right from the very first note, this band destroys all. an upbeat emo drive with ultra-melodic guitars that are busy at work picking out the very best of catchy harmonies to just thrash at your ears so fucking hard they’ll bleed out of pure joy. this is a record to cherish from that first note to the very last note of the large and impressive ultra-climactic ending of an album beyond compare. The Tie That Binds shares a great deal with the likes of Eversor, Uni-V and Christie Front Drive. but look! there’s some The Get Up Kids and Jimmy Eat World over there, in the distance! yes. while being largely residing in emo territory, Half Past Heroes pays enough visits to the neighbouring country of alternative to churn out a great deal of chiming riffs that are catchy enough to secretly infiltrate a Saves the Day concert. there’s even those damned start-stop rhythms! but don’t get me wrong… despite showcasing some alternative influences, this is still ’90s emo to the core (albeit released in 2001). raw and slightly hoarse vocals singing fatalistic tunes about half past heroes, half empty bottles and the classic “better days” when you stayed out all day and in all night (holding her tight), harmonizing with guitars interchanging between sweet twinkling and heavily distorted power chords. in addition you’ll also notice some more soft bits as well, serving sometimes as build-ups to guitar/vocal harmonies that almost crosses into 90s hardcore (Unbroken, Sons of Abraham…) and generally just reign like none other. but other times, the slowing down and softening up leads to intimate confessions, easily compared to Mineral’s majestic compositions. when you listen to the track Half Past Hero, there’s something peculiarly reminiscent of TheLastWordIsRejoice. the vocal interactions generates a comfortable feeling of nostalgia. to sum up this record: get it. it’s simply amazing.
archive for October, 2009
The Tie That Binds – Half Past Heroes
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009Wingnut Dishwashers Union – Never Trust A Man Who Plays Guitar!
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009Wingnut Dishwashers Union are a band that constantly changes members. it’s a union. it plays songs composed by “Pat the Bunny”. on this album it’s mostly just himself playing clearly upset folk punk on his guitar whilst shouting about life and all its peculiarities. there are a slight case of the drums and some horns and other instruments making the occasional guest appearance, though not shifting really focus from sound delivery that is the acoustic guitar, nor the eager anarchist shouting. the cleverly engineered line “a punk rock song won’t ever change the world, but I can tell you of a couple that changed me” pretty much sums this up. let this change you! download at once!
What Price, Wonderland? – Claim
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009they say they won’t play songs older than this record here, which is very sad due to how awesome the older songs are. however, it is understandable – because even though they don’t completely renew themselves with Claim, they definitely display a much more polished and matured sound. all the instruments are generally tighter and more interactive and slightly more thrashing. so get it on this excellent release! a defining emo record to rival the very best.
What Price, Wonderland? – Feel Express Share Aid
Monday, October 19th, 2009What Price, Wonderland? are playing a ferocious punk rock inspired by 80s emo among other things. they are expressive, extroverted and emotive emo at its finest. from the track titles to the shouts to the way they let me put their albums on the blog, this is a band who is extremely dedicated to the punk/hardcore/emo scene, and their passion is highly evident in their music. rapid drumming, semi-clean tech chord progressions, shouting and melodic bass lines are put in focus most of the time, with fragments of softness and beauty showing themselves gradually at times, contrasting the raw emotion and almost theatrical anger that stings you like you’re sleeping on a bed of needles and having bad dreams resulting in a lot of twisting and turning. this album enters your life like salt in open wounds, it leaves you a stronger person. learn what it means to feel, express, share and aid. download this album at once.
Greenland Is Melting – Our Hearts are Gold, Our Grass is Blue
Saturday, October 17th, 2009this is a milestone in the that’s punk community. not only is it the first (new) post on the new site – it’s also the first bluegrass album! and what an album. but you know us at that’s punk… whenever we do something, we do it right! this folk/bluegrass masterpiece captures a sense of spirit and hope. they write “words that can be screamed at the top of your lungs”. also notice how they don’t have a drummer – only a bass drum, and it works out great for them. (blue)grass root folk music. down to earth sing-a-long tunes for the whole family. don’t miss this!