The Meltdown 2.21

Counting down the Top 30 Records of 2013!

Top 30 Records of 2013

It's that time of year again when I count down my favorite records of the year. 2013 was a great year for music! Much better than 2012. A lot of stand outs and high quality records out his year.

Honorable Mentions:

My Bloody Valentine - M B V
Denison Witmer - Denison Witmer
Sigur Ros - Kveikur
Shai Hulud - Reach Beyond The Sun
Audrey Assad - Fortunate Fall


#30. Palms - Palms

The thought of Isis and Deftones combined just sounds like a great idea ad hearing Palms (which features members of Isis and Chino Moreno) was exactly what you wanted it to be. Big atmospheric riffs dive bombing into huge metal chorus, all featuring Chino's voice. A perfect blend.


#29. The Appleseed Cast - Illumination Ritual

The Appleseed Cast have always been pioneers in the emo/indie scene. From emo classics to atmospheric masterpieces and post rock gems, the band has continued to reinvent themselves and reinvent with class. On Illumination Ritual, the band took a step back in time, creating an album that feels more at home with the mid-90's emo classics than the band's later post rock material. And as always, they did it well.


#28. Killswitch Engage - Disarm the Descent

The return of Jesse Leech was a good one. Killswitch Engage didn't miss a beat. Leech's vocals are stronger and crisper than they were the first time around, keeping Killswitch both heavy and polished. The kings of modern metalcore.


#27. Eisley - Currents

Following up their huge hit, The Valley, Eisley stripped down and got in touch with their indie rock side. Currents is still full of great harmonies but the band abandoned their catchy pop driven melodies for a more experimental record. Still a success, but a departure for the band


#26. The Burial - In The Taking Of Flesh

In The Taking Of Flesh is technical death metal at it's finest. The Burial has never been heavier.


#25. False Idle - Threat

Threat is the best christian punk record I've heard in a decade. Great songs with hard hitting lyrics and a variety of punk "styles" to keep the strongest critics satisfied. A true gem from Thumper Punk Records.


#24. Audio Adrenaline - Kings & Queens

The return and rebranding of Audio Adrenaline was a huge success in my book. Great songs with catchy hooks, and who doesn't love Kevin Max's vocals? I hope there's more to come from Audio A but the band has already lost two members.


#23. Beartooth - Sick

I had very little interest or expectation from a band featuring former members of Attack Attack, but Beartooth surprised me. One of the best hardcore records I heard all year. This ep is full of extremely heavy songs with honest and heartbreaking lyrics. I'm stoked about Beartooth's future.


#22. Altars - Something More

Apparently Altars doesn't like making the same record twice. Luckily for us, they're damn good at switching it up. Leaving their melodic hardcore sound behind them, Altars delivers a smash hit of a hardcore/punk record. Great hooks, strong gang vocals, and a beautiful message. Altars is taking chances, and being rewarded.


#21. Devin Shelton - Life & Death

The former Emery co-frontman gives us a solo record that's a reminder of what Emery is missing without him. Life & Death has moments that remind me of I'm Only A Man but Shelton does a great job of not rehashing what he did in Emery.


#20. Living Sacrifice - Ghost Thief

Ghost Thief puts all the good things Living Sacrifice has ever done and combines them. The combination of thrash and groove metal is done flawlessly. One of the band's best records to date, Glad to hear it won't be their last.


#19. Aaron Sprinkle - Water & Guns

Aaron Sprinkle's first solo record in nine years is his best. Water & Guns is a pop wonderland.


#18. The Almost - Fear Inside Our Bones

Fear Inside Our Bones is my favorite record from the Almost. A much harder hitting rock and roll record. This record is proof that rock's not dead!


#17. Overcome - No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets.

Hardcore legends Overcome's second record on their second stint and it's even better than their first. No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets. is faster and heavier than The Great Campaign of Sabotage. Classic is every sense of the word. Hopefully people aren't taking the band for granted the second time around.


#16. War Generation - Start Somewhere Never Surrender 

Punk rock at it's finest. Catchy and passionate. As a Senses Field and Further Seems Forever fan, I have to say that I believe this is Jon Bunch's finest work yet.


#15. States - Paradigm

Paradigm is an indie classic. States haven't dropped their 80's tinged vibe, they've just adapted it, stripped it down, and reworked it. Not as instantly catchy as Room To Run but worth the listens every bit as much!


#14. Moving Mountains - Moving Mountains

As instantly catchy and as much as I loved Waves, listening to Moving Mountains self-titled record was a huge disappointment the first listen through. Gone is the huge ambient wall of sound that I loved about Waves. But upon further listens, I found myself drawn in and compelled but the stripped down ambience and hushed tones of Moving Mountains. What I found was a great record when I put my expectations aside.


#13. Jars of Clay - Inland

The more I listen to Jars of Clay, the more I realize how talented the band is. I don't believe they can do wrong. Inland is a beautifully simple record. Not a flashy rock record, and not leaning on the folk side. Strong rock songs mixed with beautiful ballads and some of Dan Haseltine's most honest lyrics ever.


