Notches - Huge 7"

Young Modern / Hip Kid / Cat Dead Details Later (2015)

Young Modern sent me this Notches 7" to review along with the band's recent full length (that review will be coming soon).  This was another in a series of bands I didn't know about that knocked my socks off when I gave them a whirl.

We'll start with the one criticism I have first and that's that the recording quality isn't quite up to how great the songs are.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of slick, overproduced sounding rock & roll and I appreciate a little hiss and grime in a recording.  Unfortunately for the songs on this 7" the recording makes things, particularly the vocals, seem a little flat.  The good news is that these four songs are all so good, they cut through any production issues.

I can't speak for the band and say what their influences are, but they certainly seem to be taking cues from some bands from the 90's that I enjoy.  Superchunk is the easiest comparison to make, but to me I really hear elements of bands like Buford or Corduroy.  For a modern comparison, they make me feel the same way that bands like Hooper and Rumspringer do and that's some pretty great company.

It's a great introduction to the band especially as a primer for the full length.  I'll be reviewing it shortly, but as a spoiler I have no qualms at all with the recording quality on that one.

Notches - Huge 7":
https://notchesnh.bandcamp.com/album/huge-7

Dan Padilla / Prince - Split 7" - Blue Vinyl (/100)

Dead Broke (2016)

I finally got around to picking up a copy of this split 7".  I delayed a bit longer than I normally would, so I was relieved that I was still able to grab the blue vinyl that was limited to 100 copies.

Dan Padilla is a band that's been kicking around for quite a few years and I've reviewed several of their releases over the years on this website.  The two songs on this 7", perhaps two of the last songs the band will ever release, are on par with anything they've put out in the past.  I really dig both of them.  Dan Padilla has always been a band that takes a slight rootsy approach to their punk rock.  You can hear echoes of a Tom Petty vibe buried in their songs, but they still put forth the sort of energy and passion that you'd expect from a Leatherface.

I still don't know what to make of the band Prince.  Well, I should clarify that, I've absolutely loved ever song I've heard from them so far, but I don't really know a ton about them.  I did a little creative googling (you probably wouldn't be surprised to find out they are difficult to search for these days) and it looks like they're going to start working on a full length soon.  I'm pretty excited about that as their contribution to this split is just stellar.  Fast and catchy with lots of hooks, just the way I like.  Counting down the days to that full length.

Dan Padilla / Prince - Split 7":

https://deadbrokerekerds.bandcamp.com/album/split-7-ep-3

Charlie Continental - Time Cassingle

 

Snappy Little Numbers (2016)

While I say pretty consistently that I really do not like all of the cassettes that get released these days, I will freely admit that this Charlie Continental one is pretty neat.  They went all out and did the old cardboard cassingle packaging.  It reminds me of buying the Cypress Hill "Phuncky Feel One/How I Could Just Kill A Man" cassingle back in '91.

Anyway, Charlie Continental doesn't sound much like Cypress Hill, but you could argue that he has a similar nasal delivery style like B-Real does.  If anything it reminds me a bit of Nobunny and bands of that ilk.  The two songs on this cassette are quick, one minute long poppy blasts.  Both of them sort of sound like TV show theme songs, which is funny, because after I thought that I looked on the Snappy Little Fingers website and found that the A-side of this tape, "Quit Wastin' My Time" is actually the theme song of a TV show on TruTV called "Those Who Can't."  I have never seen it or even heard of it, but I guess I was right in thinking these songs sound like theme songs.

I like both of the Charlie Continental songs well enough, but I really have a hard time getting all that excited about one minute long songs.  They come and go before you know it and while both are good, neither are spectacular to the point where it doesn't matter that they are so short.  They just seem like catchy little jingles more than anything else.  If Charlie Continental has some longer songs to release in the future, I would be curious to see where they could take everything with just a little more time.

Charlie Continental - Time Cassingle:
https://snappylittlenumbers.bandcamp.com/album/time

Winter Bear - Jump In The Fire 7"

Hozac (2013)

A little bit ago I got a package in the mail from Hozac, which was interesting as I hadn't placed an order with them recently.  Imagine my surprise to find out they had sent me a stack or records to review.  It wasn't the most recent batch of releases they've put out, but a cross section of records that they've released over a last few years.  I'm certainly game for that, so the first I'll tackle is Winter Bear.

