MP3 REVIEW: Silent Isle “Struck In SEEP”

Silent Isle “Struck In SEEP”

                Though only two songs, it appears to be a lot of just the band warming up.  If I heard a song in here, I didn’t know it.

MP3 REVIEW: The Illegal Wiretaps “美しい娼婔

The Illegal Wiretaps “美しい娼婔

                Before engaging in my full on review of the musical side of this album, I feel that I need to make two points.    The first point being simply that The Illegal Wiretaps have apparently released so much music (How much music have they released?) The Illegal Wiretaps have released so much music that their album titles can no longer be composed of actual words.   Yes, I sense in the future we will get an album titled such as “Glop Glop Gloop Gloop 68” if someone doesn’t read this and steal it first.   But not only is that album title not actual words, it’s not even a random series of letters—it’s non-lettered characters.   It probably means something but unless it’s 58008 upside down on a calculator I’m too lazy to decipher the code.   (Haha, it’s a secret I can’t decode, get it?   Yeah, I should probably cut this line out of here)

                My second point in relation to this album, which I will just call “this album” for lack of wanting to copy and paste the title repeatedly, is that 100% of the time when I review music by The Illegal Wiretaps (not by everyone mind you, but specifically by them) I listen to the album more than once before writing a review.   This may come as a surprise, but even with my Song-By-Song Reviews, which I tend to ad lib for most bands; I listen to the music through at least once before reviewing it.    Oddly enough, I have a virtual stack of music by The Illegal Wiretaps that I’ve listened to on seeming repeat but still cannot come up with the proper words to do the releases justice yet.   That coupled with the fact that The Illegal Wiretaps themselves are releasing music faster than I can review it makes for my second point to be rather strange.  (Side Bar: If I spent all of my time only reviewing Illegal Wiretaps music, I still doubt I’d catch up)   My second point, getting back to my point, is simply that before writing this review that I am typing as I speak it in my head and you are hopefully reading eventually, I have only listened to this album once.   Is that a good thing or a bad thing?   I’m not entirely sure, but I’d like to say it’s an indication that the more I listen to The Illegal Wiretaps the more I can sort of understand them and it’s making it easier for me to translate this music into a review for you, but alas, that simply is not the case.

                Wow, what am I reviewing again?

                Yes, so this is an instrumental (sort of) electronic type of album from The Illegal Wiretaps.   One day when I’m not so busy I’d love to sit down and track all of The Illegal Wiretaps releases chronologically and then decide at what point certain events occurred, but for now you must just deal with my random, non-linear reviews where I write and post my thoughts on each album much like a child would bob for apples at a Halloween party.

                This album brings out the female computer generated voice that I’ve heard before because, well, I’ve listened to everything that The Illegal Wiretaps have posted on Band Camp I just haven’t written about all of them yet.    One day when I delve in deeper and become an even bigger Wiretaps geek, I will be able to say things like “These female vocals made their debut on such and such an album”, though I kind of feel creepy knowing that and it’s something I’d rather just ask the band in an interview to kind of write a biography on them or something.

                Has any of this review so far been about the music?   You can write a run on sentence and you can walk on to a movie, but can you write a walk on sentence?

                If you asked me right now what my favorite release by The Illegal Wiretaps is, I wouldn’t be able to give you a straight answer nor would I give the cop out answer of “Oh, I love them all”, even though I do like them all.  The Illegal Wiretaps have two styles of music, the literal bipolar band if you will.   One style is rusty and acoustic or electric sounding rock with vocals and the other is primarily programmed electronic type of music.    This is the electronic type of music, of which I hadn’t yet found my favorite release, but for the typical band sound with vocals and all, I would highly recommend the first thing you hear by The Illegal Wiretaps to be “Near Dark”.    That’s one of my favorites and I think their best though, surprise surprise, I have not yet written the review for it.    This, which is the album with all the symbols for a title, I can now say is my favorite electronic album from the band or at least one that best displays their skills on that level.    The only problem the band leaves me with there is that this isn’t exactly an album title that rolls off the tongue as easily as “Near Dark” if you get me. 

