Sic Transit Gloria...

Bob Dylan was famous for changing around his lyrics to his songs when he played them live. I love that Andy Hull does the same thing on this take of “Sleeper 1972”.

Two summers ago, Third Eye Blind released “Ursa Major” which, to my surprise. was brilliant. I didn’t think they could come out with anything that would compare to their chart topping hits like “How’s It Going To Be” or “Semi-Charmed Life”, but “Water Landing” is hands down the best Third Eye Blind I’ve heard. While I was doing an internship at Duke University in August of 2009, my only company was TEB’s new record and “Water Landing” must have been played over a hundred times as I would drive to nowhere only to cure my lonesome and boredom. But at least no one could hear me belt these lyrics…

The first time I heard Sherwood was about five years ago when they opened up for Motion City Soundtrack. They were absolutely awesome live and it was such a fun time. They’re a great, poppy sounding band with tremendous lasting value. Once their in your head it’s hard to get them out. Here’s “Middle Of The Night”. 

Aer is a band that just hit the scene. My RA on my dorm manages them and he pointed them out to me. In order to make it as musicians today you have to have a different sound, and Aer has that. The track is called “Water On The Moon”. It takes a little for the song to start so be patient.

I’m really loving this record. The Dangerous Summer have that different sound that I’m always looking for. The high and low guitar riffs accompanied by pounding drums all on top of brilliant lyrics will make for a great track, and “Weathered” has all of it. “Reach for the Sun” is quickly climbing my favorite albums list and I’m curious to see where it ends up.

Gotta represent the ‘cuse. Honor Bright are a pop/punk band from Syracuse who I recently have take a strong interest in. “Sleepless In Syracuse” has a misleading intro of electric drums which sound kind of like an Attack! Attack! song, but it immediately switches to an old All Time Low feel. The album is “Action! Drama! Suspense!” and I strongly recommend it. Pretty cool to hear a ‘cuse-born band.

Ace Enders is a tremendous song writer and the short “My Hands Hurt” is a calming, down-and-out track. I prefer Ace’s solo work (I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business) to his band The Early November because I think he has a much better feel and sound by himself. The album is “The World We Know” and once you start it you won’t be able to put something else on. 

The music career of Thrice reminds me a lot of Brand New. “The Artist In The Ambulance”, just like “The Quiet Things…”, was a huge emo hit for Thrice early on, but it was clear the band didn’t want to continue down that path. The album “Beggars” is an eruption of musical talent and brilliance by every member. “Beggars” is Thrice’s “Daisy” in the sense that it strays away from their previous perceptions, but it’s much better than anything they’ve ever done. “In Exile”, along with many others, is a standout track that shows creativity and great production. Listen deep to Thrice. 

Lydia is a band I’m very late on. I’ve seen their name many times before, but didn’t bother checking them out until last week when I discovered the late record, “Illuminate”. What jumps out at me about Lydia is the fact that I don’t mind the backing female vocals because they just add to the whole bands ambiance of slow, calming, relaxing music. Being somewhat of a pianist, the intro to the title track “This Is Twice Now” caught me immediately and the with every preceding song I was dragged in a bit further. This is a band that should not go unnoticed in your music library. If you like “This Is Twice Now”, you’ll love the record.

I love “Smile Like You Mean It” by the Killers because it’s been such a good song when I’m down. But, the Vitamin String Quartet just makes it so much better. It may sound more sorrowful, but come on, how good is this? Spectacular song when you or someone you know needs a smile on a shitty day

Max Bemis and The Painful Splits is Max Bemis’s solo project that he started. The self titled cd’s are only available on the Say Anything/Motion City Soundtrack tour (which I’m going to), but the album leaked and I picked it up there. I love anything Max Bemis does so I was pumped to here this. It’s simple acoustic and electric guitar music that sounds like quiet Say Anything songs. Here’s “Do The Dohnk”. 

Heres the title track for Senses Fail’s new album, “The Fire”. A great jam with a really catchy chorus that reminds me of old Senses Fail. While the album has its ups and downs, and probably won’t get spectacular reviews, this track definitely shows Senses Fail’s good side. 

Tomorrow, the debut self-titled album from Bad Books will be released, but their album leaked last night. If you haven’t heard about Bad Books, its a side project that consists of Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine. The album, despite getting only an 85% rating on absolutepunk.net, is phenomenal. “Please Move” is a spooky song that sounds like a typical Manchester tune, but Devine’s vocals are a great addition. Check this band out before anything else.

P.S. Bayside’s new album “Killing Time” will be released on February 22nd, but they have released a single and the track listing. Check it out here: http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1967572

Another rainy day in Syracuse… “Killing Monsters In the Rain” by Steel Train.

Last night, during my writing class, Buddy Nielsen, lead singer of Senses Fail, was answering questions on absolutepunk.net. I asked him, “What’s a band that will blow my mind away?” His response was Man Overboard, a band I got into a couple months ago. While I was a little disappointed he didn’t give me a new band, he was absolutely right. Man Overboard is a fantastic emo/pop-punk band with short, fast songs, hooky lyrics and verses, and catchy breakdowns. “Parting Gift” is off of “Real Talk”. Thanks Buddy.