Something that struck me as kind of funny is that as soon as I saw this record, I had an idea of what I thought it would sound like already in my head, and it turns out I was exactly right.  I don't think that is because I'm some sort of savant or anything, but I think it speaks more to how Winter Bear just has an aesthetic down for all aspects of their music, including the artwork. I dig the artwork and I dig the two songs.

I feel like eventually someone is going to hunt me down and beat me in the head for continually comparing bands to Baby Shakes, but I really feel that they are my touchstone for the sort of high energy, 60's throwback, female fronted bands that I tend to enjoy the most.  Winter Bear has this in spades from the lightly fuzzed out guitar, upbeat rhythm section and the well placed "shoo-wah-wah" in the A-side "Jump in the Fire." B-side "Should I Leave" is just as strong.  It has a slightly more jangly guitar sound, but captures the same sort of magic in the vocals.

This record came out back in 2013, and it looks like Winter Bear only put out one other 7" since then.  I'll probably pick that up at some point as this record is so good.  I'm not sure if Winter Bear is still kicking around, but I hope they are, this is pretty great stuff.

Winter Bear - Jump In The Fire 7":

https://winterbear.bandcamp.com/album/jump-in-the-fire-single

Cut Worms - Don't Want to Say Good-bye 7"

Randy (2016)

I was pretty pleased when Randy records had sent me a pack of records to review a few weeks ago.  Even though I ended up not really liking the Heavy Times 7" they put out, this Cut Worms 7" has really won me over.

I hadn't heard of Cut Worms previously, but as soon as I put this record on, I was immediately taken back to being a kid when my dad was listening to the Everly Brothers.  In particular the moment that stands out is when my dad was listening to "Cathy's Clown" over and over again trying to learn the bass and all of the lyrics (he was in a cover band with my uncle and a few of their friends).  As a result of this, I developed an early and long lasting appreciation for the Everly Brothers and that song especially.

Cut Worms fits right into that same mold.  With gentle instrumentation as the backing, the main focus is on the vocals and the tremendous multi part harmonies coming out of both songs on this 7".  The recording fidelity isn't lo-fi or hi-fi, but it's kind of old-fi and sounds like a pristine relic from another time.  While I'm not sure this is the sort of 7" I could see myself listening to repeatedly, I do enjoy it quite a bit and would definitely check out future records that Cut Worms release.

Cut Worms - Don't Want to Say Good-bye 7":

https://randyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dont-want-to-say-good-bye

Hurry - Guided Meditation LP - Swamp Green Vinyl (/100)

Lame-O (2016)

I had picked up Hurry's last record from 2014 called Everything/Nothing.  It was a solid record that I enjoyed, though it never really entered the discussion for best albums of that year or anything.  It was just a good listen for a change of pace.  Fast forward to 2016 and the band has released their next album, this time on Lame-O records.  Suddenly, Hurry is a band that is definitely standing out from the pack.

I've always been a sucker for shimmering, breezy guitar pop.  Throw on a Posies or a Beezewax record and I'm a happy guy.  Find me one of the more upbeat Pernice Brothers songs and I'm pretty content.  These are the feelings that Hurry is channeling over the course of Guided Meditation.  I wouldn't say it's the perfect summer record or use one of those cliche's as there is an underlying strain of melancholy that hangs on each song.  The harmonies are spectacular and really get stuck in your head, but they seem more rooted and less like throwaway melodies as they have a certain level of gravity that you don't hear too often.

Maybe I'm the sort of person that does like a little more fire in my music and I probably lean towards bands playing faster in general, but there's something to be said about a band's ability to create an album this strong.  All in all, this is a big step up for Hurry.  With Guided Meditation they've crafted a pretty close to perfect pop record.  

Hurry - Guided Meditation:

https://hurry.bandcamp.com/album/guided-meditation

Tenement - Bruised Music Vol. 2 LP - Coke Bottle Clear Vinyl (/225)

Toxic Pop / Grave Mistake (2015) 

I have been writing about Tenement for quite some time on this site.  I was lucky enough to stumble across them pretty early and have watched in amazement as they have taken on a life of their own over the years.  Bruised Music Vol. 2 is the second singles compilation the band has released highlighting some of their songs that originally came out on various 7"s.  

