Antlers
Antlers
Rorschach (2007)
While taking a risk at such a lofty statement, Antlers is the reason to keep listening to independent music. Not that the band are the saviors of sound, but the ideas around what the band is doing are what makes this scene so worthwhile. Take a group of people, all from accomplished bands, and put them together to form a … Read more
Brainworms
II: Swear to Me
Rorschach (2009)
There is a caustic, angry, and somewhat aimless feel permeating Swear to Me that convinces me that Brainworms is a good name for the band. They remind me of a lot of 80s punk where the band does one dissonant thing while the singer goes off into his own world. Every so often the two different styles converge, bringing a … Read more
Brainworms
Which is Worse
Rorschach (2007)
Brainworms hail from Richmond, VA, a city with a rich hardcore/punk history. So it's not a surprise that the members of Brainworms have made waves with several other bands. Which is Worse combines up the band's original demo and cassette only release Is it Weird? Musically, Brainworms is teetering on the line between hardcore and indie rock, so I guess … Read more
Capsule
No Ghost
Rorschach (2011)
I'm not sure if I exactly understand what post-hardcore is supposed to be, but I do know what Capsule's sophomore effort No Ghost sounds like. It sounds like tech death if the guitars were layered more densely than the population of Monaco, the head songwriter accidentally started writing while under the influence of paint thinner, and his dog accidentally turned … Read more
Mouthbreather / Enviornmental Youth Crunch
Split
Rorschach (2009)
There's a lot to say about this split. First, it features one great name (Mouthbreather) and one lesser one (Environmental Youth Crunch). What strikes me second is the contrast in band styles, though I'll elaborate on this later. And, third, that it's such a solid release with five songs - it's an EP, not a single. First on the record … Read more
Pink Razors
First Degree
Rorschach (2007)
Pink Razors is a pop-punk band from Richmond, Virginia that plays a fast and catchy form of music comparable to Latterman. The band has released a full-length and split with Environmental Youth Crunch, and now this three song seven inch. Each song features fast and snotty vocals and each song clocking in at less than three minutes, and are all … Read more
The Catalyst / Brainworms
Split
Rorschach (2007)
This split 7" features two up-and-comers from the hardcore punk scene of Richmond, VA: The Catalyst and Brainworms. Brianworms is up first with two cuts. "Winnie Cooper" takes to the less caustic sound we heard on the band's previous release. The song is a lot more indie rock than hardcore or punk; at times it reminds me of The (International) … Read more
The Midwestern
The Midwestern
Rorschach (2007)
This is what happens when a band has yet to find its style. What we have here is some decent songwriting that comes off as underdeveloped. The track "Molsen Golden" starts as a respectable jam with enough intricacy and tempo changes to call back memories of The Cancer Conspiracy and the forefathers of the style, King Crimson. Halfway through the … Read more
Triple Twins/A Roman Holiday
Split
Rorschach (2006)
The A-Side of this split features indie rock outfit A Roman Holiday. Their first contribution to this split is "Octopus." The song is a fun and energetic indie rock tune that reminded me quite a bit of Cursive. "Apocolypse Part II," on the other hand takes to a more laid back approach. The first 30 seconds kind of turned me … Read more
