Special: First Listen Thoughts: A Day To Remember "You're Welcome", Jetty Bones "Push Back", First And Forever "Let This Love Lie Dead"

A Day To Remember - You're Welcome

Label: Fueled By Ramen

Press release: “It’s finally here – almost!” enthuses frontman Jeremy McKinnon. ​“To all our fans around the world, we want to say, ​‘Thank you!’ You’ve waited patiently, and we can’t wait for you to hear this. There’s a lot of detail in everything we do from the mixes to the artwork, because it all tells a story. So, we made sure each element was perfect. Every line happens for a reason. We took what we envision modern music to be and made a hybrid of who we were, who we are, and who we want to be. It took a lot of maneuvering to get it right, but we feel like we did. We’re here now and very happy to present You’re Welcome.”

My thoughts: There are some forgettable tracks on this release (Only Money, Bloodsucker), but this record isn't nearly as bad as everyone is making it out to be. Sure some songs have weaker lyrics (Viva La Mexico) but generally the music saves it and those that have a mailed in sound (High Diving) gets saved by the lyrics and melodies.

Jetty Bones - Push Back

Label: Rise Records

Press release: Today, the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jetty Bones (aka Kelc Galluzzo) has announced that the she will be releasing her debut album, Push Back, on February 26th via Rise Records. Push Back features songs that dart between alt/pop, indie-rock, and even a hint of bluegrass stomp-and-clamp. “I started focused on my mental health, followed my own medicine, practiced what I preached, and actually took care of my brain. This record is more definitive of the project, because I was intentional with it. I worked through everything” says Galluzzo.

My thoughts: The honesty is refreshing on Push Back. Most people act metaphorical about mental health struggles instead of just saying what happens as Jetty Bones does on this album. The singles That's All and Nothing were my introduction to Jetty Bones and I enjoyed both quite a bit (especially the latter). The other standout track was Taking Up Space which was another single that I missed last year. Everything else is a melding of sounds, ideas and genres some were stronger (Woke Up Crying) than others (Bug Life) but overall it's an interesting album that deserves more spins. 

First And Forever - Let This Love Lie Dead

Label: Adventure Cat Records

Press release: Rock elements and emo charms interweave here. First And Forever try to escape the traumas of day-to-day life on their new EP: Let This Love Lie Dead. They spark truth throughout these 5 songs, a collection which seems mature and well-constructed, a small batch which will alert the emo contingent. And for all the sorrow, there is a party atmosphere.

My thoughts: Although I don't agree with the top portion here about "rock" this is a pop punk EP with emo throughout. Think The Great Depression era As It Is but not necessarily as strong. First And Forever is on the rise however and I definitely think that in a few years when they release their debut full length they'll be primed to explode.

Top 10 Countdown: April 24, 2021

10. A Day To Remember - Everything We Need
Last week: NEW!

9. With Confidence - Big Cat Judgment Day
Last week: 10.

8. Against The Current - Weapon
Last week: 9.

7. The Dirty Nil - Elvis '77
Last week: NEW!

6. Yungblud Ft. Machine Gun Kelly - Acting Like That
Last week: 2.

5. Waterparks - Numb
Last week: 8.

4. Mod Sun Ft. Avril Lavigne - Flames
Last week: 1.

3. The Maine - Sticky
Last week: 5.

2. Jetty Bones - Nothing
Last week: 4.

1. DE'WAYNE - I Know Something
Last week: 3.

Top 10 Countdown: April 17, 2021

10. With Confidence - Big Cat Judgment Day
Last week: NEW!

9. Against The Current - Weapon
Last week: 10.

8. Waterparks - Numb
Last week: NEW!

7. Fever 333 - Wrong Generation
Last week: 4.

6. jxdn - Better Off Dead
Last week: 3.

5. The Maine - Sticky
Last week: 6.

4. Jetty Bones - Nothing
Last week: 8.

3. DE'WAYNE - I Know Something
Last week: 5.

2. Yungblud Ft. Machine Gun Kelly - Acting Like That

Last week: 1.

1. Mod Sun Ft. Avril Lavigne - Flames
Last week: 2.

Special: Moxie, The Little Things, One Night In Miami... Mini-Reviews

Moxie:

Synopsis: Vivian (Hadley Robinson), a seemingly shy 16-year-old, has always preferred to keep her head down and fly under the radar. But when the arrival of a new student (Alycia Pascual-Peña) forces her to examine the unchecked behavior of her fellow students running rampant at her high school, Vivian realizes she's fed up. Inspired by her mother's (Amy Poehler) rebellious past, Vivian anonymously publishes an underground zine called Moxie to expose bias and wrongdoing in her high school, and unexpectedly sparks a movement. Now at the center of a revolution, Vivian begins to forge new friendships with other young women and allies, reaching across the divide of cliques and clubs as they learn to navigate the highs and lows of high school together.

My thoughts: As a white male who fully realizes his priviledge, this tale set against the backdrop of sexism and (to a lesser degree) racism really spoke to me more than most movies about this subject. Maybe it's because it was in a high school setting where I recognize some of the happenings mirroring things I saw happen in high school. Anyone can pick something out of this, whether it's the mistreatment of certain groups or to learn how to become an ally to a cause. Equal parts heartwarming and rage inducing, Moxie should not be missed.

Final verdict: 4.5 zines out of 5.

The Little Things:

Synopsis: Deputy Sheriff Joe "Deke" Deacon joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter to search for a serial killer who's terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke's past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.

