Small Circle "Spinning" and "Mornings" Track Review

Maybe you remember reading my review of Melatonin by Small Circle, the beautiful first ep from this Philadelphia 4-piece, and maybe you don't, but either way the band is releasing their debut full length, Cyclical, on Flower Girl Records on September 8 and we are lucky enough to already have two tracks to taste before the record drops.

"Spinning" is technical, stacked, ballad of a song about putting in non-reciprocated effort into a relationship but sticking it out anyways. Cam Boucher and Marissa D'elia share dual vocal duties and the contrast between the monotone style of Boucher and the beautiful tone of D'elia during the chorus line, "I'll be just fine," is really emotional. The instrumentation does a great job raising the atmosphere and creating this hopeful feel around this awful experience. This song alone makes me very excited for this record.

"Mornings" for one reason or another reminds me of the closing credit song from the HBO series, The Wire, and I love it. The song has a sad 60's vibe to it. It's filled with that feeling of staying up until early mornings, or pulling an all-nighter for no reason, alone in our room with the lights bright, a mess on the floor, creating something or waiting for nothing, unaware of the time or fully aware and not caring. It's somber and it's wanting and it's wonderful.

Cyclical comes out on September 8 on Flower Girl records. Preorder it now!

Small Circle hit the road with Remo Drive and McCafferty this September.

09/05 - Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
09/06 - Asbury Park, PA @ Asbury Park Brewery
09/07 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Knitting Factory
09/08 - Kingston, NY @ BSP
09/09 - Boston, MA @ Sonia's

Cataldo 'Keepers' Review

Brian Anderson’s new record Keepers under the name Cataldo seems like something we’ve heard before only this time it’s different. Like listening to someone else read a book you’ve already read. It’s familiar but it’s also completely redone and original. Sitting somewhere between 80’s pop, Deathcab For Cutie, and the nostalgia of Jr. High dances, Keepers is all at once full of sadness, bright pop, and awkward slow dances with pretty people, and sweat palms on hips and shoulders.

Ben Gibbard of Deathcab fame sings on the album’s opener “Room Without A Flame” and the chord that connects both Anderson and the indie rock staple is both connected and severed. Yes there are great similarities between the two smart-indie rockers, but where Gibbard is subtle, shy, and soft, Anderson breaks through with a soft grit in the vein of Kristian Matsson’s The Tallest Man On Earth.

On the personal “Person You’d Be Proud Of” Anderson creates a beautiful and hopeful atmosphere drenched in teen movie, pop movements. Similar nostalgia stems from my personal favorite track, “Little Heartbeat.” The song is fun, playful, and it’s a time machine in song. A nervous fumbling of hands and lips in the school gymnasium, standing shy against the wall, moving closer in a crowd of friends, popular girls, sad lonely boys, and drunk chaperones. Fast pecks, a quick glance, a giggle, noticeable and unrecognizable. We are having fun here. 

That’s what makes Keepers so great. On “Your Love Has Got me Running Home (To You)” Anderson is restless but also on the line and settling down with love, and on “A Short Goodbye To No One In Particular” Anderson relives past memories and letting go among string arrangements and heartfelt vocals. Even through the heavier parts, Anderson keeps the record moving and it makes the darker parts feel like a passing breeze. It’s the small quirks and pieces that make the record. It’s the fun nostalgia. It’s the subtle build-ups. It’s the memories built and remembered. It’s the keepers.

Sorority Noise "No Halo" Track review and cover of Brand New's "Me vs. Maradona vs. Elvis"

Sorority Noise will be releasing their newest record, You're Not As ___ As You Think, on March 17 via Triple Crown Records. The band's first single, "No Halo" is an intimate and heart wrenching song about dealing with the passing of a friend, something I can personally relate to all too much and too often. The song starts off with an upbeat guitar line reminiscent of some of the best early 2000's emo acts like Taking Back Sunday and Brand New. Cam Boucher finds himself set in the emotional turmoil of dealing with loss of a friend and not being able to be there and battling the urge to leave himself as he sings, "When God called you to fulfill a vacancy I tried to see why it wasn't me."
In my opinion this is the strongest and most vulnerable I have seen the band thus far and I thank you for that , Cam.
Keep on!