#12.  Abandoned Pools - Somnambulist

Somnambulist is a great little record. More electronic than any of Abandoned Pools' previous work. Less catchy, although songs like Walking Disaster make up for an overall less "pop" approach.


#11. Extol - Extol

You couldn't have asked for anything more or anything better from the metal legends of their first record in eight years. Progressive with a lot of Queen influence, while incorporating black metal elements.


#10. Sev Statik - Sophy EP

I was hooked on Sophy from the time I hit play on the ep. Great beats, strong lyrics, catchy hooks. Everything that is good about hip-hop. Dark at times, but not without a sense of fun.


#9. Jimmy Eat World - Damage

Jimmy Eat World's best record since Clarity? Maybe. Their best record since Bleed American for sure. Damage is a combination of everything the band has done successfully since Clarity. Jimmy Eat World always delivers!


#8. Spoken - Illusion

I've never been more excited about a Spoken record than I was for Illusion. And the band didn't disappoint. Their heaviest record ever, without losing the melody they've become known for. Dare I say their first real masterpiece?


#7. Hope For The Dying - Aletheia

This is why I listen to metal! Records like Aletheia get me excited about heavy music! Rifftastic, guitar solos galore, beautiful melodies, super heavy! Perfect in every sense of the word!


#6. The Ember Days - More Than You Think

More Than You Think is The Ember Days best work. Spacious and ambient without losing it's muchness. Honest and beautiful worship.


#5. Beautiful Eulogy - Instruments of Mercy

If you had told me that Beautiful Eulogy would release a record even better than Satellite Kite, I'm not sure I would've believed you, but that's exactly what the group did. Using a lot of the same musical themes from Satellite Kite, Beautiful Eulogy created a tighter, more mature record.


#4. Norma Jean - Wrongdoers

I love Norma Jean. The best and most consistent band in heavy music. Wrongdoers is another masterpiece in a discography that doesn't have a misstep. Heavy, fast, melodic, deep, insightful, and well though out. Everything that Norma Jean is and has been.


#3. Five Iron Frenzy - Engine Of A Million Plots

My high hopes for Engine Of A Million Plots were not disappointed. If the band needed ten years to release their masterpiece, the wait was worth it. Five Iron has a lot of great records and songs in their discography but Engine Of A Million Plots is on another level. Ska's not dead. FIF has set a new ceiling for themselves. I just hope there's more....


#2. Everything In Slow Motion - Phoenix

Everything In Slow Motion is brilliant. The new project from Shane Ochsner takes away any disappointment I had when Hands broke up. Heavy and honest. That's Phoenix. Great melodies and beautiful riffs, combined with a deadly heaviness that matches the tone and themes of the record. Phoenix has only been out a couple of weeks, but sometimes you just have to save the best.


1. Paramore - Paramore

Catchy, catchy, catchy perfection! A four year hiatus gave us a more mature and stronger Paramore. There's nothing to hate about the band's self-titled record. Gone the little emo punk band that took Warped Tour by storm. Paramore is a powerhouse that isn't going anywhere.

The Meltdown 2.20

Final week of Christmas music.

The Meltdown 2.19

Week Two of Christmas music!

Everything In Slow Motion - Phoenix

I was super bummed when Hands broke up. They went out on a high. Give Me Rest was a brilliantly perfect record. And that made the band breaking up even harder. But Everything In Slow Motion took the sting away. The band's Red single that was released last year was a great glimpse at what Shane Ochsner was about to unleash. Everything In Slow Motion is the next logical progression from Hands, without losing anything that made Give Me Rest such a great record. 

The band's first full length, Phoenix, is every bit as great as Give Me Rest. But it's different. At times Phoenix is heavier. At others, it's more melodic. It doesn't really have the ambient, post rock elements of Give Me Rest, and the intensity is different. 

Get Out sounds like a classic Hands riff. And it has that same intensity. It's a great song about how God's love hold us, no matter how rotten or what vices we have. It sets the tone for the record. The finding hope and God in brokenness. Speak features Blindside's Christian Lindskog, who's voice adds a hauntingly beautiful tinge to the hook. The song is about wanting to hear the voice of God and not needed anything else from him. Poison continues the story of a user who wants to rest in God's arm and put an end to his usage. The intro to Most Days slowly builds and then tails off before the verse kicks in. The song builds until the whole things comes crashing down, as the narrative of the story crashes. Most Days is about the tiredness of trying to hide who we really are from those around us. 

You Are is where things turn. You Are is a declaration of God's character and how he's always been there waiting. It's one of the truest worship songs you'll ever hear. No matter how dark life gets, or how far we try to run away from God, he's there. Numbers continues in the same vain. The songs ambient guitars carry the verse before the track explodes and then dies back down before exploding again. Ochsner's voice, drowned in reverb, bounces around the song. The riff on The Fool is one of Ochsner's best and creates something we haven't heard from him yet. The Fool is a conversation with God about how awful our protagonist is and how God has never encountered anyone as bad as him. It's the lie we tell ourself, that no one has ever been where we've been or done what we've done. 

