Back from the Dead

I've been sleeping on the internet the past couple of months, it's actually more liberating than you might think. Anyway i'll get back to updating this blog regularly. In the meantime I'm going to list off some of the albums I've been paying special attention to and i'll expand on them in future posts. Most of them are newer so i haven't had adequate time to listen.

Verse - Aggression - This record is incredible, so much urgency and desperation i can't wait to get my pre-order from Rivalry. This band is the hardcore punk band right now, they aren't just making music, they're creating and calling to life ideas that can change the current worn-out state of the world.

Hostage Calm - Lens - This band is the Dag Nasty of the 2000's. Innovative melodic hardcore punk, not generic in any sense of the word. I said this band ruled on my best of '07 list and this record puts my not so daring statement in a nuclear bomb shelter.

RAH - Intelligent Design 7" - Finally some good, new local stuff. This stuff rages, although it doesn't really speak to me on a personal level, it's emotional and angsty and reminds me, at least upon initial listen a bit of the Lights Out LP.

88 Fingers Louie - The Dom Year's - This band rules, this record rivals "Back on the Streets". I'm looking for a copy of this, someone give me a heads up.

Avail - Front Porch Stories - Prior to a couple months ago i hadn't given this record much thought but after a few listens i realized i was depriving myself. Avail are an awesome punk and have never missed a beat as far as I'm concerned. A Full review of this is in order when i get a chance to listen to it more.

The Real Guitar Heros

A few weeks ago i was listening to Straight Ahead and the song "Breakaway" came on, if you know that song, the solo is incredible. It got me thinking i need to make a play list of all of my favorite solos in hardcore or punk songs. So for the next couple weeks i picked out the songs i knew had to be on the play list from the top of my head and then put my media player on shuffle hoping to stumble across a gem or two from my music library. I came up with 17 songs, I'm sure there are plenty i missed and some of these songs are just personal favorite's. There are a handful of NYHC songs, as would be expected, some youth crew stuff, and some punk stuff. I tried to get a good mix of everything. Anyway i'll list the songs, if they don't play in your media player in this order, put them in this order, I've listened to this through a few times and i think it works best the way I've ordered them. I'll try and say a little something about each song as i list them.

1. Iron Boots - Don't Come Back
- This song rages right from the start, Iron boots are one of my favorite NYHC style bands going right now, worth checking out.

2. Straight Ahead - Breakaway
- I don't think i need to explain my choice here, one of , if not the best hardcore solo I've heard.

3. Propagandhi - Purina Hall of Fame
- One of my favorite Propagandhi songs off of what i think is their best record, Todays Empire Tomorrow's Ashes, this song closes out the record in an incredible way.

4. Bad Brains - Don't Need It
- This one doesn't need explaining either, a great song from the first and probably most technically proficient hardcore punk band.

5. Seaweed - Rethink
- If you were ever into the 90's grunge stuff I'm sure you know of this band. Far more punk than grunge, this song is one of my favorite.

6. Uniform Choice - Once I Cry
- I had a tough time choosing between this song and In Time, you can't really go wrong with UC so Once I Cry it is.

7. Leeway - Defy You
- I'd feel dumb if i didn't put a Leeway song on this, i just picked my favorite Leeway song and here it is.

8. Dag Nasty - Justification
- This was a no-brainer, the solo in this song is awesome and Can I Say is a quintessential punk record.

9. On The Rise - Turncoat
- I love the guitar work from On The Rise, i had to include one song just because of my affection for this band.

10. Adolescents - Amoeba
- This is one of the best punk songs ever written, enough said.

11. Cro-Mags - Crush The Demoniac
- Without a Cro-Mags song this mix would fall short. I've never been huge into them, why? I don't know. But this song is great and it's impossible to ignore.

12. Nothing Done - Give It Back
- This song is incredibly catchy and from one of my favorite current bands. I love the way the solo kicks in and eases you through the last song off of their 2007 LP Everybody Knows.

13. Reagan Youth - Miss Teen America
- This is from Reagan Youth's later stuff and although i don't like it as much as their early songs its got some great guitar work in it.

14. Bold - Your The Friend I Don't Need
- I couldn't leave this song out, Bold were a great band and this song is more than likely my favorite by Bold.

15. Killing Time - Happy Hour
- The solo in this song shreds and Killing Time are one of my favorite NYHC bands.

16. Rise Against- Join The Ranks
- Rise Against were one of my favorite bands in the early 00's, they released two unbelievable records on fatwreck, the first being The Unraveling. This song was included in the re-issue of that record, although i think it was either originally from either the Transistor Revolt Demo or a compilation of some sort. Regardless, this song rules.

17. Outbreak - Sailin' On
- I could have included the original Bad Brains version of this song but Outbreak do an admirable job at covering this song and i didn't want to have two songs from the same band on here.

Here's the link: www.mediafire.com/?2ddlj4nyxl3

Enjoy!

Cheap Shot Youth Anthems

I went and saw Paint It Black and Cold World last night, it was a really fun time, by far the best show I've been to since Go It Alone last August. Cold World were fun to watch, they actually surprised me quite a bit, i had previously written them off without giving them much of a chance but they played an entertaining set at the least, i picked up their newest LP so we'll see if i like them on record.

