Album Review: Circus Fires

Artist: Circus Fires

Album: All Living Things 

For people who like: Jimmy Eat World, Weakerthans, Brand New, and Weezer

It seems that people often will discuss an albums consistency and use that as a gauge if it is “good or bad.” Quite frankly, the true quality of an album comes from not only consistency as whole, but individual song quality. With Madison, Wisconsin’s Circus Fires debut, All Living Things, the display of quality attention to the entire release production wise, and the individual care to each track from a songwriting angle allows this album to show that Circus Fires may just have released one of the best albums of the year.

As far as All Living Things goes, the consistency is not compromised in any sort of way for monotony. Tracks such as “These Synapses Fire Blanks” and “Spent Bullets” provide of an outgoing pop-rock feel similar to Jimmy Eat World. However, tracks such as “A Bloody Ransom for a New Life” and “Neva” give of a more experimental and urgent vibe similar to bands such as Brand New and even later work from Thrice.

One track that should not be slept on at all is All Living Things third track, “A Gentleman’s Curse.” This song clearly shows how Circus Fires knows how not only be great musicians, but how to connect all of their skill together. “A Gentleman’s Curse” is contains aggressive elements, but is interlaced with parts that allow you to feel as if you have traveled into the inquisitive and mysterious situation discussed throughout the tracks lyrics.

The entire production of All Living Things allows the group, still slightly in their infancy, to experiment with various effects and placement of proper sound samples. With most bands on a rather early release, it seems that things like notch filter effects will just be used “because it sounds cool.” However, each alteration, be it on vocals, guitar or even drums, it is done with some sort of purpose and reasoning. Prime example of the use of these artistic adjustments can be heard in the tracks “Pull Oceans” and  “Earthbound.”

What seems to be the main selling point of this debut album is that it all feels natural. I don’t mean in a weird audiophile-analog kind of way either. Everything to the strings done by guitarist Nick Jones and bassist Tylor Sherman, just seem to lock in not only with guitarist and singer Eric Doucette’s lyrics, but with the properly laid out thick drum parts fulfilled by Paul Sirianni. 

So with influences and elements reminiscent of various turn of the century alternative bands, it seems that Circus Fires would come off with almost a frat-rock vibe, but at the end of they don’t. This is a band plays with nothing but honesty and sincerity and All Living Things is just about the perfect way to showcase such emotion. 

Everything from the songs structure to the aforementioned production aspects were placed down, the entire album just feels natural. A quality that still is around in plenty of current music, but unfortunately, I feel is not as frequent. So if you’re searching for a naturally consistent-yet diverse album, Circus Fires’ All Living Things may just be the exact album you’re searching for.

All Living Things is set to be out this spring with a three song preview out digitally, April 30th.

Standout tracks- “Shelter”, “A Gentleman’s Curse”, “Pull Oceans”, “A Blood Ransom for a New Life”

9/10

26 April 8 Permalink

Album Review: Hell Mary

Artist: Hell Mary

Album: Forever on the Fence

For people who like: Comeback Kid 

Hell Mary is a hardcore band from New Jersey, and Forever on the Fence is their debut EP. On this EP, Hell Mary is as angry and ruthless as their EP cover. Forever on the Fence is everything you would expect from a great hardcore EP and more. Complete with lyrics of personal grudges, dissonant instrumentation, and slow-burning breakdown tempos, Forever on the Fence is an amazing debut EP from Hell Mary.

Forever on the Fence, starts with the great track “The Crawl,” which is an ode to all those who think too highly of themselves. It’s the type of track that’s perfect to start with, almost seemingly addressing those who disagree with Hell Mary’s sentiments shouting “go crawl on home to your mother.” It is directly followed by “(We’re Just) White Noise,” which is as knowingly rebellious as a punk song should be. It is reminiscent to tracks like Minor Threat’s “Minor Threat,” having a similar youthful exuberance. Although the best track on this EP has got to be the title track, “Forever on the Fence.” It’s unfaltering ethos, and emotionally charged vocals give this song a believable, and relatable vibe. The vocalist’s passion and self-deprecative tendencies are so real, and as the song comes to a close with noisy distortion and thumping bass, the emotion becomes palpable. I also love how Forever on the Fence ends the EP with the 41-second “Done…Again.” The lyrics speak of being fed up with everything, fittingly closing the EP with “I’m done…again.”