Come Down brings the heavy back.  It's the inner monologue that one often has with God about where they stand. I love the line "Am I growing closer when it feels like failing." It's a beautiful picture of something I think everyone has experienced. Remember No More has another super cool riff that creates a sensation that a burden has been lifted right before the song crescendos. Remember No More is about exactly that. It's the accepting of God and putting behind the old self. Proxima closes out the album, in a very similar way that Give Me Rest closed out the album of the same name. Light and airy. Beautiful. Proxima features vocalist Holly Ann, who adds another beautiful dimension to this worshipful closer. Unlike Give Me Rest, Proxima, grows and builds and crescendos, ending the album on a beautiful note. 

Facedown Records waited to save the best for last. Phoenix is a beautifully complex record. The layers musically are well done and Ochsner's lyrics again paint a picture of God's grace and redemption. One of the best records of 2013. 

Stryper - No More Hell To Pay

No More Hell To Pay is the album I've been waiting for Stryper to put out!

Since 2009's mediocre hard rock Murder by Pride, Stryper has released a fantastic covers record and an album of re-recorded classics. Both albums featured new songs that made me want Stryper to release a full-legnth full of new material. It was clear from those new tracks that the band had the chops to deliver great hair metal still and that what the band had tried to reinvent themselves into was gone and replaced by what I love about Stryper.

Well, the yellow and black attack is back and No More Hell To Pay is the album I've been waiting for.

Revelation has a killer opening riff and is an anthemic hard hitting power ballad. It's a tease of what's to come.No More Hell to Pay is the latest in Stryper's great anthem, right up there with Soldiers Under Command and To Hell With the Devil. Saved By Love is a fast trashy song.

And then we get the album's lone misstep. Stryper's cover of Jesus Is Just Alright. This might be the only time these words are spoken.... DC Talk did it better.

The One is a nice little ballad. Marching Into Battle has all the makings of some of Stryper's hard rock days but the band finds a way to 80's it up. The lead guitar riffs are excellent. Te Amo brings back the glam rock goodness. Sticks and Stones has a great hook and feels like a Stryper song from their glory days. The leads on Renewed are some of the best on the album.

Minus the cover of Jesus Is Just Alright, No More Hell To Pay is an excellent metal record top to bottom. It's what Stryper fans have been waiting for. And they'll be glad it's finally here.

The Meltdown 2.18

All Christmas Music!

Close Your Eyes - Line In The Sand

I wasn't sure we'd ever see a third record from Close Your Eyes. After Shane Raymond left and Mike Sawyer's brief two month stint as vocalist, it looked liked Close Your Eyes was finished. But the band returned with Sam Robinson on vocals and finally we have Line In the Sand.

It's hard to not listen to Line In the Sand and feel a little sad that Raymond isn't handling the vocal duties anymore. But Robinson does a great job.

Stylistically, Close Your Eyes is still Close Your Eyes. Although instead of punk influence hardcore, Close Your Eyes is more hardcore influenced punk. While the band has always walked the line between old school hardcore and punk, they certainly lean more towards the punk side now. And there are new wrinkles thrown in.

Frame and Glass is a straight up rock ballad. It's a little weird among the hardcore/punk the precedes the song. But it's not the only one. Kings of John Payne is a melodic punk ballad. Trends and Phases is somewhere between the two previously mentioned tracks. My Way Home is a sort of hardcore ballad... Similar to Frame and Glass but with more attitude.

That's not meant as a negative. Just a statement that Close Your Eyes is slowly moving in a different direction. Line In the Sand is full of great hardcore/punk songs. Burdened By Hope, Days of Youth, Sleeping Giant, The End, and Skeletons are all killer hardcore/punk songs that will get circle pits moving and kids picking up the change. Line In the Sand still feels like it fits in Close Your Eyes discography.

Line In the Sand is a different Close Your Eyes for sure. But the same spirit of the band is still there. There are moments that will takes fans a second to get used to. But Line In the Sand is still full of great hardcore/punk songs. I just wonder where the band will go next...

Impending Doom - Death Will Reign

I have a love/hate relationship with Impending Doom. I loved There Will Be Violence. I thought it was a huge step forward and showed a lot of maturity and growth. But Baptized In Filth was lost on me. It was a step backwards in my opinion. So I was skeptical about Death Will Reign.

Death Will Reign is somewhere in the middle for me. Musically, it would fall in between There Will Be Violence and Baptized In Filth. There are elements about the record, that I'm not a huge fan of. But instantly, Death Will Reign is more enjoyable than Baptized In Filth.

Death Will Reign is just as fast as Baptized In Filth with just as many breakdowns. But it's the production on the record that sets it apart. The songs don't sound super processed or compressed to all hell. Baptized In Filth was cold and distant sounding. Death Will Reign is warm and rich sounding. Giving all the breakdowns and riffs space to grow and go somewhere. There might not be much dynamic range, but Impending Doom make use of what range they have. That warmth makes Death Will Reign sound heavier than Baptized in Filth.

