Capital - Givers Takers

Capital - Givers Takers
Label: Revelation/Iron Pier/Communique Records

Location: Long Island, New York

Capital is:

Rob McCallister

Chris Nolte
Joey Saccente
Duncan MacDougal
Tommy Corrigan

 I remember the first time I heard this band was in 2007 when I received a free compilation CD at a hardcore show I was in attendance at. The track "Dead Children" was on  said sampler. I remember paying very close attention to the lyrical content in this song and being in absolute awe. So well constructed, powerful, to the point and intense. I picked up their Homefront album shortly following hearing this and was not disappointed . I was wondering what the state of this band was for some time. I recall attempting to book them at least twice, but I guess given the structure of their personal lives they don't have the privilege to play out as much as they like. bummer. Their latest effort sounds less abrasive than their last album. In the mix is also some clever comical value for giggles. The track Road Rash has a prank phone call where a particular member pretends to be in a tough guy band from NJ called T.U.F.F. (Tools Used For Fighting). Too hilarious. At times, this reminds me of Propaghandi, which I'm ok with along with smidgens of harder riffs akin to what most would expect to come out of the NYC region. There's a great deal more pop punk sensibilities in this album which I was offput by upon first listen, but it's growing on me. Everything else is still there from what I've heard, cathartic, politically conscious, and angsty lyrics. Though their sound has a bit of a different twang on this album, it's still Capital through and through.  I believe they are still offering this album for free download as well. I can only hope that some point this band makes its way up here sometime soon because I've been itching to see them for a long time now and I'm too fucking poor to make a trek to LI or NYC anytime soon.

TRACK LISTING

1. Green (With Envy)
2. Road Rash
3. I Am Anonymous
4. Youth Culture
5. Southern Air
6. Kennel
7. Three Weeks In The Desert
8. Conspiracy Theories
9. Little Pill
10. Cold And Gray
11. Grifters
12. Bog Road

Most Precious Blood - Do Not Resuscitate

Most Precious Blood - Do Not Resuscitate
Location: Brooklyn, New York

Label: Bullet Tooth Records

Most Precious Blood is:

Rob Fusco - Vocals
Justin Brannan - Guitar
Rachel Rosen - Guitar
Colin - Drums
Matty Miller - Bass

I didn't even think this band was still in existence until I saw that they were playing a show in Albany, much less releasing new music. This band has always been hit or miss for me, so I was skeptical when my friend Mike sent me this stuff. I really need to get out of the habit of not giving bands a chance, because this record slays. The first track has violin and an audio clip which gives off a not so serene feel right from the get go. From there it is an all out auditory assault with the occasional breaks of melody. If you find yourself running out of furniture to smash to this and are nervous, don't worry. The title track Of Scattered Ants That Swarm Together is completely acoustic and will give you time to clean up the disaster you made. This track shows how much Robs vocals have improved over the years even with being out of the game for awhile (again, you heard me right, I said acoustic). The guitar work is what I found to be most shocking about this album. It's phenomenal. You really do get it all in this album, and all without sounding like a shitty pseudo hardcore crockpot. Sweeps, solos, and the same hard riffs we've grown to anticipate from MPB. This album seems to take a page from the 90's predecessors as well. With lyrics and sections of tracks mimicking One King Down, Strife, and dare I say without ruffling some feathers, Indecision.  I'm glad I decided not to be an old prick about listening to this. this puts a lot of NYHC style hype bands to absolute shame. Hard, pissed, melodic, and worthy of hitting that pit, be it in your living room or at a show you're fortunate enough to catch them at.

TRACK LISTING


01. A Danger To Myself And Others
02. Shut The Fuck Up, Jailbreak
03. Meth Mites
04. Blame It On Altered Beast
05. Stuart Is A Dead Man Walking
06. Upstate Ghost
07. Enthusiastic Eugenicist
08. Functional Autist
09. Graveyard Postcards
10. Of Scattered Ants That Swarm Together
11. Animal Mother
12. Do Not Resuscitate 

Make Do And Mend - End Measured Mile

Make Do And Mend - End Measured Mile
Location: Hartford, CT

Label: Panic Records

Make Do And Mend is:
Mike O. - Guitar
James C. - Guitar/Vocals
Mikey P. - Bass
Matt C. - Drums

I recall seeing this band with Disembodied a little over a year ago in Syracuse. To be honest, I wasn't that impressed. I enjoyed the recordings I heard a great deal, but I thought their performance that night was lackluster and boring. About 2 months following that date I decided to book them with my friend Heidi along with Hostage Calm out of a simple desire to bring shows to my area regardless of how I felt about all of the bands involved musically. That show had maybe 30 kids in attendance, and they ripped the fucking roof off the place. It was like seeing a different band that night. Seeing how much emotion and energy their guitarist/singer (James) put into that set gave me chills. Both of their EP's are in constant rotation as well as their split with Touche Amore.

On their first full length and latest effort, you can expect many of the same elements that have aided in honing them a name in the hardcore/punk scene along with some new twists. Sure, the catchy hooks and melodies are still there as well as the leads and riffs that almost seem to encompass their own mood, if that makes any sense. The vocal range is the first noticeable element of this record. For some reason, James reminds me of the singer of Stabbing Westward at certain parts of the record. I'm not sure if it's just my sick obsession with the 90's distorted my auditory perception or whether or not anyone else picks up on it, but I dig it...a lot. The first track titled Unknowingly Strong to me reads like it should've been the ying to the yang that is their song Shambles on their Bodies Of Water EP. Offering an alternative perspective on hardships, pain and a message to keep wading through shit until you find solid ground.  "So you can lock yourself away. Give up, forget, go back to sleep. Or you can realize there is so much more to life than yesterday." The writing seems to be much more well thought out on this record. At times certain parts of songs like Transparent Seas mimic early 90's alternative rock bands. I can see this possibly being a groundwork record for branching away from the sonic cooking pot fans have grown to expect from them and blossoming into a more mature sound. Though some friends and fans seemed to be let down my this record, I can say for certain I was not one of them. Maybe when they get the wax out of their ears, they can learn to appreciate just how much this album has to offer.

TRACK LISTING

1. Unknowingly Strong
2. Oak Square
3. Ghostal
4. Transparent Seas
5. For a Dreamer
6. Stand Stagger
7. Keep This
8. Thanks
9. Firewater
10. Night’s The Only Time of Day

Lemuria - Pebble

Lemuria - Pebble
Location: Buffalo, New York
Label: Bridge 9 Records

Lemuria is: 

Sheena Ozzella - Guitar/vocals
Alex Kern - Drums/vocals
Max Gregor - Bass

I really didn't know what to think of this album the first time I listened to it. I heard it was going to be a lot different from their previous work. It definitely encompasses more of an indie pop rock-ish sound in comparison to anything else they've done. The lyrics are incredibly powerful. One of the things I've admired about this band from the moment I started listening to them is their lyrics. The topics that Sheena and Alex write about are admirable, courageous and dare I say, adorable sometimes? In this album they spare no remedy in those regards. In the title track Different Girls, Alex writes of what it's like to be away from your partner for long periods of time (they do tour a lot!) and the scenarios that can be created in the heads of separated lovers fictionally. After numerous listens that followed I think this is their most intelligently constructed record. It's not what most fans can expect and I don't think it's meant to be either. I mean that in the best way possible, this CD rules. I highly suggest picking this up, it's hands down their best work to date.

TRACK LISTING

1. Gravity
2. Wise People
3. Pleaser
4. Yellowstone Lady
5. Irregular
6. Ribcage
7. Different Girls
8. Bloomer
9. Durian
10. Chautauqua County
11. The One