I mentioned Brand New earlier and it fits perfectly as Sorority Noise just released a cover of "Me vs. Maradona vs. Elvis" for the purpose of getting people involved and to donate to the ACLU. The cover is a beautifully haunting stripped down version that Cam is so good at producing, and it just so happens to be one of my favorite Brand New tracks.



Both of Cam's bands, Sorority Noise and Old Gray will be donating all proceeds from sales on their bandcamp to the ACLU. Please make sure to donate and buy yourself some great music from great humans in this critical time in our existence. Also make sure to go see Cam perform with Jeff Rosenstock, Ben Hopkins of PWR BTTM, and Eskimeaux in Brooklyn on February 3 to benefit CAIR-NY (Council on American-Islamic Relations).

Hurry 'Casual Feelings' Review

Earlier this year Hurry released Guided Meditations, a full length filled with 90's inspired, nostalgia filled tracks and messages, and now the band is back with a new 3 song ep called Casual Feelings, and it's fantastic.

Hurry is becoming one of my go to bands for all purposes. The songs are relatable and always bring me to other points in my life to reminisce or make me think of the future in a way that doesn't make me sick. The record moves along at the best pace. I don't feel this urgency to get through the songs even though sometimes the lyrical content hits too close to home. It's a slow burn and it moves at a great speed. It needs multiple spins though.

The title track "Casual Feelings" is the standout track for me. Sometimes I buy these really old records from thrift stores. The kind of records that are called "Honeymoon in Paris" or "Vacation in Rome" and I have this daydream of waking up with someone I care about, and it's warm and sunny, and the windows are open, and I put on those records because they are silly but nice, and then we make breakfast or something... yeah I like that stuff, ok? But anyways, this song makes me think of that.

Casual Feelings is out 10/21 on Lame-O Records.
Stream the ep on Brooklyn Vegan
Read my review of Guided Meditations.

Hurry will be laying:
10/14 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
10/15 Cleveland, OH @ Mahal's w/ Slingshot Dakota, Kississippi
10/28 Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA w/ Eric Slick, Cherry, Cave People
11/18 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge w/ Valley Lodge
12/17 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer w/ The Starting Line, Jank

City Of Caterpillar Reunion Shows and Record Repress

Perhaps one of the most exciting pieces of music news that I've heard in a while is that legendary screamo giants City Of Caterpillar are not only repressing their only and incredible self-titled LP, but that the band in its original lineup is getting back together for the first time in 13 years for a handful of live performances.

City of Caterpillar bridged the gap between hardcore, punk, and indie. Their influence can be seen in most modern hardcore and punk bands. In their short existence in the early 2000's the band managed to create something that still to this day seems fresh and which transcends genre's but also the constant changing musical landscape. This record is both beautiful and chaotic. It's progressive. It's an instant classic in so many tight knit circles. This is passion. This is beautiful.

Stream the record on bandcamp.
Order the repress through Repeater Records.

City of Caterpillar will play:
Friday, Jan 13, 2017 - Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter w/ Bermuda Triangles, Big No
Saturday, Jan 14, 2017 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas w/ HIRS, Pinkwash
Sunday, Jan 15, 2017 - Washington DC @ Black Cat Backstage w/ Pygmy Lush, Malady
Monday, Jan 16, 2017 - Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus w/ Big Hush, Ghastly City Sleep

The Grebes "WinterNights" and "Colony" Track Reviews

The Grebes are releasing a new ep entitled DarkDays//WinterNights on September 13 and previous to that release they premiered two new songs on bandcamp. "WinterNights" and "Colony" and they are so good.

The band mixes folk with indie and they do it so well. "WinterNights" has a nice slow burn to it. It builds up to so many points where it should flow over the top into something massive but The Grebes always keep it controlled which I think works even better. The build up to the overflow happens to much and it's really great to see a band hold back without holding back. The musicianship and vocals are always on too.

"Colony" got me completely fucked up. I won't lie. I got chills, and after reading the facebook post about the song itself it hit even harder. All I can really say is that it's really wonderful to see a person who has dealt with heavy abandonment and who has channeled those feelings and has created something so powerful and inspiring. My hat goes off to you my friend. Thank you for this.