Reeves takes some great vocal chances and gives his vocals a depth and emotion that I've never heard from Impending Doom before. Moments like the melodic breakdown on Rip, Tear, and Burn or the opening riffs on Hellhole and My Blood create great moments of respite from the brutal onslaught that is Impending Doom.

Impending Doom might not be bringing anything new to the table, but what they bring, they do well. Death Will Reign is a huge step up from Baptized In Filth.

The Letter Black - Rebuild

While I thoroughly enjoyed The Letter Black's full-length debut, Hanging On By Thread, there wasn't much about the record that got me excited. It was a very good female fronted hard rock record. Despite my somewhat lackluster thoughts on the album and band, I was looking forward to Rebuild. The album  was delayed twice and the band even went back into the studio to work on new songs to add to the record.

The wait was worth it. The Letter Black has stepped up their game. Rebuild is more of a complete package. The heavy songs are heavier and the ballads are better. Sarah Anthony's vocals (and her screams in particular) are stronger. Even the production is tighter on Rebuild.

The highlights of Rebuild are the albums big rock anthems. Songs like Sick Charade, Up From the Ashes, Rebuild, Smothering Walls, and Devil on Your Back are all full bodied, hard hitting rock songs. They drive the record and there's enough diversity between the tracks to keep it interesting. Pain Killer is the only "radio" friendly hard rock song. And it has a good hook. Sure, the ballads (Found, Outside Looking In, and Shattered) could all find their way on the radio and of those, Shattered is the only one that screams hit. Even among the ballads, The Letter Black does a great job keeping things fresh and diverse.

Whatever made The Letter Black pause and push back Rebuild, it was worth it. The songwriting has matured and it's evident that the Letter Black took some chances to do things differently on Rebuild. Well done.

States - Paradigm

Expectations can hurt. I was excited when Tooth and Nail signed States and re-released the band's fantastic new wave/indie rock hit machine, Room to Run. But T&N went independent and I guess States wasn't a part of their future. Still, Room to Run was a fantastic album and I was excited for Paradigm.

Honestly, I was disappointed my first listen through Paradigm. The heavy dance themes that drove Room to Run don't find their way on to Paradigm. The new wave themes are darker and don't have the same warmth as Room to Run. The pop sensibilities move out of the "mainstream" and into the indie realm. And the more I listened to Paradigm, the more I enjoyed it.

Paradigm feels like it could've been an instant indie hit in the early 2000's. Rock and roll that's influence by the Beach Boy's Pet Sounds. Laid back indie pop with strong melodies and Mindy White's gorgeous voice make Paradigm the perfect record for any music fan.

The ambient pad that opens up Circles, accompanied by White's vocals create a beautifully simple opening to the record. It's more laid back and haunting than anything from Room to Run. I Hope You Stay kicks things up a level, bringing a solid rock and roll back beat. It's clear from the first two tracks that there's an edge and rawness to Paradigm that Room to Run was too polished to have. Fever is Strokes...ish in it's New York attitude. But the song has some great moments of experimentation and pop fun. Running Away is as close as States gets to replicating some of the new wave dance sensibilities from Room to Run.

Fans of Denali and Blondie will still love Paradigm and States fans shouldn't fret, because the band is still great. Paradigm just feels more like Rilo Kiley than Blondie. Once the initial shock of not hearing what I was expecting wore off, I was pleasantly surprised and in love with States musical direction. Another great record from one of my new favorite bands.

The Meltdown 2.17

New music from Five Iron Frenzy, Still Remains, Beautiful Eulogy, The Letter Black, Living Sacrifice, and more.

Ethan Luck - Wounds and Fears EP

At one point Ethan Luck announced that he was working on a ska/reggae record, so I wasn't sure what to expect from Wounds & Fears. Luck has done it all. Punk, ska, metal, rock. Luck's even had a country western band that performs metal covers. So Wounds & Fears could've contained any number of things.

Wounds & Fears is a pretty impressive country western record. Where Bret Detar has leaned toward the americana side of country and Mike Herrera is playing punk influenced country, Luck has delivered a true country western record. It's classic sounding and well done.

A Bullet For the General has tons of western influence but it's a great surf rock instrumental intro. My Only Home is a tried and true country song. Everything feels like there's a slight rockabilly influence but there's no denying that Luck can write country western songs.

Wounds & Fears is an extremely enjoyable record, even if you're not a fan of country. It's good to hear an artist step away from his comfort zone and deliver such a high quality record.

You can download Wounds & Fears at http://ethanluck.bandcamp.com/

Five Iron Frenzy - Engine Of A Million Plots

10 years ago Five Iron Frenzy called it a day. Two years ago the band returned. And for two years, myself (and countless others) have been waiting for Engine Of A Million Plots. Each new song released has been a glimmer of the great things I've been hoping to hear. Seeing the band was a great experience, and the album is finally here.

With all the expectations and hope I had for Engine Of A Million Plots, I was worried I'd be a little disappointed. But Five Iron Frenzy doesn't disappoint. In fact, the band has delivered their best record to date. The band picked right up where The End Is Near left off and blows that out of the water. It's the most mature the band has been musically and lyrically there's still the balance of hard hitting and biting commentary and spiritual openness.

