Circa Survive - On Letting Go [2007] and On Letting Go B-Sides

Circa Survive's second album is a solid progression from their first. The guitar work is harder and more expansive, Anthony Green's vocals are more impressive and flow with the music, and the sound has just been stepped up. That being said, I'm still not sure whether I like it more than Juturna since both have such well written songs so the title of "Best Circa Survive Record" is still up for grabs. But one thing's for sure, the album has more "hard" songs that Juturna did. It's less "airy" (for lack of a better word) but that doesn't make it any less good. Just give it a listen and let me know which one you think is best (maybe you even like Blue Sky Noise the most, I wanna know!).

Also, I've included the 2 b-sides that were released after the album was put out. I included them in the main download and also put them as a separate download for those who just want those.

Genre: Melodic Post-Hardcore
For Fans Of: Coheed and Cambria, The Dear Hunter, Closure In Moscow
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Living Together
2. In The Morning And Amazing
3. The Greatest Lie
4. The Difference Between Poison And Medicine Is In The Dose
5. Mandala
6. Travel Hymn
7. Semi-Constructive Criticism
8. Kicking Your Crosses Down
9. On Letting Go
10. Carry Us Away
11. Close Your Eyes To See
12. Your Friends Are Gone

B-Sides:
13. 1,000 Witnesses
14. The Most Dangerous Commercials


- A

In:Aviate - Speak EP [2007]

This is the first release from St. George, Utah's In:Aviate, and while the sound isn't as refined as their full length album 1985, this is still an incredible EP. All the songs are so powerful, both from the raw energy of the music, and from the intelligent lyrics that really make you think after hearing them. The themes are similar to those on 1985, with deep, meaningful lyrics about religious and life questions (which is apparent from song titles like The Saints We Portray). Every song on the EP has superb lyrics, but some of my favorite lines come from Conversations With The Scenery: "What's the difference between gossip and gospel and what does it mean to believe? And if you do will all of your sins come back to haunt you? It's time to stop preaching and start practicing... Everyone know you're living a lie, But there's a little truth in every lie now isn't there?" In:Aviate makes good use of catchy choruses, intricate drumming and the mixture of ambient and jamming guitar work, which when combined with the wonderful lyrics make Speak a brilliant EP.

Genre: Melodic Post-Hardcore
For Fans Of: Circa Survive, Closure In Moscow, Harvard
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Volupsa
2. A More Agreeable Form Of Escapism
3. The Saints We Portray
4. The Quickening
5. Conversations With The Scenery
6. Speak American Standard

PS. While In:Aviate is on hiatus, some of the band members formed Motions and Miles. Check out their Myspace to hear some new tunes.


-T

Minus the Bear - My Time (Official Music Video)

Some Minus The Bear for your enjoyment. This video looks like it was very fun to film, and the song's one of my favorites off their new album.

I also recommend putting Minus The Bear's discography on shuffle as a great way to start your weekend.

-T

Tera Melos - Patagonian Rats [2010] [Leak] and Bonus Tracks

The band actually just put this out for fans to hear early so it's not technically a leak but the "official" release date is in September so we can pretend it is. I'm only about halfway through it (on Frozen Zoo) and it is SO good. Could be album of the year. They've incorporated a LOT more vocals this time around, which is awesome. I love Nick Reinhart's voice and it fits surprisingly well with the music. It reminds me of bygones (Nick and Zach Hill's collaboration project) quite a bit, which isn't a bad thing because that band is great.



Genre: Post-Math
For Fans Of: Hella, bygones, Giraffes? Giraffes!
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. So Occult
2. Kelly
3. The Skin Surf
4. Aped
5. Trident Tail
6. Frozen Zoo
7. In Citrus Heights
8. Sky Watch
9. Party With Gina
10. Another Surf
11. Westham United
12. A New Uniform/Patagonia


P.S. Buy the album on bandcamp here or on hellomerch here. It's 7 measly bucks on bandcamp so hopefully you'll show support for them.

