Review: Polar Bear Club, "Chasing Hamburg"

Polar Bear Club
"Chasing Hamburg"
(B9)

At this point in their career, Polar Bear Club probably hates being compared to Hot Water Music and Small Brown Bike. In fact, other than singer Jimmy Stadt’s gruff vocals, the upstart band shares little else with those other bands. I would liken Polar Bear Club more to Seattle’s defunct Waxwing, the post-hardcore slash emo band fronted by Rocky Votolato and flanked by guys who would go on to form Blood Brothers and Gatsby’s American Dream. With that comparison in mind, it’s pretty much a no brainer that PBC would recruit former Minus the Bear keyboard player and renowned knob twister Matt Bayles to production for their second full-length, first for Bridge Nine, “Chasing Hamburg.”

Lyrically, what I enjoy about all of the band’s recordings, and it’s something that is very apparent on “Hamburg,” is how transparent the words are. The topics on this particular record reflect that of a growing band, which is what Polar Bear Club is.

In “Boxes,” Stadt sings “You don’t have to be an asshole to be an artist.” A similar criticism is explored on “Song to Persona,” where Stadt mulls over the schism between a band, their music and the people who love them. As far as the music itself goes, it’s a natural progression from their last album, “Sometimes Things Just Disappear.” My biggest misconception about the album, based on the teaser 7” “The Summer of George,” was that the band was going to be poppier. But it’s quite the opposite. There are harder parts across the album and Stadt sings much better.

Having just got off a support tour with Set Your Goals and Four Year Strong and an upcoming tour with Crime in Stereo and Strike Anywhere, Polar Bear Club is definitely going to be a band to watch in the coming months and the proof is all over “Chasing Hamburg”

Recommendation: Buy it

Listen to: “Boxes,” “Chasing Hamburg,” “Drifting Thing”

HxC Kind of Summer

I don't know why, but I got bit by the hardcore bug again. I'm working on doing songs with my long dormant Blown to Eliot Smithereens project and I've listened to the new Comadre records three times in a row today. At some point I put on "Takin' it Ova!" the record by the International Superheroes of Hardcore (aka New Found Glory).

Surprisingly, the album was much better than I remembered and I kind of wished that more hardcore bands were this fun. Oh well.


International Superheroes of Hardcore, "ISHC Theme Song/Back to the Future"


Comadre, "New Noise (Refused cover)"

Video: Descendents, "I'm the One" and Lifetime, "Airport Monday Morning"

Descendents, "I'm the One"

Lifetime - Airport Monday Morning


Lifetime, "Airport Monday Morning"

This weekend I was jamming out to "Everything Sucks" by the Descendents. It's one of their later-era albums and it seems to be the one that is largely ignored (along with "Cool to Be You"). It's a little bit more polished than the rest of their catalog, but it still holds up. The same could be said for Lifetime's self-titled album, which took me a long time to get into. In fact, I probably didn't really care much for it until after I saw them on their reunion tour almost two years ago. Yeah, it's a little overproduced but it still knocks. I guess for a lot of these older punk rock dudes that's the goal: putting out a solid record that even the most jaded of fans can appreciate.

Video: Modern Life is War, "D.E.A.D.R.A.M.O.N.E.S."

This song is on my AM jog playlist. It rules.

Come Widdit: A Loss for Words

A Loss for Words
From: Boston
Sounds Like: A campfire singalongs with the hXc crowd

I had the opportunity to see Boston upstarts A Loss for Words last week when they opened for Four Year Strong's current headlining run. Personally, it's difficult to sell me on a pop-punk band these days. They all seem to have some gimmick, which is typically highlighted by disgustingly designed bright t-shirts. For every five bands that seem like they're full of shit, there's a band like A Loss for Words, who thrive off of the kind of honesty and earnest aesthetic that has created longtime careers for third and fourth wave pop-punk bands like New Found Glory, Alkaline Trio and Lawrence Arms.

Taking a cue from likeminded bands such as Fireworks and First to Leave, A Loss for Words have their feet planted in the hardcore-cum-pop-punk, as showcased by former genre stalwarts like Lifetime and Gorilla Biscuits. And this was just their live show.

The EP that I picked up, "Webster Lake," reminded me of stuff that the Ataris used to do when they were good. The five track acoustic EP is just a smattering of the band's potential. To get the full effect, you have to watch them engage with the crowd and you can see that they're feeling what they're singing about.

This is a band that you don't want to miss out on.

