My Band by Roof Doctor

Roof Doctor + My Band

1. The Abyssal Plane

2. Wildwood

3.  David Haynes

4. Smotheredly

5. White Gold

6. Trust No One

Roof Doctor is probably the band that has developed me as a person the most emotionally, so seeing that they dropped a new release brought a long overdue smile to my face. Roof Doctor is the kind of band that you just want to lay down and die to, and if you've been around since the beginning of this band, you'll be as excited about this release as about all of the others. Not sure why PA has so many good bands. It seems so many good/great bands just congregate in a few areas. PA, Chicago, all of Texas, etc. 

Anyway.

Mark's vocals/lyrical ability has matured amazingly, and the band is almost completely reinvented from it's last releases. Breaking the trend of redoing an old song, My Band brings to the table 6 amazing new songs. So check these songs out, I can't even stress how amazing they are. This band has just never disappointed me and I'm so happy that they exist. The album is currently up for $4, and I'm going to make sure I get it whenever I get a chance, but as always you can stream the album on their bandcamp. Please check this amazing band out. 

Favorite song: White Gold

Bandcamp  

Wakes By Loop Line

Wakes by Loop Line
Wakes by Loop Line
Wakes by Loop Line

here's the setlist
1)Nothing About You
2)Grin
3)Parts Unknown
4)Dusty Keys

here's an entertaining music video for Parts Unknown (hit that link)

Loop Line is from Minneapolis, Minnesota, or half of them anyways. They've got this chill surf-y vibe mashed in with some 60's-ish melodies and the circus. For max effect you should probably be listening to this on the beach smoking some fruity flavor of cigarillos or weed or whatever you like, I guess. Anyways, they've got that Vampire Weekend-smash-beatles-smash-Temple-smash-Motion City Soundtrack stint going on and if that's up your alley way you should get with it and smash that 'like' button.

My favorite track is Grin, nothing quites get me grooving more than some sour notes with some chillin' vocal and a steady bass groove. The rest of the tracks are ill with infectious vocal harmonies and guitar diddlies so make sure to look out for these dudes with any future releases.

Imagine looking in the void and seeing whirling colors for once because of this stuff, wow.

now for the linkz

THE BANDCAMP

THE TWITTER

THE FACEBOOK

FFO: BEST FRIENDS, Motion City Soundtrack, Surf Curse                                                                      

Unborn, by Glasir

//Glasir||Unborn\\

1. Precipice

2. Until We Dissolve

3. Into the Void

Crashing drums, flowing guitar, and dark basslines make up Unborn, by Glasir. This three song release clocks in at over 22 minutes, and the band throws repetitive, mind-dulling song structure, into what could quite possibly be the most melancholy sound a group of people can make. These instrumental tracks give a feeling of finality to the listener, and the dark and growing song songs are
definitely something anyone who is a fan of the genre could get into. The final track, "Into the Void" is the paramount of the release, giving a good sense of a closing that makes you want to start the entire trip over again. While usually I would get bored of a release that seems to never end, what is going for works so well, and is so listenable, I would recommend this to anyone looking for new music. Being able to display amazing emotions without words has always been what can make or break an instrumental band, and Glasir 100% knows how to make it. You can download this release for Free of their bandcamp, but if you like it, I would throw some $$$ their way. I can't wait to hear more from this band.
Glasir


Favorite Track: Into the Void.
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Bandcamp

Cover me Adequate - All Things Considered

//Cover Me Adequate||All Things Considered\\

1. Runaway Train (Soul Asylum)

2. Enjoy The Silence (Depeche Mode)

3. The Promise (When In Rome)

4. Pure (Lightning Seeds)

5.  Winds of Change ( The Scorpions)

6. Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkel)

This week on All Things Considered we've got a bunch of famous guests. 

And by that I mean the band that has the same name as the npr program covered a bunch of songs.

If you're a fan of any of these bands that are covered, this is the release for you. I for one, am not the biggest fan of covers, but All Things Considered does a really good job at what they do. They choose older songs (as far as I know), and if you had to put a catagory into the music, it's pop-punk fashioned. So if you've ever wanted to hear pop punk versions of these songs, check this out. Recording is done very well, and these already famous melodies and lyrics get stuck into your head. I know after I listened to this, I had "Homeward Bound" stuck in my head for what seemed like forever. So anyway check this out if you like any of these bands. And if you don't, hey, it's another band you can add to your collection of music you can listen to sometimes. 

Bandcamp

Interview with Joshua Milligan of Waybridge Records

A long time ago I sat down with Joshua Milligan of the Saint Louis Missouri record Label, Waybridge Records ( Brazil, american merlin, something stranger, etc.), and he gave me this interview that I then lost in the confines of my computer. Well I found it and here it is, in all of it's glory minus a question or two that wouldn't make sense any more based on time. 
Waybridge is one of those labels that I listen to a lot, and that puts out quality music because they put in quality time and effort. So check them out.