Paint it Black were just awesome like you would expect. Yemin is an absolute madman on the mic, the best part is when the song ends and for a few seconds after he stand at the edge of the stage with a gruelingly intense look on his face glaring into the crowd. They played Memorial Day and Atticus Finch which are two of my favorite songs. For the ending of Memorial Day Yemin got off that stage and everyone gathered around to help him sing the anthemic ending. They closed with Atticus Finch and if you know that song it needs no explanation, its perfect for the mosh, I've never been much a mosh connoisseur but that song wrenches it out of me.


I went with a friend i met in my social movements class who had never been to a punk show before, it's always funny watching someone react the first time they see kids climbing all over each other shouting indiscernible words into at the singer of a band. She enjoyed it though. We went to a jazz bar before the show and watched a guy rocking out harder than i though possible with a cello, there was a definite contrast in the music consumption last night.

Weathered to the Bone

I've been listening to Leatherface a ton lately. They're the type of band that if i let myself listen to them just a bit i'll be hooked for a few weeks, they have a really contagious sound. If your not familiar with them, they have a really raw and emotional melodic punk sound. The songs are full of great melodies but there is an undeniable authenticity within the production of the guitars and especially the vocals. At times it's hard to decipher what words are being sung just because the vocals are so raspy.

I've been listening mostly to their second last release "Horsebox" it was released around 2000 i think. Outside of maybe Mush this is my favorite record by them. I think this record is probably their most daring, i mean they attempt a Cindy Lauper cover, the song True Colors, they nail it like no other band could. Ship Song is different song as well, its a bit slower and driven by a piano which actually fits well with the band. Sour Grapes and Watching You Sleep are two more stand out songs, both of those songs are extremely catchy. When i say they're catchy it's only because i can't think of a better word, i never really find any of the songs stuck in my head, maybe that's why i enjoy them so much, they don't wear out. There's no use in saying anymore, if you haven't heard this band go buy their records. I would recommend starting with either this one or Mush, or if you want to go back to the start, start with Cherry Knowle. Either way, if you like punk rock in any way whatsoever you won't be disappointed. I know this band is somewhat obscure, hiding out in the North Eastern part of the UK, but they're essential for anyone into any type of music in my opinion.

Speaking of Leatherface, after being out biking nearly everyday this winter my face has been subject to some rather harsh conditions. I'm so glad it's over, or at least we think it's over. This has been the worst winter i can remember. It hasn't been this consistently cold in years, nor have we had this much snow in a long time. I think the city of Toronto is near breaking the all-time record for snowfall set in the 1930's. I don't think we will though, mother nature isn't likely to give me that badge of honor. We have a bit of a volatile relationship, which is a pointless, she always wins and all i ever do is whine about it.

My bike has taken the brute of the punishment, i can hear the chain grinding the sand through the gears wearing them out as i peddle, as soon as the roads are cleaned up I'm going to need to take everything apart, clean it, grease it, and maybe get some replacement parts. That won't be enjoyable, although i will enjoy riding a good bike again. Here are pictures of my bike freshly spray painted last spring and then after all the torment it's endured. I don't know why I'm posting them.

Before

After

Looking For Gold

This winter weather is really starting to bother me, i think having to bike nearly everyday in it is the primary reason why but mostly anybody would be sick of the winter we've had this year. It's supposed to be spring and it feels like January and has for most of the past month. The area of the city i live in looks like Chernobyl in the winter. I braved the cold and went to Hits & Misses today intending to pick up a repress of the Adolescents self titled LP, i didn't have much money to spend so i wasn't planning on looking around much. But before i headed for the A's i decided to check out the used section to see if anything new had come in, after flipping through a few records i found Outlast's "As Sure As I Live" LP. I've come to really enjoy this band and was not expecting to find this LP anywhere so needless to say, i picked it up.


As far as i know this was this Outlast's final release, i think it was a compilation of a previous 10" and a previous 7" which would explain why the recording is different on some songs than others. I know I've talked about this record numerous times on here but the more i listen to it the more i appreciate how sincere and emotional it is, I'm really looking forward to putting this record on the turntable and sitting down with the lyric insert and finally getting a chance to get more in touch with the message behind the music. As much as I've listened to this band my searches to find their lyrics online have mostly resulted in futility and considering the vocals are hard to understand outside of some of the sing-a-longs, chances are my obsession with this band will reach a fervent level.

There's also an insert which seems to be some sort of letter, I'm guessing written by the singer, about the band and what it meant to him, how he felt it was a way of using creativity to make a difference. I haven't read it all yet but it seems to venture off in to some sort of discussion about life and it's purposes and how to go about fulfilling them. It's a cool thing to see a band do and it's nice to know the songs I've been listening to all this time were born out of something more substantial.

I've had a hard time finding much out about this band, if anyone knows much about them or where i can pick up anymore of their music let me know.

Anyway, after i left the record store i got a call from a friend from elementary school i hadn't seen in at least 10 years. We had been planning on hanging out so we went and ate some Thai food, talked about how things change and just life in general. We actually have quite a bit in common which is a bit ironic considering i used to be into playing hockey and acting obnoxious and she used to be into books. It's weird how time changes.

Paint It Green and Blue

*Disclaimer* Mike, if do not wish to be seething with jealousy by the end of this post please discontinue reading NOW and quickly hit the back button on your browser, or close it all together, whatever works.

I got my Paint it Black pre order in the mail last week. I was glad to know the vinyl version of this release was being done by Rivalry, I've been a fervent supporter of that label for a few years now. I was definitely anticipating hearing this record, I thought Paint It Black's two previous releases were really great. Both records were chalked full of well written angsty hardcore punk anthems.

