Cementing The Seams

More great stuff from the inbox.  Sirs are a band from New York who do the up-tempo emo revival thing.  Poppy hooks, gang vocals, twiddly guitars.  It's nothing new but you have to admire bands that do this sort of thing as well as Sirs.  I don't know if this is available on a physical format,  but if it was I would suggest that you buy it.  If it isn't though, they are soon releasing a split 7" with Chalk Talk, a band with whom they have a lot in common and that my girlfriend loves.  So I imagine I'll be hearing a lot of these dudes in the future, which doesn't bother me a bit.  If you are into bands like Algernon Cadwallader or others of that ilk, then definitely give Sirs a shot.

For fans of:  Cap'n Jazz, Monument, Chalk Talk

Stream and Download at Bandcamp

Let me apologize for the recent downtime around here. I recently moved into a new apartment and haven't had internet, or time for listening to music (though I have been occasionally tweeting and tumbling from my phone). Therefore, I have a stack of new records I haven't listened to yet and an inbox full of good music. Anyway, we are now mostly moved in so I should have a little more extra time that I plan to fill with music.

With that out of the way, Ekt Ack are a group of guys from Croatia with a 90's post-hardcore vibe that draw from a lot of different styles of the era. I want to compare them with Jawbox, Drive Like Jehu and Hum all at the same time, but that doesn't really make sense until you listen to it. I'm a sucker for all that stuff though so Ekt Ack really appeals to me. "Manifolds" is really, really good but unfortunately it's only 3 songs. I don't know what these guys are up to in the future but I really hope it involves more releases. Ekt Ack made my day.

For fans of: Those bands I mentioned

Ekt Ack at Bandcamp

Get it.

This will be short.  I've posted stuff by this band before and they absolutely shred.  This collection was released on their recent US tour with June Paik on CD and contains the band's entire discography up til now.  It even has their 2 tracks from their new split 7" with June Paik on React With Protest.  So you've heard me go on about their LP and split 10" with Resurrectionists (in fact I'm putting this on my turntable right now), if you didn't grab those then, do it now.  This is so much good hardcore in one package it's retarded.

For fans of: Alpinist, Hammers, His Hero Is Gone

Battle of Wolf 359 on Myspace

Get it.

Buy their stuff from Meatcube or Vitriol  (both for US buyers)

Lately it seems like any time the term 'math rock' appears anywhere it is clear impetus for somebody to mention the band Tera Melos.  I'd heard their previous material and was always pretty quick to shrug it off, but "Patagonian Rats" demands attention and deserves it too.  Of course all the elements are there; complicated meter, angular rythms, songs that could easily be 2 or 3 different tracks.  Tera Melos don't do anything that hasn't been done already, but they certainly do it in style.  One of the things that seperates "Patagonian Rats" from the rest of their material is the amount of vocal work.  A noticable increase worked heavily in their favor on the new LP (then again, you may be aware my prejudice regarding instrumental music).  Here is how much I like this album:  I bought the double LP for $20, even though I hate double lp's and I think $20 is too much to pay for a record.  Now when somebody mentions 'math rock', even I will say "did you hear the new Tera Melos?"

For fans of:  Other Men, Les Savy Fav, Dismemberment Plan

Stream it on Bandcamp

Buy it.  (on vinyl with 3 exclusive tracks)

Get it.

So I realize that you've probably seen every post I've made lately coming from a mile away, but whatever.  At least I'm posting something right?  Anyway, this is another record I have to say something about based on the number of times I've mentioned it since it was announced.  I feared it would never come out, but at long last (a pun by accident!) it has.  Released by the ever-dependable React With Protest on black and green vinyl with a bunch of different color covers, the collaboration of two bands this good demanded that I at least buy two.  So I did.  Dolcim contributes an alternate version of "Richard (54, Priest)" and Hammers offer up two new songs that are out of this world.  As much as I love Dolcim, Hammers really shine on their side of the split.  As much as I hoped this EP would be good I think my expectations were surpassed.  I haven't listened to the link I'm posting, so I hope it's not messed up or anything.  But if it is, so what, you should be buying it right now anyway.

For Fans of:  His Hero Is Gone, Alpinist,

Stream Hammers' Side at their Bandcamp

Get it.