The lush warmth of the guitar tone that opens up the record on Against A Sea of Troubles is completely new to FIF and the song plays like a ska version of an indie song from 2000. It's a beautiful rock song and it's a great reintroduction to the world. It's different but it's everything that was great about Five Iron Frenzy. So Far has a great hook and super catchy melodies. Zen and the Art of Xenophobia is a fun FIve Iron Frenzy "punk" song. It's biting social commentary is what we've come to expect from the band and the video for the song is great! Someone Else's Problem might be the only true "ska" song on the record. A dark, reggae influenced track showcases the band diversity. While Battle Dancing Unicorns With Glitter shows us that Five Iron Frenzy isn't afraid to still have fun. Into Your Veins is my favorite track on the record. A solid driving song, with a strong hook.

It's not the Five Iron Frenzy I remember. It's better. The band has matured and worked hard to deliver a well crafted album that old fans and new ones will find themselves drawn to. EVerything I loved about the band is on Engine Of A Million Plots, and so much more. From top to bottom, the album is strong with no weak tracks or missteps. It's easily the band's best work yet. I only hope there's more to come.

Lecrae - Church Clothes 2

Off the heels of one of the greatest christian hip-hop records ever released, Lecrae comes back with Church Clothes 2. The original Church Clothes was Lecrae giving fans a preview of a slight shift in style that would come on Gravity. Church Clothes 2 doesn't feel like Lecrae is trying to reintroduce himself. It's more of a change to do whatever he wants. There are old school beats, experimental beats, new school beats, and even some rock steady/reggae thrown in.

Lecrae tackles the theme of selling out and having given up being a big hip-hop star to preach the gospel. It doesn't come across as bitter or arrogant but as a mission statement. That nothing is mroe important to him than lifting up the name of Jesus. Lecrae also tackles a bunch of social issues lyrically. Church Clothes 2 features guest appearances from B.O.B., Derek Minor, Propaganda, Paul Wall, and more.

The beats are tight and the songs are strong. It doesn't have the same punch that Gravity did, but it's a mixtape. It's a great mixtape and as always, Lecrae delivers songs that are strong lyrically but fun to listen to.

You can download Church Clothes 2 for free at http://www.datpiff.com/Lecrae-Church-Clothes-2-mixtape.544619.html

Living Sacrifice - Ghost Thief

Let the metal onslaught continue!

There was no doubt in my mind that Living Sacrifice's eighth full-legnth, Ghost Thief, was going to be anything but great. Since Reborn, the band has done nothing but release great metal record after metal record. And since reforming, the band's focus and commitment to creating quality metal records has been evident.

Ghost Thief picks up where The Infinite Order left off, and then destroys it. Ghost Thief is faster and more aggressive than the band's last couple of albums, without losing the grooves and intricacies we've come to expect from Living Sacrifice.

Screwtape is the most "metalcore" I've ever heard Living Sacrifice. The song is riff filled and the riffs carry through every structure of the song. And Ryan Clark (Demon Hunter) lending his vocals to the hook really help drive the song. It's still a great thrash metal song and no one will be comparing Living Sacrifice and Attack Attack based on this track. Ghost Thief and The Reaping are classic Living Sacrifice songs, both sound like they could have been written around the same time The Infinite Order was written. The riff the drives Straw Man is super melodic and is something I don't think I've ever heard Living Sacrifice do. (Yes, Perfect was a super melodic song, but the riff on Straw Man is way more melodic than Perfect, even if the song is heavier at times).

American Made has a great opening riff that reminds me of classic Tourniquet songs. The breakdown and change of timing halfway through the track is fantastic. Lance's drumming on Before is amazing and really creates a heavier layer under the song. Despair is old school, classic, thrash, Living Sacrifice. Everything about the song sounds like an updated version of the band's self-titled debut.

Ghost Thief is one of this year's best record. Living Sacrifice makes great records. And if their status as metal legends was in jeopardy, Ghost Thief will expel all doubts and will firmly cement Living Sacrifice as one of metal's best!

The Meltdown 2.16

New music from Living Sacrifice, Kye Kye, Lecrae, Impending Doom, Ethan Luck, and more.

The Meltdown 2.15

New music from Five Iron Frenzy, Everything In Slow Motion, Lecrae, My Epic, and Beautiful Eulogy.

Better Off - (I Think) I'm Leaving

There are people who say emo like it's a curse word. And I get that. If emo invokes thoughts of Fall Out Boy, skinny jeans, and swoop haircuts, I understand the hatred. But emo brings to my mind bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, The Promise Ring, Mineral, Braid, The Get Up Kids... You get the idea. Emo brings to mind the post-hardcore, right out of high school version of myself (before emo got MTVized).

Very few bands pull off emo the right way these days. Better Off's first ep (as the band Friends) was a throwback to fun early 2000's emo/pop punk. A name change was sure to bring a new focus and a new sound.

Better Off's full-length debut is a beautifully crafted emo record. Late 90's emo. The good kind.