New Lexicon is angrier sounding than anything Dan Yemin has been able to churn out to this point. This record is probably the most aggressive and straight forward Paint It Black release yet, there are a few anthemic moments reminiscent of those on CVA and even Paradise. Songs like The Ledge and Shell Game Redux are examples of this, while songs like Four Deadly Venoms and Dead Precedents start full of pure aggression and grind to a bitter pulsing halt.

My favorite song on this record is probably Past Tense, Future Perfect, i think it combines the more melodic qualities of Paint It Black with the aggression that makes them such a vaunted presence in hardcore punk. It's hard to really compare this record with their previous efforts, they've never released a bad song. Like any great band each record has a feel of its own, you know its still the same band but there's a separate dynamic that makes each record special in its own right.


New Lexicon continues Dan Yemin's impressive ability to turn every musical en devour he touches into gold, even if he's not the one playing the guitar it still comes out sounding as tight as anything possible could. You can really hear the chemistry between all the musicians on this record and on every Paint It Black release for that matter. I remember hearing Kid Dynamite for the first time and not being able comprehend how together everything sounded, I'm sure if I'd been living under a rock all these years and came out to listen to Paint It Black I'd get that same feeling.

The lyrics on this record are pretty good as well. There definitely a lot of imagery and social/political undertones. They aren't as blunt as some other bands that tackle the same issues but when it's all said and done the message gets a hammered home effectively enough. Here are the lyrics to Shell Game Redux, probably my favorite on this record.

Shell Game Redux

Sweep out the cobwebs & recalibrate the
currency. They're robbing us blind.
They're trimming the fat, and counting every
calorie. Can't you see that they're robbing
us blind? Inveterate invertebrates ingest and
regurgitate. They are robbing us blind. There's
no convincing explanation for the crumbs on
your dinner plate.

Sharpen the knives and sugarcoat the medicine.
Consult your astrologist and be sure to tip the
weathermen.
I know we promised you a dividend...

They steal the bread from our mouths. They
steal the air from our lungs.
And they steal the ground from under our
feet. They will try to steal the words from our
tongues.

DON'T LET THEM

"... We Keep Warm With The Words That We Scream

It's been a while since my last post, I've been busy writing essays and waiting for my Paint it Black pre-order to come, it came today but my camera is broken so i can't show off the slick looking vinyl. I probably need to listen to it a little more before i post about it, so i'll use this post to talk about one of the most dynamic emotional hardcore records of the past few years.....

How We Are - To Teach a Hundred. I actually didn't start listening to this record until sometime last year but it's really well written modern emotional hardcore. I guess a good comparison would be their upstate New York counterparts, Another Breath. This album definitely has an upstate NY vibe to it, there's even a sentimental song about Rochester. Most of the songs are of a much different nature, they're influenced heavily by Daniel Quinn's thought provoking Novel Ishmael which, if you've read the book is given away by the title of the record. I use the word dynamic to describe this record because it really is, the guitar work is incredible and Rory VanGrol's harsh and urgent vocals seem to drive, or be driven by the quick pulsing guitar work. Couple that with exceptionally well written lyrics that carry a message most people couldn't bare the weight of and this record is something you need to hear. I also really like how the tracks on the record were organized, there are two mellowed out instrumental tracks entitled "Takers" and "Leavers". Which again if you've read Ishmael make for an almost euphoric listen. There aren't a ton of bands that have a whole lot to say and of the bands and the records that do, this record ranks up near the top. I was sad to see this band call it quits last year, but they've left a dent big enough to keep me remembering.

I couldn't write about this record without at least mentioning a little about the book it seems so inspired by. I read Ishmael this past spring and it really helped me to see the world from a different perspective. From a perspective that is removed from the hustle and bustle of modern life, kind of like an eye in the sky that doesn't see all the superficial benefits our system of living creates, but instead sees the rape and destruction of an environment and an animal kingdom that has never so much as raised a finger against humanity. For hundreds, thousands of years we've been taking and taking, never giving back, never leaving anything to quench the throats of what we've left thirsting. Reading this book and then listening to this record is like a cold slap in the face, the kind where you just stand there for a few minutes, speechless, blinking your eyes in confusion, wondering what just happened. All it takes is one idea, one spark, to teach a hundred.

Anyway here are the lyrics to the title song, i really hope the LP gets released sometime soon like its been planned.

To Teach A Hundred

With split lips, shin-splints and sore throats.
With words constantly begging revision.
With all our desires, dressed in our basements best.
So anyone that ever wanted change could hear a voice that sounded the same as theirs.
The question has never been whether or not hope would remain,
but if we can gather enough in our hands to match the fire in our lungs.

We keep time with songs on repeat.
We keep warm with the words that we scream.
Hope is a crutch.
Push your desires.
Our words are fire.
To teach a hundred.

The Doctrine

I finally had a chance to listen to Paint It Black's latest effort New Lexicon today. I did the pre-order with Rivalry so thanks to Rivalry being awesome and letting anyone who did the pre-order download the record starting on it's release date (today) i will be listening religiously over the next few days. So far it's great, i'll do a full review when i receive the vinyl.

Sticking with melodic hardcore, Long Island's Capital released a record entitled Homefront last year that doesn't stray too far from the Yeminite formula i can't seem to get enough of. I actually slept on this band for quite sometime, i remember reading reviews for this record and the one previous to it on Punknews but for some reason i didn't ever take the advice of the reviewers and check this band out.

