Spiral In A Straight Line (Rise Records) is Touché Amoré’s sixth album. They are not only more confident in who they are as a band, but continuing the journey fussy they are not capable of explosive emotional outbursts as heard in the song. This is handled in a more Punk way, with less overt emoting. The more polished production compliments the progression of their creative path, with the guitars being where growth is most evident. On a song like “Hal Ashby” they embrace the late nineties all over again thanks to the jangle of the guitars. This feels the most like what we once called Emo with a punk drive that thankfully owes more to Hot Water Music than Blink-182.Continue reading
Tag Archives: alt rock
ALBUM REVIEW: Trash Boat – Heaven Can Wait
It is not until a band evolves and transforms their sound that they are able to unleash their fullest potential. With their last album Don’t You Feel Amazing? in 2021, British alternative rock outfit Trash Boat proved there was more to them than Pop Punk. With their fourth album Heaven Can Wait (Hopeless Records), the band has found their footing in their own unique blend of Rock, Metal, Punk, and experimental elements, taking the most captivating aspects of each to bring their brutal and contemplative vision to life.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Rat Boy – Suburbia Calling
Hitching their wagon to both Ska influences and Pop-Punk/Alt Rock proclivities, Rat Boy opts for colorful and lively compositions all across new full-length Suburbia Calling (Epitaph Records).Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Anthers – Pedigree Pig EP
At no point on Pedigree Pig (Self-Released), the debut EP by Seattle Post-Punk three-piece Anthers, does it feel like this is a record recorded from down the road. Pedigree Pig, I’m quite sure, was recorded in a murky sci-fi sex dungeon on the moon — conveniently being rented out for band recordings, but smelling kind of sus. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: The Early November – The Early November
New Jersey Alt-Rock stalwarts The Early November are back with the obligatory step in every artist’s career – the self-titled album (via Pure Noise Records). Now just a duo, frontman Ace Enders and drummer Jeff Kummer, The Early November seventh record is a distillation of their signature, emo-meets-pop-punk style of alternative rock with its crunchy guitars, polished hooks and introspective, angst-filled lyrics. Continue reading
FEATURE: Stone Temple Pilots “Purple” Album Turns 30 and Made One Hater a Fan
How can a certified metal guy explain to the reader how this album has gone from being the enemy to a close friend?Continue reading
Militarie Gun Books Their First-Ever Headline Tour of Australia
Los Angeles-based punk band Militarie Gun are hitting the road this June & July playing their first-ever headline shows in Australia. Their Winter 2024 tour to the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Barwon Heads, Newcastle and Sydney. If this news wasn’t exciting enough, the band announces their headline tour with a double support line-up at each show. Special guests Blindgirls and Shock Value will join the tour at the Gold Coast and Brisbane shows, Geld and Human Noise are set to join in Melbourne and Barwon Heads, and dust and Antenna will provide support in Newcastle and Sydney. Tickets are on sale now at the links below. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Alien Ant Farm – mAntras
A lot can happen in a decade, from breakups and personal growth to illness and death, or even a global pandemic. So when a band releases their first album in ten years, you know it’s going to be one full of substance and genuineness. California alternative rock band Alien Ant Farm accomplishes just that with their sixth full-length album, mAntras (Megaforce Records). The record reintroduces the quartet through eleven tracks that detail everything they have been up to since their last record Always And Forever in 2014. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Grumpster – Grumpster
Contrary to popular belief, Pop Punk and Emo are far from dead and buried. There are tons of true-school cool pocket scenes all over with great bands and fans supporting the hell out of them. One of best bands that have come from the underground recently to earn props is Grumpster from Oakland. Always a legendary place for Punk (thank you East Bay scene, 924 Gilman Street), but has had more than a few killer bands of late too. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Dead Pony – Ignore This
Social media might be to blame for the increasing enmeshment of Pop music into the Rock genre. Pop artists are more marketable and interchangeable with social media influencers. What record label would not want an artist with the iconic charisma of Taylor Swift? Continue reading