Bands You Should Be Listening To: Streetlight Manifesto

Streetlight Manifesto is a seven-piece third-wave ska band from New Jersey that deserves more credit and recognition than they receive. Largely a product of the genius of lead singer and guitarist, Tomas Kalnoky, the band's songs are exceptionally well-written. Kalnoky initially writes the songs using an acoustic guitar. The band later takes this blueprint and fine-tunes it, cleverly combining guitar riffs typical of ska acts with intricate horn breakdowns. In short, these guys are brilliant musicians. Any band that can incorporate a horn section rendition of Johannes Brahms' "Hungarian Dance No. 5" into one of their songs ("If and When We Rise Again") deserves all kinds of praise.

Just last year, the band released an album of cover songs, titled 99 Songs of Revolution. Covers of songs like "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service and "Just" by Radiohead showcase Streetlight's ability to rework songs into a masterpiece all their own. It's been over three years since the band released any original material, but Kalnoky recently revealed that they had been in the studio recording a new album. The album will be released this year, though a date has not been set. To say that I'm excited would be an understatement.

"If and When We Rise Again"

"We are the orphans of the American dream"

Rise Against's 2008 album Appeal to Reason met with disappointment from fans and critics alike. The band was accused of straying from their hardcore punk roots to venture into the mainstream. With the obvious pop sensibilities, slower songs, and catchy hooks, they seemed to be losing touch. Now the band is back with the release of Endgame, which I was more than a little bit skeptical about. Instead of reverting back to the musical style heard on their pre-Appeal to Reason albums, the band polished that new sound, making it harder and more in-your-face. The result is an impressive, energetic album full of politically charged anthems that are surprisingly easy to relate to.

Rise Against's musical growth from album to album is blatantly apparent, and their most recent effort is no exception. Though the band has let go of the raw sound of old, their music is still essentially hardcore punk. Songs like "Midnight Hands," "Survivor Guilt," and "A Gentleman's Coup" feature guitar riffs and drums that stand out from the rest of the album and show what the band is truly capable of. The vocals on the album are exactly as expected -- gravelly singing with a few screams thrown in -- and the songs are rife with poignant lyrics. One thing I've always admired about Tim McIlrath's storytelling is his ability to place himself in the situation. Many of the lyrics are written from a first-person perspective, which is particularly powerful on "Make It Stop (September's Children)," a song that was written in response to the suicides of teens bullied for being gay. In it, McIlrath sings, "I'm done asking, I demand / From a nation under God / I feel its love like a cattle prod / I'm born free but still they hate me / I'm born me, no, I can't change." No matter what topic is covered in a given song, the message is always relevant.

Overall, Endgame is a solid album that serves as a reminder of what makes Rise Against special in a sea of fading hardcore punk acts. If you were disappointed by Appeal to Reason, this will certainly renew your love for the band.

Verdict: 4/5
Sounds like: One big call to arms
Favorite tracks: "Midnight Hands," "Make It Stop (September's Children)," "Satellite"

Jersey Spotlight: Folly

(via: An Objective Perspective)

I stumbled upon Folly around the time my interest in hardcore music was dwindling and Purevolume was still a popular and reliable source for finding new music. What I heard blew me away. Never has a band been able to combine hardcore with ska as seamlessly as these New Jersey natives, though many have tried. John Tummillo changes his vocal style at the drop of a hat, going from hardcore screams to the almost-singing typical of ska vocalists. Their stage presence is insane and fans take hardcore dancing to a whole new level at their shows, doing everything from backflips to cartwheels in the pit.

With two full-length albums, two EPs, and a series of tours that took them across the US with bands like The Human Abstract and The Dillinger Escape Plan, the band seemed to be gaining popularity. Unfortunately, a break-up was announced in February of 2008 and they played three farewell shows, all of which sold out.

Naturally, it came as a huge surprise when Folly announced three upcoming reunion shows:

March 26 @ Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ
April 2 @ School of Rock East in South Hackensack, NJ
April 9 @ Stanhope House in Stanhope, NJ

What does this mean for one of the best hardcore bands to ever come out of Jersey? We'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully more of this:



...and this:

This is the Remix

Up until now, we've featured a lot of punk and hardcore music on this blog, so I thought, "Why not break up the monotony a little?" I'm a sucker for a good remix. They're a great way for an artist to express their take on a song without going so far as to cover it, but instead by rearranging or adding to the music. And just like covers, they can be hit or miss. Whether the remix adds bass-heavy trance or electronica beats to a mellow song or tones down a fast song, it has to flow well to be pleasing to the ear. Here are a few favorites that I've come across over the years.

