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Deep Sleep - “Three Things At Once” (Grave Mistake Records)

About five or six years ago, I went through a phase where I was all about certain hardcore bands. Mostly the type of stuff that stayed true to the old school formula that bands like 7 Seconds set fourth for us. Bands like Bane, Champion and even Modern Life Is War were amongst momentary favorites, you know that no frills, rarely any breakdowns hardcore. It is in the breakdowns I lose interest. Deep Sleep deliver exactly that, fast, heartfelt songs that get to the point and end before you even know what hit you. Man I love it! The only thing is that as the title proclaims it is three things at once, which includes their material from the “You’re Screwed” 7inch, “Manic Euphoria” EP, and the “Paranoid Futures” EP. All of which I previously own, so not much new material here for me, but if you are missing any of those great dynamic releases from this Baltimore band, picking this up should be a no brainer. Also, try to see this band live they completely blew me away this summer when I saw them.

Into It. Over It. - “52 Weeks” (No Sleep Records)

Wow this is a great concept for a CD, or double CD I should say. A man with a guitar and some recording equipment writes and records one song a week for 52 weeks and what you get are 52 different songs covering the vast array of emotions. The music is directly up my alley but is definitely well put together, for fans of Brand New, Piebald and Alkaline Trio. My favorite part of this release is the booklet, it is very well put together and has lyrics to all the 52 songs and little pictures and diagrams to fill the voids. Great job, I only wish I could get into the songs a bit more.

Le Face “Isolation” (Dead Beat Records)

Oh man! The instrumentation was sounding so good until those vocals came in. Its like a 30 year old man trying to front a Germs type punk band but his voice cracks like he is going through puberty. Man, I hate instrumentals but I kind of wish this was one. Great song titles though, “Urinating Feet” & “Christian Cunt” among others. Get a new singer guys!

Mac Blackout “The Rabid Babies” (Dead Beat Records)

What do you get when you have a bad Jay Reatard impersonator fronting a middle school rock band with amateur Devo styled synth? You get Mac Blackout with their album “The Rabid Babies” on Dead Beat Records. This is terrible, in the first song he must have said “It’s the year of the rat” over fifty times. There is no excuse for this. Not pleased, I’ll have you know that.


Stigmata “The Wounds That Never Heal” (I Scream Records)

Just by looking at the name of both the band name, the title of the record and the artwork I could tell you I would not like this. It is sludgy metal with tons of riffing and double bass drumming. The lyrics are all cheesy and cynical. If you like listening to bad music and being depressed this album is for you.

Fed Up! “Live At CBGB” (United Riot Records)

Gotta love New York Hardcore! (Please not my sarcasm there). Before the first song even begins the singer begins a rant that starts like this…“Good to see all the skins here nice and early, drunk, high, whatever…”. In between every song he proclaims either “Old school” or “Skin Head” like it means something. The first two tracks are titled “Sick Fucks” and “Bitch Slap” respectively and they are both equally as horrible as the rest of this CD. For fans of other NYHC bands such as Madball or Agnostic Front I guess? Oi Oi Oi!

Transit “Stay Home” (Run For Cover Records)

Transit, the newest version of that melodic hardcore scene out of Boston deliver a six song ep that comes straight from the playbook of Set Your Goals. Completing the mix of screaming, chanting and singing this band seems to be a carbon copy of all the bands before, the only difference is that their drummer is actually really good but proves to be way too busy at times, especially over the run of the mill guitar work. I swear I have heard the opening to this first track before, it sounds exactly like that other song, but I casn’t put my finger on which one it is. If you can figure it out please get back to me. If you like bands like Set Your Goals, A New Found Glory and all of those others this is probably a great album and will be right up your alley. If not this is a pass.

CarCrashLander “Mountains On Our Backs” (Jealous Butcher)

I have no idea what to expect from this, starts off a bit hectic but then slows down to a slow crawl with a flowing bass line and almost spoken lyrics. I can’t tell if I hate this or if I am indifferent towards it. There is no doubting that they are good at their instruments, but the songs just are not interesting or captivating. I can’t even label this into a genre, what is it? I do not know, nor do I care much. Also there is never a need for an opening track to be over eight minutes long. You hear me? Never!

