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The last time I reviewed Cutters, I likened their lo-fi approach to bands such as Built To Spill, Cloud Nothings and Teenage Cool Kids. On this new record, I believe they certainly retain a lot of that sound & feel, while throwing in a lot more straight-ahead rock-n-roll along the way. The vocals are still strong and clear and sung with so much heart it's near impossible not to sing along. The lyrics are brimming with positive vibes and hopeful miseries and I am more than reminded of Piebald in the lyrical and vocal delivery. So, Cutters have blessed their first LP upon the world filled with a little pop, a lot of rock-n-roll, a liberal dose of ramshackle fuzz and a whole lot of gusto. This time around, I am reminded of Piebald, Oxford Collapse, Reigning Sound and the aforementioned bands from the last review. All in all, this record has all the bases covered for fans of the straight up, good ol' fashioned boogie.
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Hook-laden and propulsive Punk from Vancouver BC is the order of the day here. These lads are angry, young and poor and all they can do to alleviate the pain and suffering of living through another day of misery is to therapeutically hammer out these tales of woe. I don't really find myself listening to stuff like this all that often, but when it's played with this much heart and passion, I can't help but bang my head. Over the years, the sound these guys are creating has been called many things. Pop Punk, Beard Punk, Gruff, Melodic Hardcore... Whatever you want to label it, Flagpolers are doing it well. If you have ever found yourself enjoying the sounds of Leatherface, Hot Water Music, 88 Fingers Louie or even Small Brown Bike, I don't see why you wouldn't like this.
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Murmurs are my FAVORITE local band!!!! Hands down. End of story.
I have been sitting here for an hour racking my brain, trying to decide how and where to begin writing about Murmurs as a band. I guess I am going to start by saying this: The men who comprise this fantastic madness are some of the most wonderful people I have ever known in my life. Jordan, Derek, Jesse and Jerome are absolutely amazing at what they do and I am more than grateful to call them my friends. That being said, it is sometimes hard to write about records created by people you hold so dear to your heart. It can be very tough to be objective when your friends are the ones making the music. Luckily, I have nothing but mass amounts of praise to heap upon these songs and this record as a whole. I don't find myself being drawn to this sort of gruff, Pop-Punk styled stuff as often as I used to. Maybe it's because there are just so many bands trying and failing at playing within this genre. Murmurs are the best at it!! The 8 songs that make up this release are all-around emotional, introspective, bitter, scarred and caustic. These guys have all been playing in bands for years and it really shows in the hefty levels of perfection permeating throughout. I could go on for an hour talking about which bands each member has spent time in, but, that would be a lesson in futility. As Filth said, "The list is thousands long!!!" Well, maybe not that long, but pretty damn extensive, none the less... Do some research, I think you will be surprised.
Musically, Murmurs could best be described as East Bay influenced, Post-Grunge Pop-Punk. There is a very definite Northwest influence here as well, by which I mean these are the perfect songs to listen to during a rain-drenched weekend in Seattle when it is pointless going outside because the fridge is filled with beer and that jar of cannabis just won't stop calling your name. Making comparisons here has been a bit tricky, as Murmurs are their own entity entirely and don't really sound like any other bands in particular. Like I said, there is a definite East Bay thing going on. Imagine Jawbreaker and Chrimpshrine. But there are also heavy doses of that beautiful Chicago sound that was so prevalent in the late 80's and early 90's. I am most closely reminded of the wonderful Pegboy/Naked Raygun/Bhopal Stiffs/Effigies family tree. Basically, what you get is gritty, mid-tempo Punk with a dark, almost sinister Pop edge at times. Every song is amazing, but, the standout tracks for me are 'Lil'merica', 'Rookery' and 'Snow Angels'. Seeing Murmurs live is always a revelation and I am pretty sure I have seen every one of their hometown shows since they started. They just continue getting better and better every time I see them. I can't wait for the physical release of the album, which, as I have heard it will be released by our friend Adam and his label Ladies' Choice Records right here in Seattle. I don't know if that is actually the case, though, I can't think of a more deserving label to release such a masterpiece. I can safely say, this will remain my #1 pick for best record of the year!!!! Unfortunately, I don't think there is an available download for the songs, which means you are just going to have to wait until the tape comes out and try to get your hands on a copy. It is going to be pretty limited, so... I am going to get mine, I suggest you do the same.
