First Listen Thoughts: Belmont - Aftermath

1. Fully Sent: Lots of riff salad parts in this but the melody is very strong and the rap/scream style suits Belmont very well. I know I'm gonna be in for some painful to listen songs later on due to the prog influences but this was a strong start.

2. Parasitic: Yeah, I've listened to this one a lot. I expect it to get into my top 100 songs of 2022 currently as it gets stronger with every listen. The heaviest of the singles we got will make all the hardcore kids happy.

3. Bowser's Castle: This came out last year as part of the "Bowser's Castle Mixtape" that I didn't get to but I did enjoy this song quite a bit and just missed out on my top songs of 2021. 

4. Pain Now: The Breakdown is solid and the rap verse leading into it is fun but there's a little too much chaos happening here with the tones changing from word to word especially during the chorus and we don't need a soft 40 second reprise as an outro, thanks.

5. In My Skin: More 808's than the opening track but other than that both songs are very similar. Not much variety there but enjoyable and I know there's more variety to come...

6. Country Girl: Speak of the devil! This is a fun enough song to freak out your friends by saying "I like country now" (bonus points if they like country). But I don't expect there to be much staying power for me but if you want to see someone gush over this song and video check out The Punk Rock MBA's video on it. Personally I enjoy the bridge and the twang added isn't awful but the traditional country musicianship just isn't for me and I like joke songs but this is just full of innuendos and it gets to be a lot especially when it's low hanging fruit like "She smiles biggest when she rides my tractor".

7. Top Gun (From The Top): As soon as this song started I thought "Ugh more prog chaos" the chorus was okay but definitely not for me. Sorry Belmont. Y'all are talented as hell but I can't do it.

8. 4am//Disappear: This is a midtempo banger with a lot of 808's but it works so well with the singer's voice tone. This definitely should've been a single. 

9. Never Found: This seems to be the most like an old Belmont song but it's still a ways away from where they started. This is probably the strongest drum work on the album (or better mixed) which is a huge compliment here.

10. Guilt Trip: The first 20 seconds or so was the best part of this song easily. It went riff heavy and I basically tuned out. Such a shame cause I was super pumped for that intro.

11. What I Lack: Probably the best melody on the album but that could be because I spent more time with this than most other tracks. This was also a much needed break from the riff salad.

12. Advanced Darkness: Okay this is most like old Belmont and I like it a lot. Definitely the deep cut of the album (how does this have the least amount of streams!?) Was the screaming bridge was a little long? Yeah. but the musical interlude and the call back to it was cool but again. Should've cut it down by 10 seconds at least on each side. 

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Spiritbox "Eternal Blue", Real Friends "Torn In Two", 3OH!3 "Need"

Spiritbox - Eternal Blue

Label: Rise Records

Press release: Spiritbox have announced details of their highly-anticipated debut album Eternal Blue. The Canadian metal stars will be unleashing their new LP on September 17 via Rise Records, with vocalist Courtney LaPlante sharing, ​“We are very anxious to release our album, it is a body of work we have been accumulating for over two years. Having the recording process put on hold for so long due to the pandemic has made me see that I can never take the experience of tracking an album for granted ever again."

My thoughts: Although most songs were previously released as singles, Eternal Blue is an album that comes together better as a cohesive unit. An eyebrow was raised at the closing tandem of Circle With Me and Constance (both singles) but in the context of the album it works really well. Yellowjacket is quite likely the next Holy Roller. This is just the beginning of a huge career for the band and I'm excited to see what comes next.

Real Friends - Torn In Two

Label: Pure Noise Records

Press release: Real Friends have announced a new EP! Titled Torn In Two, the upcoming EP from Illinois-based pop-punk band features five new songs and five re-workings of said songs, and is scheduled to be released in September this year, via Pure Noise Records. This new EP incorporates a recurring motif of the torn-ness and separation we have recently experienced in our everyday lives, as vocalist Cody Muraro elaborates. “I really liked how we were able to incorporate the Torn In Two theme throughout. The album artwork being people separated. The five main songs on one side and five alternates on the other. I think the past year has left a lot of us feeling torn, scrambling to reconnect with a sense of familiarity.”

My thoughts: I'm not super upset about getting a 5 track EP with 2 versions of each song but I can't help but wonder if this would've worked better with a reimagined EP a few months down the road after we've had time to digest the new output more as all I could really think about after listening to the first half was how much better the actual versions of the songs were vs. the reimagined. It's a shame Spinning is buried in the tracklist as it may end up being my favourite on the record. New vocalist Cody sounds a lot crisper than Dan Lambton, something a lot of fans probably don't like but it works for me and the songwriting is still solid, Dan only really started writing on Composure, and although it's not nearly as good as Composure I like it as much (or more) as their previous releases.

