July 2003 Archives

Nicotine - School of Liberty

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Nicotine - School of Liberty (Asian Man Records) [mp3] [upcoming shows]

No doubt that Japan's answer to NOFX has some Bad Religion records in it's collection but you'll probably find a few Iron Maiden records mixed in among the hoards of SoCal pop-punk vinyl platters as well. Shredding guitar riffs, spitfire drumming, and gang choruses fill this tight-sounding catchy punk-rock release and the spoken word bits such as "At the Class Room," where singer Howie says, in response to what he wants to be when he grows up, "I want to be a motherfucking punk rock," are classic.
Miranda Sound - Engaged in Labor (Standard Recording Company) [mp3, mp3] [upcoming shows]

This is as honest and real as it gets. Miranda Sound's latest is an intelligent indie rock record with dark and angular riffs and lyrics that accurately reflect what it's like to realize that you're an adult. Delivered by co-lead vocalists Billy Peake and Dan Gerken, lyrical realities include "The most important thing has gone from alcohol to children, good employment and occupation" ("Midas") and "Old men were dinosaurs, but now they are my friends and neighbors" ("We Could Be Landowners"). Welcome to your 30s boys.

Black Eyes

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Black Eyes (Dischord Records) [upcoming shows]

D.C.'s Black Eyes love some rhythm section. They sport two drummers, two bass players, and assorted percussion on their Dischord debut. Think solid, danceable intertwined drumming. Think vaguely dubbed out, vaguely disco bass lines merged with chorded hardcore runs. Think caterwauling vocals from all involved. Think scratchy, creepy fucked up guitarsover the top. Perfect for the spazzy late night makeout or that Irish Spring moment in the morning. Highly enjoyable.
Kill Me Tomorrow - Skin's Getting Weird (Gold Standard Laboratories) [mp3] [upcoming shows]

The new EP from Kill Me Tomorrow punches with six tracks of distorted and driving arthouse underground rock. Chock full of droning vocals, drum loops and chunky basslines, Skin's Getting Weird inspires both random, limb-flailing dancing and comparisons to some of the eerier post-punk/pro-noise acts of today. KMT does an excellent cover of Suicide's "Ghost Rider", while the "Put the Time Machine in Your Mouth" songs play like a "Woke Up This Morning" for the scruffy generation. 2003 tourmates of The Liars and The Locust.
The Rogers Sisters - Purely Evil (Troubleman Unlimited) [audio/video] [upcoming shows]

"Punk funk" has replaced "neo-garage" as the ridiculous NYC music/haircut movement du jour; it seems like every ridiculously-coiffed honky in greater Manhattan wants to try and dance, dance, dance - with mixed results at best. Fortunately, the Rogers gals (and guy) buck this trend with enough sinewy ESG-influenced beats, Fred Schneider yelps, and fuzzed-out charisma to not only look but SOUND cool as hell on their innocently innovative freshman effort.

The Tyde - Twice

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The Tyde - Twice (Rough Trade) [audio] [upcoming shows]

What better way to kick off the summer than a gorgeously fun homage to bicoastal 60's psychedelia? Retro-pop luminaries (Beachwood Sparks, Brian Jonestown Massacre, et al) collaborate on this sunny, hazy gem of a disc, which proves that it's still OK for dudes in bands to wear flares and silly-ass scarves as long as they've got the songs to back that corny shit up.

Swami Sound System Vol. 1

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Swami Sound System Vol. 1 (Swami Records)

If you're anything like me, you'd pick this up just for the unreleased Hot Snakes song. There's also new and unreleased stuff from Rocket From the Crypt, the Sultans, the White Apes, Sonny Vincent(!) and more. It provides way more rock than its $5.98 list price would seem to indicate, so go get it if you can find it. Hell... I'd pick up your grandma if I thought she had a new Hot Snakes track hidden on her somewhere. I'd be praying she's not hiding it in her ass, though.

Joe Budden – Walk With Me

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Joe Budden (Def Jam) [audio/video]

Brooooooce gets respect (and Bon Jovi gets the hair jokes) but, NJ music is more than bar rock. Redman and the Fugees put turnpike hip-hop on the map, and Joe Buddens is the latest emcee "responsible fo' bringin Jerz back." Joey Jump-off spits confidently throughout, whether on his drug-abusing past or "some hoes in this house," and in the process cements his place as a Jersey rap kingpin gunning for the greats.

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This page is an archive of entries from July 2003 listed from newest to oldest.

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