This story keeps getting more and more real every day! Eighteen Visions have just signed to Rise Records and will be releasing their new album XVIII on June 2nd, 10 years after their breakup. Reunions are so, so sweet. You can pre-order the album here. Check out the brand new video for “Oath” below.
This story keeps getting more and more real every day! Eighteen Visions have just signed to Rise Records and will be releasing their new album XVIII on June 2nd, 10 years after their breakup. Reunions are so, so sweet. You can pre-order the album here.
Check out the brand new video for “Oath” below.
The Grim. Do you remember these dudes? Were you even alive when they were founded? I was not. In fact, this band broke up before I even hit puberty! (Don’t worry, I’m all squared away now.) But none of this matters because they’ve just announced their new album Cop Killer, which will be out April 28th on […]
Do you remember these dudes? Were you even alive when they were founded? I was not. In fact, this band broke up before I even hit puberty! (Don’t worry, I’m all squared away now.) But none of this matters because they’ve just announced their new album Cop Killer, which will be out April 28th on Felony Records. You can pre-order it here.
Based on the album art and the limited tracks I have heard, I’m pretty confident this album is gonna be killer. It says so in the title.
Check out the song “I Hate Life” below. [Read more…]
The Flatliners are the definition of resolve and endurance. After making a splash with their ska-infused debut, 2005’s Destroy to Create, they have steadily honed their craft over 5 subsequent albums with their most recent being 2013’s Dead Language (discounting 2015’s B-sides collection Division of Spoils). Through constant touring and their unwavering adherence to a steadfast […]
The Flatliners are the definition of resolve and endurance. After making a splash with their ska-infused debut, 2005’s Destroy to Create, they have steadily honed their craft over 5 subsequent albums with their most recent being 2013’s Dead Language (discounting 2015’s B-sides collection Division of Spoils). Through constant touring and their unwavering adherence to a steadfast punk-rock ethos the band have created a solid fanbase that appreciate their dedicated, no-nonsense approach and unrelenting spirit. However a band cannot run on enthusiasm alone. After spending most of their adult lives touring and promoting, the band quickly came to the realization that they needed a break. Some time away to recapture that spark that made them an enduring punk band of the people.
It soon becomes apparent that that time away has been spent polishing the simple craft of writing tight arena ready rockers. Clearly evident on first song, “Mammals” which, after a brooding opening, states its intentions defiantly as it quickly darts to a razor sharp, buzzing chorus. It contains the bright and spiky pop-punk style they are know for but with a distinct edge, reminiscent of mid-period Against Me!. “Hang My Head” sees the band continue to strike that perfect balance between their poppy and caustic sides. The guitars ring rather than churn with the song quickly bounding to a delirious, anthemic chorus. It sounds supremely confident with the sturt and the swagger of a band who have full faith in what they are doing. “Nicotine Lips” sounds like a carry over from Dead Language, featuring energetic distorted power chords and catchy shout-a-long ‘woahs-woahs’. In the context of the album it provides the connective tissue between this and and their previous work. Nevertheless, it is striking how different the overall sound is on Inviting Light from what the band are known for.
The choppier, heavier songs that made up many of 2010’s Cavalcade’s finest moments are largely absent. Instead, the album is characterised by a fuller, broader sound with the focus on songcraft rather than the foot down, pop-punk that saw them draw comparisons with Dead To Me and Anti-Flag. For example, “Indoors,” rather surprisingly, finds them build a song on similar foundations to those of grunge stalwarts Pearl Jam. It’s a mid-tempo rocker assembled with spacious, echoing riffs and hefty 90s power chords before beating down the door to a yearning, powerful chorus. It’s here that frontman, Chris Cresswell, is really able to demonstrate how his voice has developed into a potent and commanding force whilst retaining that slightly bruised, insecure edge. Those Pearl Jam comparisons continue with “Unconditional Love” with the band channeling the Seattle band’s love of slightly more unorthodox and off-beat arrangements. It sees the band challenging their sound a little, showing a previously unheard experimental side. On the whole, these moments provide the triumphant backbone of the album.
Although, these moments do show the band developing their sound, they still fit the mould of mid-paced rockers, aimed squarely at the heart. While effective, at times they are in danger of feeling a little repetitive and formulaic as strummed guitars quickly lead to another big, rousing chorus. Songs such as “Burn Out Again,” “Infinite Wisdom,” and closer “No Roads” all follow a similarly worn blueprint. They lack the vitality of songs from their back catalogue, too often feeling like the safe option. Remarkably, it is the plaintive, tender punk ballad “Chameleon Skin,” which sees the band wholly succeed in finding a new formula. Cresswell’s wistful cries of “I don’t wanna remember who I am” are a stirring addition that will touch the heart of even the most hardened punk.
