Passing The Torch

I've been a fan of Another Breath since they released "Not Now, Not Ever" in 2004, the first time i heard it i was thoroughly impressed with the sound this band produced, really thick guitars and furious vocals, melodic but with enough edge that it doesn't get boring. I remember making a copy of this for the car just after i heard it for the first time, on the ensuing drive i must have listened to it 5 or 6 times, it seemed like i would start at track one and track eight would be over before i could really appreciate what i had just heard.

Since then I've made listening to this record a regular occurrence. I've since gained more of an appreciation for the lyrical content of this record, it's very straight forward, almost harsh but with a sincerity that comes across infinitely better than the number of bands who attempt to play a style of hardcore similar to this. The lyrics are introspective, but they aren't written so obscurely that there is absolutely no way you can relate to them, they're written in a way that seems to focus more on the personal effects of social or political forces. I've always been someone who looks first to the macro level rather than the micro, for good or bad, its always something I've done when attempting to address problems whether big or small. That's not to say that individual responsibility is lost and it certainly isn't in the mind of the singer as is evident is Clio, perhaps the best song on the record.

The song Rotting is probably my favorite lyrics wise, it deals with the struggles of unrealistic expectations based on appearance and superficial means as the first half of the song demonstrates; "Contingencies. You have no choice in this. We're brought into a world where judgment's made on face value. Desperation turned inward and another face frozen in time with disregard for substance. Billboard girls your smile looks so fake, the rain, your only tears, your eyes are dripping black. A false appearance. A brainwashing. Perfection unattainable. Image destroys the female youth." Another lyrical highlight comes in "Truth In Television" when the words; "You won't find any answers if you're looking away to The person that you wish you could be. I can't justify hiding behind masquerade. Reminding yourself that who you are doesn't matter at all," ring out to end the album.

Musically Another Breath play a style reminiscent of melodic youth crew with a heavy modern hardcore sound, similar to Go It Alone or Blue Monday. This record is well worth checking out if you haven't already, the only complaint i have was that it took a long time to place the lyrics within the songs, the singer's scream is somewhat indiscernible so at times you get lost, but overall it's a pretty futile detail especially if you take the time to let these songs grow on you.

Anyway, Pick this Record up at Rivalry Records

Currently Listening: Lagwagon - Hoss

No more Complacency

Out of the plethora of music that i listen to and in particular hardcore or punk, there are a lot of bands that move me, whether it be socially, politically, or personally based i try and fill my ears with music that means something more than just the decibels pulsing through the speakers towards my ears. For me, punk was always about this, as much as there were certain records that i can say without a doubt helped me deal with growing up i always gravitated towards music that was solely agitated by how twisted the world is, music that not only witnessed this but sought to change it. There are very few records that can actually push a person to do something, to take legitimate action regardless of the cost and Verse's latest LP Aggression is one of them.

Verse has been one of my favorite bands since they formed, there is something so urgent in their music that is hard for me to ignore. Having listened to their previous efforts, Rebuild and From Anger and Rage thoroughly enough to be able to recite almost any lyric i can comfortably say that Aggression is their most complete, most thoughtful, and most powerful release to date. Each and every song and each and every word are played and sung like it's the last note or the last word ever to be produced.

The record starts urgent and pleading with A New Fury which highlights the devastating plight of our lives if we actually sit back and watch what's taking place, it ends with the words, " But they'll never silence me as long as i can breath". Those words and others like it are why this band is worth listening to, you can see the hopelessness, but if your not willing to fight it until there's nothing left of you, you may as well not know at all. Another moment of inexplicable will is witnessed in the song Scream, when after going over the defeats of others who haven't been willing to settle, vocalist Sean Murphy's insightful yell is heard exclaiming the words "But as long as my heart keeps beating. I still can't stop screaming. Silence. Is Violence. I'm Bending. I'm Breaking. I'm Broken. I'm still alive."

There are many moments on this record that have the potential to push stagnant minds into action, none more powerful than the album finale, Sons and Daughters. This song is really a recap of everything that's been said throughout the entire album, although it seems to say it even more powerfully than before. As the song slows to a halt the word Aggression is chanted with impassioned messages in between, culminating in the words "I won't stop until I've broken every chain" yelled until it seems every ounce of conviction has left the singers body.

I didn't make any mention of the musical qualities of this record, the words are more important, although the music is good, really good, the lyrics are overshadowing and in my opinion that's the way it should be. Most importantly this record isn't about rebellion, or angst, it's about truth and it's hovering very close to what i believe is the answer. The hard part is making the necessary sacrifices to be able to make a difference and this record can surely provide solace and motivation for those wishing to do so.

Pick this record up from Rivalry Records (In my opinion the best hardcore/punk label going right now) here.

Currently Listening - Verse - From Anger and Rage

Draw the Connections

There's been quite a few new releases come out lately by bands that I've either been interested for a while now or have just been getting to know. The new Police and Thieves 7" out on Youngblood Records rips, i'll do a full review when I've had more time to listen to it. I received the new Killing the Dream LP last week from Deathwish, upon initial listen i wasn't impressed but i liked it much more upon the second listen and more the third time through, I'm not overly impressed with the lyrical content, after sitting down with the spiffy looking gate fold layout and reading the lyrics while listening to each song respectively i can't say that there's anything new or even remotely groundbreaking being said, although there doesn't always have to be and I'm sure the writing process was helpful for their singer.

One of the recent releases I've really enjoyed is Hostage Calm's debut LP "Lens". I love melodic hardcore punk when it's done right and this band does this style justice and then some. I've likened this band to Dag Nasty a couple of times now, if not entirely based on their sound it's because i can hear the ingenuity of their approach to the melodic punk sound, similar to what Dag Nasty was able to accomplish with "Can I Say". I'm not suggesting that this album at this point is in the same stratosphere as "Can I Say" but there is something about this record and this band that's unique enough to have even a fraction of the lasting impact of the aforementioned band and record and that, although seemingly pales in comparison is a feat not many in the 22 years leading up to this have been able to match. "Lens" is driven by a fast paced melodic rhythm that's present throughout every song but ultimately it's the vocalist who catapults each and every song beyond what the music gives potential for. It's in this aspect that i see the Dag Nasty comparison most glaring. The lyrics are equal to the vocal wizardry, without words worth singing there's really no point in singing. The lyrics are, like contemporaries Strike Anywhere and Verse, a call for change, really an urgent plea for our generation to wake up and even though that might sound cliche, it would only be cliche if we weren't all sleeping. Speaking of Strike Anywhere, there are more than a few moments on this record where the similarities between the two bands arise, in a song like Interchangeable Parts the Strike Anywhere comparison is easy to pin point. Audible and Lacuna are two songs with incredible melodies and really showcase the potential this band has while song like Nosebleed Section and Grayscale showcase a more stripped down approach. There isn't a weak point on this record, at least not that i can see in the 25 - 50 times I've listened to it, if you're into melodic punk, political punk, hardcore punk or whatever, just good sincere music with a message check this record out. Their demo, released last year is also really good, you can pick it up at the following link.

If not at your local record store, pick it up here: http://www.andnowthisishappening.com/

Currently Listening: Craig's Brother - Homecoming