Built on a Weak Spot

The city of Baltimore has given me plenty of treats to listen to over the years; I don’t even want to begin to count although if you dig back through these pages I am sure more than a few have ended up on here at some point or another. There are just certain cities that seem to be on the same wavelength as far as music is concerned and Baltimore would most certainly be one of those cities. As well as being a city that has suffered years of losing baseball, which I can certainly relate to from living in KC my entire life…so I feel your guys’ pain. I really do.

The band that has caught my attention this time around would be Harco, which apparently has members that have spent time in various other groups like Human Host, Dogs Without Borders, Thinking Toys, and Birthing Nets. The band has a six song cassette titled Incredible Jazz that was put out earlier this year through the Large Father Limited label. I wouldn’t say the title of the tape is a dead giveaway for what to expect, but there are definitely some ideas that can be taken away from it for sure due to Harco’s occasional blasts of experimentalism that border on free noise. All in all the tape presents a pretty wild spectrum of noise ridden post-hardcore/punk that all seems to come out in pretty brief outbursts that at times resembles some of the artier acts of 80’s/90’s DC scene. However, as quickly as the band can pull it together everything can just as quickly tumble into a violent barrage of shouting and guitar torture. It’s the type of damaged genre hopping that I can get behind.

Harco – Travels [MP3]

If you’re interested in obtaining a cassette of Incredible Jazz, then just hit up Large Father Limited where they have instructions on how to get one. Otherwise the label is offering up a full free download of the EP. Give it a listen if you like what you hear above. Enjoy!

This is an interesting two song single that landed in my inbox this past week or so from Divorce Party. Haven’t really had a chance to sit down and give it a good listen until the past couple days. At first I would say it was bit overwhelming and it kind of left me feeling like I was playing catchup throughout both songs. However repeated listens have proved to be worth it with this one. Apparently for vocals they use a tape recorder that is then ran through a delay and various other items that create something or someone that is quite indecipherable while being delivered to a backdrop of equally distorted and mangled guitar feedback. It does however go back and forth between straight up noise and some math like guitar work. It’s nearly almost like hearing a whole albums worth of songs that have either been clipped or smooshed together, so the unpredictability factor is quite high here. I think Divorce Party would feel quite at home on Load or Skin Graft. It’s some completely weirded out noise that seems to be hitting the right spot currently. Give these guys a listen.

Divorce Party – Cheer Up, Mommy [MP3]

If you enjoy the track above the entire two song EP is available for free from the bands Bandcamp site. So definitely give it a listen. Enjoy!

This debut single from Rhode Island’s Convulsions is one of a couple items that I’ve had the chance to listen to from Glory Kid Records. This one in particular is a four song punisher of older style metal tinged hardcore in the area of maybe a Botch or a Converge, however mixing it up with some slower dirge-like and sludgy riffage that sort of gives it an extra angle instead of having a strict reliance on time changes. In fact, I think the band is at their best whenever they tend to slow it down and turn up the noise a bit, you can sort of get a better feel for the tension that the band is trying to produce here whenever they do. The rawer production of the recording kind of lends itself to that style anyway and the results are a record that has quite a few memorable moments. The first track on the a-side “Baldwin Hill” is certainly a highlight as it comes out with one low end heavy chugging riff that pours on the heaviness as it rolls along building and gaining the sort of momentum that makes a track like this incredibly effective. The rest of the record is filled out with similar styled and structured songs that vary between standard hardcore and noisier sludge elements.

Convulsions – Baldwin Hill (stream)

For those that enjoy what they hear and are interested in picking this up can do so by heading over to Glory Kid Records.