1. "Electric Feel" by MGMT (remixed by Justice)

This song by MGMT is great on its own, but add the bold sounds of French duo Justice and it becomes even better. This is one of those rare cases where I like the remix more than the original song. Everything about it is just perfect, from the intro to the bass line. Justice even won a Grammy for this particular remix in 2009.

2. "mcchrisownz" by mc chris (Paper Planes remix)

Brilliant. The two songs go together so well that it just feels natural. The best part? mc chris has been known to perform this song live, which is a real treat.

3. "Love In This Club" by Usher (remixed by MSTRKRFT)

I know what you're probably thinking, but bear with me. MSTRKRFT, a group that was started by one-half of the now defunct Death From Above 1979, has produced some of the best remixes I've ever heard, plenty of them of songs by mainstream artists. I also highly recommend checking out their remix of "Got Love to Kill" by Juliette and the Licks.

4. "Every You Every Me" by Placebo (remixed by Sneaker Pimps)

Nothing can ever beat the original track. However, this remix adds a bit of a dark twist to a song that's already loaded with emotion.

5. "Alligator" by Tegan and Sara (remixed by Passion Pit)

If you've ever listened to Passion Pit then you know that their music is a unique blend of electronica, indie, and synthpop. Take their signature sound and add it to "Alligator," which is a simple but amazing song on its own, and this is what you get.

Best Albums of 2010

We originally set out to compile a list of the top ten albums of 2010. Perfect, right? Well, what we have here is the top eight, plus three honorable mentions. All in all, this year saw the release of some real gems in the music industry.

1. The Dissent of Man by Bad Religion

"If you listen to Bad Religion, you know what you're getting: quality punk music. The band seems to take a different approach musically with this album and it works. Dissent of Man is just as good as anything the band has released previously." - Joe

"Once again, Bad Religion altered their sound slightly, but this time they delivered an amazing punk record full of political undertones. It's no Against the Grain, but damn do these guys know how to make good music." - Jenn

2. Omni by Minus the Bear

"Minus the Bear crafted an amazingly well thought out album that just oozes sexiness. There's just no other way to describe it." - Joe

3. Surfing the Void by Klaxons

"People always talk about how great MGMT is, but they can't hold a candle to Klaxons and this album furthers that opinion. With catchy hooks, incredible music, and awesome vocals like this, I look forward to hearing whatever this band comes up with next." - Joe

"This album took me by surprise because I was just expecting more of the same from this band, but it was a pleasant departure from the sound of their previous album. While you can't expect to hear anything like "Atlantis to Interzone" on Surfing the Void, the music still has a sort of other-worldly, futuristic feel. The vocals on this album are especially amazing." - Jenn

4. Songs for Singles by Torche

"Following 2008's Meanderthal, Songs For Singles takes what Torche previously did and keeps it going. Simply put, Torche is amazing. 'Nuff said." - Joe

"I must say, I wasn't too fond of this band prior to listening to Songs for Singles. I couldn't get past the vocals even though the music was always amazing. This EP changed that. Listen to “Hideaway” and I promise you will not be disappointed." - Jenn

5. American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem

"I love this album more and more with every listen. Not only is the music itself fantastic, but every single song has so much raw emotion behind it. This is the album of the year for me, hands down." - Jenn

6. Ironiclast by The Damned Things

"When hearing who played in The Damned Things my initial reaction was, "WTF!?!" After listening to their debut album, my reaction was much of the same, not because Ironiclast is bad but because it's so good considering how eclectic its members backgrounds are." - Joe

"Imagine my reaction upon reading that members of Fall Out Boy, Every Time I Die, and Anthrax had formed a band together. Now imagine my reaction when I listened to this album and it was actually good. Great, even." - Jenn

7. Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys by My Chemical Romance

"After reading that the new album was going to be a return to their roots, I was really hyped for this album. Then NaNaNa came out and I was incredibly disappointed. I really wanted to not like this album because I hate when bands say that they're going back to their roots and don't deliver, but this album is just too solid of an album to not like." - Joe

"This is such a fun album. I can't get enough of the catchy lyrics, the music, and the entire concept behind it. I never thought I'd have MCR in heavy rotation again, but it happened." - Jenn

Honorable mentions:
American Ghetto by Portugal. The Man
Sea of Cowards by The Dead Weather
Brothers by The Black Keys

"Look alive, sunshine"

It's been four years since (the abomination known as) The Black Parade and My Chemical Romance have hit fans with a new concept album that is worlds away from their 2006 release. As if the hype behind this album wasn't successful enough in persuading me to give it a listen, the story featured throughout sealed the deal. Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys follows a group of individuals in a post-apocalyptic society of sorts, set nineteen years in the future, as they attempt to rescue a girl who has been captured by an evil corporation known as BL/ind, or Better Living Industries. Overall, the album is refreshing and fun, and effectively reminded me of the reasons I began listening to this band in the first place.

