The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 154

Well, it’s more acceptable if you’ve heard a couple songs from the album but not the whole thing

 

Hopefully I can participate again once this damn flu epidemic is under control.

 

glad you were into it! he's been around for a good few years but this is his first album so def still new.

still working on the for everest writeup but it should be done soon!

 

Nice concert review! Now I think I should go see them in april

 

You really should. Are they headlining that show??

 

Yes they are. The last time they were here they supported Breaking Benjamin but my friend had a wedding that day. I was really sorry I missed that show because I like both bands. This time it's Starset-only but the club is small so it must be kinda interesting. I'm not a fan of big venues

 

They did a small venue when @bachna84 went. Yes for sure go

 

@Michael Schmidt assigned me The Lawrence Arms- Apathy and Exhaustion

This is a band I've heard of constantly between AbsolutePunk and Chorus. I know a lot of people hold this band in high regard, and after listening I can see why. This band would've been a top tier band for me, had I heard them 15 years ago.

The band has a way with their writing that brings out nostalgic feelings. The way the singer(singers?) delivers his lines, and the power chords hit hard, and are played with sincere emotion. For example, the first song "Porno and Snuff Films" I love how he'll deliver a line in the verse followed by a heavy and turned up power chord that adds extra emotion to the way he delivers the line. The record reminds me of the feeling that I get when I listen to Social Distortion where there's so much sincerity delivered in the lyrics that invokes the nostalgic feeling. I could hear other influences from bands from that scene as well, like Rancid, and Anti-Flag. I was very happy to see that they have a fairly large discography, so I'll be able to catch up on a lot of their stuff. I'm hoping that the rest of their catalogue is half as good as this record! Thanks for the great rec @Michael Schmidt

Favorite tracks: "Porno and Snuff Films" "Your Gravest Words" "Brick Wall Views"

 

@Nate_Johnson Digging this Shame album on first listen. They have a pretty unique sound.

 

My AOTY right now! If you want, I can forward you some of the other bands @Wall Of Arms recommended to me coming out of that South London scene.

 

@BTDandFeelingThis put me back on the bench please. I will keep posting but I'm just too bad at listening and reviewing the stuff I get. Procrastination is a real problem for me.

 

This is an unexpected twist. You're always listening to music!

 

I am but listening to music and taking the time to do a write up on it when you're a perfectionist like I am and seeing all the good reviews in here its too much of a burden/obstacle for me

 

Glad you liked the record! This was their third record and there are 4 albums and an ep after, so lots of material. There are two singers and songwriters, that's why there is a distinct difference between some of the material and the delivery. I think it helps keep things fresh and varied, personally.

 

I thought there had to be two singers. Seemed to be a distinct difference in voices, and expected it couldn't have been just a different delivery. Which one is Brendan, the cleaner or harsher vocals?

 

I would be into that!

 

Brendan is the rougher voice. He sings porno and snuff.

 

Check out:
Idles
Crows
Goat Girl

 

You’re in for a treat, that band have a ridiculously good catalogue. Even their b-side album is extremely strong and contains some of their best tracks.

 

Yessssssssss, come find me in threads and talk bands nobody else will talk about.

 

No offense to South London, but with the exception of Goat Girl these are not very unique names. Took me a minute to confirm I was listening to the right Shame this morning.

 

u fuckin wot m8

 

Alright everyone, its time to write some reviews! I had 3 partners this week, with 6 albums to review. (Why do I keep doing this to myself? Do I like stress?). I am going to start this off with our newest member, @ugman_2000 and his recommendations.

No Use For A Name- Hard Rock Bottom

HOW IN THE HELL HAVE I NEVER HEARD OF THIS ALBUM?! Okay. Now that that is out of the way, this is No Use For A Name with their 2002 punk/alternative sixth album. This album is baffling me how it flew under my radar for so long, because this was a very fun album to get to listen to and a very nice first exposure to this band. Musically, I am going to compare them to bands like Unwritten Law, Blink-182, and other pop punk acts of the late 90s and early 2000s. Somehow though, this sound makes its way into this album and does it so well that it seems nostalgic and fresh at the same time.

Right off the bat with opening track 'Feels Like Home', you know you are in for a fun ride. The song starts off with this slow guitar pick, but as soon as the lead vocalist Tony Sly begins to softly sing and this gentle little strumming begins, you are instantly drawn in to both the lyrics and the music. This intro has simple, relatable lyrics that while not being ground breaking instantly hit you in the feels with lyrics like "Something tells me that you are free again, In a place that feels like home. It's never easy to understand, Why memories hold our hand, But people let go". This is a small little intro but has reflection on loss that we can all relate to some point or another in our lives. And then 'International You Day' kicks in, and the pop punk/ alternative sound is there in full glory with a banger of an intro leading into an Enema Of The State like sound of music. This song, like the intro before it, is about loss of someone in your life, but unlike the more somber intro this fast paced rock song is about trying to reclaim this lost love and uses its simple lyrics well along with this head banging guitar and beautiful thumping drum in the back ground. I will go on to say this album does not have a bad song on it. The song following is 'Pre-Medicated Murder' which keeps up the pop punk glory.

