I picked up a whole bunch as per usual, but thanks to class I haven’t been able to update as frequently as I want. In the meantime, I literally just got back from the post office where I picked up these gems:

Harley Poe’s new 10” Man of God along with the out-of-print tape compilation b-sides from the basement. This is one of my favorite bands and they never cease to get me excited for new releases, even with rerecorded songs on every record. The coolest part of the new vinyl release?

GLOW IN THE DARK VINYL. The photo’s a bit dark but squint, it’s there. Once I give this a few spins I’ll say more about it, along with the tape, but for now ogle in its shiny glory.

I keep buying stacks of records within a weeks period of time and finally there is a ton of music coming out I care about at once. Long story short, I’ve kept busy between playing shows/buying music/warhammer/school/and getting all of my friends sick. (sorry…)

To start things off, my band played a show in Peoria, IL with the bands Old Wounds, Vices, Kaworu, and Occultonomy. Nathalie from Occultonomy runs a label called Reality is a Cult Records (realityisacult.blogspot.com) and puts out a lot of great bands. From her distro I picked up Cloud Rat’s first LP, Parasitic Twins 7”, and Nathalie’s other band Closet Burner’s LP.

Cloud Rat is a band from Michigan a lot of my friends enjoy. I knew they existed, I knew they were grind, but that’s about it. Much to my surprise this LP is way above my expectations. I loved every second of it. This record is more than just grind, it’s got atmosphere and the band isn’t afraid to change it up a bit to keep things from getting repetitive. Extremely good, will be picking up their newest LP as soon as I can.

Parasitic Twins are some nice people from Ft. Wayne, IN. They play really twangy hardcore punk. I was really surprised they sounded the way they did when I first heard them judging by the looks of the people in the band but they’re great and you should go support them.

Closet Burner is fantastic. Hardcore punk that basically says get the fuck over your homophobia, idiots. Single sided LP that blasts through 12 songs in about 11 minutes. Really awesome jacket and vinyl as well. The record comes with a lyric sheet and explanations of all the songs, plus check out what this record looks like:

Pretty Radical. Pink vinyl with a screen printed side B.

Next up in my too-many record spending spree is Face to Face’s new record and Rise Records debut Three Chords and a Half Truth which is out today (but I got it yesterday at my local record shop, somehow). I have only listened through this record once but for being Face to Face’s return back it’s definitely different. Maybe it’s the production the songs just feel a bit darker and sadder than other Face to Face records. The opener “123 Drop” definitely took me by surprise as it sounds like a dark (I don’t want to say western…but…) western tune and I was afraid this record wouldn’t be as catchy or melodic as previous Face to Face albums. It’s definitely not what I’m used to from them but after a few spins I’m sure I’ll absorb this one pretty well. The songs are really poppy but they don’t follow the 90’s galloping drumbeat melodic punk I’m used to from bands such as this. I don’t think that’s a bad thing because it definitely sets this album apart from previous efforts and forces me to really listen.

I also picked up Nails’ new LP Abandon All Life. Here’s my review…I will now separate bands from being heavy and being Nails. Jesus balls. This band absolutely destroys it.

Whew…and after all of that I literally just preordered two new records. The Thermals new record Desperate Ground which I am more than thrilled about. The Thermals are one of my favorite bands. A lot of people lump these guys into the pop punk category but that oversimplifies it or at least gives you the wrong idea. Endlessly catchy songs, every album, every time. I have almost no doubt that I will love this record.

The other record I preordered is the band Overseas debut. Overseas is a “supergroup” of sorts with David Bazan of  Pedro the Lion (Yes. This is why I bought it. Do not question, just listen.) Will Johnson, and Matt/Bubba Kadane from Bedhead. I have only heard two tracks so far but it’s looking like a decent record that sounds almost exactly like what I’d expect from these people.

The best part of the two preorders? They both gave me a download the second I payed for them. So sick. I hope more bands do this because that gives preordering records a much bigger incentive considering both of those records aren’t out for a week or two.

So much to look forward to. If you’re in a band or know anyone in a band and want me to listen to your records send me an e-mail or message me through tumblr.

