Shrine to the Incomprehensible

Hello y’all.

My apologies for not posting about New Music on Friday, but I found myself overly busy with work and other plans. I will link to the playlist from Friday, June 21st here though in case you want to circle back and peruse. Hopefully this post makes up for it in sheer volume of notes on new releases though.

Some general fun things that have been going on lately: we took our bikes to get some poutine at a chip truck recently. Had plans to do some kayaking that fell through, but we’ll make good on them eventually. Drove back to Toronto to eat at Square Boy for the first time, despite having lived in the city for the better part of my adult life. Had a friend over to the house for a night and played a few rounds of the wonderful vintage board game CAN’T STOP.

If you can find a copy, I highly recommend it.

And now, music. Hope you find something to enjoy!

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Icon legend:

• ⛏️ denotes picks of the week.

• 🌱 seedling denotes albums I liked, but may grow on me.

• ✨ means worth a look, if you like the genres listed in particular.

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As always, please reach out on the hellsite if you’d like or better yet join the Rosy Overdrive Discord server where I can be found now and again. You can also find me in the corners of Rate Your Music scrounging for obscure emo, hardcore, indie-rock and pop-punk.

Don’t forget: if you’re reading this in your email it will be cut off. Read on the web for the full list of reviews!

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✨ Footballhead - Before I Die (2024)

Genre: Alternative Rock, Emo-Pop, Pop Punk, Grunge

There are a lot of bands - seemingly many who are hardcore-adjacent or feature members of hardcore bands - doing this kind of poppy mix of pop-punk, alt-rock and emo-grunge. Footballhead manage to rise above most other bands in this genre by virtue of not committing to a single sound - often times not even within the same song.

They have a restlessness that allows their songs to remain interesting throughout. They don't seem like a band that want to make "their shoegaze song" or "their grunge pop song" but they are pretty actively mixing ingredients throughout the runtime of their songs, for the most part.

It makes sense that this "mini-LP" is coming out now, considering their previous album was released independently before being re-mastered and re-released through Tiny Engines almost a year later. So I imagine while that has been happening they've had time to work on more music, and here we are. This is up to the quality of what I heard on Overthinking Everything, and they've maybe leveled up on how big their sound... sounds. Some of this is pretty huge on the arena-level riff scale ("Stupefied", "Before I Die"). And for a band that doesn't seem to have any hardcore pedigree they do get into some more aggressive moments than anything heard on their LP.

Might dip a little too far into the radio-style pop punk / alt-grunge for some people but that can be an advantage for me, so for the most part those moments land (the emo-pop of "Your Ghost" might be a YMMV moment). Solid all around, though.

⛏️ Other Half - Dark Ageism (2024)

Genre: Post-Hardcore, Noise Rock

Both Big Twenty and Soft Action landed on my year-end lists for their respective years so this is pretty hotly anticipated, personally. Usually bands like this get more and more accessible over time, and it's not to say this isn't accessible but there's something about it that makes me feel like existing fans will like it more than new ones. They're still mixing Dischord-esque post-hardcore and noisy-yet-melodic indie rock here, maybe with more space in-between for textural quirks than previously. This doesn't sound as immediate to me, feels like much more of a grower than something that will impress upon first listen.

I feel like if you handed either of their previous albums to someone they'd know how they feel about the band within a few tracks but here it's a lot slower a burn, even though the ingredients haven't changed so much, more the measurements.

It's good though, I can tell that for sure. I am still on team Other Half for sure. Need more time with this one to decide if I fall off the fence into love or like.

⛏️ Emilíana Torrini - Miss Flower (2024)

Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Downtempo, Ambient Pop, Trip Hop, Progressive Electronic, Art Pop

Nice album with an interesting story (songs based off the letters from various would-be lovers found in an old friend's mother's belongings after she passed). Skirts around between near-spoken-word electronic stuff, lightly danceable pop ("Black Lion Lane"), instrumental piano ("A Dream Through the Floorboards"), atmospheric trip hop and others. I'm a big Emilíana Torrini fan and I'll always check out what they're up to as I think they're a once in a lifetime talent when it comes to singers.

I do think that they've never quite hit it out of the park when it comes to capital A "albums" (though in their own right, Fisherman's Woman, Me and Armini, Tookah and their collaborations with The Colorist Orchestra are all worth listening to as a whole.)

This is another really solid, well rounded effort to add onto that pile of really solid, well rounded records that dabble in different styles and are all anchored by a beautiful and gorgeous voice.