What inspired you to start Waybridge Records, and why the name?
I wouldn't say one single event helped start Waybridge Records, but a collection of three things happening in my life at around the same time. The first one was my exposure into the DIY scene through my work with the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center. For those of you unfamiliar, the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center is a DIY venue down here in St. Louis that just celebrated its’ 20th anniversary. 20 god damn years, most all ages venues shut down after a year or so, but the LNAC has not only survived but thrived in the scene and given me a great background to see how bands have been somewhat successful in this scene through what they do and how they act. At around
the same time before Waybridge started there was a demise of a relationship that left me in a pretty bad place. If you’ve listened to the J Michael Straczynski piece that La Dispute did on their Here Hear stuff, this was ultimately where I was in life. Broke, alone and ultimately self destructive,
I needed a project to help bring me out of the depths of what I was wallowing in, so I set my mind more and more into the DIY scene. The catalyst however was definitely an album I got to release called 2303 by a great friend of mine Jimmie (American Merlin.) I am not lying when I say “Holy Sung” is simply magnificent and a lot of the reason Waybridge started. I listened to this album
and thought about how no one really gave a shit about it, and I just thought “hey, all these bands are doing this, I’m going to give it my shot” and low and behold I got to release American Merlin’s 2303 as my third “official release.” As far as the actual name goes, Waybridge is the street Jimmie Atchley of American Merlin and I grew up together on. We fell distant for a while through our teen years but after seeing him perform at LNAC, we got to be closer and it seemed appropriate.


What was the first release you ever put out?


The first “official” release under the Waybridge name was a demo album called Stranger Demos. It was a friend of mine named Aaron’s demo that just so happened to time up with when I wanted to start releasing things on Feb. 7th 2014. We also released a free CDR with any purchase of the band Dog Brain’s two EPs., followed soon by American Merlin’s album. As far as the first release I was ever a part of, I had helped Beau Diamond release his solo EP after having a falling out with a band he was the bassist for. He had all this acoustic music written, we just needed a way to release it. This was before I started Waybridge, but it did help me figure out what to do and what not to do.
(Fun fact: Some of the copies of the Beau Diamond EP accidentally have Tim McGraw’s “When the Stars Go Blue” as the final track. Yeah, I messed that one up. Also, if you have one of those EPs, I will pay you $5 to get one back.)


You work really hard with what you do at Waybridge, no one can ever argue against that, are there any achievements that you're super proud of? That you can just think of and be like "Hey cool I did that."
I guess as far as “achievements” go, hell, still being around is an achievement. We celebrated our 7 month not too terribly long ago, and there was a time where I was “oh shit, this may be the end” right after The 92s release. I was in a horrible spot mentally, and those who trusted me most I ended up breaking. I still can’t forgive myself for what I have done to that person. Not to go into detail and try to get a “oh woe is me, feel sorry for me” reaction, but depression is all too real, there were times where I just wouldn't get up and shower or just lay in my bed for days without doing anything, thinking what is the point. Luckily I have a ridiculously supportive mother who helped get
me the help I needed, and I am doing better everyday, this is my purpose. So, getting through that, and being able to not only have 12 releases under my belt so far, but having an extensive list of upcoming future releases is an achievement to me. As far as a “hey cool, I did that” release, I’m coining a phrase called ‘Proud Dad Syndrome’ where I just go on and on about how good every release goes. I guess I get that way the most with the band called CUTTERS release
called We Are The Quarry, first, they rip easily one of the best bands I've had submitted to me, along with Pierce (Lightning of Cutters) being one of the best dudes I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. He had contacted me and a friend of mine named Trey (Hanawalt, of Lost State Records) about both of us releasing WATQ on cassette, and a third label doing it on CD. I was more than down, unfortunately I ended up having to fall through due to the equipment problems/ health problems so Trey did the release alone, and kicked its’ ass. If you aren’t checking out Lost State Records, go do it now. Solid dudes. A month or so later, I was chatting with Pierce about a different NYC band or something and just randomly asked “hey, so what happened with the CD release” and the third label had also fallen through. This was around the same time I was picking things back up, so I offered to do it and they said yes. I was super proud to be a part of that, and pick myself up after stumbling and falling. I was so proud of this release that I traded some with a guy I had met named Kyle (McCoy, of Close Quarters Collation) who traded me some of his first release. I was thinking “FINALLY MY RELEASE IS GOING TO LOOK BETTER!!!” Nope, Kyle fucking blew me out of the water, that’s another great label that you need to be checking out.

Do other people work at Waybridge, or do you do it all by yourself?

I guess I am technically the only one who “works” at Waybridge all the time, certain releases have had certain help though. Matt Washausen of WH Studios has done a lot of artwork for us, along with Mischa from Galactic Fish, and we just reached an agreement with another artist by the name of Jake Hunn. David Fernandez (of Old State) is my designated “quality control” he’s pretty much the deciding vote on a band if I am on the fence about something Beau Diamond (of Collective Dream Band) and Ben Johnson (of Old State) have also helped do a lot of the physical labor involved in the releases, but as far as being there 24/7/365, it is only me. Would you consider it a full time job?
Very much so. Honestly, I don’t want to factor in how many hours I've put into a release compared to the amount of money I get because I know it can't be more than $1 an hour. I would easily make a lot more money working  full time at McDonalds or some other minimum wage job. It is about the intrinsic (is that the word? idk man it’s 2 am) value and knowing that even though I am constantly broke through this project, at the end of the day I would not be doing anything else and I'm giving it my all.

What's your favorite part of running a label?

Too many to count really. This may sound dumb but my Instagram bio literally reads “I get to hang out with my friends for living”. This is true, whenever I say I’m doing work, I’m going to a show or setting up a show or releasing a new band, it’s what I would be doing anyway, but I actually am trying to survive off of it. Also, Kasey and I were discussing this not too long ago just about making the friends you make when touring as compared to making friends in school or through “normal” means. Some of my best friends I’ve met online, they either are in a fantastic band or run a fantastic label.

