the other half. It's like two eps intermixed.
The album's opening track, Evan Perks, is feedback into Josh Scogin screaming and pounding drums, followed by more feedback. 1:36 of guitar feedback that reminds me of the band's debut, which was the weakest and most inconsistent release. Calvin Makenzie feels more like a song from the last two Chariot albums but the end of the song has this cheesy sample in it that really throws me for a loop and takes me out of the song completely. Andy Sundwall and Robert Rios are the best of the fan named songs. Just a solid songs. David De La Hoz is ok but mid song has a spoken word part by Dan Smith of Listener, which isn't terrible but again just throws things for me. The harp at the end of the song is to die for though. The 5 songs named for the fans aren't terrible. All feel like the band's debut, Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing, Nothing Is Dead, and Nothing Is Bleeding. Minus a couple of things that throw 2 songs off, they're not terrible but I personally never enjoyed The Chariots debut album and these songs just don't hit me right.
The other 5 tracks on the record are another story. The Audience starts much the same way Evan Perks kicked in, with feedback into Scogins scream and drums. But the drums are actually playing a beat and have been eqed so that when the track kicks in there's this dynamic shift. The City is full blown chaos that reminds me of Dillinger Escape Plan's Calculating Infinity. The Earth packs a punch and really sounds like The Chariot have channeled Norma Jean circa Bless the Martyr. The Heavens is a minor misstep. It's an experimental track for the first half, and left me scratching my head a little. When the song finally kicks in it's the most controlled song the Chariot has ever done. Like putting crazy in a box. The King has an extended drum outro and then some more feedback and and a sample going haywire to the albums close.
The band recorded this album live like they did their debut and the result is a rawer version of the Chariot and it has a lot of similarities to Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing, Nothing Is Dead, and Nothing Is Bleeding. There are a lot of good moments on Long Live and Chariot fans will love this album. But the few missteps and things that bug me keep this record from being a favorite of mine. A solid record overall and anyone looking for something outside the normal walls of the current hardcore/metalcore scene should give this record a listen.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Meltdown 1.14
New Music from Norma Jean, My Epic, Bret Detar, In the Midst of Lions, Showbread, and Starflyer 59
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Showbread - Who Can Know It?
With last years Fear of God, Showbread caught my ear and got me paying attention. A year later they've changed labels, given their album away for free, and again, have got my attention. While Showbread has slowly and steadily been evolving their sound since their Tooth and Nail debut Age of Reptiles, Who Can Know It is the most drastic change so far.
A Man With a Hammer kicks the record off with a more subdued Showbread musically, but packs a punch lyrically.
"A man at home with a hammer in hand
Is thinking about his life
Deciding that it would be best
To kill his children and his wife
A woman at home with a ring on her finger
Is thinking about herself
Her husband is a good man
But she has sex with someone else"
And while lyrically it packs a punch and might offend some, the end of the track brings everything back to the grace of God.
"Thieves and liars
Murderers and whores
Homosexuals, extortionists
Pedophiles, abortionists
Junkies and rapists
Adulterers and terrorists
Every woman, every man
All ransomed by your love for them"
I Never Liked Anyone And I'm Afraid Of People is a little more in the vain of the Raw Rock, punk style that Showbread delivered on the Fear of God. But the album doesn't sound like a carry over of their previous effort. Crazy synth sounds have been replaced by a piano, which is the driving force for the songs on most of the album. Even songs that pick up and give you a nice four on floor rock and roll sound, have taken an extremely subdued tone that's new for Showbread.
Vocally Josh Dies has mellowed to a point that I wonder if he's on medication to keep him from being out of control. It's not bad... It's just different. And I guess that's the only way to describe Who Can Know It, different. It's not bad and honestly the record is really good. Lyrically Josh Dies has a lot to say and he writes so well that even when he's being abrasive I find myself still really paying attention to what is being said. And maybe that's why this record is so different.Only Myth of a Christian Nation has any of the punk fury that Showbread is known for.
