Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Album Review: Bayonet Self-Titled

Bayonet Bayonet
     Let’s do this really quick.  I don’t want to give away too much, but I feel like this EP just need’s to be talked about.  This is my second review.

     There is never a dull moment on Bayonet’s self-titled debut EP.  You guys know American History X?  Remember the dude who had to bite the curb?  The first song is Edward Norton’s boot crushing his face.  While the thing is only 11 minutes long, it’s probably better that way, because the rest of the EP follows suit.  When I listen to it, I feel like my body actually physically reacts to the music.  This band isn’t exactly doing anything original, and the influences are pretty bare and evident (Give up the Ghost/American Nightmare, Bane, heavier Kid Dynamite), but that never hinders the quality of these well orchestrated songs.  This EP embodies a panic attack delivered through an abrasive and unrestrained sound that actually physically makes me uneasy.

     I couldn’t even say anything outstanding about its sound, to be honest.  The guitars are heavy and distorted.  The bass is low, growly, and thick.  The drums are pretty basic but fast as fuck and definitely sharp and on cue.  Buddy’s vocals are out of control, to the point that every once in a while you can actually hear his vocal cords shredding (especially during the end of “New York Minutes”).  You dig gang vocals?  This EP is chock full of well placed ones.  Enjoy.  Scream along.

     Downfalls to the EP?  I suppose the production could be a little better, but that’s not really a big issue; hardcore punk was meant to be raw and presented in basic fashion.  I just feel like, as great as the songs are written, their sound may have been better presented with different production.  The main thing I’m not nuts about with this album is the lyrics.  While they are clearly honest and delivered with passion (something I can definitely appreciate), they come across as whiny and full of self pity.  Not in a clever or cunning early-Brand-New way, but in more of a 90’s/early 2000’s cheesy-screamo-band way.   I’m not saying you need to be pretentious in a Bad Religion way, but some lines just come across as attention seeking and kind of pathetic (sorry, Buddy).

What would I say?  Buy it.  It’s a real treat and definitely is filling my need for hardcore right now.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Dear Boys Night Out,

     Hey guys haven't heard from you since 2007.  Just wanted to start by saying that.  Because it was four years ago, and frankly, I need something new.  But honestly, I want to be clear, I really enjoyed everything you guys put out.  I’m sure my own opinion doesn’t matter, but I just wanted to go, off the record, and say that you guys are just spectacular and I’m eager to see what else you’ll pull off.  All your older material is still in rotation guys! Just saying...but I digress...

     Having gotten that out of the way, I think the most important thing I want to tell you gentlemen about is the experience I’m having right now on iTunes.  Having gotten to the point that I’ve almost nearly exhausted my Boys Night Out discography (I’m sure I’ll be ready to indulge again soon, though), I was on iTunes searching for the closest thing to your band (besides Belvedere, which I’ve definitely exhausted by now).

Greeley Estates
     Now, I know that human beings do some really messed up things.  Have you seen Blood Diamond?  Let’s not even talk about it.  And we all know there are a lot of terrible things out there, like cholera and the Ebola virus.  I also recently discovered an illness called cyclic vomiting syndrome, which is an awful disease. "Episodes of cyclic vomiting syndrome including severe vomiting, nausea and gagging usually begin at night or first thing in the morning and may include barfing as often as six to 12 times an hour. Episodes usually last anywhere from 1 to 5 days, though  they can last for up to 10 days."  (http://www.body-philosophy.net/10_Most_Disgusting_Diseases_Infections_Syndromes)  I almost acquired this disease when I saw the bands that were being suggested to me from iTunes to suppress my Boys Night Out withdrawal symptoms.  A band called A Thorn for Every Heart was there.  Kay.  Emanuel?  Greeley Estates?  THE STARTING LINE?!  It's not okay.  That wasn't a My Chemical Romance reference.  Come on, fellas, you know I would never...but again, I digress.

A Thorn for Every Heart
     Now that I’ve hovered over my toilet bowl drooling for the past 15 minutes, I basically wanted to write this letter to apologize on behalf of humanity.  I am very seldom willing to represent humans as a whole, but I think we owe you guys.  I’m really sorry about that.  There are people who think you deserve more than to be lumped in with the above stated plus more.  We all hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive us.

