Holding Patterns-Endless (2019)

 

Why I like it:

To get a good picture of Holding Patterns you would need to look back to their past. In a previous venture they were Crash of Rhinos, a band from Derby that was fairly popular in the emo revival scene. Crash of Rhinos was famous for have 2 guitarists, 2 bassists, and a drummer. Lots of instruments! They were known for their complex music playing and having no distinct lead singer (they all share vocal parts). After Crash of Rhinos broke up, three of the members formed Holding Patterns.

Now I have been a fan of Crash of Rhinos for an appreciation for their musicianship, more then enjoyment, but Holding Patterns I actively listen to for the self-indulgence. It hits all the right buttons for me: melodic, emotional, and epic guitar and base parts.

I just love how big and expansive the sounds are in Endless. The multiple vocals that layer over each other really add to the atmosphere as well. There's less complexity but more room for melody to compensate and I think that's what makes me like this more.

I would recommended you check out both Crash of Rhinos (to see where they came from) and Holding Patters (to see how they have evolved)! 

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Dust- "This dust on my chest was once part of the earth/ Now this part of the earth is wed to me"

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Similar bands to check out:

Crash of Rhinos, I Feel Fine, I Love Your Lifestyle, I'm Glad It's You

* I swear I didn't pick bands with I's in them on purpose!

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Reviews and links to check out:

Godisinthetvzine.co.uk- Review

Live Show

Holdingpatterns.bandcamp.com

post-trash.com- Review

Slaughter Beach, Dog- Safe and Also No Fear (2019)

 

Why I like it: 

A band that formed after the hiatus of the popular Modern Baseball. Or at least popular within their scene. One of the lead singers, Jake Ewald, decided to do a separate project called Slaughter Beach, Dog and I think it deserves some love on it's own merits. 

Now I do love me some Modern Baseball but, in my humble opinion, Slaughter, Beach Dog is the next evolution. It's like when John K. Samson left Propagandhi to form the superior Weakerthans. Did I go there? Oh yes I did! Also if you are the 0.05 percent that actually reads this and gets the joke, good on you!

The reason I made the Weakerthans comparison is because this is the closest thing I have found like them, in the 2010s, and I absolutely love it! Jake has created his own world with stories of the people that live these fictional, yet eerily relatable, lives. The songs are never full stories and just snippets of the to and throes of life. It reminds me of people watching while you are strolling through a town and imaging what's going on in their lives.

I love how the music is so soothing and meanders like the story telling. One could say such as how this section of the post is going. Please check out Safe and Also No Fear if this at all intrigues you! 

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Black Oak-"They found him at the black oak, they dug him up last night"

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Similar bands to check out:

Modern Baseball, It Looks Sad., The Hotelier, Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties

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Reviews and links to check out:

Stereogum.com- Review

Nate the Mate- YouTube retrospective

Washed Up Emo Podcast- Interview

Audiotree Live

Lemuria-Get Better (2008)

 

Why I like it:

So I was trying to think of a way to describe Get Better and while looking up Lemuria on Spotify I came across an interesting playlist they were on. The playlist is called "The Sound of Bubblegrunge" and it made me pause and think, what the heck? Typically I try to avoid detailed genres when using descriptions for albums and bands but this one was too great to pass up! 

To me "bubblegrunge" sounds like it would be pop + grunge + indie meshed together. Is that Lemuria? Well I think it's a unique and fun way to describe it! 

Anyways to the album at hand! Get Better is a sweet and lush punk tinged album. You'll be singing and bopping along to Sheena's soothing voice, while Alexander's vocals are a nice darker contrast. The subject matter is actually based off a sad event, which you may not see right away if just bopping along. It adds another layer to the album that makes it more then just your typical punk album. One final point is that Get Better clocks at just 28 mins and it's the perfect length! All the fat is trimmed and only bangers remain. 

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Dog-"Like a goddamn dog with his tail between his legs/Ashamed of trying to butter up your obituary"

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Similar bands to check out:

Diet Cig, Chumped, Martha, Good Luck

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Reviews and links to check out:

Punknews.org- Review

Live at Fest 2017

Better Yet Podcast- Interview

Loudersound.com- 10 year Retrospective

Cloud Nothings- Life Without Sound (2017)

 

Why I like it:

One of the reasons I like Cloud Nothings so much is that it's hard to find a band that can compare to them. They never stick to a certain genre and that's one of my favorite things about them.

Life Without Sound was my first real dive into Cloud Nothings and it captured my full attention right away. It's got elements of punk aggression and nice pop hooks to smooth it all out. This album is "softer" then Cloud Nothing's previous work but to me that what makes it a superior listen. I can throw this on anytime, at any mood, and enjoy it. This fits into what Dylan Baldi (lead signer) says, he wanted a record you can drive around in. Mission accomplished Dylan!

The other albums are really good too and I would recommend them as well! Seriously if you like Life Without Sound then look into Attack on Memory next. Especially if you want more of that aggression!

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Things are right with you - "And you move in a world that moves on its own"

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Similar bands to check out:

The Japandroids, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Wavves

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Reviews and links to check out:

Spectrum Pulse YouTuber- Review

Independent Minded Podcast- Interview

Music.avclub.com- Review

Live at Massey Hall