Hot Snakes - 'Six Wave Hold-Down'

ALTERNATIVE ROCK

Drive me. The song title and album art supports the surfing imagery felt by the guitars and non-stop music drive.

But this isn't surf rock. It's darker. The toms are full and rhythmic. The vocalist's strained yells remind me of Dave Grohl's raspy energy. 

I have this song on a running playlist because of it's constant energy. There is some space in the pre-chorus that leaves room to breathe. 

from Jericho Sirens. By Sub Pop Records. 2018.

Sad Park - | SLEEP |

GARAGE ROCK

Here's more proof that jarring yells can be charming. SLEEP is recorded to help flaunt the highlights from Sad Park's live shows. 

The vocalist Graham Steele roars sincere emotion powerful enough to melt into your skin. The introductory energetic track "IN MY HEAD" encapsulates the band's tone. But don't be fooled by the excessive amp noise. This album is layered with much more than that.

The album dynamics contrast with the second track "TRAGICALLY YOUNG", slower song with beautiful sincere lyrics about mortality.

"When my life has reached it's end 

I'll be helping all my friends 

to love me just the same"

The drummer Grant Bubar keeps the album interesting by implementing other drum styles like in the Bossa-Nova-influenced track "GOODNIGHT". The guitars also follow these style changes.

There are plenty of vocal lines to sing along to like:

"I just want to feel like I did 

back before I had a reason to pretend I didn't want to stay all fucking night"

Or

"You get so dumb when you're in love"

My favorite track? "ALONE". I'm a sucker for these drums and lyrics. I wish this were mastered loud enough to blast even louder.

2018. 

FIDLAR - 'Alcohol'

ALTERNATIVE PUNK ROCK

Need a theme song for your lit weekends? The gritty vocals and messy guitar tones perfectly shape the rebellious and candid demeanor of not only the song but of the band. 

First off, the introduction to the chorus's dynamics electrified my expectations about the song and album. While the song is driven by the fuzzy tones, it takes an airy, half-time break after the guitar solo.

I love FIDLAR''s 2015 album Too. This song presents new fun percussion instruments - like the wooden scraper panned to the left during the chorus - that I hope their new album will continue to use. 

Mom + Pop. 2018.

The Ladyfingers - | GET NERVOUS! |

GARAGE ROCK

"No, you can't relate". Yet relatable, The Ladyfingers! If you need to confess your love or  if you feel alone, this EP overflows with youth's energy expressed in distorted guitars and snappy drums that can help.

There are elements in each track that sound like pop punk elements - like the vocal style in "Beach Cloth" or the guitar tones in "Bedroom Floor". 

While listening to "Bedroom Floor", I noticed that if the vocals cut through the mix a bit more and if the mastered tracks were more compressed, I'd say it'd come sonically close to Blink-182s "All The Small Things". The drums and bass as a rhythm section are mixed very well, by the way.

There are sweet bells in tracks that provide a contrast to the distorted guitars and fierce vocals. I have to admit that using fun percussion like bells helps this garage rock band stand out amongst other garage rock bands. 

The vocals in "Get Nervous" release furious sincerities that most people tip-toe around. 

"And I get nervous when I'm standing next to you

Don't know what the fuck to say or what to do 

I get paranoid just trying to make a move

I get nervous when I'm standing next to you"

Really, the whole EP revolves around the confessions we all think in our head when we are crushing hard on a special someone.

2018.