Hot Cross - Risk Revival

Ah, midterms are over and I can finally start writing about all the new music I’ve been listening to lately. I’ll begin with Hot Cross, recent signees to Equal Vision Records (so you know it’s good). On their latest release, Risk Revival, the Philly five-piece draws from several different genres to produce what could not have been a better label debut. This album contains a little bit of everything - sick prog-rock guitar licks, groovy garage-punk riffs, and powerful vocals likening to traditional punk bands. If anything, I’d liken this band to a more punk-rock At the Drive-In. Nevertheless, whether you’re a mascara-wearing scenester or an ordinary indie hipster, Hot Cross’ Risk Revival is an album you don’t want to pass up.

Hot Cross - Fire the Foundations

Hot Cross - Turncoat Revolution

-Adrian

Rx Bandits Interview

It’s a dream come true. I will be interviewing the Rx Bandits this Wednesday, February 21 on Georgetown Radio. I don’t know at what time this will be happening, but since it will most likely be during the middle of the day, I will find some way to record the interview and transcribe it onto the website. However, keep checking this post for updates on when it will occur - if you listen in you’ll be treated to some in-studio acoustic performances. Please leave any questions for the band in the comments.

-Adrian

Adrian’s Best of 2006

Update: I’m an idiot for not including mewithoutYou’s Brother, Sister on this list. Beautiful album, beautiful lyrics. That is all.
mewithoutYou - A Glass Can Only Spill What It Contains

It’s February, and you know what that means: Best of 2006 lists! Yeah, I apologize for the very late posting of my favorite albums of last year, but I’ve had an ungodly amount of things to do in the past several weeks and am still not through with it. Nevertheless, I feel like really bad for not having posted anything for such a long time. I will begin getting back in the groove of writing up more posts, but for now here’s my less indie-friendly recap of what I thought were the highlights of 2006. I’ve divided the list into two sections: the unrankable honorable mentions, and the top seven. Why? Because there were only seven albums that truly stood out from the rest, and that it was too difficult to distinguish the order in which the other twenty or so albums should be in. Lazy? Perhaps, but there’s no reason in ranking the albums if there’s no meaning behind the numbers. I also realize that this list is shorter than the other two - if I didn’t listen to the album the whole through at least several times and enjoy it each time, then it didn’t make the list. So without further ado, here are my favorite albums of 2006…

Honorable Mentions

The Lawrence Arms - Oh Calcutta!
Apathy and Exhaustion has always been my favorite Lawrence Arms album, but Oh Calcutta! is now a very close second. The signature dual vocals are emphasized a bit more, and the entire album takes on a more rugged and dirty sound than their previous releases. The Lawrence Arms definitely have a reputation for telling it like it is and keeping their music raw and unpolished, which is exactly why I like them so much.

The Lawrence Arms - The Devil’s Taking Names

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Norma Jean - Redeemer
Some people can’t see the beauty in screaming. That’s their loss, because Norma Jean are one of thefinest of their craft. Redeemer is a great follow up to last year’s O God, The Aftermath, bring a cleaner, well-produced sound to Cory Putnam’s deep, powerful vocals and the bands trademark experimetalcore sound.

Norma Jean - A Grand Scene For A Color Film

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Cursive - Happy Hollow
Who could’ve asked for a better comeback? The Omaha four-piece returned in 2006 after a three-year hiatus with Happy Hollow, and album that’s a bit quirkier than their previous releases, using horns to replace the cello, but still has that good ol’ Cursive sound.

Cursive - Big Bang

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P.O.S. - Audition
I’m horrible at reviewing hip-hop music, so I’ll make this brief and simple. I don’t listen to a whole lot of hip-hop, but for some reason, P.O.S. clicked with me. Maybe it’s because of his awesome lyrics. Or maybe it’s because of his unique connection with punk music (the guy mashes up De La Soul and the Bouncing Souls in one song - how cool is that?). If it wasn’t for seeing him open up for Minus the Bear, I may have missed out on listening to my favorite hip-hop album of the year.

P.O.S. - Half-Cocked Concepts

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Look Mexico - Crucial EP
It may be an EP, but it’s just as good as most of the other albums on this list. Nothing fits a sunrise quite as well as Look Mexico’s debut EP, on which they flaunt a sound you would probably hear coming from the offspring of Minus the Bear and American Football. When I walk to class in the morning, I either play Minus the Bear’s “We Are the Football Team” or any track off of his five-track bundle of joy.

