Review: Field Medic – Fade Into The Dawn.

 

Field Medic this week release their new album, ‘fade into the dawn’, through Run For Cover Records. The first proper full-length release for Run For Cover following his critically acclaimed collection ‘songs from the sunroom’, these songs are sparse but sincere and make for an incredible listen. Give a listen to lead single, ‘Henna Tattoo’ here.

Catchy and infectious melodies are something that becomes the norm on this record, and it’s one hell of a norm. The simplicity of these tracks really make for some incredible listening, with easy guitars and beats that are so infectious that make you want this album to never end. Tracks such as ‘I Was Wrong’ are great examples of this, where those subtle guitars and incredible beats work together so well.

With these incredible melodies are some honest but tender lyrics that work with the sound Field Medic creates throughout this album. Tracks such as ‘Tournament Horseshoe’ are great examples of this tenderness in the writing but that honesty that shines throughout this album, taking on themes of drinking but also the people who keep you right, this is one of the many highlights on this record, these short but sweet songs staying stuck in your head for a long time to come.

A wonderful entanglement of different musical vibes, Field Medic here brings, Folk, Indie and Alternative sounds together to perfection and it makes you want to put it on repeat, especially tracks such as ‘I Was Wrong’ and ‘Hello Moon’. Give this album a listen, you’re going to love it from beginning to end.

Review: Modern Baseball – Holy Ghost.

Modern Baseball release their album tomorrow, Holy Ghost, which you can hear now as a complete stream thanks to Bandcamp here. We got a taste of what Modern Baseball’s sound might be from their EP, and they follow this up with their new full length which they release through Run For Cover Records.

The band split writing duties on this record, not that you can tell, as the album works together well, creating an emotional and raw record throughout with melodies that work perfectly together from the beginning. Ewald is so detailed when it comes to the writing it feels so intimate – tracks such as Mass where he details the jersey sheets and snowglobes is case in point.

Twangy and high energy guitars work throughout the beginning of the record, giving it an upbeat start that gets you hooked on this album,  Wedding Singer certainly is proof of this as the band bring in that riff that really gives the song a lift that works perfectly and that continues on tracks such as Note To Self, though they almost seem very similar in sound. The band have worked on the songs connecting together from beginning to end as Eward and Lukens work separately on sides of the record and it does show throughout Holy Ghost. Hiding slows down the pace perfectly on this record, acoustic is something this band do well and that shows once again on this track.

Modern Baseball return with excellent form and new ideas brought to the album that certainly make for awesome listening throughout with a way with timing that makes this record work. This band have a unique way of telling a story with that minutae detailing and it is something that makes them standout on this record – something this band has always done well, you only have to see older tracks such as Two Good Things to know that. Highlights for me are Wedding Singer, What If… and Hiding.

8/10.

Review: Pity Sex – White Hot Moon.

Pity Sex released their highly anticipated new album, White Hot Moon through Run For Cover Records. It’s available for a listening now through the Bandcamp blog here and you can buy this (awesome) album now for $5. Pity Sex are on tour throughout June with Petal and PWR BTTM and you should probably go see them.

There’s some beautiful and poignant melodies throughout this record, but Plum stands out on this record as an expression of the best of what this band can do. The slow guitar melodies really emphasise the depth of the writing on that track and it makes for a stand out track on this record.

The vocals are excellent throughout with soft, emotional melodies that make you listen, this band just add to this record with their voices, the blending of female and male vocals really works for this band and White Hot Moon certainly continues that theme, but lyrically is where this band work. Strong choruses are here, but the depth and storytelling throughout the album makes for some incredible listening – Plum does stand out for those reasons, but other tracks such as Burden You and the title track stand out too.

