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West Texas (Sleepercar)
The Walking Wounded (Bayside)
Holding A Wolf By The Ears (From Autumn To Ashes)
New Wave (Against Me!)
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Artist: Sleepercar Album: West Texas By Ryanator
I have long believed that Jim Ward is one of today’s most underrated musicians. He was a creative force behind the influential post-hardcore band, At The Drive-In, performed vocals and played guitar for alternative rock outfit, Sparta (who have unfortunately recently gone on hiatus), and in 2007, released his solo EP, Quiet. It is quite an impressive musical résumé. His latest venture is alternative country band, Sleepercar.
Sleepercar play a unique blend of alternative rock and country, which I think can be best described as a combination of Sparta and Wilco. The result is a fresh, laid back sound that mixes up some timeless genres and stands above the cookie-cutter emo noise that is currently flooding the airwaves.
While it may not satisfy the heavy cravings of At The Drive-In and Sparta fans, it will bring something new and distinctive to those with an open mind who are tired of hearing the mainstream and are looking for something new.
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Artist: Bayside Album: The Walking Wounded By Ryanator
Bayside are one of those great bands that don’t get the recognition they deserve. I’ve been a keen fan of their music since the release of Sirens And Condolences back in 2004, and have always wondered why these guys haven’t exploded globally. The Walking Wounded is the album that should have given these guys the international popularity they’re worthy of. Right from the opening track, the guitar work dominates and Anthony Raneri’s unique vocal style catches your ear. You won’t find any cringe-worthy lyrics screamed over the top of mediocre rock music here. This is rock music at its best and proves Bayside are at the top of their game. Jack O’Shea’s talent as a lead guitarist really shines through on The Walking Wounded. Tracks such as “They’re Not Horses, They’re Unicorns” and “Choice Hops And Bottled Self Esteem” truly demonstrate his ability; with their heavy, driving riffs and tight solos, they are definitely album highlights. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Bayside or are just looking for a great rock album, I seriously recommend checking out The Walking Wounded.
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Artist: From Autumn To Ashes Album: Holding A Wolf By The Ears By Ryanator
Prior to the release of Holding A Wolf By The Ears, From Autumn To Ashes were going through some turbulent times. Abandon Your Friends signalled that all was not well in the band, raising questions as to whether or not we’d hear another release from them. Front man Ben Perri seemed almost non-existent throughout the ironically titled album, leaving a heavy work load on the shoulders of drummer and additional vocalist, Francis Mark. Abandon Your Friends was their weakest release. It was a hint of the conflict and uncertainty that had arisen within the band. Without doubt, From Autumn To Ashes had enormous talent and potential, it just wasn’t displayed on Abandon Your Friends. Having said that, I was still curious to hear Holding A Wolf By The Ears when I discovered its release. My curiosity was greatly rewarded. Ben Perri had finally pulled out of the band altogether, allowing Francis Mark to take the mic full-time and provide the band with the dedication and passion that had recently been missing. This is From Autumn To Ashes at their most ruthless. The melodic-to-aggressive dynamic that we’ve seen on previous albums is less frequent here, with throat-shredding screams and heavy twin guitars being the driving force behind each track. Every song works on Holding A Wolf By The Ears, and each time I give it a listen, I find a new favourite. Unfortunately, this was the final studio album released by the band before going on indefinite hiatus. After finding their form once again and releasing an explosive comeback album, it is a shame we won’t be seeing them head into the studio just once more.
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Artist: Against Me! Album: New Wave By Ryanator
Against Me! created a lot of controversy when they decided to move to a major label for their fourth studio album, New Wave. This move divided fans, with some saying that Against Me! had sold out while others stated that this shift was necessary for the band to reach a wider audience. Whether or not you believe Against Me! sold out, one thing is for sure; New Wave is a damn fine effort. While it is a big departure from the folk punk style of Reinventing Axl Rose, New Wave takes on a hard rock sound and still maintains a punk edge. For anyone out there who has abandoned Against Me! on the belief that they have gone mainstream or sold out, put your scene queen attitude aside for a moment and listen to the album for what it really is; ten tracks of solid rock with no filler or fancy tricks. Each track is justified and the whole album can be listened to from start to finish without hitting the skip button. A feat that many albums do not achieve these days.
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