Look Mexico - Call Off Your Lap Dog

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Versus the Mirror - Home
Unbeknownst to me until I did a little research on this album recently, Versus the Mirror recorded their final album old-school style, going directly from analog to 2″ tape. That’s pretty cool considering the end result, and album that perhaps garners the screamo tag, but rises far above most other contemporary bands in the genre. It’s really a shame that the band, at least under this moniker, has decided to stop making music together, but the guys still promise that you’ll be hearing plenty more from them soon.

Versus the Mirror - Birthed By Architecture

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Gatsby’s American Dream - Gatsby’s American Dream
It may not be as epic or deep as Volcano, but Gastby’s returns with a fantastic album chock filled with clever-as-always lyrics, scornful against the vulturous recording industry. That, and it’s a hell of a lot easier to dance to anything else they’ve ever released.

Gatsby’s American Dream - We Can Remember It For You Wholesale

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The Matches - Decomposer
For some reason I got a lot of complaints for “nay-saying” the Matches’ latest album. I really don’t think I was that harsh, but I do apologize for speaking the least bit negatively of this fabulous album. The Matches got me hooked with their catchy-as-hell pop-punk guitar riffs and chorus lines on their previous Epitaph release, E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals. What’s great about Decomposer is that they kept all the catchiness while maturing as a band, introducing a heavy electronic element on this album.

The Matches - Didi (My Doe Part 2)

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Blood Brothers - Young Machetes
The Seattle experimental post-hardcore outfit returns with an album that’s just as off-the-wall as anything they’ve released before. But this time around, the band manages to bring melody into their typically unhinged sound, resulting in an album that you can mosh to just as easily as you can tap your foot to its rhythm. It’s a welcome change and should make it an easier listen for those who aren’t accustomed to the band’s style.

Blood Brothers - Lazer Life

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The Velvet Teen - Cum Laude
I would’ve hated myself if I missed this band’s live show because I probably would have never listened to them otherwise. What makes their music so great is the way they let harmonic electronic loops play over and work cohesively with guitar, drum, and bass. And man oh man, their drummer is perhaps one of the greatest I’ve ever heard. This band is capable of very great things, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

The Velvet Teen - 333

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Test Icicles - For Screening Purposes Only
It’s a shame that these guys broke up not long after I heard them for the first time. I have to thank the adorable Derek Davies for playing these guys in the car on the ride back from our romantic beach vacation. I love Test Icicles’ blend of Blood Brothers-esque screams and dance beats - you can never go wrong with a combination like that.

Test Icicles - Circle. Square. Triangle.

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Set Your Goals - Mutiny!
Set Your Goals breath life back into hardcore-punk, but add their own poppy twist. However, don’t be fooled by the band’s happy sound; I’m sure if you had these guys over for a house show, your basement would be destroyed. The cool thing about these guys is that they appeal to anybody, whether you’re an old school punk-vet or my twelve year-old brother. That, and their album’s pirate theme is awesome. Yargh.

Set Your Goals - Mutiny!

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These Arms Are Snakes - Easter
Sure, it’s no Oxeneers, but the Seattle prog-core quartet return with Easter, an album that provides a bit more variety in song and is by far the most powerful of their albums as far as lyrics go. I still wish the band could do a better job of encapsulating their explosive live show in their recorded material. Nevertheless, it’s great to hear some hardcore music that’s built around artful musicianship rather than over-the-top distortion and screaming.

These Arms Are Snakes - Mescaline Eyes

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Moneen - The Red Tree
Had Moneen not come out with The Red Tree, I would have forgotten they existed. They could have been one of those over-hyped bands discovered at the peak of pop-punk’s popularity destined for nothingness once people began to lose interest in the genre. Instead, the Canadian four-piece returned with a great album, chock full of that emo you all love to hate. Imagine an album where every song is just as good as “Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now?,” except this time the band’s got a better hold of their musical capabilities, and you’ve got The Red Tree.

Moneen - Don’t Ever Tell Locke What He Can’t Do

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New Found Glory - Coming Home
Cue the haters. New Found Glory may not have struck gold with some of their last albums, but they definitely make up for that with Coming Home. This time around they drop the bubble-gum pop-punk attitude and churn out some more mature tracks that are still catchy as hell.

New Found Glory - Coming Home

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Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist
The band almost called it quits when vocalist Chino Moreno wouldn’t get his act together during the recording process of the album, but fortunately they were able to ride it out and release Saturday Night Wrist. As they have with their previous releases, this album balances rock and ambience perfectly. And words cannot express how much I love Moreno’s voice - listen to “Cherry Waves” (and for that matter, 2000’s White Pony) and you’ll see what I mean.