                So this album opens up with these big beats and just synth bass that are all sorts of bad ass.   I’m thinking this is like Nine Inch Nails or The Prodigy or something along those lines before the programmed vocals come in to remind me that, yes, this is an Illegal Wiretaps album.    

                The third song borders on 8bit and has the most excellent title of “Akira Needs to Be on Netflix Streaming, Yo”, which also entitles the song to have the male programmed voice say “Akira” repeatedly.   After that song though, we venture back into the familiar for a little bit.   Track 4 has the spastic drum machine sound I am used to from The Illegal Wiretaps and then it just kind of goes back and forth from there between the classic electronic sound this band is known for and this somewhat newer more bass heavy sound that just makes me feel all sorts of high energy like I can kick through brick walls.

MP3 REVIEW: Spartacus “Unfinished Tales”

Spartacus “Unfinished Tales”

                This is a combination of acoustic and demo songs from a rock band that packs a big bang.  Granted you won’t hear this come out as much on the acoustic songs, but my first thought when hearing this music was of Hum, who is a band that I adore and feel is tossed around too much these days in comparisons but just listen to demo version of “We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For” and tell me I’m wrong because I know I’m not.

MP3 REVIEW: Starship Amazing “Ya’ll Stop Bloggin’”

Starship Amazing “Ya’ll Stop Bloggin’”

                8bit music from the Atari 2600 era.  There is also some synth mixed in with this dancy dancy style.  And, no, I will not stop bloggin’.    You stop chippin’!!  LoL j/k tyvm

MP3 REVIEW: Dorcelsius “Climax Air Climax” (Aural Sects 2013)

Dorcelsius “Climax Air Climax” (Aural Sects 2013)

                This seapunk makes me actually feel like I’m underwater.   Oh, and the drumming… Wow, the drumming. 

MP3 REVIEW: THOED MYNDEZ “REMIXES” (Aural Sects 2013)

THOED MYNDEZ “REMIXES” (Aural Sects 2013)

                Check these remixes.   Play this loud and blow out your stock speakers.   Yeah, I need to listen to some of this hip hop in a non remixed way and see what it’s all about.   I bet it’s just as good.

SBSR: Ghost of You “Ocean K”

Ghost of You “Ocean K”

<1> “Public thief” – This bass line is funky.   Is that a bong?  No, it’s guitar screeching with that long guitar line.  This is kind of like Christiansen.   The vocals come in like something crazy and British between Zeppelin and The Who.   Now the chorus is kind of screaming and it has this very retro psychedelic feel to it where you’re not quite sure what to make of it, but wow, just wow.    How have I not heard of this band before?  This is just a get up and dance rock song.  

<2> “Cold water” – I like this song, even with the clicking.   The vocals come off sounding like Stabbing Westward, I kid you not.   This is such a melodramatic rock album—I love it.  Let’s put some of that fire back into rock n roll.   This is what I imagine the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club would sound like if they were, you know, good.   The clicking (beeping?) keeps coming back in the verses, which just makes me think of Stabbing Westward, but then the chorus kicks in with that lighter version of Recover sound.   This could be the next band that you need to fall in love with before all of the cool kids do it.  

<3> “Somewhere in the drop of your miracle” – Here comes the acoustic guitar and strings.  Hello ballad.  Right away I’m thinking of Ugly Kid Joe covering “Cat’s in the Cradle”, but now it’s kicking in like big hair metal or Spinal Tap.   Yes, I do enjoy the melody here, even if it has slowed down in pace a bit.   Whoa, that high pitched howl caught me off guard. 

<4> “K.” – This is slow and acoustic sounding like the previous song, and then it gets all those weird electronic drum noises in the background too.   What happened to the rock, guys?  The ROCK??!?!?!?!!!??

<5> “White tiger” – At least this song begins with a drumbeat that doesn’t appear to be going anywhere other than to R-O-C-K.    Yeah, this song is faster than the last two but not nearly as rocking as the first two.  Still, not a bad band, they just lost some steam at the end there. 

