Rozwell Kid-Precious Art (2017)

I'm just going to come out and say my first thoughts on this project. Straight up, this is Weezer if they kept to their Blue Album roots and stayed on that trajectory to 2017. This is very much a high compliment. Everything that you may have liked about early Weezer is here: wonderful power pop guitars, that nerd like aesthetic, and witty humor. Oh, and did I mention guitar solos!? I love this album beginning to end, except the Booger song, that one was a little too on the nose for me (see my pun there?). 

There's really not much more to add to this honestly, if you want something more in depth then look to the Pitchfork link below. I have to thank the Pod Goes Punk Podcast to introducing me to this band (also linked below) and very much look forward to what Rozwell Kid releases next!

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Highlighted song and lyrics: 

Boomerang-"My legs are jelly at night from boogiein' straight into bed"

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Similar bands to check out:

Beach Bunny, Nerf Herder, Ozma, Remember Sports

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Reviews and links to check out:

Pitchfork

Pod Goes Punk Podcast

Audiotree

Interview

The Weakerthans-Reconstruction Site (2003)

 

Why I like it: 

The Weakerthans was one of those bands that I was never interested in, until I heard them at the right time and right place. 

I remember it clear as day, I was driving back with a co-worker from a long cold winter day at work (it was one of those 12 hour days) and he put Reconstruction Site on. That was the moment it hit me, oh this is really good why did I not like this before? Honestly I think it was the all the elements: beautiful vast Canadian winter scenery passing through the window, feeling warm and cozy while it's freezing outside, and having nothing but time to listen to the record and contemplate the lyrics.

Once the album clicked then I was hooked on the Weakerthans. The lyrics are really want stands out with their albums. John K Samson is a very gifted lyricist and writes in a poetic way that can take you to a time and place, even if you've never been there. I hear a lot of musicians quote him when asked who inspires them. That's one the nicest forms of flattery a person can get! 

My biggest suggestion about this album is don't force it. It will click with you when you are ready. It took me a quarter of my life before I got it but now I all in :) 

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Highlighted song and lyrics: 

The Reasons-"How the past chews on your shoes"

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Similar bands to check out:

Pedro the Lion, The Mountain Goats, Jets to Brazil, The Thermals

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Reviews and links to check out:

Frank Turner talks about Reconstruction Site

Columbia House Party Podcast

Q on CBC-Interview

100 Words or Less Podcast

Band-Maid WORLD DOMINATION (2018)

 Why I Like it: 

An all female rock band from Japan that kicks ass!!! Throw this on and head bang your life away! Thought I would shed some light on a band not from North America for once. 

This album is a thrill ride from start to finish. When watching anything live from Band-Maid, I am always amazed and can't even imagine the amount of practice they do! Every member is insanely talented man. There's not much English in this album but you really don't need it. The instrumentation alone will hook you in, trust me. 

I need to give mad props to the YouTuber Crash Thompson for making a video that introduced me to them (I'll add the link below)! Check out his channel for great recommendations. 

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Highlighted song and lyrics: 

DOMINATION-"Change the sound of tomorrow" (translated)

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Similar bands to check out:

Mutant Monster, Doll$Boxx, Aldious, Roselia

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Reviews and links to check out:

Crash Thompson-YouTuber

Record Breakers Music Podcast

Japanese Interview (Eng Sub)

Jame-world.com-Review

Narrow Head-12th House Rock (2020)

 

Why I like it:

A band that uses the 90s shoegaze and grunge sound in way that feels 2020. Think of the Deftones, Smashing Pumpkins, Hum, and a sprinkle of Alice in Chains. If you like any of these bands then I highly recommend checking 12th House Rock out. I am a huge sucker for this kind of music (so the album was an easy sell) but what I think Narrow Head is able to do well is not sound like a mimic. The influences are there yes, but Narrow Head is able to create their own voice and sound within the scene. A very hard rope to balance.

This was something that I needed in 2020, a sound that I am familiar with but still has new elements that make it interesting. I find that I have been gravitating to music that I know and less of the newer stuff this year; something to do with comfort and familiarity I think. 

