WE'LL DO IT ACOUSTIC! - Four Year Strong

who: Four Year Strong

why: JUST LOOK AT THAT BEARD! Seriously though... if you haven't listened to 'Enemy of the World' yet, get on that shit.

"One Step at a Time"

"Your Song"

New Release Tuesday - March 9, 2010

So many musics.

This week's unrated notables:

• Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - 'The Brutalist Bricks'
• Daughters - 'Daughters'
• Gorillaz - 'Plastic Beach'

[06.]

Before Their Eyes - 'Untouchable'

tf: nope.

Alright this is way, way poppier than I was expecting, but they earn points for the good production value, and it's actually pretty memorable even if you don't like it. I never listened to their 2008 release 'The Dawn of Their Death', and I guess I must have missed their contraction of the infamous scenester-pop disease that seems to be infecting the masses lately as well. This isn't doing it for me at all.

[05.]

The Bled - 'Heat Fetish'

tf: nahhh.

I didn't get very far into this release before I had already figured out I didn't like it. It's definitely not terrible, but I know I'll never get the urge to listen to it... Wasn't disappointed. Wasn't impressed. It's just not for me.

[04.]

Isles and Glaciers - 'The Hearts of Lonely People' EP

tf: aight.

I don't know what it is... but ever since Jonny left DGD, he hasn't sounded the same to me. He's obviously still probably technically one of the greatest vocalists in the business - he has the range of an R&B singer, it's a bit ridiculous... but I don't get the same intensity or passion from him that I used to, and it's disappointing. I don't really like the whole "super-group" idea either... unless it's The Sound of Animals Fighting, I guess... but nevertheless this EP is pretty solid and I'll definitely give it a few listens from time to time.

[03.]

House Vs. Hurricane - 'Perspectives'

tf: fasho.

I really, really wanted to like their 2008 EP 'Forfeiture', but I just never really got into it. I've listened to it a bunch of times, but it never really grabbed my attention entirely. When I listen to these guys, I can't help but compare them in my head to being a half a step below Sky Eats Airplane... and it's annoying to me that I can't like them as much as I want to. I have a sinking suspicion that 'Perspectives' will have the same effect. As of now, I' definitely like it, but I can't tell if it'll be enough to continue to spark my interest. I hope I can find the time to give it a few more listens... but I guess what I'm saying is I won't be surprised if I don't.

[02.]

We Were Promised Jetpacks - 'The Last Place You'll Look' EP

tf: fasho.

Keeping in mind that I'm a bit of a sucker for accents... this EP has a lot of potential to be a grower. Nothing too crazy to get overly excited about... short, simple, sweet and the first I've ever heard from these dudes... this could be my sleeper pick for this year's list.

[01.]

Four Year Strong - 'Enemy of the World'

tf: yaysh.

Yes. I've been waiting for this for what seems to have been forever. Since I first heard 'Rise Or Die Trying' I suppose, but mostly since there was talk that they were working on new material... which turned out to be 'Explains It All' instead of something actually worth listening to. Ouch? But now it's time. To listen to this until my eardrums can no longer handle the hardcore-infused pop-punk mastery. They can seriously own the genre in my opinion... Listen to "What the Hell is a Gigawatt?" You'll shit. I suggest you be prepared.

Next Week:

The Audition - 'Great Danger'

Envy on the Coast - 'LowCountry'

From First to Last - 'Throne to the Wolves'

Nas & Damian Marley - 'Distant Relatives'

Streetlight Manifesto - '99 Songs of a Revolution: Vol. I'

The White Stripes - 'Under Great White Northern Lights'

WE'LL DO IT ACOUSTIC! - Four Year Strong

who: Four Year Strong

why: because it's good to love pop-punk again. Even when their voices crack occasionally. 'ENEMY OF THE WORLD' IS OUT IN TWO WEEKS!

Waffle Fries - February 24th

Choke Up - 'Choke Up' Demo EP

[Download]

tf: absolutely.

This rating may be a little premature, especially since I don't get to listen to too many true, underground hardcore bands, but I only needed a couple listens. The demo's 5 songs, 15 minutes. It's to the point, it doesn't fuck around... and I like it a lot. It won't be officially released until sometime in April, but they're offering it up for free for now... so take advantage.

The Wooden Birds - 'Montague Street' EP

[Download]

tf: aight.

Insound.com's MP3 of the week comes in the form of an entire EP today, lucky you. If you're a fan of subtle head bobbing and soft indie jams, you'll like it... after I got the EP, I went and found their 2009 album 'Magnolia' too and they've both been playing in my headphones ever since.

MORE FREE STUFF!

Deftones - "Rocket Skates" [Download] <-- right click on link and "Save As"

--- from the upcoming 'Diamond Eyes'

Forever the Sickest Kids - "Get Over Yourself" [Download]

Four Year Strong - "It Must Really Suck to Be Four Year Strong Right Now" [Download]

--- from the upcoming 'Enemy of the World'

Portugal. The Man - "The Dead Dog" [Download]

--- from the upcoming 'American Ghetto'

RAAAAAAAANDY and Dave Sitek - "AAAAAAAANGRY" [Download]

--- Comedian Aziz Ansari's sneak peek at a hip-hop mixtape.

WE'LL DO IT LIVE! - Four Year Strong

who: Four Year Strong

why: perform a new song titled "What the Hell is a Gigawatt?". I'm pumped for March 9th!

Premature Infatuation - Double Dose

who: Four Year Strong

why: have posted another new song from their upcoming release 'Enemy of the World' titled "Wasting Time (Eternal Summer)" through AbsolutePunk. Check out the stream by clicking here, and look forward to the album's release on March 9th!

who: Coheed and Cambria

why: have posted the first glimpse of their new album 'Year of the Black Rainbow' on their personal website. Click here to stream it and look for the album's release April 13th.

In the Fresh - Four Year Strong

who: Four Year Strong
why: has announced a 2010 tour! This Time Next Year and Title Fight will be opening for FYS with the Bled joining in for the first half of the tour, and Strike Anywhere replacing them in the second half. I've seen these guys once before and let me tell you it was awesome. I wish the sound quality would have turned out a little better at the venue because I could hardly hear the vocals, but I got a good story out of it and they opened for Bayside which was a plus. But I'm ready to see them headline.

Find your venue!

Watch: "Bada Bing Wit' a Pipe"

Story Time
I excitedly walk into the bathroom after an amazing FYS set and approach one of two open urinals.

FYS keyboardist and aggression vocalist Josh Lyford steps in and chooses the empty urinal next to mine and proceeds to piss like a horse.

Me: "Dude, sweet show tonight man."
Josh: "...thanks man... sweet dick."

Josh zips up and leaves without saying another word to me or washing his hands. I appropriately laugh aloud to myself once he leaves.