Track 4 however, is the highlight of the album for me with 'Dumb Reminders'. This song kicks so much ass. Its nostalgic even on the first listen, possibly with its lyrical themes of lost love and being surrounded by things that constantly remind you of what you lost and no longer have around. The guitars are insanely catchy in this song, the drums are relentless, and this is probably the best of vocals Tony has to offer. Its a quick song and is over faster than Id like, but I was instant to hit replay the second it was over, and have revisited often. My next favorite is track 8, 'Let Me Down', which reminds me of 'Tiger Lily' by Matchbook Romance, but if covered by a pop punk band that decided to kick into a Cartel song half way through. Its masterfully done and great. This album has a lyrical theme of love and relationships lost and destroyed yet missed and coveted through most of these songs, but it never gets repetitive and never gets old, and comes to an amazing full head in the song 'Undefeated'. This is pure pop punk bliss at its glory in the era the album was released in, but done in such a great way that it still holds well.

I will be revisiting this album, a LOT. And I will be checking their other work out. This was 100% in my wheelhouse, and a masterful recommendation from our new member. Recommended tracks are: Feels Like Home, International You Day, Dumb Reminders, Friends Of The Enemy, Let Me Down, and Undefeated.
9/10

Audio Karate- Space Camp


Another pop punk/ alternative rock album from the year 2002, another band I am surprised I missed. This fast paced, wild music is definitely something that could have been on a Tony Hawk soundtrack, and would have definitely made my CD rotation back in the day for this one. Reminding me of bands of the era like Ataris and Sum 41, these guys are in the same group as No Use For A Name, but with a slightly different style. You can definitely make comparisons to them though, and are definitely worth noting.

Unlike No Use For A Name, this album kicks off with a straight out of the gate roaring song that is much longer than the softer, shorter intro of the other album. It didn't quite grab me as quick as the latter did, but this was rectified when I heard 'Drama Club Romance', which is a song that is going to get you up and moving as soon as you hear it. The guitar roars in at the start of the song, with that hyper sense of urgency that punk bands back in the early 2000s were know for. This is a great song, and when I heard it in my multiple listens of the album I knew I was going to like what I was in for. This kept up with the third track on the album, and possibly my favorite, 'Nintendo 89'. This song rips, plain and simple. It has everything you want from a pop punk song. Up beat, wild guitars. Insane drumming. A smooth bass. And with these lyrics like "So game over she said the level needed for the time, And the place has been defeated. So don't blame its hard to believe it was love we had, Because I've been doing fine" and "Game Over she said, I have a new friend"; you know you are in for a song about a bitterly ending relationship and is completely relatable (And I like the video game theme), but it sounds like it could have been straight from an American Pie movie soundtrack or something; and that is NOT a bad thing sometimes (Like in this case). I absolutely love this song.

The band really keeps its stride up, and when track 6 'Monster In Disguise' comes around; the album is in full swing mode and its not holding anything back. This song is insane, the intro is this high pitched whine of a guitar that lets you know something big is coming and it delivers in spades with this song. Continuing the themes of bitter love gone wrong, the song touches on the monster inside of someone as the relationship crumbles around them. The high pitched twine of guitar strings bangs through the song as the scenario of a man changed, a woman missing who he once was, and looking for a way through that despite the 'monster' they have both become leads to a great time and an absolute head banger of a song that is fun to sing along with.

This album is damn good, too. Somehow though, it did not get me quite as much as No Use did, despite being very much in the same alley. These guys could have toured together! This is not to say this album is damn good. I liked this album, and I will be revisiting it. But if I'm forced to pick one or the other, No Use will win by the smallest of margins. Give this album a try, for sure. Stand out Tracks: Nintendo 89, Monster In Disguise, Car Ride Home, One Day.
8/10

@ugman_2000 stellar job with your recommendations this session. You. Nailed. It.

 

On to my next partner and set of albums, and that is @Nate_Johnson whom I am familiar with trading with. We have been partnered at least 2 other times prior to this session. But they have all gone well, and I am down to hear more albums from him. So, here we go.

Tiny Moving Parts- Swell

Let me start off by saying that poor @Colin Your Enthusiasm has been trying to get me to listen to this album for at least two weeks prior to this before Nate and I were partnered. I did plan to get around to it eventually, so when Nate recommended it to me on this session I was more than happy to listen to it. I had planned to check it out anyway so why not. As is usual to state at the beginning of these album reviews from me, I had not heard of this band before Colin began ranting like a fanboy about them in the chat thread we all go to. I had NO idea what I was getting into when I hit play, not an inkling of an idea. I think it paid off to go in blind like that, because I was taken by surprise after starting (Especially given the other stuff of his I had heard, and the very different tastes Nate has, this album could have been anything.)

