Archives: October 2017
The Lillingtons – Stella Sapiente
Fat Wreck Chords – Release Date: 10/13/1
Earlier this month, The Lillingtons made their Fat Wreck Chords debut by releasing their first full-length in over a decade, Stella Sapiente. Given the amount of time between albums, it’s understandable that this release incorporates new influences, and thankfully the band’s use of heavy and dark styles is a welcomed change. Their traditional pop punk tendencies have taken a backseat to metallic riffs and songs about paranormal knowledge and covert agencies. In some ways Stella Sapiente is a natural progression for The Lillingtons, but in others it’s a sizeable shift that finds the band experimenting with a new sound and ascending to previously unachieved heights.
The record opens with “Golden Dawn/Knights Templar,” an ominous song the references secret societies and employs undistorted guitar leads, really setting the mood for the rest of album. “Insect Nightmares” is one of the record’s catchiest tracks, complete with dueling guitars and a relentless pace that spotlights the rhythm section’s skills. “K6” and “Zodiac” both evoke memories of the band’s third full-length, Backchannel Broadcast, while “London Fog” features a serious guitar solo near its end that’s sure to please any fan of Iron Maiden. As the album draws to a close three of its strongest entries can be found, beginning with “The Walker.” The song starts with a pensive rhythm and haunting vocal melodies before the rest of the band comes in with blistering energy. “They Live” is the record’s fastest track and also boasts its most impressive guitar solos, (and that’s saying something). “Drawing Down the Stars” wraps up the album, bringing to mind hints of Judas Priest and effectively paying homage to thrash metal.
With Stella Sapiente, The Lillingtons have not only written the next successful chapter in their history, but more importantly laid the framework for what appears to be an exciting future. After an extended break they’ve returned and managed to reinvent themselves by creating a record that would appeal equally to fans of old school pop punk, metal or horror. Whether you haven’t listened in years or you’re completely new to the band, don’t delay in checking out this album.
The Lawrence Arms’ 3rd Annual War on Xmas
This December, The Lawrence Arms will once again host three consecutive evenings of rousing, booze-filled festivities. This year, the revelry starts on Thursday, 12/14 at Cobra Lounge, with support from The Ridgelands and Fuck You, Idiot. On Friday, 12/15 the party moves to Bottom Lounge and features openers Teenage Bottlerocket and Blood People. The event concludes on Sunday, 12/16 again at Bottom Lounge, this time with Nothington and Sass Dragons joining the fun. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10:00 AM and the Cobra Lounge show can be purchased here, while the Bottom Lounge shows can be obtained here and here.
Worriers
Several weeks ago, Worriers released their latest album and first for Side One Dummy, called Survival Pop. We caught up with singer/guitarist Lauren Denitzio before the band’s recent show at Township and discussed the record in detail. We talked about its writing process, what inspired some of the songs and about their experience in the studio. Survival Pop is very much a comprehensive work, filled with cathartic songs that address topics like intolerance, homophobia and even heart surgery. Its lyrics are decidedly personal, written from a reflective, experienced perspective and often wrapped inside crafty melodies and huge hooks. In short, it’s an album that’s especially uplifting and one that finds Worriers further refining their sound and doing much more than merely surviving. Continue Reading…
Propagandhi – Victory Lap
Epitaph – Release Date: 9/29/17
Last week, Propagandhi released their latest full-length and seventh overall, entitled Victory Lap. The album finds the band refining the thrash-metal tendencies that have been a signature part of their sound dating back to 2005’s Potemkin City Limits, while simultaneously incorporating a hint of the melodic punk from their first two records. However, Victory Lap is not a retread in any shape or form. Instead, this album embraces sonic diversity and allows for the elevated level of musicianship to really shine through. Also, the addition of guitarist Sulynn Hago cannot be understated, as prior to her involvement Propagandhi never enjoyed such an amount of exceptional shredding.
The record begins with the title track, featuring an aggressive yet catchy riff and the thunderous drumming of Jord Samolesky. The song’s pace is unrelenting, as are its lyrics that describe a crumbling America, with its citizens attempting escape only to be trapped by the proposed border wall. As topical as this track is, so too is the next highlight, “Cop Just out of Frame,” which addresses police shootings, peaceful protests and looks inward, questioning the perspective of someone with a privileged background. The song employs galloping drums and several unique chord progressions before it segues to a metallic breakdown. It also spotlights the enhanced vocal skills of singer/guitarist Chris Hannah and bassist/singer Todd Kowalski, an aspect that’s evident throughout the album. “Failed Imagineer” seamlessly alternates between melody and aggression in a manner that most bands can only dream of achieving, while “Call Before You Dig” just might be the record’s strongest song. It uses a multitude of intricate guitar leads and rhythmic chugging to tell a tale of humans discovering the bones of an extinct species and then flashes forward, envisioning a future where ancient human bones are discovered by an alternate ruling species. The song builds to a point where the entire band is singing in unison, “That’s our universe in a nutshell,” and it’s almost impossible not to scream along with them.
Victory Lap concludes with “Adventures in Zoochosis,” a song with a quiet instrumental intro that’s interlaced with recordings of some of Trump’s most deplorable quotes from the campaign trail. This lasts for just over a minute before the band comes in, blasting like a defiant wall of sound with hard-charging riffs. The lyrics find hope for a better world in the next generation, while conceding that it might already be too late for some of us, (“You grab your little brother’s hand, run like the wind. And if I’m not there, don’t look back. Just go.”) What’s remarkable is that nearly 25 years after the release of their debut album, Propagandhi sounds just as relevant and energized as ever. Victory Lap is easily one of their best records and also one that doesn’t claim to have all the answers, so much as it aims to encourage the listener to take action in a positive manner.
Radar State
Kansas City’s Radar State formed earlier this year, featuring The Get Up Kids frontmen Matt Pryor and Jim Suptic, The Anniversary frontman Josh Berwanger and drummer Adam Phillips of The Gadjits. We caught up with Jim and Josh after Radar State’s recent performance at Riot Fest and talked about how the band got together. We also discussed their debut EP that they released last month, including where it was recorded and what some of its songs are about. In addition, we spoke about their upcoming tour in December and where they’re at with the writing of their first full-length. Lastly, be sure to check out a video for the song “Spinning Wheel” after the interview. Continue Reading…
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