Stream both of these songs on bandcamp.
See them on the 14th at the Middle East.

Suburban Living "Come True" Track Review

Suburban Living just finished recording their sophomore record entitled Almost Paradise which will be out 10/07 via the great 6131 Records. The band released their first single "Come True" courtesy of Impose Magazine early last week.

The track kicks off in a synth daydream until the drums kick in followed by guitar. The song reminds me of something from Twin Peaks. It has that dreamy, white noise aspect to it, and the vocals have a far off quality to them and they sit pretty even with the rest of what's going on. Though sometimes they drift a little further and it gives the song some nice depth. All the different layers, from the synth and drums moving the song forward, to the guitars fluttering in and out, to the constant noise deep in the mix and the effected vocals make this a really solid first offering from this new record. There's lots here to get into and get lost in. Get to it.

Almost Paradise will be out 10/07
Stream "Come True" over at Impose Magazine.

They play 10/08 in Philly at The Foundry

American Football "I've Been So Lost For So Long" Track Review

I never thought I would be able to do this, write a review for American Football, without going back to their self-titled record, but here I am. The self-titled record released back in September of '99 on Polyvinyl has been a staple of my musical influence and a record that has kept a steady rotation on my record player and in my car. It's beautiful, real, vulnerable, and one of the first records I bought as a newcomer to punk, early emo, and hardcore. I am proud to say I have turned many of my friends on to this band with over-excitement.

Now here we are, on the brink of a new record simply titled American Football like the last, and we have our first single. Like I mentioned, I never thought I would be doing this for a new song or record from American Football, and honestly that was ok. It's like some movies that are better left alone, no remakes, no comebacks. It's one of those things where their first record is held so high in so many people's eyes that can a new record compete? But maybe competition isn't what it's about. It's not what should be focused on. Yes, the first record is perfect, but times change, people grow, styles differ, and that will never change the fact that that record is amazing, but it shouldn't hurt the new record at all. It's American Football releasing an American Football record, and it should be looked at as such... Wow, ok sorry for the rant.

So here we are with the first single, "I've Been So Lost For So Long" and it is really nice. On the first few listens I could do nothing but smile. There's great guitar tones and single note patterns with shaky drums and a few nice time signatures and changes. Mike Kinsella is an amazing lyricist and vocalist. I have always been in love with his style and it's still on point. As far as the lyrical content goes, it hits home for me, even as far as the song title goes. It's only recently that I've really figured out who I am as an individual and what I want, so lines like "If you find me, could you please remind me, why I should wake up tomorrow" strike a cord in me. I like this a lot. I don't want to assume the rest of the record will follow suit, but I know either way, it will be incredible.

Stream "I've Been So Lost For So Long" now on Pitchfork.
Pre-order the new record now at Polyvinyl.

Some upcoming shows:
Oct 29 - Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre
Jan 28 - New York, NY @ Terminal 5
Feb 11 - London, UK @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
Feb 25 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Ace Hotel Theatre

Notches "Big City" Track Review

It warms my heart when a band from my area kicks ass as much as Notches does, and I'm super stoked for this new ep. Notches will release a tape / 7" entitled Change My Mind on Dead Broke Rekerds. The tape will be available on their upcoming mini tour with Adult Magic, and the 7" will be out later this fall.

In anticipation of their tour and release the band has premiered the first single from the ep courtesy of New Noise Magazine.

On "Big City" Notches has taken a step or ten forward from their LP High Speed Crimes. The song manages to capture a 90's alternative vibe that makes me think of Pete and Pete while still keeping it current and original. It's catchy, it has heavy riffs and softer single notes, the drums are intricate and straight forward, and the bass not only acts as the beef but stands out on its own as well, a feat that not enough bass players can strive for. Notches will easily become one of your favorite bands. A Minimal Crimes guarantee! Plus these dudes are awesome humans and put on an amazing / energetic live show.

Go see them on tour!
Stream the song on New Noise Magazine!
Grab a tape!