- A

The Fall of Troy - Live at the Boardwalk [2007]

This little 4-song CD came with my copy of Manipulator and I quite enjoy it. Though it's pretty obvious already, the CD is 4 of their songs performed live with the latter 3 being found on Manipulator. I've been to 3 or 4 TFOT shows and this is a pretty good indication of how they are live. Everything is executed really well instrumentally but vocally Thomas cuts in and out, though when you're actually there it doesn't matter because everyone is going crazy and it's tons of fun. The song I Just Got This Symphony Goin' has an intro which they've used every time I've seen them play it live and it blends really well into the song as well as the jam at the end of the track. Some of the lyrics are different in Cut Down All The Trees and Shhh!!! probably since they were earlier versions of the songs. No new material but a fun collector's album nonetheless.

Genre: Mathcore
For Fans Of: Tera Melos, Red Museum, The Number 12 Looks Like You
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. I Just Got This Symphony Goin'
2. Ex-Creations
3. Cut Down All The Trees And Name The Streets After Them
4. Shhh!!! If You're Quiet, I'll Show You A Dinosaur


- A

The Sound of Animals Fighting - The Tiger And The Duke [2004]

I was talking with my buddy Alex about these guys today and he told me that he's only heard The Ocean And The Sun (my review can be found here) which surprised me, I'd figured most people had heard Tiger, especially those who have already listened to Ocean. But hey, there's always an exception. Well Alex (and anyone who has yet to listen to this gem), Tiger is this super group's first album and it kicks seven different types of ass. The music is basically Ocean minus the Lover influences (Lover, The Lord Has Left Us is the band's second album, which I do not care for), so it's a lot of experimental guitar work ala The Mars Volta or more appropriately, RX Bandits. Anthony Green is the main vocalist with some appearances by Rich Balling and Alexander William Bentley (thanks to Wikipedia for that one). While Anthony usually just sings, he does scream at some points and it's siiiiick. His screaming is unique, awesome, and perfectly accentuates the rest of the ensemble. This group combines some of the best talent in the scene and the result is amazing. Since this is actually the re-release it contains longer interludes and 7 remixes of songs from Lover as well as a live version of Horses In The Sky. Not a big fan of the remixes but I included them anyways because I enjoy full albums.

Genre: Experimental, Post-Hardcore
For Fans Of: RX Bandits, The Mars Volta, Circa Survive
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Overture
2. Act 1: Chasing Suns
3. Interlude
4. Act 2: All Is Ash Or The Light Shining Through It
5. Interlude
6. Act 3: Modulate Back To The Tonic
7. Interlude
8. Act 4: You Don't Need A Witness
9. Un'aria Elettronica (Technology)
10. My Horse Must Lose (Portugal. The Man)
11. De-Ceit (Portugal. The Man)
12. This Heat In Dub (Technology)
13. Skullflower: Sorcerer's Mix (Portugal. The Man)
14. Horses In The Sky (Live Version)
15. St. Broadrick, His Mistress, And The Blacksmith (The Optomist)
16. The Heretic (Evol Intent)


- A

The Thirty Years War - Martyrs Among The Casualties [2002]

Back before Thomas Erak, Tim Ward, and Andrew Forsman were in The Fall of Troy they were in a band called the Thirty Years Wars. The line-up isn't much different from TFOT's, just with the addition of rhythm guitarist Mike Munro. I think the most impressive part of this EP (and band in general) is that it was recorded when they were 16 and 17. That's just ridiculous. I'm 19 with 6 years of experience and I can barely play, Thomas is 17 with 2 years of experience and he absolutely rips. But anyways, the sound quality is less than stellar but that's to be expected from something like this, a home-made EP with a bunch of kids just trying to get it done. I actually really like the gritty, raw sound and the simplistic manipulations to it (i.e. only a few distortion pedals). The music isn't unlike The Fall of Troy's, even one song (Reassurance Rests In The Sea) made it to the band's self titled release. The guitars are still technical (not on Ghostship Part 4's caliber) and Thom's vocals are raw and unique. I know a lot of people won't really like his singing but I love it and it perfectly accents this awesome EP.

