Sound the Alarm
Stay Inside
Geffen (2007)
Sound the Alarm is the latest in a crop of super-young musicians getting a major label deal. And on their debut full-length effort, Stay Inside, they serve up twelve tracks of pop-rock with an emo tinge that bring to mind acts like Jimmy Eat World and The All-American Rejects. And while the first couple of songs of this album had … Read more
Sounds Like Violence
With Blood on My Hands
Deep Elm (2007)
Alternative Press called Sweden's Sounds Like Violence "post-grunge." I don't know what the fuck post-grunge is supposed to sound like, but apparently it's catchy pop-punk "recommended for fans of: My Chemical Romance, Underoath, Refused, [and] The Hives." The music isn't as bubbly as your average pop-punk band, which is definitely a bonus, but the lyrics still drip with angst and … Read more
Soup Moat
Enjoy Your Hobbies
Triple Eye Industries (2015)
Doubled-up, sometimes indecipherable screamed vocals, waves of sludgy, growling guitar and a thudding, powerful rhythm section ensure that Enjoy Your Hobbies, a 7” vinyl release from Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Soup Moat, is anything but dull. Containing five tracks falling in the one to two minute range, this album switches things up from assaults of mangled sound (opener “Comfy One”) to more … Read more
Souvenir's Young America
September Songs
The Perpetual Motion Machine (2006)
Originally released as a limited run of 100 cassettes, Perpetual Motion Machine has decided to repress a small number of September Songs in preparation for Souvenir's Young America's upcoming tour with Aughra. If you missed your opportunity the first time, don't miss out on it again. Souvenir's Young America has been slowly but surely making waves in the instrumental rock … Read more
Souvenirs
Tired Of Defending You
6131 (2012)
When I first heard that Souvenirs was signed to 6131 I was expecting another straight-up generic hardcore band. However, upon listening to their first release from last year, Sadder Days, I was pleasantly surprised to find a pop-punk/emo crossover band: one taking the lyrical writing style of ‘90s emo bands and the upbeat feel of pop-punk. This was right up … Read more
Spank Rock and Benny Blanco
Bangers & Cash
Downtown (2007)
The latest effort from Baltimore club/DJ/rapping outfit Spank Rock brings more to the table than one might think. The opening line, "Welcome to the fuck shop," gives you an idea of what you're in store for. Bangers & Cash is five tracks of sex and money, with Spank Rock rapper Naeem Juwan dominating the lyrical space. This is also two … Read more
Speaky
Mashcore Volume 2
Independent (2008)
Over this past summer, file-sharing fiends around the world rallied behind the leak of the new Girl Talk album. Everyone felt pretty suave for getting such a hyped item before its release date, although many were confused at how different the new album sounded. Unfortunately, soon after that they all found out that this leak wasn't Girl Talk at all, … Read more
Spires
Spires
Independent (2007)
Spires hail from Oakland, CA and deliver a punishing blend of hardcore, metal, and grindcore, not unlike like The Number 12 Looks Like You and Pig Destroyer. But unlike most bands of this spectrum of music, Spires infuse their chaos with moments of melody, including post-rock inspired moments. The first track, "Burnt Offerings of a Poor Idea" is a perfect … Read more
Spiritual Cramp
Mass Hysteria
REACT! Records (2017)
Given their name, it's appropriate that San Francisco's Spiritual Cramp have a sound rooted in the punk rock of 40-ish years ago. I don't think debut EP Mass Hysteria would have the same punch had it featured a more aggressive approach. Alienation figures prominently in the lyrics of opener “All MY Friends Are Out Tonight (Alright),” and the somewhat vulnerable, … Read more
Springhouse
From Now to OK
IPR (2008)
This is the third release from these Brooklyn shoe gaze popsters. Twelve songs full of rich textures and somber moods that took ten years to complete. Thankfully it's not a bloated opus like that other release, something about democracy? Which took even longer to come out. Solid arrangements, swirling harmonies, and just a plain old fashioned emphasis on making the … Read more
St. Vincent
Marry Me
Beggars Banquet (2007)
Those familiar with Sufjan Stevens or The Polyphonic Spree might recognize Annie Clark for her accompaniment to their most recent tours and discs. Earlier this year the multitalented indie rock darling released her first solo LP under the stage name St. Vincent. Like the aforementioned bands, Clark pushes forward her fair share of quirks in the triumphant debut that is … Read more
Stag
Stag
Independent (2007)
Stag is a two-piece sludge-metal outfit from Missouri. This self-released four-song EP is a definite homage to the likes of early Neurosis with doom metal experimentation here and there. The drumwork of Ash over the four songs is quite impressive as he unveils a wide variety of techniques. The guitars handled by Michael are thick as molasses, though he occasionally … Read more
Starcrawler
Starcrawler
Rough Trade (2018)
Starcrawler vocalist Arrow De Wilde is one of the most arresting vocalists I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing in the last 20 years. When watching Starcrawler play live, it’s really a roll of the dice as to whether the front row will be appalled or attacked. Or both. And it’s that kind of unpredictability that makes Starcrawler unique in today’s … Read more
State Drugs
Takings and Leavings
Jigsaw Records (2019)
This LP sounds like something that teleported here from my moody early-2000’s CD rack, which they acknowledge with their self-description of “grown-up punk”. The distorted chord progressions recall Sugarcult and Samiam while the grainy country-tinged vocals bring Gaslight Anthem to mind. The lyrical themes of alcohol and heartache nod to their influences as well, but the vocals lose their soul … Read more
Stay Sharp
Four Songs
Monkey Wrench (2008)
I remember lurking various bands Myspaces and coming across this Philadelphia band. I remember liking it, I also remember saying something about how Stay Sharp sounded like Lifetime. What's not to love? Well now this four-song EP is rocking in my boombox and now Stay Sharp remind of Holding On's Question What You Live For album. Yes, it's more fast … Read more
Steel Nation / Crucified
Split
Double or Nothing (2009)
Two very promising bands take on each other with this split 7": Steel Nation hailing from Pittsburgh while Crucified call the Bay Area home. Both offer menacing metallic hardcore that is not to be passed over. Steel Nation delivers two brand new tracks, their first since parting ways with their vocalist and having the remaining members share the vocals. In … Read more
Steel Trap
Cold.Dead.Broke.
This Blessing, This Curse (2006)
Steel Trap is the latest export from the highly talented Bay Area scene. This five-piece group serves up volatile hardcore that no doubt gets the dance floor moving. The 7" kicks off with your typical intro track of building guitars and a sing-along, this one is "T-S-M!" - not to sure on the meaning of that though, must be an … Read more
Stella Dawes
Contrasts
Independent (2008)
Stella Dawes sent us a promo of Contrasts with a press sheet on which they wrote too much about themselves. In all honestly, it turned me off to their album before I even listened to the twelve songs. They say their influences are "Poison the Well, Underoath" and "'screamo' bands." Thankfully, the music isn't exactly what I anticipated. The vocals … Read more