MP3 REVIEW: Goodwill Falcon “Primary Tones (CD EP)”

Goodwill Falcon “Primary Tones (CD EP)”

                Does 8bit have a subgenre for dub?   I’d call it 8dubit.   If they don’t have it yet, they should make it just for me and put Goodwill Falcon in it first and foremost.    The vocals also remind me of Flock of Seagulls, which is funny because, you know, birds of a feather and all. 

MP3 REVIEW: Black Storm s/t

Black Storm s/t

                These are two fairly long songs, but there is quite a bit going on in both of my earbuds even though sometimes I just want to sing “Shout! Shout! Let it all out!”.    Ambient?  Maybe.  Drone?  Definitely.   When it’s not acoustic and I’m thinking of Poison. 

SBSR: One Hundred Year Ocean “Poison Smoak”

One Hundred Year Ocean “Poison Smoak”

<1> “Okay Sure Yeah” – We begin with some light guitars, bass and drum.   This sounds like the beginning to a Commercials album I have.    And now we’re getting the music quieter and some vocals are coming in softly.   As they kick in louder I am reminded of The Casket Lottery for some reason.  He likes his bedroom blanket fortress for sure.  And now some fuzz is kicking in.   This song is really good and not just because of the name.   Around 2:45 it kicks into some Midtown-anthem-like “Who are you? What are you doing here?” lines, which just beat all.   This could very easily become one of my new favorite bands at this point in the game. 

<2> “Poison Smoak” – Well, this song is coming in with the rock and the keys so it has that sound of… I don’t know, The Rentals, Schatzi and Ultimate Fakebook I guess?  It’s getting into some bass lines and I’m reminded of “Stacy’s Mom has got it going on” (Bowling for Soup)   This has a partial 90s not-quite grunge sound to it.   And the singer just said my name.   Wow and now it’s going really poppy in the chorus and the addition of the happy-go-lucky female vocals just disinterest me.   Please sound more like Soul Asylum or whoever and less like that one band everyone wants to be like.

<3> “1576” – And if I wasn’t watching I wouldn’t know we just transitioned into the next song.   That last song seemed like just a verse than a chorus, which was nice.  We’ve got some nice guitar work going on here, as I’m realizing I probably tell too many backup singers to be quiet when I review music.   Burned CD-Rs are illegal, mister!   I liked this song until those female vocals came in again.   It’s all cool and then starts sounding like Straylight Run or something.   Not that Straylight Run is bad, but they already exist, so why is this necessary?   How about we, you know, just do some straight up Casket Lottery sounding rock?

<4> “Glendale & Colegate & Deerwalk” – Once again we transition into the next song with me barely catching it.   In spite of the female vocals I object to, this is one of the best pieces of music I’ve listened to in quite some time, really.   This song just flat out rocks.  “I’m only concerned with what I can get away with”  - Awesome line.    And just like that this song is over.   Damn that was short.   Please tell me this band has more music out there for me. 

SBSR: Pure Sunray s/t

Pure Sunray s/t

<1> “Caramel” – And we begin with a nice dance beat.  This has new wave written all over it.  And here come the male and female mixed vocals.  This is kind of like one of those radio bands, like Phoenix or Neon Trees, only not nearly as annoying.

<2> “Can You Imagine” – That is the kind of drum beat I want to hear open every song.  Then we go into some synth and dueling vocals.   This is so new wave it’s not even funny.   I really like it though. 

<3> “Giver” - This song has more of a 90s rock sound to it (early 90s, not grunge… okay, maybe late 80s even) and doesn’t have the same sense of synth and new wave.   It’s still a good song though.   Well, near the end we can kind of get the drum machine back, but yeah, closer to Breakfast Club even than new wave. 

MP3 REVIEW: Eastern Washington University “East Makes Waste”

Eastern Washington University “East Makes Waste”

                I’ve had far too many pairs of sunglasses broken.   This is 8bit new wave with Tom Petty / Lou Reed like vocals.   It sounds a lot better in your ear than it does when you read about it on the computer screen.