Frankenstein 3000 “Where Do We Go From Here?” (Main Man Records)

I have had enough of this cheesy rock n roll crap. If you aren’t going to do something new why bother. Every song is a sub par version of an older song, no hooks what so ever, what’s the point? Also the embarrassing cover of Elvis Costello’s “Green Shirt” was a bad idea, but I’ll pretend that didn’t really happen.

The Cold Beat “Dumbwaiter” (Self Released)

What do we have here? Is it Boston’s answer to The Replacements? Maybe. Simple songs with heart felt lyrics spit from the mouth of a Bostonian with a sad story to share. The only problem here is that they are not The Replacements and no matter how much I can enjoy this I will always crawl back to my record player to give “Sorry Ma” its weekly spin. There is an ex-member of the Jade Tree band Lock and Key somewhere in this band, to him I’d like to say sorry dude, but I think I like Lock and Key much better. Not a bad album, just not great, but I do know I’d love to watch this band rock out in a small bar, that I can tell would be excellent.

Sea Sick Music “Shark Speed” (Self Released)

By the looks of the cover and the band name I was expecting this to be a speed metal album. Boy I could not have been anymore wrong. The album opens with light horns for a few stanzas and then the rest of the band comes in accompanied by Dent May sounding vocals. I didn’t know Utah was now in the United Kingdom and people spoke with such heavy British accents there. I guess we learn something new everyday, this album would be kind of cool, but now these vocals are going to kill me before the music puts me to sleep. So if you like your fake British rock and your dance beats this might be the album for you, if not just go buy Dent May’s latest album and listen to him croon over is ukulele.

The Ghost Is Dancing “Battles On” (Sonic Unyon)

Aside from having one terrible, down right awful band name, it is safe to say that The Ghost Is Dancing know how to write some pretty decent pop hooks. A better name for this band might be Modest Mouse Jr. but hey who is to judge. I am really enjoying the overall production of this album more than the songs themselves maybe that is saying something? Maybe not. Going along with some of my pet peeves though this band includes dance beats and a song that is over eight minutes, and I know I have said it before and I’ll say it again; there is never a need for an opening track to be over eight minutes long. You hear me? Never!

Burning Image “Fantasma” (Alternative Tentacles)

Is it wrong for me to hope that everything and anything that Alternative Tentacles releases will sound like “Bedtime For Democracy”? This sounds like the exact opposite of that, slow turning goth rock comparable to what I’d imagine Nine Inch Nails to sound like. I love Jello Biafra’s music, just maybe not his taste in music.

Dredg “The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion” (Self Released)

I usually don’t like digi-packs because they are usually made cheap and break really easily, however this package looks great. From the looks of the cover art I am expecting some southern hard rock, since the artwork kind of reminds me of the band Down’s artwork, and if you know who Down is it’ll make sense. With all of my Phil Anselmo reference’s aside Dredg sounds nothing like what I described above. Their music proves to be a more technical version of what the Rx Bandits have been doing lately, lots of instruments and weird recording techniques coming together to create long drawn out songs where the message is lost in its jumble. Also it is very rare these days for an album to run over an hours time, but this does it and I will personally congratulate anyone who can sit through this for that long.

The Blackout “The Best In Town” (Epitaph Records)

Another well put together digi-pack with multiple panels. I see these things getting more and more popular before my very eyes. The reason why this looks real good is because it is covered in Tim Burton-esque cartoon paintings that contain what I imagine to be some of the bands favorite lyrics. Now, to the music! What we have here is an amaped up and riffing out of control over screamed vocals, but then the tides turn the music slows and now he is singing. I wish they’d just make up their minds instead of being a bunch of flip-floppers. I can’t stand that, damn flip-floppers. If you want this I am sure you’ll be able to find it in your local Hot Topic, just look behind the fat girls dressed in all black.

