2049 -- Torches

A shameless plug for my friends', now defunct, screamo/spoken word/skramz band. The lyrics taken from Nightfall, a short story by Isaac Asimov perfectly fit to this strange music style. The keyboards add a nice touch in some parts but they seem to overpower in some parts where they definitely aren't needed. Namely about 3:20 into the first song. They do however add some movement to some otherwise stagnant parts, but not too often. With Gary Nye from Good Teeth/Gold Teeth helping out on "torches" the vocals are powerful compliments to the sweeping guitars and precise drums. The two guitars play nicely off each other and the bass fills in the holes very nicely. The spoken word parts add a nice diversity that adds a lot to the songs. Overall they seem to be well received. I'm sad they broke up but at least they ended it before they could release some poorer stuff.

Last.fm

Myspace

Bandcamp

Sister Suvi -- Now I Am Champion

I really don't know how to describe this band. This Canadian band is likened to Pretend You're Happy and Bruce Peninsula. Each song totally changes music style. Their album opens up with a slow, kinda creepy, almost trippy song but then transitions to an upbeat more dancy song. From there it goes all over the place so if you don't like one song, just skip to the next and it's a totally new style. Every time I listen to it, it seems like there's something new. The way they mix their vocals is very fluid and smooth. It's all around a pretty good cd. Unfortunately they broke up after this debut full lengths. They have a few demos, but it would have been really cool to see where they ended up in a few albums.

Their page

Last.fm

Buy it (name your price)

Underdogs of Nipomo -- The Lynx

After not seeing these guys since January since they played with The Max Levine Ensemble, Delay, Beyond Dark Hills, and Good Luck (they took some time off), I was super excited to see them play at Berea Fest V this year. Like every time I've seen the two-piece previously, they didn't disappoint, and put on an awesome show. They played a fair amount of new songs which haven't been put out physically yet (but they're on the MySpace!), but the songs they played from their album The Lynx ruled. They hit all my favorite songs off the album, including "News Tart", "Cleveland Sports", and "JBL's Cell Phone", which are definitely songs you should check out if you so choose to check this album out. It's pretty hard to categorize this as a pop-punk album, because it's not that poppy, but it's also not straightforward punk, and includes a lot of catchy opportunities to yell along with Andy and Jon and some pretty solid hooks. Overall, if you just want a quick (the album spans less than 16 minutes!), catchy album that is extremely hard to get tired of (I haven't found a way yet), you should definitely check this out.

MySpace

(PS Christopher Schwarzott rules and is an awesome guy in general)

The Terrordactyls -- The Terrordactyls

I can't remember why I downloaded this, but I'm really glad I did. I guess you'd call it pop. Its catchy but silly lyrics span from singing about making faces for a girl who got hers stolen, to dying many different ways. They even manage to make that song fun. The music style is odd because they go from completely acoustic to songs lightly peppered with electronic noises. They don't over do it though. It sounds right. They even make use of kazoos! It's nice music to have playing when you're reading or just hanging out. I think it's definitely worth checking out. Plus just look at that album art. So cute.

Their website

Store

Candy Hearts -- Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dreams

I found this band not too long ago, and their blend of pop music, adorable vocals, and a positive outlook hooked me pretty quickly. Some people might think it sounds immature, but I'm actually a big fan of saccharine-tinged pop music. Music doesn't have to be post, noise, harsh, dub, or any of the other bizarre tags floating around the internet to be good. This album is full of hooks and catchy vocals that make me want to get happy and ride a bike around in the sun. Too bad I can't actually ride a bike. Anyway, if you check this out, don't expect to be challenged or unnerved, but I can almost guarantee it'll make you smile at some point over it's runtime.

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MySpace

EDIT:
This photo better have been taken prior to "The Decision" or else I'm going to go to a show and do nothing but boo these guys.

Spraynard -- Cut and Paste

This band is positive. Everything about their music reflects how happy they are to be alive and how much life rules. If you feel like your life sucks, you owe it to yourself to check this out, learn the words, and start yelling along to it as your drive your shitty car through your shitty city on the way to your shitty job. It's at that time when you realize that everything isn't so shitty after all, and I feel like this album should be the soundtrack to that moment. Also, if you happen to be in Columbus, these guys are playing an early show with Dead Uncles on August 11th (my mom's birthday!), so if you're available, definitely come and check them out live and give them some money because they rule as people.

Buy/Other Stuff

Mixtapes -- "Maps" + "Thought About Growing Up"

Maps

Thought About Growing Up

Welcome to the blog, and here we go!

I've had the full-length by Cincinnati pop-punkers Mixtapes for a while, but, for some reason, I never bothered to listen to it. A little while ago, I decided to listen to it on a whim, and, believe me, it's incredible. Fast-paced pop-punk with male-female vocals make this a driving listen that really makes you want to move your feet. I started listening to Maps on my way to work, because it's almost exactly the length of my commute, and I started trying to dig up more about this band. Turns out, they recently released an EP called Thought About Growing Up. It's in a similar vein as Maps, but songs like "Pop Rocks n' Coke" and "Sprinkles" kick the energy up a notch. If you like early Lemuria, (think "Trivial Greek Mythology" or "Getting Over Ourselves") definitely be sure to check this out.

MySpace