Deftones - Cherry Waves

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Men, Women, and Children - Self-Titled
There is no doubt that Men, Women, and Children were by far the most fun band to listen to in 2006. Their combination of dancy beats and catchy guitar hooks left me, as well as hundreds of scene kids, salivating for more disco-rock goodness. MWC also pulled off one of the greatest, entertaining live shows I saw all year; I wish I could go back in time and convert to Judaism so these guys could play at my bar mitzvah.

Men, Women, and Children - Lightning Strikes Twice in New York

The Top 7

7. AFI - Decemberunderground
At first, I was really disappointed in the band’s departure from the sound of their phenomenal major-label debut, Sing the Sorrow. Decemberunderground was not nearly as dark or intricate as their 2003 plantinum release. But it being AFI, I had to give the new album another chance, and after a few more listens I fell in love with it. I looked past what I initially saw as a “pop-ification” of the band, and instead realized how wonderfully these guys combined new wave, electronica, pop, and rock ‘n’ roll. Sure, the musicianship may not be nearly as elaborate or ethereal as their previous work, but it’s still amazing and surprisingly catchy as hell.

AFI - Summer Shudder

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6. Underoath - Define the Great Line
2004’s They’re Only Chasing Safety may have given Underoath the title as one of the fore-runners in the screamo genre. Who could blame people for calling them that? It was a great album, combining Spencer Chaimberlain’s powerful voice and the band’s heavy sound with at-times catchy hooks. But that’s not who the band really was. This time around, Underoath was able to demonstrate what they were really capable of. Listen to this album, and I dare you to call them a screamo band. Underoath has garnered support and acclamation from all over today’s hardcore and metal community as well as popular critics with this heavier, more intricate and experimental album. Jesus gives this album two thumbs up.

Underoath - Returning Empty Handed

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5. Brand New - The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
Could they have taken any longer? Brand New’s follow-up to 2003’s Deja Entendu finally arrived this year. God knows what happened during the years of silence preceding this album’s release, but who cares? Although it may not be Deja Entendu version 2.0, The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me is definitely one of the finest albums of the year. In my opinion, the band has successfully shaken off the emo-tag that many reviewers love to smack on them, and has instead released a straight-up awesome rock album. I won’t say anything more, except that “Jesus Christ” is the most beautiful song I’ve listened to all year and will brighten up your day no matter how much life sucks.

Brand New - Jesus Christ

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4. Portugal. the Man - Waiter: You Vultures!
Alaska’s Portugal. the Man came out of nowhere and put out the best surprise of 2006. I don’t know how to describe this band, nor what genre to place them in. Perhaps that’s what the band was trying to accomplish. No song off of Waiter: You Vultures! is worth skipping over. You can groove, chill, or make love to this smooth album. Portugal. the Man borrows from many styles of music, including funk, jazz, and rock, resulting in an unexampled creation of their own. Scene kids may be going ga-ga over these guys, but anybody who picks up this album is sure to love it.

Portugal. the Man - How the Leopard Got Its Spots

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3. The Format - Dog Problems
Zack ranked Dog Problems as the twelfth best album of 2006. In my opinion, that’s a bit too many places away from what I see as one of the greatest albums of the year. As I mentioned in last year’s Spring Mix, I instantly fell in love with the Format when I saw them on tour with Motion City Soundtrack. I don’t see how anybody could not like this band, unless of course you’re into killing cute puppies. Their last album, Interventions and Lullabies, was a pop-punk fan’s dream, and I have to admit, it was a great album. But the band definitely topped it with Dog Problems. I love the big-band, carnivalesque sound they adopted for this album, using a great combination of orchestral sounds and their usual feel-good attitude to create one of the most fun albums I’ve listened to this year. I highly recommend playing it when you’re studying, reading, hand-gliding - it honestly goes with anything.

The Format - Time Bomb

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2. Fear Before the March of Flames - The Always Open Mouth
Fear Before stunned critics this year by releasing an album far different than anything they had written before. Whereas Art Damage may have had a psychotic aspect to it, filled with plenty of insane math-core riffs and raging, cacophonous vocals, The Always Open Mouth is a much more experimental album, blending electronics with intricate guitar and drumwork. There’s a great blend of songs on this album as well, with some being of a more ambient, atmospherical quality, while others maintain the aggressive sound that the band has always had. This album definitely wins the award for most brilliant album of the year.

Fear Before the March of Flames - High as a Horse

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1. Rx Bandits - …And the Battle Begun
Surprise! Shouldn’t come as much of a shock that the Rx Bandits managed to snag the number one spot on this list. But setting my excessive praising of the band aside, honestly, this album is amazing. I didn’t think it was possible for them to mature any further, let alone top 2003’s The Resignation. I should have known that these guys would never disappoint me. The Rx Bandits returned with …And the Battle Begun, an album that toned down the distortion, but packed just as much punch as the last and brought with it a new, soulful feel to it. I have listened to this album the whole way through at least several times a week since I got my hands on it last summer. Hands down, the best album of 2006.

