Fight Pretty
Rewiring the Human Body
Dwell (2007)
How do you review an album plastered with a tagline from a review you wrote? We're both about to find out. Rewiring the Human Body is Fight Pretty's first full-length release following a slew of other recordings that were compiled on a discography release. The first thing that catches my attention about Rewiring the Human Body is the more focused … Read more
Fighting Kites
Self Titled
Variant (2012)
North London four piece Fighting Kites started life in 2009, their brand of intimate instrumental rock immediately setting them apart from the arty crowd that usually inhabits the post-rock tag. Delicate structures of gentle and sweeping beauty permeate this debut record, opener “Chuck Close” a subtle composition of lightly struck notes and slow introductions to a range of noises. As … Read more
Fightstar
Grand Unification
Island (2006)
Sunday March 12th, 2006 An open letter to Charlie Simpson of Fightstar. Dear Mr. Simpson, Does the name Skua mean anything to you? Let me jog your memory. Skua is the band that Paul Cattermole left S Club 7 to play in. You know, the one he was in right before he disappeared from view entirely? That one that would … Read more
Filter Distortion
Transition
Independent (2015)
Yet another group that, like Trust, CHVRCHES, or any of the artists featured on the Neonautics compilation, is mining the world of ‘80s synth rock in search of inspiration, British four-piece Filter Distortion seem like an alternate version of Perturbator with vocals, replicating the vintage electro sound very accurately. Driven by bouncing synthesizer lines and punchy rhythms, the group’s songs … Read more
Final Fight
Half Head, Full Shred
Gobias Industries/Panic (2009)
Final Fight finally return with their second full-length. After releasing the acclaimed Under Attack in 2005 the band signed to Deathwish Inc. with promises of new recordings. They soon released a split 7" with Life Long Tragedy but then the wait for the band's next studio effort seemed to last forever. After parting ways with the label, Final Fight finally … Read more
Final Fight
Under Attack
Straight On (2005)
Lack of sleep, Influenza A virus and a spike through your chest, among other things, cause people to get sick. When you get sick usually taking medicine is the cure. Lately I've been getting sick of "amazing-core". It's essentially hardcore pop: vague lyrics that every hardcore kid and hot topic consumers can connect to paved atop over-the-top polished "HXC jamz." … Read more
Final Fight / Life Long Tragedy
Split
Deathwish Inc. (2006)
A quick warning before you read this review: This will be the most biased review I've written for Scene Point Blank. Remove from the equation the fact that I have business relations with one band. Remove from the equation the fact that both bands I consider to be some of the best friends I've ever made in the hardcore "scene." … Read more
Final Fight / Life Long Tragedy
Split
Deathwish Inc. (2006)
The vast majority of hardcore that's described as "heartfelt" comes off sounding "cheesy," "uninspired," and "contrived." The "emotive" vocals as "whiny." You get the idea. Southern California and Northern California's respective Final Fight and Life Long Tragedy are two vital exceptions, pioneering their own brand of modern hardcore. With their debut full-lengths in 2005, Under Attack and Destined for Anything, … Read more
Final Verdict
Reaching for Something Better
Independent (2007)
Typical mid-tempo to fast metal-core that thankfully takes its queues from early 90's metallic hardcore than it does from the fashion inspired Sweden riff infested crap of the earlier part of this decade. The first track, "Cry Havok," is best of the seven songs on here with its sludgy yet melodic onslaught to the ears. It's heavy sounding, yeah no … Read more
Fingers Cut, Megamachine
Fingers Cut, Megamachine
Thick (2005)
Osker was well known as being the most hated band on Epitaph in their brief stint as a band. Being roughly around the age of 18 when their final album, Idle Will Kill came out, they managed to release a pop-punk masterpiece having hardly entered adulthood. Now Devon Williams, lead singer/songwriter of Osker, is back in the spotlight some odd … Read more
Fiona Apple
Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Epic (2020)
If there is one artist and one album that doesn't need my judgement of their art for validation (well, okay this applies to all artists), it's Fiona Apple and her new album, Fetch the Bolt Cutters. After 8 years, Apple is back with her most expressive and experimental album yet. "Fetch the Bolt Cutters" isn't just the title, it's the … Read more
Fiona Apple
The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
Epic (2012)
Fiona Apple's brutal honesty can be summed up in one lyric: "Every single night's a fight with my brain." She keeps howling this on "Every Single Night," the introductory song to The Idler Wheel.. (there's more to that album title, but I'm not attempting to type that all out).Because she possesses this honesty and because she is able to express … Read more
Fire & Ice
Not Of This Earth
Reaper (2012)
Fire & Ice is a groove infused hardcore band out of Richmond, Virginia. Their newest release, Not of This Earth has been put out on Reaper Records. Opening for legendary acts and touring consistently with some of the best in the game, these guys are quickly going to the top of everyone’s lists as far as newer hardcore bands go. … Read more
Fire on Fire
Five Song EP
Young God (2007)
I have never been to Maine, but the visual in my head is that the state is a quite tranquil location. I know they have cities and I'm sure some of them are fairly large, but I can't help but picture a vastly rural landscape and unindustrialized setting. Fire on Fire is a group of five individuals that all live … Read more
Fired Up
Doomed to Repeat
Youngblood (2009)
Doomed to Repeat is a posthumous release from Fired Up. Fired Up plays extremely fast youth crew inspired hardcore and gained a little bit of notoriety for being a band that played this style of hardcore...but they weren't straightedge. Whoopee-do. Doomed to Repeat is the type of record you'd expect from Youngblood Records. There's plenty of sing-a-longs, parts to point … Read more
Fired Up
When the Lights Go Out
Youngblood (2007)
Recently Youngblood Records expanded their roster by adding the metallic Iron Age and the Bad Brains influenced Lion of Judah but got back to what they are famous for by signing Fired Up. Connecticut's Fired Up is what I come to expect from Youngblood: fast, '88 influenced, positive hardcore with sweet breakdowns. Sure you know what you are going to … Read more
Fireworks
All I Have to Offer is My Own Confusion
Triple Crown (2009)
Ah, the full-length record that so many of us have been waiting for. After the disappointing lack of new material found on last year's Adventure, Nostalgia, and Robbery, fans were certainly ready for this record to come to light. Now on the more widely distributed Triple Crown label, Detroit's Fireworks are only now appearing to garner the attention that I … Read more
Fireworks
We are Everywhere
Run for Cover (2006)
Say hello to your new favorite band. Well, that is, of course, if you enjoy a band that blends upbeat punk, infectious pop hooks, and even a dash of melodic hardcore flavoring. Fireworks hail from the unlikely location of Detroit, Michigan and, while they are not everywhere yet, with their new EP, We are Everywhere, in hand, the band is … Read more