Granted, I have all of these 7"s, so there's only a couple of songs that I hadn't heard previously, but it blows my mind how well they all fit together in a full length album format.  Much like Tenement's last proper full length, Predatory Headlights, Bruised Music Vol. 2 runs the gamut of Tenement's styles; from hugely recorded, catchy pop punk songs to lo fi, treble heavy numbers to a few of those weird soundscape-y songs that aren't exactly my favorite thing the band does.  It is a remarkably diverse set of songs that for reasons I really can't explain coalesce into this perfectly formed body of music.  You'd think they planned this all along.

I'll always be partial to to the catchier Tenement songs like "Taking Everything," Paper Airplanes" and "Your Life or Mine," after all I did first hear about these guys on the Pop Punk Message Board.  Tenement isn't a one trick pony, though.  I think most have realized over the past few years that this is a pretty special band with many tricks up their sleeve.  I'll keep buying their records to see what's next.

Tenement - Bruised Music Vol. 2:

https://firestartertoxicpop.bandcamp.com/album/bruised-music-volume-two

California - S/T LP - Dark Blue Swirl Vinyl

Blackball (2016)

I stumbled across California when I saw this record was touting that it featured members of Green Day and Jawbreaker.  That was enough to get me to take a look at it, though I certainly can't say I was surprised to find out it meant the old drummer from Jawbreaker, Adam Pfahler, and Jason White, best known as that other guitar player who isn't Billie Joe in Green Day and Pinhead Gunpowder.  

That last sentence may sound derisive, but even though these two may not have the name value of some of their bandmates, they are integral parts of some really tight, white hot bands, so my expectations were still pretty high.  California is just a picture perfect example of a good record.  That's what it is; it's good.  It's not great, but there are some pretty good songs on it.  There are some records that just blow you away with their greatness that make you just want to ball up your fists, scream into the air and tell everyone you know that they must own this record.  I can't see California ever making anyone feel that kind of passion.

But again, it's a completely solid album full of mid-tempo, reasonably catchy tunes that feature serviceable melodies and some pretty interesting guitar riffs.   It's not aggressive enough to really be considered punk, but it is loud enough where I wouldn't dismiss it as pure indie.  It kind of reminds me of old 90's bands like Ridel High or to a lesser extent, Ultimate Fakebook.  Two other bands that just have a lot of good songs (with Ultimate Fakebook having a handful of truly great ones).

I'm sure this review isn't really inspiring anyone to run out and grab this record, but at the end of the day I do think it is worth picking up.  Not everything in this world is off the charts great.  There's room for some records that are just a good pleasant listen, and California fits this bill to a T.

California - S/T:

https://californiatheband.bandcamp.com/album/california-2

Pink Wine / Outtacontroller - Split 7" - Clear Vinyl

Young Modern (2015)

When Young Modern sent this record to me, I was actually kind of surprised I didn't already have it.  I'm not sure if I just didn't know it was released or if I knew about it at some point and never got around to ordering a copy.  Regardless, I'm very excited to add it to the collection.

We'll start up with Pink Wine.  The first song on their side is "Wasted Breath."  It's catchy in the right places with tinny, distorted guitar riffs and vocals that straddle the divide between snotty and melodic.  It actually seems like the sort of band that would be pretty comfortable on Hozac.  Their second song is a cover of Outtacontroller's "Put It On High."  That is my favorite Outtacontroller song, so I am predisposed to already love that song.  Pink Wine does a completely fine version.  It's not too dissimilar from the original, but since I love the original, that's ok by me.

Outtacontroller is the band I'm most excited about on the spit.  I'm already a huge fan and I really feel like this is a band that doesn't get the attention they rightly deserve.  They are just as amazing as any band playing catchy punk rock with big hooks and fuzzed out vocals.  Their first song is "I Gave Up On Weezer" and it's as excellent as that song title would have you believe.  It's certainly a topic I can relate to, but it's not just a gimmick song.  It is as much of a toe tapper as anything else in the band's catalog.  

The second song is "Cold Sweats."  It's a Pink Wine cover, though I wasn't familiar with original prior to hunting around for it on the Pink Wine Bandcamp page.  It's a pretty faithful interpretation and a solid song.  Compared side by side, I actually prefer the original by Pink Wine, but I dig the Outtacontroller version as well.  I've always liked the idea of bands covering each other on split 7"s and this record is another example of why I tend to think it's a fun thing to do.

