We wrote this EP during an effort to strengthen ourselves emotionally and improve ourselves personally. This time of year, many people make resolutions to make this year better than the last; we hope this EP can have the same effect on your life, and possibly intervene in a time when you are thinking of giving up on those resolutions. That’s why we’re now offering it as a pay-what-you-want download. Get better.
My band, for free. Get it.
Bon Iver – Beth/Rest (piano version)
This is so good.
(via fuckyeahemo)
These were my 5 FAVORITE EPs that came out this year:
1. Carissa’s Weird – Tuscon/Meredith & Iris
2. Circle Takes The Square – Decompositions, Volume 1, Chapter 1: Rites of Initiation
3. Crash of Rhinos – Distal
4. Childish Gambino - Childish Gambino
5. Park Jefferson – WeekdaysAnd these were…
No Ship wrecks. on your list? I can remember a certain EP you said was your favorite of the year besides The People’s Key (but that was at the beginning of the year - ha!)
Shooting Pains is a new project between Matt Lester (singer-songwriter best known as The Spinning Game) and Tyler Smith (guitarist and lead singer of grunge-rock outfit The Mayor’s Wife). You can grab a free download from their new release at their bandcamp page.
Devolve is a solid debut for the duo; it has many elements that will please fans of Say Anything, At the Drive In, mewithoutYou, and Desaparecidos. From the first overly-distorted guitar riff of “Greed” to the “la-da-da” outtro of “Devolve”, the EP is hard hitting and doesn’t offer the listener much solace.
Lyrics range from the socio-political “Gluttony” - “Gorge away / Devolve and decay!” - to a longingly personal battle with depression in “Sloth” - “Every day is ending the same / Take another pill and hope that / they can win the war with my brain. / Kill off all the sleeper cells / ‘cause half of them are used just for pain / watching all the flowers grow from / from dark cloudy eyes leaking rain.”
Naturally, bands seek to define their sound on their freshman release. However, those familiar with the songwriting of Matt Lester will know that he is notorious for releasing somewhat incompatible songwriting styles; Devolve is no exception to that rule. Lester draws from all corners of the school of hard rock. “Greed” lives on the outskirts of punk rock, with obvious nods to indie-punk outfit Desaparecidos; “Lust” falls more squarely within the post-hardcore realm with guitar riffs reminiscent of Glassjaw or At the Drive In; “Sloth” is the standout hit of the album, with atmospheric guitar lines and moody lyrics a la Kind of Like Spitting; and “Devolve” has a dancy quality along the lines of Say Anything.
Overall, this album is a solid choice. It’s definitely worth more than a Big Mac or anything else you can find for a few bucks. And it will last a lot longer too.
Devolve comes out tomorrow digitally through Bandcamp. Get it here.
Pianos Become the Teeth - I’ll Get By
It seems we all get sick. We all die in some no name hospital with the same colored walls. And I guess that’s fine. But I want to swallow, I want to stomach, I want to live
I’m setting the scene with an uncharacteristically warm autumn night. I walked into the local convenient store to purchase milk. A man tried to rob the store. The owner called the potential robber’s bluff. He saw life as more than just a string of disconnected events. He didn’t win, but he certainly didn’t lose. He’ll probably never really win. Mark, Chris Palmer, and I sat on Mark’s stoop watching the cars pass by. We talked about being adults, about owning up to the things in life that keep the earth spinning. 17th and Diamond, 11pm. Making my way home, I found myself detoured by the police at 15th . Coming to a blockade of Broad Street for a combined drive-by shooting, hit and run, officer down. This song came on and I felt like it all suddenly made sense as I wandered home with my tail between my legs. I’ve been feeling pretty tired.
Hey mom, please don’t be worried about me. I’l get by.
Neutral Milk Hotel - Holland, 1945
(via fuckyeahemo)
That last one there… I have seen that numerous times in my life. It’s breathtaking every single time.
I’m missing you, Davis, West Virginia…
I just want my Mountain State!
Bon Iver - Calgary (live on Later With Jools Holland)
(Source: stereogum.com, via fuckyeahemo)
I’ve been getting this any time I install anything… I’m gonna keep thinking it’s benign.