Songs like The Price Is Never Right, A Fool Walks Into a Bar, Letting It In/Making It Go, and Inside with their familiar rhythms and melodies that seem welcoming. Or tracks like Sick, Sad Sons, Keeping Watch, and Next Step Is Out The Door  with their punk tinged influence. Even the great, slightly off kilter rhythms in 1991 (Alive) remind me of the great emo bands of old. The album closer, Garden State of Mind with it's upbeat verse and chorus before going into a beautiful extended instrumental outro (American Football's Honesty, anyone?) is just the perfect way to close out this gem of a record.

When nostalgia hits, it's nice to know that there are new bands making great records that fit in a catalog of what was so good about the late 90's. (I Think) I'm Leaving is a great record.

Icon For Hire - Icon For Hire

I wasn't a big fan of Icon For Hire's debut record, Scripted. It was a lot of cliched female fronted rock and roll. There were some solid moments and a handful of catchy hooks but overall I failed to connect with the record.

The band's new self-titled record is both an improvement and a minor step backwards. The band's sound is more concise and focused. Part of that focus moves into Icon For Hire embracing a heavy pop influence on their sound. It's kind sounds like Paramore as a Nicki Minaj dubstep band. Ok, that might be a little far, but it sure paints a certain image in your head.

Icon For Hire's strong suit is their upbeat catchy rock and roll. Cynics and Critics is an attention grabber that kicks off the record. It has an underlying dubstep feel on the pre-chorus but gives the track an interesting electronic vibe. The song is miles ahead of any of the band's previous work and it's a great start to the record. Nerves feels like an anthem for the youth. It has more electronic elements and you can get a feel for Icon For Hire's musical shift. Sugar Spice has an almost rapped verse. It doesn't feel forced, and the chorus hits you with all it's catchiness that you don't mind the oddity of the track.

Hope Of Morning is a low key ballad. The first of a couple (Slow Down and Fix Me are the others). They're solid tracks and they give the record a respite but the songs just don't do that much for.

Pop Culture, Watch Me, and Rock and Roll Things continue the lyrical theme of disconnecting from the world around us and finding our own way. Think I'm Sick is my favorite track on the record. It kind of reminds me of No Doubt right before they broke up. Electronic pop with a hint of rock and roll spirit, while being super catchy and makes you want to dance.

I like Icon For Hire's growth and maturity. The band built something on their debut, and improved on it. This record has all the makings to be a huge record for Icon For Hire.

Beautiful Eulogy - Instruments of Mercy

When I first heard Satellite Kite, I was speechless. It was unlike any hip-hop record I'd ever heard and I (like many others) were instantly obsessed with Beautiful Eulogy. Satellite Kite was the perfect mix of original instrumentation and unique beats combined with honest and heartfelt lyricism. It was lightning in a bottle.

Even with Satellite Kite being perfect, I still had high expectations for Instruments of Mercy. If anyone could catch lightning twice, it would be Beautiful Eulogy.

While Instruments of Mercy won't be a surprise, it's every bit as good as Satellite Kite... In fact, it might be better. There are familiar sounds, and stylings between the two records. Some of the more unique sounds and time signatures are missing, but don't take that to mean that Instruments of Mercy is boring or more mainstream.

Cello From Portland is vastly different from Satellite Kites opener, Hello From Portland, but if you listen to the two side by side, you find a common theme. Vital Lens is a great introduction both musically and lyrically about what Beautiful Eulogy is about. You Can Save Me has a similar tone and vibe that the song Beautiful Eulogy had on Satellite Kite. Instruments of Mercy has a great palm muted acoustic guitar driving the track and giving it an almost rock feel. Symbols and Signs is a great hard hitting track that I could see easily finding it's way onto mainstream radio. The Size of Grace has a spoken word style chorus that feels familiar to that of Covet (although very different). The instrumentation the moves beautifully under Acquired In Heaven and creates a perfect soundscape to close the record.

Instruments of Mercy is more of a ballady record (if I can say that). Some of the creative fun might be missing but the production is fuller and Urbano has created a beautifully lush soundtrack for Braille and Odd Thomas' rhymes. While there might be songs I like more of Satellite Kite, the overall record in stronger. The rhymes are tighter. And even though Braille and Odd Thomas have never been shy about their faith, the lyrics really hit harder on Instruments of Mercy. Fans will love Instruments of Mercy. It's a great hip-hop record, start to finish.

You can download Instruments of Mercy at http://www.humblebeast.com/downloads/beautiful-eulogy-instruments-of-mercy-download/

Dustin Kensrue - The Water and The Blood

I'm excited about any project Dustin Kensrue is a part of. I enjoyed the former Thrice frontman's ep as The Modern Post (Grace Alone). And I was looking forward to hearing Kensrue's latest worship offering, The Water and The Blood.

The Water and The Blood is more of a conventional worship record than Grace Alone, but the songs are strong and passionate. Rejoice is a great anthemic declaration that kicks off the record. Rock of Ages is an excellent update on the classic hymn. It's songs like Suffering Servant, The Voice of the Lord, and It's Not Enough, the darker toned originals that are the gems on The Water and The Blood. It's that edge that you'd almost expect from Kensrue and those songs hit hard and cut the soul deeply with ardent conviction.