Pity Sex have come back with a great record with White Hot moon, sometimes it can feel lightly repetitive melodically in places, however where this band excel on this record is the writing and the vocals which sound incredible throughout – the production on this record displays this perfectly. There’s a lot of good on this record and it feels a very personal album from the moment it starts. Highlights for me are Plum, Wappen Beggars and What Might Soothe You? – I hope they tour this record outside of the USA, as it’s something I want to hear live soon.

8/10.

Review: Pinegrove – Cardinal.

Pinegrove released their new album last week through Run For Cover Records and through the band’s bandcamp which you can find here – the band then tour with Into It. Over It. The World Is A Beautiful Place.. and The Sidekicks across the US, playing New York in August 22nd.

If there’s anything this band can do, it’s make amazing melodies and they just do that throughout Cardinals like it’s the easiest thing to do in the world. The band know how to entertwine different sounds and styles creating something unique but easy to connect with and to listen to. Tracks such as Aphasia are a perfect example of this with melodies that just work perfectly.

Hall’s vocals are tremendous on this record throughout, the raw vocal that eases from the start of this record works in harmony with the melodies the band create, opening track Old Friends and closing, New Friends both illustrate how well this band work together on this record making for such a great listen, the production really honing what this band do best from the start to the end quite literally. What stuns me most is that Pinegrove are a sad band, but they do it so optimistically throughout Cardinal. Lyrically it brings so much emotion and thoughts together, it feels like thinking out loud to melody but it works incredibly well on Cardinal, Cadmium stands out for this.

Pinegrove have created an awesome album in Cardinal, this band do great things on this record with guitars that work seamlessly throughout, creating a unique sound of all their own making with math rock influences and emo styles that just work so well on this album. Just listen to this album as soon as you can. Highlights for me are Cadmium, Visiting and Aphasia however this is a record that works together perfectly, and it’s a record you need to hear.

9/10.

 

Review: Basement – Promise Everything.

Basement release their new album in a week’s time, but you can listen to it in full thanks to Noisey right here. Probably the best thing to come out of Ipswich, Basement’s Promise Everything has such huge expectations because they are a band who have truly set the standard, creating only brilliant records.

Bring the melodies and aggression on this record, they balance one another out perfectly throughout this album making for such a great listen, tracks such as Submission are the perfect balance of aggressive guitars and big melodies, that makes this track one of the songs that stand out on this record.

Melodies are hugely important to this record and the band can slow down the pace with ease Basement really changes their style on this record from their grungey sound of the past to a record that really has some big melodies and it’s certainly not a bad thing at all. Tracks such as Oversized really make it clear what this band can do when it comes to making music, creating simple riffs that harmonise perfectly with Fisher’s vocals that are just excellent on this song.

Lyrically strong too, it’s clear they don’t write songs to fill a record and live this album is going to be amazing, the pace of the record and the hooks written on Promise Everything, makes it one of those records that should be played in full at some point as it works and plays together incredibly well. Tracks such as Blinded Bye and For You The Moon are some of the song that stand out, but this band their own style of writing to this record, and its as good as it’s ever been.

This band bring an amazing album on their return, people can say it’s a more accessible alternative album moving on from earlier records, however this band still have what they always have, talented guitarists that I feel are somewhat underrated as Stewart really brings so much to this album on bass and a great lead singer. Highlights for me are Oversized, Aquasun and Promise Everything – a track that seems like a bit of a throwback to their former sound, go listen.

8/10.

The Best Albums of 2015: Part I

This year has been a good start for new music, with records at the beginning of the year from Enter Shikari and new records coming out in June from Citizen and Man Overboard. July begins with news of records coming from The Wonder Years and Brand New, and with that 2015 looks pretty awesome. This is a lookback of some of the highlights of this year so far.

1. The Mindsweep, Enter Shikari (Hopeless Records) – Coming out in January of this year, Enter Shikari released The Mindsweep, a political album for the ages, with huge melodies and a great blend of poetry and vocals. The album is unique from the start and something only a band like Enter Shikari could deliver – proving they still are one of the most exciting bands out there right now.

