Jake's Short Reviews #19
Posted 08/22/2012 08:50AM by Jake Oliver as Article
Primate — Draw Back A Stump
This one is a filthy little treat that really hits its stride about mid-way through the album with a simmering cover of Black Flag (“Drinking and Driving”). A bunch of veteran punks plowing through ten crust-and-roll gnashers in just a hair over twenty minutes is certainly enough to get the blood boiling, and though brevity is not a bad thing, particularly with this style, the somewhat indistinguishable songs knock the score a bit. Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Dr. Acula — Nation
A Dr. Acula album that is…tolerable? Actually not bad? Either the Noo Yawkuhs are finally maturing or my taste in music has gotten infinitely worse. Thing is, most of the gimmicks are history, and the tone is much darker, giving Nation its teeth and elevating the band from novelty status, even if, to look at the flip side, there’s still some kitsch to be had (Mars Attacks sound clips, anyone?). Rating: 3/5 Stars
Tigerface — Out of the Dark
Look, I’m not entirely opposed to the theatrical—I’m a World/Inferno Friendship Society fan for God’s sakes—but I have to say that Out of the Dark hews a little too close to The Used’s preening for my taste. Not to say that the album is bad, exactly, but not my cup of tea. Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Samothrace — Reverence to Stone
At all of two songs, length might seem to be an issue, but Sleep turned one fucking song into a classic, so that’s not really a limiting factor here. Some of Reverence to Stone’s contents stay too tightly within the expected, but for the most part the record explores different movements quite expertly, incorporating some post-metal and more lush arrangements to go with the traditional doom. Rating: 4/5 Stars
Hollywood Burnouts — Excess All Areas
I suppose with the recent success of Rock of Ages the stage has been set for a hair metal comeback. I don’t know if it’s just where I live, but I’ve been hearing stuff like Ratt and Warrant all over the radio lately. If indeed we are being primed for the Androgyny Redux, then these claimants to the Scorpions throne seem ready to cast their lot into the hair-spray ring. The problem is that the contents here are tired and cliché, with the only real strengths being a few catchy choruses and the tight ass on the album cover. Rating: 2/5 Stars
Manners — Apparitions & Escapism
If you are a fan of hardcore, and haven’t been clued in to these guys yet, allow Apparitions & Escapism, a re-release of the band’s first two EPs plus two new songs, to be the introduction you need. Manners treads strongly on melodic hardcore ground, with the wrought, pained emotional quality of their songs recalling bands like Defeater and Killing the Dream. Not content to be a one-trick pony, however, songs like “Last Words” (which evokes The Banner comparisons) showcase what the Connecticut band can do when they push in a slightly different direction. Rating: 4/5 Stars
Everclear — Invisible Stars
Like any pissed-off child coming of age in the ’90s, Everclear and their post-grunge counterparts were in heavy rotation on my Discman during those interminable middle school bus rides to and from the end of my street. That said, songs like “Santa Monica” and “So Much for the Afterglow” aren’t just nostalgia-invokers for me; they’re legitimately great songs that exemplify a period in time while simultaneously waving the white flag for the rock star era. Inevitably, it would seem, the band started pumping out ridiculous garbage like “AM Radio,” and their audience flagged, myself included. Obviously in light of this I approached Invisible Stars with trepidation, but I was more than pleasantly surprised by its contents—the album is an honest-to-God revelation. This is the kind of record that Everclear should be writing in 2012. The feelings are real, Art Alexis sounds re-energized, and the songs still yearn but they are charged with a sunny disposition that connects the band’s legacy to its future. “Falling in a Good Way” is the band’s next “Amphetamine,” and the songwriting is first-rate, with several selections emerging as clear singles possibilities. I am happy to be writing this review. Rating: 4/5 Stars
HeartCakeParty — Mock Heroic
So. Who’s in the mood for another metalcore/post-hardcore band that specializes in pitchy cleans and generic mosh parts with a touch of the As I Lay Dying gallop thrown in for good measure? A Rorschach test this one is not. Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Gypsyhawk — Revelry & Resilience
If not for a significant amount of bar-rock filler, the score of Revelry & Resilience would be much higher. Songs like “The Fields” and “Frostwyrm” showcase a band that, when focused, can smash lethal vintage rock that seamlessly bridges Thin Lizzy with Dio. Rating: 3/5 Stars
Locrian — The Clearing & The Final Epoch
Not for the faint of heart, nor anyone with a short attention span, this double album will lead you slowly to the gates of hell with an all-encompassing atmosphere of utter hopelessness and devastation. Nothing tacky about it, just endless, unholy obsidian fear. The Crystal World was a Top Ten of 2010 inclusion for me, and I should think you’ll be seeing this one again in December on my list (even though The Clearing half is technically a reissue). Just an incredible work. Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Comments
Reno, NV
I've really been digging Gypsyhawk since discovering them earlier this year. Can't wait to pick up the new album next week. Sounds like it might not be up to expectations, but bar rock filler fills a void for me nicely since I don't go to the bar much anymore. How's it compare to Patience and Perseverance? Locrian sounds inticing, as does the new Everclear. I will check them out soon.
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http://bandcamp.com/buck09
Salt Lake City, UT
Good reviews, read most of them, ignored a couple. Buck's comment enraged me, like usual.
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
Wales
I haven't listened to any other Gypsyhawk. I'll have to get back to you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLF9Cm4E15E
I GO TO WORK
Minnesota
I refuse to believe anything from Dr. Acula is even close to listenable. You are on crazy pills!
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Reno, NV
Ya, check out Patience and Perseverance. I'm going to see them in a couple weeks at yet another dive bar venue, pretty excited. I've heard their live show is spectacular.
http://gypsyhawk.bandcamp.com/
Adjective, nice blog, I read some of them, ignored most, your comments make me laugh as usual.
Top Weekly Artists Last.fm
http://bandcamp.com/buck09
Wales
To the first half of your comment: I will definitely check it out. To the second: Hahahaha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLF9Cm4E15E
I GO TO WORK
Wales
I would've said the same if I were you, but hey, if Attack Attack can do it, anyone can.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLF9Cm4E15E
I GO TO WORK