[Related Links]
A Loss for Words -- MySpace
A Loss for Words, "Hot Hand in a Dice Game"

Review: 2*Sweet, "Sleep Without Dreams"

2*Sweet
“Sleep Without Dreams”
(C. Walrus)

Last week, I chatted it up with Justin Pence, 2*Sweet’s singer, for an upcoming feature in the next issue of Redefine. In the interview, Pence mentioned that labels weren’t necessarily knocking on their door; “It takes people a while to stomach us and we’ve come to grips with that,” said Pence. And it’s true, unfortunately. The reality is that 2*Sweet’s amalgam of hardcore, pop, metal and punk has the potential to be a giant clusterfuck, but it walks away as its own epic rock genre.

“Sleep Without Dreams,” the band’s full-length debut, is chock full of great pop jams such as “Rested Eyes Tell No Lies,” “Miss You,” and “Bury Me in the Lovers’ Graveyard,” as well as some heavier songs like “Friends Till the Weekend” and “Dateless for Armageddon.” There’s even a 90’s style quiet-storm song in “Tarantula Perfume.”

The album is driven by Pence’s operatic vocal range and vivid lyrical imagery, which can best be compared to other great musical storytellers like Nas and Eric Clapton. Yet at the same time, it’s Pence’s schizophrenic vocal choices that make the album a little harder to swallow. But if you’re able to get around that, then you’d be in for a treat of an album. It’s possible that “Sleep Without Dreams” is a major contender for the best album of the year – it’s just up to the kids to jump on it now before 2*Sweet starts playing stadiums.

Review: Spark is a Diamond, "Try This On For Size"

Spark is a Diamond

"Try This On For Size"

(Pluto/East West)

Former Come Widdit band, Spark is a Diamond's new debut album, "Try This On For Size," is one of those few records that rides the thin line of really great and mediocre. For bands who chronically suffer from this (such as Comeback Kid and Rise Against) all it takes is one song and for Spark is a Diamond that song is "____ ____ Has a Deathwish."

Early on in their 24 minute debut, Spark is a Diamond comes running out at the gates. The band's well constructed and well produced tracks like "Check Your Lease, You're In Fuck City" and "Try This On For Size" are exciting and fresh enough to make anyone a believer. The steam tends to run out by the time you hit their cover of Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It," but make no mistake, this is still a very solid album.

For all the trappings that could turn them into another run-of-the-mill hipster hardcore band, Spark is a Diamond is great at writing songs and it shows all over "Try This On For Size." The vocal back-and-forth between singer Alison Bellavance and guitarist Matt Boylan are often well-timed and band's inclusion of electronic effects makes you forget that there is no bass player [1]. All in all "Try This On For Size" is a strong record and I'm interested in seeing what the band has up their sleeves in the future.

[1] Probably because I'm a bass player, but I have issues with most bass-less bands, except for these kids; they actually work better without one.

New Found Glory/International Superheroes of Hardcore, "Tip of the Iceberg/Takin' It Ova"

New Found Glory/International Superheroes of Hardcore

"Tip of the Iceberg/Takin' It Ova" (Double Split EP)

(Bridge 9)

I rarely inhabit the B9 message board these days, though I imagine it must have been quite the shitstorm when the label announced they were going to release a New Found Glory EP. Still, we shouldn't forget these Floridians got their start in the HxC scene thanks to guitarist Chad Gilbert's role as a one-time vocalist for Shai Hulud.

This "split" EP is really an extended NFG record of outtakes. The International Superheroes of Hardcore is NFG doing goofy hardcore songs, not unlike Good Clean Fun. With that said, I can't really talk too much trash about this record.

Unlike their last studio album, "Coming Home," New Found Glory goes back to basics with three new songs and three covers. Their new songs are an attempt at their "It's All About the Girls/Nothing Gold Can Stay"-era tracks that are more punk than pop. Unlike MxPx's attempt to recapture the "Punk Rawk Show" proverbial lightning in a bottle, NFG's are a little bit more earnest. Though over the last few years, they've explored their pop side, there have always been a strong presence of their punk side, so it's not really a major change, outside of the fact that huge hooks are missing. The cover songs, on the other hand, are okay. I don't think Shelter, Gorilla Biscuit or Lifetime fans will be too pissed, but they are easily forgettable.