Look Mexico "Uniola" Review

My review of Look Mexico's Uniola is published on 36vultures. Hit the link to read it!

Sneeze "Movie Sex" Video and Track Review

Sneeze is releasing a new 12" ep entitled Rot September 16 on Glory Kid, and they just released the second single "Movie Sex" along with a sweet arcade style video game music video that finds the band faced with the normal struggle of getting from the arcade to the gig while stocking up on necessities like beer and food in order to melt faces.

The song itself is one of my favorites from the band so far. Much like "Food" the first single from Rot, there is a new maturity present. The song slows down with a great thumping bass line and clean guitar. Singer Derek Desharnais' vocals are at there best here.

Rot is sure to be the band's best material to date.

Watch the video for "Movie Sex" below and pre-order the record from Glory Kid now!

Brand New "Out Of Range" Track Review

Brand New are slowly building to something big. With news of a potential break up and incripted t-shirts, to a full North American tour with Modest Mouse, to talk of a new album and the release of re-recorded demo tracks and now three new songs. Something big is going to happen... eventually. But for now, we have "Out Of Range."

The newest track, which was actually leaked a few years back, "Out Of Range," is a little different than the hard hitting and aggressive "Mene" and the Your Favorite Weapon meets The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me infused "I Am A Nightmare."

"Out Of Range" is very Modest Mouse-esque which only fits perfectly with the current tour. The song is drum-less song which moves slowly and steady forward thanks to Lacey's low vocals and clean guitar which leads into some shouted backing vocals. It's dark, emotional, and completely Brand New. This band never ceases to blow me away.

Being my favorite band, I may be speaking with a bias, but there is only one other band (Radiohead) that has been able to create new and incredible music, and release records the way they want to. Brand New continuously surpass themselves with each release and with every performance. I could go on and on but just go listen for yourself. And see them live before you can't.

"Out Of Range" has been released as a B-side exclusive on the Mene 7" which is out now Via Procrastinate! Music Traitors. 3 Demos, Reworked and the "I Am A Nightmare" 12" is also out now.

See both Brand New and Modest Mouse on the few shows they have left on tour!

Listen to "Out Of Range" below!

Hurry "Guided Meditation" Review

My review of Hurry's Guided Meditation is now up over at 36vultures. Hit the link and check it out!

http://36vultures.net/review/review-hurry-have-released-the-most-nostalgic-90s-pop-rock-record-with-guided-meditation

Sneeze "Food" Track Review

Boston's Sneeze return with their first single since 2014's Wilt. Glory Kid will release a new six-song ep entitled Rot later this year but luckily enough we get a taste of what the band has been up to over the past year.

I've pressed the play button for "Food" like fifty times now. The only thing I can really say is that it's super catchy, it's riffy, and it rules. This is Sneeze in a more concise mature fashion. Great vocals, tight drumming, this cool bass driven part, and a sweet soaring echo-guitar part towards the end. A perfect way to get back into the world of Sneeze. If "Food" is the blueprint for what we can expect to hear on Rot then this record is definitely worth the wait.

Rot comes out on Glory Kid in September.

Pre-order the record or limited cassette here.

Stream "Food" below.



Sneeze will play:

May 14 at Red Alert Indoor Skatepark - Dover, NH
May 28 at Lilly Pad - Cambridge, MA
June 18 at Obriens - Allston, MA

Pity Sex "White Hot Moon" Review

I am now a contributing writer at 36vultures. My first piece is a review of Pity Sex "White Hot Moon."

Head over to the site to check it out!

I will be continuing to post on this site regularly as well as contributing over there. I will always post the links here.

Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers Live at 3S Artspace, Portsmouth, NH 4/23/16. Show Review + Photos

Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers played an amazing and emotional show last night in Portsmouth, NH at 3S Artspace.  I am ashamed to say I didn't hear of Phoebe until I saw she was touring with Julien. Well lets just say I'm very happy that the two toured together not only because the show was incredible but because Phoebe is an amazingly talented artist. The two could have been sisters or close cousins, and are cut from the same cloth. Listening to their voices there are a lot of great similarities but enough differences in their approach and song writing to keep you fully invested in both equally.

