I can’t say I am the biggest fan of Acollective as their music is not typically the style I get into, but they’ve totally captured my attention with their recently released video for “Breakapart”.
The video is a clever and humorous homage being paid to the only way music should ever be listened to. The track itself is pretty catchy too.
Check it out:
I loved the quick Pantera shot. That was hilarious and unexpected.
It’s nice to see bands legends like the Buzzcocks still do what they do best and not disappoint at all.
Today, the UK punk pioneers dropped a video for “It’s Not You”, a single off their new album titled The Way. This all new release if scheduled to be available on November 18th on 1-2-3-4 GO! Records.
Check it out:
I do not know about you, but I dig this track a lot. Nice to see a band that is pushing 40 years still have no problem delivering some solid material.
Pre-Order a copy of The Way today by clicking HERE.
I have always enjoyed watching bands grow, mature, and most importantly, succeed in the music world.
Honestly, if it were not for all the bands out there, this blog, or whatever you want to call it, probably would not have lasted as long as it has.
Like many of you, I don’t always stay a fan of a band throughout their journey due to conflict between the listener (me) and the the approach that the band may take on over the years. Sometimes it has to do with change in style due to bandmates coming and going. I can name off a handful of bands right now that I feel that has happened to, but I would rather get to my point.
Rise Against are definitely a band that I have grown with over the years and have remained a fan. The Chicago punk rockers have more or less transformed themselves into outspoken rock heroes without losing that punk edge that helped capture me as a fan early on. As they moved from the small stages to headlining, I was there never growing tired of what they continued to push. Sure, bandmates have come and gone, but I just feel Rise Against never lost their initial style.
With that said, their latest release, The Black Market, is their most radio-friendly album I have heard and I am ok with that. I have listened to this album over and over and I must say, I am digging it more and more with each listen.
The Black Market is more something that fits in with material you might hear from the likes of Foo Fighters or Thirty Seconds To Mars at times, but don’t threat, there is plenty of that signature Rise Against contained we all know and love.
If anyone knows anything about Rise Against, it is that they love to speak their minds in their material. This album certainly showcases that with plenty of pleads for change, forgiveness, and acceptance.
“The Great Die-Off” started the album off with such force as Tim McIlrath and crew rocked out and soon declared “we want it all and we want it now” over and over. I loved the hammering of the bass and heavy drumming throughout. Full of just force and just overly catchy, this track is why I will always be a Rise Against fan.
“I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore” was the first single off of this album and with good reason, this track is amazing. From start to finish, this song is just a beast. Mixed with plenty of punk, rock, and even a touch of hardcore, this track about potentially giving up is forceful and likable.
“Tragedy + Time” sounded like a sequel of “Ready To Fall”, a track from the band’s previous album The Sufferer & the Witness. Once again, McIlrath sung about someone on a rooftop, but this time it’s someone different and they were looking for reasons to continue on.
I would not be surprised if the next single off this album was the title track “The Black Market”. I loved the break-downs on this track almost as much as the singing. I have the feeling this song is going to get some attention.
I loved “The Eco-Terrorist In Me” as it started off more old school Rise Against with McIlrath clearly giving it his all vocally. “When it all comes down will you say you did everything you could” repeated throughout with the rest of the band playing their hearts out.
“A Beautiful Indifference” carried that sound that make me think of Thirty Seconds To Mars. Don’t worry folks, it is not bad at all and I think plenty of people will be thinking the same “Methadone” was another track that would slay during a arena show.
“Zero Visibility” sounded a little astray from the other tracks at the beginning but soon conformed with the rest. I liked the change ups throughout the track and especially the lyrics of defeat and victory. The last 1:30 minutes of the song was pretty bad ass too.
“People Live Here” was really a song of closure for me for another Rise Against track. For years, “Swing Life Away” haunted me as the song once was deemed “our song” between yours truly and someone that destroyed my heart. Even though I am over that part of my life, “Swing Life Away”, when heard, always seemed to try and cut open that healed wound. This track alone hit me in a good way and literally brought a smile to my face.
Rise Against have continually polished their sound making necessary changes that ultimately have resulted in maintaining and building upon their fan base. I know I said they sound more rock than punk earlier, but that is ok. They have not lost their sound at all and continue to prove to me they are a strong act with no intentions of slowing it down.
I will admit, when Rancid opened up for Rise Against in 2009, I was confused and felt it should have been the other way around. Years later Bad Religion did the same. It occurred to me though while Rancid and Bad Religion will always be two of my favorite bands, it is Rise Against’s time to shine and they deserve to be headliners. They have worked so hard and continue to impress this fan, that is a fact.
Having have the opportunity to have done volunteer work with 3/4 of the band, I know they are quality musicians and care about humanity almost more than touring. For more on that, check out my post I wrote up a few years back.
The Black Market is on sale at pretty much every record store and retail giant out there.