I was familiar with Hostage Calm before listening to their new LP but it didn't really matter because it sounded nothing like I expected.  Hailing from the indie/punk hotbed (evidently) that spawned recent emo revivalists My Heart To Joy, and Make Do And Mend (Connecticut), Hostage Calm have produced a over-the-top-catchy and imminiently listenable new record that plays effortlessly from start to finish.  I hesitate to call it pop-punk because I feel like it implies a level of simplicity that the record far overshoots, but, there really isn't anything else to call it.  It is pop and punk and it is pretty brilliant.  The songs on the record are all so varied almost every one reminds me of something different (a few sound like Blueline Medic, others like Santana), and I can hardly remember which parts fit into which songs.  I've been listening to it for a couple weeks solid now and it still keeps me guessing.

For fans of:  Polar Bear Club, Pilot To Gunner, The Loved Ones

Hostage Calm on Myspace

Get it.


Buy it from Run For Cover Records

Good news: Dolcim's sophomore LP is out.  Bad news:  They are playing their final show in Nashville on August 9th.  Good news: "We Carry The Fire" is really good.  Bad news:  It's still not available stateside (that I can find) other than (I assume) from the band.

"We Carry The Fire" is the next logical step for Dolcim.  They've almost completely shed their remnant screamo sound for a more hardcore-leaning, His Hero Is Gone style feel on this LP, and I couldn't be more pleased.  In a way I suppose Dolcim sortof mirrored CUTC in that they both produced two amazing records that sound completely different, which, in hardcore, is pretty much the perfect career.  It's a shame that Dolcim won't be releasing anymore material (aside from the already recorded split 7" with Hammers), but I'm sure these dudes will get up to something just as exciting in the future.  Until then, I will enjoy the hell out this record.  Every time I listen it gets better.

For fans of:  Cease Upon The Capitol, His Hero Is Gone, Alpinist

Dolcim on Myspace

Get it.

This record took me by surprise for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, I didn't know it was coming out.  Secondly, it is so so so good.  If you aren't familiar with Les Savy Fav they have been one of the best indie/post-punk bands going for quite a while.  Their first release since 2007's "Let's Stay Friends", "Root For Ruin" finds Les Savy Fav polishing their chops with an even better LP that demands to be listened to all the way through, every time.  "Root For Ruin" opens with a few tracks of throwback Fav, songs that sound like they could have festering unrecorded since early in the band's career.  Classic angular guitar work and dynamic composition immmediately reminds long time fans why they are still listening to this band until the record shifts moods with a couple of tracks that would satisfy even the most die-hard Modest Mouse apologists.  The rest of "Root For Ruin" continues to up the ante to an appropriate climax in the last few songs that makes me want to start the record over from the start.  Not a throw-away track among the bunch, "Root For Ruin" will definitely be one of my favorite records of the year.

For fans of: Q And Not U, Dismemberment Plan, other stuff from that era

Les Savy Fav on Myspace

Get it @ Dark Center Of The Universe

Tilts performing "Sidepipin'" at the Firebird in St. Louis, MO on 5/28/10.

The Run-down:  Tilts is the new project of former Riddle of Steel guitarist/singer Andrew Elstner which also includes members of Shame Club.  They take the schlock rock elements of the last Riddle of Steel record and crank the knob to eleven, describing their sound as "The Immigrant Song meets Dukes of Hazard while listening to Brown Sugar in the General Lee somewhere in the year 1984."  Pretty much spot on.

Why this video is awesome:  Everything is dripping with awesomeness.  The clothes, the lights, the smoke, the guitar solos.  This is pretty much what rock and roll is supposed to look and sound like.

Like Rats are a punk/hardcore band from Chicago, IL that play a stripped down, d-beat influenced sort of punk rock.  Also, it comprises members of always well-recieved Weekend Nachos.  Later this month they will be releasing a 5 song 7" EP with Cosmic Debris records, the label responsible for the new Ambulars 7" "Nothing To Say From Miles Away".  Last year Like Rats released an 8 song EP which can be downloaded for free and is simply awesome.  Get it now, then buy the 7".

Listen and Download at http://likerats.net/