3OH!3 - Need

Label: Photo Finish Records

Press release: Lockdown provided space for Sean Foreman and Nathan Motte to step back and “examine what it is that we do as 3OH!3 and why we do it,” and the result is a forthcoming album appropriately titled NEED, which will drop later this year. “As an artist, you’re never gonna rewrite your old stuff,” says Motte. “This new stuff that we're working on, we're excited about because we feel like it encapsulates all the good about 3OH!3 and that sense of collectivity, fun, and of a party.”

My thoughts: This is a party record front to back. Probably not a good idea to examine the lyrical content (Skid Marks is especially cringe) but I'm So Sad and Last Breath especially are bangers that may be some of the best the Colorado duo have ever released.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Hawthorne Heights "The Rain Just Follows Me", Andrew W.K. "God Is Partying", Homesafe "Nervous Reaction"

Hawthorne Heights - The Rain Just Follows Me

Label: Pure Noise Records

Press release: Hawthorne Heights have announced that their eighth album, the cheerily-titled The Rain Just Follows Me, will be released in September. The follow-up to 2018’s Bad Frequencies sees frontman TJ Woodruff going to lonely places, not because of the pandemic, but the distance between himself and his family while on tour. “The most unbelievable part of this story is that this entire album was written and recorded before the pandemic,” he says. ​“All of this darkness and turmoil is basically a summation of the coldest and loneliest nights I’ve tried to reconcile for the past 17 years.” 

My thoughts: Hawthorne Heights previous offering was one of my favourites and I still listen to it regularly. I'm happy to report that The Rain Just Follows Me has the same vibes. Sad to say most people only listen to Hawthorne Heights first 2 records but they've been remarkably consistent (except maybe that EP era) at writing good songs with strong instrumentation and excellent melodies.

Andrew W.K. - God Is Partying

Label: Napalm Records

Press release: Hark, disciples of partying – the long wait is finally over! Napalm Records and ANDREW W.K. are thrilled to announce the impending release of the iconic Party God’s fifth full-length studio rock album, God Is Partying. The long-awaited nine-track opus of maximalist rock grandeur is set for release on September 10, 2021. Hovering in the fluorescent spotlight of his legendary party power, God Is Partying sees ANDREW W.K. ransack the corners of the human psyche, reaching a triumphant apex in his catalogue, 20 years after the release of his chart-topping 2001 full-length debut, I Get Wet. Emotive yet steadfast, ominous yet invigorating, God Is Partying embraces both the break-ups and break-downs of life, and ANDREW W.K. once again provides his audience with the perfect soundtrack to celebrate life in all its perplexing and euphoric intensity.

My thoughts: Andrew W.K. continues to be Mr. Positivity 20 years into his career and one might imagine they'll be even more positivity coming his way given his new relationship with MCU star and 2 Broke Girls alum Kat Dennings. His talent is undeniable as he does everything for each record from playing the instruments, to writing the lyrics, to producing. His co-creator simply handles the engineering and some of the mixing. That being said a lot of these songs didn't have me partying as much as I would have liked as the artist seems to of found an appreciation for goth ballads which drives most of the record.

Homesafe - Nervous Reaction

Label: Self-released

Press release: Chicago punks Homesafe will be self-releasing a new album, Nervous Reaction, this Friday (9/3). The band's earlier material channelled high-strung pop punk, but this new album takes their sound in a few new directions, embracing grungy alt-rock riffs, power pop hooks, and sunshiney Britpop harmonies.

My thoughts: If you like generic pop-punk, Homesafe is probably not the band for you. But the Chicago 3 piece, now unsigned, get to make the music they want without label pressure especially when your members other band (Knuckle Puck) is at the top of the modern pop-punk game. Homesafe has always been more of a "I love a few songs" types of bands for me rather than "I like this whole album" but Nervous Reaction may switch that for me. We'll need to see after a few more listens but the end of summer vibes this album gives me is undeniable.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: The Used "Heartwork", Boston Manor "Glue", No Pressure "No Pressure EP"

The Used - Heartwork

Label: Big Noise

Press release: “The new album plays on the emotions, the sincerity, and the vulnerability of the first record and In Love and Death, with a little bit of the flair from Lies for the Liars,” vocalist Bert McCracken said. “Standing in the streaming circle pit with Kesha and Halsey, the album is just as modern sounding. John Feldmann’s production is that professional. It sounds really good. Those are two really random examples, but I think if you listen to both of those records, the songs are all over the place: dance, pop, actual punk rock riffs and drums. I think music is so all over the place right now that The Used fits in perfectly.”

