Question Master, by Companion

Question Master, by Companion
Companion is a local 417 hardcore band. Question Master was a release of a single track back in 2012. What you've got on the surface is a simple, fast paced track. And while it may be as such, something about it really gets to me. I've essentially had this song on repeat since I heard it, and it's becoming one of my favorite tracks of this year. To me, it's way underplayed. This is a great song. What I think makes it so great, honestly, is the pure emotion that Shane puts into the song. His vocals are done wonderfully; raw, powerful,  angry yet completely sad.
A few words about the drumming: I know i'm not exactly a drummer, but I can tell that in some parts this drumming is fairly simple, but in other parts of the song it's something different entirely, moving the song from behind. This drumming really pleases me in this song, not sure why, maybe if I was a drummer I'd be able to explain, or maybe it's because I'm not a drummer at all that it makes me feel as it does.
A word about the bass: I would hate to pass up the bass lines in this song. Simple, driving, yet there. Stock bass playing but it works with this song greatly. Really comes out in the last parts of the song.
Guitar: Alright as a guitar playing man I can talk about this and know what I'm saying, kinda. Here goes:
The guitar seems like the thing that stands out most in the mix, so it's quite noticeable. What you've got is a driving guitar playing. While it doesn't differentiate much throughout the song on the aspect of chords and stuff, what changes it up to defeat the monotonous chord progressions would be the strumming pattern changes throughout the song. I really like the guitar done in this song, it adds a wonderful air to the song in it's entirety. Especially at the end "breakdown-ish" part.
Vocals/lyrics.  Like I said, raw, powerful, angry yet sad. Shane puts so much emotion into the song. I still listen to it and get chills at the ending part of the song. The first few times I listen to it, and still some times when I'm feeling sad, I almost tear up. It's definitely something. Mad respect for that. Plus, the lyrics are great, amazing in my opinion.
Overall: Damn, it's becoming one of my favorite hardcore tracks of 2013. Even though it was released in 2012. Deal with it. Listen to it. Love it.
Bandcamp

Jake Wesley Rogers--Diamond EP

Jake Wesley Rogers--Diamond EP

1) Jim Dean
2) King
3) Matter Of Time
4) Wonderful
5) Hall Of Fame

Jake Wesley Rogers is a singer/songwriter from Ozark, MO (hey, that's where Adrian and I live.) That really embodies art-pop on basically every level I can think of. This is a well put together first release, that really help Jake push off.

This album starts off with the dance-y, pop tune "James Dean" that kind of reminds of some newer Linkin Park tune up until the verse. Talking about the verse, they're really short on this song, like 8 bars or whatever. Which leads into the pre-chorus, and then Chorus. Which leaves this song into a very common pattern; Intro/verse/pre-chorus/chorus/intro-thing/verse/pre-chorus/chorus/bridge/quiet chorus/chorus/outro that really just the intro again. With a strong emphasis on the Chorus at the end. This is how this entire EP is basically written, but it's the instrumentation and how it flows so well--that is the catcher for me.

The main song of this EP, "Matter Of Time" (basically the one that's pushed the most) starts off with a tribal drum and bass groove, remains that way for the verse and then drops out into some piano chords for the pre-chorus and comes back together for the chorus. Lyrics are kind-of generic for a pop album, but I don't usually care about lyrics, so it doesn't really bother me.

All in all this is actually a solid EP, tight instrumentation, great voice, and a change-up on what's inside the stereotypical pop song.

