Ah, the many shades of pop/punk. This split between NY’s Red And Blue and MIchigan’s Traffic & Weather is a perfect example of the broad brush of this genre.

Red And Blue are up first. These six songs were recorded by the illustrious Phil Douglas of Latterman. Red And Blue are occupying the more geeky side of pop/punk. Lyrically, the boys are singing about the day to day monotony of life and the restlessness that comes along with that feeling. Red And Blue are sloppy, pop punk fun…nothing more, nothing less.

From the ashes of The Gibbons comes Traffic & Weather. The Gibbons were an absolutely fantastic punk band much in the mold of Jawbreaker and The Lawrence Arms. Traffic & Weather, while perhaps being a bit more dynamic than The Gibbons, are still occupying the same sonic territory. This is pissed off melodic pop-punk with razor sharp lyrics and vocals.

Like a tour through the unending reaches of pop/punk, this split showcases two bands playing a well worn style with power, affection and their own signature. Well done on both sides.

Genre: Pop/Punk

RIYL: The Gibbons, The Lawrence Arms, Halo Fauna

Label: Los Diaper Records/Mandible Records

www.myspace.com/imfromkingston

www.myspace.com/trafficandweather

Yet another red hot Brainworms split 7-inch. This one adds a little more variety as melodic pop/punkers Dynamite Arrows occupy the other side. I am loving what Dynamite Arrows are shelling out. I can not really think of a comparison which is pretty amazing considering how much pop punk seemingly recycles the same shit over and over. Catchy but with plenty of balls to back it up. No gruffness here, the band has more of the smooth vocal styling. These two songs are great and I’ll be picking up the band’s newest 7″ very soon.

The Brainworms songs here have a bit more immediacy than the two on the band’s split with The Catalyst. Especially lead track, “Not Heavy Just Awkward”, which shows off the lead singer’s crazy range and delivery. “Biggy, Shorty, Fatty and Friends” continues along the same path and might be the band’s catchiest song yet. Lyrically, the song is a fucking riot as the tongue and cheek rant about scene stereotypes is enough to make even the most jaded veterans crack a smile. With the closing lyric of How many men does it take to screw in a light bulb? One, if he’s not a fucking moron!, how could you not love this band? Ah, Brainworms, winning the scene over, one cynical asshole at a time.

Genre: Punk/Pop/Hardcore

RIYL: Pop Punk/Punk Rock

Label: Rorschach

www.myspace.com/brainwormsrva

www.myspace.com/dynamitearrows

A split between a Canadian and a UK band might sound like an odd combo at first but these two bands fit together rather well. Windsor, Ontario’s Orphan Choir start things off on Side A with two songs. “Groundbreaking Ceremony” is a fast paced track with vocals that instantly bring to mind Tom Gabel of Against Me. The song is more varied than your normal Against Me! track, most notably with a heavier guitar sound. It is a great track that starts this 7″ off on a definite high note. The band follows that up with a nicely done acoustic number called “Cross Your Fingers” which thankfully never crosses over into the redundant folk/punk territory.

Now we move over to Side B where UK’s The Amistad clock in. The band makes it clear rather quickly who the winner of this split will be. This is some great rip-roaring, dual-vocals pop/punk rock! The band reminds me of Dillinger Four but they are a little more straight forward in their approach. “The Only Living Boy In Banner Cross” has the lyric, And the last time I felt fully human, there was an old Broadways song on my walkman, and I’m done. The band has already won me over with that. Lyrically, The Amistad are wordy but in an awesome way much like the aforementioned Dillinger Four. The second track, “So This Is Where The Fun Times End And The Male Pattern Baldness Sets In” has a great Latterman feel to it with it’s unbridled youthful energy. If these two songs are any indication whatsoever, The Amistad are a band to watch very closely. Definitely recommended!

Genre: Punk/Rock

RIYL: Latterman, The Broadways, Dillinger Four

Label: Records Or It Didn’t Happen/Document

www.myspace.com/orphanchoir

www.myspace.com/theamistadband

This is my first introduction to Richmond, VA’s Brainworms after hearing many accolades rained down upon the band. I must say that while I am not floored by what I hear,  I can certainly understand what the fuss is about. It is refreshing to hear a band that seems to be following no trends or genres whatsoever. Brainworms plays arty punk/emo/hardcore that lacks the pretension one might expect. The vocals are screamy and the lyrics are hard to decipher. Really, this should be a trainwreck. However, the band adds a touch of melody here and there that give the songs more character. It results in some damn catchy punk rock tunes.

