the last post in this blog was a band that was obviously from the Heroin school of emo. so now I guess I’ll have to post a band from the Cap’n Jazz school. or more precisely, from the mid-west post Cap’n Jazz school. and Three Letter Engagement doesn’t fall into the riffing category like Sunny Day Real Estate, but into that stylish twinkling category where Christie Front Drive and Mineral amongst others reign. so if CFD and Mineral are two of your big heroes – prepare to be introduced to a new hero! because 3LE knows what up. their sweet and charming twinkly emo with sensitive vocals progress into shouting and a full explosion of pretty riffing and intricate lead guitar parts. more than once. this is detailed and diverse music with nothing but highlights and guitar battles. so go get it! it is without a doubt awesome.
Parades End – 7″
Parades End are a ’90s emo band that sounds like something in between the first DC bands (Rites of Spring and so on) and the first San Diego bands (Drive Like Jehu and so on). this is not your Cap’n Jazz style of emo. there’s twinkling, but it is by no means the core of the melodic spectrum. Parades End sound more like the Heroin-school of emo, where sheer aggression, passion and fire reigns. and that’s *not* a bad thing. this 7″ is by a band not afraid to shout and scream, and trash their instruments beyond the limit. this is four beautifully crafted songs, that show a talented and invented band that deserves to be heard. yes I know I write that almost every band on this blog «deserves to be heard», but in all fairness – they are all awesome, right? so get this! listen to this! go go go!
The Kidcrash & Arse Moreira Split – Misspellings
you know that thing I just posted? the split between Coffindancer and The Kidcrash? well here’s The Kidcrash again. but it’s hard to believe that it’s the same band that appears on this split. here we have an upbeat and energetic screamo band. while some of the build-ups and breakdowns are here, it all moves at a quicker pace. maybe not as detailed, but all the more intense. the detailed guitar textures are sure to make you a fan! and as if the track by The Kidcrash wasn’t enough, there’s also another band on here – Arse Moreira. more brutal and straightforward than The Kidcrash, but just as good. they sound less pretty, but just as legit. two awesome bands, two awesome tracks. get this!
The Kidcrash & Coffin Dancer Split
this split is between an epic sludge band called Coffin Dancer, and an equally epic but more screamo-oriented band called The Kidcrash. the split is rather explosive. it’s full of dynamic as well as melodic goodyness. both bands deliver lengthy and drony pieces. Coffin Dancer are slightly heavier, and slightly more drony than The Kidcrash, who rely more on twinkly screamo guitars and breakdowns. if Coffin Dancer are techno, The Kidcrash are trance. if you know what I’m saying. (if you don’t, google/youtube the differences between techno and trance, and you’ll get it). both bands are unique and original, and both bands deserves your attention. give this a go. you might find two new favourite bands!
Jerk City – Jerk City EP
more pissed of hardcore. from me to you. but this time it is slightly more melodic than Cut Short and the like. but it’s still rather… upset. and by “upset”, I mean they will tear your fucking intestines out. but with melodic guitar work, harmonic call and response vocals, and punk rock guitar solos. do you catch my drift? because if you have caught it, I am almost completely sure that you’ve stopped reading and started downloading. if you haven’t gotten that far just yet – GET THERE. chop chop.
The Dharmas – Album and Singles
let me introduce you to one of the most charming folk rock bands I have ever listened to. all of you who follow my blog should have made the acquaintance with Steadman, that awesome rock band from the UK. well, before Steadman there was The Dharmas. even folkier in their approach, this band knew how to craft beautiful and bittersweet pop music with sensere and sensitive lyrics about life and everything that affects it. there’s an album and a singles collection in the link at the bottom. go get it! because this is one of the most honest and genuine bands you will ever come across.
Manhattan Skyline – Curses
with Curses, Manhattan Skyline has taken their start/stop dynamics about thirteen steps further into insanity. the shredding is also more detailed on this new affair. and the vocals are more nuanced. the whole album sounds more thoughtful and planned than Tarantula Arms, which was more seven intense bursts of poetry and madness. this does not make Curses a *better* record than Tarantula Arms however. but what it does do, is make it (probably) much more interesting than it would have been if they just made “Tarantula Arms v2.0″. instead this record sees the band further enhancing their style with more intricate details that the listener is forced into paying attention to. it’s really so much more diverse. at times it even goes into these epic build-ups akin to newer Envy material! it’s just great.
Byron T – Demo Demos
this is an album full of awesome classic 60s/70s rock with those nice synths that were reserved for only the most epic of anthems, mixed into some weird British invasion pop mixed with Britpop lovechild… and some flair… straight outta Iowa! Byron is a fun man who writes, performs and records his fun music for all of us to listen to it. and lawd are we thankful for his adventures throughout the rock’n'roll highlands – because this is – pardon my French – awesome. catchy pop hooks that leaves no one left without at least humming. this is simply a great deal of fun to listen to, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to absolutely everyone, given its potential to be a hit no matter who you are. your mother will like this. that does not mean you should be ashamed for liking it as well. enjoy!
