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User
Reviews 3
Approval 100%
Soundoffs 16
Album Ratings 1096
Objectivity 78%
Last Active 09-10-18 10:17 pm
Joined 01-26-13
Review Comments 100
| Current Digs (recs?)
Been sort of all over the place for awhile musically but lately I've been coming back into alt-rock and pop punk which is basically what got me into music in the first place. Been writing and listening to a lot of music lately and I want to get my hands back into the community a bit. Trying to work my way up to a review soon, it's been on my mind. Hope you all are doing well! | | 1 |  | Biffy Clyro
Puzzle
I had only heard their most recent stuff until about six months ago, when I decided to look into this and a few others on a whim. Whew, I was not disappointed. A very melodic and passionate undertaking that sometimes tries to be more grandiose than it actually is, with standout songs throughout and reaches towards minimalist prog sprinkled in for good measure.
Standout tracks: Living is a Problem, Saturday Superhouse, As Dust Dances, Folding Stars, Machines | | 2 |  | Detour North
It's History, It's Poetry
A sadly unnoticed (EP? LP?) from earlier this year. It feels like 2000s pop punk ideals and vocals meet modern aesthetics and lyrical topics. That description turns me off as well, but something about it feels very authentic and the lyrics feel well above the genres par.
Standout tracks: July, It's History It's Poetry, You Look Like Hell | | 3 |  | Emery
...In Shallow Seas We Sail
A little more screamy and angry then I tend to listen to (The intro to the first song is a bit tough to get through, for example) but the songwriting really appeals to me, and the vocalist very charismatically controls the atmosphere of emotion. Lyrically it appeals to me in a lot of places, and the undulating drive through the album holds my attention rather well.
Standout tracks: Inside Our Skin, In Shallow Seas We Sail, The Smile The Face, A Sin To Hold On To, Dear Death Parts 1&2 | | 4 |  | Jimmy Eat World
Futures
So I've always like their earlier work, from Static Prevails forward but somehow this slipped under my radar as a far below average release of theirs. These days I have a much different take on the songwriting and the direction it seemed they were trying to head. Missed seeing JEW with The Hotelier a few months ago and still hate myself for it. Great soaring choruses on here as well as a deep refinement of their previous strengths. Gone in some ways is the experimentation of the past but there is a lot of worthy material to be found here.
Standout tracks: Futures, Work, Pain, Polaris, 23 (such a jam) | | 5 |  | Latterman
No Matter Where We Go...!
Still pretty new to this and unsure of how deeply I've digested it but what a passionate ride it is. What the singers lack in technical skill they make up for in emotion and charisma (what a tired line, I know). Lyrically it seems more positive than many peers, covering topics of social obligation and a philosophy of self betterment. While maintaining the energy expected of the genre, they seem to experiment with different styles and chords than are most often heard leading to a more interesting if not technically profound listen.
Standout tracks: Doom Doom Doom, Ode To Join Contra Part 2, Fear And Loathing On Long Island, Video Games And Fantasy, My Bedroom Is Like For Artists | | 6 |  | Bright Eyes
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Not really alternative rock or pop punk, but deserving of a spot on the list due to how much appreciation I've given it again recently. Musically more folk than punk and absolutely drenched in melodrama, but the vision behind the songs and the execution of most of the poetry is enough to keep eye-rolling to a minimum. The unique cadence of the lead singer manages to tie everything together nicely, and the (over)use of well known american and classical melodies actually tends to have a useful affect on the way the song is perceived.
Standout tracks: Old Soul Song, Lua, First Day Of My Life, Poison Oak, Road To Joy | | 7 |  | Born Without Bones
Baby
After a debut album of shameless but solid by-the-books pop punk, Born Without Bones decided to delve a bit into some unfamiliar territory to mixed results. The first thing to note in my mind is a continuity in topic and melody as a single vein through the album which adds to the experience and shows the growth of vision and execution as songwriters. Bringing in piano on some tracks adds to the experience as well, rather than seeming like a death throe. The approach into slightly darker and heavier territory allows them to flex a bit maybe for the first time and allow passion to shine rather than hooks. Whether or not this is a good thing depends heavily on the listener, I would wager. Above average vocals and lyrics for sure.
Standout tracks: Rough Terrain, Suffice, Stone, I Was In Love, Cancelled | | 8 |  | Brand New
Deja Entendu
I wouldn't know where to begin, I suppose. But all of you know this album anyways, whether you like it or not so there's no point trying to describe everything in detail. The lyrics, passion, melodies, and sentimentality of it all makes this a contender for their best in my mind. Though, depending on my state of mind TDAG has a strong tendency to edge out.
Standout tracks: Such long song names, it would be easier to just listen to the album | | 9 |  | Julien Baker
Turn Out The Lights
Beautifully sparse, haunting, and with lyrics so personal I feel like I should look away when listening so as not to make her feel self conscious. A surprise out of left field last year and, yes, another album that falls closer to indie-folk than punk or alt. Her voice glides across the top with a wounded croon and she saves the climax of the song to make it a spectacular moment.
Standout tracks: Appointments, Turn Out The Lights, Televangelist, Happy To Be Here, Hurt Less | | 10 |  | The Weakerthans
Reconstruction Site
I've loved these guys since I first ran into them. Still not sure which album is my favorite but the lyrics are absolutely top-tier and the unique vocals instill the image of an introvert aching for trust and something to hold onto. Smart and tight instrumentation while never seeming to go for the obvious hook. Held down by the occasional track of theirs being a bit cheesy lyrically (french penguins, anyone?). This band gets way less love than they deserve.