I imagine it would be fair to say that X-Ray Press are a math-rock band, but as usual it probably doesn’t cover the full story here. Originally popping onto my radar a couple or so years ago a bit after the release of their EP BRKN TAPE, they had what was even then a pretty impressive grasp of their craft at the time by displaying strong musicianship spread throughout the group. I didn’t write about them then, however I think at that point it would have been tough to just simply pigeonhole them as another Don Caballero clone or something to that extent. Now with the release of their debut LP UVB-76, it’s become even tougher as they have gone to even greater lengths to hoist themselves above the pool of artists/groups that choose to channel the whole math-rock deal. For most, the 90′s were the prime era for this type of stuff, and I would have to agree with that for the most part. And I legitimately believe that the members of X-Ray Press probably have a similar opinion as evidenced by the clashing of odd time signatures and late 80′s/early 90′s hardcore that many hold pretty close to their heart I imagine. And unsurprisingly it kind of places them in between what we often remember and what the genre has fractured off into. It also results in a sound that is not just full of pretty guitar work, it does have plenty of that…don’t get me wrong, but is also rough and noisy. It’s always a bit difficult it seems to achieve a bit of originality when you’re trying your hand at this, but bands like X-Ray Press are showing that it can still be done. Definitely give the track below a listen.

X-Ray Press – I. A. ii. Bad Beard (God Under Oath) [MP3]

For those interested in picking this up, then just head on over to CD Baby where the band has it available on CD-R or digital download.

One of Chicago’s favorite group of damaged noise-rockers Cacaw are back just a little over a year later with their self-titled LP after the release of their impressively filthy debut EP Get a Brain. That EP kicked off last year in good fashion, as the group hit the ground running with a full force attack of deep distorted bass and a rather unsettling vocal duo courtesy of Anya Davidson and Carrie Vinarsky formerly of Coughs. This new LP doesn’t particularly stray from the path all too much from what was heard on Get a Brain, however if you listened to that EP then you know that’s probably a good thing. Maybe the only thing that has really changed here is that the band has gotten even nastier and louder. I could never pin it down before really, however one thing I really enjoy about what Cacaw present in their take on noise-rock is that they don’t necessarily use their bass centric sound to succeed on pure force. Their sound also relies often on a cyclical rhythm that is then meshed well with the constant warped whirl of vacuum like noise that rotates in and out. It’s kind of similar to that of what Star Pimp had going, but without the poppy element I suppose. No matter though, Cacaw deliver another winner on this LP and if you enjoyed their previous release or missed out completely on it then you absolutely can not miss out on this one.

Cacaw – Old Bones [MP3]

This one comes on marbled colored vinyl in a run of 500 once again through Permanent Records. Definitely pick this up if you dig what you hear!

Here is a little treat before I head off for the weekend and probably one of the more interestingly packaged and designed singles I have. However, the fact that it’s the product of the severely overlooked Madison, WI group Pachinko is really no surprise. They were consistently weird and well…consistently loud. And they obviously had a bit of a sense of humor too. Anyway, this is a 5 inch single (and really it seems smaller than that when looking at it) that the band put out on Rhetoric Records back in 1994. It comes in a tiny manila envelope with a tinier manila envelope inside of it that houses some liner notes and various other items. The record itself is enclosed in some plastic sleeve. The sound quality is pretty poor, but these tunes are worth hearing if you’re a fan of noisy rock. And really, it’s not like fidelity is really going to make a substantial difference here. Plus, this version of “Easy Jesus” is noticeably different from the one that would appear on Splendor in the Ass: Vol. 2 Electric Boogaloo and I kind of dig this earlier version more actually. Also, I believe “Johnson Dropped the Hash” is exclusive to the single. With that, I am out of here until Monday…enjoy!

Pachinko – Easy Jesus [MP3]
Pachinko – Johnson Dropped the Hash [MP3]
Pachinko – Rich [MP3]

A completely new and a returning familiar face here on this split. The new and unfamiliar one being the Berlin based mOck with their track on the a-side “Count and Release”. Since this is literally the only song I’ve ever heard from the band, it’s kind of hard to just sum them up from this one five minute long track. Apparently they were formed out of the ashes of a couple older German hardcore bands, and that sort of talk led me in expecting that this might in fact be the more aggressive side of the split. I was off quite a bit in thinking that, as “Count and Release” sort of runs through a simpler stuttering type riff that hints at a bit of a Fugazi influence. The track eventually kind of steers off and develops a more Midwestern post-hardcore/emo sound with a smattering of mathy guitar plucking; really almost breaking off into what seems like a completely different song. However, in all honesty, I find the latter half of the song to be the more intriguing side of the band. It manages to create a sense of alarm and heightened emotion while still applying the relatively minimalist direction that they’ve chosen. It leaves me with a few questions and for that reason I would probably like to hear more from these guys.

