New in the KUCI Punk Library | 4/17/19
17 April 2019 Music Reviews
Saver – The First Step In Leaving – [Self-Released]
Saver is a Pop Punk/Emo band from Philadelphia, PA. Their highly anticipated debut full length album entitled The First Step In Leaving, which is set to be released on May 9th, is a really awesome and well-crafted record that can be characterized by its upbeat drumming, catchy yet intricate guitar hooks, soft and soothing vocal melodies, and emotionally charged lyrics. With that being said, the sounds heard on this album can be compared to those heard from a few other more well-known Pop Punk/Emo bands of both the present and the not-so-distant past such as: Pentimento, Homesafe, Transit, Somos, and Have Mercy. Tracks to definitely check out on this record include: “Parades,” “Dead By 25,” “Toronto,” and “Clarity.”
Teenage Bottlerocket – Stay Rad! – [Fat Wreck Chords]
Teenage Bottlerocket is a Punk Rock band from Laramie, WY. Their highly anticipated new album entitled Stay Rad!, which is the band’s fourth full length release to be put out by Fat Wreck Chords (as well as their eighth full length release overall), is really awesome record that can be characterized by its upbeat drumming, catchy guitar hooks, poppy vocal melodies, and emotionally charged lyrics. With that being said, the sounds heard on this album can be compared to those heard from a few other more well-known Punk Rock bands of both the past and present such as: Masked Intruder, Direct Hit!, The Copyrights, Screeching Weasel, The Bouncing Souls, and Banner Pilot. Tracks to definitely check out on this record include: “You Don’t Get The Joke,” “Death Kart,” “Everything To Me,” “I Wanna Be A Dog,” “Anti-Social Media,” “I’ll Kill You Tomorrow,” and “I Never Knew.”
Bob Mould – Sunshine Rock – [Merge Records]
Bob Mould is an Alternative/Punk Rock solo artist from Minneapolis, MN that is best known for his work with the bands Hüsker Dü and Sugar (i.e. two very influential bands in both of their respective eras). His highly anticipated new album entitled Sunshine Rock. which was just released courtesy of Merge Records, is a really awesome record that can be characterized by its upbeat drumming, loud and distorted guitars, poppy vocal melodies, and well-thought out lyrics. With that being said, the sounds heard on this album can be compared to those heard from a few other more well-known Alternative/Punk Rock bands of both the past and present such as: Dinosaur Jr., Superchunk, The Lemonheads, Parquet Courts, and Wilco. Tracks to definitely check out on this record include: “Sunshine Rock,” “What Do You Want Me To Do,” “Thirty Dozen Roses,” “Lost Faith,” “Camp Sunshine,” “Western Sunset.”
Knocked Loose – Mistakes Like Fractures – EP – [Pure Noise Records]
Knocked Loose is a Hardcore band from Louisville, KY. Their new three song EP entitled Mistakes Like Fractures, which includes a brand new track, a cover of The Warriors “Slings & Arrows,” and a re-recorded version of the band’s early favorite “All My Friends,” is a really awesome and hard-hitting record that can be characterized by its loud and distorted guitars, pounding drums, heavy breakdowns, and screaming vocals. With that being said, the sounds heard on this EP can be compared to those heard from some of the other more well-known Hardcore bands on the scene today such as: Code Orange, Incendiary, Year Of The Knife, Jesus Piece, and Harm’s Way. All three songs on this record are definitely worth checking out, especially the title track, “Mistakes Like Fractures.”
Problem Daughter – Grow Up Trash – [Wiretap Records]
Problem Daughter is a Punk Rock band from Salt Lake City, UT. Their highly anticipated new album entitled Grow Up Trash, which is the band’s first new release to be put out since signing to Wiretap Records earlier this year, is a really awesome record that can be characterized by its upbeat drumming, catchy guitar hooks, poppy vocal melodies, and emotionally charged lyrics. With that being said, the sounds heard on this album can be compared to those heard from some of the other more well-known Punk Rock bands on the scene today such as: The Menzingers, Spanish Love Songs, Direct Hit!, PUP, and Gnarwolves. Tracks to definitely check out on this record include: “Pocket Sand,” “Mercury In Retrograde,” “Modern Stigmata,” “A Bastard’s Hope,” and “Gin + Mio.”
Heavensake – Post-Chroma – EP – [Self-Released]
Heavensake is a Pop Punk band from Laurel Springs, NJ. Their highly anticipated new EP entitled Post-Chroma, which was produced by both Nik Bruzzese of Man Overboard and Ace Enders of The Early November, is a really awesome record that can be characterized by its upbeat drumming, catchy guitar hooks, angst filled vocals, and emotional charged lyrics. With that being said, the sounds heard on this EP can be compared to those heard from some of the other more well-known Pop Punk bands on the scene today such as: Neck Deep, ROAM, With Confidence, Trash Boat, and Boston Manor. Tracks to definitely check out on this record include: “Aftercolour,” “Bleach,” and “L’appel Du Vide.”