Bridgers opened the show and played some songs alone before bringing out a friend on drums whose name escapes me (sorry dude but sweet drumming and your voice harmonized really well with Phoebe's). The singer songwriter, dressed all in black and sporting purple hair told of her and Baker's adventures in a cemetery and the Portsmouth salt flats before singing through a good chunk of folk and indie inspired sad songs including a cover of a song the punk band she's also in wrote. Songs like the single "Killer" off her debut 7" under the same name, which was put out by Ryan Adams' label Pax-Am, and "Georgia" were mesmerizing. Bridgers contains herself on stage with not a ton of moving around, and it's hard not to be completely sucked into her performance. I really look forward to more releases from her in the future, and at 20 years old I'm sure there will be a plethora of them.

Baker came out not to long after Bridgers ended her set and by that point the stragglers in the back of the room had all moved in. I saw Baker perform back in January in Boston and that show had a lot of energy in it. The crowd was more energetic. This show felt stripped down, but in a good way. It felt more personal and it appeared that Baker felt the same way. It was an emotional course for both her and the audience. Baker played through a slowed down, intimate version of "Blacktop" that was bursting with emotion. Songs like "Rejoice" and "Everybody Does" were explosive with Baker singing at the top of her lungs and getting lost in the performance. Two new songs were played with Baker being at her most vulnerable. Singing below the mic, and being visibly over-run with emotion, it was beautiful and inspiring.

Baker closed her set with the entire attending audience singing "Something" along with her and it was a moment to hold on to. The group became one with the artist we were all there to see. It's different then attending a punk show or even a large venue concert where everyone is belting out tunes. This was personal. A quiet choir singing together crammed in a small venue and leaving it all out there.

A quick break and Baker and Bridgers came out together to perform the Elliott Smith cover of "Ballad Of Big Nothing" she recorded for the Say Yes! Tribute album. A wonderful collaboration of two amazingly talented artists singing undoubtedly one of their biggest influences. A perfect ending to an incredible show. If you missed it, you missed it.

You can see more of my photos from the show here and here.

See Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers play tonight in Cambridge, MA at The Sinclair and check out one of the few remaining dates on their tour.

Get Julien Baker's Sprained Ankle from 6131 Records
Get Phoebe Bridgers Killer 7" from Pax-Am Records
Say Yes! A Tribute to Elliott Smith will be out 10/14 on American Laundromat

Omni "Afterlife" Track review

Atlanta rockers, Omni, are made up of members of both Deerhunter and Carnivores and are releasing their debut LP, Deluxe, on Trouble In Mind Records in July. The band released their first single and first song off the record the other day along with a sweet video featuring a heavy 80's influence. Geometric shapes, neon colors and signs, and a lo-fi home video quality filming style.

"Afterlife" is the musical embodiment of that description of the video. Make sense? Well think Devo inspired, minimalist, indie rock and you pretty much got it. And yes, it;s as good as it sounds. Upbeat, poppy with a lo-fi basement recording vibe. Think about death. Afterlife.

Check out the video below.

Deluxe is out on July 8 on Trouble In Mind Records.

See the band at one of these shows:


FRI 4/29/2016 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta Mess Around

SAT 4/30/2016 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta Mess Around

FRI 5/6/2016 Aisle 5 Atlanta, Georgia La Luz, Massenger

SAT 5/21/2016 529 Atlanta, Georgia Henry Chunklet’s Stand Up Special

Sorority Noise "It Kindly Stopped For Me" Review

Sorority Noise's It Kindly Stopped For Me comes out Friday on Topshelf Records but it's streaming now in its entirety over at The Fader. To call the record vulnerable would be an understatement. Singer Cam Boucher told The Fader that after the songs were sent off to the plant that he thought maybe they shouldn't be released. 

This record hits home for me in so many ways. Being from the same hometown and experiencing my fare share of friends deaths and depression, these songs and Cam's honest approach to these situations gives me chills and the feeling that even the worst situations and feelings can turn into something beautiful. 

