Posted in Metalcore/Punk

Track: Mumblr – “Puke”

Mumblr Press
Track: “Puke”
Artist: Mumblr
Release Date: November 12th 2013
Label: Fleeting Youth Records

Four piece outfit Mumblr from Kensington, North Philadelphia play a genre of music that they dub “fuzz punk”. With the stylings of second-wave emo bands such as The Promise Ring and an early Modest Mouse alternative punk feel their track “Puke” off of their upcoming release is one hell of a listen. Rapid distorted guitar strums, clamouring drums, and frantic vocals combined with the refrain, “I don’t know anything why do you lie to me?” is a recipe for distress leaving you eager for more. Mumblr have combined both of their EP’s to be released on a lush red cassette titled White Jesus/Black God via Austin, Texas based Fleeting Youth Records. Stream Puke along with the entire release below and pre-order the cassette and digital album here. Follow the band on Facebook for more information.

Rating: 9/10

Review: The Swellers – “The Light Under Closed Doors”

The Swellers – “The Light Under Closed Doors”

The Swellers - The Light Under Closed Doors
Released: October 29, 2013
Label: No Sleep Records
Purchase: Digital | Vinyl | CD

The Swellers have been a staple in the punk scene for quite some time now, famous for releasing their incredible 2009 album Ups and Downsizing. The Michigan outfit have been criticized a little on signs that they were following the trend towards pop, but their recent album The Light Under Closed Doors, released just last week, has put those suspicions back in the closet. The Light Under Closed Doors demonstrates that the sound that people fell in love with is still there–and still strong.

The album gives a lot to laud about. As per usual, the new album’s lyrics are just as defining as ever, employing the classic “internal tension and melancholy” theme with catchy hooks, inducing the pop punk-esque ambivalent beauty and angst that The Swellers have expressed so well in the past. The riffs and melodies are catchy and engaging–definitely something worth dancing to (or, for the softcore, bobbing your head to). The juxtaposition between (comparatively) slower, more melody-driven songs like “Friends Again (We Can’t Be),” “Designated Driver,” and “High/Low,” and more gung-ho, in-your-face tunes like “Call It A Night,” “Big Hearts,” and “Great Lakes State” are also great. Even the questionable quality of the album, usually a negative feature on a studio recording, seems to paradoxically add to the album, giving a feeling of homeliness and intimacy, as if the songs were being performed on stage.

To be honest, there really isn’t much that detracts from the album. Those unfamiliar with heavier genres could probably note that the “wave of sound” in The Light Under Closed Doors is overwhelming and too uniform; also, very staunch fans of The Swellers could, imaginably, compare this as still being in the shadow of Ups and Downsizing. However, as long as you’re interested in the overarching punk genre at all, you won’t regret taking a listen to this at all. In fact, you might just be like me and love it.

9.0

Standout tracks: “Big Hearts,” “Got Social,” “Call It A Night,” “Becoming Self-Aware”

Track listing:
01. Should
02. Big Hearts
03. Got Social
04. High/Low
05. Great Lakes State
06. Becoming Self-Aware
07. Friends Again (We Can’t Be)
08. Designated Driver
09. Favorite Tune
10. Call It A Night

Fearless Records & MusiCares’ Punk Goes Christmas Compilation

Punk Goes Christmas
Fearless Records‘ Punk Goes Christmas compilation is set to feature Yellowcard, All Time Low, New Found Glory and more this year. Metalcore band ISSUES have announced that they are covering NSYNC‘s Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. Fearless is working with MusiCares on the compilation, an organization that aids musicians in financial times of need, medical and personal emergencies. A percentage of sales from the compilation will be donated to their non-profit system so pre-order a copy here to help the cause!

Watch: TRC – “10,000 Hours”

TRC Press

UK hardcore outfit TRC have recently released a music video of one of their newest tunes, “10,000 Hours.” The song hybridizes vocalist Chris Robson’s rapping with heavy instrumental backing, creating a unique and refreshing blend of sound that all fans of heavy music should consider listening to.

Regarding the video and the meaning of the song, Robson says, “It was great to work with Daniel Broadley again, after the fantastic job he did on “We Bring War.” The tune is about the rule of success being 10,000 hours of applied effort, and was inspired by Malcolm Gladwell’s book, ‘Outliers’. No matter what the distraction, we’ve kept pushing on with TRC. 10,000 hours equates to approx. 10 years, which is quite funny because TRC released our first demo 10 years ago. What’s even funnier, was the fact we recorded the band performance scene in the studio where we recorded that very first demo. Everything came full circle. It’s my favourite track off ‘Nation’.”

10,000 Hours is one of several tracks off their second and newest album Nation, produced in tandem with Steve Sears (Gallows, Lethal Bizzle). You can purchase Nation here via No Sleep Records. And while you do that, be sure to watch 10,000 Hours below:

I Surrender Records Presents “Our Voices”

I Surrender Records Our Voices

Adam Lazzara of Taking Back Sunday, Chris Conley of Saves The Day, Anthony Raneri of Bayside, and Vinnie Caruana of I Am The Avalanche will be releasing a brand new EP together entitled Our Voices.

I Surrender Records to celebrate their tenth birthday “wanted to give musicians the opportunity to step outside their stylistic box – no guidelines, no expectations.” The EP is set to drop digitally and on vinyl on November 25th. The vinyl includes 4 color options (red, blue, green, grey) and b-side etching and will be available on their webstore. Stream Anthony’s song called “String Me Along” below!