DDT punkrock – Coiotes Loucos
DDT punkrock play a furious borderline hardcore style of punk rock akin to Tehosekoitin and Raga Rockers. they are from Brazil and for the most part I have no idea what they are singing and shouting on about. all I know is that they sing and shout with passion. and the music is some of the fastest, loudest and most intense punk rock you will ever hear. this is a real winner!
Spåkopp – Spåkopp
Spåkopp plays an eclectic style of jazz fusion with a slappy bassist, an eager drummer and a sometimes soothing, sometimes out of control sax – among other things. they are highly dynamic, and have no trouble changing from an insanely high pace to a calm and relaxing tempo. and the way the songs are constructed makes them feel like collective improvisations like with typical free jazz, only with more structured calm parts. it’s all real good and a must-have. go get it!
Belle Epoque – A La Dèrive
Belle Epoque are a French band that play authentic screamo in the style of e.g. Daïtro and Raein. they play intricate melodies that at their softest resembles mid-90s mid-west emo, and at their hardest resembles City of Caterpillar and various other semi-progressive screamo bands. Envy even, but not as epic – more caustic. but despite not being as epic as Envy, Belle Epoque are definitely hypnotising, and well worth a listen or two or three hundred. a magnificent screamo band that deserves everyone’s attention. the music is hauntingly beautiful at times. especially when the guitars twinkle like Mineral and Christie Front Drive, until it gradually progresses into heavy riff-based screamo. amazing.
4volt – Array
“Array” is the continuation of what was started on “Elevate”. it is less ambient and droning, and much more catchy and upbeat. you may recognise some of the tracks on this album from a3o’s “The Infernalist” or “The Misadventures of Lomen” (if you haven’t seen either, go get them – they are hilarious). this is the maybe most catchy effort 4volt has put in. not as droning and creeping as his previous efforts (especially Aware) was. this has an analog sound with plenty of blip blops and the like. it is ultra catchy and mega aewsome. I highly recommend picking this up. it is idm at it’s very finest!
4volt – Elevate
with his third album, 4volt aims to utilize a much more analog sound. this album is an idm masterpiece of intense synths and upbeat rhythms that will get yo feet movin’. it is very much a complete change of style for 4volt. but that does not at all mean you won’t like it if you’re more of an ambient nerd than someone who enjoys electronic music in general. it still has the signature 4volt stamp on it. the quality stamp. so get this. enjoy!
4volt – Elements
4volt’s second album is full of many elements that are layered upon one another. and all the songs have pretty different elements as well. this album ranges from classical music influences to Nintendo influences to good ol’ ambient. “Elements” is much lighter than the first album. where “Aware” was mostly dark and creeping, this album is pretty light-hearted – but intense in its own way. where the first album had the listener in suspense due to the creepy atmosphere, this one has the listener mesmerised because of all the beautiful elements and how they are blended masterfully. it just sounds so soothing – it’s amazing. an incredible effort from 4volt, that deserves your attention! get this!
4volt – Aware
not an album per se, this is really a compilation of standalone songs. the title “Aware” was chosen because this “album” demonstrates 4volt (a.k.a. Jeremy Peterson) and his «awareness of music as a form of expression and experiment». it is dark, moody and creeping ambient, creeping down your spine with a creepy atmosphere. and it has its catchy moments as well, actually. some tracks have so catchy beats, you might’ve felt like getting up and dancing if it hadn’t been for the fact that this music might scare the shit out of you. could easily accompany Doom III on a 50″ in the dark.
Noisy Sins of the Insect – Discography
you guys know what the best thing about having your own blog is? *you* decide what’s going to be upped on it. you know what the second best thing is? you can write whatever the hell you want in the descriptions. this means I won’t have to worry about sounding “subjective”. you see when I write more “professional” reviews, I try not to use words like “good”, “awesome” or “mind-blowing”. instead I try to describe the music and the feelings it give me, as objective as possible, in order for other people to get the general sound and vibe the reviewed record gives, instead of forcing my opinions down their throats. but here, on this blog, all those boundaries are gone! thus: DOWNLOAD THIS ALBUM! DO IT NOW! BECAUSE IT IS TOTALLY BRILLIANT, AND IT IS SO GOOD THAT YOU WILL START TO WONDER HOW THESE GUYS CAN ACTUALLY *BE* THIS GOOD WITHOUT BEING SOME SORT OF UNNATURAL FORCE OF NATURE OR SOMETHING ELSE NON-HUMAN!!! okay. went a little overboard there. but you get the overall message – it’s a good album. Noisy Sins of the Insect is one of the very finest screamo bands. they play a pure bred screamo in the vein of Saetia. high-pitched screams and an extremely dynamic and aggressive melodic approach signalizes their sound. the jazzy and dreamy feel to this album will get you carried away into a trance, from the first second to the very last. so download this, and let it seduce you.