While the raw rock fury that has been a stable of Showbread's sound has now been replaced, the songs are still good enough to carry the record and the band. Fans of Showbread's previous work might not be as thrilled with Who Can Know It but that doesn't make this record bad. It's different... And that's ok.
You can download Who Can Know It for free here http://comeandlive.com/downloads
Top 10 Favorite Hardcore/Metalcore albums (Non-christian)
As promised, my favorite non-christian hardcore/metalcore records.
10. Botch – We Are the Romans
We Are The Romans is straight old school metalcore. You know, before bands started singing. The formula for the chug chug wee bands was started by Botch. While We Are the Romans isn’t an extremely heavy record and the sound and guitar work has been copied and played out by so many other bands, in 2000 when the album was released, there wasn’t a whole lot out that sounded like Botch.
9. BoySetsFire – After The Eulogy
When the refrain “Where’s you’re anger? Where your f—ing rage?” hits at the end of the albums opening track, if you’re not pumped up something’s wrong with you. That anger and mosh mentality is soon wiped away as Rookie comes hits and the bands seems to lose all hardcore cred. While BoySetsFire isn’t your classic hardcore and might fall better under a post-hardcore category, the intensity and anger on After the Eulogy is all hardcore.
8. Gorilla Biscuits – Start Today
Gorilla Biscuits is one of the poster bands for Youth Crew hardcore. Start Today is a classic straight edge hardcore record.
7. Snapcase – Designs For Automation
I didn’t realize Designs For Automation was looked on as Snapcase’s worst album until a couple years ago while talking to a friend about how much I loved the record. Typecast Modulator is such a killer song. Again, not a super heavy or fast record and not even very aggressive but solid songs with killer hooks. Designs For Automation makes me want to get off my feet and dance.
6. Killswitch Engage – The End of Heartache
While Killswitch Engage is probably the reason why the current state of metalcore is so poor, it doesn’t disqualify them as a killer band. The band that gets copied has to be better then it’s imitators. The End of Heartache was Howard Jones’ Killswitch debut and really solidified the band as heavy music heavyweights. Jones is one of my favorite vocalist in hardcore. His screams and growls are top notch and his clean singing just about kills anyone else in the genre. The End of Heartache is one of those songs that is so beautiful and at the same time, just slays. While most people complain that Killswitch just releases the same album over and over, The End of Heartache is a must own.
5. Cave In – Until Your Heart Stops
Cave In isn’t known best for their hardcore debut Until Your Heart Stops. While they changed their sound and became an outstanding rock band later in their career, Until Your Heart Stops is a hardcore masterpiece and should be looked upon as one. The guitar work on Juggernaut is so beautiful. One of my favorite guitar riffs in all of music. Just an all around fantastic record.
4. Converge – Jane Doe
No band in music is angrier then Converge. While the bands first three record were all awesome, Jane Doe was turning point in the band and really set them apart. Jane Doe is just an incredible record and if you like hardcore or metal and don’t own this record…. Why not?
3. Dillinger Escape Plan – Miss Machine
I know there’s going to be an argument that the DEP record of this list should be Calculating Infinity and I understand why and I love Calculating Infinity. Great record. But Miss Machine has everything working for it. Right out of the gate, Panasonic Youth and Sunshine the Werewolf… Even the “low key” moments of the album (Phone Home, Setting Fire to Sleeping Giants, Unretrofied) are intense and full of great technical and musical precision. Miss Machine was a great next step for DEP.
2. Bad Brains – Bad Brains
First off, Bad Brains is a DC band. New York can suck it! Bad Brains is amazing. Sailin’ On kicks off the album and it has always been my favorite song by Bad Brains. What can I really say about this record? Attitude, Banned in DC, Pay to Cum, Big Takeover… An amazing record.
1. Shai Hulud – Hearts Once Nourished With Hope and Compassion
Florida hardcore in late 90’s was where it was at. Shai Hulud’s debut works on every level for me. There’s nothing stagnant or formulaic about the album. There’s verse, chorus, verse progression. There’s killer melodies, excellent drumming, and lyrically it’s one of the strongest albums ever. Matt Fox knows how to write great songs and great lyrics.
