Saturday, January 30, 2010

Alkaline Trio - This addiction


The redemption record. That's how was introduced 'This addiction', the seventh full-length album by McHenry, Illinois act Alkaline Trio (did anyone notice the cover was the perfect mix between this and this?). After continually letting most of their fans down since 2001 and the release of 'From here to infirmary', the trio wanted to go back to their roots and produce a real, simple punk-rock album.

Yes, there's an old-school Alkaline vibe on 'This addiction'. From the start of the opener, you can tell they've tried to strip the composition down and to focus on making a more straight-up rock. They even chose Matt Allison, who worked with the band on their first two records, to produce the album. A few bells and whistles are still here on some songs and some additions such as the trumpet on 'Lead poisoning' and the very cheesy synth on 'Eating me alive' are here to remind that Alkaline Trio have expanded their musical boundaries in the past years but overall, there is an obvious desire to get closer to the sound they had ten years ago or so. This is also true lyrically speaking, as the words are definitely more personal, tending more towards the angry sincerity the trio had in their early years. Their intentions are great, but they're unfortunately producing mixed results. Sure, there's an improvement from 'Agony and irony', as there are less bad songs and more great songs, but most of them aren't more than good. The title track, the politically-fueled 'The American scream' or the amazing closer 'Fine' are worth the listen and definitely more than one but others like 'Draculina' or 'Eating me alive' really bring the album down. In retrospect, the least good songs are all sung by Matt Skiba. Bassist Dan Adriano only leads vocals on three tracks, but his contribution is overall totally eclipsing his guitarist's. It is a shame, as Alkaline Trio have always stood out from the rest because of the greatness of both of their vocalists, bringing different atmospheres to the songs but this duality is not shining on 'This addiction'. There's not the same energy either and it's even less catchy than 'Crimson'. It leaves you with the same taste 'Good mourning' did. A bit frustrated.

I end up being disappointed by this new full-length. I think every old Alkaline Trio fan had their hopes up for this one and in my opinion a lot of them won't find what they were looking for. Don't get me wrong, it's an Alkaline Trio record, so it's better than two thirds of what's out there, but it isn't the band at its best. It is however the closest record, in shape, to their early days. Let's hope this is a new start for the band.

3.5/5

Recommanded if you like:
Bayside, The Bouncing Souls, AFI
Check also:
The Broadways, Tuesday, Avoid One Thing

www.myspace.com/alkalinetrio
(Heart & Skull/Epitaph, 2010)

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Update

Hello all,

A quick update to make things clear as I got several emails asking me if the blog was still running: yes, I will keep writing reviews, I'm just still in my exams period right now so I'm not able to post, as I previously stated. The reviews (and interviews) will be back shortly, probably this weekend.
Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for your patience! I appreciate that you care.

Have a good week,
Romain.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Interview: The Wonder Years

I am very proud to propose you a new interview, this time with this beginning of year's band, The Wonder Years! Singer Soupy Campbell accepted to answer my questions about the band and their new full-length, the first great album of 2010, 'The upsides', which I reviewed here. Click the "Read more" link to read the interview.

Update

Bonjour, bonjour!

First of all, let me wish you all a happy new year and all this cheesy stuff, let's hope 2010 will be as musically good as 2009 was. I hope you all had a good holiday and found your favorite underground band's vinyl under the Christmas tree.
I'm heading back to the UK as I have my exams next week so the reviews are going to be short or few for a week or so, but I will be back shortly.

I've posted some special features last week, with my list of records that made 2009 as well as the top of this year from bands like Transit, Title Fight, The Wonder Years and others (post below), an interview with All Or Nothing and another one with The Wonder Years is coming up very soon!
I'm trying to bring some different stuff to make this blog a bit more entertaining and interesting, I hope you appreciate.

Thanks for your reading,
Romain.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Special feature: Beartrap's 2009 list

To celebrate the end of 2009, I have teamed up with Beartrap PR to bring you a special feature. Beartrap is a DIY promotion and publicity company assisting lots of amazing bands in their quest for success (or not). Most of the bands they work with just killed 2009 (and made it to my best of the year list) and it's their turn to tell us what made their year a musical (and others) heaven.
Thank you very much to Chuck which response has been amazing and thanks to all the bands who participated as well. If you didn't already, check them out!

