MakeWar
Developing A Theory of Integrity
Red Scare Industries (2016)
One of the reasons I gravitate toward the pop-end of the punk spectrum is because it lacks pretention. The structures are straightforward and honest, often predictable to such a fault that it’s become cliché. That’s why an album like Developing A Theory of Integrity is so refreshing. The overall sound is gruff pop-punk with a verse-chorus-verse foundation and a lot of emotion. However, it turns many of those conventions on their side. The songs are almost all over 3-minutes long and they rise and fall, like wave after wave, but coasting in their rhythm without a violent crash against an imaginary shoreline at the end.Developing A Theory of Integrity is a powerful 10-song trip that’s equal parts enthusiasm, enjoyment, lament and loss. It’s all of those things at once, steadily flowing instead of moving spastically from one emotion to another. It’s got depth.Two songs that really showcase MakeWar’s style are “Tiger Lili” and “On Feelings,” coming right after it. With “Tiger Lili,” it’s definitely a pop structure but the drum fills lead into a crescendo chorus that hits emotional peaks without any drastic pitfalls on the other side. It’s drawn out instead of dramatic and that gives it a tempered, … Read more
TenHornedBeast
Death Has No Companion
Cold Spring (2017)
A master of dark ambient, Christopher Walton became first known through his time as one-half of Endvra. The duo released … Read more
The Dopamines
Tales of Interest
Rad Girlfriend Records (2017)
It’s been a while since Ohio’s The Dopamines released a new record –2012 by the looks of things, and I … Read more
Wear Your Wounds
WYW
Deathwish Inc. (2017)
Is the world filled with melancholy and sadness that gives way to brief moments of euphoric happiness or joy that … Read more
