Review / 200 Words Or Less
I Rise / Soul Control
Split

Eightfold Path (2007) — Jason

I Rise / Soul Control – Split cover artwork
I Rise / Soul Control – Split — Eightfold Path, 2007

This split 7" features two of the most exciting hardcore bands that have been hitting the fest circuit this Summer. Soul Control sounds like 108 mixed with Quicksand and it's all awesome. "Focus" is one of my favorite songs of 2007. This song just fucking jams in all its noisy post-hardcore brilliance. I Rise also play melodic post hardcore with shouted vocals. They remind of Sparkmarker, which I'm sure is no help to anyone. Think of thick guitar heavy anthem-like songs propelled with a decent amount of noise and decent stop and turns that keep you bobbing in your seat or moshing around your living room. This split is going to be one of my favorite splits for 2007 if not one of my favorite records. I can't wait to hear both of these bands full-lengths.

9.6 / 10 — Jason • September 3, 2007

I Rise / Soul Control – Split cover artwork
I Rise / Soul Control – Split — Eightfold Path, 2007

Recently-posted album reviews

Roky Erickson And The Aliens

The Evil One (deluxe edition)
Fire Records (2026)

I feel very fortunate to have seen Roky Erickson perform live at SXSW backed by Okkervil River in 2010 or 2011. Erickson passed away in 2019 at the age of 71. For those of you who aren’t already disciples, Roky Erickson was the lead vocalist of legendary Texas psych rockers 13th Floor Elevators. Recorded after the breakup of the Elevators … Read more

Mike D

Thank You
Capitol (2026)

Beastie Boys were a huge part of my transition from teenager into adulthood. An album for every stage of their growth musically matched the many chapters of my own personal development. Ad-Rock, MCA, and Mike D were like cherished friends for my earholes. The world mourned together when we lost Adam Yauch to cancer in 2012 and were heartbroken knowing … Read more

Softjaw

Love Can't Kill You
Bachelor Records, Dandy Boy Records (2026)

I already wrote about these dudes in my mid-year top 5 since Oakland’s Dandy Boy Records released a compilation of their early digital singles back in April, and here they are following it up with a 12-song album of all new material! This second release proves Long Beach’s Softjaw have a masters in powerpop from the school of rock. I’m … Read more