Category Archives: New Release

Kent, Music, Music News, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Banquets – Banquets

Leave a comment

BanquetsA couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of seeing New Jersey’s Banquets play a small show at Euro Gyro in Kent, OH.  Having been a fan of this foursome for a couple of years now, I was really disappointed in myself to learn that they dropped an all new self-titled release back in May.

I found this out right after I said hi to the band in the back of the bar and noticed a foreign-looking release sitting on their merch table.  Honestly, I was a little pissed at myself for not keeping tabs on this band like I do with so many others.

Prior to Banquets taking the tiny stage that night, my pal Aaron asked me if I had heard their new album yet and I was quick to confess to him that I had no idea they even had new material.  He assured me I was going to enjoy it and that I did.  The new tunes they played live that night were incredible.  After their set, I made sure I secured a copy of their new release on vinyl for future listening.

It’s been about 2 weeks now since I purchased that Banquets self-titled release and I am pretty sure I have listened to it at least once a day.  With 5 months left in the year, I have already moved this album up to my top 10 list for 2013.  There is no question in my mind that it will remain there.  This is definitely a surprise release for me this year.

All the tracks on this album were full of countless hooks and catchy lyrics that make for anthem-like  jams music lovers can easily absorb and appreciate.  “Call It A Comeback” proved to be one of my favorite tracks on the album with the group vocals throughout and Travis Omilian’s singing style.  “Fade From Gold” was also a solid song that deserves to be heard.

I liked their prior release, Top Shelf, Bottom Shelf, a whole lot, but I absolutely adore this album.  Hopefully you all are already privy to this and if not, now is the time to check them out.  Think old Gaslight Anthem and Loved Ones leaning towards more of a rock sound in a good, good way.

Akron, Cleveland, Emo, Music, New Release, Pop, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Worship This! – Tomorrow, I’ll Miss You

Leave a comment

I always told myself that I would never review bands who were also my friends, but I’d be a fool not to review the debut release by Northeast Ohio’s very own Worship This!.  Having just signed to A-F Records, Worship This! is about to drop Tomorrow, I’ll Miss You next week, and let me tell you, this is one impressive debut.

Consisting of Josh Taylor (vocals, bass), Jeremy Provchy (vocals, guitar), Aaron Novak (vocals, guitar) , and Jeff Hart (drums), Worship This! has definitely put in their time since then band’s formation in 2010.  Hailing from the Akron / Cleveland area, Worship This! are not new to the scene as all of the members have been involved with various local bands for the past 15 years.  Forming through friendships and mutual acquaintances, the boys of Worship This! were almost meant to be.

“I, Human” started off with Taylor screaming “I don’t wanna be human” at the top of his lungs making for any music fan to turn their head and pay attention.  Full of energy and ideals that slightly reminded me something Propaghandi might make mention of, I really liked how I could hear an immediate chemistry throughout the band members.  The moment I heard that opening song, I knew it was in for something good.  “Jen, with 2 Ns” continued to fuel that feeling

I adored “Indifferent” for so many reasons.  Not only was the track catchy as hell, but it carried  the feelings of being too old for the scene, contemplating giving it all up, and then coming to a realization to move on without care.  This song was solid start to finish and one of my favorites on the entire album.  Full of catchy riffs, infectious drumming, and just an overall sense of pride of current state of being.  It is no wonder the band chose this song to make a music video.  Seriously, the following lyrics from this track have been stuck in my head for weeks:

“I’ve given my all, maybe its about time that I hang it up.  There’s so many things I never did, and I life I never lived. Maybe I’ll stop getting dirty looks from all these kids.”

I swear, I have had those same thoughts in my head numerous times over the last couple of years.  Look for the video to be dropped around the time of the album.

“Summit Tower” really was put together flawlessly.  Provchy took over vocal duties primarily while the rest of the band just jammed out alongside.  I may have caught myself signing along to this one the first time I listed to it.  The upbeat “Springs and Levers”,  moved along well thanks to Novak and Provchy exchanging lines throughout.

The lyrically deep “Purpose and Meaning” flowed directly into “The Fear Of Missing Out”.  The songs were like a masterpiece, but different.   Seriously though, these two combined songs were addicting from start to finish.  You can just hear years of hard work put into both tracks and they last less than 3 minutes total.  Secretly, I wish those tracks were of a “November Rain” length.

