Album Review #12

Crime in Stereo - I Was Trying to Describe You to Someone

genre: hardcore punk/experimental
released: Feb. 23, 2010
label: Bridge Nine Records

Over the past few years, Crime in Stereo has put out some of the hardcore scene's most enjoyable records, each one different from the rest. From raw punk to post hardcore, this Long Island band continues to put out one catchy record after another. When I read that Crime in Stereo was putting out a new record, I became very intrigued as to which direction the band would go in when they wrote their new material. Once again, Crime in Stereo has written another record to be proud of, and will be sure to draw a larger fan-base.

This album is discernibly different from its predecessors, but is still a very captivating record nonetheless. They've gone away from writing one and two minute songs, instead putting together four and five minute songs. They've strayed from writing fast punk rock, and have written a lot of melodic hardcore songs here, including multiple transitions with a Brand New-esque feel to them. They've continued to develop as a band over the years and have put together a more mature, more technical album on IWTTDYTS.

While creating a whole new sound, influences from their older material on this album are still very prominent. A couple songs are reminiscent of ...Is Dead (Not Dead, Odalisque) with a couple Troubled Stateside influences as well (Dark Island City, I Cannot Answer You Tonight). If you are a fan of all previous Crime in Stereo releases, you'll be sure to like the new album as well, because it's a great progression the band has made. I'm sure this album will be met with criticism from some listeners, because it is different from what they used to sound like. But I feel that the good outweighs the bad on this record, and is going to appeal to a whole new branch of listeners, along with many of the band's older fans.

Favorite tracks: Not Dead, Type One, I Cannot Answer You Tonight

For fans of: Brand New, Title Fight, Polar Bear Club

Crime in Stereo's myspace

New Found Glory - Philadelphia, PA

Last night, New Found Glory and company rolled into Philadelphia for the 10-year anniversary tour of their self titled album. From the day I heard these bands were going on tour together, I knew I was going to see multiple dates of this tour. New Found Glory's self-titled album is one of my three favorite albums of all-time and with Saves the Day on the under card, the expectations for this one shot off the charts. Luckily for me, New Found Glory never disappoints.

First on stage was Fireworks, an up-and-coming pop-punk band from Detroit who just released their debut album last year. I just saw Fireworks at the First Unitarian Church back in September, and I feel like I was watching a completely different band last night. In September, the energy level was through the roof and everyone was into the set. Granted the Electric Factory is a much bigger venue, but Fireworks didn't do much to get the crowd involved in the show and they sounded flat their entire set. I know it's hard to captivate a crowd who is waiting for the headliners to go on, but I was let down and had hoped for more out of Fireworks.

Hellogoodbye came out next, and I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed their eponymous EP back in high school, but my musical interests have strayed from electronic power pop over the years. But despite all that, HGB played a good set and the crowd seemed to get into their songs. They had a very entertaining and playful demeanor on stage, which was great considering the material they write. Couple their set with a Descendents cover (Bikeage) and overall Hellogoodbye was pretty solid.

Saves the Day took the stage and sent the crowd into a frenzy immediately. For a band who switches members so often, STD sounded great live and didn't skip a beat on any of their songs. They played a great mix of old and new material, taking a couple songs off of each of their albums for the most part (and the only song I like on In Reverie, which pleased me greatly). My only complaint was that they just stood still playing their instruments up until the last song, when they went nuts. Overall, they played a great set and compared to other sets on the tour, this one is the best I've seen so far.

Setlist:
All-Star Me
The End
Radio
Anywhere With You
Firefly
Holly Hox, Forget Me Nots
Getaway
Eulogy
Freakish
Always Ten Feet Tall
A Drag in D Flat
Rocks Tonic Juice Magic
At Your Funeral
Shoulder to the Wheel
Kaleidoscope

As for New Found Glory, they were simply amazing. If you haven't seen them play yet, you need to change that immediately. The energy level was through the roof for the entire set and everyone on stage was moving around, having such a great time. It's so inspiring that in today's throw-away society, where bands replace members at the drop of a hat, that the same five guys in New Found Glory can stick together and have so much fun playing music for 13 years now. The kings of pop-punk are one of the best bands to see live on the planet. If you've been to their live show before, I'm sure you agree.