CD REVIEW: Louder Than Bombs “What Resonates”

Louder Than Bombs “What Resonates”

                I don’t like the new Hot Water Music album.  I also don’t like all of these bands trying to rip off the sound that HWM once created and I once loved back when I saw Saves the Day open for them.   Yes, there are bands that have been so influenced by Hot Water Music that they’ve failed to develop their own sound.   And yes, over time and maybe just my becoming more jaded there has also been a decline just in the all around sound of the band Hot Water Music themselves.  (I won’t begin to dissect what exactly went wrong and when)

                Louder Than Bombs actually provides a nice alternative to these bands that are coming out sounding like Hot Water Music as they have that same sort of feeling and vibe without sounding exactly like them in their early days.    It’s not that LTB sounds like HWM so much as they have that blue collar punk rock that I fell in love with when I first heard HWM.   (Actually, when I first heard HWM I didn’t like them, but that’s another story) 

                Bringing in vibes of No Use For a Name or various other punk bands you could find on Fat Wreck Chords in the late ‘90s / early ‘00s, Louder Than Bombs is truly carving their own niche in the musical world rather than following a familiar path.    This especially becomes evident on an anathematic song like “Banish”, which is one of my favorites from the album not just for the lyrics but also for the delivery.  

                This is more music to satisfy the punk rock fan who grew up listening to Epitaph when they, you know, had punk bands. 

MP3 REVIEW: Carroll “Needs”

Carroll “Needs”

                This is Ben Kweller mixed with Weezer or maybe The Killers but only in the best possible ways.    Although some sort of Coldplay sound does come out at times too and I don’t like that as much, but I’m willing to overlook it.

MP3 REVIEW: Business of Ferrets “One Night As Forever”

Business of Ferrets “One Night As Forever”

                What kind of noise does a ferret make?   No, seriously, because a ferret talked to me once and I thought I heard it meow.   In any event, these are three fairly long songs that border on FNL but in general just don’t do anything for me.

MP3 REVIEW: Life In Slow Motion “The Roots Of My World Are Falling Apart”

Life In Slow Motion “The Roots Of My World Are Falling Apart”

                A few songs, a few pictures, but nothing really worth writing about for me.

MP3 REVIEW: Tokyo Gore Police “White Roses”

Tokyo Gore Police “White Roses”

                Five more indie rock dance drum machine type songs that if you don’t like by now you probably never will. 

MP3 REVIEW: Wiicca “OLAY”

Wiicca “OLAY”

                Drop.

                That.

                Beat.

MP3 REVIEW: W0LCNUM “ Virescit Vulnere Virtus” (Aural Sects 2013)

W0LCNUM “ Virescit Vulnere Virtus” (Aural Sects 2013)

                This has that electronic / industrial almost type of feel to it.  Something between early Nine Inch Nails (“Pretty Hate Machine” era) and Stabbing Westward, the first Filter album, etc.    It is actually surprisingly welcome in my current musical playlist. 

MP3 REVIEW: Whitely “Wonderful Life”

Whitely “Wonderful Life”

                This has that 8bit sound that borders on seapunk.  It’s the type of music I expect to hear playing in a Japanese arcade while kids with Hello Kitty backpacks play DDR.   Though it doesn’t have quite the poppy dance beat that the game would suggest, but it’s almost there.

MP3 REVIEW: Candy Colors “Alive” [single]

Candy Colors “Alive” [single]

                Something between Mumford and Sons and The Killers which just is what it is. 

MP3 REVIEW: Bright Empty “Fountain” [single]

Bright Empty “Fountain” [single]

                Dark, hollow vocals with twangy guitar based indie rock/Brit rock sound.  I’m enjoying it and would welcome more songs from this band for sure.

MP3 REVIEW: Homecoming “Mt. Killzonbith” [single]

Homecoming “Mt. Killzonbith” [single]

                This is your chance, bounty hunter… I am a soldier, like you, we have our duty… Whoa man.  Whoa.