About a month ago i heard Homefront and i was immediately impressed. Musically it's got a major Dag Nasty feel to it, just sped up and much more spiteful. There are some more progressive qualities to this record that make it stand out. It's got somewhat of a post-hardcore vibe to it at times and i hate to use this comparison because I've heard it used many times before in reference to this band but these dudes definitely listened to a lot of Quicksand somewhere along the way.

One thing that jumped out at me is the way the vocals are delivered. They give you a really creepy, unsettling feeling and almost force you to listen to the lyrics, which are also really good. Do not sleep on this band, this record rules and would have undoubtedly made the top 10 in my Best of '07 list.

Ohh yeah i almost forgot, this is my 100th post with this blog. I have officially reached a level of internet savvying that i can put on my Resumé, right along my impressive inability to hold onto a job with any longevity.

The Best Medicine

I was bored tonight and having just finished with two exams and feeling a little under the weather, i needed to laugh. I've always found it really funny to see people lose control and do completely irrational things to neutral objects. Like... let's say a computer. I've never been angry enough to ruin pricey pieces of technology aside from a video game controller when i was younger. I also used to throw my skateboard around when i couldn't land tricks, used to punch my guitar when i would screw up and got exceedingly mad and took unnecessary penalties playing hockey some games. When i got to high school i graduated to breaking old televisions with baseball bats in front of a camera with my friends. I grew up in a small town. Anyway i was searching youtube and found some hysterical videos of guys breaking computers out of pure frustration.

Computer Smashin'

Keyboard Wreckage

Video Game Vengeance

9 -5 is getting old

Peer Hatred

This one's also really funny, no anger but equally entertaining

Turning Pages

Last Friday night i decided to venture out to Adrift for the last show that will be taking place there. They're moving to a new location that doesn't have a back room/skate park in it. That place was always great for shows, a really small intimate setting, almost every show i saw there was good. It sucks to see it go but apparently there is a new venue that's popped up somewhere. You wouldn't think that venue's would be a problem in a city of over 5 million but the affordability factor is tough to get around.

Anyway i only showed up for the two middle bands, i was intending to see Libyans but unfortunately i showed up too late. It was nice to see Acid Reflux, i had heard them a bit beforehand and though they would be fun live. They play early 80's hardcore punk. Kid's were sort of into them. Next were Brutal Knights, really the band i went for. Behind Career Suicide they're probably my favorite Toronto hardcore band going. They play a style similar to Career Suicide, maybe a little more up beat, a little more punk, and a little slower. Anyway, as usual kids lost it for them. Rampaging around the floor, hanging from piping in the ceiling, throwing beer everywhere. I don't like the whole bringing the mosh when you have a beer in your hand then just losing control and flinging your beer at every person standing within a 15 foot radius of you.

The place was packed being that it was the last show there. It was really hot and stank like only it can when vast numbers of shower rebelling punks start sweating, so i left before Rammer played. This is a pretty bad post, i got no sleep last night and now I'm trying to tire myself out so i can sleep, get up early, and further decimate the confidence i have in my physical prowess when i go run around for a while in the morning. It's more like an angry, heaving trek through completely unacceptable weather conditions.

"Slick Shoes!....Are You Crazy?"

I decided to start jogging and get myself is better shape, for what reason i don't know. I went to the store and got some runners, the vans weren't going to cut it, there weren't a decent pair of shoes for less than $90. I haven't bought running shoes in years but this is absurd. I'm still on my pop punk kick so the first run i went for i decided on Slick Shoes for my soundtrack. Bad Idea. I'm way out of shape even though i bike nearly everyday, running is so much more difficult.

Needless to say i was not having too much fun and the happy music bursting into my ears just made the situation worse. My energy quickly deflated i got home and collapsed on the floor until the burning in my lungs receded to a non-lethal level. Next time i need something pissed, just as much as i will be when my lungs decide to punish me for years of inactivity, any recommendations are welcome.

On the topic of this band 'Slick Shoes'. It's a bit of a weird name but it's from the movie The Goonies, thus it's a great band name. I started listening to this band when i was 12 or 13 years old. Their first LP Rusty, which was released in 1997 got me hooked. They've since released 2 or 3 other LP's that I've listened to pretty frequently.

They play ultra fast melodic punk with some great poppy melodies and smooth vocal delivery. The vocals are actually one of my favorite parts of this band, most of the time the delivery is spot on and they're just original enough to keep you engaged. The guitar work is also very good, it's well written and in terms of punk music it certainly isn't the most technically dull.

They have a song called called Last on this record that is one of my favorite songs. You know when your a kid just getting into a style of music you can relate to and you find a song that you can't stop listening to. Last was one of a few songs that i would play over and over and never get sick of it. I'm going to make a mix tape of all my favorite stuff from this band, i'll post a link for it up here when I'm finished.

16 songs of unmitigated pop punk glory

...And It Continues

I've been listening to the band Digger constantly this week, They were on Hopeless Records in the mid to late 90's and early 2000's. Anyway, their first two LP's, Powerbait and The Promise of an Uncertain Future are both awesome.

Powerbait is 14 tracks of classic pop punk jams, this stuff is really uplifting and fun to listen to. I can't really explain this recent pop punk trend I'm onto. Usually around this time of year a band like Think I Care would be a perfect accentuation to the doom and gloom of winter. I guess I'm sick of the doom and gloom.

I catch myself playing these songs over and over in my head. Whether I'm in lecture, trying to read, or trying to sleep, i can't get some of these songs out of my head.

