Hopesfall

I heard that Hopesfall may be putting out a new EP in 2010, but you wouldn't be alone if you asked the question who and what is exactly Hopesfall these days? And you know what, I couldn't answer - their lineup has undergone so many changes that the Hopesfall jamspace must've literally been a revolving door of musicians. I do know, however, that in their heyday they released some amazingly underrated post hardcore records. Albums like A-Types and Satellite Years showcased never leave your head choruses, complex guitar structures and songs that produced beautiful ambient sections that juxtaposed the harsh and harrowing impassioned screams they preceded.

(a criminally underrated release)

In other words, Hopesfall ruled hard. 2007's Magnetic North may have been a Frankenstein line-up, with bits and pieces of the original band stretched out in tatters throughout the album, but it still retained that magic Hopesfall seems to conjure from release to release. Here's hoping the new Hopesfall material is solid, in whatever incarnation it comes in.

I looked for a video of my favorite track off A-Types, and couldn't find one that could do the track justice - the audio on the recorded track on youtube was so tinny I wanted to pop my ear drums. Here's a live video that I hope you all can dig.

ps - If anyone out there knows how to get a hand on some Hopesfall t-shirts, without Trustkill getting a cent of the proceeds, let me know! I can't believe how they wronged these guys. Truly sucks.

*Breathe From Coma - Hopesfall

You Think You're Fucking John Lennon

Type in www.glassjaw.com into your browser. Did you do it? Spell it correctly? Ok, good. Now sit back, crank up the volume (not too loud in case you want a heart attack...you'll find out what I mean soon enough) and soak in the sounds of a brand new track from Glassjaw! 'You Think You're Fucking John Lennon',  which is the name of the new track, was first played live around two years ago, but I guess Daryl finally decided to put vocals down with the rest of his band in the studio (and I love him for it). The guitars come crashing in with Daryl's shrieks, almost reminiscent of Stephen Carpenter riffage (a la Engine No 9) and the chorus is just kick ass. Everything you loved about Glassjaw's blend of post hardcore is here, and the 6 year wait for new material is definitely worth it if the rest of the album follows suit. The new song definitely is akin to 'Worship and Tribute' era material, so if you dug that, chances are you'll dig the new song. Ya dig?

           (you'll be greeted by the Puerto Rican flag at the Glassjaw website...?)

If you got too excited reading the words 'new Glassjaw track' here's the recap - go to the official website and it streams automatically. Go!

Glassjaw Official Website

Emery - While Broken Hearts Prevail EP

Emery is a band I've often overlooked. I went through this period or phase where, I believe the scientific term is, I thought I was 'too cool for school'. I slapped a label on these guys, dismissing them as a run of the mill generic pop punk band. And maybe they are, or were, but their 2008 release, a 7 song EP is still a strong release. The subject matter may feel a bit exhausted, with the title of the EP aptly foreshadowing what's to come on the 25 minute long disc, and that might the the major downfall, which combined with cheesy lyrics (all IMO of course) have Emery looking like a dime a dozen in todays scene. Thoughtlife, with a piano romping thourghout the track newar the end of the EP has lyrics that just seem so lame and matter of fact, that you'll want to slap whoever thought them up.

"I would have offered my life! Taken you home! Made you my wife (eww barf) but hearing you now, filling your mouth with a cowards lines, you're just a disguise, of the girl of my dreams. But I know she's waiting for me." (laaame sauce man!)

Barf unducing cringe-worthy lameness aside,  the first half of the EP is quite strong and well worth hearing, especially if you are a fan. The vocals and for the most part strong song writing make Emery seem capable of bigger and better things in the future. Now if you'll excuse me..."I would  have offered my liiiiiife, taken you hoooooooome! made you my wiiiife. (yuck)

New Fear Before

shit's coo.

xoxo

Check These Guys Out!

Just some stuff I've been listening to lately. 

1) Kay Kay And His Weathered Underground

From Seattle, and listed as Alternative/Experimental/Lounge, I'm making my way through their self titled as I'm typing this up, and I still don't know what to make of the band, much less write something clever about them. Saying that members from Gatsby's American Dream were involved piqued my interest, but if you're expecting the catchy but non-conventional pop/punk stylings of GAD, you won't find it here. Except maybe the quirkiness of the aforementioned band, one easy way to describe these guys is fresh! A pleasant surprise. Strong vocals and song writing will keep you interested. Imagine if Panic At The Disco were successful at trying to do it is they do.

2) Demians

Nicholas Chapel just seems like a guy who's so sure of himself and what he's good at and I'm not the only one to notice. Steven Wilson, of Porcupine Tree fame seems to think so, and the one man machine that is the French outfit Demians succeeds in creating an amazing, emotional and just damn good debut in Building an Empire. Prog rock that isn't boring? Oui, s'il vous plait!

3) Anberlin

Looking at the past couple of entries, it's no secret I dig these guys. But check out the myspace if I haven't persuaded you to do so yet- you can peep their rerecording of their song Feel Good Drag, which features on the recently released New Surrender. A great way to sum up what's good about the band - besides being a  strong track, this track represent how the band utilize strong song writing and instrumentation to breathe life into an older song that could've sounded stale if just plucked from their back catalogue - just like they do to the pop punk genre they unfortunately are grouped into.

4) The Riot Before

It seems like there are a lot of soulful, impassioned white dudes around these days. But instead of losing its appeal with the whole 'folk-punk!?been there done that!' schpiel, The Riot Before squeak by and put a smile on my face. With the word on the street being they sound like Against Me! and The Gaslight Anthem (and I'm inclined to agree), I could see these guys blowing up. I can't believe they're not from Gainesville! 

5) Emarosa

Energetic, fast, with amazing vocals make this hard for me to pass up. With Jonny Craig and his godly pipes searing through walls of quick picked riffs and hard hitting chords. You may see it all over Hot Topic and in scene kids Ipods, but don't let that deter you from enjoying a great band.

6) Lisa Hannigan

I just picture the streets of Dublin teeming with red-haired, Guiness wielding musicians singing gaily, arm in arm. Sort of like a scene straight out of a Disney flick (don't pay attention to my warped mind, I don't understand it either). You may recognize Lisa Hannigan's name from another famous Irish musician, the ever-melancholy tear jerker Damien Rice. Up until his latest release, 9, she graced his songs and added a beautiful, haunting contrast to his sincere and pained voice. But enough about him, because Miss Hannigan's ethereal voice definitely holds its own on her debut release Sea Sew

7) Thursday/Envy

NJ and Japan may not have very much in common, but these two bands seem to be on the same page with this 7 track EP split. With equally strong showings from both sides of the world, the bands create atmospheric post rock with exciting, crushing vocals (especially Envy!) Lots of moments where you're mouth will hit the floor and stay there, which is saying a lot for an EP