>> > > beginning of june reviews

Capitol City Dusters/Aina - Split 7” [Dischord]
Indie rock seven inch style. I love the idea’s of seven’s since they just usually, make you come back for more. The Capitol City Dusters makes you want to just jump, and dance along with them. It’s too bad people are too accustomed to just standing with their arms crossed. Indie rock, just like I said earlier, Ainacloses the split with one song as well with it’s really radio friendly indie rock. I think it’s called “college rock” these days. Just cause it sounds so rock. Well done Dischord!

Krakatoa - Channel Static Blackout [Second Nature]
Another fine product of the Second Nature label. Seven tracks from a band that was once just a project. Krakatoa brings hardcore to you with a sense of old school to it. The guitar is structured with what is hardcore today, with the influenced sounds of the metal we’ve come across earlier in the era. Iron Maiden, and even bands like Metallica. It’s nice to see something different, a new twist to music that fuels us. Touching, and filled with those old school lead riffs, which makes it fun. Why did the singer remind me of Sean from Coalesce? It’s all good. Be sure to check out the sampler Second Nature put out too if you’re into the whole hardcore and post punk thing.

Promise Ring - Electric Pink EP [Jade Tree]
Don’t trust the other reviews that are dissing this. I wonder if those other kids even like Promise Ring, or maybe they just like to unleash some frustration on something so innocent. This maybe be one of my favorite releases by p ring to date. They certainly got the pop thing down, and there’s no looking back. Four tracks pop, with the topping, version one of American Girl, the song that previously appeared on the Boys and Girls EP. It’s nice to see a more rockin’ acoustic version of it. Certainly, this brings a whole new love for the boys we all love, the Promise RIng. these guys sure know how to get a kid off his feet dancing, or trying to dance anyways. I love you p ring! Interview coming soon.

Elliott Smith - Figure 8 [Dreamworks]
Mr. Smith is just one of those wonders of indie rock. Kinda like how every indie kid has that piece of Modest Mouse in them, this is similar. Amazing, I think are people that play their songs solo. This album doesn’t give that much of Elliott by himself, but that just means everything sounds a little more full. I don’t remember how to compare this to his older releases, since, to tell the truth, I’ve just listened to them, and I don’t really own anything else. I’d like to see the live show though, and kick back. Something you can listen to while you sleep, and in the car.

This seems to be different from the whole other solo acts, such as jonah’s onelinedrawing, or even Jeremy from Sunny Day Real Estate solo. Folky. .heh, like someone has once told me. Elliott Smith is just one of those things that everyone has to try. I still think it’s funny that in alot of his releases, he looks like he’s getting younger. Rock, I was so stoked to just get this used for $4.99, the highlight of my day of course. Sixteen songs to soothe you by.

Ultimate Fakebook - This Will Be Laughing Week [Epic]
The concept behind signing indie bands makes me wonder if this whole scene will just become some big fad, like the whole third wave ska thing, and the whole new metal crap. Let’s hope this all stay pure, and play honest music we all can enjoy. One band leads always to another, whether it’s by similarities in tastes, music, and what else is out there, or by the bands being close knit friends, and together in this whole thing. This is more pop punk than a lot of the emo related CD’s i’ve come across. Who said the Fakebook kids sounded like Weezer? I don’t see it, but I can hear that there’s something different vocally from these guys. I can’t put my finger on it, but it sounds like there’s something singing from the mouth, with the high pitched sounds. You know, instead of projecting, and singing from the gut. Ultimate Bill rocks the mic with class though. Lets say more pop rock, pop punk, or just fun. What do the kids say about rock and roll these days?

>> > > may reviews

aloha - that’s your fire [polyvinyl]
polyvinyl sure does have a wide array of music they put out. thinking this was from the label braid was on, doesn’t really help come time you listen. does this all fall under the “post rock”, no, that’s “post punk” we’re all usually used to calling bands. cause we all try to stay away from the word “emo”. but this is far from, so no worries. aloha’s debut reminds me of joan of arc, just because both bands seem to dominate their originality. aloha, with the jazz elements, and even this whole feeling like i’m watching mister rogers neighborhood, does hit the spot tho. it’s weird to hear something different sometimes, but this is rewarding. trying to see what’s new, and different in the next song. calming, and with the indie rock feel to it, i can just get swept away in all of it. wondering what is going on.