Lyrically it's pretty typical of pop punk bands of that time period, there's even a completely ridiculous song called I Want My Hat Back which is seemingly void of any meaning other than the dude really wants his hat back because he got a 'stupid haircut'. There are songs about screwing up in school and being in love with a girl who snarls every time she looks your way. There's even a Madonna cover. It sounds good, although I'm sure the original version would make me want to rip my hair out.

I don't really know what to say about the album art, other than that it's not very good and kind of weird. Do yourself a favor and check this record out, even if you don't typically like pop punk i think this record has enough appeal to make even the most cynical of cynics regress there prior opinions if even just a little.

Shake off the Dust

This past week I've been revisiting all the old bands i used to listen in the late 90's when i was starting to really take to music. Tooth And Nail Records used to put out these compilations called Songs From the Penalty Box, i think they release four versions before the compilations for the most part went downhill along with the label. Anyway, it was through those compilations that i found out about bands such as MxPx, Slick Shoes, Dogwood, The Huntington's, Ghoti Hook, Craig's Brother, and The Undecided to name a few. Those bands, although shunned upon sometimes for their lyrical content were bands that had a profound impact on me as a kid and are still a part of me today. I have my friend Ben to thank for buying me a couple of those cd's for my birthdays over the years we hung out, he moved to North Carolina shortly after high school started and i haven't talked to him much since then. Thanks dude, wherever you are.

I dug out one of those cd's today because i remember there being a band that played skate/pop punk i really liked but could never manage to get a hold of any of their material. It turns out the band was called Off The Record. They only had one formal release entitled Remember When. So finally today i looked the record up, it was out of print so i resorted to soulseek, i wasn't expecting to get any results but fortunately i was able to find a copy and download it. I just finished listening to it once through and i was smiling through the whole thing. It kind of sounds like Blink 182 Dude Ranch era with a few more hard hitting, more technical riffs. The vocals have more attitude than Blink 182 could ever muster, as much as i like Dude Ranch, this blows it out of the water. At least upon initial listen.

One of the coolest things about music is that you can go back and revisit the bands that helped shape who you are today. You can feel just like you did when you were a 15 year old kid and didn't have to care about anything other than how you were going to explain your latest truancy from school to your parents or where you were going to skate without having the cops threaten to take your board away. Even though i only heard one song from this record previous to today, listening to this record let's me relive a part of my life i wouldn't change for anything. That's priceless.

Ohh yeah, on a side note, i started a new blog called Against the Grain. So from this point forward this one will be reserved for all things music since it pretty much already is. And the other one, well i don't really know i guess political/philosophical banter that will make no sense to anyone but myself. It probably won't even make sense to me.

Best of 2007

2007 seemed like a bit of an off year in terms of punk and hardcore music. There were a few releases that really grabbed me but beyond that i wasn't too excited about much. There were plenty of good records released, just not many great ones.

With that said the year prior had a lot of great records released, there's really no way this year could compare. Last year picking my top 10 was way too hard, this year the top five were easy and after that i had some trouble. The "Honorbale Mentions" category for this year is huge just because so many records i listened to this year were good but were just lacking that final knock out punch.

Anyway, I'll get on with this. I might add a category or two more to this years edition, we'll see how it goes as i work my way through the cobb webbs of the year that was.

Top 10 Releases of 2007

1. True Colors - Focus On The Light

I wrote about this record earlier this year so i won't too in depth. Here's a link documenting my unrelenting praise for this record.

Positive energy oozes from this record. It's pretty typical Youth Crew both lyrically and musically but there just enough originality and edge to help earn this record the #1 spot on my list. I'm sure I'll be vehemently disagreed with on this, but i really can't think of another record more deserving of this spot.

2. Bitter End - Climate of Fear

This record is crushing, i'm usually not huge on metallic hardcore but this record is nearly perfect when it comes to this genre. The vocals are downright venemous and the words being spewd don't lack an ounce of conviction.

Musically there are some really catchy melodic riffs, and some really cool building to burst apart bass lines, just enough to maintain a sharp edge. There's plenty of punishing breakdowns, they just don't sound overly typical. There's a diversity evident in this record that is rarely shown within this genre. Combine that with near perfect production and well written, well thought out lyrics and this record gets the # 2 spot on my list. I can't wait to see what waits ahead for this band.

3. Go It Alone - Histories

This was Go It Alone's second and final full length LP. I thought everything they had put out up to this record was some of the best stuff modern hardcore had to offer. Needless to say my expectations were high. After an initial let down, i let this record grow on me and now it ranks right up there with the rest of GIA's discography. The rager songs on this record rage at a level of furiousity that's hard to top.

I won't go into to much detail, i wrote about this earlier in the year after i recieved one of the more limited copies in my Rivalry Records pre-order. Click here if you want to read more.

4. The Geeks - Every time We Fall

Seoul Korea's finest. The Geeks really stepped it up this time. This record towers above their previous efforts in so many ways. The production is cleaner than before but still raw enough to maintain the sincere emotion that makes this band so fun to listen to.

Musically they mesh better, the vocals are more controlled but still unrelenting enough. I really can't say enough about how much this record rules. One listen is explanation enough.

I wrote about this record earlier in the year as well. Click here to see the cool vinyl from Get Outta Town Records.

5. Lifetime - Self Titled

I couldn't have asked for a more triumphant return for this band. Amidst all the cynical talk surrounding these reunions i knew this band would pull through. They did and then some.