Click on the link below to read the lists.

Monday, January 04, 2010

The Wonder Years - The upsides


2009 has been a great year for pop-punk. It may not seem obvious when you look at my top of 2009 but this year has seen the emergence of a quite substantial scene made of bands and fans willing to bring back pop-punk to what it used to be. Even if many of those bands' records disappointed me, their intentions can be praised. No Sleep Records is one of those labels that are "keeping it real" and this record is in line with this movement I was talking about.

So, 'The upsides' is the second full-length from Philadelphia pop-punk band The Wonder Years. Don't make the mistake I made in letting the cover and the 15 first seconds of this record give you a bad idea of it. Or maybe, do so. It will feel even better afterwards. 'The upsides' is a great pop-punk record. The Wonder Years have abandoned their hardcore-ish sound (and not replaced their former keyboardist, which in the end really is a good thing) to focus on the pop side and I won't blame them for this decision as few of today's bands can be closer to New Found Glory's goodness than they are. Not that this record is an easy collection of simple anthems, though. It will take you some time to really get in it. There's no real hit on 'The upsides'. Which doesn't mean it is not catchy, as the very Fireworks-like 'Logan Circle' quickly proves. The five-piece have written subtle melodies, differently structured songs and even tried new instrumentions. The short 'Hey thanks' is a sweet pop nugget featuring Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer's Rachel Minton, a ukulele and horns. Yes, I did think of never shout never. during the first listens but then it went away because it actually works. The soaring hooks and memorable lines The Wonder Years have compiled on twelve songs will stay in your head for days, from the amazing end of 'My last semester' to the guitar-driven 'Melrose diner'. There is a bit of a slowdown at the half of the album ('It's never sunny in Philadelphia'/'Hostels & brothels') and the few parts of softer vocals, in contrast with the great dynamic singing provided by Dan Campbell all throughout, are dispensable. But overall, 'The upsides' keeps the same constant energy all along its 40-ish minutes (high-five to drummer Mike Kennedy who is on fire for just as long), with peaks on the fast 'Everything I own fits in this backpack' (featuring the only screams of the album), the nearly one-minute long 'Dynamite shovel' and 'Washington square park' with its Four Year Strong feeling in the guitars.
But what got me in this record is its lyrical guiding thread. There's a whole story behind it that makes it moving and meaningful. It starts with the statement "I'm not sad anymore / I'm just tired of this place" which comes back as a motto all throughout the album. This record was going to be about giving up. Singer Dan "Soupy" Campbell wrote most of the lyrics on his bike at a time when him and his bandmates were feeling more miserable than they should but the lyrical backbone of the album changed when he saw, one morning, the fountains turned back on in his city, sign that the winter was over and spring was here (which he explains on the standout track 'Logan Circle'). They realised being sad at 23 wasn't much of a life and decided to make this record hopeful. Hence the title and the overly positive lyrics. Sure, you will find classical pop-punk themes like being pissed at your ex-girlfriend ('Melrose diner') and your whole hometown ('My last semester') or being in a band on the road with your "bros" wearing flannel shirts ('New Year's with Carl Weathers'), but there's more than this. It is not that surprising that The Wonder Years are praised for writing lyrics fans can easily relate to. Topics of not fitting ('My last semester', 'This party sucks') and willing to move ('Everything I own fits in this backpack', 'It's never sunny in South Philadelphia') are constantly brought up with a sincerity and a realism that makes them easy to appropriate. It's nothing new or outstanding, but I personnally adhered to the boys' story.

Alternative Press said several years ago that Set Your Goals sounded like New Found Glory after eight cans of Red Bull. Well, The Wonder Years sound like The Starting Line after eight cups of coffee. They have this more emotional side (and the singers' voices aren't that different) that makes their fast pop-punk smart and sincere. They've matured a lot too, both musically and lyrically (just look at the titles of their old songs...). 'The upsides' is an overly positive and honest record, perfect to start the new year full of good resolutions.