boy sets fire - after the eulogy [victory]
while waiting fr the previous boy sets fire lp (the day the sun went out) to come in at the local indie record store, i won the honor to review one of my favorite bands cd. yay! these five boys from far east bring you hardcore like you’ve probably never heard before. vocally, emotionally, and all the other aspects of boy sets fire has fueled me not only politically, but also, has empowered me to even find out more abt what they are talking abt. not many bands these days brings it to you like this. spreading their message of social injustice through a medium which should be used more as a crutch fr changing the music scene. realizing that there’s something initially wrong with the system and the order of the things, and being born into this preexisting world, they’re not just gonna sit back, and watch things happen. “ rise, rise!” the first words you hear from nathan gray’s mouth, how empowering is that?

bringing the rock to you in such beautiful way. i just think that bands like this don’t come so often. the message comes before the music, but that’s not to say that the music isn’t moving as well. the way this is all set up is amazing. it makes you want to rise up, and do something. hopefully it’s not beating up on the next kid, but actually taking the initiaitive to build on what these kids have created. educating, and starting on making life better fr all of us. what else can i say? i’m sure you’ve heard it all someone else anyways. hah, i didn’t even mention the e word. be sure to read the liner notes and visit their website. they write back. (more info at www.boysetsfire.com)

the gloria record - a lull in traffic [crank]
unlike most bands under the emo tag, it’s neat to hear a keyboard being played more to the piano tune. or the fact that there is piano being played here counts too. the gloria record embodies a different type of sound. the slower pace. this could be heard on pop radio.. i can imagine, but i’m not sure the popularity can appriciate sounds like this yet. they’re still stuck on radio metal. chris, the singer.. actually sings. it ‘s hard to describe, but it’s sort of this different type of wailing that you might hear in the other genres. it could be vocal training.. or a draw of different inspirations. holding the notes long and strong, be ready to be amazed.

the juliana theory/onelinedrawing/grey am - three way spilt [one day savior]
the fact that the juliana theory was one here, along with my friend jonah makes this a keeper in itself. but i found another winner with grey am. with two unreleased songs from the juliana theory, tricky from jonah’s onelinedrawing, and two other songs from grey am, this split is worth it’s weight in gold. emotionally intensive, this cd can define the genre for ya. sorry, for this review, i’ll just say the two words you might want to hear from the beginning.. “it’s good”. so get it.

mdfmk - s/t [republic/universal]
after kmfdm broke up, we all thought it was over. sad. i thought it was gonna be an end to one of the best industrial bands ever. genre defining.. yes. they were one of the only bands in that whole loop that i still listened to, and somehow, drew as an influence. but shortly after the announcement, really shortly, sasha, mastermind behind kmfdm decided to work on his new shindig, mdfmk. along with one other member from the start, skold, which has been with them since their last tour, they began to start over. mdfmk runs into the same elements as kmfdm did, but as they started production, gained one female member, and now it was complete. being their major label debut, i think mdfmk will continue to showcase sasha’s trademark sound, and hold the kmfdm legacy in place. personally, i don’t hear too much of a change at all, but, i guess progression is needed in everyone’s life. whether it’s changing the name, or changing courses.

m.i.j - the radio goodnight [caulfield]
i know, maybe the first thing you think abt mij is that they have amazing female vocals. yeah, i was tricked too, but, this three piece has no female members. jeff hanson fronts m.i.j. and with mike on drums, and ryan on bass, this band might soon take bands like promise ring, and other bands in the indie scene on a run fr it’s money. after 6 years of being together, here’s their first full length. and, what can i say? there’s no words that can descibe jeff’s voice, but amazing. to take yr harmonies to a whole new level. if you’re wise, you just go and check them out sometime. i’m serious. the vocal, and guitar combinations makes this poppy enough, and exciting enough fr me to listen to, and keep motivated. but that’s enough emo band name slinging fr this review. m.i.j. can be my new favorite band soon. keep the mellow parts, and keep the faster parts with danceable melodies. that’s a simple description fr ya.