First of all, it takes a great deal of creativity to come up with a story like the one presented on this album and I'm thoroughly impressed with the delivery. The lyrics on the album, though sometimes nonsensical in nature ("Shut up and let me see your jazz hands/Remember when you were a madman?/Thought you was Batman/And hit the party with a gas can/Kiss me, you animal"), are interesting and, at times, strangely easy to relate to despite the subject matter. The music itself is more polished than on previous efforts, but not in a way that makes the band lose their spark. The synthesizer on songs like "Planetary (GO!)" and "The Only Hope for Me Is You" feels out of place at first, but after a few listens it seems to fit just fine. The low point on the album comes in the form of "Summertime," a love song with awkward placement, especially considering the song that follows is significantly harder and almost has a Jane's Addiction sort of feel to it. One of my favorite aspects of the album is the narration by Steve Montaño (also known as Steve, Righ?, guitarist of Mindless Self Indulgence) as the radio DJ Dr. Death Defying. The interludes act as updates on the Killjoys and really make the story come alive.

I must admit, this album surprised me and in a very good way. It's hard to believe this is the same band I became a fan of all those years ago with the release of I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love. Definitely worth checking out.

Verdict: 4/5
Favorite tracks: DESTROYA, Vampire Money, Save Yourself, I'll Hold Them Back
Bonus: The three-song EP, titled The Mad Gear and Missile Kid, that comes with the special edition of the album features songs that are reminiscent of the band's older sound

"Enrich the fallow soil with germs of perfection"

In honor of Bad Religion's 30th anniversary, SPIN Magazine and MySpace collaborated with various bands to put together a tribute album. As of October 19, the album has been available for download on the SPIN website... for free! The album features cover songs performed by a variety of artists, ranging from Guttermouth to Tegan and Sara to William Elliott Whitmore. With their politically charged lyrics and energetic delivery, there is no doubt that Bad Religion is one of the most well-known and influential punk bands still making music today. (Their most recent album, Dissent of Man, was released last month, by the way.) Could any of the covers on Germs of Perfection possibly do the band justice?

The answer, believe it or not, is yes. Each of the artists employs their own style to make the songs their own, which is what makes these covers so refreshing. Bands like New Politics ("Generator") and Riverboat Gamblers ("Heaven is Falling") don't stray too far from the original sound of the source material. However, others, like Switchfoot ("Sorrow") and Frank Turner ("My Poor Friend Me"), recorded acoustic covers that add new dimensions to familiar songs. The Weakerthans' version of "Sanity" might just be the strangest cover of them all, complete with bongos and an airy, folk sound.

In short, Germs of Perfection: A Tribute to Bad Religion is worth checking out. There's something for everyone on this album, whether you're a long-time Bad Religion fan, like myself, or a fan of some of the featured artists. Listen with an open mind and you might be surprised with the songs you end up enjoying.

Verdict: 3.5/5
Sounds like: What do you think?
Favorite tracks: "Suffer" (performed by Tegan and Sara), "Against the Grain" (performed by Ted Leo), "Better Off Dead" (performed by Polar Bear Club)

To download the full album for free, click here.

Shameless Plugs: Rock and Roll Writing Class

An e-mail was received here at Rock'n'roll Etiquette about a month ago (oops!) from someone who found this blog via a Google search for "rock and roll writing." It turns out there is an online class by that name and we were asked to check it out by the aforementioned e-mailer. The class is offered by the Basement Writing Workshop, which features a series of creative writing courses, such as the Memoir Writing Class and the Comedy Writing Class. Why a rock and roll class, of all things? I think the description explains it well enough:

"Consider the rock and roll writing section of your local bookstore. How big is it? Where is it located in the store? How does it compare to other genres? It's strange how slim the pickings can be when you consider the amount of people who love rock music, buy records, go to concerts, and harbor hopes of one day being rock stars themselves. Our class will explore the current state of rock lit and discuss what we as writers can do about it. Come prepared to write about your rock and roll experiences-why your characters love the music they love, what happens backstage or on the tour bus, what it feels like to play in your band...or jam along with your iPod-and learn ways to make your prose the kind that could inspire a rock lit revolution."

The class is taught by Arthur Edwards, former bassist of The Refreshments (they did the theme song for King of the Hill), and runs from October 4th to December 12th, so there's still a bit of time left to sign up if anyone is interested. There is a fee, of course, just like with any class you'd be taking on a college campus. For anyone with $320 -- the discounted fee -- burning a hole in their pocket, this might be what you're looking for to kill some time or brush up on your writing skills.