MP3 REVIEW: Tchaparian “Sunday’s Idle Hands”

Tchaparian “Sunday’s Idle Hands”

                This is by far not the worst indie rock with hints of FNL that I’ve ever heard, but it doesn’t really do a whole lot to stand out either considering that this genre is becoming larger and larger.   The vocals help a little bit, but enough for me to, say, pick this band out on a post rock compilation. 

MP3 REVIEW: She Sets The Sky Alight “Sleepless E.P.”

She Sets The Sky Alight “Sleepless E.P.”

                This marvelous sound combines indie rock, shoegaze and elements of 8bit.   It’s really this cross genre feel you have to hear to understand, but they do blend together rather nicely.   Consider me a fan.

MP3 REVIEW: Shostakoverture “Don’t Let People Label You”

Shostakoverture “Don’t Let People Label You”

                These songs have that electronic sound only with a saxophone and trumpet at different points.   It’s what I describe as being what would happen if Us3 went experimental electronica.    It is very, very good and my words cannot even begin to describe that.

SBSR: Night Surf “Light”

Night Surf “Light”

<1> “Intro (Bitter)” – Some funky guitar solos and just some all out trippy instrumental rock make this opening track which introduces us to the band.   So far I like it. 

<2> “Suffer” – This just appears to be a longer version of the previous song with less psychedelic guitar and more of a laid back surf rock vibe.    At this point I’m wondering whether or not it will be worth it to keep listening after the next song, though I am somewhat curious as to what a ‘Reverse Version” is exactly.    This really just sounds like it could be the mellow soundtrack to a surf video compilation and let’s leave it at that.

<3> “Keep Breathin’”

<4> “Astride”

<5> “Used”

<6> “Keep Breathin’ (Reverse Version)”

MP3 REVIEW: Robot Doctors “Demos”

Robot Doctors “Demos”

                Punk that sounds like Blink 182 with an accent.   It has the cymbal crashes in just the right places.

MP3 REVIEW: chalkboards “whitewash” [single]

chalkboards “whitewash” [single]

                Instrumental 8bit that has a cinematic feel to it and isn’t as fast paced as I’m used to with 8bit music, so this is nice.

MP3 REVIEWL Magic Man “Paris” [single]

Magic Man “Paris” [single]

                This song begins with a nice beat and crazy synth.  It has a very sort of pop feel to it, so I’d definitely say synth pop for this one.   Is this an ode to Paris Hilton?   No, I think it’s about the city.  It has that feel of Panic at the Disco (when they were good) mixed with something radio friendly like Phoenix.  It’s rather upbeat, which can be bad at the wrong time, but if this makes sense (and I don’t watch a lot of television) I could see this song being used in a car commercial.    I also must make a comparison to The Black and White Years in here or I’d be mad at myself. 

MP3 REVIEW: Celica XX “Imperius” [single]

Celica XX “Imperius” [single]

               

                Just over eight minutes of Replacements type rock.   I’m digging it.

MP3 REVIEW: Marie Dior “uss” (Aural Sects)

Marie Dior “uss” (Aural Sects)

                18 Untitled Songs.

                They’re not called “Untitled 1, Untitled 2, etc.” but rather every single song is just Untitled.

                Some can be long.

                Some can be short.

                Some can be loud.

                Some can be quiet.

                Some are noise.

                Some have beats.

                Mainly you just have to experience it for yourself

                To hear what I mean.

MP3 REVIEW: Rough Kids “The State I’m In” (Sorry State Records)

Rough Kids “The State I’m In” (Sorry State Records)

                This is a pure punk rock sound that falls somewhere between bands you should know such as Jughead’s Revenge, TSOL and Bouncing Souls.   If you need to know if it’s good after that then you’re asking the wrong questions.

MP3 REVIEW: vo§uru “Silver Delirium” (Aural Sects 2013)

vo§uru  “Silver Delirium” (Aural Sects 2013)

                On the whole, the songs on “Silver Delirium” tend to be electronic based music with audio clips over them.   Simplifying it to that extent though isn’t that much different than calling a work by your favorite painter merely “a painting”.     These songs need to be heard to be understood.   Luckily for you, each song has an accompanying piece of art with it (An image, a PNG if you will) which just serves as further reason to download this album. 