The Sorely Trying Days “Survival Mode” (Useless World Records)

Is there a competition that I don’t know about where the band with the worst name wins a prize? If so this band gets my vote. Hahah! Even better, their name when using the initials is The STDs. This can’t get any better! Oh wait it just did, they are from Kokomo. Haha there is actually a place called Kokomo in Indiana. Wow. Husker Du Midwestern rock mixed with bro-dude hardcore is what we have here, and let me fill you in on a little secret, this is not a good mix of sounds. I give up.

Only Thieves “Greetings From Levy Park, T. L. H.” (Self Released)

This is beginning to remind me of the middle Against Me!. Not the straight forward early stuff, but not quite the complicated newer stuff, but somewhere in the middle? Did Against Me! Even have an album like that? I don’t think so I remember it being a pretty drastic change. The first song “Hammered For The Holidays” is great, great enough to make the rest of the album worthwhile. Take my advice and take a chance on this, I think you’ll be surprised, I sure am.

Goonies Never Say Die “In A Forest With Out Trees” (Deep Elm Records)

Yeesh! Another horrible band name, The Goonies was a great movie but no need to name a band after them. The best musical thing dealing with The Goonies was Cyndi Lauper’s song for the movie “Goonies Are Good Enough”, now that’s a jam! I digress, here we have songs that are way too long and that have no vocals. Frickin’ instrumentals dude! How am I supposed to sing along if there are no words? The obvious comparison is Explosions In The Sky, and that is about all I know of instrumental music. Could be cool reading or studying music. Definitely good for the background!

Rich White Males “We’ve Come To Kick Ass And Play Bubblegum” (Cheapskate Records)

This may just be right up my alley. Simple three-chord Ramonescore music featuring Dangerous Dave (of The Queers and The Bugs) that is so catchy you’ll find yourself singing along before the first song finishes. Being that one of my favorite Queers record is “Beyond The Valley Of The Assfuckers” this is perfect for me. I’d definitely recommend this for fans of the grittier pop punk ala early Queers, Vindictives or Sloppy Seconds. Now the question is which do I like more this or The Bugs? And the answer is they are both totally kick ass. I am hoping this band comes to the east coast sometime in the near future so I can sing along and pump my fist to all the songs.

The Gateway District “Sometimes You Get The Thunder” (It’s Alive Records)

A few years ago I took a chance on a 7inch record from a band from Minnesota not knowing what to expect and it was excellent. This 7inch was by The Gateway District it was so good and never left my turntable but I was worried I’d never get any new material out of them due to the fact that they were all in other excellent bands. Consisting of members of bands such as The Soviettes, Dear Landlord, Off With Their Heads, Banner Pilot and my personal favorite from Minnesota Banner Pilot you could call this an all-star band, but whatever you call it don’t call it a side project because this band is the real deal. Also I believe they are touring again real soon so you better make sure you go see them, because you are sure to regret it if you do. Like all things from It’s Alive Records, you know you will be getting high quality in terms of music as well as the finished product its self. Each band member contributes his or her own artwork to accompany their songs in the liner notes in the cd and the orange vinyl would look great in any record collection. For this review I have been thinking of choosing which song is my favorite but it seems like the more I think about it the more I change my mind because they are all great, however for this review I am going to say the standout track for right now is the opening number “Keeps Track Of The Time”, but if you ask me again in 5 minutes I’ll give you another. So good!

Dan Webb And The Spiders “Self Titled” (Self Released)

Decent Boston tinged pub songs here, the only things keeping them from being good or great is the quality of the recording and the simplicity of the songs, that dynamic duo leads to me losing interest a lot of the time. That said, I would not be upset if I was hanging at a bar in Boston and this band took a small stage and started to rock. However the chances of me being in a bar in Boston anytime soon is a long shot.



