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THE APPLESEED CAST - The Fleeting Light of Impermanence LP
I found out this album was coming out and decided to give it a listen out of curiosity. The latest from The Appleseed
Cast is a moody mix of ambient music indie and post rock driven by trippy keyboard textures the simmer until they collide
with atmospheric drums and guitar tones that seems more like a sonic trip through outer space than your typical indie, or
even post rock. Part electronic exploration hinting at space rock, part introspective art pop, what emerges are more aural
soundscapes than typical songs with plenty of space to let the listener's mind wander as they progress. While this can be
listened to as background, doing so may cause you to miss some of what lies beneath here so you might want to give it a serious
listen to find out more. The Fleeting Light of Impermanence is an album that's hard to describe and may alienate some but
curious listeners will likely want to find out more. (BOONE)
(Graveface Records)
AWAKENING FORCE - CDEP
I was curious about this band so after attending their EP release show over a month ago I snagged a copy of their EP.
On their debut Awakening Force bursts out of the gate with a trio of modern hard rock songs where driving yet sometimes ambient
guitars drive the tight hooks that go for the throat throughout. Laced with almost crystal clear harmonies, the band delivers
personal songs that seem to breeze by with a sense of melody and almost radio friendly leanings. At only three songs this
EP shows the band still wearing some of their influences but also a quartet with a lot of potential and already putting their
spin on the style in the process. They're currently working on an album so whether this is a sonic appetizer or a way to
advance of what lies ahead it's still an interesting start for a very young band. (BOONE)
(Oswin Records)
CONTROL TOP - Covert Contracts LP
This is one of those bands I've been curious about for a while so when I came across a chance to stream this album I decided
to take a chance. The latest from Control Top is driving melodic punk rock with tight songs built on sometimes dissonant
yet always catchy hooks throughout. In this sonic bed the songs here decry personal and societal issues ranging from workplace
anger to betrayal by the system to egomaniacs to self reflection and moving forward and more. With an energetic sound that's
rough, slightly disorientating on occasion yet keeps the song moving regardless this is an album that should get listeners
to both move as well as think about. While the physical version (i.e.: vinyl) is still in pre order stage (though it may
be officially available as you read this) it's been available as a download for a while and it's an album definitely worth
giving a listen to. Kudos to Control Top for proving why punk rock can stand on its own terms. (BOONE)
(Get Better Records. P.O. Box 19267. Philadelphia, PA 19143. getbetterrecords.com. Downloads available from: getbetterrecords.bandcamp.com)
GAUCHE - A People's History of Gauche LP
I had heard a lot about this band from one or two people from DC on social media so when I had a chance to hear this album
I was definitely curious. The debut album from Gauche is driving slightly off kilter indie rock blending punk fury with power
pop and post punk hooks and a simmering mid tempo feel for songs that examine life in modern day America whether it be class
issues and pay day woes or the surveillance state. Forged with a blend of clean but slightly gritty guitar lines, squawks
of saxophone, and driving rhythms their music calls to mind hints of late 70s post punk but gives it an up to date spin that
show something else brewing underneath, moving at its own pace for maximum impact. Gauche delivers a simmering batch of fresh
underground rock that shows that sonic calls to action can be moving, haunting and danceable. (BOONE)
(Merge Records. P.O. Box 1235. Chapel Hill, NC 27514. mergerecords.com)
REDD KROSS - Beyond the Door LP
When I found out this album was coming out I definitely was interested in hearing it so when I received an opportunity
to hear it beforehand I took the opportunity. The first album in seven years from Redd Kross explodes through the speakers
with a mix of high energy underground rock that takes from punk, 60s psychedelia and classic rock along with some vintage
flavored pop rock. Built on driving hooks and often overdriven (yet seemingly melodic at the same time) guitars these songs
carry on the band's tradition of seeming to exist in multiple spaces (pop, rock, punk) without really being in any of them
as they carry on in their own aural space while the hooks grab you and refuse to let go. Redd Kross have managed to carve
their own audio vision in part by going into the parts of the past others may overlook yet they always manage to twist it
to their own needs. This album takes it, updates it slightly, and delivers something both completely different from punk expectations
and well within in them at the same time.(BOONE)
(Merge Records. P.O. Box 1235. Chapel Hill, NC 27514. mergerecords.com)
THE SWEATERS - Focus and Ask Again download EP
This is a band I heard a lot of hype about from friends back in Como so when I learned they recently put out an EP I decided
to search for it take and give it a listen. The latest EP from the Sweaters (they had a couple of single tracks up onlineveforehand)
unleashes simmering medium to medium fast indie rock with personal lyrics and hearts on their sleeves. Fueled on bittersweet
toned guitar and a rhythm section that lays back yet can still remain propulsive, These songs take a blend of hope, fear,
life and adolescent angst and meld it into a sonic bed that's part languid, part driving force. The Sweaters are still young
(as in middle to high school young) but they already have a cohesive feel to them and show signs of being one of mid Missouri's
more interesting bands. Wish I had gotten around to hearing this sooner. (BOONE)
(thesweaterscomo.bandcamp.com)
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