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Well, I can imagine the thoughts that ran through the heads of most people when various bands began signing to major labels. I know that I was excited about some of them and I feared what would happen to others. Thrice was one of the bands I feared might change their sound drastically on a major label debut. I don’t think that there were any real indications or anything, but I didn’t think that Thrice could maintain the direction of their previous releases. To an extent, I was right. They didn’t change their ideals or anything, and The Artist in the Ambulance still contains many staples of the Thrice sound, but the feel of the album is quite different from Identity Crisis and The Illusion of Safety. |
Sunday, July 27, 2003
Review: Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance
Saturday, July 12, 2003
Review: Every Time I Die - Hot Damn!
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Hot damn! Okay, so maybe I wouldn’t go that far in describing Every Time I Die’s newest album. Hot Damn! is thirty minutes of pure energy. Straying from the predominantly hardcore style exhibited on Last Night in Town, this release is primarily a combination of metal and rock. From time to time, a song will tease the listener into anticipating a breakdown, but what ensues is usually a fast-paced and chaotic barrage. Hot Damn! shows a much more defined approach to song writing. Staying true to the form of Last Night in Town, lead singer Keith Buckley’s lyrics are as erratic as ever. Covering topics from fighting to love to death, each song quickly establishes itself as a new journey. As aforementioned, there are fewer breakdowns than older Every Time I Die material, and the ones that do appear are much more straight forward. The progression the band has made since Last Night in Town becomes more evident with each listen. On that note, I’ll be perfectly honest: I thought this album was terrible the first time I listened to it. The band has really changed their style. A handful of songs contain singing parts that really remind me of Glassjaw, but Keith’s voice isn’t quite as developed to go that far. Hot Damn! stretches to many ends of the spectrum, but when it comes down to it, it is heavy, fast, and chaotic. The more I have listened to it, the more it has grown on me. To listen to this album once wouldn’t do it justice. While the complexity of it may not be apparent right away, the depth of each song begins to stand out both musically and vocally with each listen. I was disappointed that Every Time I Die had strayed away from the hardcore, but now that I see where the rock and metal is going, I can’t help but be impressed. |
Review: Embrace Today - Soldiers
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by: rob tatum I can now re-define my definition of angry, fast-paced hardcore after listening to Embrace Today’s Soldiers. With nearly every one of the fifteen tracks being around one minute in length, Soldiers quickly covers subjects ranging from love to lies and ignorance. Embrace Today sets out to make ears bleed with this album. The lyrics are extremely angry and aggressive. Promoting straight edge and inner strength, Embrace Today attacks ignorance and self-doubt with violent lyrics and blistering music. In a sense, the album is positive, but it’s hard to see it in that light with the aggressive nature of the songs. All but one song on the album contain the word “fuck” in one form or another, and not to be a censor, but that seems a little excessive to me. Most of the songs are intelligently written, but the manner they are presented takes away from their full impact. Vocally, lead singer Steve Peacock differs from many singers within the same genre, with a less hoarse scream than most. Musically, however, Embrace Today falls in line with the majority of bands playing the same style of hardcore. Truthfully, there is nothing that sets them apart from the masses beyond the vocals. Well, the next time that you have the urge to sing-along and move around, this is a good album for that. If you are looking for musical progression or melody, Embrace Today won’t help you much. |
Review: Murder Weapon - Nervous Wreck
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Nervous Wreck is the debut EP from Virginia’s Murder Weapon. Harnessing the energy and power of driving guitars and angry vocals, they are sure to make a quick impact on the East coast. Fast-paced and filled with sing-alongs, Nervous Wreck is seven songs of hardcore fury. Falling somewhere along the lines of Figure Four or older Sick of it All, Murder Weapon brings an all-out assault to the table. Following the age-old formula for angry, East coast style hardcore, the songs are full of heartfelt sing-alongs and energy. The negative to this style of hardcore is that it is hard to stand alone amongst all the bands playing the same style. Murder Weapon does every thing right in producing music that will get the crowds moving and singing along, but they don’t really establish themselves as anything special. The lyrics are very generic, but great for piling on each other’s backs and screaming along. If you are a fan of basic, angry, straight forward hardcore that will get you moving, then this is right up your alley. As for me, there’s nothing special here. Not terrible, but it all runs together and gets old after a couple of songs. |
Tuesday, July 8, 2003
Review: Figure Four - Suffering the Loss