For the International Superheroes of Hardcore side, I will say that these songs are ridiculous...and in a good way, of course. Unabashedly tongue-in-cheek, "Takin' It Ova," is the real treat on this double disc EP. In "Fashion Show," Gilbert belts out in the intro, "There's no wardrobe in hardcore, despite what you think/I mean look at us, we wear capes." The mental image alone makes this a worthwhile purchase. Luckily songs like "Screamo's Gotta Go" and "Hardcore Hokey Pokey" could probably fool a couple dudes in Bane shirts into taking these tracks seriously.

This is a pretty solid release, overall, though I'd recommend it for kids who are really into New Found Glory or Good Clean Fun, otherwise, the joke will pretty much just go over your head and you'll be beating yourself up for spending $12 on a glorified parody album. I wonder how long it will take before this review ends up on a thread?

hayley williams = worst. role model. EVAR.

[bad hair, bad skin, bad look. why do eems want to make out with her?]

Paramore's lone visibly interesting (i.e. the non-ugly guy) member Hayley Williams is probably one of the worst female role models ever. Now before you go off on some "Oh you wacky Asian, you don't know what you're talking about..." type shit, let's examine the facts:

1. I was raised by a single mom for pretty much my entire adolescent life.

2. I have a daughter.

3. Being raised by a single parent in the Asian-American community (with its ultra-conservative values, especially in the 1980s) pretty much trumps whatever type of suburban, faux riot grrrl bullshit you can throw my way (and I don't mean you, Kathleen Hanna).

That said, Williams' recent interview with Rolling Stone shows that not only is she an unfit role model for young girls everywhere, but that she's kinda dumb. Don't believe me? Here are some of homegirl's quotes:

"I don't know too much about guns. I want to get a little revolver, and the guys have shotguns, but all I know is that it's fun to be a little hillbilly sometimes. I mean, you grow up in the country and everyone's got a gun."

Awesome, just awesome. Hey, I don't have problem with people owning guns (unless they have children around them, which always ends badly) but owning a gun for the sake of owning a gun (and making it seem like you're less American if you don't) seems a little stupid. This is a pretty bad look considering all the public shootings (i.e. Virginia Tech, the high school in Illinois, the Tacoma Mall hostage situation, etc.) that have been going on.

"I'm not really into female vocalists, at least not in our world right now. I don't think I would ever listen to our band, honestly. I love our music."

So she hates female singers, but not in "our world." Earth? So you hate all girl singers? Clarity, Hayley, clarity! I'm assuming she means in the pop-punk-emo-Warped Tour genre. In that case, I can think of a slew of other bands that are much better: Dance Hall Crashers, Meg & Dia, The Rentals (which is technically fronted by Matt Sharp, but the Hayden sisters do play a pretty big part), The Catch, Schoolyard Heroes, Ginger Sling, The Gossip, Tegan & Sara, Walls of Jericho, Spark is a Diamond, Eisley...do I need to go on?

"The first real show that I think I ever went to was Copeland...."

Okay, that is just fucking sad.

As you can see from these choice quotes alone, Williams isn't really the best ambassador and while she does represent a minority in an insanely popular genre, she's not really offering up anything other than a false sense of empowerment. Even the video for the whore-warning anthem, "Misery Business," still shows Williams glamed up to take down the school's resident beyotch. Williams only spits the kind of waned, generic "you-go-girl" rhetoric that Gwen Stefani tacked on during the end days of No Doubt.

There have been plenty of stories that relayed young girls who are into the pop-punk scene who look at Williams as something of a demigod, yet they also buy the same records that (inadvertently) slam women. And at the end of the day, Paramore's hit sophomore release, "Riot," isn't that different from the likes Dashboard Confessional or Fall Out Boy, which -- at the most minimalist level -- can be considered misogynist.

But, kids are still going to buy their shirts and support this band that have absolutely nothing to offer in both music and message. The only solace I have is that they really won't mean anything to anybody in a few years.

[Recommended Reading:]
Jessica Hopper: Emo: Where the Girls Aren't

[Bonus Videos]:

Dance Hall Crashers, "Mr. Blue"


Bikini Kill, "Don't Need You" (Live)


Walls of Jericho, "There's No I in Fuck You"

Redux: Fear Before the March of Flames

So a few years ago, my old band played our first few shows with this relatively unknown band called Fear Before the March of Flames. They straight killed it. Better than the headliners (Anatomy of a Ghost). Fast forward to a few years later and they're probably one of the best bands in hardcore (or whatever).