This record might even be better than Jersey's Best Dancers. That's a bold statement given the timelessness associated with Lifetime's previous work. You would expect that no matter how good another Lifetime record is, it would never be able to live up to the precedent set almost a decade ago. But somehow this record's done that. Anyone who doubted Yemin's prowess regarding this brand of hardcore punk really needs to check their head. Everything the guy touches is gold and this is no exception.

6. Get The Most - Moment in Time EP

Get The Most's follow up to 2006's Common Goals EP, is pretty much just as expected. More catchy, generic youth crew that hasn't strayed far from their most glaring influences. This record is beyond fun and incredibly positive and upbeat.

Don't let the vibe of the record throw you off though. There are some words that need to be heard even if they're just reinforcing what we already know. A record like this will always appeal to me, they could make 10 more EP's sounding exactly like this over the next 10 years and they would probably all find their way into my year ending top 10 lists. One more thing. The drumming on this record absolutely shreds.

7. Shook Ones/Easel - Split EP

The three Shook Ones songs on this split are probably my favorite stuff they've released to date. That's saying something considering how much i like Sixteen and Facetious Folly Feat. The opening track Order Form is classically catchy, the way the vocals bend and twist with the music is really fun to listen to. They cover the song Bad Year originally by Seaweed to finish off their side of the split and do more than an admirable job.

The Easel side of this split is great musically but i don't speak Japanese so it's a little hard to understand the lyrics. Other than that minor detail i really like this band. They sound a lot like early Lifetime, not as good but pretty close and that's good enough.

8. Smoke or Fire - This Sinking Ship

Above This City was one of my favorites in '05 so i was eagerly awaiting This Sinking Ship. With this record Smoke or Fire don't stray too far from their previous material. It's a little more mature in the lyric department and maybe a 1/2 step slower. I don't know if it's better but it certainly isn't a regression.

Being on Fatwreck it's pretty easy to predict what this band will be about. It's melodic punk with socially and politically conscious lyrics. There are some things that don't need to change and this is formula that works great for Fatwreck and a lot of the bands they work with.

If Smoke or Fire can up to this level for records to come they'll be another band added to an already stacked list of great Richmond punk bands.

9. The Swellers - My Everest

I decided to give this record a chance when i heard there was a bunch of young kids playing melodic skate/pop punk. I had put off checking these guys out for a long time , i guess i was doubting that kids barely out of high school could reach back a decade or so and play the stuff i grew up listening to.

I'm really happy i gave this record a chance, not only do these guys play this style, they excel at it. It may be a little too polished at times and there are a couple acoustic tracks i could do without but the bulk of this record is so much fun to listen to. I'm glad kids are still playing this style and not letting it be too watered down and just become plain old pop punk. These kids can shred, here's to hoping they keep it up.

10. Career Suicide - Attempted Suicide

This is what hardcore punk is. It's what it started as and there will always be a place for it. These Toronto dudes are taking it back more than a few years and with Attempted Suicide they do it with unrelenting precision.

I can't stress how much this record rips from start to finish. It doesn't relent one bit. Compared to their earlier material it isn't much different it's just a lot more precise, it's probably the most in sync record of the year in that regard. I can't even think when i listen to this record, it puts me in a state of paralysis.

Honorable Mention:

• Sinking Ships - Ten EP
• I Rise - Down EP
• Down To Nothing - The Most
• Soul Control - Involution
• Modern Life Is War - Midnight In America
• Justice - Escapades
• Allegiance - Desperation
• A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide
• In Stride - Place of Decay EP
• Ruiner- Prepare to Be Let Down
• Ambitions - Stranger
• To The Lions - Baptism of Fire
• Only Crime - Virulence
• Strung Out - Black Hawks Over Los Angeles
• The Swellers - My Everest
• Red Handed - Wounds Remain
• Loud and clear - Self Titled
• Common Cause - Statement of Purpose EP
• Circles - Demo
• Hostage Calm - Demo
• Blacklisted - Peace On Earth, War On Stage
• One Voice - Break Free EP
• Government Warning - Arrested
• Go It Alone - Histories Single
  

Best Show:
Go It Alone August 23rd @ Adrift.
One of the best Toronto shows in a long while. I wrote something about, click here.

Runner Up: The First Step sometime in April @ Adrift. Not a whole lot of people were there but there was enough kids into it and TFS always bring the energy.

Best Song:
Go It Alone - Relics
This is kind of a weird category, you can't really pick one song. But, if i had to choose right now this song would be it . The lyrics are some of the best written by the band, they give off an eerie hopefulness if that makes any sense. Musically the song builds from a slow paced hard-hitting intro into the furious pace Go It Alone kept up so well throughout everything they released. Seeing them open with this song in August was awesome, one of the highlights of this past Summer.

Best Up and Coming Band:
Hostage Calm
I wouldn't have made this category if not for the emergence of this band from the ashes of At All Costs. This band rules and their only getting better, think Ignite mixed with In My Eyes.

Best Record Not Released in 2007:
Good Riddance - Operation Phoenix
Even though this record was released 8 years ago it's words still pierce the air with an unsettling urgency. This is by far Good Riddance's most hard hitting album, it's probably their angriest and most politically motivated as well.

I could have picked any album by this band, I've found myself listening to them more and more as the year has progressed. Some albums speak to you more than others, this is an album that at times seems to speak to the core of who i am, there isn't much more meaningful than that.

Looking Forward....
I don't really know what this year holds music-wise. I don't really care, if it's good i'll hear it.

Moving away from the music front, i might start an additional blog to this one where i'll put essays and other ramblings. I want to start building the basis for something a little more substantial, that might be the place to start.