Pittsburgh natives Young Fox are an up and coming rock outfit that just released a lyric video for “Diet of Worms”, a track that is featured on their recently released EP Predecessors via Spartan Records.
I know someone out there is questioning why I am sharing a rock act when usually everything I post is punk, folk, metal or some variation. Well, I like rock music too ya know. Also, one of the members of this band shreds in Zao and I adore that band.
Young Fox reminds me a lot of the early rock bands of the 2000s and are really worth checking out. Just check out the video below to get a taste of what they sound like.
Not typically something I am into but I will admit, I am liking what I am hearing so far.
Taken from the band’s press release:
Formed in 2012, Young Fox came together over drinks in a neighborhood pub in Pittsburgh. Martin Lunn (bassist), who’s also in revered metal band Zao, Luke Cypher (vocals / guitar / keys), who happens to share his time as the head chef at Piccolo Forno in Pittsburgh, and Chris Lehberger (drums) began writing, rehearsing and recording and eventually added Brian Schultz (guitar) to the mix, rounding out the four-piece band.
Hear the entire EP by visiting: http://substreammagazine.com/2014/07/exclusive-stream-young-fox-predecessors/
For more information on Young Fox, check out the following links:
http://www.youngfoxband.com
https://www.facebook.com/youngfoxband
https://twitter.com/YoungFoxBand
http://spartanrecords.com
https://www.facebook.com/spartanrecords
Pop punk’s hooligan heroes, Masked Intruder, are back on the prowl with their all new sophomore release M.I. The ski-masked foursome clearly have no problem dodging the law while stealing hearts and throwing together one of the catchiest releases you will probably hear all year.
Having kept their identities safe so far, probably due to the band threatening anyone with blunt force to those who may know who all is actually under those masks, Masked Intruder remain an enigma of sorts in the punk rock world playing some of the greatest stalker-love jams ever recorded. Think Ramones and Chixdiggit!, but with plenty of obsession and missing valuables.
The album started out with a revamped recording of “I Fought The Law”, a track that originally appeared on Masked Intruder’s 2011 demo. This version clearly trumped the original and sounds even catchier than the demo version.
“The Most Beautiful Girl” is flawless when talking about a pop punk love song. In less than 2 minutes, the band manages to pack together harmonies within sing-alongable lyrics (is that even a word?) all while swooning someone special.
“Saturday Night Alone” pretty much sums up some of my weekend nights sans spending it in the slammer like these masked heartthrobs do. Hard-driven guitar playing (that easily could have been stolen from label mates Teenage Bottlerocket) played throughout making for a fun track. I loved when the band just stopped playing and just sang and crooned for just a couple of seconds only to start jamming out again.
I loved the track “When I Get Out”, especially on how the band sang about what they were going to do when they were released from the slammer. From getting revenge to slamming ice cream and pizza, it is clear that Masked Intruder had a lot of time to plan out their freedom while locked away and incorporate it all into a fun song.
I really was hoping the band would go all a cappella again on this release, and they did in “Almost Like We’re Already In Love”. It’s like a barbershop quartet song, but different. I’m sure if the band sang this song to me in person, I would be batting my lashes and blowing kisses their way.
“Hey Girl”, was a quick, catchy jam aimed at breaking the ice with the ladies. “Don’t Run Away” followed perhaps on purpose to assure all the beautiful ladies by singing “don’t run away, I think this is it.”
“Say that I’m a freak, a geek, a weirdo” started off “Wierdo”, a track that may have been written by actual events that happened in my life. Seriously, I think these guys plagiarized my lady luck in my early 20s and threw it into a song. What the hell guys?
Another great track was “I Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye To You Tonight”. It was a pop punk love track that may or may not require a restraining order.
Ending the album was “Locked Up And Lonely”, a song that did not really sound like the others as it was a little slow starting at the beginning, but only for a moment. I could not but help think 90s punk rock on this song. On another note, can someone please tell me why I thought of Charles Manson in this song (in a comical way of course). Seriously, as this song played, I thought of an emo’d out Manson sitting in a cell looking out his cell window and writing about how lonely he is.
After listening to this album at least 37 times in a row, it is safe to say that Masked Intruder has once again dropped a solid release. I was so addicted to their debut release so much that I failed to review it, but this time I decided I had to at least say a couple nice things about their latest effort.
M.I. has the potential to make Masked Intruder appear on many Most Wanted lists. With their quest to avoid Miranda Rights as well as continue to hide their identity, this band has surpassed the gimmick stage and is going toward full-blown rockstar.
So who are Masked Intruder? Who cares. Just keep them away from my record collection and wallet. Beyond that, I hope they keep doing their thing. Those guys rule hard.
Masked Intruder is seemingly always on tour. Personally, I think it is because they are running away from the law. Regardless, they are playing Cleveland on June 20th at Now That’s Class.