Pink Wine / Outtacontroller - Split 7"

https://ilikepinkwine.bandcamp.com/album/outtawine-7-split-tape

Shiner - Starless LP - White & Blue Vinyl (/1000)

Self Released (2015, Reissue)

Thirteen years ago today, my wife and I started dating.  Though I supposed it is possible I might have ended up stumbling across Shiner on my own, it's probably safe to say that the only reason I know about these guys are because they are my wife's favorite.  It's a good thing too as it would be pretty annoying to have missed out on such a great band.

I will admit that I have not delved deeply into the band's entire catalog.  I am mostly jumping in to each record as they get released on vinyl for the first time.  I have spent many, many years with the Shiner album The Egg, so that is the main point of comparison I can use for Starless.  

In many ways, Starless could be considered the superior album, at least from my point of view.  I think that the songs are a little poppier in general.  The pace is also a littler faster across the board.   Both of these traits are the kinds of things I look for in a great album.  There's not a bad song on the record and the way the band blends their deep guitar growl with melodic vocals floating over top is a trait kind of unique to them.  

A lot of people compare Shiner to bands like Jawbox, and I certainly see that as a good starting point.  Jawbox tends to sound a bit angrier than Shiner and I feel that Shiner is the kind of band that will take a few more chances with their songs.  This leads to some interesting experimentation, but not going overboard to where this sounds like experimental music.  This is rock, make no bones about it.

At the end of the day, I probably like The Egg a bit more.  That has a lot to do with how much longer I've been listening to that album and some pretty fond memories attached to it.  Starless is just as strong of a record and as I said earlier, even exceeds The Egg at times.  Shiner is a sorely overlooked band that absolutely deserves more attention.  I can only thank my wife for having such excellent taste in music and showing me the way.

Shiner - Starless:

https://shinerkc.bandcamp.com/album/starless-2

Heavy Times - Dancer 7"

Randy (2016)

I was very appreciative to get a copy of the new Heavy Times 7" sent to me for review.  Another one of those cool instances where someone sends me a record by a band that I already like.  If you've read past reviews, you've seen that I consider Heavy Times an unlikely favorit, but what I always am drawn towards is the pop song hidden beneath their fuzz.

I can't possibly tell you what happened to Heavy Times on this 7".  They sound like a completely different band and not in a good way at all.  The 7" starts out with "Dancer," a bummer of a song that's further marred by unnecessary synth and a silly monotone vocal delivery.  What happened to the fuzz? What happened to the frantic guitar and the recorded in a cave howling?  Next up is "Midnight Highway" which sounds more like the Minibosses meets Warm Soda.  Again, not in a good way.  It's sterile in all the wrong ways and at the root of things it's just not a song that I think is particularly great.

The B side is better, but not a lot better. "Coptic Rot" is at least a little dirty and noisy, but again there's nothing catchy or deceptively catchy about the song.  It's kind of repetitious and plodding, not really going anywhere.  The best song on the record is the last one, "Edge of the Night."  But even being the best of this bunch isn't much.  It's still an unnaturally slow song and the vocals are, again, totally monotone and lacking any kind of urgency.  It's got a decently catchy lead guitar part worked through, but it would still probably be the low point on any other Heavy Times release.

As I said at the beginning, I have no idea what happened to these guys.  Maybe up too late at night watching Tron before this was recorded?  Hopefully this is a one time excursion for the band getting some weird songs out of their system, but if Heavy Times comes around with a new full length, I'm going to have to check out a few songs before I bling buy it.

Heavy Times - Dancer 7":

https://randyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dancer

Mrs. Magician - Bermuda LP - Green Vinyl

Swami (2016)

I have been waiting for this record for a very, very long time.  My expectations were set so unrealistically high, it would not have been difficult for Mrs. Magician to let me down with Bermuda.  Despite the fact that they were trying to follow up my favorite record of the past ten years, Mrs. Magician still knocked it out of the park and delivered an instant classic of a second album.

Sure, if pressed I'll say that I don't like this album as much as I like their prior, Strange Heaven.  But I also don't like Scream Dracula Scream as much as I like Circa: Now.  That doesn't mean Scream isn't a ridiculously amazing record, it just means Circa is one of those transcendent classics.  I feel similarly with the two Mrs. Magician albums.  I can't fathom a time in the future where I won't think Strange Heaven is one of the best album's I have ever heard in my entire life, but Bermuda is so, so great in its own right.

