A quick note

Take note of our fancy new disclaimer. That "just go to the shows and buy merch" shit I spewed when I was fifteen doesn't actually work.

The Taj Motel Trio - Part of the Problem

"ska is dead go back to the vfw you sweaty checkered faggot"

Now that we've gotten the peanut gallery out of the way, ska bands have gone from third-wave flavor of the week to some of the hardiest groups in punk music, at least stylistically. Why, you ask? Two words: Tomas Kalnoky. With five critically-acclaimed albums spanning three distinct and pioneering groups, the man from Jersey has set the bar impossibly high for most modern ska groups looking to break out; thus, the scope of truly "good" bands is getting smaller and smaller. Thankfully, they tend to come out and toot their own horns from time to time. Case and point: The Taj Motel Trio's "Part of the Problem." The Taj have crafted some of the catchiest ska tunes I've heard in years, and aren't slouches on their instruments either; let's just say, it's not just pop-punk-with-horns anymore. For anyone who likes to drive around with a good "happy" playlist blasting, this is essential. If not, get it anyway.

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We Came as Romans - Dreams EP

Post-hardcore is a grab-bag genre these days. On one end, you have the likes of early Thrice, At the Drive-In, and Glassjaw, who skillfully fulfill the tastes of the style and, thanks to that, bring it into the semi-public eye. On the other end, you have the sour likes of Chiodos and I Set My Friends on Fire, who are tacked onto the label in the wake of its popularity. We Came as Romans fall in the middle of these two extremes. By no means a Fugazi though not quite a From First to Last, the band creates somewhat generic but certainly listenable music that anybody with a taste for post-hardcore would enjoy to a fault. I recommend starting with the title track from the EP, which is their best work (so far, that is; the band reportedly have a new album coming soon, and from the potential heard from songs like "Dreams," it might be one to watch for.) Also, please ignore the way they look before you listen. If you can, just put your hand over the page header photo or something...

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Kayo Dot- Choirs of the Eye

True story: Sometimes I consider this the best album ever made. Punishing, challenging, and ultimately intensely rewarding avant-garde metal from the sexy Toby Driver. Essential

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Atlas Sound- Logos

If you liked Deerhunter's Microcastle, airy dream pop, or Lewis Parry, Atlas Sound's Logos is the album for you. The side project of Deerhunter frontman Brandford Cox, Atlas Sound has a more electronic, experimental sound than their mother band (don't side projects always?), and Logos is a brilliant realization of the dreamy pop Cox has been making his entire career. Focused, catchy, and hazily warm, Logos features thrilling guest appearances (one from PANDA BEAR! !!!!!), slick choruses, and a cover that looks eerily like everyone on the internet. Listen to Walkabout if you're not quite sure that this is your thing. If that doesn't convince you, then I just don't know, man.

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Edit: previous link was wrong, this one is correct

Third Eye Blind - Ursa Major

Find me somebody who doesn't like Third Eye Blind. Not now, of course, or you'll never be back in time to read the rest of this post. Since the band's eponymous debut dropped in 1997, they'd made a name for themselves as high-caliber musicians. For years (at last count, 6 long ones,) fans awaited a return from the foursome after their supposed hiatus and lacluster release of "Out of the Vein." Finally, here it is: "Ursa Major," an album full of hooks, energy, and variety. Unfortunately, it doesn't measure up to their first release (then again, it's doubtful anything the band produces ever will,) but that's not to say it should be cast aside without a second thought.

...You know what? I talk too much. Just listen to the damn album. You'll have fun with it, that's its best quality.

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Banner Pilot - Collapser

I'm gonna take a second here to rattle off a few bands, and you tell me whether they are good or not.

Rise Against? YES
Hot Water Music? YES
Dillinger Four? YES
Four Year Strong?! Not really. Just making sure you're paying attention.

Now, imagine all three of these bands had a child. This child, young and energetic, takes its parents' old methods and converges them into a punkish amalgamation. That kid is Banner Pilot. Loud, fast, and just abrasive enough to be felt but not hurt, Banner Pilot forms an eternal summer with their album "Collapser." The album is loads of fun to drench yourself in and just feel the energy, anywhere you won't break things; I say this because if you're at all like me, you'll get up and jump around at certain points.

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Eric Whitacre- The Complete A Capella Works

A Capella? Isn't that just like that shit that Ted's band does on Scrubs lololololol?

NO

Eric Whitacre is one of, if not the best, modern composers you're likely to hear in choral work, and this collection of purely vocal music is absolutley stunning. Like OH MY GOD stunning. Don't believe me? Just listen. Get wrapped in his intricate harmonies and your heart will melt with every single track, I promise you that. Don't be intimidated by the fact that this is choral music and doesn't have guitars or a jangly beat or trippy electronics. This is music at its most genius, laced with so much catharsis you'll barely be able to stand after its completion.

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Lewd Acts - Lung Patrol EP

Lewd Acts didn't click with me immediately. I checked out some of their first album "Dark Days" back in my Ska-is-Sex phase, and of course because it wasn't immediately catchy with fifty thousand hooks, it wasn't for me. Upon hearing they released a new EP and album since then, I decided to revisit LA in the hopes that I'd be able to appreciate it better this time. While it was no huge turnaround, my opinions softened towards the band after sampling some of their newer stuff, particularly their interim EP "Lung Patrol." The instrumentation is solid, the music has a satisfying crunch to it, and lyrically it's on the simpler side, but in the case of hardcore music, that's usually for the better. Basically, it does what it sets out to: it gets you moving and relates to you at the same time. If you like this, pick up "Black Eye Blues" too, which I plan on doing as soon as I grab some cash.

listen (tracks are taken from Dark Days and Lung Patrol)

Stag Hare- Black Medicine Music

If I smoked more, I imagine I'd listen to Black Medicine Music all the fucking time. Stag Hare's a solo artist from Arizona who plays a dreamy type of ambient, but with drums, oh the drums. This album has the aura of Panda Bear without the vocals, and the result is total immersion. It would't surprised me if Stag Hare's music didn't impress everyone, but in your room, in the dark, with a great set of headphones, the places this can take you are beautiful.

Like, fucking trippy shit bro.

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Set Your Goals - This Will Be The Death Of Us

Now, I'm a sucker for punk in any form, especially this whole so-called "scene punk" style that's risen from the ashes of A Day to Remember's lost talent. Of course, one of the local cul-de-sac bros told me they love moshing to Set Your Goals in their living room, so I made it a point to steer clear of them at all times. Mistake: upon hearing the single "Goonies Never Say Die" from their debut EP, my opinion of SYG did a 180 degree emotional ollie (to quote The Ergs. Wow, I seriously just did that.) Anyway, pick up their newest album, This Will Be the Death of Us. Arguably their best so far, and completely worth the listen.

Plus, Haley Williams sings guest vox midway through the album. Come the fuck on.

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Japandroids- Post-Nothing

If you ever wanted to scream senseless lyrics at the top of your lungs because you were young and scared of the life ahead but wanted to celebrate the here and now, then you should listen to Post-Nothing.

Stay thirsty, my friends.

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Do Make Say Think - Other Truths

So my first month at Cornell ripped into me work-wise (herp derp ivy league;) due to this, I seem to have a bunch of stuff on the back burner, not the least of which is Do Make Say Think's "The Other Truths." So naturally, when I got some downtime, my first thought was to pester EC for the leak, and finally listen. Damned if it didn't surprise me, though. I mean, going in, I wholly expected more of the curt intricacy their last release caught me with. Instead, this one flows like water, crisp and refreshing, without losing the power DMST carry with thier music. Perfect chill-out music.

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