Post hardcore blended with the heart of pop-punk and prog
rock sensibilities is where Texas based AnimalJAm’s debut release can be found
lurking.
I understand there is a bit of this type of music going on
these days (in the vein of Dance Gavin Dance, Hail The Sun ect) but where these
groups opt often for technicality and raw power, AnimalJam keep things
memorable with excellent guitar interplay and a varied vocal approach that goes
down smooth.
It’s a perfectly concise release that doesn’t over stay its
welcome at 5 tracks. I have to say as well this is pretty well produced and highlights
some of the more anthemic moments.
I do feel a bit bad about this because New Jersey's Toasted Plastic are a group that is talked about a fair amount between the staff here at Plenty of Swords. However no official post has come (insert sad face) Well this three piece is certainly more than deserving of the praise. A high energon mix of pop punk/ punk, math rock twists and turns and newer emo. There is a lot of complexity crammed in here and that would mean next to nothing if it wasn't coupled with a heaping helping of emotion. Thankfully thats demonstrated in spades especially with the vox. There's more than a little obvious attention payed to crafting some memorable melodies which is more than I can say for a lot of groups. This is the largest element that have kept me coming back to their newest album again and again. If you're looking for a contemporary comparison our very own "black clouds" stated that they remind him of early Sirs. I would have to agree a bit with that but so so so much more. This is one to listen to all the way through. Lots to love here.
Been holding this gem pretty close to my belt. Coming from Canada and largely a solo project of one Noah Michael this beast is restless. In some ways this project is like some kind of alternate dimension version of AM Overcast. I say this because both groups have a preoccupation with math-pop and pop-punk. Not only that but each group has solid grasp on song length (ie short) So why exactly are we here then? to re-hash? not here at the swords. The divergent qualities are what truly make IILS:YLS shine in my opinion. Experimental, noisey, break neck turns and occasionally throw in some heavy break downs. Mixing these elements in with math-pop shouldn't work but like I said short song lengths and incredible execution keeps the flags flying high. Wonderful stuff.
Saratoga Springs NY based band that is holding down some really interesting jams here. I say this because there are a lot of genres being bandied about. Indie rock, twinkly guitars, straight up math rock, alt rock and a spritz of pop punk for flavor. In spirit I kind of get a little bit of a Grown Up's vibe going and this can only mean good things. I appreciate the playing style here as it is pretty loose which isn't usually something I get totally down with. These guys are younger and its a first release but I say pretty dang darn stronger than a lot of first efforts. The vocals actually ended up surprising me in a good way on that second track. Worth the peaking effort as there is certainly something for everyone.
Been sitting on this for a minute and couldn't really give you an answer to why. This is some blasting out of the gates high energy guitar mayhem. Its a scenario where spirits of departed pop punk bands have possesed the bodies of math rock guitarists. It gives it an interesting edge and vocals are highly present and enjoyable. Dare I say a more polished take on the whole philly noodle scream scene. Guitars and Vox way more interesting here. Some pretty sly breakdowns crop up here and there and the mathy guitar interplay never lets up. Info looks to be pretty scant on these cats so if anyone has the 411 drop it off. In any event its a recipe for you listening to these 5 songs.
Any Sebadoh fans in the house? eh? a couple? alright well then some may or may not be familiar with Mr. Lowenstein here one time drummer of the iconic Lou Barlow fronted Sebadoh. If your still scratching your head (which you shouldn't be) Barlow played/plays bass in Dinosaur Jr. Back to the task at hand, Jason's first solo effort is an interesting sort. This is pretty rock n roll through and through but with an excellent grasp of the guitar with some punk rock tones and at times pretty intricate lead lines. 90's sounding for sure with a less pop centric guided by voices level of song writing. draw backs? this release is front loaded like a mother. Anywho there is something for everyone going on here. dig in or......dig dug?
