Era Bleak
Era Bleak
Dirt Cult (2020)
It’s really tough for me to review this full-length. Why? Because I loved the band’s demo tape and it’s really hard to separate the two releases. The self-titled official debut here has several of the same songs and, probably due to familiarity, they jump out as favorites from the get-go.But I’ll do what I can to go all tabula rasa on it.Era Bleak play…bleak punk. It’s anxious, frantic, and lost. It’s equal parts beaten down and resilient. It plays on an anxious state of mind while doubling as a fierce call to action. The lead video perfectly captures the tone: think ‘80s Cold War atmosphere plus ‘00s consumerism plus the orange menace. If that combination makes you feel claustrophobic, this may be a record for you. It pulls obvious influence from ‘80s punk and underground music, but with contemporary themes and powerful energy that’s suited to any period.The guitar is often in an angular post-punk key that gives a sense of dystopia while the rhythm pounds relentlessly. They come together with big hook, fist-in-the-air moments but it’s creative and unique. Each song sounds different and this isn’t some testosterone-pumping circle pit template. The guitar tones play in a frantic tone … Read more
The Lawrence Arms
Skeleton Coast
Epitaph (2020)
When a band is releasing its third new record since 2006, you’d expect some inconsistency. The Lawrence Arms seem to … Read more
King Buzzo w/ Trevor Dunn
Gift of Sacrifice
Ipecac (2020)
Simon and Garfunkel.Seals and Crofts.Hall and Oates.Captain and Tennille.Some artists just go together. Sure, they might make music on their … Read more
Chain Whip
14 Lashes
Drunken Sailor (2020)
This is the kind of hardcore that makes my throat hurt just listening. It’s also the kind of hardcore where … Read more
Old Ghosts
Crow
State of Mind (2020)
These last few weeks I've started to notice that the creases in my forehead are deepening. It's a subtle change … Read more