     And whenever you want to put something out, seriously, I’m all ears.  Don’t even sweat it, dudes; I know other people want some too.  I love you so much and I can't wait to hang out someday.  XOXO

Yours truly,
220bpm

Boys Night Out

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Interview: When Thieves are About

When Thieves are About, pop-punk/screamo outfit from NJ will be featured guests on The Core radio in New Brunswick tonight, midnight - 2AM.  Click here to stream live radio, or tune into 90.3fm if you are in the New Brunswick, NJ area. Call 732-445-9300



Friday, May 6, 2011

First Review! Title Fight - Shed (2011)


Title Fight - Shed
                After spending the last few days binging and digesting the new Title Fight album Shed, I’ve realized that I could really write for miles about this release.  There is a lot to be said about this small-town quartet’s evolution from the songs off The Last Thing You Forget.  I’m not really into reviews that summarize each song, so let’s talk about this album’s sound and development as a whole.  Disclaimer:  In no way do I intend for this to be condescending, but being a musician, I feel like this review (my first) will revolve around the musical devices Title Fight uses to sway the mood and power of their songs.  Please bare with me!
                The biggest contributor to these songs, and to the evolution of Title Fight’s sound, is the guitar work on these tracks.  I’m not sure what these guys were listening to when these songs were written, but the songs are definitely dense and chordy, a lot like the jangly guitars of Algernon Cadwallader, and reminiscent of the 90’s emo sound of bands like Mineral, Braid, and Cap’n Jazz.  The thing that makes the sound of this release so interesting and dynamic is the combination of that sound with the pop-sensibility of earlier Saves the Day, but delivered through the energy and intensity of melodic hardcore groups like Lifetime and Troubled-Stateside-era Crime in Stereo.  Additionally, they have, more than ever, utilized accidentals and momentary out-of-key movements which is partially what transcends this release beyond those of their contemporaries.
                The vocals are still the way we all remember and love these guys for.  The combination of the bassist's throaty yells and the guitarist’s cleaner, dryer vocals make for a flawless duo.  They still sing just as hard, though, primarily about the things that apply to them, which is something I think people love about this band: they don’t stray from their own picture of life.  They offer an interesting perspective into their everyday thoughts and experiences, often very visually so, with choice minimal wording.
                The production on this album is just what Title Fight needed.  It is clear and tight from beginning to end, and very tastefully and tactfully makes use of room sound and guitar noise (something I’m a sucker for), adding just enough dirt and dinginess to their sound to make it raw, but not sloppy.
                This album’s only downfall (which doesn’t really diminish from the overall greatness of it) is strangely also its greatest strength (for all you guitar nerds out there): Title Fight makes use of a lot of bending guitar seventh riffs, often combined with the next open string to create a clashing, sorrowful and dissonant, yet sweet sound (think Saves the Day’s “Wednesday the Third”).  This is a very effective device, and many of the album’s highlights are centered around the perfect placement of this device.  Their excessive use of almost gives their songs too much familiarity, but still not enough to make them all blend together in a boring way.  Again, this isn’t a problem for the album, but if I had to point out one weakness, that’d be it.
                Overall, Shed is a mind-blowing experience, and a great direction for Title Fight to have taken.  You can tell they put every fiber of themselves into the creation of these songs and recordings, so please do them the favor.  Support them.  Go to a show, buy a tee shirt, buy a CD.  They deserve it.  It’s going to be very hard to top this one, but I’m nonetheless stoked to see where they’ll go from here.

Ryan’s album picks: “Shed”; “Safe in Your Skin/Where Am I?”; “Stab”

check out Forrest!

Hey guys, I wanted to share this band with you.  I just found this blurb on Alter the Press! about a band called Forrest.  Give them a listen!


Listen Here!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

let's talk about...


     Lastnight, I'm in the back of my band's shortbus after a disastrous show in Connecticut. It's raining. My Jägermeister-drunk is turning into a dry liquorice mouthed hangover. Additionally, we are lost and running so low on gas that we are literally putting down a rural road, praying to something that we don't get stuck in Leatherface's backyard. What do you do when staying positive goes wrong? You distract yourself from the scenario with the only capable and available resource: the sweet sounds of the fastest kick-and-snare and melody-driven force in punk, NOFX. I think to myself, “this'll make a great article..”

      While my guitarist and I shared a pair of headphones and shuffled up the NOFX discography, I was just barely able to narrow down (give or take) what I would consider to be my top five favorite songs. Maybe you'll agree? Or maybe you appreciate this band as much as I do, enough to just enjoy someone else's connections to the band who, let's face it, got us all into punk rock and changed a lot of lives. I know I'm going to succumb to the generic, and at times boring, pitfalls of any greatest-ever list. So please don't judge this blog by the things in this post. Just gotta get this shit off my chest!

