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July 18th-Akron, OH*
July 19th-Frostburgh, MD @ The Warren*
July 20th-Baltimore, MD*
July 21st-Philadelphia, PA*
July 22nd-New York, NY*
July 23rd-New Haven , CT*
july 24th-Boston, MA*
july 25th-Washington D.C.*
July 26th-Pittsburgh, PA*
July 27th-Lansing, MI*
July 28th-TBA+
July 29th-TBA+
July 31st-TBA+
Aug 1st-TBA+
Aug 2nd-TBA+
Aug 3rd-Chicago, IL+
* with Warren Franklin
+ by ourselves
we need help with pretty much all these dates.. if you have clues, share your clues.
The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up is such an immensely personal band for me. There is something so meditative and haunting about their stylings; there is hardly any filler through the entire discography, these dudes didn’t phone anything in. When push comes to shove, every song absolutely floors me, always. The lyrics are so honest, in a way that can completely break me down to a little sniffler (I contend that their cover of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone’s “Seattle”is one of the saddest songs ever written). The gut-spilling quality to their music is unparalleled, most of the contemporaries don’t hold a candle to the morose, yet revealing nature of TJYPU’s brand of Pacific Northwest slowcore. It’s that deep cut sadness without being whiny or overbearing, it’s a grown man’s cup of sad. If I had a record label I would force them to let me put their entire discography on vinyl, to me it’s that good. Often when I get a band’s discography, I will jump around on tracks, kind of sampling the records and finding key cuts.. It’s not the case with JYPU, I sit on a single album for months at a time and then move to another and discover things. I couldn’t choose a single record worth highlighting above the rest of the pack, so here is everything I have (there are still a couple things i’ve trying to dig for):
It’s Winter Somewhere EP (2001)
Jim Yoshii-Pile Up/XIU XIU Split (2003)
JYPU has been on hiatus since 2006, but you can still buy stuff
enjoy!
Last night I was in a powerful sweat stuppor, head floaters were running amuck, and I was thinking about genres. Specifically, about how nice it would have been to live in a world that didn’t try to compartmentalize everything into to the smallest possible form. Too many senseless genres, it’s not funny anymore. I just want to listen to rock ‘n roll. Three Man Cannon and Lee Corey Oswald are fucking rock ‘n roll. I mean, if you wanted to be a waldo about it, you could tag both bands with all kinds of little labels, but when you get down to brass balls about it, both bands have the good sense to play emotionally charged rock music. That’s that. This is a such a great split, it’s not a little wimpy two songer, it’s a damn 12” and it feels fantastic; you really get enough time to feel both sides from each band. It’s no surprise that Three Man Cannon features members of Tigers Jaw, the infectious nature of their tracks are almost immediately apparent, these are real cold, cave cuts filled with sprinkles of Americana. Lee Corey Oswald’s side is rip-roaring, current of jangley juggernauts, that still manage to maintain solid sensibilities. At this time i’d like to take a brief moment to point out how amazing the cover art is. Back to the review. Actually that’s all I have to say. Hop your hungry ass over to black with sap and shell out some of your meager green for this berzerker.
I’ve been having a hard time writing about this record. I had all kinds of puns and witty zingers about Mayans and towns not really needing guns* lined up; I guess I threw them out for more honest pastures. All I can say is that 13.0.0.0.0 is extremely rewarding, sonically pleasing and challenging, and a great example of what a band can accomplish after losing vital members. Henry Tremain, formally of the criminally underrated Pennines, presents a clean tenor which fits perfectly within the already established dynamics of TTNG, and in the same breath, the remaining members have taken strides to accommodate to his more delicate vocal stylings. Some might be turned off by the noticeable lack of pop jams that filled 2009’s Animals, but I think everything is completely in it’s right place. I always find myself taken aback by This Town Needs Guns’ technically stunning side, but what keeps me interested is their ability to merge their complexity with accessible and touching vocals. Take some time out of your day and give this a listen, it’s certainly worth buying.
*It has been brought to my attention that This Town Needs Guns doesn’t find their name ironic or interesting either, they have officially changed their name to TTNG. You can read about it here
Top 15 Albums of 2012"
1. Hop Along, ”Get Disowned” (INDIE // FOLK)
Get Disowned is easily my favorite album of the year. I’ve listened to it countless times, and my love for this album is unwavering. Late last year, Hop Along gave us a preview of what was to come, by releasing “Tibetan Pop Stars” on their Bandcamp page. After the song ended, I had to hear more. I listened to her first album Freshman Year, and I liked it but it wasn’t quite what I expected after hearing “Tibetan Pop Stars”. That was because Freshman Year was a solo acoustic album, and after hearing Hop Along as a full band, it is hard to go back. I needed to hear more, but the album wasn’t going to be released for a few more months. So I just listened to “Tibetan Pop Stars” time and time again. I must have listen to this song hundreds of times. I pre-ordered the record, and when the record finally came I listened to only it for weeks. It was amazing. I had some how hyped up this album to myself so much that there was no way it should have been able to meet my expectations, and it not only met but surpassed my expectations. What stands out most in this album is the vocal work. Frances’ lyrics are not only great, but the dynamic way she sings will tear you apart.