modest mouse - moon and antartica [epic]
the band every kid in the indie world has known and loved is back into action with their third lp and first on sony. rest assured tho, it’s the same modest mouse, same isaac brock on vocals, and everything else, but this time on epic. their long awaited return is well worth it; as seen on ebay, promo copies of moon and antartica are going fr $75. this is one of those cd’s that i don’t even need to anaylze just fr the fact of convicing ppl to go pick it up. being on epic, i was skeptical just because i was afraid they had to compromise their sound to somehow, fit into some radio format, or something of that sorts. modest mouse takes them majority of this fifteen song release at a slower pace. the first thing i noticed, but as you listen deeper, you realize, it’s just a different type of progression. a different city displays the same insane guitar riffs brock trademarked in earlier releases as well as the drummer fast enough to keep up with him, jeremiah green.

brock’s guitar style and vocal arrangements are just amazing. i’ve never really heard anything like it. even bands like built to spill admit to it being an influence to their music. moon and antartica is soon gonna be a must fr every indie rock nerd. listening to old skool modest mouse brings me upon the concept of progression. maybe they’ve settled down from the old irratic modest mouse we’re all used to, and moved towards the slower, a little cleaner, melodic/instrumental stylings; reminant of the great godspeed you black emperor. i could just be used to listening to too many modest mouse live bootlegs. i can’t wait to see w hat happens w hen this comes out. my friend joanne is even doing the official site at sony, so i’m stoked. here comes more modest mouse fr those hot summer nights of walking around in sacto, and beyond. and more memories to build around songs. convincing enough? (more info at www.modestmousemusic.com)

pocket change - golden [resurrection a.d.]
i remember seeing this boy with a pocket change shirt in middle school. finally, i stumble upon seeing them at a get up kids show. these guys have been around. i wish sacramento had more bands like this. bringing in to you emo style. i think this is the closest thing we got, and it’s well appriciated. i just noticed that the vocals remind me of some 80’s pop, but i don’t really know what i’m thinking abt. with their first album on resurrection a.d., golden is gonna be a hit on some kids shelf somewhere else.. hopefully, the new distribution will bring more populariity fr this kids.

poison the well - the opposite of december [trustkill]
open this cd up with a double bass sequence and just the hardcore intro. hearing this good wholesome yelling caught me already. i knew this one was a keeper from the start. after hearing three of four bands on trustkill that grabbed my attention, poison the well is no exception. i haven’t heard the whole double bass action in a while too, so that’s refreshing. it’s kinda odd to say this is emotional, but it really is. i really like when hardcore singers talk to, or at least sing along with the energy filled screams. i don’t know, it really shows me talent anyways. going from one vocal range, to the other. i love the way hardcore brings this certain level of energy, and i’d love to just give you this to wake up in the morning. i do it all the time. well, that’s it.

reggie and the full effect - promotional copy [vagrant/heroes and villians]
so they found these tapes recently at the doors or vagrant, after reggie’s disappearence, and the fire where reggie recorded. and i guess, i guess this was what was found, and what was remastered. supposedly tho, reggie is still around.. or that’s what the anniversary told me. he’s old, but still around. reggie’s songs are displayed here. fourteen tracks of moog, and layered pop. hints of hardcore, but maybe the secret hint will be revealed someday soon. the hook to this is inescapable tho. reggie, what a guy? and along with the moog, that always needs to be mentioned, this makes promotional copy a favorite. even after the second listen. you just have to go back fr more.

walls of jericho - the bound feed the gagged [trustkill]
having an hardcore band fronted by a girl rocks to the core! i’m so glad i came across this one to review tho, i’ve wondered what they sounded like fr so long. after so long, seeing ads and stuff, it does make you wonder. this kinda reminds me of the swarm cd i reviewed earlier, but this is cleaner, and a little bit different in terms of vocal, and guitar. metal like. even tho the line between metal and hardcore is fairly thin. with the choppy heavy guitar and all.

the wunder years/sorry about the fire - spilt cd [springman]
i just got this today actually, and my reviews are due in the morning. the wunder years deserve the best of recognition. i booked a show with them down here in sacto, and they rocked me. with this split, the serve it up with five songs, along with the locals, sorry about the fire. the wunder boys actually recorded this the day before my show was. i actually remember listening to this in their van, and thinking it sounded really good. whoa. the wunder years bring it to you youth style. it’s that more poppy punk rawk with emotion filled vocal sounds. support springman.. and give props to youth projects.