What is some criteria that a band needs to meet in order for it to get onto Waybridge?

There are many factors, the first one being “do they follow our mission statement?” Which was a document I drafted in August once we started really going balls to the wall with releases after I got through the time when we almost shut down. To give the Readers Digest version, I will just say that what it does is talks about who we are and what we do, along with why we do it. Everything you do as a band/label/artist/human being in general, produces an effect, what effect are you trying to achieve through your actions? At Waybridge we are all about bringing about positive change. Again, this is just a synopsis, and I highly recommend you read it on our Facebook page, or he'll contact me personally and I will give you it. The second being a separate motto called “make it so you’re missed”. This motto came from a conversation with Tom (Hill, of LNAC) talking about a band I don’t even remember the name of, and said something to the tone of “if that band played its’ last show, two other bands would come up and there would be no loss to the music scene.”
This conversation put into words things I had been thinking but just could not phrase right. Whenever I listen to a band I think “what if they weren’t here? Would this be easily replicated?” I am glad to say that the releases I’ve put out, I believe couldn’t be replicated. Does that make it true? Probably not, but as Homer Simpson once said about art, “we can all have an opinion on why something is terrible and still be completely right.”

You go around on tour a lot with the bands that you've signed bands that you play in, is there one memory of a tour stop/ a show in general that you love most of all?

Well first there’s an important distinction, I do not “sign” any bands. I tried for our like first release, but all the contract and law terms were a) flying way over my head, and b) just took the fun out of it. I want to run the label on trust, and being able to back out if need be. I do not want any band forced down to work with me, I want them to be able to go on to bigger and better things if need be.
I now know why pretty much every lifelong musician has written a book or two about their lives, because when you asked this question so many things came to mind. I’ll just mention a few, the first one being the first tour I ever did with my project Death Cab for Ukulele, and Beau Diamond. We had 4 days planned, and on our way to the first stop in Springfield at the OBEC (rip) two of our middle dates cancelled, and after the Springfield show the last day cancelled. Beau and I were homeless in Springfield living off the kindness of strangers, and a band playing at the OBEC cancelled last minute, so we ended up playing two shows at the same venue on tour, that was so nice of
the venue. Being broke and homeless in Springfield for a while, I met great friends (hey, that’s you guys) and now make Springfield, MO a stop on every west tour. I wish I had more interesting stories about blow and hookers, but most of the downtime on tour I just want to play and then sleep.

What does DIY mean to you, and what should it mean to other people?

DIY is a weird term for to describe, I’ve only been in the “scene” for maybe a year tops, I still feel like a baby here and have no authority to define what DIY is by any means. Personally, I do not like the term “DIY” because it stands for Do It Yourself, while that is true, you can pretty much do anything yourself. I prefer the term that came from friends of mine in the band Lion House, where they talk about “DIRT” or Do It Right Together. Just doing it yourself is not enough, I would be nothing without the people I am friends with doing it right, and doing it together. If you have to take a meaning from this interview, DIRT to me just means, whatever you would want done for your
band, do for that band. Last week a band called Temple unfortunately had a show cancellation on them almost resulting in their tour getting cut a little short. Luckily though my friend Dan (Bunetic, of Arsenals) and the band Old State, I was able to get them a last minute show. I’m not a huge believer of karma, but do what you would want someone to do for you, and just give a shit.

How do you think people can get involved in their local music scene?

Again, just give a shit. The band Derive that I had the opportunity to meet on our last tour with Dr. Karate (who blow us out of the water, holy hell those guys are good) regularly publishes a zine called Derive Speaks. Before our show in Springfield I was reading a piece by I think it was their drummer talking about people who go to shows but really just don't give a shit about the bands. Im not saying Im perfect by any means, hell I've slipped up many times and just made a band expendable to me, but at the end of the day, if you are going to a local show, do what you would want other people to do for your bands show.

Do you think anyone can start up and run a record label?

I don’t know about “anyone” but if you have the drive, yes I believe you can. I am no more talented than the next guy but there is a reason that there is a cliche of hard work always gets you somewhere. If you want to start a label, do it or help out your friends’ label, just don’t half ass it and keep going with it.

Anything else you'd like to add

For sure! Again, even if you don’t like my label, there are a ton of other labels doing great things. Our friends in
Close Quarters Collation
Little League Records
Lost State Records
Ronald Records
Driftwood Records
Ozona Records 
Say10 Records
Funeral Sounds,
And
Not Punk Records  consistently put out great material, and even if
you don’t like any of my bands you will find something you like there. Thanks again for the opportunity to do this interview!

Check out Waybridge Records at the following links:

Facebook
Bandcamp
Store

Bone Bats---Entry-Level

Bone Bats////Entry-Level

this is my pet Jimmy, he's cute.

SMASH HITS:

1) Quarantine the Pabst

2) Cash Bone

3) Ghost Channel

4) Fake Science Monthly

5) Never-ending Sass Equation

6) Weed Jeans (Jazz Cords)

7) bonebats.bandcamp.com/

8) Baby, You Can Extend My Metaphor

9) Jesus Could've Gotten Into Any Frat He Wanted To.

10) Selfie Destruct 

#spookymonth anthem right here, skele-ladies and skele-men.

