Mooorree Than Just Another Comp is a 33-track double LP compilation from Sell The Heart Records and Lavasocks Records, covering the entire Operation Ivy catalog, with new takes from the likes of The Raging Nathans, The Chinkees, Eichlers, Flying Raccoon Suit, even We Are The Union w/ Eve 6. Very broadly speaking, the entire comp is pretty true to the original but varies the backing vocals and instrumentation from time to time, along with a few total genre flips to keep you paying attention. Op Ivy balanced punk and ska with grit and melody in a way few bands have achieved. So it’s always curious to hear other bands take it on, to see what new character shines through. I’ll also say that I think “Knowledge” is one of the best openers, ever, so changing the style on that one was an early wakeup, courtesy of Danger INC. But nobody wants to read a track-by-track breakdown so I’m sharing broader observations and highlights here. As a whole this compilation feels a little more ska-punk, with some hyper beats and more horns. It’s maybe a little brighter than the original, whether that’s from differently tuned guitars, modern production, the artists involved, … Read more
I first discovered The Bar Stool Preachers back in 2018 when they released their amazing record, Grazie Governo. The comfort … Read more
Two French bands join forces on this EP. Both bands deliver us one new song and one cover. Both play … Read more
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It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a progressive rock band in possession of a good reputation must be in want of a double album. They're something of the gold standard of progressive music--proving that you have the chops to write over eighty minutes of music without it beginning to suck is such a truly monumental and respectable feat that many bands can pull it off only once. (Unless, of course, your name is Arjen Lucassen and you make a career out of doing just that.) But despite the heavy expectation on their shoulders, Big Big Train's stupefying release English Electric is one of the finest albums ever released in the form.If you had given me Part One (released in late 2012) without any other identification, I probably would've dated … Read more
Walk the Wheel is the second LP from Truth Cult, but my first introduction to them. My first impression was that the sound would be loud, aggressive, and chaotic. But with 11 songs total, only the opening song, “Squeeze,” really hits that hardcore-style aggression. The rest is certainly loud and chaotic, but after that song it’s alternately more melodic and … Read more
Visitation is the debut solo album from visual artist and musician, Eric Angelo Bessel. One half of experimental, gothic, post rock duo Lore City based in Portland, Oregon. In terms of pace and feeling Visitation is a stunning collaboration of serenity and calm laced with highly emotive inflections of darkness and foreboding. The eight instrumental tales take you on a … Read more
There’s always a fear, of course, that the anticipation is better. That the five year long wait was actually the best part. Dutifully analyzing Instagram posts and new set lists. Listening to every podcast appearance and solo project. There’s a fear, of course, that it won’t be worth it. They’ll stray too far from their roots. They won’t evolve at … Read more
Forgive me, for a moment, while I take some time to explain that sitting down to write this piece was difficult. I stopped and started several times and that’s not counting the amount of days I spent just thinking about writing a review. You see, Katatonia are an institution and I felt that trying to describe their music was a … Read more
Bubblegum Attack Records from Moscow, Russia have brought together four awesome and uniquely different horrorpunk bands to bring us this twelve track split album entitled Brains For Friends. This is by far the best thing to come out of Russia since balaclavas and vodka, especially in the last year or so. Brains For Friends features three tracks from four different … Read more
The lead song and first single on Desire Pathway” is “Brass Bell,” a fine song that’s indicative of Screaming Females’ general sound. That said, it’s really the second song, “Desert Train,” which gets this album rolling for me. It’s a fierce guitar song that’s hard and driving. Just like its name, it’s steeped in classic rock but with modern twists. … Read more
Won't Stay Dead are back with a few more tracks following on from their album Purgatory released in Oct 2022 https://www.scenepointblank.com/reviews ... purgatory/. This EP entitled 3 Hits From Purgatory contains two previously unreleased tracks from the Purgatory sessions. "New Descent" and "Nine Guys (No Weapons)" might not have made it onto the album, instead they were destined for bigger … Read more
Buen Destino is a new hardcore band from Barcelona. It is formed by members and ex-members of a host of other bands, none of which rung a bell. On this self-titled album the band incorporates a big range of influences. Their Bandcamp tells me this album should appeal to fans of Killing Joke, Discharge, Converge, Jesus Lizard, Daughters, Dead Cross, … Read more
Google Heihaizi and you will find a wikipedia entry telling you: “The term denotes children born outside the One child policy, or generally children who are not registered in the national household registration system.” Not exactly what I expected. I am not really sure what this name means for the band. Perhaps it just sounds cool to them. Perhaps they … Read more
Sante, Salud, Prost ,Salute ,Saúde,Proost, Skål,Kippis,3а здоровье,乾杯, 건배,干杯 ,Şerefe ,في صحتك , לחיים , ΥΓΕΙΑ , Na zdrowie ,Na zdraví, Cheers! I sauntered into the dimly lit old man's bar closing the door behind the impeding swirling snowstorm brewing outside. Upon my unnoticed entry(this was no Cheers!-no cries of Norm were echoed by patrons) my eyes were immediately drawn to … Read more
Ohio based trio The Creepy Crawlers formed in October 2022. The brainchild of vocalist/guitarist Rev. Chad Wells (The Jackalopes/Cricketbows) and features band mates Scarika Watson and P.J Wells, also from psychedelic rock band Cricketbows. The Creepy Crawlers blend shock-rock and horror-rock, incorporating songs inspired by true crime, the occult and 80s horror movies. This five track EP was lovingly created … Read more
Houseghost sprung up in late 2020, releasing their debut near Halloween. Two years later the ghost returns with more stories from Another Realm. The band features members of other bands and play poppy punk with a lot of harmonies. It’s peppy, catchy stuff that’s more about singalongs and pogoing than spitting vitriol. The band also has a theme or, arguably, … Read more
As musicians grow older, they have less time to play live, to tour, and to write. It’s been five years since Sick Of Space. The world may have changed, but The Brokedowns have not. Maximum Khaki may nod to their middle-age in the title, and songs like “I’m Sore,” reinforce that, but at heart The Brokedowns are still some goofy … Read more
Spring Hill is the latest solo record from Tim Barry and, to be up front, I took the last couple records off after the first few were starting to sound a bit “samey.” But it only takes a few notes on Spring Hill to see that Barry has righted that ship and really developed into a solo performer. The first … Read more
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