10. Botch – We Are the Romans
We Are The Romans is straight old school metalcore. You know, before bands started singing. The formula for the chug chug wee bands was started by Botch. While We Are the Romans isn’t an extremely heavy record and the sound and guitar work has been copied and played out by so many other bands, in 2000 when the album was released, there wasn’t a whole lot out that sounded like Botch.
9. BoySetsFire – After The Eulogy
When the refrain “Where’s you’re anger? Where your f—ing rage?” hits at the end of the albums opening track, if you’re not pumped up something’s wrong with you. That anger and mosh mentality is soon wiped away as Rookie comes hits and the bands seems to lose all hardcore cred. While BoySetsFire isn’t your classic hardcore and might fall better under a post-hardcore category, the intensity and anger on After the Eulogy is all hardcore.
8. Gorilla Biscuits – Start Today
Gorilla Biscuits is one of the poster bands for Youth Crew hardcore. Start Today is a classic straight edge hardcore record.
7. Snapcase – Designs For Automation
I didn’t realize Designs For Automation was looked on as Snapcase’s worst album until a couple years ago while talking to a friend about how much I loved the record. Typecast Modulator is such a killer song. Again, not a super heavy or fast record and not even very aggressive but solid songs with killer hooks. Designs For Automation makes me want to get off my feet and dance.
6. Killswitch Engage – The End of Heartache
While Killswitch Engage is probably the reason why the current state of metalcore is so poor, it doesn’t disqualify them as a killer band. The band that gets copied has to be better then it’s imitators. The End of Heartache was Howard Jones’ Killswitch debut and really solidified the band as heavy music heavyweights. Jones is one of my favorite vocalist in hardcore. His screams and growls are top notch and his clean singing just about kills anyone else in the genre. The End of Heartache is one of those songs that is so beautiful and at the same time, just slays. While most people complain that Killswitch just releases the same album over and over, The End of Heartache is a must own.
5. Cave In – Until Your Heart Stops
Cave In isn’t known best for their hardcore debut Until Your Heart Stops. While they changed their sound and became an outstanding rock band later in their career, Until Your Heart Stops is a hardcore masterpiece and should be looked upon as one. The guitar work on Juggernaut is so beautiful. One of my favorite guitar riffs in all of music. Just an all around fantastic record.
4. Converge – Jane Doe
No band in music is angrier then Converge. While the bands first three record were all awesome, Jane Doe was turning point in the band and really set them apart. Jane Doe is just an incredible record and if you like hardcore or metal and don’t own this record…. Why not?
3. Dillinger Escape Plan – Miss Machine
I know there’s going to be an argument that the DEP record of this list should be Calculating Infinity and I understand why and I love Calculating Infinity. Great record. But Miss Machine has everything working for it. Right out of the gate, Panasonic Youth and Sunshine the Werewolf… Even the “low key” moments of the album (Phone Home, Setting Fire to Sleeping Giants, Unretrofied) are intense and full of great technical and musical precision. Miss Machine was a great next step for DEP.
2. Bad Brains – Bad Brains
First off, Bad Brains is a DC band. New York can suck it! Bad Brains is amazing. Sailin’ On kicks off the album and it has always been my favorite song by Bad Brains. What can I really say about this record? Attitude, Banned in DC, Pay to Cum, Big Takeover… An amazing record.
1. Shai Hulud – Hearts Once Nourished With Hope and Compassion
Florida hardcore in late 90’s was where it was at. Shai Hulud’s debut works on every level for me. There’s nothing stagnant or formulaic about the album. There’s verse, chorus, verse progression. There’s killer melodies, excellent drumming, and lyrically it’s one of the strongest albums ever. Matt Fox knows how to write great songs and great lyrics.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Brett Detar - Bird In the Tangle
Hearing that Brett Detar had a solo record coming out got me excited. Hearing that he was giving it away as a free download, was even better. I've been a huge fan of Detar's from his guitar work in Zao to his crazy rock and roll frontman antics in The Juliana Theory. And I honestly thought I'd be hearing a more low key Julian Theory. You know, the singer/songwriter version. Instead Detar throws a curve ball and Bird In the Tangle is a country album.