Even though I've purchased their last couple records, I found that they're not as immediate as their debut, "Odd How People Shake." Over the last few weeks, I gave a second spin to their last record, "The Always Open Mouth" and I have to say that the shit is genius. It's not like they're doing anything that's groundbreaking, per se, but it's probably the closest to Botch they've gotten.

So for my obligatory post for the week, do yourself a favor and check out "Art Damage" and "The Always Open Mouth" (and maybe "Odd How People Shake") if you haven't already. And if you do own those discs, then give them a listen and know that we are all a little weird.

Bonus Videos:


"The 20th Century Was Entirely Mine"


"Should Have Stayed In the Shallows"


"Taking Cassandra to the End of the World Party"


"On the Brightside, She Could Choke"


"My (Fucking) Dear Hunter" with Anthony Green

Dear Meghan McCain...

While it's clear with my job and my general political leanings, I'm as far away from a Republican as possible, I've entertained the notion of John McCain being president since the 2000 elections, most notably because he was pretty hard-nosed about campaign reform. Now he's a pretty visible frontrunner beating out both a Mormon and an Evangelical, which I can't help but smile about on the inside.

Still, because I have the card, I'd much rather see the youngblood that is the B.O. takeover, if only to someone that is a reflection of the America that I've grown up in (i.e. surrounded by brown folks).

With that said, I've been lurking Meghan McCain's (John McCain's daughter) blog. It's pretty fascinating just to see the campaign experience from the eyes and perspective of someone there who isn't running for public office.

The most entertaining part of Meghan McCain's site is her list of songs that she's really into. There are some surprising entries in her playlist: Bad Brains, Dead Milkmen, Girls Against Boys and Sleater-Kinney (my former arch-rivals). But for the most part, it seems to be some pretty pedestrian, entry-level college kid indie rock: Band of Horses, Kasabian, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Decemberists, etc.

Meghan, I think you could use a bit of an overhaul on your playlist. I mean, you're probably tired of listening to the same songs that Pitchfork was raving about two years ago, right? Here's a list of records that I think you could get down to:

Method Man: Tical
Meth's debut solo record has songs like "Release Yo Delf," "Bring the Pain" and "Meth Vs. Chef" which are all tunes that you could start a riot with, but more importantly, get you hyped up.

Death Cab for Cutie: We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes
DCFC's least self-absorbed record has concept songs about Kerouac, smoke filled apartments and loves lost to marriage. It's probably one of the best road-trip albums of all time.

That Dog: Retreat From the Sun
That Dog's poppiest record, Retreat From the Sun, has numerous fun jaunts that you can rock out to while you try to ignore the trappings out the real world.

The Don't Tells: Our Reunion Is Pending
A quirky band featuring Casey Prestwood (aka Spacey Casey) and his wife, Don't Tells play '60s styled pop songs about smoking pot and random sex. I'm not sure if Meghan McCain would like the content of the lyrics per se, but it's an awesome record nonetheless.

Fall River: Lights Out
Since Ms. McCain has the new Rilo Kiley (blah) and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on her rotation, I figured she could benefit from listening to Fall River, one of the most underrated hardcore bands out there. Widely known because they were fronted by Allison Bellavance, whose vocal growls could stand up next to Coalesce's Sean Ingram, Fall River was a technically savvy hardcore group who've moved on the equally engaging Spark Is a Diamond.

just another 4 letter word: chasing coolness annual valentine's day mixtape

i'm too lazy to put together artwork, or provide links, but i'm sure if you go on limewire or whatever random torrent site, you can find these songs. or you could actually buy them. whatevs.

"just another 4 letter word"
1. the riverdales, "back to you"
2. brand new, "untitled 1"
3. waxwing, "where did the time go"
4. brighten, "ready when you are"
5. crime in stereo, "...but you are vast"
6. headphones, "shit talker"
7. the pharcyde, "otha fish"
8. gang starr, "ex-girl to next girl"
9. hunter revenge, "who's gonna love u now?"
10. name taken, "we give up sometimes"
11. mona lisa, "can't be wasting my time"
12. leeni, "perfection interrupted"
13. nightmare of you, "you don't have to tell me i was a terrible man"
14. whiskeytown, "under your breath"
15. tegan and sara, "call it off"

enjoy.