My Favorite Track: Track 2, ”Tibetan Pop Stars”
2. Joie De Vivre, “We’re All Better Than This” (EMO // INDIE)
Back after a short lived break up, Joie De Vivre is as good as ever and put out this great album. Joie De Vivre has always had a mid 90s to early 2000s midwest emo sound, and they don’t disappoint with with their return album, We’re All Better Than This.
My Favorite Track: Track 7, ”That Dude Leads A Depressing Life”
3. Glocca Morra, “Just Married” (EMO // PUNK)
After releasing the very good and sometimes overlooked Ghoul Intentions 7” in 2011, Glocca Morra released two great albums in 2012. First they released their debut full length Just Married, and only a few months later they followed it up with a 10” EP An Obscure Moon Lighting an Obscure World. Glocca Morra has a silmar sound to Algernon Cadwallader, and I think they should be able to fill the void left by Algernon’s breakup earlier this in 2012.
My Favorite Track: Track 9, ”Eat The Fucking Snow”
4. Pity Sex, “Dark World” (EMO // POST PUNK)
Pity Sex has a pretty unique sound. They are a mix of emo, post punk, and lo-fi. This album is really really sad. Depending on how you feel about music, you might have to be in the right type of mood for it, but I there were times this year when I couldn’t stop listening to it.
My Favorite Track: Track 3, ”Hole Away”
5. Caspian, ”Waking Season” (POST ROCK // INSTRUMENTAL)
Caspian’s first full length The Four Trees is one of my favorite albums of all time, and because of that, it seems I always judge Caspian’s albums unfairly harsh, but then after a few months I start to like them more and more each listen. Waking Season is no different. It grows on me every time I listen to it.
My Favorite Track: Track 3, ”Gone In Bloom and Bough”
6. Code Orange Kids, ”Love is Love // Return to Dust” (HARDCORE PUNK // SLUDGE)
These kid bring it. They are so fucking heavy and sludgy, but what makes this album so special are actually the more slow atmospheric tracks that really complete this album. Love is Love // Return to Dust, their first album since being signed to Deathwish, and it is a little bit of a change up from what we’re used to from them, but it doesn’t disappoint. Hopefully this a sign of great things to come from this great young band. Pick this album up, and if they are ever playing a show in your town, you have to go see them play. They go absolutely crazy at their live shows. I don’t know how they keep it up throughout their sets.
My Favorite Track: Track 10, ”Bloom (Return to Dust)”
7. Jowls, “Cursed” (SCREAMO // POST HARDCORE)
Ex-Cloud Mouth bassist John Harmon joined Jowls before this release, and it added a lot to their sound. Jowls had a little bit of trouble seeing this album released Early in the year they were signed to Doghouse Records. Doghouse had pre-orders and had even pressed vinyl copies of the album, but then Doghouse dropped Jowls, putting Cursed into a sort of limbo. After months of waiting, Tiny Engines announced that would be picking up the album for release. I’m not sure why Doghouse didn’t want the album. It is phenomenal. The only thing I can think of is maybe the album was too heavy for the label. Regardless, I think that Tiny Engines is a better fit for the band.
My Favorite Track: Track 1, ”Ruins”
8. Sigur Ros, “Valtari” (POST ROCK // AMBIENT)
Everyone knows about Sigur Ros by now, and this album doesn’t need much explaining. Valtari is one of the most beautiful albums I’ve ever heard. If you like post rock it is a must own. For everyone else, I urge you to give it a shot.
My Favorite Track: Track 2, “Ekki Múkk”
9. Graf Orlock, “Los Angeles” (GRINDCORE // HARDCORE)
Los Angeles is a concept album entirely about the 1995 Al Pacino and Robert De Niro film Heat. That should be enough for you to listen to this album. Josh and I just watched Heat couple weeks ago because he bought it on Blu-Ray. It is definitely the best heist movie ever made, and I would give it my highest recommendation. You should probably watch Heat again and then listen to this album.
My Favorite Track: Track 4, ”Quick on the Trigger”
10. Scoundrel, “Freak Flag” (PUNK // GARAGE)
I was immediately interested in Scoundrel from the minute I learned they had former members from Coping, Cloud Mouth, and Grown Ups. Scoundrel released a two song demo in early spring. I loved their rowdy, punk infused garage rock from the start. Both songs, Hide and Gone were re-recorded for this album, and they sound even better. I’ve listened to this album a lot since it was released in late November. Needless to say, I really got into it. I feel the album does a good job at capturing the chaotic energy of the band. I think with certain bands over production can dull and ruin a bands energy on their recordings, and I think Scoundrel is one of those bands. Luckily, this isn’t a problem with Freak Flag. This record was produced well enough for it to sound good and free enough to let their emotion shine through.
My Favorite Track: Track 4, “Gone”
11. Converge, “All We Love We Leave Behind” (HARDCORE // MATHCORE)
Like Caspian, Converge is another band who’s albums I judge harshly. Converge’s Jane Doe is such a great album that it makes it hard for me not to compare every one of their albums to it. All We Love We Leave Behind is not Jane Doe but its still really good.