The album starts out with the blazing surfed up lead guitar of "Phantoms."  It immediately draws you in and gets you ready for the ride ahead.  After that it's just hit after hit of dark pop perfection.  One of the things I love about Mrs. Magician is how incredible the lyrics are and their ability to paint a picture in my head.  This ability is on display again on Bermuda.  Just fire up my favorite song on the album, "Tear Drops."  "Life sucks/Tough shit/You wanna get real/get used to it/whoa-whoa-oh-oh."  And then that sets the stage for the biggest hook on the album and maybe one of the most powerful choruses in the band's entire catalog.

To list off all of the great songs on this album you would essentially just have to reprint the tracklist.  I will give special mention to the closing three songs on the album as they are so unbelievably good it just makes me angry the album is over.  Let's also point out another batch of killer lyrics on "No More Tears."  "Gonna set my, my alarm clock/just to tell my boss to fuck off." Goddamn that's great stuff and Bermuda is just packed to the gills with genius like this.

Hands down, far and away, this is the best record I have heard so far in 2016.  I cannot possibly recommend it highly enough.  While I absolutely think Bermuda was worth the four year wait since Strange Heaven, these guys better not take that long again for album number three.  Also, don't break up again.  I'll freak out.  Lastly, I just saw Mrs. Magician this past weekend when they came through town.  They were beyond description and you are a fool if you don't see them if they play by you.  Go buy this record now.

Mrs. Magician - Bermuda:

https://mrsmagician.bandcamp.com/album/bermuda

Outtacontroller - Television Zombie LP - Test Pressing w/ Alternate Cover

P Trash / Young Modern / Southpaw (2015)

I've been doing this silly website for a long time now.  It has always been a way for me to catalog all of the records I buy and also stay in the habit of writing about music.  Not that I consider myself especially gifted when it comes to writing.  My vocabulary may not be the biggest, but I try my best to get the point across.  

Anything else that's come as a result of this site has been a bonus.  The occasion thank you from someone who bought a record because I said I liked it, the dude who sent me a Rocket From The Crypt slipmat for my record player and of course the smattering of free records I'm sent so that I will review them on this site.  Sure, some of them have been awful, but quite a few have been pretty darn good and I'm appreciative of them all.  

Then you have someone like Dan from Young Modern records.  He sends me a pretty big pack of some killer records from his label (reviews of those coming over the next few weeks) and on top of that, just to be a swell guy, he sends this Outtacontroller record to me to add to my collection.  I'm not sure he even expected me to write about it, but the jokes on you Dan!

This is a test pressing of last year's phenomenal Television Zombie LP.  You can go here to read my full review from last December.  In a nutshell, it's a beast of a record full of hooky, fuzzed out pop songs that should appeal to anyone that is into bands like The Marked Men, Steve Adamyk Band, Sonic Avenues or early Something Fierce.  Just a great, great album.  This version has the alternate P Trash screened artwork.  I used to buy a lot of P Trash exclusives, but them being in Germany and the crazy postage increases over the last few years kind of made that a much more limited occurrence.  Getting this version is a real treat.  

On top of that the actual piece of vinyl that is in here is one of the test pressings of the record.  I will admit that I'm not really a super big test pressing collector.  I mostly just have all of the PopKid ones and a few other random ones here and there, but it was really cool for Dan to send it over as I can't imagine there are more than ten or so of them on the planet.

So, this isn't really much of a review, it's mostly just telling you all about a new record I got to add to my collection and the story behind it.  Ultimately, that's what I always want this website to be about.  The day it turns into a straight ahead review factory is the day I'll lose interest in doing it.  Anyway, thanks to Dan for sending this record along.  It's a keeper!

Outtacontroller - Television Zombie LP:

https://outtacontroller.bandcamp.com/album/television-zombie

Greys - Outer Heaven LP - White Vinyl

Carpark (2016)

Outer Heaven is another one of those records that, on the surface, probably doesn't seem like it would appeal to me as much as it does.  I'm not even completely sure why I decided to take a chance on it.  Surely because of some reviews I read, but at the same point I do not know the defining characteristic that pushed me over the edge.

Regardless of the reason, I am glad I picked this up.  While it isn't an obvious choice or a slam dunk that I think everyone would like it, there are enough interesting moments on Outer Heaven to keep me coming back.  Buried in the chaotic guitar and occasional shouting are some pretty compelling pop songs.  The album starts off with the melodic and somewhat somber "Cruelty," but it's not really an indication of what is to come.  It almost seems there to put you off guard.  For me, the album really kicks off with "No Star."  It has a building verse with see saw vocals that explodes into a noisy, screaming, but somehow still quite catchy chorus.

