Wednesday, August 31, 2011

New Medicine

To anyone who might actually read this, I apologize for the extended break in posts. So today, I shall more than make up for that with an amazing band. 

Artist: New Medicine

New Medicine is a nice blend of alternative and rock, with some punk tendencies sprinkled in. Basically, it's the perfect band to be featured on a blog of this nature. 

Some standout tracks include;
• Rich Kids
• Little Sister
• The Takeover
• Laid

They've only released one album, Race You to the Bottom, however they were formerly known as "A Verse Unsung", and only some of their songs carried over. 

The vocals are very distinct, standing out above the guitar and drum tracks. However, this is a good listen when you want something a bit different than the norm. Give it a try, and you're welcome in advance.


Monday, August 22, 2011

Catch 22

I'm aware that this is also a ska band out there, one that is actually related to Streetlight Manifesto. However, that is not who/what I'm talking about today.

Song: Catch 22
Artist: Whole Wheat Bread

Some of you might be familiar with this song through the iPod app "Tap Tap Revenge", as am I.

Whole Wheat Bread is clearly a punk band, and this song follows that style very well, sans angry lyrics and drastically contrasting time signatures. But it still stands as a solid punk rock track that you can rock out to without having to sit there wondering what the heck the singer just screamed or whether or not the drummer was just wildly hitting everything in sight. (I'm speaking as a huge fan of the genre, really!) The lyrics are catchy as well, so definitely add this one to your playlist next time you go to listen to something new.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Streetlight Manifesto

What do you get when you combine reggae with punk, and throw in some jazz? A little something called ska.

Artist: Streetlight Manifesto

They may not be the best known ska band to ever show up on the map, but based on other bands I've heard, these guys have stuck to a little more of the punk side than others have, making them perfect for fans of punk music who want something a little different. Heck, they even covered a NOFX song (Linoleum, in case you were wondering), but made it acoustic. 

Some of their best songs include;
• Forty Days
• Here's To Life
• Birds Flying Away (a cover of the Mason Jennings song)
• Would You Be Impressed
• Everything Went Numb

So basically, Streetlight Manifesto found a way to stay true to punk whilst incorporating a variety of wind instruments in interesting ways. Does this make them any better or more amazing? I'll leave that up to you.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Seize The Day

This one is a music video, and one of my favorites to be exact.

Song: Seize The Day
Artist: Avenged Sevenfold

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUkoL9RE72o

Seize The Day is far from the typical music video. It's like an epic mini-movie, essentially telling the story of a man who made a terrible mistake and in turn has his whole life uprooted. The song itself is a ballad-like rock track that's somewhat heavy, but not too much so that it overwhelms the emotion conveyed throughout.

Overall, this is an amazing video that really does make you think about the choices you make. The song is beautiful, and inspires you to seize the day, so you'll never die regretting the time you lost.

Monday, August 15, 2011

The Alchemy Index

Today's suggestion is actually 4 EPs, grouped by twos into two albums.

Album(s): The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II and The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV
Artist: Thrice

The Alchemy Index is unlike anything I have ever heard. The concept behind it is four separate mini-albums, each themed like an element (fire, water, earth and air). But it goes far beyond the themed titles and lyrics. The instrumentation and feel of each song perfectly captures that of the element it's about.

The fire tracks are heavier and more of a hardcore-punk/post-metal style, a callback to Thrice's early days.
The water tracks are more muted and flowing, with soft lyrics, creating an ocean-like atmosphere.
The air tracks are somewhat reverbial and organic, if that makes sense.
The earth tracks are acoustic, recorded specially to sound extra rustic and grainy.

Some standout tracks include;
• Digital Sea (from Vols. I & II)
• Moving Mountains (from Vols. III & IV)
• Burn the Fleet (from Vols. I & II)
• Digging My Own Grave (from Vols. III & IV)

In short, The Alchemy Index is Thrice's attempt (and success) at a very unconventional and experimental release. The best word to describe it is quite simply, amazing.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

You're Gonna Go Far, Kid

Next up is a solid punk rock song from one of the best-selling punk rock acts of all time.

Song: You're Gonna Go Far, Kid
Artist: The Offspring

For fans of punk rock, this would clearly be a must-listen, seeing as The Offspring are one of the most celebrated bands of the genre. However, it's a more recent track so there are some more "poppy" influences, but it never fully strays from its punk roots, making it the ideal song for anyone who enjoys punk without all the hardcore essences of its early days. 

This song also has the ability to quickly get stuck in your head, but be wary of singing it under your breath when there are young children around, if you know what I mean. 


Saturday, August 13, 2011

Begin Again

Let's begin your musical enlightenment with an album you may not have heard of just yet.

Album: Begin Again
Artist: Hell or Highwater

Brandon Saller, Atreyu's drummer, steps out from behind the kit and takes hold of the mic in Hell or Highwater's debut album, Begin Again.

Some standout tracks include;
• Go Alone (featuring Avenged Sevenfold's frontman, M. Shadows)
• Hail Mary!
• Terrorized in the Night
• Gimme Love

If you're a fan of Atreyu's more melodic passages rather than their screamed vocals, this album will be more suited to you. It's a flowing album, harnessing the hard side of rock without going entirely over the top. In a nice blend of the heavy and the light, Begin Again combines those styles for an album any rock fan can truly appreciate. Really, the best way to describe it is as being neutral. The vocals are far from clean, but not growled by any means. The guitar lines are intricate, but not insane. The drums are pretty intense, but not crazy. 

So next time you're looking for some new, not-too-heavy rock music, give Hell or Highwater a listen. And, if you're hitting up the Uproar tour this year, you'll get to see them live.