⛏️ Hyperdontia - Harvest of Malevolence (2024)

Genre: Death Metal

I continue dipping my toes deeper into both vintage and modern death metal. I have well documented the fact that bands that rely heavily on the tremolo riff and the monotonous death metal vocal style are more often than not... not for me.

This band is a good example of an act that is able to take the aforementioned elements that push me away, use them effectively, but not rely on them so heavily that I get bored. And to add to that, don't do so much else that we're not talking about death metal any more, you know? I know I'm simplifying the genre, but there really is some death metal that just ends up being a wall of tremolo, blast beats and flatlined vocals. This isn't that, at all.

The hyperactivity of the riffing appeals to me, as someone more entrenched in technical thrash fandom and coming at this from a place of thrash-influenced death appreciation.

The vocals are maybe the closest to wearing me down here, but the melodic nature of the riffing - and in particular, the bass performance on songs like "Salvation in Death" - really kept me hooked.

⛏️ This Is Lorelei - Box for Buddy, Box for Star (2024)

Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Folk, Indie Rock, Alt-Country, Neo-Psychedelia, Bedroom Pop, Slacker Rock

Pretty big Water From Your Eyes fan, but I haven't done much more than dip my toes into the extended world of Nate Amos' This Is Lorelei. I've heard stuff here and there but they've released 22 albums since 2014 so I just am not going to be able to keep up with that.

This one is getting quite a bit of hype - landing on best of the year so far lists before it was released, etc. - likely due in part to being released on Double Double Whammy. Some of their early stuff came out on Sooper Records, but this feels like the first time they've had more of a coordinated PR push to all the indie music writers online.

And it makes sense because while this still feels like a kind of grab-bag of stylistic exercises in the vein of many long-running highly-active bands/side projects, it does land some really good, more accessible moments that hold it all together. "I'm All Fucked Up" feels like the one people will be reaching for the repeat button on, I think, so makes sense it was a single.

Some of this is a bit alt-country, some of it is very Elliott Smith-y ("Two Legs"). Generally the melodies stick and I like these kind of all over the map pop albums so this is in my wheelhouse anyway. Nice stuff!

✨ Stand Still - Steps Ascending (2024)

Genre: Emo, Pop Punk, Post-Hardcore

It's weird, because a lot of the hardcore adjacent bands that lean into different melodic punk/pop/emo/etc. genres haven't really done it for me in the past few years. I say weird, because the dewtaylo-coined “pop punk by hardcore guys” genre is one that I am always scrounging around in for hidden gems. I guess Koyo have some songs but none of these kind of modern versions of bands doing this sound have been album groups for me.

This kind of stands out for me, not sure what the key is to their sound - could be that they approach most of their material with a The Movielife-esque ear (melodic punk, dollop of emo, enough chugga chugs to illicit an actual connection to something that could be called hardcore, etc.)

I think one important part is when they slow things down to a mid-tempo churn ("Dust") the melodies feel strong enough to support the energy dip (this is where bands in this genre generally lose me.) Side note: the melodies in "Dust" sorta remind me of something off It Won't Snow Where You're Going but I can't put my finger on it specifically.

Anyway, very enjoyable!

✨ Hayes Noble - As It Was, As We Were (2024)

Genres: Noise Rock, Noise Pop

Pretty enormous noise-pop, all said. Some really thick, crunchy grungy pop hooks. Instead of bouncing into alt-rock territories like most music of this ilk does these days, they kind of nudge into the 90s indie / twee / jangle / emo etc. side of things ("Blue to Grey".) Something like "Nothing Else" kind of reminds me of the scrappy energy of The Normal Years-era Built to Spill, when they might whip out a really simple chord progression with a poppy hook before veering into guitar explosions. Probably some Smashing Pumpkins in here too from their big muff pedal days, but maybe that's a texture thing and not a riff/sound thing.

I'm probably underrating this a pinch but I feel like I need to wait and see if this has staying power or if it's mostly impressive in the moment. Definitely worth looking into if it sounds like it'd be up your alley, though.

✨ GASKET - Babylon (2024)

Genre: Hardcore Punk, Metalcore

Similar thoughts on this as I had for Dull the Needle. A smattering of hardcore styles served up on a plate; throat shreddy hardcore punk, chugga chug shit, blast beat powerviolence, slow n' heavy moments, etc.