My Favorite Track: Track 3, “Tender Abuse”
12. Ravachol,“The Revolution of Every Day Life” (SCREAMO // EMO)
Ravachol broke up after this release, but they played a kind of unique style of screamo. First they had a female singer. That is something that is all too rare in today punk music scenes. Second, the guitars generally played clean, no distortion or overdrive. I hardly ever hear much about this band, and maybe that is because they were from England. I was a big fan of them, and wish I would have had the chance to see them play before they broke up.
My Favorite Track: Track 4, “A Brief Allegory On Wasted Time”
13. Coping, “Nope” (EMO // INDIE)
Coping broke up but before this album, but came back for the album release show. Out of all Copings releases, I still like Split 7” with The Clippers the most, but don’t sleep on NOPE. It’s still one of the best emo releases of the year. Its too bad that Coping broke up. They were one of more original bands in the emo scene that is currently over saturated with boring cookie cutter twinkly bullshit. If you want to follow their new projects, Mac is in Scoundrel and Tom is in Torture Love.
My Favorite Track: Track 2, ”B”
14. Dikembe, “Broad Shoulders” (EMO // PUNK)
Dikembe released Chicago Bowls last year.It was one of our favorite albums here over at Boss Koala not only because we love emo, NBA Jam, and weed puns, but because that album was geniunely as awesome as we had hoped it would be. Dikembe signed to Tiny Engines after that album and we were stoked because we love both parties so much. Broad Shoulders doesn’t have the awesome puns of Chicago Bowls, but with track names like “I Watch A Lot Of Jackie Chan Movies,” “Librarians Kill For That Kind Of Quiet,” and just being a generally awesome emo record, we can still get behind it.
My Favorite Track: Track 7 “Librarians Kill For That Kind Of Quiet”
15. Fister, “Violence” (DOOM METAL // SLUDGE METAL)
Violence is a great mixture of Doom, Sludge, and Stoner metal. Fister had to great releases this year in Violence and The Infernal Paramount, but Violence is my favorite of the two.
My Favorite Track: Track 1, “Violence I: Forced Extinction”
Honorable Mentions:
Citizen/Turnover – “Split” (POP PUNK // HARDCORE PUNK)STREAM
Cloakroom, “∞” (SLOWCORE // EMO) STREAM
Souvenirs, “Tired of Defending You” (EMO // INDIE ROCK) STREAM
State Faults, ” Desolate Peaks” (SCREAMO // POST-ROCK) STREAM
Suis La Lune, “Riala” (SCREAMO // HARDCORE) STREAM
Top 15 Albums of 2012"15.] raglani//real colors of the psychical world
14.] burial//kindred
13.] glocca morra//just married
12.] jowls//cursed
11.] deftones//koi no yokan
10.] killer mike//r.a.p. music
09.] coping//nope
08.] cloakroom//∞
07.] swans//the seer
06.] dirty projectors//swing lo magellen
05.] parisian//those emotions ran high
04.] hammock//departure songs
03.] mount eerie//clear moon
02.] hop along//get disowned
01.] waxahatchee//american weekend
—-
honorable mentions:
-japandroids//celebration rock
-circle takes the square//decompositions volume number one
-action bronson & party supplies//blue chips
-caspian//waking season
-e-lp//cancer 4 cure
Doyle Martin is a shapeshifter. The young pup has spearheaded vocals in such notable projects as the bombastically violent Lion of the North, the consistant anthem pumping/always righteous Grown Ups, and now the cloudy Cloakroom—three projects with completely different pipe stylings. This kind of versatility and brave willingness to switch up his style is slowly making him one of my favorite current singers. This time around I hear a lot of Smiths era Morrissey and Pedro The Lion’s David Bazan, that soothing and yet painful baritone that lazily cuts its way right into your chest. It’s perfect. When I listen to Martin crooning like this, I forget he was in any of his previous outfits, a hurdle for someone with his short but impressive résumé. Cloakroom, which also features Bobby Markos of Native fame on bass, seems to seep influence from old dreamscaping slowcore and shoegaze, with a stoney, wall of sound ethos. The songs on ∞ are the kind that get under your skin, they aren’t flashy, they are bare bones—three musicians, one vocalist, hazy riffs, thick bass, good feedback and reverb, a tight rhythm section, a good dynamic range, and catchy, albiet cloudy melodies. Only time will tell what will become of Cloakroom, whether the collective will remain merely a recording project with the occasional one-off show, or a full fledged touring act is yet to be seen. Here’s to hoping for the latter.
From the ashes of Coping, Cloud Mouth, and Grown Ups rose something beautiful, something majestic, something righteous: a delicate phoenix named Scoundrel. Freak Flag is the second sighting we’ve been graced with, after their two song demo that peeped it’s lovely head through the clouds earlier this year. These ten tracks are dirt dogs through and through; real belly bloaters that hark and bark back to the fuzzy, loud, gummed up street pop-punk of yesteryear. It’s always sad to see great bands bite the preverbal dust, it’s always fantastic to see what happens when they form a megazord. This band has certainly punked the fuck up. Ride the freedom bird.