I'll be finishing my 3rd year of school and not a second too soon, i want to be finished now. Provided everything goes smoothly, and it better, i only have a total of 9 months left sitting in a classroom with surprisingly low amounts of stimulus flowing through my brain. And not because I'm brain dead.

2008 will be a better year, there was nothing glaringly wrong with 2007 but nothing went overly well either. Hopefully i'll be veering closer and closer to the potential my future holds in '08, hopefully I'm consistently doing that. I know, its stupid to judge things year by year.... what's time anyway.

Everything Means Something

I've been working on an epic best of 2007 post of late, so the apparent lack of posting will be made up for shortly.


In the mean time, i was listening to With Honor's " Heart Means Everything" on the Subway about a week ago and remembered how good this album really is and what it meant and still means to me.

Musically it's energetic, it's passionate, it's melodic. While the music is good, the lyrics are what made this record for me. Every single song has a purpose and a drive or direction to it that really embraces you if you take the time to get to know the words. It's not just meaningless positivity, it's positivity with some weight behind it. There's no wishing, no wanting, no needing. "We will see heights we never thought we'd reach." Hope isn't even in doubt.


I think that's what strikes me about this record the most. How there's just an innate feeling of positivity, and there's so much conviction behind it, it's hard not to be inspired. I remember a couple of years ago finally get a chance to see this band live, i lost it to every song without hesitation. I remember Todd grabbing me and throwing the mic in my face, yelling the lyrics just as hard right back at me, that was pretty cool. Very few bands have something profound about them. Something deeper, you can't quite single it out but you know there's something unique, almost a presence about their music that permeates anyone but the most cynical listening.


I could post every song on this record, they all mean something different but are equally important, here is one of my favorites.

Perfect Stance

Hollowed OUT, empty, we’ve watched months erase the memories of years, It’s not tradition, not meaningless ideals, it’s a fire, FIRE, that draws us near. So come close, let your eyes meet mine, Try hard to deny this burning inside, Grab hold to status quo to justify, Keep telling yourself there’s nothing more to life. But there’s so much more than killing, than preying on insecurity, then getting what you want no matter who’s at cost… WAKE UP realize your virtue is dead. YOUR LIFE conviction for vanity. But we’ll take this stage, never forgetting the days when heart meant everything. We will take the stage, holding onto the days, when heart meant everything! This time is soon to end, and all your clothes and cliques will go with it, when the dust clears we’ll see that love still stands. The love that has no shame, no fronts, no fruitless games… the love that lays life down for a friend. YOUR TIME IS UP.

In The Dark

I have no Internet so i biked to school in -10 weather for the sole purpose of posting this. Not really. It's disturbing to think how much i rely on the Internet now that the cable company decided that me paying them $30 per month isn't really worth it.

I think in a lot of ways we've become more connected with the outside world with the Internet, in other ways it's so much easier to disconnect and be anti-social, something I'm good at.

In other news, i get to see TFS on the 8th, with Risky Business, it should be fun, in all likely hood the mosh will be brought in large quantities. The last time i saw TFS there was no stage so I'm really looking forward to taking the leap of faith a time or two.

Also, I've said this before but Lights Outs "Overload" rules, it gets better every time i listen to it.... So does each and every Our Turn song.

Why Is She In Pain?

Battery - Why Is She In Pain?

she wants to be beautiful for our beauty-starved eyes. she's dying, she's dying, she's dying but we never seem to mind. her cry is in her toothpick legs and attention-hungry smile, and as it goes on, the transfer occurs from magazine to child

but the only thing these beauty magazines leave is low self-esteem the only thing they leave is a low self-esteem

we're brainwashed to think that thin is pretty, but if beauty is love, why is she in pain? I'm guilty, I'm guilty, I'm guilty. it's time we placed the blame, let's also blame the media, and face the fact that this is insane, and spit in the face of their so-called beauty and make a change

we have got to open our eyes if we want to make a change we have got to open our eyes if we want to make a change

because there are sick and starving girls throwing up after they eat so they can look thin and pretty for the people the meet. and the thing that scared me the most is there are people that i hold close that are dying and i never even noticed

This song is one of the best hardcore/punk songs written in the 90's. At least in my opinion, i was listening to fatwreck bands and early tooth and nail stuff in the 90's so i don't relate much to hardcore from the 90's. Outside of youth crew stuff I'm impartial.

Anyway, back to this song. The reason i think it's so important is because it tackles an issue that so few hardcore or punk bands are willing to deal with. I think it's awesome when bands tackle issues that are specific to girls and are passionate about what they're singing. There are so many bands that just sing about whatever comes to mind or whatever is relevant at the time, scene politics and a bunch of other garbage. Then there are bands that have a social heartbeat, they can see the world outside of hardcore and they have meaningful things to say about what they're seeing. Battery was definitely one of those bands.

"Why Is She In Pain" is probably my favorite Battery song off of my favorite Battery record, musically its incredible and lyrically not much can match it. Even i can relate to what's being said because I've seen and know girls who have fallen victim to this unrealistic perception of how they're supposed to look and behave. Maybe not to the extreme of throwing up after every meal or starving themselves, but you can see the weight of these expectations in their eyes and i couldn't imagine how much that would suck.

Battery is still a refreshing band to listen to. It feels like so many bands are writing about nothing and a lot are, but there has always been and will always be a handful of band playing hardcore music with something to say that everybody needs to hear.

