busy busy

i have been extremely busy for weeks, and looks like that isn’t going to come to an end soon.  i will try to maybe update this blog with new reviews in the following weeks, but no guarantees, unfortunately.  i’m really looking forward to when i have some time to review such bands as black wine, sore subjects, anderson council, dowsing, etc.  maybe by august i’ll be able to get back to reviewing, but until then, you will just have to wait! haha

the boys club – every good boy does fine 7″

I’ve heard of this band for a while, but never checked them out.  This is their debut 7” which came out on Hang Up Records in February 2011, and it’s pretty damn good.  The Boys Club is from Long Island, NY and composed of Pat Jelly on guitar and vox, Noah WK on bass, Shawn Moran on guitar, and Ace of Clubs on drums.  It has a definite feeling of modernized rock with hints of doo-wop.  A pretty interesting combination and one that I would love to see more of from bands.  The first song, “Alone In My Principles,” is just plain fun with shimmery guitars and upbeat drumming.  A great cruising song for summer!  Next up is “Barracuda”, a bouncy song with a catchy chorus.  I absolutely love the doo-wop backing vocals!  Then we hit a slower jam, “Ben Franklin.”  I really enjoy the vocals in this one.  The singer has just enough gruffness in his voice for me, and again, we get hit with some doo-wop backing vocals.  I cannot stress enough how much I love doo-wop vocals.  Thanks for using them guys!  “J Rise” ends the 7”.  This is probably my least favorite song I’ve heard.  It doesn’t grab me like the others, but it isn’t a terrible song.  It’s just not as memorable.  Overall, it is a solid showing for a first 7”.  Good job guys!  If you would like to check this band out, you can go here:   http://theboysclub.bandcamp.com

Mister Snake – S/T

Besides having a great name, Mister Snake brings heavy rock mixed with  bits of psych. This Jersey Shore band is composed of duel basses and drums that give it a very bottom heavy, neurotic sound. It’s like wading through a river of sludge for your ears. The album starts off on a dark note with songs like “Gutbucket”, “Teeeth”, and “Idle Time”. “Teeeth” is a tune that makes you feel like your spinning further and further out of control and closer to insanity. The album proceeds with “Angels”, “Crip Hop”, and “Pyrexia”. “Angels” is sort of a mellow song with a catchy guitar riff and strong melody, and definitely one of my favorites on the album. Finally the album ends with “GOD/My Life”. The longest tune on the album composed of 2 songs back to back. I was told this was in tribute to Black Sabbath, which you can’t go wrong with. I hear a lot of “Bleach” era Nirvana in these songs. The screechy vocals mixed with the sweet bass riffs give this album just the right amount of angst and urgency I am looking for. I would definitely put this on if I was in a shitty mood and wanted to let out my aggressions.  I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this band.  The release date of their tape is unknown to me, but I’m sure it will be out soon.  If you would like to check this band out, please visit http://www.myspace.com/mistersnakenj.