Unlike Mike Herrea's country side project Tumbledown, which has a lot of punk and rockabilly in the music, Detar's solo effort is more of a pure country sound. It's simple and understated at times. It draws more from a bluesy side of country music.
It's the understated side of the album that works best. The opening track, Empty House on a Famous Hill, is a simple acoustic guitar and lap steel are the only accompaniment to Detar's voice, creating a beautiful somber song. It's a great start to the record. It's Only the Night is another sad and somber song, with an almost waltzing movement, that again plays so beautifully. Coasts, A Miner's Prayer, and Caged Bird are all fantastic songs that keep things simple and somber.
But interspersed all these really lovely songs, is a darker, bluesier tone, the most successful of the tracks being The Devil's Gotta Earn. While the songs are good, their just missing an attitude... That feeling of being really pissed that they need to be great songs.
It might be a more successful country record then Tumbledown's Empty Bottle but it's not as good an overall record. However, there are some really amazing and beautiful moments on Bird in the Tangle and the album is worth a listen. Plus, it's a free download so I do suggest you check this album out.
You can download the record here http://brettdetar.com/
Messengers - Anthems
Messengers is the latest band on the Facedown Family to release music in 2010. Their debut, Anthems, might be the best album the trio of labels has put out this year. Anyone looking for old school, kick ass hardcore, this album is for you.
Right out of the gate Anthems is set apart from a lot of it's genres peers. Both Shipwrecked and Creation hit you with a thrash hardcore sound that is reminiscent to bands like All Out War, The Crucified, and Pantera. While Domicile takes a while to kick in, it packs a punch when it does. From start to finish Anthems is one of the best true hardcore records I've heard in a while. The production is just gritty enough to keep it from feeling polished and overproduced and it really gives the album an old school feel. My issue is there are only 7 songs and it's a short record but for an introduction Anthems is amazing.
Hardcore fans tired of overproduced, skinny jean metalcore, Anthems is the record for you. Fans of Pantera and All Out War will love this album. Messenger's debut it great album. If Strike Force is the minor leagues, it won't be long until Messengers is called up to the big leagues and have their next release on Facedown Records.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Underoath - Disambiguation
When it was announced that Aaron Gillespie and Underoath had parted ways, I was probably one of the few who was actually excited about the news. Don't get me wrong, I love Gillespie's work on the past two Underoath albums But the idea of little no no singing on an Underoath album excited me. Then when it was announced that Daniel Davison, formerly of Norma Jean, would be replacing Aaron in the band, I was sold and really excited to hear new music from the band.
First things first, Underoath is just fine without Aaron. Spencer's clean vocals really sound similar to Aaron's and it makes you wonder how much of the clean vocals in the past Aaron really was responsible for. Davison's drumming is solid and never misses a beat. It fits in perfectly with Underoath and the band is no worse off without Gillespie in the band.
As for the actual album... I feel like if Disambiguation had been released in May and I had been listening to it since then it would be one of my favorite albums of the year (Like the Haste the Day record). But it didn't come in May and so it's not one of my favorite albums. Without Aaron there's actually more clean singing on this record. And while it is the darkest record Underoath has put out with SPencer on vocals, it's not an overly heavy record.
The album first two tracks are the strongest on the whole record. The first single, In Division, really just sounds like a darker Underoath. Davison brings a distinctly different drumming style to the band that isn't lost on me. Catch Myself Catching Myself has a really great hook. It's a track that ebbs and flows without getting boring. From being super heavy and aggressive, to a really simple quiet middle, crescendoing to an end.
Disambiguation never flattens out and seems to always keep you guessing... Or so you think. Paper Lung takes it's time building to a crashing end which leads right into Illuminator, a fast driving verse, into a drum laden hook. Driftwood brings things back down. It's a simple electronic piece that feels more like filler then an actual song. Then back into another heavy song with A Divine Eradication. While Who Will Guard the Guardians is a nice change of pace track in a similar vain to Catch Myself Catching Myself, after another instrumental interlude, we get back into these faux circle pit type songs. Which is kind of why Lost in The Sound of Separation suffered. If just feels like too much of trying to be do and be something different for the sake of changing your sound and not sticking with what is working best for you. The album sputters to a close with In Completion, a nice song, but nothing great.
