Archives:
84 Tigers – Time in the Lighthouse
Spartan Records – Release Date: 10/21/22
84 Tigers released their debut album last month, titled Time in the Lighthouse. The band features singer/guitarist Mike Reed and bassist Ben Reed, both of whom played in Small Brown Bike, and drummer Jono Diener from The Swellers. While traces of the aforementioned bands are certainly present in their sound, 84 Tigers is very much its own distinctive project and one that freely explores new musical territories. One of the first standout tracks is “Great Basin”, which begins with a quake-inducing bass line that is quickly overtaken by a forceful verse. There’s a smooth transition to the chorus that’s done in an unpredictable manner, yet still sounds natural. The song draws to a close with a haunting breakdown that builds in intensity before the drums come roaring in, leading the band through the chorus one last time.
“Atlas Fractured” opens with a melodic intro, followed by a sense of movement in the verse that evokes imagery of a boat navigating choppy waters. The chorus has a post-punk vibe that uniquely complements the tuneful intro riff, resulting in what might be the album’s most accessible entry. “The Waves Beneath” immediately draws the listener in with an interwoven guitar lead and vocal melody. The same guitar lead carries through to the verse before a dissonant bridge offers a definite shift in mood. That said, this section still very much fits with the song as a whole, and highlights their ability to balance melody and heaviness. “Waiting Season” also bears mentioning as it’s reminiscent of a more masculine version of early Alkaline Trio. Its verse climbs to a spacey, groove-oriented chorus and while it may have a slower tempo than many of the record’s other songs, it remains equally appealing.
On Time in the Lighthouse, 84 Tigers have crafted an album that’s solid and engaging from start to finish. The stellar production, courtesy of Marc Jacob Hudson, (Against Me!, Taking Back Sunday) is noteworthy and helps to emphasize the nuances of their songwriting. Even though they’re just getting started, 84 Tigers have already established a strong identity and laid the groundwork for what is likely an exciting future.
Able Baker Fox
Able Baker Fox recently released their latest album, Visions, via No Sleep Records. We caught up with the band in late August before they played a show at the Metro and spoke with guitarist/singer Nathan Ellis. We talked about how the album was written, what it was like recording with J. Robbins, the band’s pairing with a new record label and more. Able Baker Fox features members of the Casket Lottery and Small Brown Bike, and while Visions is rooted in the melodic post-hardcore that fans of those bands have come to anticipate, there are also plenty of new and unexpected influences found here as well. Be sure to check out a video for the album’s first song, “Purple Mountains,” after the interview. Continue Reading…
Small Brown Bike
Photo by Katie Hovland
Small Brown Bike formed in Marshall, Michigan in 1996. They went on to release two full-lengths with No Idea and another with Lookout! Records before disbanding in 2004. The band got back together three years later and just last month released their first new album in nearly eight years, entitled Fell & Found. We met with singer/guitarist Mike Reed after Small Brown Bike’s recent show at Subterranean and discussed the new record, the band’s relationship with No Idea, Krazy Fest and more. The band’s lineup also includes guitarist/singer Travis Dopp, bassist/singer Ben Reed and drummer Dan Jaquint.
Small Brown Bike – Fell & Found
No Idea Records – Release Date: 4/26/11
Having reunited in 2009 after a five-year hiatus, Small Brown Bike is back with Fell & Found, their first new album in nearly eight years. It features the band’s original lineup and was produced by J Robbins at Chicago’s Million Yen Studios. Robbins, best known for his work with Jets to Brazil, The Dismemberment Plan and Promise Ring, did a great job of understanding Small Brown Bike’s vision and really bringing these songs to life. In some ways, Fell & Found differs from their prior work in that there’s less distortion on the guitars and cleaner-sounding vocals, but the music still hits just as hard when it needs to. In other words, the band has mastered its dynamics, recognizing when to play soft and when to play loud, which anchors the songwriting and allows for further experimentation. Above all, this record is a complete work that’s both layered and well-executed. At times it’s reminiscent of some of the finer post-punk that was being made in the mid-‘90s, but it also sounds like they put a contemporary spin on the positive characteristics they were previously known for. One thing that’s apparent upon first listen is the creative and powerful drumming of Dan Jaquint. It truly sets the tone for the entire album and does a good job of complimenting the plodding, burly bass work of Ben Reed. Not to be outdone, guitarists Travis Dopp and Mike Reed provide frequent outstanding guitar leads, while the lyrics are likely to be memorized after only a handful of listens. Small Brown Bike has returned with a vengeance and it sounds as though they never took a break. Fell & Found is thus far one of the best records of 2011 and one of the most memorable that No Idea has put out in some time, and that’s saying something.
Follow Us
-
