[reviews from 2001] The Get Up Kids Eudora (cd) (Vagrant) Eudora is the compilation of all of their early stuff, named after the city in Kansas where they do most of their recording. This comp includes, among others, songs from their elusive "the breathing method" single (first release) and the highly coveted Sub Pop singles club single (alternate versions of "10 minutes" and "anne arbour"). I feel this comp was entirely necessary even though I pretty much have most of what's on it... it's good to have all this stuff on one CD and it wasn't like I was going to find the aforementioned singles anywhere at a fair price (*cough*ebay*cough*). It's also a nice way to chart the band's growth (virtually in reverse chronological order starting with the most recent recordings) too, as the listener gets an audio timeline of TGUK history. Songs you'll see me rocking out to on the subway: "the breathing method" (from their first single), "on with the show" (their Motley Crue cover), "central standard time" (from their split with The Anniversary -- one of my favorite songs), and "impossible outcomes" (the song Scott Ritcher from Metroschifter wrote for them). This ought to keep people happy until next May or whatever when their next full length comes out. The Movielife ...Has A Gambling Problem (cdep) (Drive-Thru) These are some extremely hard working guys -- having released stuff on seven different labels (namely Initial, Revelation, and Fadeaway) and going from a more traditional hardcore sound to a more bounce-along melodic punk variety ... which fits them in comfortably at their current home at Drive-Thru Records. This EP samples us with five extremely catchy songs with very sing-along-able choruses and causing you to erupt into a pit of one. My favorite song on here has got to be "if only duct tape could fix everything" with my favorite lyrics, "when it's not me, who's forgetting all our dreams...". It's only an EP so it's not a terribly taxing financial investment. Quit your whining and go get it already. Hey Mercedes Everynight Fire Works (cd) (Vagrant) Undeniably Braid and yet so much more, the first LP by this incarnation of the midwest rock legends takes off where they left off at their self-titled EP on Polyvinyl. What I love about them and this record is their instantly recognizable style, starting with the vocals to the beefy chords, right down to the sick stop-on-a-dime drumming. I missed my chance of seeing them when they came around and I'm definitely regretting it every time I am reminded. So until they tour the east coast again I'll be rocking "frowning of a lifetime", "a-list actress", "eleven to your seven", "que shiraz" and "let's go blue". Dashboard Confessional So Impossible (cdep) (Vagrant) Let it be known that I was never a fan of former-punk-band-singers-gone-solo-acoustic acts. Dashboard has definitely changed that for me. I got this four-song EP at their show, and apparently it's sort of a prelude to a full-length but I don't know if it's a tour-only thing (it came in a paper sleeve) or if you can get it in stores. I would imagine you can get 'em in stores, it would be silly to do something like that on a sold-out tour. Anyway. So you may be aware that on his last full-length, The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most, he had help from some of his friend backing him up with drums and bass on select tracks. This EP, however, is entirely solo-acoustic. Chris doesn't let us down either, telling emotional stories with his signature accompaniment of powerful acoustic guitars and vocals. So simple yet so complex. Just put this on repeat and wait till the full-length comes out. River City High Won't Turn Down (cd) (Doghouse / BWR) With country boy swagger and hot lickin' guitar solos, surely these guys are the blue-collar rock for today's punk.emo generation. I'm all over "Just Wonderin'" with the catchy-as-all-get-out chorus and mentions of wearing tight pants like Jimmy Page to catch the eye of a Zeppelin shirt wearing hottie. A surprise cameo appearance by Mary Lou Lord in this song caught me off guard (what is she doing these days, anyway?). All references aside, RCH play stripped-down rock-and-fucking-roll with emo sensibilities that can bridge the gap between rock fans and the punk.emo kids. Brittle Stars Garage Sale (ep + remixes) (cd) (Shelflife) The last hurrah for one amazing band, this cd combines the last of their recordings with remixes by the more high rollin' pop and electronic peeps in the biz. You can't help but be moved by the sweet keys that tug on your heart in each and every song, as simple notes are expertly sewn together into swoon-worthy chords. I'm especially fond of "disorderlies", "you went in phases" and "souvenir". It's quite appropriate that they ended it on a song called souvenir, don't you think? And then come the rexmixes. What better way to start things off than with the cut&paste sample-pop mix wiz Phofo? Of all the hidden samples in his remix of "occasional appearance", the best one has to be the one of the Fat Boys at the end -- most unexpected and entirely fitting. Genius. Scott from Majestic does a spazzy dancy beaty version of "tripping me up". The recently re-named Athens, GA electro-loop-pop duo I Am The... dishes up a club pop remix of "four words". Keeping the Kindercore torch lit is Masters of the Hemisphere with more of a cover rather than a remix of "your street is dark". There's a hidden Phofo track at the end, which I believe to be "you went in phases", which is just as good as his previous work. Also contributing remixes are Window Gardens, C. HAND4D, and Steward. The Record Time Dream In Color Dream In Sound (cdep) (My Automation) I've been checking out a good deal of the rock lately (the music, not the most electrifying man in sports-entertainment) and this ep couldn't have had better timing showing up in my life. Tight precision rocking with (what I gather is) influences from the schools old and new -- we're talking Dischord to recent midwest emo like Hey Mercedes. Their dynamic is pretty hard to achieve being just three guys, but they pull it off really well. My faves on this 5-song release are "never say" and "divine divine divine". I hear they've since become a four-piece and changed