Genre: Post-Hardcore
For Fans Of: The Fall of Troy, At The Drive-In, Blakfish
Contact: Website (full of lols)
Tracklisting:
1. A Tribute To Orville Wilcox
2. Chain Wallet, Nike Shoes
3. The Tears Of Green Eyed Angels
4. Mirrors Are More Fun Than Television
5. Reassurance Rests In The Sea
6. The Day The Strength Of Men Failed
7. Knife Fight At The Mormon Church



P.S. Does anyone have any other pre-TFOT stuff? I'm trying to find the 30 Years War demos (has Chrysanthemum on it), any Tribune music, and any of The Hills Have Eyes because Thom did vocals on that. If you do, email me at PunchPunchStabKill@gmail.com or AlekW2113@gmail.com. Thank you tons :)

- A

Tubelord - Our First American Friends [2009]

Oh, United Kingdom, you've done it again! You've created an awesome math-rock band that ranks up with the greats of this era. Tubelord is that band, and they rule when it comes to technicality and crazy time signatures. What really makes the band stand out is their more upbeat and catchy melodies. How can you not just smile when the chorus of Night of the Pencils comes on? It really hooks you in and keeps you bobbing your head. The group walks the line between math-rock and indie math-rock (yeah, I'm a genre nazis) with light vocals and happy music while still being able to rock out to it. The previously mentioned Night of the Pencils is my favorite track but ones like Propeller and the title track are great.

Genre: Math-Rock
For Fans Of: This Town Needs Guns, Faraquet, Dartz!
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Your Bed Is Kind Of Frightening
2. Somewhere Out There A Dog Is On Fire
3. Night Of The Pencils
4. Stacy's Left Arm
5. Propeller
6. He Awoke On A Beach In Abergavenny
7. I Am Azerrad
8. Cows To The East, Cites To The West
9. Synthesize
10. Our First American Friends


- A

The Dear Hunter - Vinyl Sessions

Recently, The Dear Hunter put out Act I and II on vinyl (finally!!) and along with the 3xLP goodness that's already provided the group threw in a download card that enabled the buyer to get 4 alternate versions of a few songs online. It's really cool to hear the different styles that these songs can be played in and the different instrumentation that can be used (I'm looking at you, banjo). I've actually seen this version of Oracles live twice before, they have a lot of fun playing it and it sounds great. There were some other songs in this style that were cut from the final mix (His Hand Matches His Tongue and Red Hands, if I remember correctly) so that sucks, but 4 is better than none, eh?

By the way, that thumbnail is totally the real artwork... <.< >.> Ok I lied, but I couldn't/didn't care to find the actual art so that's what you get. The full size image can be found here.

Genre: Experimental
For Fans Of: Circa Survive, Coheed and Cambria, As Tall As Lions
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. The Oracles Of The Delphi Express
2. The Pimp And The Priest
3. What It Means To Be Alone
4. Where The Road Parts



- A

Zechs Marquise - Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare [2008]

Formed by the younger brothers of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez in 2003 (though don't think of it as musical name-dropping), Zechs Marquise began playing energetic shows and creating a unique sound which is exciting and eccentric. The group's musical style is not unlike that of Omar's The Mars Volta, with heavy Latin and jazz roots that take the funky sound to a new level. Even though the group is instrumental, they have a huge amount of power that exerts itself in some key songs, namely Sirenum Scopuli. The record is made up of ambient tracks, jazzy jam sessions, and vast sound-scapes that flaunt the group's talent. The record, while containing some stand-alone tracks, (namely, Sirenum Scopuli) should be played straight through to get the full effect. Like many groups, the live shows are much better than the group on record so if you can catch them then do so, you won't regret it.

Genre: Experimental
For Fans Of: The Mars Volta, The RX Bandits, The Sound of Animals Fighting
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. In Strange Love
2. MagMar
3. Mistress Abyss
4. The High Anxiety Arkestra
5. Chase Scene
6. Rotten Candy
7. Attack of the 40ft. Wave
8. Pigeon Shit
9. Lady Endless
10. Strapped to the Mast
11. Sirenum Scopuli
12. The Sounds of El Morro
13. Wahaka Chop
14. Black Ark Dub
15. Our Delicate Midnight Opera


- A

Settler - War Wolves [2010]

In researching an MEB article I stumbled upon Settler, an awesome 4-piece from Massachusetts and I'm so glad I did. This band, though purely instrumental, has some of the most heart-felt and raw music I've ever heard. The group has an incredible amount of energy with guitars that soar and drums that kick. I don't really what to say other than download this album. It's 6 songs and you won't regret it. I actually had an opportunity to do an interview with Jimmy, the band's drummer and it was just recently posted up here. They're really an awesome group with a great sound and worth delving into.

Genre: Funrock
For Fans Of: Fang Island, Native, Fang Island again
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Peace Tigers
2. War Wolves
3. Spare Rooms
4. *
5. Growing Up
6. Oxbow Bridge



- A