While Inviting Light is not a seismic shift, there is an obvious progression from their melodic pop-punk sound. It’s still loud and proud but it sees the band enter a more mature phase of their career. The sound is clearer and more accessible than any of their previous work with the abrasive edges polished down. Everything is carefully constructed with each song crafted to highlight the band’s ability to write hungry, anthemic choruses. However, the over reliance on mid-tempo rockers can get a little wearing. All in all Inviting Light is a testament to taking a step back and re-engaging with what you want from your band. It sees the band entering a new phase of their careers whilst ably demonstrating that they are in it for the long haul.
3.5 / 5 Stars
Pop-punks Direct Hit! recently visited Live from The Rock Room and captured some sweet video footage in the process. “Do The Sick” is off of their 2016 album Wasted Mind, out on Fat Wreck Chords. I’m not sure what they’re putting in the cheese out there in the Midwest, but the music coming outta there recently has been fan-tast-ic, […]
Pop-punks Direct Hit! recently visited Live from The Rock Room and captured some sweet video footage in the process. “Do The Sick” is off of their 2016 album Wasted Mind, out on Fat Wreck Chords. I’m not sure what they’re putting in the cheese out there in the Midwest, but the music coming outta there recently has been fan-tast-ic, and Direct Hit! is no exception.
You can check out the video, album and some tour dates below.
Our favorite furry Floridians Wolf-Face have put together a special (very) new music video for a special day (today), and it is A) an attention grabber and B) very funny. “Death to Wolf Poseurs” is originally off of their split with Caffiends. You can check out the video and split below.
Our favorite furry Floridians Wolf-Face have put together a special (very) new music video for a special day (today), and it is A) an attention grabber and B) very funny. “Death to Wolf Poseurs” is originally off of their split with Caffiends.
You can check out the video and split below.
San Diego’s Western Settings are going out for a two-week jaunt next month, centered around the band’s appearance at Pouzza Fest in Montreal. The band will be supporting their recent EP Old Pain, which came out in 2016 on La Escalera Records. You can check out the EP and tour dates below, and RSVP to the […]
San Diego’s Western Settings are going out for a two-week jaunt next month, centered around the band’s appearance at Pouzza Fest in Montreal. The band will be supporting their recent EP Old Pain, which came out in 2016 on La Escalera Records.
You can check out the EP and tour dates below, and RSVP to the tour’s Facebook page here.
Hey oh! Who’s in the mood for some new Rise Against music? What’s that? You lost interest in them 3 albums ago? Well you should still check out this song because it might be the best Rise Against song I’ve heard in 5 years. “The Violence” is the first single off the band’s new album […]
Hey oh! Who’s in the mood for some new Rise Against music? What’s that? You lost interest in them 3 albums ago? Well you should still check out this song because it might be the best Rise Against song I’ve heard in 5 years. “The Violence” is the first single off the band’s new album “Wolves” due out June 9th through Virgin Records (sigh).
Give it a listen below.
“Wolves” will be Rise Against’s first new album since 2014’s ‘The Black Market’. The band is also heading out on a big co-headline tour with Deftones later this year.
Toronto’s Talk Show Host are streaming a cover of Tragically Hip’s “Fireworks.” All proceeds from the song will go to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research, established by the lead singer of Tragically Hip after he revealed his own brain cancer diagnosis. You can stream the song below and purchase it at bandcamp. […]
Toronto’s Talk Show Host are streaming a cover of Tragically Hip’s “Fireworks.”
All proceeds from the song will go to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research, established by the lead singer of Tragically Hip after he revealed his own brain cancer diagnosis.
You can stream the song below and purchase it at bandcamp. You can also donate directly to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research because cancer sucks. [Read more…]
Garage punk ‘n’ rollers The Hip Priests are letting fans listen to their entire new full-length record for free. To be honest, full length doesn’t really do Those Fuckin’ Boys: Decade of Disdain justice. It’s got a massive twenty-seven tracks of down and dirty, swinging, guitar driven honky-tonk, comprising of all the band’s singles, and various […]
Garage punk ‘n’ rollers The Hip Priests are letting fans listen to their entire new full-length record for free. To be honest, full length doesn’t really do Those Fuckin’ Boys: Decade of Disdain justice. It’s got a massive twenty-seven tracks of down and dirty, swinging, guitar driven honky-tonk, comprising of all the band’s singles, and various other special tracks.
The best part is, you can stream the whole thing, via Self Destructo Records, below.
Canadian punk rockers Bet Your Life are streaming their latest single “Is Your Death Ray Even Peer Reviewed?” for free. Apart from being one of the best track names I’ve ever heard, the tune is also a real stomper to boot. Check it out below.
Canadian punk rockers Bet Your Life are streaming their latest single “Is Your Death Ray Even Peer Reviewed?” for free. Apart from being one of the best track names I’ve ever heard, the tune is also a real stomper to boot.
Check it out below.