If you don't have the money, there is also a writing contest you can enter to win a free class. The writing prompts for the contest are posted on Facebook and Twitter and aren't limited to just essays; you can write a poem, a story, or anything else you can think of. Submissions must be 2,500 words or less and the winner can choose from any of the writing classes offered. The deadline is November 1st, so get writing!

Jersey Spotlight: The Static Jacks

We've been absent on this blog for a little over a month. I apologize for that, but think of it as an internet vacation. Anyway, in order to make up for getting rid of the news posts (I really just don't have the time to keep up with them every week) I'm going to introduce a new feature called "Jersey Spotlight" that I hope you guys will enjoy. Every so often we will try to showcase great local bands from New Jersey in an attempt to get the word out on them. These bands need all the support they can get.

Without further ado, I present to you The Static Jacks, a five-piece indie band from Westfield. I use the term "indie" loosely, as that is what they are considered by the majority. Don't let that stop you from giving this band a listen. If their gritty, soulful music doesn't grab you, their catchy hooks certainly will. The vocals even remind me a bit of a young Glenn Danzig at times. They may not have complex guitar riffs or masterfully written lyrics, but what these guys do have is raw talent and a love for what they do.

Despite having been featured in various MTV shows, namely The Hills and Jersey Shore, it doesn't seem like this band is getting wide recognition. I recently had the pleasure of seeing them open for Biffy Clyro in New York and their set was fantastic. Before the show, a few fans waiting in line relayed a story about the previous night: The Static Jacks weren't able to play at the 21+ venue because some of the members are underage. They tried to find a place to crash for the night, but no one was generous enough to offer up their floor, so they slept in their van. The next day they tore up that stage in NYC and made me fall in love with their music.


The Static Jacks "My Parents Lied" from Michael James Murray on Vimeo.

This Week in Music... kinda

Another double week news post?! Sweet.

Recap for the week of August 8th:

• NOFX began streaming The Longest EP on their MySpace page. The album features out of print EPs, previously unreleased songs and rarities, and was released on August 17th.
• Defunct band Planes Mistaken for Stars has confirmed that they will be playing not one but two shows this fall. That brings us one show closer to a potential reunion tour. Pretty please?
• Protest the Hero announced that they will be entering the studio on August 30th to begin recording the follow-up to 2008's Fortress.
• The first new song from Jimmy Eat World's new album, Invented, is streaming on the band's website. The album is set to be released on September 28th.
• Punknews.org is streaming We Chase the Waves, the new effort from Sundowner. You can listen to it here.
• A new single, titled "Shakedown," from psychobilly band Devil's Brigade has been released. The song can be heard on ampmagazine.com, while the self-titled debut album will be out on August 31st.
• The Aquabats are planning to independently release a new album on November 9th and will be touring with Reel Big Fish after playing a few shows on the Yo Gabba Gabba! tour. If that sounds strange to you, let me clear things up: the band's lead singer, Christian Jacobs aka The MC Bat Commander, is the co-creator of the popular children's show. In fact, the band has appeared in multiple episodes.
• Weezer unveiled the album artwork and track list for their new album, Hurley. Here's what the album cover looks like:
  
  
  
  I wish I were joking. The photo is of actor Jorge Garcia, who played Hugo "Hurley" Reyes on the television show Lost. Maybe you've heard of it. The album is available for pre-order on Amazon.

Recap for the week of August 15th:

• Hardcore punk act Comeback Kid are streaming ten of the eleven songs from their upcoming album, Symptoms and Cures, on their MySpace page. The album is due on August 31st.
• Coheed and Cambria announced via Facebook that they are holding a contest for local bands to win a chance to open for them on their upcoming tour dates in October. The contest will take place on the band's Facebook page, while details can be found here. Lead singer Claudio Sanchez was quoted saying, "...local scenes haven't flourished like they once did. Hopefully this helps bring awareness to some good up and coming music."
• Dag Nasty will be re-releasing a version of their 1986 album Can I Say. The album is titled Dag with Shawn and will feature original vocalist Shawn Brown, who left the band in 1986. Nine of the ten songs from Can I Say, which had been re-recorded with new vocalist Dave Smalley after Brown left, will make it onto the album.
• In addition to the album artwork and track list for Weezer's new album, Hurley, being revealed, the band has also released their first single, titled "Memories." The song is available for download via the Spinner website. There are also rumors going around about a possible Pinkerton tour, on which the band will play the 1996 album in its entirety. Even if it doesn't happen, keep an eye out for the re-issue of Pinkerton, which will be released this fall.
• In an MTV segment called "re:Play," Tom Gabel of Against Me! attempts to teach viewers how to play "I Was A Teenage Anarchist," a single off the band's most recent release, White Crosses. The video can be seen here. Gabel also talks about Against Me!'s writing process, as well as their influences.
• Minus the Bear announced a fall US tour. A full list of dates and locations can be found here.
• New Jersey natives Screaming Females have a new video for their song, "I Don't Mind It." Contrary to the band's name, there is no actual screaming from any females.
  