>> > > other reviews

alkaline trio - maybe i'll catch the fire [asian man records]
i had to get this one on my own, but it's one of those cds on my list anyways. this second lp by these chicago boys is a must have. i don't know what to really say, but they certainly got a good formula going with this. there's something abt this album that sounds different than the sound displayed in goddamnit, or i lied my face off. maybe it's just the natural progression. with songs like fuck you aurora, the slowed down pace has been proven to be rockin, but maybe that's just one thing i noticed abt this. same alkaline trio in the end, and same great music.

allister - dead ends and girlfriends [drive thru]
i saw some caption on the package of the cd about songs about girls, or something in the format. so i gave the cd a chance. allister does pop punk, love style. they do what they do well, but there's something else about them. all four members of the band sing, which is cool, but some of them really shouldn't try, or should try harder anyways. overall though, this cd rocks pretty hard. it's hard for me to listen to some cd's like this all the way through, but, that's just cause i can't take the combination of pop punk, and love. there's something about it in quantities. ataris-like punk, with old school green day in there too. you know, old school like their first two albums. i want it that way. they even do that backstreet boys song. four boys with broken hearts, and a pop punk attitude. this cd is a keeper.

the anniversary - designing a nervous breakdown [heroes & villains/vagrant]
the fascination begins when i find out the get up kids have a new 7" out, and it's a split with the anniversary. so i wonder what they sound like, then things get better. the anniversary is signed to the get up kids label, heroes & villians. then the first day i show up at heckler, i get this to review. how can things get fall into place to beautifully? this is one of the best cd's i've ever heard, and catchy at that too. something about the dual male/female vocals, and keyboard that gets me going. even through heartbreak, and personal truama, this cd pulls through. too emo for some maybe, but it's just so pretty and heartfelt, i don't know if you can even pass this one up. emo kids, beware, this will break you down. you might as well run to your local indie record store and snatch this one up. (more info at anniversaryrock.com)

arson - words written in blood [resurrection a.d.]
i noticed that when alot of ppl refer to metal, they refer to bands like korn, and coal chamber.. stuff like this. but, it's not really metal at all, it's just some radiocore or something. arson is metal. with the fingertapping and feedback going on, that's the first thing you hear when you put on the cd. it's good to hear some heavy fuckin shit that will rock you. evil, yes, but that's how we like it. heh.. at least how i like it. and it's honest, and not the metal you think it is. these guys will help create that adrenaline rush fr you if it's not already there. where metal and hardcore collide. if you're not scared of this stuff anyways.. pick it up.

chevelle - point #1 [squint]
just because they're under a christian label, does that mean they're a christian band? i don't know, it generally does, but i was told they weren't. weird. it doesn't really matter, but this band is good. one of those cd's that's been has been in my cd player on repeat. chevelle does it like how the big boys do it these days, just that they aren't all popular like limp bizkit and those other scary bands are, yet. i heard they like helmet and far, and i can hear it too. but they do talk about god, and also, the fact that only every other song is good, bothers me a little. just a little though, the guitar playing, and soothing vocals pays off for it. when their songs are good, they're good. i still think they're a christian band.

deep elm - records for the working class no. 2 [a comp from bands on deep elm]
i'm guessing there's a possibility that this could have been reviewed before, but, even if i did, i'm assuming it was just mentioned in the comp's section. there's just some comps out there that deserve more, and does accomplish the feat of getting the listener into music by the label. deep elm offers up a wide array of emo bands to choose from, and not like i was told, this comp is one of the best one's i've heard. cross my heart, as well as other bands like brandtson, appleseed cast, and others will stay in my heart. maybe i just have an itch for emo, actually i do. listen to other stories of heartbreak, and support indie labels at the same time.

digger - monte carlo [hopeless]
what clever packaging! there's dice in the spine of the cd case to compliment the theme of the cd. yet another act of name recognition. i want to say this sounds a lot like everything else, but that's kinda mean. they do have good live pictures in there, so they got that going. i don't really know what to say. i went into this cd reviewing thing saying i'll take anything pop punk that's thrown at me, but, i guess it's alright. pop punk is good, in small quantities. digger rocks pop punk on hopeless records with smiles on their promos and in their liner notes. Hey, they do what they do well, maybe that's what you want to hear?