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Holy Shit!!! Long lost CLASSIC rediscovered!!!! I remember reading a super positive review of this album in Heartattack years ago written by Marianne. She was a notorious critic when it came to the screamier side of Hardcore and she spoke very highly of these songs, so, when I stumbled upon this in the bin at Amoeba years ago, I had to grab it. I was so stoked I did. Man Without Plan were from NYC. They existed from 1997 until just this year, which is a fucking lifetime for a Hardcore band. Releasing 6 full-lengths and myriad ep's and split's, these guys were plenty prolific during their tenure. I am going to try describing this record while giving it the full amount of respect it deserves. Imagine Born Against and Hail Mary mind fucking The Movielife on a trampoline located in the back yard of a house owned by every band that put a record out on No Idea Records in the 90's. These songs are angular and off-kilter and just the right amount of fucked up so as not to be able to fully be described as straight-ahead Hardcore. There are some Pop-Punk moments mixed within the swirling chaos and screaming mess as well. Math-Rock, Post-Hardcore, Emo, Screamo... Punk Fucking Rock however you slice it. I think everything they released is available to check out on Bandcamp, so, what are you waiting for???
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These guys are playing a sweet, bouncy Indie/Emo/Pop-Punk concoction that is infectious and fun. I hear hints of The Jazz June and Cross My Heart as well as some more modern stuff like Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate). The singing is gruff with some off-key, caterwauling screams from time to time. This is a fun two song outing that is getting me in the mood for summer.
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Oh yeah Seattle!!! You continually amaze me!!! How is it I have lived here four years and have only as of last night heard of this amazing band?? Well, better late than never, I guess. Anyway, Steelhorse are a wonderful three-piece from right here in the Emerald City. Consisting of John on guitar, Matt on Bass and Mr. Malibu on drums. I am pretty sure they all contribute vocals, at least that's what I saw last night through my drunken haze as these three young men destroyed the stage at Highline Bar. Steelhorse play it rough, raw and with a hell of a lot of melody. Think early Jawbreaker, Operation: Clff Clavin and even the Descendents. Pop-Punk, Emo and like, revved-up Folk-Punk are the sounds they are dealing in. As far as the lyrics go, These gents are writing from a very personal perspective. Socio-Political and earnest stories of local problems, liver problems, long gone friends and future's bright battles. I feel very lucky to have met these guys. Steelhorse, along with our other local Pop-Punk heroes, Snuggle, are helping to reignite my love for this type of Punk Rock.
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I caught wind of this band through a review over at Collective 'zine. These Long Islanders play a rather ramshackle brand of Emo/Indie/Pop Punk that recalls the greatness of early slack rock like Built To Spill and Pavement. It is upbeat without being too sugary, youthful without being childish and rough enough around the edges that I get a feeling they are really having a good time bashing out these songs. Lyrically, they sing about the sorts of things you would expect boys playing this style of music to be singing about. Heart on sleeve earnestness regarding girls, hopes, friends and being young. I feel like there is a ton of sing-along potential here that elicits images of argyle sweaters and backpacks crushed against the front of the stage with hand claps galore. I have LOVED bands over the years that have played a very similar style to this such as Joan Of Arc, Stratego, Benton Falls, Braid, the Jazz June, Piebald, the aforementioned Built To Spill and pretty much 90% of the Deep Elm Records back catalog. There are also more recent bands having fun with this sound like Algernon Cadwallader, Grown Ups, Street Smart Cyclist, Joie De Vivre and almost every band on Count Your Lucky Stars Records. As of this posting, I have listened to the EP and full length about 8 times through which equals Totally Infectious!! I love the artwork, I love the LO-FIness of the recordings, I love the fact the vocals are rarely in key, especially during the choruses. Basically, this band makes me feel 16 again, and that ain't bad.