2. American Candy, The Maine (8123) –  One of the few bands who can really show a great development in their sound, The Maine continue to be amazing, when it comes to making records. Self produced in Joshua Tree, California, American Candy has some flawless writing and poignancy that very few writers can do as well as John O’Callaghan.

3. Peripheral Vision, Turnover (Run For Cover) – big melodies abound on this record, Run For Cover Records has some of the best bands on it’s label and Turnover prove it, with a record unique to them and gentle vocals which work perfectly to the sound they’re making – the band will be on tour with Lydia and Seahaven in the Autumn across the US, and I am incredibly jealous of America right now for those reasons.

4. The Querencia, Seafair (Independent) – A little known band for some reason, Seafair’s record is a perfect combination of rock and classical, it’s just how it should be done, the record is flawless from beginning to the end. Chayla Hope’s vocals are spot on and the melodies fit perfectly with everything she does, a band that deserve so much more recognition than they have.

5. Supersonic Home, Adventures (Topshelf Records) – Pittsburgh’s finest, Adventures released their album and it was awesome, one of the stand out albums of the year so far for me, the album is just put together excellently, and the vocals are on point. Adventurous with their sound, I look forward to whatever they do next, this band have a lot more to do, with melodies and drum runs that are excellent alone, then the bonus of the vocals, Supersonic Home is an amazing record.

There are of course loads of bands I couldn’t mention, The Story So Far’s new record is incredible, All Time Low’s Future Hearts is catchy as hell, and their songs will get stuck in your head, you can fight it, but you will fail. Of couse Heavy Love, AOID by Ratboys and Citizen’s new record are all awesome too, but these are definitely my highlights! What are yours?

Review: Citizen – Everybody Is Going To Heaven.

Citizen release their new album their new album this week, Everybody Is Going To Heaven through Run For Cover Records, the follow up to the album that really got people’s attention, Youth. You can find a stream of Citizen’s new record through Spin’s website here. The band are excellent live, and you can see Citizen on Warped tour all summer.

This band continue that atmospheric tone on this record that they do so well, and take the best of what they have used on previous records and have really explored their sound better on Everybody Is Going To Heaven. My Favourite Colour and Numb Yourself really demonstrate just what they bring to this record perfectly, with an alternative tone and Kereke’s vocals that are still brilliantly unique, some things should never change, that is one.

Writing is always strong on a Citizen album, and this album is certainly no different with strong verses and some good choruses in places, but really the thing that impresses me most, is how they are sung, this band are great at expressing the mood through great guitar work and beats that just make this band’s records stand out in so many ways – the lyrics are great, but the music is excellent.

Everybody Is Going To Heaven is a great record, with an incredible amount of talent and a good follow up to Youth, bringing together the best that this band could do and more as they explore sound more on this record. Produced by Will Yip whose expertise on records is incredible already, (Rooms Of The House, Die On Stage etc) I can’t imagine how this record could possibly be bad at all. Highlights of Everybody Is Going To Heaven are My Favourite Colour, Stain and Numb Yourself, but you won’t be disappointed by this record whatsoever.

9/10.

 

 

Review: Turnover – Peripheral Vision.

Virginia punkers, Turnover released their new album this week, recently seen on tour with New Found Glory, the band have gained a following and for damn good reason as this album shows. You can listen to a stream of the record on the band’s bandcamp and on Spotify.

The band’s sound on this record goes for a move ethereal spaced out feel, that runs through the whole of the record, and does it perfectly. The whole album connects incredibly together, making this record so easy to listen to, with some groovy melodies and easy on the ear vocals interspersed throughout.

The vocals are gentle throughout, tracks such as Threshold and New Scream really show this with such ease, however it’s clear throughout Peripheral Vision that this band have such strong vocals, making it one of those record perfect for the end of the day on a record player. (This is a record perfect for Vinyl). The melodies however are the jewel in the crown in this record with every song having a unique sound, Humming and Hello Euphoria being some of the stand out tracks to me.