a bit, so I'm pretty anxious to hear what they're up to. And so should you. In the meantime go check out their website. A Boy, a Girl and a Rendez-vous various artists (cd) (Red Roses For Me) This is a nice collection of songs by some of the most recognizable names in pop today. You will find familiarity in the lead-off track "hit the snow" by The Aislers Set (one of their best, as you'll probably agree), and settle into comfort with the likes of ex-Sarah stars The Sugargliders (exclusive to this release) and Aberdeen (final recording), Bart & Friends, CT hockey rockers The Zambonis, The Arrogants, and everyone's favorite The Lucksmiths. Chances are you've heard of most of these artists, but if you don't own the releases this is a good place to start. Head on over to the label's website for more info. No Motiv Diagram For Healing (cd) (Vagrant) So I had an mp3 of one of their songs and thought it was pretty good, but didn't act on them past that until I picked this cd up on a whim. Holy hot damn, what a fool was I to wait this long. Full-on rock with 80's new wave charms snuck in at all the right moments. And like all good emo releases there are lyrics to aid the sing along process. This will surely come in handy should I get to catch a show of theirs that would include "broken and burned", "only you", "get a life" or "let it go" in their set. Don't make the same mistake I did and check them out today. Laura Watling Early Morning Walk (cd) (Shelflife) If you heard her debut solo 7" that came out last year, surely you have been waiting for the release of this full length. I know I was. Though when the CD did come out, I wondered if Laura (L-Wa for those in the know) (okay, not really) would be able to keep up that sweet pop creativity for an entire album's worth all by herself. That 7" sure is a tough act to follow. ...and it took but one listen to scatter those clouds of doubt. She has such a way with layered simplicity, each with her pop charm spin, which really separates her from today's indiepop pack. It also helps that she has one of my favorite voices in pop as well. I'm also a sucker for quiet popmusic that mics the pick strumming the strings, so really this is a no-brainer for me. From Go Sailor to The Field Mice, Early Morning Walk will appeal to a variety of pop fans everywhere. Churchbuilder Patty Darling (cd) (Shelflife) Take a joyride in souped up D'Elorean fully loaded with a flux capacitor, or pop in Churchbuilder's "Patty Darling" and zap across decades of pop music. These five kids from Akron, three playing keyboard, one with a guitar and one behind a kit, accelerate to 88 mph and flash to the past to catch glimpses of Kraftwerk, a little New Order, Rocketship and even label mates Brittle Stars. Of course there's more to Churchbuilder than sounding like other bands but I can't figure out all your answers, can I? Try this one on for size, especially "castle of blood," "french kiss conspiracy" and the discobeaty "hey flannery". The Speedtrain Starlight (cd ep) (Jet Glue) You could never tell that it only took a band of three to put together a demonstration of such rock & pop (rocking pop?). In "Starlight," the Speedtrain manages to fill the sonic gaps that smaller bands often have trouble filling out, all the while doing it with a stylish 60's flair. Stealing the spotlight from the guitar-guitar-drums set up is the farfisa, sounding off in a way that will really tug on your heartstrings -- especially on "Dead" and "Untitled". Honestly, monster garage pop has never tasted so sweet like the Speedtrain. Souvenir self-titled (cd ep) (Shelflife) The grown-up taste of Shelflife's smooth pop flavor is very well represented by this latest release from Madrid's Souvenir. You might've heard that they sing all of their songs in French, even though they're really from Spain. Is this a trend (there was Moving Pictures covering a song in French and stuff)? I really like "Quand Tu Reviendras" (a nice soundtrack to a rainy spring day) and the go-go booty "Au Bord Du Soleil". There's a full-length in the works, too. The Get Up Kids / Rocket From The Crypt split single (7") (Vagrant) This fancily-packaged colored vinyl split, falsely classified as "limited edition" by eBay sellers, is a bit of alright in my new-found world of get up kids fandom. tguk serve up their latest signature pop-tinged new wave emo in a song called "up on the roof". it's a bit on the slower side in their stable of race horse rockers but that shouldn't detract anyone because the song still goes out rocking. It took me a few listens for it to really sink in, but then so did "mass pike" and that's an anthem. Rocket grinds out a dramatic rocker powered by hot, hot horns and chunky precision. These guys just keep getting better as the years roll by, it seems. You really can't lose by picking this up, unless you get a copy from the aforementioned auction site. Harper Lee Bug (7") (Matinee) Brighter was probably my all-time favorite Sarah Records band, so you'll really hear no complaints from me that Keris Howard (the guy who was Brighter) has continued to make records that aren't too dissimilar from what he used to do. Melancholic, introspective, simple, pop. This is a 7" to save for a rainy day, but why would you limit yourself? Phofo The Adversary Demos (cd) (Superswell) When I saw the name "Phofo" on the bill at a recent show in NYC I had no idea what to expect and, really, nothing could have prepared me for the Phofo experience. A bit of that cut&paste sample-pop in the vein of Fantastic Plastic Machine and even Arling and Cameron with some hip-hop thrown in in a playful manner. All this while wearing a BEAR COSTUME (does he do this for every show?)! Phofo was up on the stage with two turntables (I don't think he was using them, though ...), occasionally turning to the crowd to lead us in a syncopated hand-waving or a little dance. There's even the obligatory dj schtick where he crams in numerous rap samples that say his name (taken from rap lyrics about .44's, referred to as their "fo-fo") and, man, it had me rolling. All of this stuff is on his cd, which he was giving out for free. If he turns up anywhere near you, you MUST go see him.
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