Entry-level was recorded in some west philly basement that was probably lit up by black-wax candles and and bone-torches. Recorded with only the best microphones available from the grave. Melodies are loose and enjoyable, just like the joints in between your bones. Faint traces of influences include bands like, Dinosaur Jr., Smashing Pumpkins, Joyce Manor, and Bats. Bats are probably the pre-bonement version of Bone Bats where they finally realized they can have some fun in their little bat caskets.   

This is you and two of your pals while you guys jam out to Entry-Level. You're all dancing. You're all dead. You've all decomposed down to the bone, but you're all dancing. (Them hips, though.)

WOAH DUDE, watch out for those sp00ky grooves, bud. This album brings us a great deal of ideas and textures from the grave that'll help make your bones rattle. Bone-Jams like Ghost Channel or Weed Jean (jazz cords) will spook ya. Ghosts everywhere. They'll possess you, and rock out to this jam, so if you notice any involuntary movement then you know why. These guys have serious songwriting creativity throughout the entire album, it effortlessly flows in-n-out of different styles to make the songs eccentric and interesting. I wonder how many bones they had to read to come up with these ideas. I super excited for whatever else they decide to conjure up in their spare time. Until then, rest in peace.

A BONE BAT FACEBOOK

GET THIS COLLECTION OF HIT TRACKS HERE

Learning not to Care by Secret Stuff

//Learning not to Care|Secret Stuff\\

1. Maybe You Love Me, Maybe You Floridon't

2. You Make Me Touch Your Hands For Stupid Reasons

3. Senior Superlatives

4. Mila Kunis Seems Like A Lot Of Work To Date...

5. Are You Cullan Me A Liar? I Ain't Cullan You A Truther

6. My Life Is A Steinbeck Novel

Super duper emo band Secret Stuff''s super duper emo release, Learning Not To Care, is a super duper six song emo release. Filled with long song titles, twinkly guitar parts, sad lyrics, and at least one audio clip, with this you've got your normal everyday stock twinkle stuff, but with higher production quality. 

Not that being a generic emo band(emo/twinkle((Emo/indie pop))) is a bad thing however. Every band ever has something they can bring to the table. And besides this is a really nice release. Catchy riffs and choruses and super sad stuff makes me keep on coming back to listen to it. Runs times are shorter than your average song, (Or you can look at them as average to the normal 'underground-band' esq song). 

Overall with everything about it being put into account, it's a release you should check out. If you aren't really into emo music because you haven't been exposed to it, this is a great release to start with. If you do like emo music, hey, here's another one. If you hate emo music for no logical reason that you can back up: That's your choice but just so you know you're a dumb.

But I don't hate you, 

I just really wish I did

I would have married you,

Who am I kidding? We're just kids

Favorite Song: "Are You Cullan Me A Liar? I Ain't Cullan You A Truther"

Super Duper Sad Bandcamp

We Are the Quarry by Cutters

We Are The Quarry {Cutters}

1.  We Are The Quarry

2. Good Morning Boys

3. Savage Nights

4. X-Cutioner's Song

5. Excitable Liefeld

6. Young Gods

7. Batman 666

8. I Just Wanted To Walk On The Surface Again

"Is this all that I have to offer a world in which I'm insignificant?"

We Are The Quarry by Cutters is an 8 song art rock release from the New York, New York band. 

Catchy choruses, easy to listen to vocals, well used instruments, and good recordings make this a release I can listen to over and over again. Bass and Guitar dance around one another, and mixing for the entire thing is really more laid back. This for sure isn't a Golden Noose, in terms of loudness. 

Main vocals are smooth and folk-like in some parts, and backing vocals that are scattered intermittently add a wonderful spin to the songs. Song times are on the shorter to mid-range side, and the release isn't exactly a Dream Theater release. 

I'm not exactly the biggest fan of Art rock music, not exactly sure why, it all sounds good. But anyway, I can really get into this, because it also has like an ambient// "Post Punk" feel to it. Song wise, all four tracks are something to enjoy, and something of their own yet to me I enjoy the last two tracks most of all. The entire release, having built up, releases the last of it's energy in the final two emotion driven songs, melodic, simple, easy, fun to listen to. Check this release out, I really dig it and you will too. I'd love to see these guys live and I hope they go on some kind of midwest tour. 

Favorite Song: I Just Wanted To Walk On The Surface Again

Bandcamp

They have an actual website

Facebook

GHOST MACHINE/ MACHNIE by Brazil

GHOST MACHINE/MACHINE by Brazil

Tracks:

Trees

Bed

What a Dream

Never Want To See You Again

Awake

Heaven

Summer's Day

Pictures

Again

Townie

Junkie 

Machine

Offensive To Cats??

Warning: this band isn't from Brazil, click the link below and then continue reading. Or else.

~Listen here~

Brazil is from Boston, MA on Waybridge Records that pulls a lot of cool and interesting flavors and textures in their release GHOST MACHINE/MACHINE.

 At first listen of Trees, I thought was in for another junk acoustic release, but then I took a closer listen and then discovered the way the vocals flow on top of the catchy guitar riff kind of a dreamy-vibe to them. Really makes ya think about trees, ya know? Anyways, the next few tracks open up to a full band sound (which I prefer most) but continues to carry that dreamy-state as the first song does.