The Depths

I think I'm going to attempt to learn an In My Eyes song on guitar. I'm not really sure which one, I'll have to see which are doable and which ones I'll suck too hard at to even attempt. Any suggestions are welcome. I was thinking 'Take The Risk'. I really want to try and cover a song of their's with my brother over Christmas break.

I just finished writing the lyrics to a song, i only have the intro riff finished so i hope all the words will fit well. I can't wait to go buy some new string/picks my strings are two months old, I'd change them every week if i could. My picks are all really dull, due to my laziness and lack of disposable income these little novelties are more like luxuries. Anyway, i'll post the lyrics for the song i just did.

Into The Sea

I’ve tried to look life in the eye
So many times
I’m starting to wonder why
Why I even try

I take one glimpse and turn away
Too much pain
Too many neglected wounds

The bandages I made
Are soaking through
Visible to the outside world
And still I run
Staggering ‘till I fall flat on my face

You stand and laugh at me
I believed in who you wanted me to be
And now you have me right where you want me

So I close my eyes
I concentrate on the only truth I know inside
And I’m lookin’
I’m lookin’ right through my soul

At all the dream, the broken dreams
The hope that still survives
I’m clinging to the scraps
The remnants that are still alive
Waiting for you to resuscitate me
Resuscitate me

Time Stands Still

The awesomeness that is winter is almost upon us. Bike rides in freezing, snowing weather are not going be fun. But it could be worse, it could be better. But it's not.

I tend to listen to more music in the winter, I think the urge to shut off the outside world becomes more tempting when the gray, brownish hue that permeates the outside is depressing just to look at. A couple records I've been tuning out to lately have been A Wilhelm Screams' latest effort "Career Suicide" and Avails "4 AM Friday".

A Wilhelm Scream is a band I've followed for a few years now. Their debut record (post Smakin' Isaiah) was really good. A take on 90's skate punk, sped up , angrier, with incredible musicianship throughout. In Between "Mute Print" and "Career Suicide" they released another full length titled "Ruiner", I couldn't get into it nearly as much as their previous effort so i was really looking forward to what "Career Suicide" would be about. So far i haven't been the least bit disappointed. Catchy riffs and gut wrenching vocals make it hard not to pay attention through the duration of this record. I don't really know what else to say, if you like 88 Fingers Louie, AWS remind of a hopped up 88FL. If you like punk in general check this out.

Staying with the punk theme, Avail are one of those bands you can't not like. Ultra-Sincere punk rock with some poppy, some hardcore undertones. This record is probably my favorite of their discography as of this point. This record and Face to Face's "Big Choice" kind of stand out as landmarks for 90's punk rock. When i listen to this record now, i can't believe how well written the songs are, there's a quality about this record as with Face to Face's that's timeless. Some records lose their appeal after time, some stay the same, but the records that you can't stop listening to, that get better with every listen. Those are the records that you'll want to listen to when your too old and def and temp oncoming brain aneurysms every time you feel like reliving your youth. And this record certainly qualifies as one of those.

Focus on the Light

I apologize for the major lack of posting lately. I haven't been motivated to do much, and when i am I'm focusing my energy on these really cool mid-terms i have the pleasure of doing every 6 months or so. As trivial as it sounds, when I'm done with this school business i'll feel like a really obese ugly looking gremlin has been removed from my shoulders. I guess that's what academia represents to me.....

There are a lot of things i would like to be able to do but can't because of the financial restrictions imposed by incredibly high tuition fees. Coupled with the fact that I'm living in the most expensive city in the country and the fact that I'm still dependent on family for financial support and I'm bound pretty tightly to my current situation. I really shouldn't be complaining though, a lot of people would do nearly anything to be in the situation I'm in. But I'm growing overly pessimistic and I'm frustrated... not a good combination

Enough with that, On to the main reason for this post. True Colors new(ish) LP "Focus on the Light"
I really can't stress how good this record is it has everything you want in a youth crew release. Tons of passion and energy, positive, concise and to the point lyrics, and a bunch of catchy sing a longs. Actually the entire record is catchy. Every Second. Most of the songs are clock in around the 90 second mark or less which works great for this band. They leave nothing to be desired after each song... only the anticipation of the next 90 second rampage.
I think what really grabs me about this record is the vocal delivery. I haven't had this much fun listening to a vocalist in a really long time. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that these guys remind me of the modern day equivalent of Youth of Today. There are a couple parts where it almost sounds like Cappo's overly disgruntled growl is being re-produced. Not nearly as fierce or chaotic but fun nonetheless.

As of this point this record is hands down my # 1 release of 2007. I've been listening to it constantly for the past 6 weeks or so and the more i listen the better it gets. In the title song there's a part where the vocalist really accentuates the words focus on the light... something like "focusss on the liiiggghhhttt" anyway if you have the record listen to that song, you'll know what I'm talking about. I have a hard time containing myself when i hear it.

There are plenty of well written songs on this record but i'll post what might be my favorite here:

The Way To Myself
standing on the edge, nowhere to go
trapped, there's no way out.. NO
my head is going to explode
but you reached out, gave me hold

I’ve got my music, I’ve got my friends
but you took me to places I never went
you keep me out of trouble
gave me back my life
for that I’m grateful
you keep me alive

you can say black, I can say white
you can go left, I can go right
you can think day, I can think night
no matter what, I stand by your side

never let you down
never let you down

I’ve got my music, I’ve got my friends
but you took me to places I never went
you keep me out of trouble
gave me back my life
for that I’m grateful
you keep me alive

you showed me the way to myself