Rational Anthem
It’s Only Permanent
A-F (2019)
It’s been a long time since the last Rational Anthem record, Emotionally Unavailable in 2014. The band is still similar but what jumps out the most to me with It’s Only Permanent is the clean, big pop hooks. The band has always been peppy and focused on those singalong moments, but this record is downright anthemic from start to finish. The band has also shifted vocals a little bit, moving from trade-offs to harmonization with Noelle Stolp taking the bulk of the microphone leads.There’s no term other than pop-punk that I’d apply to Rational Anthem, with big and dramatic moments from time to time. The cover shows a young couple, hand-in-hand, striding toward a tsunami and there are multiple lyrics with similar concepts: “on the ledge,” “falling and crashing,” “bite the bullet,” etc.Returning to that walking into the waves idea, there’s no better metaphor for “Already Alright,” which features a building, whoa-oh choruses and the movements of a gigantic wave about to crash into something new and unknown. Cryptic tones permeate the record, but in even balance with we’re-all-in-this-together vibes like the gang chorus “Godspeed You! Black Empanada” or the punchy refrain of “Better Get Better.”In many ways, Rational Anthem … Read more
State Drugs
Takings and Leavings
Jigsaw Records (2019)
This LP sounds like something that teleported here from my moody early-2000’s CD rack, which they acknowledge with their self-description … Read more
Various Artists
Rakta & Deafkids – Forma/Sigilo
Nada Nada Discos (2019)
Brazilian act Rakta were at the forefront of the post-punk revival several years back, and continue to be one of … Read more