In my future there’s a bullet named me
And I still believe
There will be no rest in here
Until we meet

It’s an heirloom and a question mark
This worm flying in the dark
Along the span of a century
Now it’s got you beat

You die by your own hand
You die by your own hand
You die by your own hand
Or kill what you can’t stand

And the shards sewn into my arm
Stocks this oven
Clocks tick louder every year
Calling us home

Cause everytime I look up
I see a thousand ways to fall
Black birds acting nonchalant
Waiting for their day

You die by your own hand
You die by your own hand
Just trying to understand
Just trying to understand, home

And I know
It’s not our way
To just come out
And say it straight

That I’m paralyzed from the waist
That aren’t you tired

And they canceled out your youth
Trying to get more for themselves
Through a dove, lay sweet roads
Through the sky or smoke

And our favorite aunt would cry
And tell us things we should never know
And we hung on every word
And couldn’t let go

You die by your own hand
You die by your own hand
You die by your own hand
Or kill what you can’t stand

You die by your own hand
You die by your own hand
Just trying to understand
Just trying to understand, home

all-naugual:

comforting to look at but probably already dead.

Kills it. Soundtrack to today.

My life has taken an unexpected turn. My eating habits have made almost an entire 180. I am considering becoming a vegetarian but I haven’t made my mind up yet. Based on my current diet that will change almost nothing, but food started to become my worst enemy over the past 6-8 months. This along with actually using my body once in a while has made me feel pretty good. I’ve also found myself single for the first time in 3 years which has proven to be a real mental struggle. In the end I can deal with whatever the outcome may be but being single is weird for someone as socially inept as I am is weird. Enough about that, the things that matter are as follows:

I finally purchased the entire set of Pedro the Lion reissues. If you aren’t familiar with Pedro the Lion they are one of my favorite bands of all time. Generally mellow self-reflective bummer rock that feels sincere and personal. David Bazan, the bassist and one half of the full time members of Pedro has gone on to a solo career with an equally impressive set of albums.

I also picked up Converge’s new record All we Love we Leave Behind and it’s mind blowing. I have always liked converge but this record is all over the place and it completely works. It builds tension, it breaks it. It’s quiet and it’s blaring all at once. I’m a few months late but it’s worth a serious listen. The title track itself was worth my money.

The Bongripper/Hate split LP is really good. Bongripper has better tracks but getting two bands as good as this in one place that don’t sound exactly the same is the reason splits should exist.

Off With Their Heads new album Home has been in my car basically since it was released a few weeks ago. It treads familiar territory with extremely catchy tunes about being depressed and/or suicidal. A lot of people have made a big deal out of the song “Please Don’t Make me Go” but honestly it doesn’t sound all that out of place for an OWTH song and the few changes they’ve made along with Bill Stevenson’s production have made for a memorable record.

Broadway Call’s newest album Comfort/Distraction is less than favorable for me. I really enjoy this band’s catalog to date, but this record’s poppy tracks really took me by surprise. The record isn’t a bad record by any means, but after the first few plays I found myself less interested. The opener “Bring on the Storm” is a great start and the single “Open Letter” is a really great song as well. It’s tracks like “I’ll be There” that are somehow too poppy for their own good. A lot of people use the term pop as a dirty word, which I don’t agree with, but the trouble with that particular track is it plays like the theme to a feel-good sitcom. The album is very chorus-heavy and unfortunately starts to run thin fast. If you’re a fan of Broadway Calls, which I am, the album isn’t a total miss, but if you’re new to the band I would start with Good Views, Bad News first.

In realllllly old news and my shortest quip ever Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon by Murder by Death, which was released last September, is practically flawless. I still listen to it regularly.

Music update complete. I have purchased a lot between my very few updates and from now on I’ll try to express full opinions faster. In the meantime, buy records, go to shows, ride a skateboard, watch Jaws, ride your bike, jump off of stuff, but most importantly, Slayer.

chulaxviolence:

Falter / Milorganaut C7 split is on point.

http://grindcorekaraoke.com/album/c7-split

My band’s split with Milorganaut.

Number 1. http://youtu.be/cLlonHZP9Fk

Number 2. See number 1.

Review of my band’s releases. http://toxicbreedsfunhouse.blogspot.com/2013/03/review-falter-demo-split-w-milorganaut.html?m=1 made me feel awesome.

My original intention of using tumblr was to start writing reviews of records I had purchased on a regular basis. This did not work out as I have only updated this seldomly. This account will become a more personal account as I’d like to start writing again more than just about music though reviews will still be included once I kick my own ass and start again. Facebook got lame. The only people that post to me are my parents an grandma. I am avoiding that shit from here on out. Starting now I give you regular stories from a day in the life of a positive cynic.

Suck it world.