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.

Metz "Cellophane" Track review

The first single off Metz’s forthcoming album, Strange Peace, is an absolute headbanger. The band never shy’s away from the noise and on “Cellophane” they bring it in by the truck full. 

Singer / guitarist Alex Edkins creates a bleak and helpless picture of being buried alive, wrapped in plastic. “How will I know it’s real,” sings Edkins within explosive drum hits and noise drenched, sharp guitar riffs. It’s complete and utter despair while remaining as defiant as ever. 

“Cellophane” is face melting, large, and noisy while managing to stay melodic at times, and more structured than some of the bands older works.

Strange Peace was recorded live to tape by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago and it will be out September 22 on Sub Pop.

Check out the track below!

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).

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

Desert Sharks 'Template Hair' Review

Desert Sharks released this ep Template Hair in June via MANIMAL Records. The Brooklyn-based rockers mix a combination of garage punk, motorcycle rock, surf punk, and great 90's vibes to create three catchy rocking-as-fuck songs.

The ep opens with the fast paced "crazycrazy" about being legit crazy not silly crazy. Like killing some dude in a hotel kind of crazy. I'm a big fan of singer Stephanie Gunther's vocals and the musicianship is top notch. Some really great solo parts that are super surfy and rule.

My favorite track on the ep is "Ooh, Hey." The riffs, the tempo, the vocals. You just want to move. Head bobbing, cruising, dancing, all of the above, which leads into the last track "Black Moon" which is similar in style to the previous track but it's kind of sinister sounding. The riffs and tom work are so rad.

Get into this band. Grab the ep on tape and listen to it like 30 times in a row because you can and it's worth it. And see them live when you can. Their live show is great.

Stream Template Hair here.
Get the tape from bandcamp.
See some pics I took of them Live in Manchester as the Fuzz Hut here.

PWR BTTM "New Hampshire" Track Review

Last fall Brooklyn based punk duo PWR BTTM released their incredible debut album Ugly Cherries courtesy of Father/Daughter Records in the US only. But fear not, UK's Big Scary Monsters label is re-releasing it with two bonus songs. "Projection" was released online last month and now we get the somber, darker, tear-jerking "New Hampshire". Feels like home!

"New Hampshire" features soft chords and clicking pattered drums with just a few dashes of distortion mixed with the idea of inevitability. The end of everything will happen. Your life, animals, plants, relationships, everything. An idea that can be hard to swallow, Singer/guitarist Ben Hopkins told NPR "It's a song about greener grass. I wrote it during a period of time where I hated where I lived and who I was there, and I just felt to helpless that I figured whenever I did inevitably wither away, the parties that be could ship me somewhere better. Reflecting on it, the hopelessness I felt was actually in me, and the place I was in or where I wanted to be couldn't help things if I wasn't willing to help myself first."

The song is beautiful and touching. PWR BTTM are incredible. Hopefully they play "New Hampshire" in New Hampshire in October when they play at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth!

Stream "New Hampshire" here.
Go see them in New Hampshire.
Pre-order the record from BSM.

Go support the fuck out of them on tour!

Kindling "Everywhere Else" Review

Kindling is no stranger to this blog. The Easthampton, MA shoegaze behemoth is releasing their debut full length Everywhere Else via No Idea Records this Friday, August 12. What's so impressive about Kindling is their ability to take a genre of music where songs and bands can easily start to sound redundant and overused, and make it fresh. They have soaring guitars reminiscent of more post-rock bands, they have heavier riffy parts and constant driving bass like grunge bands, and they have times where the drums seem explosive, fast, and punk. Not to mention the haunting yet soothing vocals of Gretchen Williams and the 90's alt rock vocals of Stephen Pierce. Kindling is like a smorgasbord of grunge, shoegaze, and dream-pop, and it's so good!

Songs like the opener "Coma" and "Blinding Wave" are perfect examples of the soaring guitar shoegaze vibe mixed with the 90's alt rock vibe the band is absolutely nailing. The songs are dense and there's a lot there, but they aren't claustrophobic like some shoegaze acts. Then there are tracks like "Black Eye" and "Other Times" that are more heavy on the grunge side of things. Riffs, and hard hitting drums and bass, giving the record a nice contrast but one that isn't overly stark or out of place.

"Became" for me is the piece de resistance. I think it's the culmination of everything the record presents. Layers of heavy guitar, drum fills and steady moving bass, perfect vocals sitting just beyond full clarity, and high singing guitars. This is it.

Everywhere Else has the ability to play through and feel concise like a solid unit of work, but its individual tracks are dynamic and original, and can stand out on their own as well as within the whole. The record plays through so well, but the individual tracks have their own weight to them. They carry enough within them to stand on their own. I think this is what makes a perfect record. One that can play through as one solid piece of work, but can be looked back upon and specific pieces can be picked out. I think what I'm trying to say is: This record is really fucking good.

Kindling are playing two record release shows this week.
Stream the whole record on Spin.
Pre-order Everywhere Else from No Idea or go to a show and get it!

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!

Kindling "Weightlessly" Track Review

...And I'm back.

Exciting, but not as exciting as Kindling releasing their new full length Everywhere Else, on No Idea Records this August.

"Weightlessly" was premiered on Stereogum last month, and it rips. The bands wonderful shoegaze roots are still present but move aside a bit for a faster soaring element to the mix. The song rips through a great bass driven and drum bashing opening into a great soaring guitar part to the end. Gretchen Williams' vocals are haunting and soothing at the same time. Glowing yet buried. Wonderful and wonderful.

Everywhere Else record release show is August 11 at Great Scott in Allston, MA with California X, Happy Diving, Kestrels, and Dirt Devil.

Stream "Weightlessly" here!

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

Radiohead "Burn The Witch" Track Review

It's finally happened. Radiohead has released the first single "Burn The Witch" off the new album, and it's amazing. After a sudden and almost overnight disappearance from social media, the band teased out a few videos earlier today and now we have arrived.

The song is foreboding, ominous, with orchestral elements, and it's accompanied by a new video. I hear elements of In Rainbows and Hail To The Thief which makes me very happy and if it's not already obvious to you, this record is going to be incredible.

Watch the video below.

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.

Empty Houses "Falling Away" Track Review

As you can tell if this isn't your first time reading this blog, I'm all over the place, and this post is no exception. Empty Houses is made up of Adam Mercer and David Mackinder of the band Fireworks and singer Ali Shea, and the band plays beautiful upbeat Motown inspired songs that you honestly can't dislike, and if you can just leave now.

The band teased a 5 song ep last year and are currently about to release their first full length record, Daydream, on Sargent House in June. The band released the first track "Falling Away" off the record and it's wonderful. Ali Shea's voice is so beautiful and could easily be mistaken for that of a 60's era pop group singer. The music is upbeat and impossible to sit still to. Accompanied with claps, a bubbly guitar line, and tambourine. Mercer tells Noisey that the song, "deals with the realization that what you're looking for may not actually be what you want." For a theme that is pretty heavy, the song delivers on such a light, fun note. I honestly can't wait for this record.

Empty Houses will be hitting the road in June with Good Old War.


Daydream comes out June 10 on Sargent House.

Stream "Falling Away" below.

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