Dance Gavin Dance - (2009) Happiness

sound: Punk Rock/Screamo
length: 10 songs, 36.9 minutes
myspace
01. Tree Village ( 3:22)
02. NASA ( 3:35)
03. I'm Down With Brown Town ( 3:01)
04. Carl Barker ( 5:13)
05. Happiness ( 3:30)
06. Self-Trepanation ( 3:13)
07. Strawberry Swisher Pt. I ( 3:28)
08. Don't Tell Dave ( 3:17)
09. Strawberry Swisher Pt. II ( 3:06)
10. Powder to the People ( 5:11)

Im not gonna lie, i thought Downtown Battle Mountain was the worst piece of shit garbage record i had heard in a while. But not for lack of talent or trying, because the guitars were interesting, but needed some direction and the drummer was pretty  good, but their singer* sounded like absolute shit. It was like all this directionless unnecessary screaming being drowned out by some asshole trying to harmonize or find this one certain elusive note. Needless to say, when this record came out i was not, fucking, interested, at, all.
But my friend Brenden told me they got a new vocalist, and some other new band mates so i gave the track Tree Village a chance. This was like listening to a completely different band. The guitar effects and rifts suddenly had purpose, the vocals were enjoyable and not grating, and damn if the song isn't actually catchy. The drums are quite a few degrees above the slightly better then novice level of the two previous albums. This record is considerably far more impressive  then anything this band name has ever been associated with in the past. Also quite a few interesting instrumental tracks littered  through out the album. It's a confusing, ambitious and innovative press, if this  is a first step in re inventing the band, i am all for it. Cheers to these guys, i hadn't even realized i had  been starving for a complete and polished record from this band.

sounds like: later Fear Before, Vanna, Closure in Moscow, Seven Story Fall, Silverstein

bump.

* sidebar: if you are a fan of Jonny Craig and i have offended you... i don't  really give a shit it's my fucking blog and i'll say what i want. Also Kurt Travis sounds way better, and is the best thing to happen to this band, ever, period.

The Messenger - (2008) Let's Get Dangerous

sound: Punk Rock/Screamo
length: 13 songs, 59.9 minutes
myspace
1. This Eagle Has Landed
2. A Gondola Ride In Paris
3. Hey, Vanity!
4. Latina Heat
5. Sex & John Candy
6. Facility In Under 2:05
7. Make Me
8. Outline Of A Monster
9. Nothing Says Party Like A Box Of Fine Wine
10. I Was Born In A Holiday Inn
11. Oh Girl, Just Music
12. They Say My Name Is...
13. Passando O Ano Novo Na Praia

This band is like a more melodical Kane Hodder, or a less depressing Scary Kids. In my opinion this record has all the appeal of a more popular Punk Rock right now, yet still has the progressive sound of say Lady Radiator. Pretty catchy, pretty entertaining and a possible listen for the screamo crowd.

sounds like: Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Beloved, Silverstein, Kane Hodder, A Static Lullaby

Bang

A Thorn For Every Heart - (2004) Things Aren't So Beautiful Now...

sound: Punk Rock
length: 10 songs, 30.59 minutes
myspace
1. "99 with an Anchor" – 3:32
2. "February" – 2:48
3. "A Night to Remember, A Morning to Forget" – 3:21
4. "Next of Kin" – 2:51
5. "The Prediction" – 3:07
6. "Streetcar" – 2:59
7. "Summer So Bleak" – 3:36
8. "Pretty When You Cry" – 2:52
9. "Things Aren't So Beautiful Now (Part I)" – 2:32
10. "Things Aren't So Beautiful Now (Part II)" – 3:23

So even though their second album is a steaming pile of sell-out Pop bullshit, this album is just fine. This album showcases their drummer who by far is the most talented musician in this band. Saw these guys live once before their new album came out, they kicked ass. However, if your into the new sound of Funeral For a Friend or bands like Ivoryline, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus then by all means I'm sure you'll love their newer shit too.

sounds like: Silverstein, Armor for Sleep, A Static Lullaby

Bang

A Static Lullaby - (2006) A Static Lullaby

sound: Post Hardcore/Screamo
length: 12 songs, 46.38 minutes
myspace
1. "Hang 'Em High" – 3:59
2. "Contagious" – 4:09
3. "Annexation of Puerto Rico" – 3:46
4. "The Art of Sharing Lovers" – 3:35
5. "The Collision" – 4:01
6. "Trigger Happy Tarantula" – 4:07
7. "Eager Cannibals" – 2:55
8. "Life in a Museum" – 3:56
9. "Stare at the Air" – 2:57
10. "Static Slumber Party" – 3:47
11. "Mechanical Heart" – 5:50
12. "Let Go" (bonus track) – 3:18

I fucking love this band. But i think alot of the reason i listen to them is because i want to sex their drummer, soo hard. He has admirably large... talent. Srsly though, good album, opening to Life In a Museum is epic. Mechanical Heart best song on the album hands down.

sounds like: Alexisonfire, Dead Poetic, Silverstein

Whoosh!