I have been a patient man awaiting this album to come out. After hearing a track or two off some compilations my anticipation has been mounting. UK group James Cleaver Quintet have been carving out a name for themselves with some heavy touring and a lot of energy. This however doth not makith an excellent group and they have many favorable items in their corner. The guitars like to flit between post-hardcore, straight punk and hardcore and yet with the harder edged genre's they still remain pretty poppy. That is of course helped by some extremely varied vocals. There isn't anything DIRECTLY mathy about them but their bass and drum section loves the starts and stops, and interesting rhythmic patterns. Its a grab bag really but with so much energy thrown in it just works so damn well. Think something akin to the "Big Scary Monsters Recording" roster but after being off their meds for awhile......I mean that in the best way possible.
I was just surfing through some of the older posts on this site to get to some more downloading, and while doing so I was reminded of Refused for some reason; I was listening to A Troop of Echoes when i decided to look up the universally revered album that lead to the dismantling of the band behind it.
I remember seeing the video for New Noise back in highschool on some MTV afterschool and loving it, but never picking up the album; i would forget about them, and until just now I haven't heard anything else from their definitive masterpiece. Just from the first few tracks, i can tell how much they must have influenced bands like Mars Volta, Dredg, Bloc Party.. the list could go on. The range of sounds on this is truly special; in 1998, they were mixing a lot of sounds together that at the time was very new; great production for a punk-rock band, first and foremost, but then how they also added sampling in both spoken vocal snippits, but also sections of cool electronica; singing, screaming, winding song structures, and just limitless creativity for a 4 piece hardcore band. Here is New Noise:
It builds up some sweet heavy tension, before letting go to a cool electronic interlude before the vocals enter; The track is the centerpiece of the album, and after hearing the first 4 tracks that lead up to it, i can see how it is a song they decided to put dead center because it really solidifies the themes and sounds they spend the first 20 minutes of the album building, and put it to use for a very cool 5 minute single. I wont say anything more as I am just now starting to dig into the rest of The Shape of Punk to Come, but i am very glad i have rediscovered these guys. Dig it, fools!
This is one of those albums that helped push a lot of what we have today in the "emo" math rock area. I mean no disrespect either when I use that tag. Sadly it was over used in the past to the point of having either no meaning at all or being derogatory. These five from Illinois play a music indebted to post-rock, pop-punk, pop and math rock. Their influences take different roles on different songs making them a highly versatile group. Without their song structures however they would be not even half as good. Instrumentation runs fairly technical without ever getting too showy. The appearance of brass on a few songs makes perfect sense as well. Vocals are actually used when necessary and by no means a central figure. I love this album because there is always something new I find that I like. Not that its dense but that it offers a lot. If your not familiar and enjoy breathing and people playing music I'd say your best bet would be have a gander.
This is an amazing amalgamation of so many genres. Hailing from Rome, Italy there is no doubt in my mind that whatever you could call this....Zu is the greatest at it. To effectively compile every style that is twisted by this trio you would have to include.
Jazz
Free-Jazz
Rock
Metal
No-Wave
Math
Punk
Noise
Experimental
phew...
It should be noted that this is the groups 14th release and shows with its laser focus. Fans of any of the above mentioned flim-flam please check it.
There are few groups that I love more than Cinemechanica, these are the reasons:
1. They are fast
2. Technical as all get out
3. Some incredibly emotional shouting vocals
4.Strangely melodic
I can remember hearing "I'm Tired of Paul McCartney" for the first time and wondering what kind of space aliens copied exactly what I wanted a band to sound like and played it for me. These gents are are a part of the wonderful Hello Sir Athens GA record label. Cinemechanica im sure have spent a lot of time with the catalog of the equally amazing Canadian group North of America (whom I will certainly be covering in a later post) Cinemechanica is a logical progression from NoA's math lite punk rock. Just listen to this if you even have a passing interest in rock music. Everyone owes it to themselves. Please. Do it. If your still reading leave and listen :) NOW!
Why has this combo never crossed my ears before? It really just sounds so right together. Some nice gruff vocals mixed with gang style vocals. Some excellent break downs as well. Very SOLID