  
  
• Dave Hause, lead singer and guitarist of The Loved Ones, posted a song titled "Melanin" on his MySpace. The song is from his solo 7", which was released this spring.
• A song from Tim Kasher's (Cursive, The Good Life) upcoming solo album has been released. The song is called "Cold Love" and can be downloaded from Spin. Remember to mark your calendars for the release of the album, The Game of Monogamy, out October 5th.

Nine Females Who Kick Ass

It's no secret that a number of female-fronted punk bands are seen as a huge joke. While it's true that some should have never bothered picking up an instrument, there are others who deserve recognition not only for their talent, but also for their attitudes and beliefs. I present to you, in no particular order, a list of women notable for their badassery.

1. Brody Dalle (The Distillers, Spinnerette)

Any girl who can style her hair in liberty spikes or a mohawk and still look amazing is a win in my book. Hailing from Australia, Dalle began her music career at the age of thirteen and relocated to the US after meeting Tim Armstrong of Rancid. Though Dalle is often compared to Courtney Love because of her rough singing voice, she made a name for herself playing guitar, singing, and writing nearly every song for The Distillers until they disbanded in 2006. In addition to fronting her own bands, Dalle has also made numerous guest appearances on songs by bands such as Leftover Crack, Queens of the Stone Age, and the Transplants. And her opinion on female artists? "They say women can't play guitar as well as men. I don't play my guitar with my fucking vagina, so what difference does it make?" Amen.

2. Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre)

If you don't know who Kathleen Hanna is, then you've probably been living under a rock for the last two decades. Not only was she the frontwoman for both Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, but she was also a major part of the Riot Grrl movement that started in the early 1990s. Hanna is an outspoken feminist activist (she attended her first rally at the age of nine!) and isn't shy about voicing her opinions on other political issues, whether it be in interviews or in lyrics. She's also volunteered at the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls and has taught an art class at NYU. Whether it be the fact that she stands up for what she believes in, or her high-energy performances at shows, there's a reason people love her. Now enjoy this video from 1992 of Bikini Kill performing "Jigsaw Youth," in which Hanna shows off some nerdy dance moves:

3. Jenny Hurricane (Midnight Creeps)

I've read one too many comments on the internet in which the author calls this woman a slut because of her raunchy performances and the outfits she chooses to wear on stage. It all boils down to the fact that she is open with her sexuality and isn't afraid to express that. I think the best description of Jenny Hurricane comes straight from of the Midnight Creeps MySpace biography: "Jenny Hurricane lives up to her name, shaking across the stage like the second coming of Iggy Pop." You won't understand until you see it for yourself, so below is a video of the Midnight Creeps performing at CBGB's. The best part comes at around 4:10, when she is asking audience members to describe something dirty they will do to win a piece of her skirt, which is made out of caution tape. One guy even manages to win two pieces by telling her he's going to kill George W. Bush. Classic.



4. Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather)

There are no words. All the proof you need of her excellence can be found in the video for "Treat Me Like Your Mother" by The Dead Weather. Great voice? Check. Subtle sexiness? Check. Shooting Jack White with a submachine gun while wearing heels? Triple check.

5. Ryann Donnelly (Schoolyard Heroes, Blood Cells)

In 2000, Schoolyard Heroes played a cover of The Misfits' "Last Caress" at a Christian Battle of the Bands, and the rest is history. Though she has been the singer for horror punk bands with lyrics about the undead, serial killers, and other topics along these lines, Donnelly does not throw femininity out the window. In fact, she wears dresses during most, if not all, live performances. Her vocals can get high-pitched and shrieky at times, but in a way that is not grating or otherwise unpleasant to the ear.

6. Juliette Lewis (Juliette and the Licks, The New Romantiques)

Chances are you know her as the actress from movies such as Whip It and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. The characters she plays in films are often raw and in-your-face, which isn't a far stretch from reality. Unlike most, Lewis makes the transition from movies to music smoothly; she's not just another actress trying to tap into her nonexistent well of hidden talents. Obviously this spitfire was made to be an entertainer.



7 & 8. Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin (Tegan and Sara)

These twins, who call Canada their home, began their foray into music at the age of fifteen, writing songs under the name PLUNK. Since then, they've released six albums as Tegan and Sara and have both worked on numerous collaborations for artists such as Against Me! and DJ Tiesto. Tegan even wrote a song for the audio book version of A Wolf At The Table at the request of the author, Augusten Burroughs. The duo write all of their own lyrics and music, but rarely ever write songs together. The media seems to dwell on their sexuality, as they are both lesbians. Most adorable Canadian twin lesbians ever.



