Hope Defeated Demo 2010
A few months back, I got a package in the mail from a friend. He included an EP on his label that he thought I'd enjoy. And not only did he send me one, but he also sent me the special blog nerd edition. Which is fitting, in a few senses. I read both blogs, Endless Quest Records and We Will Bury You (very nice rev sneaker pick ups, Doug). I also read another members blog, hardcoreshirt.com. It's not exactly a vinyl nerd blog, but pretty nerdy. And I also run another site called VinylNoize. So yeah, I've got nerd covered.
The band is Hope Defeated, and I'm glad I got a copy. I kept meaning to order it, but never got around to it. I'm kicking myself for the possibility that I never would have heard it. It's definitely worth a listen. The comparison is going to sound completely outrageous, but it reminds me of pick one up. But if you are looking for the blog nerd press, you're out of luck. Your only hope is Chain Of Strength with early Dwid singing. Or maybe it's just the record nerd cover staring at me. It's definitely hardcore. But hard to pin down. In fact, Endless Quest describes it as this:
Throw the vocal rage of Striking Distance & 108 over the chugging groove of bands like Snapcase & Burn, mix in a strong straight edge influence
So yeah, my comparison is sounding less ridiculous, right? Either way, these dudes have something good going on. And sure, it's just a side project / break from adult life, but it's a solid listen. I highly suggest you go pick one up. But if you are looking for the blog nerd press, you're out of luck. Your only hope is Ebay now. These are long sold out.
Kid Liberty – Give Up. Give In.
Kid Liberty just released an album called Give Up. Give In. It drops today, to be exact. And I'm sure I'm not the first one to point out the obvious, but I hope to beat it into the ground. The album is called Give Up. Give In. That's right, no shit. Give Up. Give In. I'm not sure which band member (or more likely, management) came up with this genius title, but I think it's an incredibly bad idea. The door to terrible puns has been kicked open and is being held wide open. Give Up. Just Give Up. Imagine if this album flops or if this album sucks. Think of the mileage reviewers can get off that simple title. They might as well just name their kids Ben Dover. But let's get into the actual review, as I'm sure you are all dying to hear what I have to say on this one.
This one is a four song ep. Bullet Tooth Records (post Trustkill Records). There is one new song, two acoustic tracks and a Cee Lo Green cover song. Yes, that's right. A Cee Lo Green cover. Fuck You. Wow. Before even listening to the EP, I said to myself, "oooooooffff." That dude had his 15 minutes of fame about 6000 internet lifetimes ago. And now Kid Liberty record and release the song? Wow. Terrible idea, just awful. Give up. Plus, the original is shit. It's just awful so you can only imagine how "entertaining" the cover song is. It's been appropriately mall punkified for easy listening. Ugh. The acoustic songs will appeal to your skinny jeaned, warped tour little sister. Maybe. She might also get into push pitting over the new track. It was not for me. I could not give in to these songs. Not even close. This album's saving grace? In reverse alphabetical order, it's immediately followed by Kid Dynamite. Yeah, I had to stretch for the positive. Sorry.
If after my review (because we all know how shit awful my reviews are), you are still interested, you can pick this album up on amazon or your local record store. For older merch, check Ebay. Good luck.
Joyce Manor – S/T – 6131 Records #027 – 2011
I'm not going to lie. I've been sitting on this review for a while. But it was for a good reason. My initial reaction went straight to fanboy. I wanted to sit with it for a while hoping to even out my reaction. It didn't work. I'm still a Joyce Manor fanboy. This LP is sticking to my record player and not leaving. Favorite song: Constant Headache, no doubt. I've been on a bit of a pop punk kick lately, and this band fits the bill. Think Title Fight, think Transit, think west coast punk rock. This has the definitive Californian vibe to it. Picture vans eras with long tube socks. I don't picture a lot of stage diving, but I bet the sing alongs can get pretty intense.
Despite being a band since 2008, these dudes are taking their first full US tour this summer, and I'm really looking forward to it.
They are coming through NY, Philly and Mass. I'm definitely hitting up the Mass gig. You won't be able to keep me away.
Go over to hellfish to pick up the lp. I promise you, it is worth it. And if you need that old merch, check Ebay. I need to snag a shirt.
Hostage Calm – Hostage Calm – Run For Cover Records #021 – 2010
I've seen Hostage Calm play a few times. They are Connecticut Brotherhood so I've had a bunch of opportunities over the last few years to see them. Plenty of gigs to get into their brand of music. I've enjoyed their sets but somehow it never happened. It never clicked. It's probably my fault. I just never stopped to fully appreciate them. But after listening to this album non stop for the last few days, they have won me over.
Literally, my socks have been blown off. I'm not sure how it happened. I honestly don't recall this band sounding anything like this. I always recall a punk hardcore band. This ... this is different. This sophomore album is something else all together. This is more on an indie rock tip than hardcore. Think easier Title Fight, or maybe Can't Slow Down. It's definitely on that tip. Lots of earnest rock, right up my alley lately. It feels like they should be opening gigs for The Kooks or The Shins or some other The band. Seriously, so good.
Of course, if you are expecting a hardcore act, I'm suggesting you dig back into your collection for your favorite Youth Of Today cd. This is not hardcore. No diss on these kids. They love hardcore (Fred's got enough hardcore cred to pass any minimum requirement tests, this is certain).
I've been sleeping on these dudes. Now I feel it is my duty to scour Ebay for old tees so I can pretend like I've been down since day 1. But if you want to buy this LP (and there is no reason to NOT buy this lp, it is THAT good), go hit up Run For Cover Records. And do it now. Don't wait.
Looking Back
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Dec | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||
Pages
Twitter Goodness
Advertise
Archives
- December 2011 (1)
- October 2011 (2)
- July 2011 (1)
- June 2011 (1)
- May 2011 (1)
- April 2011 (1)
- March 2011 (1)
- February 2011 (2)
- December 2010 (2)
- November 2010 (2)
- October 2010 (1)
- September 2010 (3)
- August 2010 (3)
- July 2010 (1)
- March 2010 (1)
- January 2010 (2)
- December 2009 (1)
- November 2009 (1)
- October 2009 (3)
- September 2009 (5)
- August 2009 (3)
- July 2009 (4)
- June 2009 (3)
- May 2009 (5)
- April 2009 (4)
- March 2009 (9)
- February 2009 (2)
- January 2009 (8)
- December 2008 (5)
- November 2008 (7)
- October 2008 (14)
- September 2008 (7)
- August 2008 (7)
- July 2008 (4)
- June 2008 (6)
- May 2008 (6)
- April 2008 (11)
- March 2008 (11)
- February 2008 (9)
- January 2008 (2)
- December 2007 (5)
- November 2007 (5)
- October 2007 (11)
- September 2007 (8)
- August 2007 (19)
- July 2007 (9)
- June 2007 (8)
- May 2007 (18)
- April 2007 (19)
- March 2007 (8)
- February 2007 (9)
- January 2007 (6)
- December 2006 (4)
- November 2006 (2)
- October 2006 (1)
- September 2006 (5)
- August 2006 (3)
- July 2006 (4)
- June 2006 (1)
- May 2006 (2)
- April 2006 (3)
- February 2006 (2)
- January 2006 (1)
- December 2005 (6)
- November 2005 (3)
- October 2005 (8)
- September 2005 (1)
- August 2005 (1)
- July 2005 (13)
- June 2005 (13)
- May 2005 (14)
- April 2005 (2)
- March 2005 (4)
- January 2005 (1)