Novak painted a pretty vivid picture as he sang at the beginning “Bike Ride”.  The song, which told the story about a neighboring house that suffered a grim demise, really carried well throughout.  “This house is my reminder of what we have and and who we live for” bellows towards the end of the track with “our lives carry on” ending it.

“Whatever Happened To You Melissa” reminded me of Dinosaur Jr. at the beginning, but only because of how the lyrics started off.  The song, clearly reaching back to a torn relationship, had a strong effect while listening to.  Listening to Novak and Taylor sing “I’ve lost all hope, in everything I know…and everything I loved” just brought back some of those memories you can’t ever get rid of.  This was another track on the album that blew me away.

“Momophonbe” has radio playable qualities.  The chorus alone reminded me of, dare I say, Gaslight Anthem, sans the whole I’m-from-New-Jersey-and-love-Bruce-Springsteen-feel.  Taylor and Provchy made this song even better thanks to their singing styles bouncing back and forth.  “Anathema”, the closing track, started off melodic with singing that did not impress me, but moments later that all changed.  I loved the group signing on this track that eventually laid the album to rest.

Take everything you know and love about punk rock from the 90s onward and you can hear it in what Worship This! has brought to the table throughout the album.  This is far from a pop-punk band and anyone who labels them that needs to really reevaluate their opinion.  This is a band that successfully manages to merge all of their unique influences from over the years and package them into one great style.  We’re talking seasoned here folks, not young blood.

Fans of all of the current bands filling up the punk scene in basements, various self-funded punk fests, and even online should take note at this talent.  I could sit here and label off tons of bands, but why bother?  A-F Records has something good on their hands and I am sure they know it.  Add the fact that all four members are just genuine dudes who play music for the sake of playing music.

Friends or not, Worship This! has got my vote for album of the year with Tomorrow, I’ll Miss You.  Just like the Menzingers, Cheap Girls, Masked Intruder, and Luther wowed me back in 2012, Worship This! has done the exact same for me this year.  I can not stop listening to this album.  I can only image how crazy the kids are going to go for this release.  This is one album you should not sleep on.  Trust me when I say that.  Don’t believe me?  Head on over to PunkNews.Org and hear it for yourself.  You can thank me later.

The CD drops this Tuesday and a vinyl pre-order should be announced through A-F Records soon.

Music, Music News, Music Video, New Release, Rock, Soul

Music Video: Mission South – “Peaches”

Leave a comment

Check out the intense video for “Peaches” by roots / rock trio Mission South:

There is a definite Black Keys / Dr. Dog feel going on here and I really dig it.  Not to mention, the video is kind of awesome and dark as hell at the same time.

Did you dig the tune as much as I did?  Well you are in luck, the band is offering all of their tunes for free.  Yup, free.  Check it out: http://music.missionsouth.com

So who are Mission South?  They are a soul blues rock band straight out of DC who just dropped their sophomore release titled Migration, Vol. 2.  The three members have been friends for years and spite all those growing pains many bands go throughout life, they stuck together and have dropped a pretty amazing EP.

Apparently today, they recorded a Daytrotter session.  I look forward to hearing that when it releases.

Short notice, but apparently the band is playing Cleveland tomorrow night, if you dig what you hear, you should head on out to their show…if you can figure out where they are playing at.  I looked all over the interwebs and could not find what venue.

Music, Music News, New Release, Punk, Vinyl

New Music: Iron Chic – Spooky Action

Leave a comment

What word would I use to tell you all about how I am feeling right now about Iron Chic‘s new EP titled Spooky Action?

Honestly, who cares what I have to say or think?

Just listen to this EP now by the Long Island’s Iron Chic.  I am ok with this.

This band continues to amaze me.  Their new tracks are exactly what I have been waiting for.  I literally freaked out when I heard the third song as M.A.S.H.’s theme song is stuck in my head a lot and I had no explanation why.  At least I am not the only one now who has this issue.  Track three is also a solid cover of “Goofy’s Concern” by the legendary Butthole Surfers.