The rest of the album follows suit, which an odd dichotomy between quite tender moments and full on freak outs.  In many ways it reminds me a lot of a mish mash of And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Silver Scooter and Tenement.  Greys is probably not the kind of band that you'll just hear and think that you should pick up a record by them.  But after a few listens everything they are doing starts to make more and more sense.  Outer Heavens has ended up as an album that I have really gotten some milage out of this year.  Absolutely worth checking out if you're in the mood for something a little different.

Greys - Outer Heaven:

https://greys.bandcamp.com/album/outer-heaven

Sun Of A Gun - Co-Pay 7"

Lo-Fi Supply (2016)

This was sent to me to review along with a couple of releases from Randy records (more on those coming soon).  It's always neat to me to get a record sent to me here and there from bands and labels that I already enjoy. I really dug Son of a Gun's LP on Tall Pat records and this 7" has four more songs from this Chicago based band.

If there is one thing Chicago seems to have a pretty decent supply of, it's great bands.  Not sure what is in the water, but if you like your rock sounding a little fuzzy, but with big hooks, Chicago is a town you may want to check out.  Especially if Son of a Gun is playing a show.  These guys harness the bygone era of trashy rock and roll, yet they always manage to sound fresh and exciting where other bands could easily fall in the trappings of being a glorified tribute band.

The four songs on this 7" are are natural progression from their last LP, with the two songs on the A side, "Co-Pay" and "All My Love" being a particular stand outs.  Maybe I don't love the slower, but still quite fuzzy, "Do No Right" as much as the rest, but in general this is a fun little 7".  Certainly worth picking up if you liked the album.

Son Of A Gun - Co-Pay 7" (Only two of the four songs are streaming right now for some reason) :

https://sonofagun.bandcamp.com/album/son-of-a-gun-ep

Advlts - Black Bile 7"

Toxic Pop (2016)

I wonder what band really started the thing where they replace the "u" in their name with a "v."  I feel like I've been seeing it a lot over the past few years and it always strikes me as weird.  That being said, I try not to judge bands too harshly on their name.  After all, I do own 4 Goober Patrol albums.

Advlts have managed to cram six songs onto this 7" with the longest one coming in at a tidy one minute and thirty-three seconds.  Usually when I see times like that, I tend to go running for the hills assuming it's going to be a hyper fast, shouting mess.  Amazingly, Advlts aren't like that at all.  The songs are short and I'd even go as far as to say they have a pretty quick tempo, but from there everything defies expectations.  

The guitars have quite a bit of restraint on them, eschewing crazy fuzzed chaos for a warmer, slightly jangly tone.  The vocals are urgent, but never screamed and maintain a level of melody that many bands trying this sort of thing would find difficult to pull off.  These songs mostly remind me of the sort of thing you'd find on a random 7" put out by Lookout in the late 80's or really early 90's.  I won't go so far as to say I love this and expect to play it constantly, but I did end up liking it quite a bit more than I expected.

Advults - Black Bile 7":

https://firestartertoxicpop.bandcamp.com/album/black-bile

Audacity - Hyper Vessels LP - Green Vinyl (/500)

Suicide Squeeze (2016)

Audacity's last album from 2013, Butter Knife, was one of those perfect storm records for me.  I had dug the band's prior album, but was totally blown away by Butter Knife and it was easily one of my favorite records of that year.  Fast forward through an excruciating three year wait and Audacity finally delivers the follow up, Hyper Vessels.

In some ways, this record is a bit of a disappointment for me.  I was hoping for more breezy pop perfection like the band was showing on Butter Knife.  Instead, this is much more similar to Audacity's 2012 album, Mellow Cruisers.  It's heavier on the garage sneer than it is on the big hooks.  That's certainly not to say there aren't catchy songs on this album.  Opening track "Counting The Days" will immediately dispel that notion, but in general things are a little faster and the vocals are a little snottier.

If anything, this kind of sounds like it would have been the perfect follow up to Mellow Cruisers.  If Hyper Vessels had been released right after Mellow Cruisers and then Butter Knife came after, it would seem like a logical progression.  Instead, Audacity feels like they're taking a slight step backwards.  Again, not that this isn't a good record, in fact it's a really good record, I'm just a little surprised with the direction Audacity took.

Audacity - Hyper Vessels:

https://audacityca.bandcamp.com/album/hyper-vessels