                The songs can have that new wave vibe to them, but they also come off reminding me of something between the Resident Evil soundtrack and that fashion show they did in the movie “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead”.   If that’s not specific enough for you, I don’t know what is Sue Ellen. 

MP3 REVIEW: Anklepants “live at sameheads” (Art As Catharsis)

Anklepants “live at sameheads” (Art As Catharsis)

                Anklepants generates big beats for optimal dancing at your convenience.   Vocals are also often pleasant and can either skip or sound like Megatron.   You should book Anklepants for your next electronic rave dance party or bar mitzvah in order for maximum enjoyment. 

AUDIO: Polly Scattergood + How To Dress Well // Diamond Rings + Youngblood Hawke

While I am currently putting together new reviews and interviews to post, please take this opportunity to check out these new songs I think you will enjoy.

First off we have just the wonderful Polly Scattergood's single "Wanderlust" as remixed by the most awesome How To Dress Well, both of which we are big fans of here at RBG.    You can also follow links from this link to hear another remix as well as the original version of "Wanderlust" in case you missed when I posted that the first time around.

Do all that Polly Scattergood and HTDW music right here:


http://soundcloud.com/pollyscattergood/wanderlust-how-to-dress-well/s-lWnsH

I also am currently in the process of putting together a review for a most excellent album by Diamond Rings.   Well, you can also treat yourself to a free stream via Sound Cloud of a Diamond Rings track as remixed by Youngblood Hawke.   Also, to be completely fair and linear, be sure to also check the flip side which is a Youngblood Hawke song remixed by Diamond Rings.   Confused?  No?   Good.   Click the link and hear these little ditties not about Jack and Diane.


http://soundcloud.com/diamondrings/07-runaway-love-youngblood

VIDEO: The Watermark High "The Disconnect"

You can check out the new video by The Watermark HIgh called "The Disconnect" by going to this YouTube site.   Do it.  Do it now.

http://youtu.be/T7tjmosKkY4

MP3 REVIEW: Bronx Cheerleader “Get Out Your Guns” (Steve Mason Remix)

Bronx Cheerleader “Get Out Your Guns” (Steve Mason Remix)

            I feel like this song- even this exact remix- is on a whenthesunhits compilation, but hey, why not give it its own review just because I can.  

            The remix of this song really sounds like Blue October.  It’s got that funky bass and similar vocals, you know, it’s just such a fun song to crank out of your speakers because of the beat.  It’s not overly obnoxious and it maintains a certain sense of rock to it as well.   Yes, if you told me that this was a track I never heard before from either “Foiled” or “Approaching Normal” I would believe you.   And I am a huge fan of Blue October so that is a compliment from me—super sized!         

SBSR: pools are nice “If you’re thinking about this – EP”

pools are nice “If you’re thinking about this – EP”

<1> “hey tonight” – A very fuzzy punk rock song.  It has a Modern English but more punk rock sound to it.  The guy from the other EP is singing the title I believe, but otherwise he can’t really be heard.  Around the minute and a half mark a killer guitar riff surfaces.  This has that innocence of a high school band but it sounds like someone much more talented. 

<2> “voyeur” – Okay, just based on the way it opens I already like this song.   And I spoke too soon because here comes that other vocalist.  They’re singing at the same time though so it’s not as bad and he’s really not that bad at singing it’s just that I could do without him.   I think they just blew my speakers too… what was that noise?  Haha.   And based on the song title, yes they are singing “Ooooh baby” a lot.  This could be closer to a Vandals song now that they’re really getting into it.   It also almost has a slight ska beat.   Around the two minute mark, the guitar riff takes us out.  And good night.   No, wait.  There are two songs left still.

<3> “basement” - This one starts with a somewhat heavy bass line.   And here comes the vocalist I don’t like as much, but yes, he really sounds more like the Vandals in this song than Blink 182 so I’m not as turned off anymore.   Then the other vocalist sings during the chorus, so it’s like that whole Vandals meets Hot Water Music vibe again. 

