I've heard many people blaming over saturation for many of the problems associated with punk/hardcore: too many bands and too many labels. The overabundance of bands and labels can lead to streets filled with diarrhea. But for every toilet brimming with brown stains, there's a white alligator stalking the sewers. Such is the label Discern Direction and their release of a split 7" between Mass Movement of the Moth and Polar. If there were a limited number of labels I bet this release never would've been pressed due to the bands not touring non-stop and not being mega-hyped. In the end, fuck all the whining about this and that, this release is good music!
Side A: Mass Movement of the Moth. The name is familiar because I swear I've seen it listed on Myspace accounts of kids who insist on calling screamo "skr4mz" or something similar in the alphanumeric department. As one might infer, they take that 90's sound mixed with newer bands frenetic feel i.e. Kodan Armada. There are quiet heartfelt stints, but for the most part, the volume is loud with some pressed vocals. What really gets my boat floating is the use of keyboards that add a spooky effectââ¬Â¦ or two.
Side B: Polar. In terms of a contemporary screamo sound, if that even exists, Polar nail it perfectly. If bands like Sinaloa and Life at these Speeds are the vegan cream on your cake, prepare for audio ejaculation. Their two songs, "Cgsoms" and "Saturation," run together to make something that's worth getting off the computer chair to pick up and spin on the record player. While their guitar lines are as electric and soothing as phone lines, the bass has a more vibrant dancey feel (minus all those negative post-punk connotations). I know I'm not the judge of who's sincere and who's not, but the vocals come off as sounding very honest. By the end of their side they have this awesome part with everybody singing together in harmony and I just want to make love to a fleeing white dove. I would love to hear more recordings by this band.
Punk's dead, screamo's dead, music's dead, art's dead, but somehow I got something very alive in my mail box. It must be dizzy from all the spinning I put it through. While the complainers will continue to complain, DIY kids will focus on what they love, and do what they can to help it thrive.