Rapid Cities, if you didn’t already figure out by rules of deduction, are the band that I’ve actually had the pleasure of hearing once before. That would have been on their debut record Machinery Saints that I think came out last year if I’m not mistaken. Right off the bat I’ll say that “Techno After Party” is easily one of the best songs that they’ve recorded. Where Machinery Saints often felt loose and maybe not totally in sync at times, the track here on this split is showing off a greatly tightened up ship. The song simply rocks in a way that good post-hardcore often can. Although I do find myself fighting to try and not get too distracted by the singer, who seems to occasionally sound like he may be singing to a completely different song. This was more so apparent on Machinery Saints however has been slightly reduced here on the two tracks that fill up the grooves on the b-side of this split. Overall though this is a band that has shown a relatively modest improvement from their debut, which wasn’t too shabby in it’s own right. Feel free to stream a couple of the tracks from the split below!

mOck – Count and Release (stream)
Rapid Cities – Techno After Party (stream)

If you’re interested picking this up, it’s available in the US on Love/Hate Records and available in Europe Asymmetrie Records. This is limited to 500, all of which are on blue vinyl. Enjoy!

The Allston, Massachusetts based trio Young Adults have been moving at a rather quick pace considering they’ve only been a band since late ’09 or so. Earlier this year they were brought to my attention when they were promoting their demo that featured five blazing tracks of somewhat lo-fi and shoegaze tinged rock and roll. The song “Bummer Summer” ended up a being a track I couldn’t really remove from my mind after hearing it and was no doubt a stand out. Even in its re-recorded version here on their debut LP Black Hole, it still remains one of my favorite tracks that the band has unleashed so far. And yes you read that correctly, they do in fact have and LP almost ready for consumption, as I said…this band has been moving fairly quickly. Their debut record will be taken care of by the Prague based AMDISCS, which will be releasing the album on vinyl in a run 500. As usual it will also be available through most major digital outlets as well for those without record players or just prefer the ease/convenience of digital.

Compared to the bands demo there are some noticeable differences from what they presented on those four tracks and what they are doing here on Black Hole. Really the largest change here is the difference in recording, as the demo cast a bit of a rawer quality to the bands sound. However, here the band has a slightly cleaned up sound and it pays off wildly. I didn’t really notice how completely restrained the demo sounded until I was able to compare it side by side with Black Hole. The guitars and the wonderful distortion that comes along with them have been opened up greatly on the album and pushed far more to the front of the mix. It comes off as much more of a rock album than what their previous material would have hinted at and the added aggressiveness fits right along with the bands desire for keeping a rather rapid pace throughout.

All five songs that appeared on the demo have been re-recorded for Black Hole, however even if you’ve heard them before it’s far worth it to hear them again here with a much larger and full sound. And obviously all the new material is fantastic as well; “Black Surf” being a highlight of those with its crashing attack of drums and cymbals mixed in with an overblown amount of fuzz. Excellent stuff that out classes a lot of bands that are trying to kind of head down the same avenue.

Young Adults – Drifting (stream)

Black Hole should be available through AMDISCS sometime in November. So keep an eye out for it if you’re enjoying what you hear above. Enjoy!