It's all well done and I enjoyed it while it was on for 11 minutes. I would again be able to tell if this lives or dies by a longer record as this comes and goes very quickly. I think they're cool but they maybe are lacking an identity or something to set them apart.

But it works, it's just not the most memorable. I'll probably continue to check in with this band to see what they do next because I'm intrigued if they'll expand on what they're doing here, or just keep at it.

✨ dgoHn - Alterations in Gyral Form (2024)

Genre: Drumfunk, Drill and Bass, Drum and Bass

Really liked Undesignated Proximate from 2020 (landed on my year-end list that year) and so I've always been interested in hearing more from dgoHn. Was surprised that this came out in April, but it's a good reminder that I need to exit the walled garden of streaming more often than I already do.

Anyway, it's more drumfunk/jazzstep/drum and bass, whatever you wan to call it, from dgoHn! I have an itch for this kind of stuff and this definitely scratches it. Will likely return to this a few more times.

🌱 Joey Valence & Brae - No Hands (2024)

Genre: Hardcore Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop, Boom Bap, Nerdcore Hip Hop, Mid-School Hip Hop

It has been hard to avoid Joey Valence & Brae since they blew up online in advance of their last album Punk Tactics. My take on them has been: sure, derivative, but seems fun enough. Never been interested enough to fully look into them as an albums band but if a song came up here or there online I didn't mind it.

I think the weakest thing about this album are tracks like "Like a Punk" which are kind of throwaway. Sure, throwaway vintage aping rap is kind of the whole vibe here, but some of the songs approach Intermission-esque levels of fluff, even though there's a real Intermission on here.

But it's 30 minutes of Beastie Boys aping party rap stuffed full of internet references and with beats that jump from dusty 90s jazz rap cuts to jungle/dnb drums and soul-samples then back all over the place. It'd be easier to hate if it wasn't so easy to consume and forget.

✨ The Dreaded Laramie - Where's My Crystal Ball? (2024)

Genre: Indie Pop, Power Pop

This is listed as an EP on digital services and Rate Your Music but as far as I can tell it's just one of those Single releases ("Where's My Crystal Ball?") that includes their previous few singles as well, since it's not listed on their bandcamp as an actual release.

This has me looking forward to their LP next month, very big power-pop vibes with a lot of pre-Young Enough Charly Bliss in here. Definitely some Weezer influence, but almost filtered through all those fuzzy, crunchy riff-y power-pop indie rock bands who were all influenced by them rather than directly pulling from Weezer themselves, if that makes any sense.

Very interested to hear the whole record because these four songs are pretty strong and hit the spot.

🌱 Max Graef - Natural Element (2024)

Genre: Deep House, Outsider House, Wonky Techno, Minimal Techno

Kinda floaty, watery liquidy electronic music that has some dubby atmosphere and ambient elements. Definitely some downtempo, new age-y vibes in here and a lot less house influence than some of Graef's other material. I guess some of this would be called wonky techno, but maybe I'm just going off a tag from their other albums. There's some deep house in here for sure, it's just a little all over the map to really pin down.

In that way, it's kind of fascinating. Tracks like "Sports (Is Good for You)" bring to mind the golden era of Ninja Tune acts like Funki Porcini or the more relaxed material by Nightmares on Wax or Coldcut. I think I liked the moments where it dips into more upbeat jazzy dnb/jungle-y elements ("Natural Element", "Zan - Natural Element Mix") the most.

For me, it's a bit hard to get a handle on and feels overlong but it's pretty engaging throughout and I could see myself returning when I'm in the mood for this kind of thing but some of it does feel a little repetitive once its palette is established.

✨ OK Buddy - Strays (2024)

Genre: Alternative Rock, Emo-Pop, Pop Punk, Grunge

Cromulent punk/emo by hardcore dudes stuff. Even at an EP level, this feels a bit one-note to me, but the energy level does stay high. Would definitely be interested in what they do to stretch out this sound into a full length or if they'd struggle to diversify. Recommended to check out if you're into this kind of stuff though.

🌱 Las Nubes - Tormentas Malsanas (2024)

Genres: Indie Rock, Noise Pop

Crunchy, riffy, noisy indie-rock/power-pop stuff. I guess you would simplify and just call it "noise pop". Some garage-y elements in here as well. If you like stuff that balances a blown-out 90s throwback vibe alongside modern indie rock songwriting, this hits the spot. Probably too long at 40 minutes with a 10+ minute song in there, but to be honest I listened through this and didn't even realize one of the songs was that long, haha. Take that as you will. Definitely worth a look if it sounds like your kind of thing.