All things considered, Forever on the Fence is a great EP, and paves the way for many great releases to come. Pick up Hell Mary’s 7” of Forever on the Fence courtesy of Bedside Manner Collective//Gruff Beard Records.

8/10

Favorite Track(s): Forever on the Fence

hellmary.bandcamp.com/

13 April 2 Permalink

Album Review: Polaroids

Artist: Polaroids

Album: I Still Have Dreams

For people who like: Lifetime, Title Fight, Crime In Stereo

I Still Have Dreams is the debut album of New Jersey hardcore band, Polaroids. This LP will be a follow-up to their somewhat predictable first EP, Reference Tracks which was released back in August of 2012. For only a couple months later, Polaroids have really stepped up big time for the discipline that comes with making a full-length record. I Still Have Dreams is fast, but long enough to keep you satisfied, heavy, but appropriately melodic, and a welcome and innovative album to the genre of hardcore.

Polaroids rightfully sets the mood for the album with a sample of a sorrowful monologue from the character Brooks of the film Shawshank Redemption. It fits right in with Polaroids emotional approach on this record. This approach that Polaroids has taken really adds to their versatility as a band. With lyrics of abandonment, passionate vocals, and melodic melodies, this album could fit into a bunch of different molds. I could see wide range of fans from emo scenes to cheesey pop-punk kids being into this, though I wouldn’t classify Polaroids as a band of either of those genres.

The use of multiple vocalists on I Still Have Dreams is something that really keeps the album from monotony. Drummer Christopher Postlewaite’s angry and throaty vocals, and bassist Mike Quiray’s soft and harmonious singing, is impressively foiled by the often unorthodox vocal stylings of guitarist Thomas Fett. Fett seems to be a nice balance of both vocal styles, and even adds some strange, yet interesting, styles of his own.

What makes I Still Have Dreams stand out most of all, is Polaroids’ impressive instrumentation on the record. Unlike most hardcore these days which rely on simple four chord progressions, Polaroids innovates with smooth, even somewhat jazzy, guitar riffs laid over each track. However, the use of a variety of instruments is what really solidifies I Still Have Dreams as a truly memorable release. Polaroids utilizes piano, tambourine, shaker, melodica, and even upright bass on the album. This is highly unusual for a hardcore album, but it works so well. A prime example of this is on the track “Immigrant Song Pt. II”, where a piano sweep directly precedes a breakdown (fucking awesome). The piano then continues to back the heavy instrumentation, adding a soothing layer to the atmosphere of the song. Another great use is the melodica during the final moments of “Stubborn”, which is both appropriate and enticing. It gives the song the perfectly somber feeling, almost to the point of a “game over” kind of effect. It may seem like a gimmick, but Polaroids use of these instruments is completely necessary, and it is ultimately is what makes them, and this album, stand out among most.

All in all, Polaroids’ I Still Have Dreams is a highly original, and enjoyable hardcore LP. It is by far the most classically artistic punk record I’ve ever heard before. It takes hardcore in a direction that I didn’t even know it was missing. Many may try to imitate, but not anyone can pull off what Polaroid’s has done with their first full-length record. 

9/10

Favorite Tracks: Soul Mates, Immigrant Song Pt. II, Stubborn, Rain Castle

polaroids.bandcamp.com

31 March 5 Permalink

Sweet Nothings Radio Playlist #10 2/24/13

1. La Piovra - “l’ultima sigaretta”

2. Grass Is Green - “Three Little Chickens”

3. Piebald - “Protagonist”

4. Built To Spill - “Israel’s Song”

5. Fins - “Lawnmower”

6. Adventures - “I Feel So Sure”

7. Pixies - “Wave of Mutilation”

8. Smart Went Crazy - “tight frame loose frame”

9. Karate - “Coffeine Or Me”

10. Best Practices - “Brita’d”

11. The Act of Estimating as Worthless - “Algae”

12. Beastie Boys - “3-Minute Rule”

13. Braid - “Never Will Come For Us”

14. Bread And Circuits - “The End Of History”

15. Art Blakey - “Come Rain Or Come Shine”

Sweet Nothings Radio Playlist #10 2/24/13 from sweetnothingsreviews on 8tracks Radio.