It Kindly Stopped For Me is tragic and beautiful, and so honest and vulnerable, like I mentioned before. Songs like "Either Way," with that beautiful rolling guitar line and an honest look at suicide and death, and "Fource," which sounds as though Cam wrote the music and then went walking in the woods and recorded the vocal parts on his phone as they came. It's raw, it's real. 

Honesty in music is something special. In an industry filled with recycled bullshit and trends that come and die in a single breath, Sorority Noise is sincerity. 

It Kindly Stopped For Me comes out April 22 on Topshelf Records.

You can still catch the band on tour now!

Small Circle "Melatonin" Review

Small Circle kind of just appeared. Featuring members of Sorority Noise and Rozwell Kid plus newcomer Marissa D'Elia, the band just released this beautiful ep of emotional, subtly urgent songs with the chops of a band that's been together for years.

"We Belong Here," the ep's first track has this great distant sounding, twangy, Modest Mouse style guitar line throughout it. A song about love. Reminiscent of something I wrote about someone one time... That subtle urgency I mentioned reveals itself here. D'Elia sings, "It's so easy to write about you, there's just never enough words," and there's never enough time to do so. So listen to this again.

"Please Don't Touch The Moon," is wonderfully American Football inspired in the pretty guitar playing by Cameron Boucher, but the song has variety in it's approach to the middle of the song. It's darker and the darkness grows even as the song turns back inward to the softer playing. A nice fusion of sound is built up in the background and repetitive vocal melodies introduce this weird blend of claustrophobic open-ness. Like trapped in a glass box in a field.

The ep closes with "It's Just Not Realistic" that turns back to the Modest Mouse instrumentation of "We Belong Here." The dual vocals between D'Elia and Boucher blend so well and each have their own wonderful pieces they bring to the song. This song feels like it could explode at any minute. Like it's constantly teetering on the edge of somber reflection and an emotional breakdown. Vulnerable would be the word I would choose if I could only use one, both for this song and the ep as a whole. A very impressive first effort. I hope we get more, and what about a physical release? Tapes anyone?

Stream / download the ep on bandcamp.

Pleasure Gap "Scatter" Review

Southern NH has had it's fair share of bands over the years, but I found that in my immediate location there has been a lack of good bands emerging. Insert Pleasure Gap, the indie rock unit from right down the road from me in beautiful, bright, and safe... Manchester, NH. The band just released its third full length release, Scatter, via Midnight Werewolf Records. A collection of eight unique indie rock songs that are a true breath of fresh air for the scene here in NH and for my ears.

The album opens with the slow burn "Therapist" with it's intertwining guitar and bass parts and vocals harmonies ranging from low and subdued to swollen and layered. The song is a great representation of what's to come. Singer Ryan Egan's Modest Mouse style vocal delivery and the bands delivery of soft melodic parts mixed with louder and noisier executions like those in "Merkle." It's noisey and there are some interesting chord progressions and changes with ever present emotional howls and croons from Egan. The heavier parts have Radiohead qualities while some of the slower, twinkly parts remind me of American Football.

Standout tracks are "9821*" "Rich." "9821*" is this subdued swelling interlude type track, only it boats an over four minute run time. A repetitive guitar line reminiscent of something from Band Of Horses and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs keeps the song slowly burning along, as it builds and builds with the addition of Egan's "I lost my mind, I feel fine," vocals and some distorted feedback which adds to the desperation of the track. "Rich" allows itself to get lost in this shoegaze inspired dream-like haze, creating a steady driving ballad and an atmosphere where the band can get into the dirtier corners of their sound.

Scatter, with the risk of sounding like an idiot, is a real Pleasure. It's always exciting to feel good about/get behind a band that comes from a place you know as home, and who are doing something refreshing and original with real talent.

Get the tape from Midnight Werewolf Records or the band at one of their upcoming shows / tour!

04.15 -- Providence, RI -- AS220
04.17 -- Dover, NH-- Wrong Brain HQ
04.23 -- Boston, MA -- O'Brien's
05.06 -- Portland, ME -- Geno's
05.07 -- Winooski, VT -- Waking Windows
05.08 -- Albany, NY -- The Tree House
05.09 -- Brooklyn, NY-- Palisades
05.29 -- Manchester, NH-- Fuzz Hut