While there a a handful of absolutely great moments on this record, it doesn't as a whole hold up as well as I had hoped. Fans worried that the band will sound completely different on this album shouldn't worry. It follows more in the same direction that Lost in the Sound of Separation was headed, only this record does carry darker undertones. It's a good record and I'm glad I got it. In a couple months, I might be head over heels in love with Disambiguation. Today... It's not one of my favorite album released this year.
Top 10 Favorite Christian Hardcore/Metalcore albums
If you read this blog you know I love hardcore. When I discovered hardcore in the 8th grade, it changed my life. I love hardcore so much that this top ten list will actually be two list; my favorite christian hardcore albums and then next week will be my favorite non christian hardcore albums. I'm also going with hardcore/metalcore because some albums (especially next week) don't fall under the "hardcore" banner. Enjoy.
10. Underoath – Define the Great Line
Define The Great Line isn’t really a return to greatness for Underoath, but a realization of potential. The death metal band had transformed itself into emo Warp Tour darlings. Define the Great Line reestablished the band firmly a top the modern metalcore ranks. Underoath reemerged as a heavy band. Gone was the pop sensibilities that had been on They”re Only Chasing Safety. Define the Great Line has pound for pound, some of the catchiest hooks and melodies in metalcore while still remaining a heavy album. The bands best album.
9. Few Left Standing – Regeneration of Self
Takehold Records didn’t release a ton of albums, but the ones they did were all quality. Few Left Standing’s debut is about as classic a spirit filled hardcore record as one can hope for. Regeneration of Self really falls somewhere between Zao’s classic lineup (Splinter Shards era) and Unashamed. It’s just great old school hardcore.
8. Focal Point – Suffering the Masses
Focal Point is early metalcore. Suffering the Masses hit my stereo before Zao ever did and while it wasn’t influential in me listening to heavy music, it was an introduction into more extreme genres. The first time I heard Neglected on the Songs From the Penalty Box comp, the first one, I was hooked. That riff at the beginning of the song was so nasty and dirty and I loved it. Suffering the Masses was purchased. A sick album with some of the sickest album artwork in Christian hardcore to this day.
7. Point of Recognition – Day of Defeat
Point of Recognition’s final full-length is the closest thing to real tough guy hardcore in Christian music. While I love the bands first two albums, Day of Defeat is brutal. Not has angry as Hatebreed, but every bit as tough.
6. Stretch Arm Strong – A Revolution Transmission
Stretch Arm Strong’s second Solid State release really clicked with me where their debut had fallen short. Stretch Arm Strong is a fun hardcore band. It’s Youth Crew HC. A Revolution Transmission is both catchy and striking, melodic and brutal. Revolution has all the fun and enjoyment of a punk record, but all the fury of hardcore. While the music will get your blood pumping and the circle pits moving, lyrically the album is really poignant and deep.
5. Unashamed – Reflection
Reflection was an album so good that the band knew they couldn’t do better and disbanded. Among the early Tooth and Nail/Solid State hardcore bands, Unashamed had a fury and anger in their sound that the other bands just didn’t have. To this day I still have heard a record with the same intensity and worshipful nature as Reflection. Plus it has the amazing cover of Awesome God. It’s a Christian hardcore classic and should be in all hardcore fans collection.
4. No Innocent Victim – Flesh and Blood
N.I.V. is Christian hardcore and Flesh and Blood is there best album. Hands down. N.I.V.’s My Beliefs t-shirt is probably the most worn shirt and hoodie in all of Christian hardcore. Flesh and Blood is a fun album. If it’s not the most iconic Christian hardcore album, I’d like to know what is. Just like A Revolution Transmission, this album will get you moving and dancing.