9. Chibi (The Birthday Massacre)

Though she is the lead singer of a synthrock band (often incorrectly referred to as a goth band), and certainly looks the part, she happens to be one of the biggest sweethearts on the planet. Her airy vocals are usually a stark contrast to the music, but at times she employs a low whisper or scream to add an extra layer of creepiness. Chibi never forgets to show gratitude towards fans of the band, whether it's by interacting with them in person or by making hearts with her hands while performing. She often blogs about cats, knitting, and Star Wars -- a girl after my own heart. In addition to fronting a band, she makes jewelry for an Etsy store called Goodbye Forever, alongside her long-time friend, Laura, and her younger sister, Emily.

This Week In Music: Recap (Week of August 1st)

• This week's edition of the news recap starts off with worse news than last week's. Original Fear bassist, Derf Scratch, passed away on July 28th after prolonged illness. Scratch, born Frederick Milner III, played bass for Fear since the band's 1977 formation. Condolences go out to his friends and family from everyone here at Rock'n'roll Etiquette.
• Weezer has announced the release date for their new album, Hurley. The album will be out on September 14th on Epitaph Records. This is the first time the band has released an album on an independent label in over a decade. A reissue of their 1996 album Pinkerton will follow shortly after.
• Big D and the Kids Table has two new songs up on the iTunes store. The songs ("Lash Out" and "Not Our Fault") were originally part of a split with The Brunt of It, but are now available as one convenient download, titled Two Songs, One Download.
• A new video from hardcore band Evergreen Terrace debuted earlier this week. The video, for the song "Enemy Sex," can be viewed below or by clicking this link.
  
  
  
• Episode three of Shit Happens: The Webseries? has been posted on its home website. If you have yet to see the first two episodes then what the hell are you waiting for?
• The two-disc special edition reissue of Queens of the Stone Age album Rated R was released on Tuesday. The second disc contains nine unreleased songs, as well as live performances of "Better Living Through Chemistry," "Feel Good Hit of the Summer," "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" and "Quick and to the Pointless."
• Alternative Press is currently streaming a song from Sundowner's new effort, We Chase the Waves. The song is called, "As the Crow Flies," and can be heard here. The new album will be released on August 10th.
• The Adolescents have leaked two more new songs from their upcoming album, The Fastest Kid Alive, bringing the total song count to five. "Learning to Swim" and "Inspiration" are both promising tracks.
• A world tour has been announced by The Sword. The tour kicks off on October 1st in Los Angeles, California and continues well into 2011. The band will be playing a show in New York City at Webster Hall on October 16th, if anyone is interested. A full list of dates can be found on their MySpace, which is pretty much the only thing MySpace is good for anymore.
• If your lifelong dream is to watch a band perform aboard a ship then your dream just might come true. Less Than Jake will be playing a show on The Temptress, a boat in NYC, on August 19th as part of the Rocks Off Concert Cruise Series. Visit punknews.org to enter to win two tickets to the event. If Less Than Jake doesn't tickle your fancy, there are a number of other bands and artists who will be performing on cruise ships from August until October. Some of the bands include Cro-Mags, mc chris, H2O, and The Bouncing Souls. For a complete list of performers and ticket information, visit the Rocks Off website.

This Week in Music... sort of

Since I haven't had enough free time to sit down and write, I decided to smoosh together the important music-related news from the past two weeks! Intrigued? Then keep reading.

Recap for the week of July 11th:

• Bad Religion has finished recording their upcoming album, Dissent of Man, which will be released on September 28th. Not only is this the first release from the band in three years, but it will also be their fifteenth studio album.
• In the wake of a split 7" with Bouncing Souls in the works, Hot Water Music frontman Chuck Ragan revealed that he is also planning a split with Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem. After HWM went on hiatus in 2006, Ragan released a number of solo albums and splits as a folk artist, so this is familiar territory for him.
• Taking Back Sunday have an upcoming live CD entitled "Live From Orensanz." The album is entirely acoustic and will be released on August 17th. The limited edition CD/DVD version of the album will only be available to order on the band's website, while the regular version will be available at stores and for digital download.
• A new album from Weezer is set to be released on September 13th on an indie label. The album will be the follow-up to 2009's Raditude, which received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. In an interview with newstimes.com, Rivers said of the new album: "There's definitely going to be a more raw rock energy on this one."

Recap for the week of July 18th:

• Jimmy Eat World has finished recording their new album, Invented, and the members have already revealed the album artwork and track list for the album. The songs are listed below, while you can view the album artwork here.
  