I can not wait for them to drop more stuff soon.  I have been waiting for a follow up on Not Like This since 2010 (crazy it has been that long).  Look for a 7″ to be pressed for Spooky Action at the end of the month.  Sadly it looks like it is an overseas thing only, but that is what the Internet and your mom’s credit card are for.

 

 

Music, New Release, Pop, Punk, Reggae, Review, Rock

Album Review: Authority Zero – The Tipping Point

1 Comment

Hailing from Mesa, AZ, Authority Zero combines various levels of music and mashes them into their own style.  Punk rock, thrash, reggae, and even a hint of skate rock can be heard throughout their years of material.  The band really take pride in incorporating those styles to their catalog as well as carries a strong love for bands like Bad Religion and Pennywise.  Having been kicking ass and taking names for almost 20 years now, spite many challenges in their career, Authority Zero has not calmed down one bit.

This Tuesday, Authority Zero will be releasing an all new album titled The Tipping Point.  These West Coast punkers have dropped an impressive release full of energy and fast-paced fun.  With plans of touring Europe in a month to support their new release, Authority Zero really seem to be moving in the right direction.  Ask anyone in their infamous Zero Crew and I am sure they will agree.  Still, I am just as pleased as I am shocked this is only their fifth studio release.

The very fast-paced “No Other Place” started off the album with plenty of speed and aggression sure to entice a circle pit.  It was almost too easy to hear the gracious nod to Pennywise and Bad Religion in this track from Jason DeVore’s singing style.  Add some necessary group vocals aside with quick and heavy guitar riffs, you can hear the influential bands that helped build Authority Zero.

“Undivided” continued with more of a 90s punk feel with DeVore having a great flow from start to finish.  The chorus was catchy as hell, the drums were just non-stop, and the guitars carried well.  My only distraction was the Dicky Barrett sounding scream that ultimately stopped the song for a moment, but then jumped right back in.

“For the Kids” had a Good Riddance feel to it that I really enjoyed.  I really caught on to these lyrics because they really hit home to me as DeVore sang “this one’s for you” about more or less – me.  Well, at least young me.  Great song about yesteryear to any music fan who was surrounded by friends in any scene.  Age may be catching up with a lot of us, but those memories will last forever.  This track is worth a listen.

I really was beginning to wonder if Authority Zero dropped the reggae from their sound and then “Struggle” started.  It’s not terrible by any means, but the current me never really got into this version of Authority Zero.  “On The Brink” followed returning to their punk sound.

“Today We Heard The News” was another reggae track on the album, but this one I actually enjoyed.  The horns throughout kept the track interesting while I tried to figure out what DeVore was singing about.  From what I gathered, it was about a protest about something and not giving up fighting the cause. (EDIT: apparently it is about the passing of Tony Sly.  I am kind of kicking myself for not grasping that.  Thanks to a reader for that one.)

“Shakedown in Jaurez” also kind of hit home to me, but in a different matter seeing how I currently live 30 minutes away from that city and am more than aware of everything that goes on there.  The song itself, mixed punk and reggae for a sound I just could once again not get into.

Ending the album was “21st Century Breakout”, a sped up punk track that got stuck in my head.  I could not help but think about Bad Religion once again as DeVore sang just like Mr. Greg Graffin at times.  Setting that aside, this track was killer and pretty much was my choice cut on the entire album.

After all the changes Authority Zero has gone through in the last few years, it is almost admirable to see them continue on.  With a revolving door of members leaving and joining along with countless other setbacks during the band’s existence, the band seems to have finally found some well-deserved stability.  With all those drawbacks though, I am shocked they did not call it quits and start something new already.

Case and point, just 2 weeks ago, the band’s long-time bassist Jeremy Wood announced on his Facebook page he was leaving the band to spend more time with family and other personal reasons.  Luckily lead signer, and the last of the original lineup, Jason DeVore quickly announced the band had a touring bass player to join them on the road in support of their upcoming release The Tipping Point.  Somehow, I have the feeling this album was properly named by the band for more reasons than one.

There is no doubt in my mind if you are a fan of the punk rock genre that you have heard of this band or seen them live at a Warped Tour or heard them on a video game soundtrack.  They have been in the game for nearly 20 years and it can definitely be heard in The Tipping Point.  No matter how many changes this band goes through, it would appear that Jason DeVore has no intention giving up something he truly loves.