The Water and the Blood is a great worship record and fans of that genre will love the record. And I think long-time fans of Thrice and Kensrue's previous work will find something to attach themselves to as well.

Aaron Sprinkle - Water & Guns

Poor Old Lu, Rose Blossom Punch, Fair, and his solo material. Everything Aaron Sprinkle is involved with is alternative/pop gold. Even on the production/engineering side, bands like Anberlin, Demon Hunter, Mxpx, Emery, and countless others, trust Sprinkle to deliver.

Sprinkle's latest effort might be his grandest and greatest work yet.

Sprinkle lets his pop sensibilities shine on Water & Guns. Gone are the acoustic singer song-writer efforts of his previous solo work. And it's not a rock tinged project. It's even a departure from Fair, Spinkle's poppiest work before Water & Guns.

It's obvious as soon as Heatstroke kicks in that this record is something special and fun. The synth line moves fluidly and Sprinkle's comforting voice draws you in. Can't Last Forever is a power pop song with a hook that knocks you down. Later On has all the makings of a great ballad. Turn Around is an updated version of Sprinkle's previous acoustic work. I've Missed You is a beautifully complex pop song that borders heartbreaking ballad and upbeat love song. Washboard Road follows that, and it's the most simplistic track on Water & Guns. But that simplicity helps the track and gives you a sense of closure.

Water & Guns feels like the pop album Relient K wanted to make. But Sprinkle's experience shines and his years of crafting beautiful songs and production techniques help him pull of a beautiful pop record. The melodies are strong and while every hook isn't the catchiest chorus you've every hear, there's no denying Sprinkle's talent.

False Idle releases "California Or Bust" acoustic album

Hot on the heels of the debut full-length release from False Idle comes their first acoustic effort, a 7 song EP entitled "California Or Bust".  This latest recording is a more transparent, stripped-down release that re-vamps a strong collection of their favorite tracks from the recent powerful full-length, "Threat", and the earlier the "I Refuse" EP.  False Idle clearly shows that they are a band that can not only bring an in-your-face brand of punk rock to the studio and the stage, but are also proficient in grabbing the acoustic guitar and toning it down for a good time with friends around a fire.  The instrumental version of "I Refuse" even features a cello taking over the bass parts.  A completely re-worked outlaw-rock version of "Retaliate" gives credence to their self-proclaimed eclectic tastes in music.  The tracks "Threat" and "Where Do We Go" in particular offer a sing-along feel that will leave you with a new mental soundtrack.  And, as with every creation from False Idle, the name of the EP, "California Or Bust" is not a coincidence...  The EP was created thanks to the generous contributions of False Idle fans to make it possible to trek down to Fillmore, CA for the annual Thumper Punk Records Night in September 2013.  An accompanying music video to "Where Do We Go" was created using video clips from the trip and the show, and gives a little peek at the personalities of the guys of False Idle.  In short, "California Or Bust" is a fun, uplifting album, and a great addition to any music collection!

1. Façade (4:19)

2. High Hopes (3:04)

3. I Refuse (2:57)

4. In The Dark (2:59)

5. Retaliate (3:00)

6. Threat (3:38)

7. Where Do We Go (2:58)

Video from the tour can be seen in the music video for Where Do We Go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTLAWUhNX_c

The Meltdown 2.14

New music from Aaron Sprinkle and Norma Jean. Plus tracks from Fanmail, War of Ages, and Lights.

Kings & Daughters to Release Free EP

Houston's Kings & Daughters has officially inked a distribution deal with California hardcore label OnTheAttack Records. The band will release their debut EP entitled "THE LION" for FREE on December 4th Nationwide, which will be hosted by HM Magazine.  OnTheAttack Records will press and release a limited amount of physical CD copies of the EP which will be available November 4th, when Kings & Daughters plays their first show alongside For The Fallen Dreams in their hometown of Houston, Texas.  

Vocalist Carlos Salazar had this to say about the joint venture: "Trent (Gibson) & I set out to make some honest music & we knew from the get go that we wanted to give away our music for free. I think when you do that, people know that it's really just about the songs and nothing else. No image. No hype. Just rock and roll. Dave at OnTheAttack Records understood that we just wanted to make an impact & was encouraging about the way we set out to do things, and we love the idea that someone can choose to purchase a physical copy of our EP with Artwork and lyrics, or just download the songs for free without feeling like they are failing us in some way. We are excited to share the music, & hopeful that it might mean something to someone else." 

You can check out an exclusive new track from THE LION entitled "Of Judah: A Man Alive (Feat. Blake Williams of Concepts)" here:   http://ontheattackrecords.bandcamp.com/track/of-judah-a-man-alive-feat-blake-williams-of-concepts.

Kings & Daughters features vocalist Carlos Salazar and guitarist Trent Gibson, both formerly of the band Before There Was Rosalyn.  Additional information about Kings & Daughters can be found at https://www.facebook.com/kingsanddaughters.