My thoughts: It's been a while since I saw a slow burn thriller like this and The Little Things makes me miss the style even more as it's far from perfect. The cast are solid throughout (which you can see based on the poster it would be). But the pacing and director John Lee Hancock is uneven (a normal complaint about his work). The ending was solid, though I can see a bunch of people being mad about it. Jumping into these characters psyche's was my favourite part and I was left satisfied come the end credits but I wonder what could've been if wound up a little tighter overall.

Final verdict: 3.5 hair clips out of 5.

One Night In Miami...

Synopsis: On one incredible night in 1964, four icons of sports, music, and activism gathered to celebrate one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. When underdog Cassius Clay, soon to be called Muhammad Ali, (Eli Goree), defeats heavy weight champion Sonny Liston at the Miami Convention Hall, Clay memorialized the event with three of his friends: Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge).

My thoughts: Generally in period drama's accuracy comes into play... But director Regina King says fuck that in her directorial debut. The cast is strong and the story is poignant however I can't help but feel they pulled us in multiple different directions without much purpose and the film was longer than it needed to be.

Final verdict: 3.5 what ifs out of 5.

Top 10 Countdown: April 10, 2021

10. Against The Current - Weapon
Last week: NEW!

9. Waterparks - Lowkey As Hell
Last week: 5.

8. Jetty Bones - Nothing
Last week: 9.

7. Trash Boat - He's So Good
Last week: 7.

6. The Maine - Sticky
Last week: NEW!

5. DE'WAYNE - I Know Something
Last week: 8.

4. Fever 333 - Wrong Generation

Last week: 4.

3. jxdn - Better Off Dead
Last week: 1.

2. Mod Sun Ft. Avril Lavigne - Flames
Last week: 3.

1. Yungblud Ft. Machine Gun Kelly - Acting Like That
Last week: 2.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Architects "For Those That Wish To Exist", Story Untold "Nx Future", John The Ghost "I Only Want To Live Once"

It's April which means we have a winner in our March Madness style bracket where you help me choose what TV Show I should watch next and the votes are in. In a completely lopsided affair, likely the most lopsided ever, Lucifer crushed Supergirl in a battle of DC Comics properties.

Architects - For Those That Wish To Exist:

Label: Epitaph Records

Press Release: England-based post-metalcore quintet, Architects will release their ninth studio record For Those That Wish To Exist on February 26 via Epitaph. The self-produced record arrives as the follow-up to the band’s critically acclaimed 2018 release Holy Hell. On For Those That Wish To Exist, Architects examine the part we are all playing in the world’s slow destruction, and tackle the biggest questions facing the future of our planet. 

My thoughts: Holy Hell was an introspective album after dealing with the death of a member of the band. So on the follow up they went as outside as they could, likely to avoid the depths of another personal record and instead they examined the problems of the world surrounding them. The musicianship is strong throughout the record with the lyrics painting a dire picture. There are some misses, mainly on the slower tempo songs, but the riffs throughout the others make the songs enjoyable. The features from Neil and McCall are strong but the other one is forgettable.

Story Untold - Nx Future

Label: Self-released

Press Release: stxked tx annxunce “nx future” EP xut march 26!!!! pre-save link dxwn belxw

let’s gxxxxxxxx

My thoughts: Yes, as you can tell from the "press release" above the album isn't titled "NX Future" it's No Future they are just replacing all o's with x's which makes for some awkward looking titles (Cxmfxrt in strangers will always read as cumfart to me). I did enjoy some of the stand alone singles the band released as a 2 piece prior to this X-era. Not sure if those will be on a full length later or if they'll remain stand alone tracks but nothing here really does much for me outside of "Gxne by 27" but who knows with time maybe I'll come around on some more. I understand the difficulty going from a full band to drums, guitar and vocals but as mentioned they put out better songs as a 2 piece prior to this so not sure that can be used as a crutch.

John The Ghost - I Only Want To Live Once

Label: 8123

Press Release: Arizona-based alt-pop singer-songwriter John O'Callaghan, aka John The Ghost announced his upcoming debut album “I Only Want To Live Once” will be released on February 12, 2021. The album is his first project in five years since his debut EP “Sincerely”. “What started out as a single song, turned into 3, turned into 7, which all turned into my debut 9 song album,” he said. “A friend of mine interpreted the title as a negative, when in reality I meant for it to highlight my lust for life. Live today because you live once.”

My thoughts: John O'Callaghan's solo project is seemingly just The Maine songs but with programming instead of instrumentation which does take away quite a bit of the energy had these of been band songs. Debut single Drive is probably the best this album has to offer though Rolled Down Windows gives it a run. The last 3 songs are likely the weakest even though I enjoyed DE'WAYNE popping up as I did not expect it.

Top 10 Countdown: April 3, 2021

10. AFI - Looking Tragic
Last week: NEW!

9. Jetty Bones - Nothing
Last week: NEW!

8. DE'WAYNE - I Know Something
Last week: 9.

7. Trash Boat - He's So Good
Last week: 8.

6. Architects - Meteor
Last week: 6.

5. Waterparks - Lowkey As Hell
Last week: 1.

4. Fever 333 - Wrong Generation
Last week: 5.

3. Mod Sun Ft. Avril Lavigne - Flames
Last week: 4.

2. Yungblud Ft. Machine Gun Kelly - Acting Like That
Last week: 3.

1. jxdn - Better Off Dead
Last week: 2.