Bandcamp

I Am Going To Die+Dad by Roof Doctor

I'm Going To Die, by Roof Doctor

1. Ocean City
2. Thanks For The Blankets
3. Mark Dog
4. I Am Going To Die
5. Dishwasher with a Dishwasher
6. Family: Mark Do Better
7. Soda Jerk
I'll apologize in advance for the longish review, I had a lot to say about this release.
I recently did a review on June, Roof Doctor's first release, and I wanted to finish up by doing Roof Doctor's other releases. Now, let's have it known June was a completely acoustic release, and I'll tell you what, I was in for a pleasant surprise when "Ocean City" opened up the song with some nice Saxophone and easy guitar playing. What you have returning in I Am Going To Die is a few aspects seen in June. One is that nasally singing voice from Mark Harper. I'm not saying this is a bad thing at all, however. I was talking with Kasey, who also does reviews for this Blog, and he stated that he for one enjoyed these vocals. I for one did grow accustomed to Mark's singing through June. Anyway, for me it was an acquired taste, but I love it. Another thing brought back would be some of the songs from Roof Doctor's first release, June, such as "Thanks For The Blankets" and "Dishwasher with a Dishwasher".
Maybe it was just me because I heard "Thanks For The Blankets" from June, but the addition of the drums, guitars, bass, and sax just made an already great song, so much better. Plus, "Thanks For The Blankets" is one of those songs with lyrics that go with my life right now.
There is definitely an Emo twist to the music this time around, the simple-yet-well done guitar parts adding so much to the songs. The addition of the Sax brings around a Jazz feel, and the drums seem to roll with that in some songs.
Run times are a little longer on this release, but that's not bad in anyway. I had to download and re-listen to this release multiple times because the sweet Jazz and sad emo put me into a trance-like state, making me space out for half of many of the songs. While June seemed like the kind of album that should be the soundtrack to Juno or some other teen-coming of age movie, this seems to me like the kind of album you put on in the background of taking a bath, taking a nap on a summer day, or kissing your girlfriend in a car or whatever. It's chill.
Just going to point out some favorite part. "I Am Going To Die". Alright, sorry, but if you put Gang vocals into the "I love you song" by Barney, I'll freaking love it. I love the addition of Gang Vocals towards the end of "I Am Going to Die", which seems a little repetitive through the entire song, even though it's the good kind of repetitive, like "Imagine" by John Lennon repetitive.
"Soda Jerk" has a quartet kind of thing going on, and, as a choir student/barber shop quartet lover ,this is awesome for me to see. You've got this sick bass singer and tenors and probably alto or sopranos doesn't matter and then there is clapping and it's good okay.
Just going to point out least favorite parts: "Family: Mark Do Better" I can see this is supposed to be a lyric-heavy song, but clocking in at 6:29, it does get a little repetitive. And not exactly in a good way. In a back of the bar Jazz band playing kind of way, still good, but not really an attention grabber. However they tie the song together in the end with a buildup, even if it is a little too late into the song.
In all, yeah. Make out with your girlfriend to this, or something. It's chill. I dig, recommend.
Favorite Track: "Soda Jerk" "I Am Going To Die"
Bandcamp

Dad, by Roof Doctor

1. Dad. (Dad is off the upcoming full length release Mobile Freedom Home)

"Dad" was released over 2 years after June, Roof Doctor's first release. If you showed me June Roof Doctor, and "Dad" Roof Doctor, I'd have a hard time realizing they are the same band. "Dad" has a chill Emo aspect to the song, and with the lack of Sax, it's almost like they are heading back to the indie-emo sadnesscore aspect as seen in their first release. Which would be totally fine with me, I loved June. There is a spacey-ish feel to "Dad" the kind you get from an indie band trying to be a shoegaze band, if you know what I mean. I for one enjoy "Dad'. Not my favorite of Roof Doctor's, that would have to be either "Roof Doctor" from June, "Soda Jerk", from I Am Going To Die.  

"Dad", however, is a perfect precursor to what is to come for Roof Doctor, and I for one can't wait to see what Roof Doctor has in store. 

BEST FRIENDS--EP

BEST FRIENDS--EP

1)Surf Bitches

2) Lip Curl

3) Grow Old

4) Jacob's Story

5) Ice Cream Dreams

6) Home And Away

7) Joy Revision 

BEST FRIENDS is a Surf-rock band from somewhere in the UK, I don't really remember how I found these guys, but I've fallen in love with this EP nevertheless. I've been getting into a lot of underground stuff the UK has been providing lately, like Nai Harvest or Gnarwolves (which you should check out both of those bands, too) and some other bands off of Art Is Hard Records--which has usually been lo-fi surf bands like this one. But this is BEST FRIENDS first release from 2011, it's also one of the only free ones ;)

So BEST FRIENDS--EP is kind of a dream come true for me, lo-fi, high-energy, sleepy vocals, and short runtimes (which I like longer songs, but not in this style, typically.) and basically shows off some cool guitar leads and nice melodies, all being very surf-y. The guitar just keeps going away at the chords, which really brings out the lo-fi production of this EP. The riffs that bassist bust out are just delicious, which I dig. I mean, besides all the songs being a pretty close to the same tempo, there's nothing bad about this EP.