This album kind of goes back in forth between just acoustic-guitar and vocals (and a harmonica nicely used on Awake, bonus points) and a full-band sound. Which keeps things interesting, and not so predictable, which I'm all about. Summer's Day starts with neat (and standard) disco-drum beat that has a reggae-vibe to it and it just grooves for the entire 2 minute run-time. A cool thing I've noticed as well is that each song makes feel like around or near or doing whatever the title is. Trees makes me think of trees, Bed makes me think of being in bed, etc. etc. etc.

Key songs I wanna/need to talk about: 

1)What A Dream: Starts with this cool concerto sound that quickly comes friendly with a swing-y bass guitar/snare drum which brings Vampire Weekend to mind and is a fun little song that has a Latin-ish chord progression and otherwise worn out-feel to it. Pretty much like when somebody is coming down from being over-caffeinated.

2) Never Gonna See You Again: Starts with a cutesy acoustic guitar riff that adds some layers (like slapping the strings on 2 and 4) and when the vocals you get this sick Jack Johnson-vibe. Introduces some cool harmonica lines and extra guitar layers. This song just keeps adding in layers of cool sounds giving a very cool, trippy-sound. (show to all your LSD-using friends)

3) Machine: FFO: Funeral Party, OK Go, Postal Service, The Little Comets. Nick And Norah's Infinite Playlist.

 The MACHINE part of this album (last two tracks) are more a dance-pop sound to them that I can get jiggy with. Reminds me of Funeral Party but not as bright in the production. I hope this is a direction that they seek to try out, because it's cool.

Definitely looking forward to whatever else these guys are going to release. Rad group. Stay rad.

Fav Tracks: Never Gonna See You Again, Machine, Trees

 

Cyber Smokes by B K Club

Grade: 4.2

1. A vs A

2. 3 for 5

3. Farting in Church

4. Burning Roses

Listen Here!

I deliberated on whether or not to give this a grade for awhile, but I ultimately decided that it was necessary lest good music loose its value. For if we consider everything to be great, then what is greatness? 

Anyway, B K Club's Cyber Smokes is really strange, good in some regards, ludicrous in others. They adopt a bluesy, approach to teen angst music (very much like some of Okkervil River's older albums). They are fairly good at this. The guitars and rattles are precise and provide a good, minimalist tempo. The instrumentals remind me of Bon Iver which is very cool. Probably the coolest thing about this record is the use of harmonicas (very Bob Dylan) and horns (very Neutral Milk Hotel). 

Track one (A vs A) is probably the strongest offering on this record. It is repetitive and a bit hypnotic. It is somber and serious, admonishing something closely resembling peace (though this theme is later undermined by track 4). It is kind of hook-heavy though.

Track two (3 for 5) is alright. It feels much like a transition between songs. Drew Lane murmurs almost incomprehensible shit while horns and guitars play over him. It really doesn't go anywhere though because the next track is equally absurd. 

Track three (Farting in Church) begins with idiotic scatting for the first minute or so. This would be forgivable if the record was longer than 4 tracks, but it isn't. Only half of the album is actually music, which brings on this aghast sense of incredulity. After the scatting, Drew Lane tells dumb, cutesy jokes for the remainder of the track, which is sort of endearing and not entirely taboo, but the jokes don't really go anywhere. I saw a close resemblance to Radiohead's Fitter Happier, where the vocalist mutters various phrases while music plays over. The entire body of the album is wasted by tracks 2 and 3, which aren't really music in my opinion.

Track four (Burning Roses) gets serious again with dark, antithetical lyrics about murdering someone in a particularly vile, cold-blooded way. This reminds me of Okkervil River's Westfall and For Real. I think that the bluesy, folksy sound is a great medium to explore violence and darkness which are most prominently featured in genres like Metal, Grunge, and Rap. 

Ultimately, Cyber Smokes fails. I don't think that this is a testament to their lack of artistic talent. Rather, I think it's a testament to their laziness. This EP is the inkling of a good idea. It could have been developed far better. Rather than coming up with a few good songs and throwing them out into cyberspace, they should have spent more time honing their songs and adding more. As far as I'm concerned, tracks 2 and 3 should be thrown out altogether or perhaps synthesized into shorter offerings that serve as relevant transitions between songs. I only hope that this inkling of a good idea will eventually become something far better.

Slobber by Mason Mercer

Slobber {Mason Mercer}

1. Circumcision

2. Hunger

3. Scrappy-Doo

4. Slime

5. The Water Helps

Hailing from Ozark Missouri (hey that's where i live), New York resident Mason Mercer just released his five track release, Slobber. There has been a lot of build up to this release, and now that it's finally out, everyone gets to see what all the hype is about for themselves. Mason's music mixes electronic/tribal beats, guitars, and awesome melodies to make five songs that are really enjoyable to listen to. It's not an instrumental release though, Mason's vocals are relaxed and soothing. The music has just enough swing to it to move to, and all the tracks deviate from one another so it's not like it's boring. Tribal music really interests me because there is so much sound to it. What I really love about it all is that the music goes from the heavy drum/bass/jungle noises to acoustic guitar picking a lead and Mason does a really good job at making this an enjoyable listen. So many different noises being made at once, I love it. Slobber is a great listen and is one that I think you should check out. 