I look forward to Narrow Head's next body of work and will rock out to this, and their other releases, in the meantime! 

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Highlighted song and lyrics: Stuttering Stanley-"It’s hard to know/ when I’m talking fast/ you’re moving slow"

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Similar bands to check out:

Teenage Wrist, Gleemer, Nothing, Superheaven

*All amazing bands that are revitalizing the 90s shoegaze/grunge sound in the right way

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Reviews and links to check out:

Kerrang!-Feature

Run For Cover - Small Talk with Narrow Head

Sputnikmusic.com-Review

Live session

Third Eye Blind-Out of The Vein (2003)

 

Why I like it:

This is going to be a unpopular opinion, but this is my second favorite Third Eye Blind album. Nothing will top their self titled but this is a close second in my humble opinion. 

I've read throughout the internet on this album and it hasn't been too well received (mostly critic sites). I honestly don't know why because if you are a fan of Third Eye Blind, like myself, this is just more of what makes them great. You get the catchy hooks, signatures guitar riffs, and Stephan Jenkin's emotional singing. To me, this a 3EB hitting their stride as a band and it's unfortunate the label didn't promote this album. 

Anyways, if you want to be a cool 3EB fan like me, just name drop this album and you should get some cred. You know like one of those cool 90's obsessing kids that is now just a nerdy grown adult. So come join the club!

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Highlighted song and lyrics: 

Blinded (when I see you)-"So when I see you, despite all that we've become I'm still blinded but I'm staring down the sun"

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Similar bands to check out:

Matchbox Twenty, Collective Soul, Tonic, Fastball

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Reviews and links to check out:

Stand By Your Band Podcast

Crash Thompson (YouTuber)-Go to 27:50

Musicomh.com

An interesting interview

Semisonic-Feeling Strangely Fine (1998)

 Why I like it:

An album that is more then it's hit single "Closing Time". I can't stress this enough, Feeling Strangely Fine is worth the full listen. Chalked full of hidden gems and deep cuts, you should find something in here that fancies your interest. 

Feeling Strangely Fine is an album that feels timeless. What I mean about that is it is hard to pinpoint what decade it was released. I think it will always be tied to the 90s because of "Closing Time" but if that song is taken out of the equation, it would be hard to associate the songs with the 90s. I wouldn't lump this album with the other college rock bands of the era; such as the Gin Blossoms, Wallflowers, and Vertical Horizon (all the bands that I like). Those bands all had a similar sound to their albums, whereas Feeling Strangely Fine has no pinpointed sound. Each song is unique and different. 

One of the reasons that Feeling Strangely Fine is able to stand out from it's peers is because Dan Wilson, the lead singer of Semisonic, is a talented writer. He writes lyrics that you can instantly sing along to, more like pop songs when you think about it. If you need further evidence, not only does he write for Semisonic but  he co-wrote for the the likes of Adele ("Some like you") and the Dixie Chicks ("Not ready to make nice"). 

Give Feeling Strangely Fine the full listen if you liked "Closing Time". I think you won't regret it!

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Highlighted song and lyrics: 

Singing in My Sleep-"You don't love someone for their looks, their clothes or their fancy car, you love them because they sing a song only you can hear."

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Similar bands to check out:

Hootie & the Blowfish, Goo Goo Dolls, Beck

*ones that are more than their 90s scene*

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Reviews and links to check out:

The Throwback Podcast

Rolling Stone Music Now Podcast

Song Exploder-Closing Time

Musoscribe Blog

Alexisonfire-"Watch out!" (2004)

 

Why I like it:

Alexisonfire will always be near and dear to my heart. I've seen them the most amount of times over any band, usually they were opening for the likes of Rise Against or on a stage for Warped Tour. Back in 2004-2011 they seemed to be touring everywhere! This is one of the albums that started it all for me; the introduction to forming my own taste in music.

They became successful overnight it seemed and it was baffling, for a young pre-teen girl, that a band with screaming could make it into mainstream radio. My first real introduction to them was when they were on a complication CD, distributed only in Canada, called Big Shiny Tunes 9.This is how I gauged what was popular in Rock music back then. Bonus tidbit, this was the same CD that Billy Talent was first introduced. 

