Archives: April 2020
Airstream Futures
In February, Airstream Futures released their second album, titled Le Feu Et Le Sable. We recently conducted a phone interview with singer Devon Carson and guitarist Jeff Dean. (The band’s lineup also consists of drummer Mike Soucy and bassist Katie Karpowicz). We talked about how the album was written and recorded, what some of its songs are about and the meaning behind its title. The record demonstrates the band’s ability to further sharpen their sound, which incorporates elements of punk, indie rock and alternative, as well as a touch of added aggression. We also discussed the band’s future, including how they plan to navigate these uncertain times.
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The Addisons – 100% Familiar
Earlier this month, The Addisons released their latest EP, called 100% Familiar. It was recorded by Jeff Dean at Million Yen Studios and mastered by Justin Perkins, and contains a total of five songs. When asked about the writing process for this record, singer/guitarist Tom Counihan said, “These songs are the first that we worked out with our new drummer Jessie, (Carmona). I think he had a big effect on the way they ended up sounding. Dave, (singer/guitarist Dave Lysien) and I write the initial ideas separately, but once we bring songs into the band, we all contribute to working out arrangements, bridges, etc.”
When comparing 100% Familiar to the band’s previous material, Counihan said “I think we tried to challenge ourselves a little more on this release. While we were getting ready to record, we spent a lot of time kind of dissecting the songs and trying to be more purposeful about each part.” Bassist Rick Uncapher added, “It’s definitely in the same vein as what we’ve been doing, but I think we tried to change it up a bit to keep things interesting. It’s probably subtle, but there are a lot of guitar effects, keyboards, background vocals and added percussion that we did to fill out the songs.” Check out the EP below and head to Bandcamp to buy a copy.
Mammals – Look Around You
Lamont Records – Release Date: 2/07/20
In February of this year, Chicago trio Mammals released their latest single, titled Look Around You. The record demonstrates the band’s ability to continually evolve their sound and develop their shared musical chemistry. The title track is up first and it begins with an extended instrumental intro. A modern garage rock vibe takes shape during the verse before transitioning to an upbeat, driving chorus. Its lyrics talk about trying to be present in the moment and the song appropriately concludes with the band rocking out. The next entry, “In the Darkness,” features a power pop intro that quickly shifts to a moody verse with echoed vocals. The tone of its lyrics complements the spooky style of music and there’s a definite influence of ‘60s rock ‘n’ roll too. The song represents a stylistic curveball that’s unexpected yet certainly effective. For the third and final track, “Expanding Heart,” Mammals likely saved the best for last. It’s a fast paced, punk-leaning tune with a distinctive vocal melody in the chorus. The drumming involves various imaginative rhythms and there’s a noteworthy bass solo towards the midway point. The song demands repeat listens and leaves the listener wanting more, which frankly is how it should be. Look Around You not only shows a lot of promise, but also contains what are arguably the band’s best songs yet. Take a listen to the EP below and grab a copy via Bandcamp.
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The Suicide Machines – Revolution Spring
Fat Wreck Chords – Release Date: 3/27/20
Last Friday, The Suicide Machines released their first album in 15 years and first for Fat Wreck Chords, called Revolution Spring. The band originally disbanded in 2006, but got back together in 2009 and have been playing shows sporadically ever since. They waited until they found the right inspiration to start writing songs and their patience more than paid off, as this record is easily among the best in their entire catalog. The first track, “Bully in Blue,” is an ideal album opener in that it’s highly energetic and contains thought-provoking lyrics. It spotlights the hyper-speed bass skills of Rich Tschirhart, while addressing white privilege and police brutality. It also challenges the listener to possibly think about this topic from a different perspective. The second entry, “Awkward Always,” changes gears and features a strong ska influence. It includes clean guitar upstrokes and an off beat rhythm, and highlights the creative subtleties of drummer Ryan Vandeberghe. The song looks back on the past and recognizes that some feelings still hold true after many years.
Another definite highpoint is “Trapped in a Bomb,” which talks about a dear friend who passed away unexpectedly. The bass takes the lead during the verse and paves the way to an urgent chorus, (“I will bring you whiskey in the winter and flowers in the spring”). The song represents arguably the best vocal performance from singer Jason Navarro, with the raw emotion clearly evident in his voice. “Simple” is an uplifting sing-a-long that sounds especially relevant in times like these. It also witnesses guitarist Justin Malek put on a clinic and deliver loads of impressive guitar leads. The album concludes with “Cheers to Ya,” a classic blast of ska-punk that incorporates a horn section to provide melody over distorted power chords. The song has a pogo-inducing chorus and an overall reflective tone, which is a fitting way to end the record.
Revolution Spring takes elements from all of The Suicide Machines’ previous albums and adds contemporary touches. Its lyrics are very much in the moment and tackle some dark topics, but there’s a distinct sense of optimism that shines through. Additionally, producer Roger Lima, (singer/bassist from Less Than Jake) did an outstanding job of bringing these songs to life and really capturing the energy of their live shows. In short, this is one hell of a comeback album that finds the band sounding as though they never missed a beat.
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