Revisted: Harvard [2009] The Inevitable, and I

sound: Indie Rock/Progressive
myspace
I rarely do this, i haven't even listened to this whole record and im gonna write about it anyways. I've heard about 5 tracks off this album in the last half an hour, and im going to say im surprisingly blow away. But let me tell you why, normally when people compare a band to Circa Survive or Minus the Bear they almost always turn out to be complete and utter shit.
So needless to say when i saw this record being compared to Juturna my initial response was "there's no fucking way". However i will say these guys share lot with that record, the same haunting feel of the guitars/faders/pedals use you got from Circa, should be expected here because this record is produced by Brian Mcternan.  Vocalist is more Deas Vail sounding to me, but still pretty great. Overall this record gives a very intimate feel, its sort of dreamlike and introspective in nature, but extremely enjoyable. Some jazzy aspects, the track French Girls has a glimmer of horns for flavoring and On with Disease sounds like it could have been on On Letting Go. Heavier  feeling tracks like Red Dress exist for those who question the prog. rock tag. Interesting record, definitely try these guys out.

*Do these guys a solid and buy some merch, small label bros for sure :)
Harvard Merch.

sounds like: Circa Survive, Deas Vail, As Cities Burn

stream the whole record at Enjoy the Ride.

Saosin - (2003) Translating The Name

sound: Post Hardcore/ Progressive Rock
length:7 songs, 21.3 minutes
myspace, click on the song translating the name
1. Seven Years (3:12)
2. Translating The Name (3:26)
3. 3rd Measurement In C (2:38)
4. Lost Symphonies (2:55)
5. They Perched On Their Stilts, Pointing And Daring Me To Break Custom (2:51)
6.3rd Measure in C (acoustic)
7. Seven Years (acoustic)


Ok, so for about ten minutes today i thought i might be a Saosin fan. But then i took a deep breath counted to ten and came to my senses. It turned out i was actually just still an Anthony Green fan because the man is a musician worthy of praise, and a vocalists capable of  amazing feats most men would not dare. Besides that hes capable of  conveying a great deal of emotion and managing to some how command  your attention over the music. Not to mention he is a prolific fucking lyricist.....but that's enough hand jobbing  Anthony Green for one post.
When really i just want to talk about the fucking drummer. Pat McGrath, a drummer Saosin pulled in for this single EP, a man who had never played a single show with them live. They simply asked him to emulate the voracious sound of This Day Forward. Well, he pretty much took that direction and blew it out of the fucking water. Honestly if they'd managed to keep  these two this band would have been fucking outrageous, possibly way too fucking talented. Maybe its better for the universe that Green went on to Circa Survive, who boasts another great drummer by the by.  And as for Pat Mcgrath, well he went back to the fucking Underworld from whence he came, where he shall remain, until he is whole once again.
This EP is a constant battle between these two very talented musicians putting on one hell of a fucking show over 4 tracks. If you are a Circa Survive fan do not skim over this, it is an absolute treasure.

sounds like: Circa Survive, This Day Forward

bump.

REQUEST: As Cities Burn - (2009) Hell or High Water

sound:Indie/Progressive
length: 9 songs, 41.6 minutes
myspace
1. 84’ Sheepdog
2. Errand Rum
3. Into The Sea
4. Made Too Pretty
5. Lady Blue
6. Petty
7. Daughter
8. Pirate Blues
9. Capover
*10. Gates (itunes bonus track)

Going to stop being lazy and give this an actual review. As i began with last time this record certainly has an interesting consistency. Some where between absolute depression, and a tiresome fist fight lies this bold push by As Cities Burn. Lyrically it's perceptive, the song Made to Pretty for example "We don't want a God we don't see in ourselves don't see we're in need /I think we were made too pretty/We're caught up in a stare and we can't break." I still think Come Now Sleep is a great record, but am willing to admit this is a substantial leap in the right direction for a band i had completely written off. Cheers.

sounds like: An Albatross, Damiera, The Poems, Circa Survive

Bang

Dead Poetic - (2004) New Medicines

sound: Post Hardcore/Screamo
length: 11 songs, 48.32 minutes
myspace
1. "Taste the Red Hands" – 2:58
2. "The Dream Club Murders" – 3:49
3. "New Medicines" – 4:01
4. "Vanus Empty" – 3:55
5. "Bury the Difference" – 3:33
6. "Molotov" – 3:46
7. "Glass in the Trees" – 5:01
8. "Dimmer Light" – 4:06
9. "Hostages" – 3:22
10. "Modern Morbid Prophecies" – 3:52
11. "A Hoax to Live For" – 10:08 (Song Ends at 2:52)
12. "Zonshine" (Hidden- Starts at 4:21)

If you liked their first album then there is no promise from me that you'll enjoy this, and vise versa. However, i fucking loved their first press, but think this one is way better. Depressing lyrics and all. If you find you like this, you might try Vices their third. Not really my cup of tea, but watev.

sounds like: Circa Survive, Receiving End Of Sirens, A Static Lullaby

Ding.

Circa Survive - (2005) Juturna

sound: Indie/Post-Hardcore
length: 11 songs, 52.33 minutes
myspace
1. "Holding Someone's Hair Back" – 3:22
2. "Act Appalled" – 3:20
3. "Wish Resign" – 4:14
4. "The Glorious Nosebleed" – 3:13
5. "In Fear and Faith" – 3:35
6. "The Great Golden Baby" – 4:11
7. "Stop the Fuckin' Car" – 4:22
8. "We're All Thieves" – 4:53
9. "Oh, Hello" – 2:36
10. "Always Getting What You Want" – 4:01
11. "Meet Me in Montauk" – 14:39 (includes hidden track)

I go back and forth with this album, I'm never sure if i think it's better then thier second album Let Go. Truthfully, i just fucking love their drummer, he's some serious shit. However, re-listening to it right now for maybe the 80 time, i definitely think it's worth listening to, and certainly owning. If you would like a work out, try playing Oh, Hello it will fucking tear apart your forearms.

sounds like: The Receiving End of Sirens, Hell is For Heroes, Strata, Dead Poetic

Ding!

Alexisonfire - (2002) Alexisonfire

sound: Post Hardcore/Screamo
length: 11 songs, 42.34 minutes
myspace
1. 44. Caliber Love Letter
2. Counterparts And Number Them
3. Adelleda
4. Daggers Through The Heart Of St. Angeles
5. Polaroids Of Polarbears
6. Water Wings
7. Where No One Knows Your Name
8. The Kennedy Curse
9. Jubella
10. Little Girls Pointing And Laughing
11. Pulmonary Archery

I figured i would post this for nostalgia if nothing else. It's one of the few records i fucking loved when i was in high school, that i still fucking love now. The guitars are like a glorious symphony, over or under Wade's obnoxious screams and Dallas' sad wails. I love this record with green eggs, under tree, all that shit. Besides Little Girls Pointing and Laughing might be the greatest song of all time.

sounds like: A Static Lullaby, Moneen, The Coterie, Dead Poetic, Circa Survive

Voip!