Setlist:
Better Off Dead
Dressed to Kill
Sincerely Me
Hit or Miss
Second to Last
Eyesore
Vegas
Sucker
Black and Blue
Boy Crazy
All About Her
Ballad for the Lost Romantics

Encore:
Understatement
Don't Let Her Pull You Down
Head On Collision
All Downhill From Here
Truth of My Youth
Forget My Name
No Reason Why (Gorilla Biscuits cover)
Truck Stop Blues
My Friends Over You

New Found Glory's myspace
Saves the Day's myspace
Hellogoodbye's myspace
Fireworks' myspace

Album Review #11

Blacklisted - Eccentrichine
genre: hardcore, grunge rock
released: Feb. 9, 2010
label: Deathwish Inc., Six Feet Under Records

After putting out a new album in 2009, Blacklisted continues to make music and tour, becoming known as one of the hardest working bands in hardcore music today. On the new album, No One Deserves to Be Here More Than Me, Blacklisted went away from their typical fast, angry hardcore sounds and wrote songs with more of a grunge, post-rock feel to them, broadening their horizons. With the new 4-song EP, Blacklisted has explored some more new sounds on Eccentrichine.

Many people complained about the new LP, saying it wasn't as heavy as their older material. Well, after listening to the new songs, I can see just how heavy NODTBHMTM really is, and how much softer their new music is, which is still head-banging material by many standards. Two of the songs on the EP are different versions of older songs with new twists thrown in (an electric version of The P.I.G. and an acoustic rendition of Wish with some new backing vocals). But as for the new songs, the sound is vastly different from any sound they've put out before. But if you liked the new album, you'll be sure to like the changes Blacklisted has made here on the new 7".

The opening song, Stones Throw, begins with distortion and a spoken word stanza with George Hirsch. As the song progresses, we introduce female backing vocals, until eventually the song breaks down and turns into a jam session, with Hirsch screaming some of the best lyrics he has ever written. His lyrics truly encompass a wide range of human emotion and can easily relate with many people who listen. On the title track, the band goes right into a two-step drum beat and give us the most melodic song they've ever written. The drums are the bass line are very catchy and the "do-do-do-do" lines in the choruses are the cherry on top. The guitars are great too, making for another winner.

There are a couple weak points, like when Hirsch tries to sing. I am the biggest Blacklisted fan out there, but George needs to stick to screaming and yelling. I've always seen Blacklisted as a high energy act, and simple singing isn't something I look for when I put these records on. But all and all, we've got another gem from the band called Blacklisted. Newer, more melodic, more accessible. They are clearly the head of their class and continue to expand their horizons with each new release. The bar never stops for Philadelphia's finest.

Favorite tracks: Stones Throw, Eccentrichine

For fans of: Swans, The Carrier, Dinosaur Jr.

Blacklisted's myspace

Album Review #10

Alkaline Trio - This Addiction
genre: punk rock, alternative rock
released: Feb. 23, 2010
label: Heart & Skull, Epitaph

I'd like to apologize for my lack of updates in the past two weeks, I attribute that to bad weather and a wave of school work recently. But I have finally gotten my hands on some albums worth reviewing lately, and I was excited to get my hands on the new Alkaline Trio album. After a string of successful punk rock anthems with their first four studio albums, ALK3 has disappointed many, including me, with their last two albums, Crimson and Agony & Irony. Both albums lack what their previous efforts had, and with their new album, they took a step in the right direction.

With their new album, Alkaline Trio produced the music along with an old hometown friend who they used with most of their earlier material (including their first three albums). The album does sound better than recent efforts, and its clearly evident throughout the album. It does have a Goddamnit-esque feel to it at many points in a few songs. The stripped down, "return to their roots" sound ALK3 is looking for is a good thing, going back to just playing punk rock instead of some of the other directions they were heading in before. And with only three songs being written by bass player Dan Andriano, most of the creativity on this album comes from band leader Matt Skiba. Skiba provides a much greater effort on this LP, with much better lyrical content and a higher wave of emotion expressed on this album.

Unfortunately, this album isn't anything special. It's not as good as their better albums, but it certainly isn't as bad as their worst material either. The tempo on this one is still much slower than the pace set in their younger years which is the biggest flaw. Punk rock is fast and loud; this album is neither. It's definitely got a punk rock feel to it, but it isn't what the band used to be, with its raw edge and constant quick pace. Maybe the band is just maturing into something different, but they need to get fast and get loud if they hope to recapture their glory days. Also, the album doesn't have any stand-alone songs. I like a few songs and I dislike a few songs, but nothing really sticks out as the song I want to keep coming back to. Along with an immediate Give Up The Ghost steal for album art, this one has plenty to complain about.

Despite the obvious flaws, this album is solid. It's more typical rock than anything else, which is easy enough to get into. This one is the middle of the road, not a favorite yet not hated album for Alkaline Trio. Nothing stands out, good or bad. This album is a step in the right direction as far as getting back to a punk rock sound, but there is still a journey ahead of the threesome if they hope to get back to their From Here to Infirmary days.

Favorite tracks: This Addiction, The American Scream

For fans of: Rise Against, The Lawrence Arms

Alkaline Trio's myspace