4/5

Recommanded if you like:
New Found Glory, The Starting Line, Fireworks
Check also:
Man Overboard, All Or Nothing, Living With Lions

www.myspace.com/thewonderyearspa
(No Sleep Records, 2010)

And So I Watch You From Afar - The letters EP


After having released one of the best post-rock albums of 2009, Irish instrumental band And So I Watch You From Afar decided to start off the new year with another release, 'The letters EP'. Four new tracks to compete with the album ones, four new tracks to blow your mind again.

And So I Watch You From Afar are unique. The Belfast four-piece is the most powerful post-rock band around today. And when I say powerful, I mean powerful. Not emotionally powerful like many of their peers, no, energically powerful. Their post-rock flirts with math-rock. Once again, those four songs have a headbanging potential like you wouldn't find in any of your usual post-rock bands. Opener 'S is for salamander' is being aired on the British radio. An instrumental song on the radio! If that's not meaning something... It's a glorious track made of a complex composition and orgasmic parts, going back and forth between fury and respite with a shining beauty. Every little thing is adding its touch to form a phenomenal song, from the heavy bass to the subtle riffs, from the drumsticks craziness to the lonely handclap. Possibly one of their best yet and that says a lot. 'D is for Django the bastard' is just as magic, its subtle chords slowly welcoming a storm of riffs cut out by surprising yet suitable African-like and jazzy breaks. The bass progression is incredibly great, giving a rare fierce feeling to the song. 'K is for killing spree (An ode to)' isn't less savage but is more diverse, full of crescendos and subtleties. Only 'B is for b-side' disappoints (matching its name?), including some prog elements but in the end lacking substance.

This new EP isn't made of a few bonus tracks or outtakes that didn't make it to the album, this EP is pure blasting noise standing up on its own. The complex instrumental work is still so impressive, it really is a party for guitar lovers' ears. The staccado rhythms, the slow-building ups and downs, the well-thought sound additions make this record very tasty. One song out of four may be dispensable but it doesn't bring the listen down and with 'The letters EP', And So I Watch You From Afar are just making their discography a little more perfect.

4/5

Recommanded if you like:
Maybeshewill, Russian Circles, Gifts From Enola
Check also:
Adebisi Shank, You Slut!, We Are Knives

www.myspace.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar
(Smalltown America, 2010)

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Algernon Cadwallader - Fun (7'')


This 7'' vinyl recently pressed by Be Happy Records (white) and Protagonist Music (clear) and also available on Run For Cover Records (white and clear) is the new pressing of the 'Hot green EP' released on a tiny scale earlier this year. It's accompanied by a bonus CD, composed of the three songs from the 'Fun' 7'' plus three brand new songs recorded specifically for this release. As we already know the first ones, let's focus on the new ones.

Whereas the first song, quite trippy, is reminiscent of Cap'n Jazz, mainly because of the similarity between Peter Helmis and Tim Kinsella's singings, the trio is moving away from their most obvious influence on the two other songs, with different song structures. 'I wanna go to the beach' is especially great, at the same time poppy and rocky, with perfect vocals and slight sing alongs. 'Responsibility party' is very short and features some keyboard notes. On both tracks, the drums keep the tone very upbeat and all in all, the EP deserves its name.

If you buy the long awaited 'Fun' 7'', you will not only get this bonus CD, but also a lyric book and a coloring book by artist Greg Labold.

3.5/5

Recommanded if you like:
Cap'n Jazz, American Football, Look Mexico
Check also:
Know Think, Palmkite, Merchant Ships

www.myspace.com/algernoncadwallader
(Be Happy Records/Protagonist Music, 2009)

Friday, January 01, 2010

Interview: All Or Nothing

Here's another interview, this time done with Tim of English pop-punk band All Or Nothing. They just released a split with their friends Chaos Days that I reviewed here. Click the "Read more" link below to read the interview.