Crime In Stereo, "Crime In Stereo Is Dead"

Crime In Stereo
"Crime In Stereo Is Dead"
(Bridge Nine)

A few years ago, Crime In Stereo's "Explosions And the Will To Use Them" was THE jam. It was packed with tightly played songs and immediate lyricism. And then... nothing. Not to say that CIS's subsequent albums were bad (they weren't), but I just wasn't paying much attention to them. So I guess I'm at fault for that. For the 2K7, Crime In Stereo brings us "Crime In Stereo Is Dead," which might be the most indie rock hardcore album I've ever heard.

It's clear that there's a variety of influences in CIS's repartee, particularly from 90's Britpop, but with the East Coast hxc feel, it's surprisingly catchy AND brutal. Lyrically, the album is, for the most part, strong, though there are trite moments. That aside, I'd place "Crime In Stereo Is Dead" as the best hardcore album of the year.

edge of quarrel contest

So as some of you may or may not know, I'm a pretty huge fan of the movie "Edge of Quarrel." If you yourself are not familiar with this movie, take a few minutes and read this. I'll wait.




Done? Okay, so I have a tattoo inspired by this movie and apparently, director/writer, Dave Larson of Excursion Records is having a contest in which he's giving away the phone that is the basis of my tattoo. Totally fresh! Next month, Excursion is releasing this movie on DVD (finally) and I highly suggest you preorder that shit. The movie aside, there's also some pretty awesome performances by Trial, Murder City Devils and Botch (all R.I.P.).

another shitty opinion about straight edge that no one will read

So a few nights ago, I went out and saw Modern Life is War. While I was there, I was privy to overhear a conversation between some people who refused to hang out with their former friends because they "sold out," meaning that they had to forgo their straight edge and vegan lifestyles for booze and dairy.

Who gives a fuck?

While I fully respect anyone who subscribes to the edge lifestyle with conviction, I find this sort of dismissive take rather annoying. I don't think people in their twenties should necessarily be judgmental on someone's lifestyle choices or changes per se. I mean, fuck, it doesn't affect you directly unless said person is trying to stick a needle in your arm (which in most cases, they aren't). I wouldn't stop being friends with someone because they decided that animal rights were stupid and went off to go get the Barn Buster from Shari's.

Shit, it's no secret that I live a life of sobriety and I don't eat the meat, but I wouldn't call myself straight edge because I don't necessarily agree with the message and I would be an idiot if I dropped all my friends who drank or smoked a little weed every now and then because, quite frankly, I wouldn't have very many friends.

The idea that people end friendships based on dietary or drinking habits is something that's reserved for children. That's some wack ass middle school drama bullshit. Save that kind of mentality for Degrassi, suckers. If you're 22 and you're severing ties with people because they wanted to eat a Big Mac or drink a Bloody Mary, you have some serious fucking issues to deal with within yourself and you probably shouldn't be preaching your convoluted message to the masses.

MLIW = Best Hardcore Band Right Now...

Modern Life is War
"Midnight in America"
(Equal Vision)

Modern Life is War has more swagger than most of the bands that often get props in Alternative Press or "other websites." Often pegged as a working class hardcore outfit, MLIW stomps all the sheen out of the glossed out pretty boys who occupy space in many iPods, but how does their new album "Midnight in America" stand to 2005's breakout, "Witness?"

Unlike many highly touted aggressive bands (Underoath, Killswitch Engage), Modern Life is War doesn't fall into the trappings of an overproduced follow up. Most of "Midnight" is just as raw and immediate as some of "Witness'" finer moments. The poppiest song on the album, "Fuck the Sex Pistols" is sure to raise eyebrows alone based on its title.

I wish I had more to write about this record, but you'll just have to take my word for it: Modern Life is War > than most bands you're listening to. [1]

[1] I seriously would've written a better review, but I tripped running after the bus yesterday so I'm kinda feeling like shit.

Come Widdit: Hour of the Wolf

Hour of the Wolf
Location: Arizona
Sounds Like: Rock & Roll Chaos!!!!

I haven't really heard any good hardcore bands in about a year or so. The last hardcore records I really got into were Sinking Ships' "Disconnecting" and Since By Man's "Pictures From the Hotel Apocalypse." Hour of the Wolf is the kind of hardcore band that I'd tell all my friends about so they can get in on the secret.

Their EP, "Waste Makes Waste," leads with this sick Chuck Berry-riff for the opening track "Taking Out the Trash" and continues on to barrel through "Black Blood." It's easy to peg these guys as psychobilly-meets-Kid Dynamite, but I assure you, this is pretty hardcore (in more of the melodic, traditional sense, and less like your typical Mallpunk Hardcore).