  1. Heart is Hard to Find
  2. My Best Theory
  3. Evidence
  4. Higher Devotion
  5. Movielike
  6. Coffee and Cigarettes
  7. Stop
  8. Littlething
  9. Cut
  10. Action Needs an Audience
  11. Invented
  12. Mixtape
  
  The album will be released on September 27th and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon for $10.

• Tim Kasher, lead singer of both Cursive and The Good Life, will be releasing a solo album on October 5th. The album is titled The Game of Monogamy.
• Do you like free music? Of course you do. Head on over to Amazon to download the free summer sampler from SideOneDummy Records. Big D and the Kids Table, Anti-Flag, The Casualties, and Flogging Molly are just a few of the bands featured on the sampler.
• The first episode of Every Time I Die's webseries, Shit Happens: The Series?, is available on the Vans website. A new episode will be posted every Wednesday, so keep checking back.
• Comeback Kid has posted the first new song from their upcoming album, Symptoms and Cures (out August 31st). The song, "Do Yourself A Favor," is available for listening on the band's MySpace page and sounds like everything else they've ever released. Not that I'm complaining.
• A new video for Gogol Bordello's song "Pala Tute" has been released. A new video with some creepy stop-motion animation, to be exact:
  
  
  
• The world's greatest horror rock band, Calabrese, has finished inking their upcoming comic book. As the band stated on their website, "The next step in the process is the lettering, leading the way towards printing, then ultimately making it into your sweaty, grubby hands." Click here to see a few panels from the comic.
• Travis Barker (Blink-182, Transplants, +44) has a solo album coming out in the near future, aptly titled Give the Drummer Some. The drummer revealed via Twitter that he is recording a video for the first single, "Carry It," which has guest appearances from Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave) and RZA (of Wu-Tang Clan fame). If that isn't the strangest group of people to be featured on the same song, I don't know what is.
• As if you haven't read the words, "finished recording their upcoming album," enough in this post, I've got two more for you. Both Bayside and Senses Fail have completed the recording process for their new albums. Little has been revealed by either band, so it's okay to lump them into the same bullet point for lack of material to elaborate on.

This Week in Music: Recap (week of July 4)

• Thursday has entered the studio to record their sixth studio album. Lead singer Geoff Rickley was quoted saying, "In style, this record feels like a radical departure from our earlier records, but in substance it feels like a return. The songs are more vulnerable than they've been in a long time." Read more from Geoff and the band in the Epitaph press release.
• The Gaslight Anthem debuted their video for "American Slang," the first single off their new album. Click here to watch the video or view it below:

• A release date has been set for the reissue of Queens of the Stone Age album Rated R. The reissue, which features b-sides, covers, and live performances by the band, will be out on August 3rd.
• Thomas Erak recently revealed the name of his new project: Just Like Vinyl. You can follow them on Twitter (@justlikevinylWA) for updates.
• Riot Fest, which might just be the most awesome three-day festival in existence, has confirmed the lineup for the shows that will take place on October 6th through 10th. Bad Religion, Snapcase, Circle Jerks, and The Toasters are just a few of the bands expected to perform. View the complete list of bands here and then cry when you realize it's in Chicago. Come to the East Coast instead, please?
• Social Distortion announced the dates for their fall tour with Lucero and Frank Turner. To view the full list of dates and locations, visit Social D's website.
  
• Speaking of Frank Turner, Rock Sound published an exclusive article in which Frank states that he'll be entering the studio in September to record a new EP, which will consist of entirely new material.
• Love Every Time I Die? Can't get enough of their ridiculousness? You're in luck! Shit Happens: The Series? is a new webseries by the band that will air new episodes every week courtesy of Vans. The first full episode will be available on July 14th.
• A Wilhelm Scream posted an update that mentions talk of heading into the studio in the near future. The band has five studio albums to their name, but their next album will be the first full-length recorded after signing to record label Paper + Plastick.
• Portugal. The Man released a video for the song "The Dead Dog" off their 2010 album American Ghetto. Right now the video only appears to be available for viewing at thepunksite.com, so head on over.
• Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman of Rancid fame have resurrected their psychobilly side-project Devil's Brigade and plan to release a full-length album on August 31st. Until this point, they'd only released a grand total of five songs, all of which can be heard here.
• In an interview with KROQ, pop-punk band Blink-182 revealed that they have begun recording their new album, which they hope to release in the spring/summer of 2011. Fans have been anxiously awaiting new material since the band announced their reformation at the Grammy Awards in 2009. Click here to listen to the interview.

"Push back with every word and every breath."

