Artist: Nim Vind
Album: The Stillness Illness
Label: Self-Released/Silverdust Records
We've Moved! To A BETTER home!
14 years ago
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Left Alone - Self Titlled
Artist: Left Alone
Album: Self Titled
Label: Hellcat Records
I've always thought it, but now I'll just go on record and say it: Left Alone might as well be Rancid. As much as I've enjoyed Left Alone since listening to their Hellcat Records debut back in 2005, Left Alone have really only served to fill the void left by Rancid since they stopped being active back in 2003. That being said, I've always enjoyed Left Alone despite fully recognizing their mimicry. They have a great sloppy street punk sound that effectively balances melody with imperfection. But now that Rancid has returned for 2009, what purpose will Left Alone serve?Left Alone has tried answering that question with a self titled release out a few months before Rancid's comeback. Not surprisingly, there's something that sets their self titled release apart from past efforts. They haven't radically changed anything, but right down to the slick production quality and frequency of hooks the band has really tried to bring their A-game. In fact, while listening to most of the songs I had a sudden urge to move - and maybe even dance a little (if you call my sad excuse for bobbing my head and shoulders "dancing"). Songs like "Low Fidelity," "Sad Sad Story," and "Bottles of Wine" in particular have have an infectiously bouncy tempo. Thankfully, despite a greater emphasis on melody, vocalist Elvis Cotrez sounds as rough as ever. Consequently, even with a squeaky clean production value Left Alone retain their signature street punk guise. While the band seems to draw upon their ska influences less than in past outings, a lively ska feel still manages to shine through. The band uses their organ as frequently as any stringed instrument, and while they probably overuse this novelty item, their organ abuse has been going on for years, and as always, may turn some listeners off, while drawing others in. But the album provides fifteen tracks in under thirty five minutes - so nothing drags on or becomes tiresome.
Lyrically, the band have become hypocrites. In their past release, Dead American Radio, they closed the album with "I Hate Emo," a short, punchy tune expressing the band's dislike for all things emo. Seems that the band forgot that writing an entire album about love and loss is "emo." In fact, Left Alone's Self Titled album is full of angry sob stories. For example, in the album opener, "Spiked With Pain," Cortez sings "And all my days were filled with sorrow/And all my drinks were spiked with sorrow/And if I live to see tomorrow/I guess I'm the only one to blame." Ok, I'll admit, the song is about life choices more than women, but you need not look further than the next track, "Branded," an angsty song about a painful breakup, for that: "Cause I'm branded branded breanded/With everything you did/But I still see my name in the marquee lights." Convinced? No? Need something more explicit? Ah well then just skip over to "Porcelain." Cortez sings: "Never thought I'd ever learn to love hate now/But that comes easy after what you put me thru/Never thought I'd ever learn to forget you/Seems nothing you ever said was ever true" - As far as I'm concerned, lyrics like that could be confused with Taking Back Sunday or dare I say Bright Eyes. A quick note to the band: Sorry boys, but I think you should exclude "I Hate Emo" from upcoming set lists.
Lyrical hypocrisy aside, Left Alone's long overdue self titled album remains quite listenable. While production qualities have been upped noticeably, addictive hooks are just as abundant as Left Alone's emo inspired lyrics. And I'll admit, it's pretty hard to speak ill of something when it makes you feel so very alive.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
For. The. Win. - The Black & the Blue
Artist: For.The.Win.
Album: The Black & The Blue
Label: Asian Man Records/Solidarity Recordings
Monday, July 20, 2009
My Heart to Joy - Seasons in Verse
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Strung Out - Prototypes and Painkillers
Artist: Strung Out
Album: Prototypes and Painkillers
Label: Fat Wreck
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
PNS/Society's Parasites - Split
Artist: PNS/Society's Parasites
Album: Split
Label: Obscene Records L.A., Papagájův Hlasatel Records, Golden Shower White Power
Friday, July 10, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Propagandhi - Supporting Caste
Artist: Propagandhi
Album: Supporting Caste
Label: Smallman Records
I put off reviewing Propagandhi's latest release, Supporting Caste, for quite some time because of my admitted lack of familiarity with the firmly established band. But then I realized that Supporting Caste was somewhat of a relaunch for Propaghandi, and a natural place for me to jump in. From what I understand, the band has picked up an additional guitarist, known as "The Beave," who has helped the band refine their sound and tighten their focus.Propagandhi began in the early 1990's as a fast, sloppy, politically charged punk band. Over the past decade, each release has added more and more layers of musical complexity and polish - all while never sacrificing their raw enthusiasm. The result has lead to the squeaky clean sounds defining up Supporting Caste. In refining their sound, the band has continually developed their technical complexity, giving Supporting Caste an undeniably professional quality. For example, songs like "The Funeral Procession" maintain a razor sharp edginess against a speedy tempo and consistently changing chord structure. Just the intro to "Dear Coaches Corner" has more complexity in its first thirty seconds than many bands explore throughout a career. Furthermore, for tracks like "Supporting Caste" that last for nearly five minutes, the band explores various tempo changes, producing memorable highs and deep, ponderous lows. The whole balance feels a if it could at any time collapse under the weight of its own ambition, but thankfully Propagandhi's tight musicianship shines through time and again. Simply put, the effect sounds as vast and detailed as the rolling landscape depicted on the album cover.
Propagandhi hasn't changed their lyrical focus since their inception, and seeing how their content reflects personal ideals, their narrow focus is more characteristic of a group in touch with their principles than a band starved for creativity. Supporting Caste is ripe full of dark, demanding calls to arms over political issues, with a special focus on human and animal rights. For example, "Human(e) Meat (The Flesh of Sandor Kats)" opens with what sounds like the cries of a torture victim. The song goes on to satirically equate the act with slaughtering animals, even going so far as to state "I swear I'll do my best to ensure that/his final moments are swift and free from fear." My personal favourite track, "Dear Coaches Corner," uses a commentary from the Canadian cultural phenomenon "Hockey Night In Canada" to address human rights. The band presents the song as a letter to Hockey Night In Canada host Ron Mclean in response to a post game dialogue in which one announcer (Don Cherry) dismisses a political comment as "sickening" and not appropriate for escapist television. It's a smart comment becuase it forces the listener to really consider the media's filter on complex issues, and what ultimately what makes it through the TV and into the living room.
Supporting Caste pushes Propagandhi in a naturally evolving direction while retaining the band's politically confrontational core. And while Supporting Caste might have more melody than its predecessors, there's no shortage of enthusiasm and aggression. As I soon discovered, Supporting Caste is a great place for newcomers like myself to finally hop on the bandwagon and put Propagandhi in regular rotation..
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Only Thieves - Greetings from Levy Park, TLH
Artist: Only Theives
Album: Greetings from Levy Park, TLH
Label: Self Released
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