The Story So Far - I Want to Disappear (2024)

Genre: Pop Punk, Alternative Rock

My experience with this band so far has been "I liked their first album" and that's about it. To me, this doesn't really hit the way that I want modern pop punk to hit. There's a slick whimper sound to this. Songs like "Letterman" just glide in your ear and out the other one without leaving much impression.

For a 28 minute album with a bunch of sub-three minute songs I expected this to have more energy. There's a bit of that in songs like "Jump the Gun", "Nothing to Say" or "You're Still in My Way" but I don't find these hooks and choruses very memorable.

It's honestly fine and inoffensive but I get the sense that this band is stuck between trying to find a solid, matured sound and trying to satisfy people who just want more music like No Pressure. A good chunk of this feels like a band on autopilot to me. Could very well be a MP not a YP.

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You thought I was done with vintage thrash/death metal reviews?! Sorry, not sorry!

Sieges Even - Life Cycle (1988)

Genre: Technical Thrash Metal, Progressive Metal

This rips, just a really dense stack of technical and progressive thrash. I've heard myself some Watchtower but I can't really weight in on how similar they are. Definitely not sure about people claiming it's so close to Watchtower that they could toss around the word "plagiarism" but regardless this is awesome, corny shit. To me this sounds like it dips into heavier riffing than Watchtower. And yeah these songs are just excuses to stuff riffs and tempo changes and solos into here and be as show-off-y as possible, but that's technical thrash for ya! Thought this was fun as hell.

Terrahsphere - Third in Order of the Sun (1991)

Genre: Technical Thrash Metal, Progressive Metal, Speed Metal

Very ambitious and charming technical thrash clearly recorded on a budget. It gives this a really admirable atmosphere. There's a remastered version available that really turns up the clarity of the recording, which is nice but there's something about the super roomy, mid/bass tone-y recording that I find charming. The singer is really going all over the place into territories they maybe can't totally nail but again, there's a charming vibe to the whole thing. I am really tempted to knock it up a point or two but for now this was just an intriguing listen that I may need to revisit with closer inspection later.

Demolition Hammer - Epidemic of Violence (1992)

Genre: Thrash Metal, Death Metal

I believe in my journey through thrash and other types of thrash metal, I came across Demolition Hammer earlier on. I didn't mind it, but I also wasn't yet in my full-on obsession with finding more stuff that sounded like Time Does Not Heal, so I think I kind of bounced off it.

Anyway, this is good shit. Heavy and fast thrash, elements of death and technical branches as well. Definitely not an album that would change the minds of anyone not interested in stuff with a foundation in pure, aggressive thrash metal but pretty damn sick all around.

Nocturnus - The Key (1990)

Genre: Technical Death Metal, Death Metal, Technical Thrash Metal

In my never-ending quest to dig up obscure technical thrash (and just thrash overall) stuff, it's easy to forget to go listen to a bunch of bolded stuff too.

Editors note (lol jk its still just me): when albums get “bolded” on Rate Your Music, that means the album appears within the top 7,500 albums on the site, by average rating. So basically, it’s a very highly rated album and probably has a lot of ratings as well in terms of volume/popularity.

For example, The Key is placed #3,308 of the top 7,500 albums chart. Some people really care about when albums get ‘bolded’ or not it seems. I find it interesting but not really an important metric to care about, really. It can be useful to parse what are the ‘classics’ of a genre though by seeing which albums are bolded for that particular style of music.

I dunno why but my lizard brain is just trained on years and years of digging for the most obscure movies that it has bled into my music habits the last few years. Today I was thinking "why not just listen to a bunch of records with Dan Seagrave album covers" and this was the first one that caught my eye - bolded, and with a sick ass cover.

Immediately, this is totally my shit. Not sure exactly what makes this have Technical Death Metal as the primary genre and Technical Thrash Metal secondary, as the ingredients really feel like a balanced blend to me. As the comments box mentions, the death elements feel most prominent in the scrappy, death thrash drum performance. Guitars bounce between intense tremolo riffs and really entertaining dueling technical riffing. I love the synths/keys because corny b-movie circus ass synths ("Visions From Beyond the Grave") underneath death/thrash is just unexpected and wonderful.

Really dope all around. Exactly what I'm looking for when I want to listen to something technical with elements of both thrash and death.

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That’s it, that’s all. Be excellent to one other.

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