My thoughts: Say what you want about The Used but you definitely can't accuse them of being boring. Heartwork is all over the place tonally and although some songs (Big Wanna Be, Cathedral Bell) aren't really up my alley the juxtaposition with the really aggressive songs (Blow Me, Gravity's Rainbow) is fantastic when listening from front to back. The buried gem here is probably 1984 (Infinite Jest) for me but in any event Heartwork is worth your time.

Boston Manor - Glue

Label: Pure Noise Records

Press release: The band’s highly-anticipated third LP is due out on May 1 via Pure Noise, and sees the quintet questioning the world around them. “I want people to listen to it and feel something and think about things,” says frontman Henry Cox. “The aim of the whole record is to make people angry. It’s to make them go ‘Well, this pisses me off, how can I change it? What is one thing that I can personally do – that I can start doing today – to make a difference?’ Because we can do better than this. We just need to start.

My thoughts: Given the three songs I heard before listening to the full album I would've assumed BM was going softer but man did that shock me on track 2, 1's and 0's, nestled between two of the aforementioned singles it hit me like a punch to the jaw and it was fantastic. It then took until track 7 to get heavy again as BM have continued to evolve their post-grunge sound they created on their last full length. The back part of this album shines with Liquid (the last of the three tracks mentioned in the opening sentence) as well as tracks 8 - 10 are among the five best or so on Glue. 

No Pressure - No Pressure EP

Label: Self-Released

Press release: Adding to the seemingly never-ending list of side projects formed in the year of 2020 – aka the year musicians are all stuck at home not touring – The Story So Far’s Parker Cannon has just surprised fans with a brand new pop-punk EP under the moniker No Pressure. Yep! That’s right, after slowing things down with his main band, Cannon is back to his punk rock, blink-182-like roots with a brand new batch of songs.

My thoughts: I was lead to believe this was a hardcore project but it realyl is not. It's fast punk rock with Parker Cannon's signature vocals. It's pretty raw but given that this was likely recorded in a home studio within the last few months I will not hold it against them. Definitely worth a listen if you have 10 minutes (the short song lengths also added to the credence of the hardcore band).

Special: First Listen Thoughts: New Found Glory "Forever And Ever x Infinity", Protest The Hero "Palimpsest", Casa Loma "This Is Coping"

New Found Glory - Forever And Ever x Infinity:

Label: Hopeless Records

Press release: NEW FOUND GLORY will release its tenth studio album, "Forever + Ever x Infinity", on [June 19] via Hopeless Records. The band has put together a quintessential record, supremely catchy with sing-along anthems, trademark breakdowns, and sweetly poignant lyrics.

My thoughts: It's a great New Found Glory record overall however I will say that there are a few songs (Himalaya and Same Side Sitters mostly) that have subpar chorus' but are otherwise great. Stay Awhile, Like I Never Existed and Trophy are the non-preview tracks that stand out after one listen but I'm excited to give it multiple listens.

Protest The Hero - Palimpsest

Label: Spinefarm Records

Press release: “Palimpsest is by far the most challenging record we have worked on,” says lead guitarist Luke Hoskin. “The writing and recording process saw so many delays, it’s honestly hard to keep them straight. We are very proud of how each hurdle was handled though, and the end result is a record that we believe is deserving of such an endeavour.”

My thoughts: Palimpsest is a strong Protest The Hero album. I'm not a music nerd but I'm well aware the band are great musicians, that being said in past albums it seems they were trying to hard to impress the music nerd crowd which made for a less enjoyable experience for me however they've toned that down here and upped the lyricism and story-telling which makes for an interesting dive into American history.

Casa Loma - This Is Coping

Label: Pure Noise Records

Press release: “I did this for sanity” is the bold opening statement from bassist and co-vocalist of Man Overboard Nik Bruzzese, as to how his new solo project Casa Loma was born. The upcoming debut EP This is Coping  showcases a collection of songs Nik recorded as an artistic expression to channel events in his life the only way he knew how. 

My thoughts: I'd love to say that this is a great project but I just can't see myself getting into it. Nik's vocals are so different than what I'm used to. It's not until track 4 & 5 that I get what I know of Nik, the instrumentation is also best on those songs. I can appreciate this was a personal project for Nik but I'm just not sure it's for me but I'll give it some time before I put a nail in that coffin.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Green Day "Father Of All Motherfuckers", Hot Mulligan "You'll Be Fine", Belmont "Reflections"

Green Day - Father Of All Motherfuckers

Label: Reprise Records

Press release: Green Day have announced a new album called Father of All Motherfuckers. Due out February 7th, 2020 via Reprise/Warner Records, it marks the punk rockers’ 13th studio album to date and follows 2016’s Revolution Radio. The album’s announcement coincides with news of the band’s massive “Hella Mega Tour” with Fall Out Boy and Weezer.