Alexisonfire I would call a good gateway band into the hardcore scene OR the folk singer-song writer scene (depending on which style you like more). They have a unique combination of screaming and melodic vocals (from City and Colour's Dallas Green and Black Lung's George Pettit) that are memorizing, pulling you into a trance until the album is over. The instrumentation matches the same juxtaposition somehow in a style that just works. I can't describe it, you will just have to see for yourself! 

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Highlighted song and lyrics: 

No Transitory-"But this time there's no tomorrow"

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Similar bands to check out:

Moneen, Silverstein, Billy Talent, Cancer Bats

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Reviews and links to check out:

Ongoing History of New Music Podcast

Columbia House Party Podcast

Punknews.org

Forget Being Cool YouTube - Crisis review (also a great album)

Sincere Engineer-Rhombithian (2017)

 Why I like it:

A badass punk band that leave nothing off the table. Deanna seems to wear her heart on her sleeve and it really translates into the music. The lyrics are truly sincere (the pun is intended) and very relatable. Everything from stories of falling asleep with on corndog in your lap, to dropping out of dentistry school, will keep you entertained and concentrating on the lyrics (which I admittedly don't do at first). 

It takes a lot of guts to admit to your failures, especially to the mass public, and then laugh at yourself with everyone else. This is what Sincere Engineer masters and it creates an album that makes you feel not alone with your struggles. Deanne gets it and will share her stories to make you feel better :)

With only one full length under their belt, I am very impressed with the musicship and skill of this band. I am very excited to see what their next release entails and what stories we will be entertained with next! Fingers crossed in 2020, I sure need it. 

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Highlighted song and lyrics: 

Overbite-"I still feel just about as dumb as I used to"

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Similar bands to check out:

The Lawrence Arms, The Bombpops, NOBRO, Retirement Party

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Reviews and links to check out:

My First Band Podcast- Interview

Audiotree Live

Broken Headphones-Review

The Cryfest Podcast- Deanna's song list choice

Like Pacific-In Spite of Me (2018)

 Why I like it: 

Just some fantastic pop punk eh. Do I need to say more? Both of their full length albums In Spite of Me (2018) and Distant Like You Asked (2016) are packed full of gems. For a sophomore album, In Spite of Me kicks that famous slump right in the shins and keeps on running! I think these lads will be making a name for themselves in the scene if they keep this quality up. 

Like Pacific is different enough to stand out from the other pop-punk acts of recent; with lyrics that are more honest and open then your typical pop-punk album and aggression that keeps on throughout the album run time. 

Don't miss out on this band!

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

In Spite of Me-"I hope you find some sort of peace in spite of me"

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Similar bands to check out:

Belmont, Trash Boat, Boston Manor, Real Friends

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Reviews and links to check out:

ARTV-YouTube Go to 15:30

Lead Singer Syndrome Podcast 

Exclaim!

Canadian Beats-Review

Oso Oso - Basking in the Glow (2019)

Why I like it:

If I could pick one emotion that this album gives me, it would be joy. Jade Lilitri, the lead singer and only main band member, is very skilled at transporting you into whichever mood that he wants you to feel. In this album that is undoubtedly a place of being happy, carefree and in the moment. 

What helps carry out the emotions, are the catchy and upbeat riffs that are littered throughout the album. Seriously I always seems to have one of the hooks stuck in my head. 

I highly recommend this album if you are in a rut and need a pick me up. It always does the job for me. 

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Highlighted song and lyrics: 

The Impossible Game-"I got a glimpse of this feeling, I'm trying to stay in that lane"

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Similar bands to check out:

State Lines, Pet Symmetry, Macseal, Modern Baseball

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Reviews and links to check out:

Pod Goes Punk Podcast

Washed Up Emo Podcast

Never Normal YouTube band review

Pitchfork Review

* before you scoff at Pitchfork, anything that Ian Cohen reviews is usually pretty good*