Since The Lawrence Arms haven’t really done much in a while, I’ve been searching for a new band to fall in love with. Fortunately, after one listen to Elway‘s latest album, “Delusions,” I may have found one of my new favourite bands.

Combining elements of punk rock that made bands like The Lawrence Arms, Against Me! and Alkaline Trio so popular, Elway combine catchy riffs, singable songs and the right amount of that element that can only be described as “gruffness” in a way that makes it pretty impossible to forget the band once you’ve finished listening to “Delusions.” In fact, it may end up on repeat. Repeatedly.

Vocalist Tim Brown has a voice that manages to sound unique while evoking the singers of your favourite bands at the same time. At certain points of the album, it is not unusual to believe that Brown’s voice is identical to the voice of The Lawrence Arms and Sundowner vocalist Chris McCaughan, especially on a track like “Passing Days.” Then a track like “San Mateo” starts up, and Brown’s voice takes on a more gruff, strained sound that still manages to sound awesome, while on the track “Aphorisms,” Brown’s croon sounds closer to Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba,.

One of the great things about “Delusions” is that there isn’t the issue of monotony. Each track manages to sound unique, without being dull or repetitive. “The Tired Old Whore’s Bedside Book” doesn’t sound like “Aphorisms,” which doesn’t sound like a carbon copy of “Tapout Endorsement: The Musical.” The album has a nice mix of slower songs, and songs that are meant to be played loud and fast.

While “Delusions” focuses a lot on relationships and society, tracks like “Aphorisms” manage to sound emotional without being dull or maudlin. Instead, there is a nice balance of regret and anger, showing that you don’t just have to be bitter after a relationship ends. It’s emotional, but without being overly so.

So, if like me, you’ve been on the search for a new band to love, then check out Elway. Or even if you love plenty of bands, they’re definitely worth listening to.

Cover songs are like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.  We here at Dying Scene love hearing punk bands do their own take on other band’s songs.  Sometimes they pull off amazing interpretations of old classics, sometimes they’re not much more than humble tributes to a fellow artist, and other times they’re just downright laughable renditions of otherwise great songs.  Good or bad.  Intriguing or mundane.  We’ll let you be the judge. This week it’s Singer/songwriter Frank Turner covering Queen’s song “I Want to Break Free.”

You can check out the cover and compare it to the original here.

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Recent Dying Scene Spotlight band The Bogarts are branching out from their Thousand Oaks, CA, home and taking their act on the road this summer.

Beginning with a July 3rd Warped Tour date in Ventura, CA, the band will be playing dates through most of the western US until the end of the month. Covering Fire will join them for the last week of the tour. Check out all of the tour dates here.

The Bogarts’ latest EP, “Ideologies,” was released earlier this year. Check out our review of it here.

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Seminal punk band, Swingin’ Utters, have announced a U.S. tour with The Reverend Horton Heat.

You can check out the dates and locations here.

In addition, the band is offering a free download of their song “Kick it Over” here. The song appears on “Here Under Protest” which was released April 26th via Fat Wreck Chords.

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Michigan post-hardcore outfit I See Stars recently performed their songs “Glow” and “What This Means to Me” on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

You can check out the video performances right here.

“The End of the World Party” hit the record store shelves last February through Sumerian Records.

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Anthony Raneri, singer of the New York pop punk act Bayside has announced a handful of Northeastern U.S. solo dates.

You can check out the dates and locations right here.

Bayside released their  latest album “Killing Time,” in February on Wind Up Records. You can check out a sweet interview with Anthony conducted by Dying Scene’s editor Tommy right here.

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You may remember yesterday when, Saves The Day streamed a new song entitled “Living Without Love.”

Well you can snag a free download of the song right here.

The song will appear on their new album “Daybreak,” which will be released on June 13th via Razor And Tie.

British singer/songwriter Frank Turner recently performed “I Knew Prufrock,” “Peggy Sang the Blues.” “Substitute” “The Road” and “Try This At Home” and got interviewed on JBTV. In the interview he discusses his upcoming album  “England Keep My Bones,” being judged by class, British sense of humor and more.

Check out it all out here.

“England Keep My Bones” is the follow-up to Turner’s 2010 “Rock & Roll” EP. It marks his fourth full-length solo album, and will be released by Epitaph Records on June 7th. You can stream the album in its entirety here!

Michigan pop punk group The Swellers have announced U.S. tour dates with Florida’s folk/punks Fake Problems and Brooklyn-based emo/punk act Daytrader.

You can check out the dates and locations here.

The Swellers will release their upcoming album“Good For Me” on June 14th via Fueled By Ramen.

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Montreal ska band The Planet Smashers have posted a teaser for their upcoming, and highly anticipated album, “Descent Into the Valley of the Planet Smashers.” The album is due out on July 12th on Stomp Records, and you can check out the trailer here.

The Planet Smashers last released “Unstoppable” in 2005.

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