      1. Leave it Alone – This song really spoke to me as I was growing up. In a couple short minutes and with a few dadada's, these dudes speak a life lesson not really spoken much of, but something that is subtly realized through life's defeats. There are some things in life that might not be so nice, and as we get older, those things change and become new problems and obstacles for us. The song says, in so many words, that we need to learn to accept and do what we can to adapt to what we can't change ( “leave it the same, change with the leaves”), but that there are other things worth living for that don't necessarily make it better, but make it alright. In Mike's world, and surely for me and you if you're reading this, that something is music (“ I hear the voice of reason on the PA.”) Musically, the song is simple and easy to listen to, but complicated enough to make it interesting. The song is sweet, sentimental, and poppy as hell, but still has those complex vocal harmonies and moody guitar octave riffs that we all truly love this band for.
      2. Reeko – Let's definitely talk about Reeko. I always enjoyed this song. But a defining moment in my life was being at Warped Tour and seeing NOFX play this song. It was just the perfect song at the perfect moment and they played it...well...for lack of a better term, perfectly! The stop right before the vamp up was prolonged an extra three measures, giving just the right amount of silence just before absolute insanity broke out! As far as relativity to this list goes, the song is just a great listen. It's got it all. The clean guitar during the reggae verses sound rich and flowing. The bass line is really what leads this song in a sweet and subtle way, not in an obnoxious Matt Freeman way. The song is musically pleasing to the ear, too, as it kind of bounces around the tonic key during the verses, teasing the listener by resolving briefly, just in time to get lost again. The fast part is just out of control, and it ends with some of the best-placed octave melodies NOFX has ever utilized. They're not crazy, just that sweet repeating melody over the perfect chords, then resolving with a guitar harmony. God damn. Perfection. The lyrics? It doesn't take a lit major to figure them out, but they make use of some awesome metaphors.
      3. Kids of the K-Hole – Starts with a bass line so fast that it kicks your fucking teeth in. Then, drums that just drop a cinder block on entire head. Seriously, this song is short, fast, beautiful and to the point. The music theory behind this song is what I think makes this song stand out. I mean, I can't explain it. They utilize chords, harmonies, and key changes that oh so sorrowfully match the lyrics. This is a great example of the use of silly imagery and wording that are pretty hard hitting. Everybody remembers “Cuz I promised my heart to her, she cooked it medium well, then preceded to swallow it whole.” Given the context of the song (drug addicted teens), it's pretty sad. The song is a monument in the NOFX catalog; it's a short, fast burst of raw emotion in the form of a punk song. Superb.
      4. Eat the Meek – This song is one that I don't even need to go into, considering it makes pretty much every fan's list. First off, it's catchy as fuck. This shit spreads into your brain and throughout your body after just the first listen. It's a sad but true reflection on society, but in a mature, non-prechy, opposite of Pennywise type way. I feel like each line of the song stands alone and after each point, I'm just like damn man, you couldn't have said it better. The melodies and vocal harmonies are beautifully laid out, and Mike's bass couldn't be better. This song is also a pivotal moment in NOFX's discography. Everything about this song is fucking rad, all the way down to Melvin's faint “discarded youth!” during the bridge.
      5. Drop the World – This is a new addition to this list, to be honest. Once again, I always dug this song, just in a different kind of way. I always took it as a great closer to a unique album, and that's all it did for me. But as I've gotten older, I feel like I've grown a new and different appreciation for it. Once this song starts, I just can't skip it. It seems sacrilege to listen to the first couple seconds without finishing. The stop just before the song fully kicks in is so perfectly placed, and the guitars throughout the whole song are doing some pretty cool shit. I never really noticed the layering until recently, which also brought me to pay more attention to the lyrical content of the song. The lyrics are kind of reflective, talking about perfection as a drug that invades one's brain and ruins their life. It's a human condition we can all relate to on multiple levels, either as something that affects our lives personally, or something that affects someone we know. This song gave me a message I think I really need right now: try your best, it's all you can do.

Really should be on this list: Falling in Love, Release the Hostages, All His Suits are Torn

Honorable mention: My Orphan Year (I don't give a fuck what you say, this is a great song), Dig, Idiots are Taking Over, All of Me, Vincent, Cokie the Clown, Decom-Posuer, Wolves in Wolves Clothing.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

     The Meatlocker, an appropriately named venue in Monclair, NJ, is the ideal place for young bearded men to act out publicly as made evident by this photograph.  Carved out of rotten shit ground somewhere between a snobby French restaurant, a great smelling Mexican restaurant, and a trendy clothing store, the walls are covered in profane graffiti and band stickers. There's even graffiti inside the toilet bowl.  Speaking of bowel movements, above head right along the ceiling is a network of rusted pipes that scream, "DISEASE!" and probably leak it, too...
when thieves are about, meatlocker 3/29/2011