Favorite track: The Water Helps

bandcamp

Light & Sound|||American Merlin

American Merlin| Light&Sound

trackz:

Let The Wind Blow

Don't Forget To Be Patient

Black Sand

Magic (Science)

Aye

You Had It All Planned Out

Light

The Volume and Tone On That One Tom is Driving Me Crazy

Sound

This Does Not Exist

Light (flood-d remix)

Light & Sound is American Merlin's new release (Waybridge Records). I didn't listen to the other one Adrian reviewed (2303 is what I think it's called) but listening to this gives off that hypnotic vibe as the repetitive electronic beats and lazy vocal melodies. This album doesn't ever climax, but it's cool because it's just chill and sounds like something I'd listen to in my car on a rainy summer morning as I fantasize about drowning my car in the river. 

That being said, Let The Wind Blow has this almost modern-tribal vibe to that beat, it's pretty sweet and I thought I'd say something about it. I like the contrast of styles in each song but how it maintains the same vibes throughout. Like Don't Forget To Be Patient is a nice piano ballad and Black Sand switches to this nice ukulele (I think) tune that reminds me of sitting on a beach in the winter while the snow falls. Magic(Science) comes around with a Postal Service-vibe and I dig it. Aye is a little weird because it just goes into this 8-bit/hiphop groove and it kind of takes away from the total experience. I liked the concept behind "The Volume And Tone Of That One Tom Is Driving Me Crazy" and I also relate to the title because I have one tom on my set that sounds like lasagna being thrown at a wall and I haven't got it replaced yet. All n all, this album is just kind of a relaxer, almost in the drug sense, but minus the drugs. 

Fav track: Black Sand or Let The Wind Blow

Get over it, here.

Jonesing--Jonesing

Jonesing--Jonesing

Trackz:

Ted My Boy It's Gonna Be Legen...

DARY

First Interlude 

You're Not Even Listening

Coward Heart

Beacon

Second Interlude

My Dad Is Convinced To Live As Long As He Can

Five Twelve

Third Interlude

Well I WAS Writing This For My Girlfriend

Home Wrecker

Fourth Interlude//I'm Sorry

Jonesing (Not to be confused with Jonesin') is a emo/dream pop band from somewhere that starts off with a familiar-sounding, HIMYM reference-titled, interlude that builds with a twinkle-y melody into a Dinosaur Jr. mixed with Nai Harvest song talking typical teenage-angst that all sound very familiar but not stagnant. The whole album just kind of flows betweens songs and interludes all with the same overall looseness of a reverb of a big room.

Vocal harmonies bring forth more of that Nai Harvest-influenced vibe without much of the speed or energy. It's more a chill album that's probably more appropriate of end of autumn or rainy summer days. There is also vibes of Title Fight and Jawbreaker but they have their own sound with it. Beacon has a nice trumpet (or some horn instrument as I'm really bad at knowing horns from hearing them) melody but the vocals are kind of The Story So Far-ish and that makes me like it less. BUT I'm really digging how the drums are basically forcing the song to be in 6/8 and that beat towards the end is probably my favorite 6/8(or 3/4) drum beat and I think it fits well. My Dad Is Convinced To Live makes me kind of miss my dad, and it's a real downer. Five Twelve builds it back up and talks about how u mom is important. Nah it actually just three-line metaphor about how you shouldn't take things so seriously and shouldn't dwell on the past. Third Interlude is my favorite of the five interludes on this album.

if my mother can bare all the things that i put her through, then I can bare to think of this time we wasted away. It shouldn't be hard to deal with this pain

In general, I think this album is just a downer and makes you think about how sad you should feel. It's packed with emotion and is actually pretty tight release which is pretty cool for an emo band with the small amount of twinkle Jonesing plays.

Fav track: Beacon

Here's y'alls' bandcamp 

Same Mistakes EP by Jerred Williamson

Same Mistakes EP by Jerred Williamson

1.  Too Much

2. Just Right

3. Apple Tree

4. Brain Feud

5. Perspective

\Ya know what I like? When a solo artist/acoustic act is actually fun to listen to. What you've got from solo artist Jerred Williamson is an acoustic pop punk/folk-esq release. Guitar seems layered in production (production is really good (thank god)), and there is some vocal layering. Listening to this Ep brings nothing but good vibes. Jerred has an awesome singing voice, and his guitar skills are really good. Thankfully, the songs aren't like 5 minutes each so thank god about that holy crap. Most of the lyrics are personal or about a girl, but I do want to mention the last song. It's in the title guys, it's about perspective. Like the song has a really cool message about butting things into perspective, which is cool. For someone who doesn't usually review about the lyrics, yeah, but ya know. Plus, I know I've said it once, but damn, Jerred can sing. He can switch to falsetto almost flawlessly and it's really cool to listen to. So check this release out.

Favorite Track: Perspective. 

Bandcamp

Fuck Off Get Free We Pour Light On Everything by Silver Mt. Zion

Grade: 8.2

1. Fuck Off Get Free (For the Island of Montreal) 

2. Austerity Blues

3. Take Away These Early Grave Blues

4. Little Ones Run

5. What We Loved Was Not Enough

6. Rains Thru the Roof at the Grand Ballroom

Listen Here!

There's something so ostentatious about mixing politics with music. Generally, the synthesis of these two realms of thought result in a product that is either too oblique or too overt to be meaningful. Artists seem to either whisper their political ideologies or scream them. Both of these methods of communication are ineffective and undermine the power of the music. However, a thin line exists between the overt and the oblique and that line has been pioneered by many great artist's who have inserted political thought into their lyrics throughout the years. Think of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Clash, Radiohead- all of these groups discussed politics in their music and still made fucking great music. I think my model holds in most cases. I think that political ideologies implemented into music must be halfway between overt and oblique to be effective, but like any model, there are anomalies.

