Sun-0-Bathers
Floater EP
Morning Wood Records/Thousand Islands Records/Paper + Plastick (2020)
Two years ago I reviewed Local Warming, the debut EP by Sun-0-Bathers. Two years have passed, but not much has changed for Sun-0-Bathers. I am not going to blame them for it. If you have a winning formula, why change it, right?That winning formula for Sun-0-Bathers is straightforward 90’s skatepunk. Summer is the best time for releases of this type in … Read more
Sunshine Satellite
Sunshine Satellite
Snappy Little Numbers (2020)
Ah, an actual tape cassette…in a day and age where portable digital devices are ubiquitous, I find delight whenever an analogue tape pops up – even more so when the sound of the bands fits the medium. Case in point: Sunshine Satellite, a duo that channels its alchemy in sleek and powerfully compact garagey-pop-punk tunes, serenaded by female vocals in … Read more
Talk Me Off
Cursed
Smartpunk Records (2020)
There’s a lot to like on Cursed, the debut full-length by Richmond, VA’s Talk Me Off. But as much as I enjoy the structures, the vocal tradeoff, and the political urgency, I just can’t get over the vocals on this record. They just feel flat and robotic at key moments, which is ironic for a band named Talk Me Off.This is … Read more
Temple of Void
The World that Was
Shadow Kingdom (2020)
Doom-death is not a crowded field, but it is one that can feel difficult to innovate in. There are only so many ways you can bolt doom elements on to death metal at all. A band can slow down the tempo, add more distortion, maybe toss in a few more blues riffs, but after they may find themselves be carving … Read more
The Arson Choir
Invisible Monsters
War Against Records (2020)
The Arson Choir are another fine representative of the new wave of American mathcore. They’re a pretty young band, but they have a lot of power in them and they sure know how to lay it down. Their balls to the wall delivery paired with chunky and groovy riffs, as well as the classic dissonant screeches is very appropriate and … Read more
The Black Dahlia Murder
Verminous
Metal Blade (2020)
Humankind has always had an uneasy relationship with rats. Many people hold on to the belief that they are disease vectors, and they've been blamed for the spread of many awful maladies over the centuries, the black plague and leprosy being two the most famous and deadly. They also tend to like the same food as humans and don't mind … Read more
The Carvels NYC
Late Night Heart EP
Die Laughing Records (2020)
If you follow Scene Point Blank you might be aware I like The Carvels NYC. So a new EP by their hand is good news in my book. Even if it only has three tracks and leaves me hungry for more. Again.This is going to be a short review. There is not much new to mention about this EP. The artwork … Read more
The Carvels NYC
Live At The Cutting Room
Die Laughing Records (2020)
2018 is the first time I heard from The Carvels NYC. The cover artwork was what drew me in that time. The music convinced me to ask for more of the same recipe. The band delivered not long after my review by releasing a second EP. I was happy with it. 2020 saw another EP. Again I was happy with … Read more
The Cavemen
Euthanise Me
Slovenly (2020)
The Cavemen are a garage band from New Zealand with a ton of releases to their name. You know the style: it’s abrasive, it’s risqué, and full o’ swagger. But it’s also catchy, highly energetic and upbeat -- perversely positive, if you will.This 4-song EP runs at about 10 minutes (to be generous) and delivers a wallop. Fittingly titled Euthanise Me the songs … Read more
The Claudettes
High Times In The Dark
Forty Below Records (2020)
Usually I get to pick what I review. This (partly) explains why you might sometimes feel I am an overrating bastard. To counter that I accept my portion of homework from our grand commander. When he assigned me to review The Claudettes’ previous album Dance Scandal At The Gymnasium! two years ago I was pleasantly surprised that my homework was such a … Read more
The Great Hurricane Escape
If Not Now, When?
White Russian Records (2020)
There is so much music coming out that it is impossible to keep up. Every now and then I spend a couple of evenings checking out labels that I dig, just to see what’s new. One of those evenings I visited the bandcamp of White Russian Records and discovered this EP by The Great Hurricane Escape. One e-mail later I had this … Read more
The Kinks
Part 1. Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround (Deluxe 2CD)
BMG (2020)
Where do I being on reviewing a deluxe edition of a record that’s 50 years old? I’ll start by saying I’m never going to call a deluxe edition perfect -- because a lot of the records getting that treatment were damn near perfect to begin with. There’s definitely a place and audience for extra material; just note that it wasn’t … Read more
The Lawrence Arms
Skeleton Coast
Epitaph (2020)
When a band is releasing its third new record since 2006, you’d expect some inconsistency. The Lawrence Arms seem to be timeless though. With Skeleton Coast they pick right up where they left off Metropole (2014). Take the opening stanza of “Dead Man’s Coat” as an example. Beginning with Chris McCaughan’s soft and wanting melodies, it’s unmistakably The Lawrence Arms. It feels warm and … Read more
The Lippies
Pop 'n' Lockdown EP
Red Scare Industries (2020)
I have to admit that I’ve heard a few songs by The Lippies in the past, but never sat down with their 2016 debut and absorbed it in any sense. This EP is kind of my introduction beyond a passing song here and there. And I enjoy it, though I doubt it’s the best first taste of the band given … Read more
The Neptunas
Mermaid A-Go-Go
Altered State Of Reverb (2020)
Tell ‘em Charlie sent you!? Dolphin safe Tuna-free of long lining, bottom trawling, and blood shrimp. Sustainable fishing has cast the long sea of doubt with shadows of ghost nets dancing and entangling, engulfing innocent species with its dark hand of doom claw-like grasp.Alas ascending from Neptune’s bikini bottomless cavernous cretin encrusted trident thrust through the decrepit blackened charbroiled throbbing … Read more
The Next Great American Novelist
Careless Moon
Independent (2020)
Insert joke about judging a book by its cover, in reference to a band who calls themselves The Next Great American Novelist -- somewhere the ego of Dave Eggers shudders. The trio of indie rockers from Brooklyn is the brainchild of lead singer-songwriter Sean Cahill, and their moniker may indeed be tongue-in-cheek enough to stand up to the irony. Cahill left his … Read more
The Other
Haunted
Drakkar Entertainment (2020)
This new album by The Other came as a bit of surprise for me. I was thrilled no less thrilled when I saw the announcement online though. This band has been one of my favorite horrorpunk bands ever since I picked up their debut album They’re Alive somewhere back in 2004 or 2005. It has been a long and awesome ride ever … Read more
The Suicide Machines
Revolution Spring
Fat Wreck Chords (2020)
Me: The Suicide Machines got really angry.[Looks at news coming out of Michigan.]Me: Oh, yeah. They should be.Flint’s waters crisis, militias, the widespread issues of race, violence and inequality across the US…Sure, this is 1990s-styled ska-punk. But it’s not your dance party, silly costume ska-punk. Much like Battle Hymns of 1998, Revolution Spring is angry and political. I kind of hate that descriptor (because … Read more