You need to get this, it's very addictive.

Favorite track: Surf Bitches

Bandcamp

Flawless--Something I'll Never Miss

Flawless- Something I'll Never Miss

1) Leap Year

2) Model Home

3) 1992

4) Words

5) Free At Last

So Flawless is a Pop-punk/Emo/Alternative/shoegaze band from right here at home in Springfield, MO. These guys are single-handily the best band in Springfield. This is their first release--all the way back from 2011--which is a perfect ending-of-summer EP and really just gets you prepared for the winter. 

Henceforth, the first song on this EP starts off like a punch to the face and the energy doesn't end until the last song fades out. I can't many albums that really pull that off very well, while keeping the overall vibe through out. I mean this being one of, like, 5 bands Alex Harris is in, the beats are crazy, driving, and awesome. The lyrics are mostly about how they're trying to figure out who they are; or why you don't accept them the way they want you to; or how you twist their words to make problems for other people. My only complaint (if you call it that) is that the guitar does the same pattern whenever the d-beats start rolling out, but that's just me. I don't really thing else to say about the instrumentation, it's just...Flawless ;)

The song-writing on this EP is wonderfully done, I haven't got bored of it yet, and it's basically been on repeat for me since February. I would suggest you get this and their other EP NOW.

Favorite Track: 1992, Free At Last

Bandcamp

imagine like 12 dogs running around on top of you, by Leaky Soups

imagine like 12 dogs running around on top of you, by Leaky Soups

1. jameson (not) lameson

2. i want 300 girlfriends

3. coconut part ii

4. "over the horizon" by samsung

What can I say, I clicked on this band on bandcamp because of the release title. Leaky Soups is some weird indie rock band from Philadelphia that I found under the emo genres on Bandcamp. I can kinda see where emo may come into the songs, like the guitar parts in "i want 300 girlfriends" and such, but the vocals are all clean. Runtimes are all short on this release, the longest tracks tying in at 2:58 between track one and four.
I enjoy the drums and bass lines done on coconut part ii, which is a song that's quite progressive. It starts off slow with a simple uke and vox part, and in it's 2:04 runtime it goes somewhere. In all Leaky Soups is the kind of indie-cute band that you need to already be into, in my opinion. But then again this is coming from a guy in an indie band who hates the fact that he is in an indie band. So I'm kinda prejudice against indie music. I do enjoy the guitar in all of these songs, which does in fact border on Emo. Cullan's vocals are done well throughout the entire release, and did I mention the guitar lines? They're good.
Favorite Track overall: ""over the horizon" by samsung" It has great guitar, drums, bass, everything. And the ending, which, I won't spoil, is perfect.
Bandcamp

June, by Roof Doctor

June, by Roof Doctor

1. Thanks for the Blankets

2. Dishwasher with a Dishwasher

3. When I was really losing it

4. I think it went quite alright

5. Ocean city May 2011

6. Roof Doctor

7. Losing Matt and leaving school

I found Roof Doctor on Bandcamp by searching Emo music, but the review I'm doing now is of Roof Doctor's release, June, which is not Emo in anyway. June is Roof Doctor's first release, entirely acoustic, guitar and vocals. I feel like this entire album should be something on a "growing up teenager" type of movie, like Juno, or something. The guitar is well done, nothing just "Same for chords every song", and the lyrics are personal and deep. The Vocals are a little nasally , but that's fine because it all fits.  One good thing about this release is that the songs aren't all five or so minutes long, like I've usually seen with this genre. The songs are around 2 minutes long on average, the longest song being Losing Matt and Leaving School, clocking in around 3:16.  Everything about this release screams indie acoustic sadness. The kind of music you listen to after a breakup and cry, which, I think may be the point. It made me a little sad to listen to.
Favorite Track for guitar: Losing Matt and Leaving School
Favorite Track overall: Thanks for the Blankets
Bandcamp