Album Review

It is as if the true sounds from behind bedroom doors during the 90s has escaped into the world. Adventures' debut full length reimagines alternative rock from the decade with as much energy as possible.

Pure Noise Records picked up one hell of a band in Like Pacific. The five piece pop-punk band embraces heavy hard hitting emotional music on their new self-titled EP. Each track is quick and to the point, progressing in standard verse chorus bridge manners but keeping it interesting and fresh with their tight musicianship. 

Sean’s video review of 1 of his favorite releases of the year, Elder Brother‘s debut album Heavy Head.

Last January, however, frontman Nick Trask left the band to pursue other ventures. No disrespect to Trask, but since his departure, Major League have experienced a completely positive remodeling. On November 3, Major League dropped its sophomore LP,There’s Nothing Wrong With Me, with Brian Joyce providing vocals in addition to his previous guitar and lyrical work. 

If you throw every Transit album in a blender, add in roughly 5 to 7 years of grueling cross-country experience, the maturity that develops while on the road, and a slightly clearer vision, the end product is Joyride. Mixing influences and sounds from previous releases, Joyride is a mature, and logical continuation of what has come before, resulting in a product that is just as distinctly Transit as anything else in their discography.

This album is gorgeous. Even a while few after its release Keep You has kept with me. Pianos Become The Teeth toned down by ridding themselves of their screams and driving walls of distortion. Vocalist Kyle Durfey can sing, everybody knows it now. They pulled it off. Where does that leave this album in terms the scene? Well, that is for you as listeners to find out, Im just here to give some thoughts on it.

In many respects, Xerxes sophomore album Collision Blonde is a stark departure from their previous efforts. If this is what we can expect from the future of this band, then I say good riddance. I enjoyed 2012’s Our Home is a Deathbed, but the Louisville, Kentucky band seems to have found its niche with the new album, released on 10/21 through No Sleep Records.

Haze is a well-constructed, flowing, and moderately-paced-hooked-filled album. Not to belittle those factors as they do contribute to its enjoyment, but to focus solely upon those components would be an injustice to Haze and The American Scene, who have accomplished so much more than that. Haze is a slow burning, rhythmic, meticulously calculated 10 songs that fit together like a jig-saw puzzle.

Mooseblood (along with Neck Deep and the reunited Basement) are at the forefront of a surge of English emo punk bands gaining popularity within the US. I’ll Keep You In Mind, From Time To Time marks their debut LP, and their first big release since they’ve started getting some American attention. Released on No Sleep Records on October 6th, this album is an encouraging step in the right direction for the young British band, and hopefully a sign of even better things to come.

Building on a strong touring cycle including opening slots for RX Bandit’s reunion tour and Relient K’s ongoing Mmhmm 10-year-anniversary tour, fans of From Indian Lakes had a lot to expect from this year’s Absent Sounds. The unique indie-alt sounds of 2012’s Able Bodies established a strong and varied fan base, and the new album is sure to appease the masses, not to mention garner more attention for the California band.

The surprise album Growing In gets back to and builds off of what Ace Enders knows best, crafting honest and raw songs, while also adding a more personal, straightforward approach. This sort of harkening back to roots, and expanding upon them pays off exponentially, as Growing In is arguably the most sensibly cohesive, full, and consistent Mess album to date.

Wolves At Bay is a post-hardcore outfit from Connecticut that thrives off of releasing incredibly dark music. Anger, anxiety and depression are all within their music and are expelled with dismal melodies and vitriolic screams. Their new EP When I'm Dead uses the same formula 

Self Defense Family has released an EP of duets between Corrigan and lead vocalist, Patrick Kindlon. Duets is more an alternative country/folk EP and perhaps still as stunning. 'The Way Out Is Back' has impeccable instrumentation. The amount of guitars and their different melodies sonically is beautiful. Not to mention the light and approachable voice of Corrigan, with Kindlon's soft rasp. 

"LETS SING" is chanted and screamed in a rage of urgency as No Bragging Rights kick off their new album. The Concrete Flower begins with a song of desperation, but instead of getting down on themselves, vocalist Mike Perez is begging listeners to join him in singing songs about hope. This first track 'Strength Through Struggle' is as shocking as it is carnal, and that is just the first two minutes and 35 seconds.

This has been an impressive year for Tiny Engines, an indie label operating out of North Carolina. Several of its bands, including the Hotelier, Somos, and Dikembe, have put out spectacular albums all with potential to hold positions in Top 10 lists by the end of this year. On September 9, the all-girl group Cayetana released the newest addition to Tiny Engines’ join growing list of up-and-comers.