My thoughts: You know, I get it. This isn't the Green Day we're used to but it's not like their last few offerings have given us anything that stands the test of time (I know 21 Guns does but it's not for me). I'm glad they tried something different and you know what I don't even hate the sound that much. My biggest issue is that most of the songs sound musically the same. I've come around on some of the tracks for what they are but I don't think these songs will be in regular rotation for me except for a select few.

Hot Mulligan - You'll Be Fine

Label: No Sleep Records

Press release: Hot Mulligan has announced details for their upcoming new album, you'll be fine, which will be released Friday, March 6 through No Sleep Records. Hot Mulligan writes songs for people to sing as loud as possible. Their music is the cathartic outcry for growth from a generation of forward-thinking Midwesterners caught in the gears of a rusted system in desperate need of hope.

My thoughts: I can't get behind the emo revival for the most part but Hot Mulligan blends it with pop punk hooks and vocals which is stronger than ever on this sophomore release.

Belmont - Reflections

Label: Pure Noise Records

Press release: Progressive-punk quintet, Belmont, have announced the release of their new EP, Reflections,  13th March via Pure Noise Records. They are a collection of new ideas, experimentation, and an opportunity to lay down anything we’ve ever wanted in our music, but have been hesitant of trying in the past.” drummer, Brian Lada, shares on the forthcoming EP.

My thoughts: This EP is all over the place, from the trap beats of Side By Side and Move Along to the metal guitars on Stay Up. You can definitely tell that Belmont were experimenting on this EP to further shape their sound before recording LP2 later this year. Although I long for the straight up Pop Punk of their past I'm excited to see where Belmont takes their sound from here.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Four Year Strong "Brain Pain", Body Count "Carnivore", Derek Sanders "My Rock And Roll Heart"

Four Year Strong - Brain Pain

Label: Pure Noise Records

Press Release: Four Year Strong have finally announced their highly anticipated fifth full-length album Brain Pain will be released on February 28 via Pure Noise Records. This will be the band’s first album since their self-titled release in 2015 and soon, fans will learn that it was worth every second of waiting.

My thoughts: A lot of pop punk bands are ditching the traditional sound of pop punk for a sound infused with late 90's alternative music as seen recently by bands like Seaway, Roam and Bearings. You can now add Four Year Strong to that list but they keep it heavy on Brain Pain which makes this a strong listen even though you're never quite sure what you will get from track to track.

Body Count - Carnivore

Label: Century Media Records

Press Release: The originators of Rap Metal are back. ICE-T and his band are as angry as ever on their 7th studio album, titled “CARNIVORE”, which coincides with their 30th anniversary as a band! 'Carnivore,' the band’s second album for Century Media, pairing ICE-T’s angry and socio-critical lyrics with thick guitar riffs and nods to metal and hardcore greats like Slayer, Metallica, Pantera, Suicidal Tendencies and Rage Against The Machine.

My thoughts: There are way more hits than misses here but the strongest tracks are the ones that lean hardcore like the title track Carnivore and Thee Critical Beatdown. The biggest miss is the features as Jasta comes off as a bad hype man and Lee's cringy chorus in her feature completely overshadows Ice's great verses.

Derek Sanders - My Rock And Roll Heart

Label: Rise Records

Press Release: Derek Sanders, the frontman of beloved Tallahassee emo/alternative band, Mayday Parade, has announced the release of his first solo EP, My Rock and Roll Heart, out on Friday, February 14 via Rise Records. Comprised of five stripped-back covers of tracks from Jimmy Eat World, Something Corporate, Saves The Day, The Juliana Theory, and local Tallahassee band Goodbye Love, the acoustic EP acts as a snapshot of songs that inspired Sanders to become a musician.

My thoughts: If you like acoustic Mayday Parade, you'll like this. Derek simply plays these covers on an guitar and croons through them all effortlessly. Although as a fan of most the original recordings I probably won't come back to those however knowing the backstory behind lead single "But Lauren" makes that song all that much more enjoyable.

Special: Pure Noise Records 2015 Releases Mini-Reviews

As you may have noticed from last week's Sunday Special I recently attended Warped Tour and one of the great things about Warped Tour is all the shopping I get to do, especially when it comes to CD's. Yes I still purchase those round discs to rip into iTunes and play in the car and for me Warped is the haven for CD's. Most bands playing will have their CD's for cheap, usually in the $5 - $10 range. Not to mention all the scenes labels are out in full force, and this year not only was Pure Noise Records there, but they had the best deal out of them all. 5 CD's for $20 and they brought most of their catalogue with them including the following 2015 releases that I'm giving you mini-reviews on.