One such anomaly is Silver Mt. Zion's Fuck Off Get Free We pour Light on Everything. The politics of this album are quite oblique. Examination of the lyrics yields little in the way of answers. There are general themes that are explored throughout the album. There is a definite anarchist trend "We've all of us carried our load, Dull and young and bright and old, But thieves and liars rule everything we know, And thieves and liars rule everything that grows" (Austerity Blues). 

Most talented musicians are liberal (likely because most smart, talented people are liberal) and it seems that Silver Mt. Zion is no exception. There really aren't many right-wing anarchists and the band's views on capitalism confirm that they aren't a part of that minority. Topics on the album include: anti-establishmentism; disparity of wealth; complacency; revolution; moral decline; racism; fascism (relatively [often unrealistically] defined); the evils of communism and modernity; etc.

When the lyrics are examined on their own, they very closely resemble the lyrics of bands like Rage Against the Machine. Themes and ideologies aside, it is fairly easy to notice the similarities between the anthemic verses of Fuck Off Get Free's title track "Fuck off, Get Free, We pour Light on Everything We see" and the ending of Rage's famous song Killing in the Name "(16x) Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!". 

However, Silver Mt. Zion's lyrics are more cryptic than the overt, anarchistic melodies of Rage Against the Machine. Furthermore, the post-rock in which they are inlaid provides more variety than the monotonous roar of Rage's guitars.

It really is great music, which is to be expected considering that most of its band members come from the infamous post-rock group Godspeed You! Black Emperor. This album very much feels like the core band from which it branches off, except that there are lyrics which give more information on the politics of the band. Music nerds are well-aware that Godspeed You! Black Emperor is notoriously anti-establishment; they have refused to show up at many music awards shows and have even refused the monetary awards that they have won.

There is a great passion in these actions, and that passion bleeds from this album as guitars roar, violins weep, drums beat, cymbals crash, and Efrim Menuck wails. Post-rock is really cool. It's insane to think that a 14 minute song can hold one's attention for so long. Many post-rock groups fail at this, but Silver Mt. Zion most definitely does not, and even if their lyrics are confusingly oblique, their passion comes through making up for them.

Just Fine by Important Things

Just Fine | Important Things

1. Just Fine

2. Bitter Feelings

3. Suffolk County

4. The Only Thing That Matters

Important Things is from god knows where not in this hemisphere. Slightly lo-fi recordings and very moody lyrics, Just Fine is an emo/punk release about being Just Fine. Hitting the longer side of run times, the four song release does quite a good job at showing off what the band can do. It's always cool for me to see an emo band that isn't also a twinkle band. Sometimes the two genres seem to be the same, but there is a difference. Anyway, simple to intermediate guitar playing, raspy, not on tone singing (in some weird accent), simple drums and bass, I found myself spacing out and listening to this release multiple times.

Watching, Waiting, for some sign for my escape

Production wise, the entire thing is bordering lo-fi, and everything is mixed well, but the drums (dat snare tone) stand out to me most of all, aside from the lyrics. I do like how the guitar is kind of really simple but effective. Can't really hear the bass but you can tell it's there which is what it's needed for if you know what I mean.

There are some really cool things going on in "Suffolk County", which make it the track that stands out to me most of all music wise. At times I feel like the band isn't on time together, missing the one beat and such, but they always bring it back together and recover pretty well. Overall this is a normal emo music release that you'll find normally. Check it out, it's definitly something.

Favorite track: Suffolk County

Bandcamp

Marietta//modern baseball split

Marietta//\\Modern Baseball | Couple's Therapy Split

1. Yeah Yeah Utah

2. Green Call Her Sims

3. Hope

4. It's cold out here.

Back from 2012, the Couple's Therapy Split features emo/twinkle bands Marietta and Modern Baseball. If you haven't listened to either of these bands before now, this would be a great place to get a sampler of the two bands, as the songs on this split are just as good as any other of the band's songs. Marietta shows a more emo/twinkle aspect to the split, while Modern Baseball delivers just the right amount of indie feel. I personally feel that Modern Baseball dominate's this split, hands down, but i'm a fan of the band so my opinion is a little biased. 

Marietta side:

Very much noodleing, and the songs have a slightly more hollow feel to them. Reminds me more of the straight American Football kind of twinkle (surprise surprise)

Modern Baseball side:

Sing along-able. Reminds me of some of the other bands like Hit Home, and Dads. 

All in all, this split is one that you should check out if you've not listened to either of these bands before, and are a fan of the genre. If you aren't a fan of the genre, check out the Modern Baseball  side of the split. It's a little toned down. 

Favorite track: It's Cold out here

bandcamp

Witches Take Them In by Quarrels

Witches Take Them In | Quarrels

1. Cupped Hands

2. Morning Sickness

3. Best Intentions

4. Scenes from a Jagged Sea

5. Bella Strega

You say your cursed but I went back to where you were born
The seasons there are changeless and the men live on the shores
You’ll find another man to fill you up to the brim
And I’ll drink water from cupped hands and start living, silent 

Hey, cool band from Boston, Quarrels plays an indie pop/ indie rock/ emo influenced style of music. I've listened to this release almost non-stop these past few days. Run times of the songs land on a longer length, which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. In this case it's good. Production is done really well, and vocals(all clean) are amazing. This guy really knows how to sing. 