This is my favorite 2018 release so far. I am going to go ahead and say this right now. Better than Dangerous Summer, better than Paint Brain; both of which I liked a hell of a lot. This album is FUN, and this album RIPS. This isn't ripping on the level of a punk rock album or something to that extent, as its hard to compare the two of them. 'Send Applause to Your Heart Strings!' a line yelled with such firey passion in the opening track 'Applause' sums up this album greatly. This album has so much passion and emotion working into these songs, there are layers of both in equal measure in every lyric and string in this album. Fun, loud and well played guitars with these guitar riffs that come off so smooth, instrumentals, female backing vocals on some songs. They went for gold on this album and they nailed it. They have a sound similar in genre to Foxing or The Hotelier, but its extremely unique to themselves. Each song has these moments you will love and will be singing along with, like in second track 'Smooth It Out', I found myself absolutely loving right around the 2:35 mark where there are dual vocals of the first verse repeated in the background behind the main chorus quietly. Its so damn good, and I found myself drawn to that part many times.

'Its Too Cold Tonight' is another damn good song, coming in the back half of the album at track 7. This song...I cannot even put into words how could this song is. The guitar really stands out in these cool pieces strummed behind parts of the verse, before this chanting chorus comes in to join them. This song is anthemic, and it keeps your attention to the point that you want to sing along if you've never heard it before. And those female vocals of "I don't Even know who I am" chiming along with the verses. Simply beautiful. This song was made so well, and I found myself singing it well after I had finished listening to the album. Favorite track of the album assured, although there is not a bad song on this album. I like the way it sounds, the vocalist can do soft vocals, and he can do these great yelling vocals too. These help the lyrics emphasize their power and emotion, and they knew what they were doing when crafting these songs.

I bought this album. I added it to my apple music library. I completely see why Colin was trying to talk me into listening to this album. It is definitely a contender for my AOTY list at the end of the year. I will say its going to make the top 10 of 2018 for me unless some really great records come out this year. I am going to make a note of this statement, because I am willing to be it stays true. At only 33 minutes its a quick listen, but a fun one.
Stand Out Tracks: Applause. Smooth It Out. Wildfire. Its Too Cold Tonight. Malfunction.
9/10


Waterparks-Entertainment

As soon as '11:11' began, I swore I had heard this band before. Having a sound similar to bands like 'Cartel, 'Sleeping With Sirens', 'Forever The Sickest Kids', 'Boys Like Girls' and that vein of pop rock, this was a curveball I did not expect Nate to be throwing me. If you like those pants, you know what you are getting in for; and I for one am a fan of this pop rock genre of music. These guys are apparently on their second album, though this is the first one of theirs I had heard. They have a fast paced and fun sound that I found myself digging.

One thing that I noticed from listening to this album is that these guys have some chops with guitar when they allow the guitars to shine. There are moments on the album where production or effects( and there are a LOT of 'pop' effects in these songs especially later in the album, like deepened distorted voices, synths, high pitched voices. Think of some of the effects used in Linkin Park's One More Light, and mix it with FTSK) and these kind of soften the blow these guitars could have had in some songs. But then you have songs like 'Blonde' which are catchy and infectious as all hell, and the guitars shine on these songs. This song is kind of silly in its lyrics, but its such a damn fun song and it will get stuck in your head. This is a great follow up to 11:11, and it keeps the energy of the album going strong. This energy continues through out the album. Not everything they try works, but you can say that every song is unique, every song is its own spirit and there are no moments where you think you may have heard this song already. ' Lucky People' is a good example of this. A silly little love letter to the lady song when you tear it down to the bones, but the way they structure the song and the simplicity in the love lyrics and the acoustic guitar are enough to make this song stand out as a strong moment on the album, and its a simple notion that anyone can understand. Its a sweet little acoustic song, but it works and its a song I found myself returning to often. (This could be because I am planning a wedding this year.)

But then you'll have a song like 'Rare' kick in right after this sweet acoustic song with these great pop rock guitars, and these rhythmically sung lyrics. Rare is again a song about love, but in a different tempo and vein than Lucky People before it. Its about thinking someone is 'rare', one of a kind, that one special person. This song is probably their best musically played song on the album in my opinion, and yet again another 1-2 punch like the first two tracks were. This one though, becomes a 1-2-3 punch when 'TANTRUM' comes on, which is the heaviest song on the album with these thunderous power chords through out the song and lyrics that flow well with them. It took me a couple of listens to get used to these voice distorting effects they used on a couple lines at the end of verses and in the chorus, but once I got used to them it was a fun ride.

This was a fun album, and is one I can see being played in the summer time on a road trip or something and being a good jam to listen to with your friends. I don't know how much I will return to this album, but I can see myself throwing some songs on a mix. I actually plan to show this album to my fiancée because she loves this style of music and I can see her liking this band a lot. As for me, though, it was good. Stand out tracks: 11:11. Blonde. Lucky People. TANTRUM. Rare. Sleep Alone.
7/10

 

@Patterns in Traffic you will probably be coming up either Saturday or Sunday night, as I don't think I can write two more reviews tonight. Don't worry, they are coming. :)