dredg - leitmotif [woven recordings]
there's really no one word that can describe dredg out but, whoa! it's something about their music that has kept me trying to follow them around for two or three years now. straight out of los gatos, ca, they guys rock like no other. the bass lines are smooth, the vocals layed down by gavin is just something else. it's actually singing not like other bands that might be clumped into the whole metal genre. but they're not like metal. i read once that they might consider this to produce landscape visualizations. i can see that. anyways, like any other cool band i'd adore, they like far. if you want to try something else. melodies that take you to a different level of being, vocal harmonies that make you want to sit and meditate, and the other fine elements of dredg that make them one of my favorites. (more info at dredg.com)

idle hands - treaty [trustkill]
you can put together some kids from a hardcore band, and female in the front, and get something so grand. that's idle hands. with vocals remnant of discount, but with the music backing her up, so crunchy and heavy. fast paced, and just enough to make you want to hear this 4 song ep over and over. i like the heavyness of the power chords being strummed with the soothing voices. it's a good combo. a full length is coming in june i think. hopefully, i'll get to review that too.

jonah's onelinedrawing - sketchy ep #2 [o.l.d. records]
in my opinion, it only gets better from here. when i heard that jonah's old band far broke up, I was in a state of shock. the band that carried me through middle school high school and pushed me into emo, is gone. but jonah capitalized on this big break from far to go on his own. his onelinedrawing project has gone from a tape, visitor, which only 50 exist, to two successful ep's. if you're trying to decide which ep to get, get both. really, it's essential for a healthy lifestyle. join the rest of jonah's fans and sing along too, with the likes of r2-d2 on the cd. six songs, sliding scale, and a whole lot of rock. don't forget to cry when crush on everyone comes on too. quiet melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and music you can groove to. what more can you ask for? he even does a awesome live show. (more info at onelinedrawing.com)

link 80 - the struggle continues [asian man records]
i happened to finally stumble upon this cd when i got this as a promo from friend steve in the band. i didn't expect to really get what i got out of it. by nature, i just like things that have a message. pushing something more that just emotion, although i'm pretty emo smitten. the stuggle continues is a few years in the making, and i must say it was worth the wait, for all the link 80 fans out there. i didn't think i was gonna like this like i did, but they certainly vary in the sound as others in the same genre, which got to me. with horns there and the message being delivered. hopefully, others who listen to the usual poppy punky stuff, will get the message of anti-racism, and other forms other forms of the same struggle we fight against day in and day out. and the first song is abt sXe. yay, you got me hooked.

midtown - save the world, lose the girl [drive thru]
this proves that if you give a cd a chance, it would, or may pay off. midtown is once again, one of those pop punk cd's i picked up to review, but this rocks. they even mention something about the peta people in there, so i wonder if they're vegan? overall, i get a good feeling out of this one. the music goes from smooth and soft, to fast paced and exciting. it's definately more than just any punky band. i'll definately stop by their show if they come to sacto, but no one cool really comes here. don't be thrown off by the cute boys on the back cover.

mustard plug - plug for mojo [hopeless]
so this was my name recognition moment or something. i remembered that mustard plug was on a comp I got a while back called hopelessly devoted to you too. i guess it was nice to hear another band like an asian man Records band, but they do it good too. just due to the fact that they have the now obligatory love song in there (someday, right now), i give em their props. if you're a ska punk kiddie, pick this one up.

the swarm, aka knee deep in the dead - parasitic skies [no idea]
this cd reminds me of my anarcho punk collection i have lying around. except anarcho punk was never so heavy. i don't really know what to say when describing the sound elements in the swarm. it's not the usual hardcore i listen to that merges with metal, but it's hardcore with this really fast punk element to it. that's not it tho, these guys got it down lyrically as well. whoa. it's just refreshing with all the christian hardcore bands i review, to see a band battle that. maybe you should consider the fact that christianity might not be as true as you think it is. the swarm brings a message of not only non-christianity, but also, change. progressively, music can be one of the main outlets to speak out to kids. this cd is a comp of their parasitics skies 10" along with the music from a split 7"; they put out, and even a few unreleased live songs.

twelve hour turn - the victory of flight [no idea]
the more and more i listen to this, the more it's coming to me. these guys are good. there's this certain element vocally that sounds foreign to me tho. foreign just as not that i can't understand, but as like the singer is from sweden or something. so reminent vocally of other hardcore bands from sweden. there's this certain heavyness to their compiliation of music that just needs to get recognized. on the promo sheet sent with this, it mentioned something abt unwound. i still think it's more reminicent of our swedish hardcore friends from bands like refused and selfmindead.