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So I woke up this morning and listened to this band known as Figure Four. For some reason their music does not sound too new to me. They describe their music as brutal and themselves as seasoned warriors of the hardcore arena. They emerge with violent intensity and a sound that is down-right imposing. Well, brutal may be correct if you want to add that this music sounds way behind the times. Maybe that’s what they are shooting for? Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the random breakdowns that they employ throughout there album. They brought me to jump out of bed this morning and kick something myself. However, their lyrics are dry - very dry. I also cannot begin to comprehend why they employ a screamer whose voice is so bland. I don’t really hear anything that breaks down any barriers. This album sounds very old school hardcore to me. So if you like to listen to unoriginal music and stand around until that random breakdown comes, go to a Figure Four show. And if you enjoy listening to a CD where every song sounds almost the same, then Suffering the Loss is for you. Although, if you are in need of a quick wake up in the morning, this album may be of some help to you. |
Monday, July 7, 2003
Spotlight: Across Five Aprils
| bst spotlight band. Across Five Aprils? Isn't that the name of a book? Well, congratulations to the literary experts, but this doesn't concern that. Forming in the later part of 2001, Tennessee's Across Five Aprils has burst onto the melodic hardcore scene with authority. With the release of the band's new CD, A Tragedy in Progress, the band has really started to make a name for themselves. Combining elements of hardcore, emo, and even a little metal, the band is quite diverse and yet has some of the most amazing melodies to grace the hardcore scene. The new album captures their energy perfectly. Their songs are full of heartfelt lyrics and emotion. Across Five Aprils has mastered the art of transitioning between genres and gives listener's a roller-coaster effect without compromising melody. The diversity of their music makes the band a desirable listen for fans of many styles of music. To visit the band's website, go here. |
Saturday, July 5, 2003
Review: Alkaline Trio - Good Mourning
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by: rob tatum I have probably mentioned this more than a handful of times, but I can’t say it enough: trying to live up to your previous releases is the hardest thing that a band has to deal with. Alkaline Trio has become one of the bigger punk/emo bands over the last couple of years, but as their popularity has grown, their music has taken a toll for the worse. To this day, I feel that their first full length, Goddamnit, is their best release and that was released in late 1998. Well, almost five years later, they have released their fourth full length, Good Mourning on Vagrant Records. If I was going to summarize Good Mourning, I would probably say that it’s best described as all of the band’s As with any release from Alkaline Trio, there are quite a few quality songs. I really enjoyed the song “Continental” as the music is similar to the I Lied My Face Off EP and the lyrics are twisted metaphors. Here’s a small excerpt from that song, “I often wonder what it feels like to be you. A mess like this stuck on your hands with crazy glue. Ran out of time, no kiss goodbye. Wish I could learn to let this sleeping dog die with lying to myself.” The thing that really hurts this album is that the songs don’t fit well together. This has been the case with pretty much all of their albums though, so it’s nothing really out of the ordinary. My biggest complaint with Good Mourning is that I don’t really see any progress. The band is as solid as ever musically and Skiba’s lyrics and vocals are still unmatched, but I guess that I just expected more. If you happen to be a fan of the band, then this is worth picking up, but if you have never experienced what Alkaline Trio is all about, I wouldn’t recommend starting with this album. It leaves a lot to be desired from a band that has so much to work with. |
Review: Throwdown - Haymaker
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Every once in a while a band is forced to change singers due to unfortunate circumstances, and that happened to hit Orange County’s heaviest hardcore band Throwdown. Known for their intense breakdowns and sing-alongs, Throwdown is one of the newest additions to the Trustkill roster. Haymaker is the first release on the new label, and with the change in vocalists. I feared that with Keith and Dave switching duties of singer and guitarist that the band may not carry the same feel as their previous releases, and unfortunately, my fears have become reality. Haymaker is fourteen songs of straight forward, in your face, breakdown filled mayhem, but with the new vocalist, the band is not the same. There are a couple of re-recorded old songs, which really stand out to fans of previous material. “Nothing Left” is the first of these songs, and it really stands out like a sore thumb. Overall, the band hasn’t changed its focus, but the difference is too obvious to overlook. The songs are still as heavy as ever and the lyrics are still as angry and positive as before… if you can call them that. New sing-alongs include “Forever” which includes lines such as, “You wanna know why I am still here after all these years? For myself, for my friends, for my family, forever, I’ll take this to the bitter end.” One thing is for sure, Throwdown has not strayed away from what has made them what they are. Staying true to their Straight Edge roots, they included a re-recorded version of “Raise Your Fist”. The album is nothing special. The new vocals are not awful, but they aren’t what I have become accustomed to as a Throwdown fan. The same intensity is in the music, so if you are looking for something to make your eardrums shake and get you riled up, then Haymaker is exactly what you need, otherwise spend your money on something else. |
Thursday, July 3, 2003
Interview: Thrice
