The Mumlers
Thickets and Stitches
Galaxia (2008)
Busy! From the packaging onward, The Mumlers emit an adorably quirky vibe far too big to fit into their little debut album. The seven piece from San Jose bring us Thickets and Stitches, a blues inspired-folk fused indie rock ditty of a record. As one might expect from the aforementioned description, the disc sees a wide variety of instruments accompanying … Read more
The Narrows
Benjamin
Wantage (2007)
The Narrows have been a band for nearly nine years and yet this is my first exposure to them. And its not like they haven't been trying; the three-piece outfit from Bellingham, WA have released an EP or LP for nearly every year they've been a band. Benjamin is the band's fifth full-length and clocks in at just under fifty … Read more
The New Enemy
Outsourced
Independent (2009)
The first track sounds like Kid Dynamite so right away I thought I found a new melodic hardcore band to fall in love with. Then there's track two...okay...this sounds like Quicksand or Handsome. The only way I can tell it's the same band is the vocals, which are far too gruff for this type of post hardcore rock. It's still … Read more
The Oswald Effect
Love & Sabotage
Independent (2008)
This looked promising when it first showed up in the mail. But as some wise person once said, looks can be deceiving. This Seattle four-piece certainly have their chops together, but the styles presented here are such a mish mash that it's hard to swallow. Musically they are rocking enough, but vocally I just couldn't get into them. The singer … Read more
The Pax Cecilia
Blessed are the Bonds
Independent (2007)
If I had to loosely describe The Pax Cecilia I would have to use the term "rock," but doing so would be a great disservice to the individuals that created Blessed are the Bonds. The eight songs that comprise the one hour of music that is this release do contain many different element; the band infuses their sound with elements … Read more
The Photographic
Pictures of a Changing World
Galaxia (2008)
Clocking in at just under an hour, Pictures of a Changing World is truly a cohesive release encompassing a gamut of emotions; a valiant task considering The Photographic don't have the luxury of words. Like most instrumental bands the two-piece is heavily reliant on reoccurring themes while expanding on such ideas with the help of loops. The effort comes across … Read more
The Poison Arrows
Casual Wave
File 13 (2008)
Being from Chicago, The Poison Arrows have a style that unmistakeably brings to mind the old, early to mid 90's alternative rock scene. Since that particular time spawned quite a few great bands then this can be considered a good prospect. The debut EP from this band doesn't necessarily resemble the noisy endeavors of Steve Albini or the madness of … Read more
The Recluse
Summer Showers
Heart In Hand (2009)
Summer Showers is my first exposure to Alabama group The Recluse. I swore I heard their name before, in fact I think I saw them once... maybe not. I can't quite place where/why/how I know them. "Pre-Death Realizations" is the leading cut and it is an odd song as it walks the line between equal parts melodic hardcore and metallic … Read more
The Reed Sea
No Help
Independent (2009)
Hailing from Oregon, this four-piece outfit has brought forth a four-song EP titled No Help. The title of the EP is fitting as the band has recorded and packaged the entire release themselves. Granted, it's limited to screen printed cardboard sleeves, but that's still cool. I appreciate the DIY effort. "Holy Pigs" is the lead song and immediately you're greeted … Read more
The Reptilian
Full Health
Count Your Lucky Stars (2010)
The Reptilian come with little to no notice. The Michigan band has been around for almost 4 years now with only a handful of releases. Taking a page from the older school of angular screamo similar to current bands such as Touche Amore and La Dispute. Focusing more on feeling than just sounding "nice". The four piece keep each song … Read more
The Resinators
Recorded In 2005 By Jay Reatard
Independent (2024)
Interesting little slab we got sent to SPB by a Mr. Ed Young. Two originals and a cover, recorded in Jay Reatard’s living room back in 2005 as the title suggests. So that would be around the time of The Reatards’ Not Fucked Enough for anyone keeping track. Jay had apparently just switched from analog to digital recording but it … Read more
The Riverboat Gamblers
Smash/Grab EP
Paper + Plastick (2011)
When The Riverboat Gamblers released their last full length, Underneath the Owl, many fans were put off by the cleaner production and poppier approach. Their newest EP, Smash/Grab, was a return to the raw sound and more aggressive song writing, but offers something different by blending in a bit of Garage-Rock.The first of the 4-song EP is arguably the weakest … Read more
The Rutabega
Shiny Destination
Triple Eye Industries (2015)
After a 2013 full length album that marked the band’s first full-length as a self-described “Carp Rock Power Duo,” a title which I can in no way explain yet love nonetheless, South Bend, Indiana’s The Rutabega is back with Shiny Destination, a 7” vinyl release that presents two very different sides of the group’s sound. With its playfully chaotic feel, … Read more
The Shell Corporation
Time And Pressure
Solidarity (2012)
I glorious little EP fell into my lap, thanks to my editor. It’s the Time & Pressure EP from The Shell Corporation. It’s a beautiful little set of fast melodic punk songs in the same vein as Bigwig and The Explosion. They don’t mind throwing in surprises as well.The first track, “Shit Just Got Real, Son” is a fast paced … Read more
The Stills
Oceans Will Rise
Arts & Crafts (2008)
The third record finds this Canadian five-piece returning to the smooth atmospheric rock of their debut. But with more songwriting maturity to show for it, this is actually a stronger release. "Snow in California" and "Being Here" are the stand out songs, but really this CD works well as a whole. I've never been to Eastern Europe, but I think … Read more
The Takers
Curse of a Drunk
Suburban Home (2008)
The Takers are the newest signing to Suburban Home Records and their growing stable of alt-country, folk, bluegrass and basically just all around roots artists. The Takers hail from Gainesville, FL, and as stated by Suburban Home, are a six-piece Outlaw Country band that includes two members of Whiskey & Co. Curse of a Drunk comes out swinging like a … Read more
The Taxpayers
A Rhythm in the Cages
Useless State/Quote Unquote (2009)
The Taxpayers are a three-piece punk outfit from Portland, OR. A Rhythm in the Cages is their second full-length, with twelve songs that run the gamut of punk styles. Opener "Never Getting Warm" brings to mind the recent influx of groups like Against Me! and Defiance, Ohio. Meanwhile "White Walls" is a ruckus-raising punk cut akin to early Anti-Flag. Then … Read more
The Thucydidean Theory
Chapter III: World Reclamation
Independent (2008)
Chapter III: World Reclamation is a bizarre release. The Thucydidean Theory combine punk and trance arrangements that are heavily bass-driven. This four song release features female vocals that mingle with vocal-like synth sounds. "Please Stop Calling My Office and Yelling 'Cunt' at Whoever Answers the Telephone" is the most upbeat track on World Reclamation. Although the band's hybridized ideas are … Read more