I really can’t think of anything particularly wrong with this album, big melodies, great vocals and an album that works excellently pieced together, it’s produced to perfection. (Will Yip produced this, and that guy does some amazing work). This album is awesome – is there a band on Run For Cover that can make a bad record? If this year is anything to go by so far, it’s impossible.

10/10.

Review: Young Statues – Flatlands Are Your Friend.

Young Statues, the indie rock quartet that hail from Philadelphia, release their new album through Run For Cover Records  this week. Brought to my attention due to one of their early songs, ‘Bumble Bee’ an acoustic sound from the beginning, this record certainly is a different direction from those earlier days, with more electric vibes and indie hooks on display from the beginning.

The guitars on songs ‘Got The Knife’ and ‘Don’t Fight The Mirage’ are really interesting, with different sounds coming through that work really well on this album, particularly the intros for the songs however the drums are just as important, though some may consider them simplistic, but this really works on this album, songs like ‘Strangers In A Dream’ really make this stand out, this is also the case on songs like ‘Run The River Dry’ and ‘No Shadows’ these songs really make the case for the drums on this album.

Lead singer’s Carmen Cirignano’s voice works really well on this record, though it sounds different from previous releases, however this band do work well together on this record and so it’s not really a bad thing, I like how ‘Flood’ works, and ‘Don’t Fight The Mirage’ has a catchiness to it, that is easy to like and really is brought to your attention through his voice – I think this band work together well and it’s really shown on this record.

On a lyrical level, I think this is a record that is particularly bespoke to this band and really is tailored well to the strengths of the musicians, the musicians in this band really make a good foundation for the lyrics to rest upon, songs like ‘Further Away’ for example really make that clear, the songs here sometimes don’t feel like they work together, but when they do it really works on this record, ‘Ain’t A Bad Thing To Lose’ also is a good example of a really well made song on this record.

There’s definitely highlights on this record and they are very easy to find, it’s not particularly clichéd either and reminds me of recent release by bands such as From Indian Lakes for example, the use of sound is really good on this record, ‘White Noise’ is one of my favourites tracks and displays this well – worth listening to the layers beneath the vocalist because they aren’t like anything I’ve heard elsewhere.

You can find a stream of the album here.

8/10.

Review: Hostage Calm – Die On Stage.

The five piece band from Connecticut release their third album, Die On Stage tomorrow on Run For Cover Records. The record was produced by Will Yip who also produced Youth, Citizen’s latest offering and La Dispute’s Rooms Of The House, so this album has excellent production values so the prospects are good! Now to the record.

Listening to this record it’s actually very hard to find a flaw on this record, seriously, that good, it’s got some amazing grooves, excellent guitars and the writing though sometimes a little repetitive, for example Fallen Angel on this record, it works because the talent instrumentally makes up for the quality of the lyrics (and who constantly wants deep lyrics anyway? haha) with punk influences thrown in for good measure – this album is something that comes together perfectly and reminds me of early pop punk influences, especially songs like Your Head/Your Heart for example.

Melodies on this album on songs like Raised and opener on the album When You Know are awesome and this album is catchier than the common cold, it’s like this album is kinda the one I’ve been waiting for years, and it’s turned up in dramatic fashion banging on the doors shouting ‘let me in, please!’ – and I’d never listened to this band before today. That’s how good it is. Great guitar work and drumming is unbelievable, if this album doesn’t put them on the map, I don’t know what the hell will, to be honest – I just wish they were coming to a city in my proximity in the near future to come play it. (Come to Norwich, we have Millie’s Cookies!)  as they tour with Man Overboard now in April due to injury with Man Overboard.

You can find an album stream of Die On Stage here at Under The Gun, and you can buy the album for $5 on Run For Cover Records bandcamp which in the UK is just a little over £3 for an album so go buy it now, or I will judge you.

10/10.