<4> “luna” – I do enjoy this drum opening.   This has a dreamy punk sound to it.   It’s a bit slower and closer to a ballad than their other songs.   Though the way the vocals are cracking is only somewhat amusing.   Then the chorus gets really heavy and fuzzy, somewhere between Dropkick Murphys and Andrew WK.    Now the other guy is actually singing about someone named Luna and it turns a little bit into Hunx.   And then the other other guy is back again, sort of screaming.   This is wild, man. 

SBSR: pools are nice “These Things Just Happen”

pools are nice “These Things Just Happen”

<1> “DINK!” – This has a Brit punk sound to it mixed with an electric version of Hunx.   I can also hear the Mr. T Experience in this and why not.   It appears as if the guy who had the somewhat annoying vocals on “We live here now” is gone now.  Or at least he just doesn’t sing anymore. 

<2> “sick” – I like the fuzzy guitar chords to open this.   Then we kick into some kind of crazy Elvis type of punk rock.  This is quite possibly one of the single best songs I’ve heard by this band so far.  It channels The (International) Noise Conspiracy but also something slightly more punk and less… you know. 

SBSR: pools are nice “We live here now – EP”

pools are nice “We live here now – EP”

<1> “time and place” – This has a nice Brit rock feel to it.   It definitely gets belted out.   And then for the second verse (or maybe chorus?) a second vocalist comes out.  The first singer has a really good, gruff sort of voice while the other guy has that kind of annoying voice like Tom from Blink 182, but he’s not as annoying as Tom so I can live with it.   Plus let us not forget the awesome guitar work here.   This is somewhere between garage, fuzz and surf punk. 

<2> “games” – The vocals come in strong on this song in that blue collar punk rock way (like Hot Water Music in ways)  The chorus gets a little screamy and it’s fun.   “Girl, you don’t know what I could do to you” – it’s a great line. 

<3> “natasha” – And we open with the drum beat and start and stop guitar riff.  This reminds me more and more of punk as the songs go on and I keep thinking it’s going to take that Blink 182 pop punk plunge, but then it always turns itself around.  This song could almost be Nerf Herder’s “Diana”.   But then the screaming of vocals starts ala HWM.   And now the guy who sounded like Tom before sounds like the singer from the Vandals. 

SBSR: Astronaut Husband “Just some random songs”

Astronaut Husband “Just some random songs”

<1> “time to go” – This starts off very softly.  It has a twee or EFS sound to it.   I seriously had to turn the volume way up to hear this song and I was listening to the previous song pretty loudly.   The vocals are melodic and kind of echo-y, but this still reminds me too much of EFS.   If it doesn’t change after the second track than I move on.

<2> “Two Years” – Well, the vocals are coming out a bit more distant and it sounds like this is a ukulele song rather than an acoustic guitar.   And now he’s whistling like GNR in “Patience”.   I think I need to listen to all four of these songs just because I never know what will come around the next bridge.   That was actually a fairly short song- the whistling took up most of it.

<3> “A.M.H.S. #1” – We’re slightly more complicated than the first song, which is a good way to start.   But now the vocals do remind me of EFS again.   I only have about a minute left on this song, so I’ll stick it out.    At about the 1:30 mark this song picks up rather nicely.   I still feel like I found this under shoegaze and I have yet to hear the gazing.   Dream pop maybe.

<4> “on it” – Last song.  Let’s hope for the best.   I feel like I’m seeing a terrible band live and yelling “One more” after they’ve only played one song.   But this hasn’t really been all that terrible.   This coming from someone who has seen L7 get booed off the stage.   And now I hear birds (I believe seagulls) talking.  At 1:45 I’m thinking this whole song is going to be this ambient seagull sound.   Oh, and now someone’s vaguely talking.    Now I hear a mix of acoustic guitar strings and seagulls.  It’s strange, huh?  And now the guitar work is picking up as we near the end.   And good night.