Standout tracks: Reconstruction Site, Psalm For The Elks Lodge Last Call, Plea From A Cat Named Virtute, Time's Arrow, A New Name For Everything, The Prescience of Dawn | | 11 |  | Minus the Bear
Planet of Ice
It took me awhile to appreciate this if I'm being honest, and I don't know why. I suppose the songwriting isn't as direct as some others but everything is just so crisp and inventive from the ground up. Very odd guitar work and a solidly interlaced rhythm section paired with clean and ebbing vocals hold the release together to let the songwriting speak for itself.
Standout tracks: Ice Monster, White Mystery, Dr. L'Ling, When We Escape, Lotus | | 12 |  | Say Anything
...Is a Real Boy
For someone who's listened to pop punk for forever in some form or another, it's truly impressive how long I went without a single spin of this record. I've always known it existed but every song of theirs I heard seemed to be the wrong one. For what it's worth, I feel I found it at the right time as his ability to carry lyrics forward into one another seamlessly is something I feel can be learned from for people aspiring towards any genre, and the sheer scope of vision for a record in this genre is commendable of them to say the least, whether or not they achieved what they set out to do. Great delivery, experimentation, lyrics, and vocals from a band trying to prove they weren't like everyone else at the time.
Standout tracks: Woe, Alive With the Glory of Love, Yellow/Red Cat, The Futile, Spidersong, Every Man Has a Molly, Admit It!!! | | 13 |  | The Smith Street Band
Sunshine and Technology
Australian alt/punk complete with soaring choruses, personal lyrics, hook-laden instrumentation, and a vocalist's accent that barres any of my friends from actually giving them a chance. Now much larger than they were when I first started listening to this album, The Smith Street Band has expanded a bit and ventured a bit further into alternative, but this is the release I find myself always coming back to to think about where I was in life when I first jammed it and all of the emotions it brings to the front.
Standout tracks: Sunshine & Technology, I Want Friends, Why I Can't Draw, What's Changed, Tom Busby, Young Drunk | | 14 |  | Titus Andronicus
The Monitor
Such a politically charged anthem. Really felt like the album of a generation when I first found it, and though that initial feeling has definitely faded its value as art and a time capsule is ever-present. Further, the charge behind it holds as much relevance as it ever did even if the band themselves do not any longer. Heavily driven guitar rock with soaring and "righteous" solos peppered throughout. The vocals are what they are, but I find myself quite enjoying them as clean and pretty vox here would only serve to diminish the effect imo.
Standout tracks: A More Perfect Union, No Future Part Three, Richard II, A Pot In Which To Piss, Four Score And Seven, ...And Ever, The Battle Of Hampton Roads | | 15 |  | The Wrens
The Meadowlands
Just another group that never got the love they deserved. If you don't know their story they got hard shafted out of a second album for so long that everyone forgot they existed. Regardless, when it did come out it was beautiful and stands on its own against many peers. Currently working on a third studio album, if I'm not mistaken they make what I would describe as sad but smart indie/alt with an adventurous spirit from the 90's.
Standout tracks: Happy, She Sends Kisses, Hopeless, Thirteen Grand, Boys You Won't, Ex-Girl Collection, 13 Months In 6 Minutes | |
blastOFFitsPARTYtime
09.11.18 | Some good stuff here. Might pop back with some recs but for now just stopping by to brag about seeing JEW perform Futures in its entirety a few years ago. Good times. | theBoneyKing
09.11.18 | Been really falling in love with 15 lately. You nailed the standout track too, nice. | oneups
09.18.18 | Oof, I'm jealous party time. That would be such a set, their new stuff is good but doesn't scratch the same itch for me. And Boney, such a good album to put some time into. Really passionate and explores interesting melodies and song structures while not being too adventurous.
Any recs anyone? | blastOFFitsPARTYtime
09.18.18 | Was so good. They chucked in some even older stuff at the end too!
Recs-wise, based on the list and your ratings it looks like there’s a fair bit off cross-over in the stuff we listen too.
Give The Veils a listen if you haven’t already. Think you might dig them. Nux Vomica and The Runaway Found are their best but there’s top stuff across their discog. Also, if they’re ever in your neck of the woods do yourself a favour and see them. | Hawks
09.18.18 | Satanic Warmaster - Carelian Satanist Madness | oneups
09.19.18 | Checking out The Veils right now actually, starting with their first album. First track is an interesting and difficult to pin down mix of influences. Entirely new band to me so thank you! And yeah, for the longest time Static Prevails was my favorite release from them but now it's much harder to make the choice. I know their early career is their strongest for me personally though, so any deep cuts would have been welcome additions to the set.
@Hawks, I actually enjoy a lot of the melodies being built and the guitar work, but found the production lacking a bit of oomph and the vocals difficult to follow. That said, it wasn't a bad first impression and it's something I'll be returning to. I'm not generally a huge metal fan but I am interested in branching out a bit and there's a reason you rec'd it so I'll attempt to digest. | Hawks
09.20.18 | Damn didn’t think you’d actually jam nice hahahaha. | oneups
09.20.18 | Yeah when I saw that it was black metal I was a little turned off but I'm willing to give most things a shot as long as there's reason to believe I can get something from the listen. Like I said, vocals not so much for me and production leaves something to be desired but musically I actually can't complain and there was enough going on to keep me interested. | Hawks
09.20.18 | Jam some Dissection if you wanna try to get into bm honestly it’s a little more accessible. | oneups
09.26.18 | Bump? | blastOFFitsPARTYtime
09.26.18 | Have you heard any We Were Promised Jetpacks? | TheSpirit
09.26.18 | The Speed of Sound In Seawater - Red Version |
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