Rx Bandits - …And the Battle Begun

-Adrian

Minus the Bear - Interpretaciones Del Oso

Hey everybody! Sorry I haven’t been writing anything lately - I’ve had a lot to do over winter break…and have just been plain old lazy. I’m still working on my best of 2006 list, so I’ll post that up as soon as it’s done. I just wanted to let everybody know that I wasn’t dead, so as a little treat I’m posting two tracks from Minus the Bear’s upcoming remix album, Interpretaciones Del Oso. When I first heard the words “remix” and “album” I was a little worried. But once I saw the roster of artists remixing every track from 2005’s Menos El Oso, I was anything but skeptical. Guest remixers include hip-hop artist P.O.S., Morgan Henderson of the Blood Brothers, and Jason Clark of Pretty Girls Make Graves. This isn’t any ordinary remix album - each track will have its own style to it, making it an album I’m really looking forward to. Check out these two tracks, “Drilling” remixed by P.O.S. and “Pachuca Sunrise” remixed by Alias.

Minus the Bear - Drilling (P.O.S.)

Minus the Bear - Pachuca Sunrise (Alias)

My end of 2006 list will be up soon, I promise!

-Adrian

Themed Thursdays: Songs for the Whole Family

This week’s Themed Thursday is focused on one aspect of the holidays: gathering with the family. Yep, everyone’s sitting around the tree (or keg), laughing and reflecting on past gatherings, while you slam that egg nog, trying to escape from the 246793rd time you’ve heard Mannheim Steamroller’s “We Three Kings”. No no, this is totally unnecessary — you shouldn’t have to sit down this holiday to cliche and artless music. The whole family will be able to sit down and enjoy these three gems.

Nicholas’ Choice: Belle & Sebastian - “Song For Sunshine”

I believe that every song by this band can be shared with the family. It has so many feel-good harmonies, and it turns every moment brighter. With “Song For Sunshine”, the bass and drums bring an instant groove, and an easygoing, yet driving verse. The chorus, however, explodes like a firework finale. It’s polished with the finest notes, and even dirty Uncle Al will put his beer down for it. The chorus alone would probably end any yuletide shouting match.

Zack’s Choice: The Long Winters - “Cinnamon”

Everyone in my family (my two brothers, my ‘rents, my dog) has, at one time or another, heard me playing this song on my computer and asked who it was. On our annual 13-hour-long drive to Michigan last year, I put the song on the car stereo and, to my surprise, everyone sang along. It was the sweetest, and most humiliatingly awkward moment in our family’s history.

Adrian’s Choice: will be up shortly.

Tune in to next week’s edition of Themed Thursday, and play the songs that your whole family can enjoy. It’s better than another “Holly Jolly Christmas”.

Live Video: Glassjaw - Jesus Glue

Update (12.19.06): Dance in My Blood posted a better quality version of this video as well some for other songs including “Stuck Pig,” “Two Tabs of Mescaline,” and “Natural Born Farmer” here

I’m in the middle of studying for my last final exam so I won’t say much, but I had to post this. As some of you may know, Glassjaw is finally returning. They’ve already embarked on a mini-tour and will be releasing a brand new full-length next year. I couldn’t be more excited (except for the fact that I won’t be able to make it to their Baltimore show). Anyways, somebody posted a video of them performing a new song, “Jesus Glue.” The quality may not be perfect, but the song still sounds amazing. I <3 Daryl Palumbo.

-Adrian

Themed Thursday: Guitar Solos

This week’s Themed Thursday theme is the art of the guitar solo. Many artists and groups have lost the desire to shred a guitar, and this is lamentable. But some musicians (such as Ted Leo, The Strokes, etc.) have been able to satisfy us with face-melting, heart-pumping guitar solos to get the blood flowing and the body rockin’. This is the worst writeup ever. Just listen to the music.

Nicholas’ Choice: Rye Coalition - Communication Breakdance

Rye Coalition prides itself on pelvic-thrusting riffs and gritty vocals in the vein of AC/DC, but this song provides a pocket allowing for an extremely tight solo near the end. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Other notable mentions of great guitar solos are Pele’s “Blacks Socks”, and Maps & Atlases’ “Songs for Ghosts to Haunt To”.

Adrian’s Choice: The Mars Volta - L’Via L’Viaquez

By far my favorite song off Frances the Mute. The guitar solo you hear about three minutes into the song is actually the work of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante. I feel bad for choosing this song because Mars Volta guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s guitar playing style is absolutely phenomenal and could be showcased with some other song. But this song’s combination of prog-rock, latin rhythm, and of course face-melting guitar solos, gives me the chills every time I listen to it.

