Jawbox - [1994] For Your Own Special Sweetheart

sound: Indie Rock/Post Hardcore
myspace
Listened to this record 3 times in a row the other day while shoveling snow, no sweat. You know it's pretty fucking good when you don't mind hearing it from start to finish, much less three fucking times in a row. This band sounds surprisingly like Pilot to Gunner, if you don't get that joke then look up the word sarcasm. They are without a doubt a staple of any lover of DC Post Hardcore, or any one with a hard on for J. Robbins. Fortunately for me my discovery of this band was because my boyfriend fits in both of those categories. If there was a Post Hardcore starter kit, or a 90's post grunge school of rock, i'm pretty sure this record would be in both. Anyway, this band is epic, this press is prolific, and if you don't believe me then listen to the track Savory because it's fucking fantastic.
FYOSS reissued on vinyl.

sounds like: Burning Airlines, Pilot to Gunner, Sparta

Bang = VBR.

Faraquet - (2000) the View From This Tower

sound: Indie Rock/Progressive
length: 9 songs, 36.8 minutes
myspace
1. Cut Self Not
2. Carefully Planned
3. The Fourth Introduction
4. Song For Friends To Me
5. Conceptual Separation Of Self
6. Study In Complacency
7. Sea Song
8. The View From This Tower
9. The Missing Piece

Unfortunately between work, sleep, and weddings I haven't listen to much lately that's really stood out as "worthy of writing about". Save this record, which i blundered upon only to find out i actually had already been listening to the band they later formed into, Medications. While neither band's albums feel like my cup of tea all the way through i can certainly appreciate that these fine gentlemen are talented. Gifted with a drummer that can make you head spin, and guitar lines ranging from smooth to heavily intricate, wandering vocals and intelligent lyrics there's a great deal to be appreciated here. Intro track Cut Self Not is epic to say the least. Check it out.

sounds like : Medications, Bear Vs. Shark, Burning Airlines

Crunch.

All The Day Holiday - (2009) All The Things We've Grown to Love

sound: Indie/Alternative/Chill Sauce
length: 12 songs, 49.8 minutes
myspace
1. Autumn
2. Real Time
3. 2000 Winters
4. Greener
5. La Voyage
6. Atmosphere
7. Cities
8. The Things We've Grown To Love
9. Flowers and Fireworks
10. Cheers (You Still Love Me)
11. Mountains
12. Invisible

So imagine Explosions in the Sky were a bit more talented and had a really chill sounding vocalist, you would have All the Day Holiday. I have often gone back and listened to their first EP, We'll be Walking on Air and thought about putting it up on here. However, with that album i normally get hung up on how fucking awesome the song FingerPrints is cause it's got this bad ass guitar intro. So when this album came out i was thinking maybe i would find another jem. See Real Time which has some monster drums, you will be replaying this one i promise. Just a nice catchy, alternative rock feel, on top of being really decent guys. Check em out.

sounds like: Burning Airlines, The Cast Before the Break

*Ding.

*can't trust other peop's ups sorry guys, i fixed it.

Bear Vs. Shark - (2003) Right Now You're in The Best Of Hands...

sound: Indie Rock/Progressive
length: 12 songs, 40.42 minutes
myspace
1. "Ma Jolie" – 3:51
2. "Campfire" – 2:12
3. "Buses/No Buses" – 3:14
4. "The Employee Is Not Afraid" – 4:10
5. "We Were Sad But Now We're Rebuilding" – 2:17
6. "Kylie" – 3:56
7. "MPS" – 2:55
8. "Second" – 3:21
9. "Don't Tell the Horses the Stable's on Fire" – 2:50
10. "Bloodgiver" – 4:32
11. "Michigan" – 2:32
12. "Broken Dog Leg" – 4:51

Michigan band, long since dead may BVS rest in peace. This albums whole title is Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands. And If Something Isn't Quite Right, Your Doctor Will Know in a Hurry feel free to put that in your itunes.
However, tough, raspy fast or slow, punk, or rock these guys do it all. This is a great album, We Were Sad But Now.. is fucking fantastic.

sounds like: Burning Airlines, Pilot to Gunner, Riddle of Steel

Roar.

Riddle Of Steel - (2008) 1985

sound: Indie Rock/Progressive
length: 10 songs, 41.13 minutes
myspace
1. John Frum
2. This Van Burns Love
3. Who's The Fella Owns This Shithole
4. Underwater
5. Quiet Now
6. Plenty of Satisfaction
7. It's Called A Turbo
8. Loose Talk
9. Total Cougar
10. Easy Love

Another strong album, start to finish. Who's the Fella Owns This Shithole and Easy Love best songs on the album in my opinion. Different feel to it then Got This Feelin, try it.

sounds like: Able Baker Fox, Q and Not U, Burning Airlines, Bear Vs. Shark

Pow!

Riddle Of Steel - (2005) Got This Feelin

sound: Indie Rock/Progressive
length: 10 songs, 42.31 minutes
myspace
01. THE LOVERS OF NOTHING
02. BABY BIRD
03. DEEPER STILL
04. GOT THIS FEELIN´
05. INVISIBLE HANDS
06. THIS IS A HOUSE OF LIES
07. OUR GUITARS ARE HAUNTED
08. DETROIT FLU
09. THE SUNSHINE STRANGLER
10. AQUILINE

Most of the time i think i enjoy this more then 1985 but then i could be liking it for the sake of argument. Either way, ROS were three guys from St. Louis, kickin some serious ass. If you enjoy the Able Baker Fox press, check these guys out.

sound like: Able Baker Fox, Q and Not U, Burning Airlines, Bear Vs. Shark

Flash!