A few things  

The first song, "Cupped hands" is by far the best song on the release. the influence of twinkle/emo music is obvious. The song levels out at the end acoustically, and runs into the second song, "Morning sickness" perfectly. The band is really good at songwriting, and these songs won't bore you at all.  Instrumentally, I'm getting a Vessel vibe in all the songs. Guitar tone is light in most parts, nothing too heavy but not exactly twinkle light. The bass lines in this band though. Mostly great bass lines throughout. Not too high in the mix but still heard. In all of these songs, the lyrics are really well done. Nothing too cheesy, nothing too straight forward. Just the right amount of poetic. 

"I've got a master plan. 

I've got the best intentions"

Another cool thing is that everything about this release is really catchy, it'll stay stuck in your head for a while. Boston just seems to have an awesome music scene. I don't really know exactly how to describe this album, it's a hard one for me, so you'll just have to check it out yourself. So yeah, think of like a Basement-esq band but with a bit of a more popish feel. Check this release out, it's really good and one that you don't want to miss. 

Favorite track: "Cupped hands"

Bandcamp

The Double EP: A Sea Of Split Peas- Courtney Barnett

Grade: 7.3

Tracks:

1. Out of the Woodwork

2. Don't Apply Compression Gently

3. Avant Gardener

4. History Eraser

5. David

6. Anonymous Club

7. Lance Jr

8. Are you Looking After Yourself?

9. Scotty Says

10. Canned Tomatoes (whole)

11. Porcelain

12. Ode to Odetta

Listen Here!

You've got to love the honesty of autobiographical music, even if that honesty admits of mediocrity, or supposedly worse, inactivity. That's exactly what Melbourne's Courtney Barnett admits of in her The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas, a passionately passionless mix between slacker rock and 60's folk.

It isn't really folksy in terms of musical style, but it definitely is when it comes to the record's lyrics and their structure. The quick succession of the stories that Barnett tells in her music is very, very Dylan. Barnett's music really is strongest when it tells stories, when it drifts from meandering melodies about the banality and meaninglessness of the mundane to fascinating stories that could've easily been pulled from the pages of a very good novel.

This comparison isn't perfect though. The album does lack continuity. That's to be expected though. It is an EP. Barnett has stated that she is working on a full length record. Hopefully it will grasp the continuity that I know she could form so beautifully.

Avant Gardener (track 3) is really the best song on the album. It captures everything that makes this style of music so good. It's reserved chord progression meanders, her monotone focuses attention on the lyrics rather than inflection, the story is lovely.

Speaking of style, this is hipster music and it's incredibly difficult to put it in any musical category. The influences seem to be so eclectic that if I named them all in succession, your incredulity might keep you from giving this a listen. I'd hate to do that, this is great music and I'll certainly be keeping me eyes open for news of Barnett's full length album.

Stray Observations

• How can something so twangy remind me so vividly of So-Cal Indie Rock? Maybe because it's Indie...
• I love the Pulp Fiction reference on Avant Gardener and the fact that song is called Avant Gardener
• "I'm not that good at smokin' bongs, I'm not that good at breathing in."
• I realize that like %50 of music is influenced by Bob Dylan, but I really didn't expect to find that here. 
• The name of this EP seems unnecessarily long

Mobile Freedom Home by Roof Doctor

Mobile Freedom Home | Roof Doctor

1. Mobile

2. Bulldog

3. When I Was Really Losing It

4. Way Too Long

5. Every Three Months

6. Dad

7. Freedom

8. She Can't Jump

9. Bottle it Up

10. Home

Mobile Freedom Home by Roof Doctor is a release i've been waiting for for quite a while, so expect a more in-depth rant than my usual “I don't know what I'm doing” reviews. I reviewed Roof Doctor's first two releases a while ago, and fell in love with them. RD's first release was a fully acoustic jam that I listen to to this day. Their second release showed capability as a full band, and was a lighter, art pop folk jazz mixture that sounding amazing. Mobile Freedom Home shows an ambient rock folk pop. Production is just as on the last two releases: very well done and radio worthy. The overall tone of this release is still the same sad that I love, but with a feeling of accomplishment, or of happiness, but then again maybe I'm just searching.

They toned down the use of horns and brass instruments that was seen in I Am Going To Die, which isn't exactly that bad of a thing. Drums are a fun little thing to listen to. As a person who's drumming skills extend to me playing blast beats in a rock/powerviolence band, I can't exactly get too in depth with a drum review, but I really love a lot of the accents that are used, such as in “Bulldog”. Bass is actually heard in this release, and it's melodic grooves help carry the song along. As most bass does, it's just there, and even though it can be heard, it of course doesn't stick out amazingly. Guitar is in the fashion of a mixture between emo/twinkle/indie that just makes me nod my head in happiness.

Cool thing: we get to see another version of “When I Was Really Losing It”, a track from Roof Doctor's first release, June. This was something that I really enjoyed hearing, and something I bet everyone else enjoyed hearing.

The finisher track on the release, “Home”, is a ballad of a sad track. Banjo is definitely heard in this song, along with all of the other stuff seen in the release. I feel like it's the perfect finisher to Mobile Freedom Home. I feel that the entire release really flows well and that the songwriting abilities of this band is something amazing. Mobile Freedom Home Is more than what I was expecting, and I was so happy to see that it was finally released. Check it out, it's free to download.

Favorite track: Home

Bandcamp