I really wanted to get this one up as soon as possible, mostly so people would still have a chance to get their hands on one of the limited lathe-cut clear vinyl editions of I miss the future. by Myty Konkeror and obviously because it’s very good as well. It’s out currently on Twin Lakes Records. One of the tracks featured on the album “Kidz and Gulls” was featured on a mix awhile back, so some out there may have had time to get acquainted with the band; if not well then this is the perfect time to do so. I actually need to throw some credit towards One Base on an Overthrow for alerting me that this was already out, as I honestly had no idea it was up for sale. But thankfully I was able to snag me one of these finely crafted and packaged discs.

I wouldn’t say Myty Konkeror are a wildly experimental band, however they mix a few interesting things up here on their debut that pay off in relatively big ways. I’d say the majority of the album is largely driven by a heavier brand of riff rock that wastes little time in locking into a pleasing and comfortable groove. Songs like “sus Envy” and “Cell Division” take on a noticeable psychedelic twist that kind of adds to the murky heaviness that the band seems to be wrapping these tunes in. However, the direction changes a bit as the album progresses into a song like “Whitewash” that has a bit of a shoegazy warble to the guitars and reveals itself to be a more of an uptempo poppy tune and probably one of my favorites from the entire album. And it seems fitting that the album closes with an 11 minute piece that in a way combines a lot of the different directions and elements that made up the rest of the albums tracks. All in all quite the impressive debut from these guys and most certainly a solid way to capitalize on the promise of their previous EP.

Myty Konkeror – Whitewash (stream)

To go into a bit more detail about the packaging and construction of this record, this was lathe-cut onto a clear polycarbonate disc. It also comes packaged with a CD-R version of the album. As noted in the OBoaO review, there is a bit of sound difference between the LP and the CD version of this album. It’s a pretty interesting contrast, and is probably one of the few albums where I’ll actually feel compelled to have to rip the two different versions. However, the version of “Whitewash” above is from the CD-R, so take note of that. I’m not sure as to how many of the LP versions are left. There were only 30 to go around initially and I think it’s somewhere down to 15 or less copies now, so act fast and hit up Twin Lakes Records if you really want a copy. Otherwise, there will be plenty of the CD versions and it will eventually make an appearance on cassette as well. In the meantime, enjoy!

Some may have noticed that BOAWS was kind of not functioning for a large portion of yesterday evening and last night. I apologize, my host did some PHP/mySQL upgrades and it somehow jacked with the blog a bit. Thankfully the fix was simple once I figured out what to do. But anyway, there is that if anyone was left wondering. Now back to the music…

It’s been awhile since I’ve heard from the Italian label Robot Radio. Some may remember back in ’08 that they released a string of albums that ended up as some of my favorites of the year, most notably in releases from Putefirio and Dead Elephant. A year before however they had released an album by Lucertulas that I’d failed to listen to at that time titled Tragol de Rova. I eventually was able to sit down with it and it turned out to be yet another winner…as was no surprise at that point. Although it’s unfortunate I didn’t hear until much later. So I guess it’s fitting that the band that I last heard and somewhat overlooked on the label is the one that inevitably breaks the silence in what has been a two year absence for Robot Radio. It’s a shame after the excellent track record of releases that they established. So here we are now with a new release from Lucertulas titled The Brawl, which is a joint release between Robot Radio and Macina Dischi. The format for The Brawl is also a bit interesting as nine songs come on a CD and four more Italian versions of songs featured on the disc come on a one sided 12” with a very cool screenprinting job on the other side.

Lucertulas initially grabbed me with their previous album that was a wonderful jumbling of spazzed out noise and sludge. I wouldn’t say that the band has changed all that much with The Brawl, however there is noticeably less sludgy down tempo moments. The trade off though is an album that runs on max energy from start to finish, displaying a flourish of the Skin Graft or Arab on Radar weirdo punk combined with a bit of the Chicago math/noise-rock sound of yore. It’s again an excellent combination and execution of influences and the result of that is an album that sounds lively and fresh thanks to it. Give it a listen.

Lucertulas – 8 Hours [MP3]

If you’re interested in getting a hold of a copy of this, then hit up Robot Radio or Macina Dischi for ways to do so. In the meantime, enjoy!