Zack’s Choice: Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - Timorous Me

Ted is the master of the guitar solo, as evidenced by the fact that I had to re-listen to almost every one of his albums to choose just one guitar solo that stood out above the rest. “Timorous Me” was the obvious choice, with two absolutely incredibly dual-guitar solos, found at the 1:56 and 2:53 points of the song. I really believe that the second solo is my favorite part of any song, ever.

Tune in to next week’s edition of Themed Thursday, and enjoy Guitar Solos.

Satori

Ah, classes have finally ended. Although final exams are in sight, I still have a couple days of rest and relaxation. And what band better to sit back and relax to than Satori? I mentioned them briefly in my review of Rx Bandits’ …And the Battle Begun a while back. Satori is led by recent ex-Rx Bandits saxophonist Steve Borth. Although it pained me to see such a nice guy part ways with my favorite band, I’m glad he’s devoting his full attention to such a great project. You’ll find plenty of similarities between the two bands. The drums should without a doubt sound familiar since Rx Bandits’ drummer Chris Tsgakis’ lays down the beats for Satori. Other members, such as trombonist Chris Sheets, make appearances as well. However, Satori has an obvious larger reggae influence that the Rx Bandits. Stand out tracks “Finding Your Place” and “Celebration” both have lyrical and instrumental structures that are common of most songs in the genre. But Satori, with contributions from such talented musicians, are far from typical and add their own fun, personal spin to their music. The group also has some more dub-influenced, instrumental tracks such as “Karen’s Dub”. One other great thing about Borth’s new venture is that it gives him the chance to fully display his skills. The front-man has such a beautiful voice that he didn’t have the chance to fully use with the Rx Bandits. It’s great to see Borth still at work, and I can’t wait to see what else he comes up with.

Satori - Finding Your Place

Satori - Celebration

Satori - Karen’s Dub

Official Website // Myspace // Asian Man Records // Buy Savor Every Moment

-Adrian

Themed Thursday RISES FROM THE DEAD!

Themed Thursday, a tradition since the creation of All Things Go, has risen from the dead and is returning. For those of you readers not familiar with Themed Thursday, each of the writers (Adrian, Nicholas and myself) choose a themeand then each choose a song to fit that theme. The theme this week is rising from the dead, in honor of the return of Themed Thursdays. Enjoy.

Adrian’s Choice: Gatsby’s American Dream - Speaker for the Dead
Perhaps the most epic track off the band’s astounding Fearless Records debut Volcano. I love everything about this song, especially towards the end when they bring back the reprise from “Fable,” an earlier track on the album. However, what makes this song so beautiful is its representation of the album’s metaphorical theme. I really hope this band isn’t dead - Gatsby’s have proven themselves to be an intelligent band, so I’m really interested as to what concept these guys may tackle next.

Nicholas’ Choice: Hella - 1-800-Ghost-Dance
This song is chock full of amazing. One guitar, one drummer. What can really come of this, one may wonder. Well, put this track on, light a few candles, and make sure you’re at least arm’s length away from your neighbor, cuz this be dancey. Wake the dead!

Zack’s Choice: mc DJ - Zombies
mc DJ remixed most all of Sufjan Steven’s incredible release, Illinois, adding basslines, beats, and, occasionally, slowing down or speeding up the track to create completely new and interesting takes on already quality songs. “Zombies” is one of the finer tracks on Illin-Noise, and perfectly fits the theme.

Tera Melos

You would not believe how overjoyed I was when I learned that two of my favorite bands, the Fall of Troy and Portugal. the Man, were embarking on a nationwide tour together. Naturally, with such an amazing tour, there would have to be great openers. Tera Melos, the first of two supporting acts, fits the bill perfectly. Tera Melos does the seemingly impossible, and combines the melodic sweetness of American Football and Braid with the wanton aggression of bands such as Heavy Heavy Low Low and the Number 12 Looks Like You. The instrumental four-piece pulls it off perfectly - “Song for Flowers (Melody 7)” fools you with a sweet introduction that later falls into a cataclysmic breakdown, a transition that only the most talented of experimental bands can accomplish. “Melody 4″ does the same but focuses more on the melodic side. These guys are a unique, refreshing take on the experimental prog-core genre, and I’m really hoping their live show is just as impressive as their recorded material.

Tera Melos - Song for Flowers (Melody 7)

Tera Melos - Melody 4

Official Website // Springman Records // Buy Tera Melos

 

-Adrian