3. Strongarm – The Advent of a Miracle
I always view Advent Of a Miracle as the sister record to Shai Hulud’s Heart’s One Nurished, which is a great thing. Florida hardcore in 97 at it’s freaking best. Advent of a Miracle has a certain melodic quality that transferred over into Further Seems Forever after Strongarm broke up. Steve Kleisath’s drumming is some of the best in hardcore (he played on Shai Hulud’s debut as well). Advent of a Miracle was leaps and bounds better then Atonement and it’s Florida hardcore.
2. Hopesfall – No Wings to Speak Of
Is it wrong to put an ep at number 2? I don’t think so. Hopesfall’s No Wings To Speak Of is brilliant. It’s one of the most intense and emotive records I’ve ever heard. While the “emo” breakdowns might upset some people and not everyone will enjoy the interplay between hardcore and the melodic instrumental parts, I loved the record when I heard it and I love it now. 4 solid melodic hardcore songs.
1. Zao – Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest and Peace
Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest by Zao is one of the most influential records on the modern Christian metalcore landscape. Bands like As I Lay Dying, Norma Jean, and countless others sight Zao as a huge influence on their band and sound. Where Blood and Fire took Zao to another level. An incredible record by one of my favorite bands.
10. Underoath – Define the Great Line
Define The Great Line isn’t really a return to greatness for Underoath, but a realization of potential. The death metal band had transformed itself into emo Warp Tour darlings. Define the Great Line reestablished the band firmly a top the modern metalcore ranks. Underoath reemerged as a heavy band. Gone was the pop sensibilities that had been on They”re Only Chasing Safety. Define the Great Line has pound for pound, some of the catchiest hooks and melodies in metalcore while still remaining a heavy album. The bands best album.
9. Few Left Standing – Regeneration of Self
Takehold Records didn’t release a ton of albums, but the ones they did were all quality. Few Left Standing’s debut is about as classic a spirit filled hardcore record as one can hope for. Regeneration of Self really falls somewhere between Zao’s classic lineup (Splinter Shards era) and Unashamed. It’s just great old school hardcore.
8. Focal Point – Suffering the Masses
Focal Point is early metalcore. Suffering the Masses hit my stereo before Zao ever did and while it wasn’t influential in me listening to heavy music, it was an introduction into more extreme genres. The first time I heard Neglected on the Songs From the Penalty Box comp, the first one, I was hooked. That riff at the beginning of the song was so nasty and dirty and I loved it. Suffering the Masses was purchased. A sick album with some of the sickest album artwork in Christian hardcore to this day.
7. Point of Recognition – Day of Defeat
Point of Recognition’s final full-length is the closest thing to real tough guy hardcore in Christian music. While I love the bands first two albums, Day of Defeat is brutal. Not has angry as Hatebreed, but every bit as tough.
More Point of Recognition music on iLike
6. Stretch Arm Strong – A Revolution Transmission
Stretch Arm Strong’s second Solid State release really clicked with me where their debut had fallen short. Stretch Arm Strong is a fun hardcore band. It’s Youth Crew HC. A Revolution Transmission is both catchy and striking, melodic and brutal. Revolution has all the fun and enjoyment of a punk record, but all the fury of hardcore. While the music will get your blood pumping and the circle pits moving, lyrically the album is really poignant and deep.
5. Unashamed – Reflection
Reflection was an album so good that the band knew they couldn’t do better and disbanded. Among the early Tooth and Nail/Solid State hardcore bands, Unashamed had a fury and anger in their sound that the other bands just didn’t have. To this day I still have heard a record with the same intensity and worshipful nature as Reflection. Plus it has the amazing cover of Awesome God. It’s a Christian hardcore classic and should be in all hardcore fans collection.
4. No Innocent Victim – Flesh and Blood
N.I.V. is Christian hardcore and Flesh and Blood is there best album. Hands down. N.I.V.’s My Beliefs t-shirt is probably the most worn shirt and hoodie in all of Christian hardcore. Flesh and Blood is a fun album. If it’s not the most iconic Christian hardcore album, I’d like to know what is. Just like A Revolution Transmission, this album will get you moving and dancing.
