Boy Howdy, it has been quite a week for music

I wanted to shoot this one off kind of quick before I left work just because I really wanted to share some of the amazing things I have been talking about all week.

First off, the new Riot Before album "Rebellion" is absolutely a great album. The lyrics are sharp, the songs are great and overall there is a definite great feel to the album. They know how to craft the right kinda song. Upbeat tempos with the right changes in feel to them at just the right time. This is really a great album to be coming out in the spring. It just has the feel. I read this week that comparisons to these guys and Against Me! are inevitable, which is true. But honestly, that is not a band thing. Imagine the early albums of AM! without the politics and slightly less rough. There is that jangly, upbeat feel to the music. It feels almost familiar, while being new and exciting all at the same time.

Speaking of Against Me! their new ep "I was a teenage anarchist" is really a strong offering. The songs to me sound like a band that has grown up. There is still that bite to the lyrics with clever lines spouting up, but the music has changed a little. Not in a bad way, just less of a hectic pace and more of a "midwestern punk" feel to it. I feel almost like bits and pieces could find a home on any alkaline trio album. There is just a different sound to this band than "new wave" I am having a hard time explaining it, but for lack of a better word, the songs just sound like they were made by a band that is happy and having fun.

Hands down the best album I have heard this week and so far this year is the new Menzingers album "Chamberlain Waits." I really have nothing more I can say about this album. It fucking rocks. There is a little something for everyone; catchy singalongs, screaming, music that makes you want to tap your foot, nod your head and move around. This is really a band that has come into their own and I would not be surprised if they started really taking off thanks to this album. I really, really love this album.

New Menzingers is available on iTunes

Well, I hope my pre-order gets here soon, but those of you who do not buy physical formats much anymore, "Chamberlain Waits" is now available on iTunes. From what I have heard, the album rocks and you are definitely in for a great listen. I think it really shows off what a strong band they have become. So yeah, go get it.

come on pre-order....I'm waiting.

new menzingers song, streaming, right here

Alternative Press has done another amazing thing by streaming a new song from the new Menzingers album "Chamberlain Waits"

I will say that this has officially gotten me excited for my preorder to arrive. This album should be amazing!

The Menzingers - "Home Outgrown" (Altpress.com exclusive) by altpress

well I shoulda done that earlier...

So, since I fell asleep pretty much as soon as I sat down last night, I just now downloaded the new Menzingers 3 song ep (they are calling it a single, but whatever). This is kind of the teaser to their new album "Chamberlain Waits" that is due April 10 from Red Scare.

I must say, I literally, 10 seconds into it, audibly said "holy shit, this is amazing."

So, only one of the 3 songs is not acoustic, but damn all 3 really come across very strong and very powerful. I have liked the other records that the Menzingers have put out in the past, but this little 3 song deal really gets me excited for the future of this band. For the "single" and only electric song, "I was born," to grab me that fast at this early in my day (took the day off of work), it really speaks to the power of the song and how much they have grown as musicians and songwriters.

Hey Red Scare, put up a pre-order for the full length already!

New Music Tuesday

There are a few albums out there today that some of you might be interested in getting, along with some things you might have never known even existed.

First off, the Brendan Kelly/Joe McMahon split "wasted potential" officially hits the market today. If you are like me, you already got your copy from Red Scare a few weeks back. But, for those of you that do not have it, you can get it from:
itunes
www.anchorlessrecords.bigcartel.com
http://redscare.storenvy.com/
and online retailers like interpunk.com

Also, the Menzingers have a new ep out with 3 songs. I will be picking it up from Amazon later today, once i get off my stupid job.

Smoke or Fire, Joe McMahon's full-time band, have a 7inch out today called "Prehistoric Knife Fight" and since i can not find it really anywhere, I am going to have to order it from http://www.fatwreck.com/record/detail/241 or maybe interpunk.

Lastly, since tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, and I tend to identify more with my Irish heritage than my German side, we have Boston's Dropkick Murphys and their new live album, aptly titled "Live on Landsdowne." I am kind of on the fence about this one personally, most of the songs seem to be almost perfect performances of the album tracks from what I can tell. I love the Dropkick Murphys and have pretty much all of the studio albums, but never bought a live one. So, like I said, I am on the fence on this one.

Over the past few weeks, there have been some great releases that I have picked up. Isles and Glaciers, the indie supergroup released an ep. This bands have Craig Owens,
Jonny Craig, Vic Fuentes, Nick Martin, Matt Goddard, Brian Southall, Mike Fuentes, all of whom have their own strong bands. Its a good one.

Also, fellow St. Paddy's favorites, Flogging Molly released a 2 disc live album and DVD. This is one I highly recommend. Something about the live performance just really kicks with this band.