 bst interviews thrice by ben gross Recently, site contributor Ben Gross had the opportunity to interview Island Records' own Thrice. The band is famous for weaving punk and hardcore into their own distinct sound. With two well-received releases on Sub City Records, Thrice managed to make a name for themselves, landing them a deal on Island. The guys plan on releasing their newest album, The Artist in the Ambulance, on July 22nd. For now, new material can be heard on a recently released split 7'' with label mates Thursday. This specific interview was conducted in person and through e-mail, with input from the entire band and the answers forwarded by the drummer, Riley Breckenridge. You can catch Thrice at this year's Warped Tour. This interview took place in person and via e-mail; questions were given to the band on may 10th, 2003 and answers were sent back through e-mail a few days after. bst: In five years where do you see yourselves? riley: I have no idea. I don't think any of us really look any further than the day at hand, and the day ahead. Worrying about the future tends to make the present a little rough.  bst: Five years ago, what was the biggest challenge as a band? riley: Getting shows, which is probably the biggest obstacle for any band that is just starting out. It's hard to find clubs that will let unknown bands play in front of people. They're afraid of losing money, which makes sense I guess. It's a catch 22. You have to have fans to be able to get a decent show at a decent club, but you have to play shows to gain fans. bst: If you could change one thing about your fans what would it be and why? riley: This doesn't apply to everyone, but it seems like there are a lot of people that seem like they are afraid to like certain styles of music or support a band because they are worried about how it will affect people's perception of them. It leads to a lot of close-mindedness, which is never a good thing. But honestly, there's really nothing I'd want to change about our fans. I think we have some of the most devoted fans around. bst: How important do you think the online community is and why? riley: Very important. It's a good place for fans to bond with people that share an interest in the band, with people all from over the world, and it's a good way for us to keep in touch with people (via  ramblings and e-mails).bst: Growing up, did you go to concerts? Who did you see? riley: Yes, lots. I used to see Strung Out play every time they played anywhere within 200 miles of Orange County. And I rarely missed a Bad Religion show. For a long time, I was going to multiple shows a week, seeing bands I loved, and looking for new bands. bst: Did you ever dream that one day people would be coming to see you play live? What concert or what band inspired you to dream this? riley: Not really. I had very meager expectations of this band when we started. The fact that we've gotten this far is totally surreal, and something we are all incredibly grateful for. bst: What has been the biggest challenge with your relationships outside of the band? riley: Keeping them healthy. It's hard to keep in touch with friends and family when you're constantly on tour, let alone have girlfriends or wives (Teppei [guitarist] and Dustin [singer/guitarist]). We were on the road for eight months last year, and this year we'll probably be gone for about 11 months, so it's tough. Every time I get home there are so many people I want to spend time with, it's really hard to balance, when you've got a week off to cram as much quality time with as many people as possible.  bst: Do you guys read the online interaction that takes place on your website?riley: Some of it. When we have a chance. bst: With the move to Island Records and your gaining popularity, will you continue to talk to fans and hang out before and after concerts with them? riley: Absolutely. Why would that change? bst: I saw a tour bus outside, is that yours? riley: Yes. It's nice to get some decent rest on tour for once. bst: Do you think the new CD will be labeled as more "mainstream" than your previous CDs? Why? riley: Maybe. There are some more straightforward songs on the new record than anything we've written in the past, which is different for us, but we've never been a band that wants to just write one style of song, and rehash the same old stuff over and over. Our influences are so varied, and some of our favorite bands write songs with simpler structures like The Beatles, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Coldplay, etc. For us to ignore that influence would seem pretty silly. The new record is pretty diverse. For every straightforward song, there's a song that's more progressive than stuff we've done in the past. bst: What are your views on mainstream music? riley: There's some good, and some bad... Just like anything else in life.  bst: Along the way who was the biggest help? riley: Our families (especially Dustin's dad for giving us a place to practice, loaning us money for a van, etc.), our friends, our fans, and our manager, Nick. bst: What's the biggest piece of advice you could give a new band trying to make it? riley: Don't give up. Play any and every show you possibly can, and write music that means something to you. Don't worry about what other people are going to think. Music is about creativity, and if you try to channel that creativity in a way that caters to a certain group of people, you are cheating yourself as an artist. Be true to yourself, and if people appreciate your vision and creation, then that's great...and if not, at least you know that you didn't sell yourself short just to make a few picky people happy. bst: What's one of your most memorable shows ever? Why? riley: That's too hard to choose. Any show where people are singing along and appreciating what you do is memorable, whether it's in front of five people or 5,000 people. We feel blessed to be able to do this, and we are extremely grateful for any support we get. listen to thrice thrice official site |
Tuesday, July 1, 2003
Review: Fairweather - Lusitania
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Fairweather is one of those mellow type emo bands with some occasional “rockin’” type moments, ala Armor for Sleep. Considering they’re on Equal Vision Records, this makes a lot of sense. Their latest release, Lusitania, is a feel-good listen that has its memorable moments. |