Copies of THE LION EP can be pre-ordered for $5 for delivery after November 4 through the OnTheAttack Records webstore (http://ontheattackrecords.storenvy.com/products/3463436-kings-daughters

The Meltdown 2.13

New music from Icon For Hire, Extol, Brett Detar, and Beartooth.

Brett Detar - Too Free To Live

It's hard to believe that it's been three year since Detar's first solo record, Bird In The Tangle. Bird In The Tangle was a great introduction to the solo world of Brett Detar. It was a nice bluesy country record with great moments of understated beauty.

Too Free To Live is even better than Detar's debut. Where I thought Bird In The Tangle lacked passion and excitement, Too Free To Live excels.

The album's title track is an upbeat, bluesy americana song. There's a joy about the track that Bird In the Tangle didn't have on any of it's songs. A Solider's Burden hits on a deep and painful note. The change in tone between the two songs hits deep. Neither feels out of place or weird, but both do a great job at conveying different emotions. It shows a lot of maturity and growth for Detar. Satan's Foot On My Neck is a great toe tapping song with a classic feel to it. Losers Baby is a beautifully heartbreaking ballad. Your Heart Grows More Heartless Each Day is a tried and true, classic country song. And Damaged Girl is a dirty southern rock song.

There's a wider array of styles and variety on Too Free To Live and it helps make the record interesting and compelling. Detar does a great job having the music match the emotion of each and every song. Where Bird In the Tangle was polished and clean, Too Free To Live is raw and gritty. It has soul and heart. It's country the way it was meant to be heard.

You can pick up Too Free To Live for free at http://www.brettdetar.com/

Korn - The Paradigm Shift

While I've never been a huge Korn fan, like most metal fans, I enjoyed listening to the band from time to time when I was in middle school and high school. And maybe it's because I discovered "real" metal or that the band really has fallen off, but everything post Issues was pretty boring to me. So with Brian "Head" Welch returning to Korn, the band had my attention. Because there's no denying that Head's solo record and Love and Death's debut were sick. It seemed obvious where the good songwriting had gone. So what would his return mean for Korn?

The Paradigm Shift is enjoyable. I'm not sure metal heads often refer to a record as enjoyable but listening to The Paradigm Shift is enjoyable. It also might be the bands most accessible work to date. Which again, fans probably don't want to hear. But it's some of the band's catchiest work to date. The melodies are strong. Call it pop metal if you want, but it works. I think the catchiness of the album  is what makes it the bands best work in fourteen years.

For those hoping that Korn will look a lot different from a lyrical perspective, you're in for a shock. While two thirds of the band might be believers, Jonathan Davis is not.

Prey For Me showcases nicely the band's strengths and as an album opener it grabs your attention. Solid riff to open the track the gets your head banging a little and you hear some of Fieldy's classic bass slapping. But it's the chorus that's the key for the song. It's a great catchy hook that instantly gets stuck in your head and the second time through the song, you're singing along. While most people will gravitate to Davis' line about being a shell of what he used to be and saying "no kidding", I think they're missing out on something special.

Love & Meth feels like it could've been on Love and Death's debut record. It even sounds like Welch might have added some low growls on the song. What We Do adds some of the electronic dubstep elements that Korn had on their previous record. It'll disappoint a lot of fans but it's part of Korn's identity and sound now and they weren't just going to throw it out the window because Head is back. It's not an offensive use of electronics. It's pretty subtle and tastefully done. Paranoid and Aroused is as close as the band gets to an old school sound (and even then, it's Issues old school).

A lot of people have kick Never Never around for being this super poppy track and being a bad choice for the band to unleash as their first single and I get that. It was disappointing to hear such a poppy track with a dubstep breakdown when you wanted to hear Blind part two. But it the context of the album, it's not a bad song. Punishment Time has the heaviest riff on the album. The hook breaks into a great melody and gives the song a nice balance. (Another song that has some old school vibes)

The Paradigm Shift isn't going to be what fans hoped for or wanted. It isn't going to be the second coming of Life is Peachy or Follow the Leader. But it is damn good. Davis' hooks have never been so catchy and I attribute that to Welch and Shaffer's guitar work. It's a strong album and if you listen to it with an open mind and put aside and hopes you have, you'll find an album full of enjoyable songs.

The Meltdown 2.12

Celebrating 20 years of Tooth and Nail: 1993-2013

Wolves At The Gate - Back To School

Wolves At The Gate aren't teasing any new material but have given fans something to tide us over until they get around to putting out some new music.

The band's new cover ep gives us an insight into the band's influences and they makes sense. The band's covers all stay true to the original. It's nice to hear the band paying homage to some of their favorites, but it would have been great to hear Wolves At The Gate give some of the songs a new twist. The Deadbolt (Thrice) and Sleep Walking (Blindside) covers are fantastic, but it's the cover of Thursday's Understanding In A Car Crash that's my favorite. The acoustic cover of  Planning a Prison Break is a nice close to the ep.

It's good to finally get some new music from Wolves At The Gate. And while I wish it had been new music, it's nice to hear the band pay tribute to those that influenced them.