The long-awaited fifth album from punk band Against Me! is nothing if not a logical step up from their first major label record, New Wave. With new drummer George Robelo (of Hot Water Music) on board, it was almost a given that this album would be different from anything they've done before. The band's sound on the album is not only a big change, but many of the tracks on White Crosses come off sounding overproduced and lacking in passion.

One thing that seems to be missing completely from AM!'s new effort is the band's signature folk punk sound. What we get instead is a mishmash of boring guitar riffs and cookie-cutter drums -- probably the most disappointing aspect of the entire album. If you are expecting something that is musically great, you won't find it on White Crosses. This album also features the cleanest vocal delivery I've ever heard from lead singer Tom Gabel. This is neither a good nor a bad thing, and it definitely goes hand-in-hand perfectly with their new style. The lyrics, at times, are laughable, especially on "We're Breaking Up," in which Tom sings, "We used to like all the same bands. We used to have all the same friends. What do we have left in common? Just shared memories of good times long since past." Clearly, little room is left for interpretation and I would even go so far as to call it lazy songwriting. Alternately, the political issues touched upon in songs like "High Pressure Low" would probably fall on deaf ears.

The first two tracks on the album, title track "White Crosses" and first single "I Was A Teenage Anarchist," are solid songs that make for a strong opening. Unfortunately, it goes downhill from there. "Because of the Shame" tells an amazing story but something is missing in the music itself that would probably make the song good instead of just alright. The middle of the record is one huge 'What the hell?' moment, with songs that feature piano, strange background whispers and chants, and very little feeling behind the delivery. However, the band redeems themselves a little with the final three tracks, ending on a high note. "Spanish Moss" and "Rapid Decompression" are easily the catchiest (and maybe the best) songs on the album.

Overall, the songs on White Crosses don't flow well. It's as if the band wrote song titles on slips of paper, threw them into a hat, and chose at random, leaving a handful of sub-par tracks sandwiched in-between the better songs. Either way, at least half of the album is worth a listen or two; it might get old fast or it might grow on you.

Verdict: 2/5
Sounds like: Someone sucked the soul out of punk rock
Favorite tracks: "Bamboo Bones," "Rapid Decompression"

New Thomas Erak Project

Thomas Erak, lead singer and guitarist of the now-dead progressive rock band The Fall of Troy, has announced via Twitter that his new band will be playing their first show next month in the Seattle, Washington area. It may not mean much if you're not from the area, but fans the world over can now rejoice in the thought that new music isn't too far away.

The Fall of Troy played their last show on April 25 and Thom seems to be moving right along, with multiple projects in mind. So what do we know about this particular project? It's a four-piece band, demos have been recorded, and not much else. A band name hasn't even been revealed, let alone an idea of what their stuff will sound like. Fingers crossed for The Fall of Troy Part II.

"Who does it better than we do?"

New Jersey's finest, The Gaslight Anthem, seem to be turning heads with the release of their third studio album. Multiple critics have even gone so far as to call it the "album of the month." I admit I was nervous when lead singer Brian Fallon spoke of a new writing approach the band would be taking this time around. It's true that American Slang boasts a slightly different sound than their previous efforts, but the final product won me over.

Rarely do I come across an album that I love upon first listen, but when it happens, it's magical. American Slang delivered the magic and then some. The album mixes beautiful storytelling with music that makes me want to shake it like I'm at a 1950s high school dance. Unlike on their previous albums (Sink or Swim and The '59 Sound), the lead guitar almost takes on a life of its own as it wails away in the background of the majority of the songs, a separate entity from the rhythm guitar, drums, and bass. It doesn't blend in to form a uniform sound throughout, but rather adds an extra dimension to each song. Brian Fallon's vocals are just as rough and soulful as ever, but at times reach such a high level of awesome that it barely sounds like the same man. His vocals especially shine on "The Diamond Church Street Choir," which proves that he's been holding back just a little.

The album opens with a bang as the powerful title track and first single, "American Slang," sets the stage for what comes next. Everything from the thumping drums to the background vocals chanting, "Give me fever! Oh, give me fever!" during the chorus fit so perfectly together to create an anthem full of raw emotion. The nine songs that follow are pure genius, featuring lyrics that are sometimes filled with pain and sometimes not, sometimes heartbreaking and sometimes uplifting. "Bring It On" even gave me chills when I first listened to it. The last track, "We Did It When We Were Young," feels a bit tacked on and out of place among the rest of the album, but still serves as an acceptable closer.

The Gaslight Anthem's songs always remind me of summertime and this album is no exception. I'm thinking it's no coincidence they released it with perfect timing to become my summer soundtrack.

Verdict: 5/5
Sounds like: Bruce Springsteen's alternative punk cousin, a warm summer night
Favorite tracks: "Bring It On," "The Queen of Lower Chelsea," "Old Haunts"