Merman Records Presents: Sea Creatures #1 (Merman Records)

This is the first installment of a four way split series that I am very excited to watch grow. It’s also Merman Records’ first release, and an excellent one at that. The artwork is some of my favorite that I have seen in a while, and fits the release accurately. When I first started writing reviews for Jersey Beat about two years ago, I received a 7-inch from the first band on this split, Fear Of Lipstick, and just as I enjoyed their fun punk-rock-n-roll songs then, this new song just adds to evidence that Fear Of Lipstick isn’t just some half-assed side project group. The Roman Line is a band I wasn’t too familiar with prior to this release, but I will definitely be checking out more stuff from them in the near future. Reagle Beagle is a band that I wasn’t to sure about. I bought their full length on Rally Records and wasn’t too impressed, aside from the song they did with Joe Queer, so I was kind of hoping this would restore my faith in them. But this song seems to be the only track on this release that is skipworthy. Lastly, the Neutron Bombs song is really fun but the intro reminds me of a Screeching Weasel song but I can’t put my finger on. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to call them a Screeching Weasel ripoff band, because aside from those few notes, they aren’t all that comparable. The Neutron Bombs have their own well-thought-out and distinct sound. On compilations, there’s usually about 75% crap and 25% decent stuff, but Merman Records deliver 75% awesomeness and 25% decency. Not a bad start at all for a new record label. Here’s to many more releases!

BARRAKUDA McMURDER - “Slow Crawl” EP (It’s Alive / House Party Records)

Barrakuda McMurder is Grath Madden’s first release post-Steinways, and needless to say it is a great, great record. You still have his fun lyrics accompanied by catchy singing, only everything here seems to be a bit more mature and better executed than some of the stuff from The Steinways years. Each of the four songs brings something new to the table and there isn’t a single track that I would ever skip, but “The Royal You” has to be my favorite song here (and maybe even one of my favorite songs of the year.) I mean, hey, it’s already June and this is still my favorite 7-inch release of the year and it seems to be holding up well. The only concern is that you better get your hands on a copy before it sells out because it is sure to do so, and you don’t want to have to wait for the second pressing.

DEAR LANDLORD - Dream Homes (No Idea Records)

I don’t usually do this but I am going to start this review off with a short anecdote. The year is 2004, I believe; it is a blazing hot Memorial Day in our city on the beach, and there is a punk rock show going on in my friend’s basement showcasing bands that I had heard little to none of at the time (but are now some of my favorites.) We are all crammed in a small basement with short ceilings, it is so hot down there that it seems that the room is sweating, and we are mopping the floors after each set. Bands such as The John Stamos Project and Bent Outta Shape play, and I am loving life. I dare not leave my spot even if I haven’t yet heard of the two bands who are about to play, one called Rivethead from MPLS and the other The Copyrights from Carbondale, Illinois. Those two sets flew by and I was left standing there with my mouth hanging wide open. I quickly made it over to the merch table where I bought anything I could get my hands on, which left me with a 7-inch from Rivethead and a CD from The Copyrights (We Didn’t Come Here To Die, which I think is still their best album). So in 2007, three years after I first saw these bands, I heard they were combining forces for a band called Dear Landlord. I knew they could do almost no wrong and to this day I still believe I am right. I immediately bought their first 7inch split with the Chinese Telephones and fell in love with it, and even reviewed it for Jersey Beat when I first started out as a writer. I then got the split with Off With Their Heads and thought that was brilliant as well. However, the past is the past and the future is now and Dear Landlord is releasing their full-length album on No Idea Records… and it is outstanding from the first note till the last. You have a rerecorded version of one song off of each of those splits (which sound incredible) plus 12 brand new songs that will have you in punk rock heaven in no time. Picking your favorite track off of this album is like picking a favorite child; it will be impossible because you love them all equally, because they each have so much going for them. This album is in the running for the best record of the year in my book and I think you’d be a real dummy not to pick this up; and if you don’t love it, you should turn in your ears because you probably aren’t using them correctly. In summation; Dear Landlord’s Dream Homes is an instant punk rock masterpiece.

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