The Story So Far - The Story So Far

History: Material for The Story So Far was written on and off while touring over the course of 2014. Vocalist Parker Cannon went to practice and ask the rest of the band if they could do a self-titled release. Guitarist William Levy said he did not know "if it means anything, really. It's just the record that we felt like doing". Levy revealed the band like the album "more than any other record" they've done previously. The album was recorded with producer Sam Pura at Panda Studios. The band have worked with Pura before on their previous releases. Levy said recording "didn't actually feel any different" compared to the first time they recorded with Pura. The Story So Far was released on May 19 through Pure Noise.

Review: The Story So Far have a formula that's proven to work. They are one of the biggest bands in the scene and yet their records all sound the same. Not that it's getting tired or sore, unlike so many bands in the genre, The Story So Far takes the pop-punk stereotypes and throws it on their head. We get a moment of something different with the song "Phantom" where Cannon switches up his melody for a softer tone. Once that's done however they get right back into the hardcore drumming and impressive guitar chords, You'd be hard pressed to find a better song on this album than Heavy Gloom which perfectly sums up what TSSF are about. This third release is the cleanest yet and we no longer have to wonder what Cannon is screaming but it'll be interesting to see how long they can continue going making essentially the same record.

Hit The Lights - Summer Bones

History: In January 2015, Hit the Lights announced the title and release date for the album. A few days later they premiered the first track off the album, "Fucked Up Kids," along with the track listing. Leading up to its release, the band premiered more songs including "The Real" and "No Filter" to build anticipation. The band announced on Twitter that they "wrote Invicta because we wanted to push ourselves. We wrote Summer Bones because we wanted to rip shit. We stand by both." Summer Bones was released on March 24 through Pure Noise.

Review: If Hit The Lights set out to rip shit they definitely succeeded with Summer Bones. The lead track, Fucked Up Kids sets the bar for the album as to what you should expect. No one writes catchier lyrics then Hit The Lights and although the lyrics are a step down from Invicta the music fits the realm of "pop-punk" much better on this offering. These songs all beg to be played live and sung loud and proud by concert-goers. From the sing along of the pop-punk ballad Summer Bones the strongest track on the album to the chants in Life On The Bottom and Keep Your Head. This is a step-forward for HTL, they could've just released a This Is A Stickup... or Skip School Start Fights sequel but they went back to their roots and gave us a brand new listen that stands on it's own legs. Summer Bones proves that Hit The Lights are very much back to form and they're prepared to continue their rise to the top of the scene that was stalled after the high of 2009's Skip School Start Fights.

Four Year Strong - Four Year Strong

History: Four Year Strong is the fifth full-length album by American rock band Four Year Strong. It is their first full length release since 2011's In Some Way, Shape, or Form. Described by vocalist Dan O'Connor as being "one of the most raw records we’ve ever made, it’s just us playing. No fancy computer shit. Made for singing along and head-banging.” The album was made available on several limited edition vinyl pressings from Pure Noise Records and Hot Topic. The album was released on June 2 through Pure Noise.

Review: Much like Hit The Lights, Four Year Strong almost single handedly brought Easycore to the mainstream after the release of 2010's Enemy Of The World. Unfortunately their follow up wasn't nearly as well received by fans or critics as they would of liked, and FYS became what so many of their contemporaries have also begun to do and fade into the backdrop. This self-titled effort is a follow-up to the tremendous Go Down In History EP that was released last summer signalling the fact that FYS are still here and they are ready to rock. The lyrics are strong and FYS touch on the fact that they are not the same band that wrote Rise Or Die Trying or Enemy Of The World and never will be again, but this is definitely their heaviest offering to date featuring heavy drum beats and duelling guitars and vocals. Part of this is due to the production as this feels more like how FYS is live since they have a history of being heavier in concert than on recording. We All Float Down Here and Stolen Credit Card are the standouts but I'm A Big, Bright, Shining Star is perhaps the biggest step forward FYS have accomplished in their lengthy career.

Song of the day: October 8, 2013

Song of the day: October 8, 2013:

Handguns - Long October

Off the album "Angst" out now!

iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/angst/id548322179

September 7, 2013 Song of the day:

September 7th 2013 Song of the day:

State Champs - Elevated

Off the album: "The Finer Things" Out October 8th, 2013

iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/id689579063?s=143455