3 March 2 Permalink

Sweet Nothings Radio Playlist #9 2/17/13

Hope you all enjoyed Sweet Nothings Radio’s triumphant return to WPSR. No guests were scheduled this week, but you can be sure there will be plenty of exciting guests in these upcoming weeks. Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to tune in next Sunday at 6pm on purchaseradio.org!

1. Pile - “pets”

2. The Marked Men - “Fix My Brain”

3. Please Inform The Captain This Is A Hijack - “Angry Sleepers (Pt.1)”

4. Title Fight - “Leaf”

5. Pavement - “For Sale: The Preston School Of Industry”

6. Medications - “Home is Where We Are”

7. died - “The Floats”

8. Mumblr - “Little Green Spots”

9. Olive Drab - “Cranberry”

10. At The Drive-In - “Ticklish”

11. Hop Along - “La Strada”

12. Hot Cross - “Turncoat Revolution”

13. Bag of Bones - “Mt. Vernon”

14. Abe Froman - “Mom, I want to Move”

15. Q And Not U - “Fever Sleeves”

16. Black Eyes - “King’s Dominion”

17. Champions of History - “Get This (Out of Here)”

Sweet Nothings Radio Playlist #9 2/17/13 from sweetnothingsreviews on 8tracks Radio.

21 February 5 Permalink

Album Review: Dead Channels

Artist: Dead Channels

Album: Flamethrower EP + 2 Songs

For people who like: The Bronx, Trenchfoot, Casey Jones

Flamethrower EP + 2 Songs is the newest release from New York hardcore band, Dead Channels. This compilation of some older tracks will be their first physical release on the brand new DIY label, Station 3 Records. On this release, Dead Channels continues on their compelling musical endeavors explored on earlier releases. Flamethrower EP + 2 Songs isn’t like many hardcore releases I’ve heard in a long time, and Dead Channels might just be one of my favorite new bands under the genre.

Dead Channels starts off strong on this release strong with the thrashy and hard hitting first track, “Solid State.” Judging by the lyrics these guys are no one to fuck with. The heavy atmosphere of each song has the lyrical muscle to back it up, and I love just how gritty the lyrics are in general. This first track is quickly followed by the fast-paced “Butchers Hands.” On Flamethrower EP + 2 Songs, each track seems to flow nicely into each other while still having a lot of variety. Every track is bound by a creed of a vigorous and hardcore temperament, while still exploring the different possibilities of the genre at hand.

One of my favorite aspects about Dead Channels’ Flamethrower EP +2 Songs is the influence of metal on the album. It truly allows for this release to be really unpredictable. There are parts where you might think it’s just a regular hardcore track, but then they’ll throw a guitar riff at you that is really distinguished from any hardcore song you’ll hear. Some of my favorite examples of Dead Channels’ interesting feats lies within the track “Teleportland,” which is probably my favorite track on this release. The riff on that track is just so smooth, and while amazingly accompanied by bass and drums, “Teleportland” glides through the air. Another interesting moment on Flamethrower EP + 2 Songs is the brief solo on “Shape Shifter.” With their innovative guitar riffs, and melodic metal vocals within a hardcore frame, Dead Channels has made some memorable tracks. Dead Channels successfully blends hardcore and metal, without stepping into the boundaries of the atrocious genre known as “metalcore.”

All in all, Flamethrower EP + 2 Songs is yet another an interesting genre blending feat from New York hardcore band, Dead Channels. They use their influences wisely, taking the best aspects of metal and incorporating it into their music. Flamethrower EP +2 Songs is a truly great first release from Station 3 Records, and I eagerly await future releases from them and Dead Channels.

8/10

Favorite Tracks: Teleportland, Shape Shifter, Strike A Poser

http://station3records.bandcamp.com/

19 January 5 Permalink