3. Strongarm – The Advent of a Miracle
I always view Advent Of a Miracle as the sister record to Shai Hulud’s Heart’s One Nurished, which is a great thing. Florida hardcore in 97 at it’s freaking best. Advent of a Miracle has a certain melodic quality that transferred over into Further Seems Forever after Strongarm broke up. Steve Kleisath’s drumming is some of the best in hardcore (he played on Shai Hulud’s debut as well). Advent of a Miracle was leaps and bounds better then Atonement and it’s Florida hardcore.
2. Hopesfall – No Wings to Speak Of
Is it wrong to put an ep at number 2? I don’t think so. Hopesfall’s No Wings To Speak Of is brilliant. It’s one of the most intense and emotive records I’ve ever heard. While the “emo” breakdowns might upset some people and not everyone will enjoy the interplay between hardcore and the melodic instrumental parts, I loved the record when I heard it and I love it now. 4 solid melodic hardcore songs.
1. Zao – Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest and Peace
Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest by Zao is one of the most influential records on the modern Christian metalcore landscape. Bands like As I Lay Dying, Norma Jean, and countless others sight Zao as a huge influence on their band and sound. Where Blood and Fire took Zao to another level. An incredible record by one of my favorite bands.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Kevin Max - Cotes d'Armor
Since the break-up of DC Talk Kevin Max has probably been the least visible of all the members. While Toby Mac has been a Christian music superstar and Michael Tait took over the frontman duties for the Newsboys, Kevin Max has very quietly put together one of the most solid discographies. Pound for pound Max was clearly the best voice in DC Talk.
Max's latest album, Cotes d'Armor, which was released in August, is a departure from last couple of records. Between The Fence & The Universe, Crashing Gates, and the Impostor had all been rock records, fueled by thick guitar riffs and driving back beats, Cotes d'Armor, while retaining some of that rock feel, moves into more electronic based instruments and is more song focused. The instrumentation isn't a focal point on this album, as Max's great lyrics stand front and center.
On Yer Bike kicks this album off in high gear. While it's an upbeat rock songs, the hook swirls in more of a circus tune than straight rock song. You can almost picture go-go dancers going nuts as the chorus plays. Out of the WIld has a dark electronic sound. Walking Through Walls is just a classic Kevin Max song. Not every song is a hit. We Love Dangerous is a cheap electronic song with no emotion. They've even processed Max's vocal to sound cold and disengaged. Train to Transylvania is a bad cheap techno instrumental. It's useless and doesn't need to be on the record.
While the album starts strong and has a couple of good tracks later, Kevin Max really lost me with all the electronic bullshit at the end of the record. Not a terrible record, but if you're looking to listen to a Kevin Max record, I wouldn't not start with Cotes d'Armor.
Good Charlotte - Cardiology
While I've never been a fan of Good Charlotte, the band's last record, Good Morning Revival, I really liked. It wasn't a cheap and cheesy attempt at some variation of mainstream pop punk. Yes, Good Morning Revival had a lot of dance tracks, but songs like The River were really a maturing point for the band. And despite the band's claim that their latest record would move away from the sound of Good Morning Revival, I picked up Cardiology anyway.
While the band doesn't completely abandon all of their dance sound, Cardiology does have a different feel then the band's previous work. Let The Music Play kicks the album off on a solid note. It's a good rock song that shows the bands progressions. Counting the Days and Silver Screen Romance do harken back to the bands early pop punk (if you want to call it that) days. But it's a matured sound for sure. Their isn't anything cheesy about those two songs. It's like the potential of the band is finally being reached.
Then the record takes a turn people might not like. Like It's Her Birthday is a dance track that sounds like it jumped right off of Good Morning Revival. Last Night has the same exact feel that Dance Floor Anthem had, which I personally love. It's a great song but it does sound exactly like Dance Floor Anthem. Harlow's Song (Can't Dream Without You) is the worst song on the album. It sounds like a song Rihanna should be singing. It's just a misstep.
Cardiology starts strong and has a bunch of really solid tracks on it. Is it the album of the year? No. Is it a good record and a nice listen? Absolutely. Cardiology won't win a lot of new fans and fans looking for a return to Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous will be disappointed, but overall it's a good record.
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