The Catalyst I have heard before and their sound continues to be as filthy and raw as I remember. The first  two songs here are noticeably more raging if that is even possible. Much like their last record, The Catalyst throw in a fantastic instrumental number that sounds completely out of place. Perhaps that is the band’s purpose but “Song Without Words” provides a brilliant ending to a split that barrels the listener right over.

Genre: Punk/Hardcore

RIYL: Punk Rock

Label: Rorschach

www.myspace.com/thecatalyst

www.myspace.com/brainwormsrva

Full disclosure: I do PR for Cheap Girls so I’m not even going to attempt to review this as my words will just ring hollow. I will just say that Find Me A Drink Home will no doubt be in my top ten at the end of the year and fans of Smoking Popes and The Lemonheads will fall head-over-heels in love with Cheap Girls.

For a more thorough review of Find Me A Drink Home please go visit Dryvetyme Onlyne and read a fantastic piece by my buddy Adam. I could not have said it any better. And I mean that, Adam is a much better writer than I could ever imagine.

You can download the album in its entirety for FREE right here.

If you dig it, please throw a few bucks the band’s way or better yet order a copy of the CD or Vinyl.

Genre: Power Pop/Rock

RIYL: Smoking Popes, The Lemonheads, Buffalo Tom

Label: Bermuda Mohawk/Quote Unquote/ Los Diaper

No One To Blame

Kind Of On Purpose

www.myspace.com/cheapgirls

Genre: Indie/Rock/Pop

RIYL: Smoking Popes, Lemuria, Little Brazil

Label: Whoa Oh

Problems, Formerly Pleasures

www.myspace.com/tinarmor

The Gaslight Anthem have skyrocketed from obscurity to being one of my favorite bands (and isn’t that what it’s all about?). Sink or Swim was one of my favorite albums of 2007 and my love for the band only increased after seeing them live twice last year. The band returns with a 2×7″ and four new songs right on the heels of the band signing to Side One Dummy. First off, the packaging is tremendous here. Was it necessary for just four songs? No, but a gatefold 2×7″ with red colored vinyl is just too damn cool.

The ascension of The Gaslight Anthem has astounded everybody (including the band) but it certainly is well-deserved. If Sink Or Swim didn’t convince you maybe four more great americana-laced punk rock tunes will sway you. Señor and the Queen picks up exactly where the band’s tremendous debut album left off. Only problem is that it’s too damn short. Four songs? I want so much more! If you have been around here for a while you might remember my ill-fated blog, Jeans And A White Tee (that still lives on, in my head at least). So, obviously, the closer here, entitled “Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts” is a definite favorite of mine. Wild hearts, blue jeans & white tee shirts! God, I love this band.

Genre: Punk/Rock/Americana

RIYL: Jawbreaker, Leatherface, Lucero

Label: Sabot

Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts

www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem

Thank God/Tigershark “Split 10-Inch” (Perpetual Motion Machine/Molsook/Tick Tock)

Thank God are prolific if nothing else. The band has released a split LP, a split 7-inch and two split 10-inches within the last year. Thankfully though there is an awful lot of substance to what the band is doing. Thank God have quickly become one of the best chaotic hardcore bands in the US. I say this not because the band hails from my hometown of Columbia, SC, but because I believe it. The instrumental “I Will Die In Paris” starts Thank God’s side of this 10-inch split off. It sets a quiet, ominous stage for the musical massacres yet to come. “That Crazy Mouse Is Cool” and “Wasting My Breath” showcase the depth of Thank God’s genius. The sickly vocals are mixed with crushing screams, only to be ravaged by a mountain of guitar feedback and swirling drums. Seriously, this band continues to grow at astonishing rates and I can not wait to hear what they do next.

Tigershark hail from Richmond, VA and close out the opposite side of this 10-inch record. The band is more mathy than chaotic. With more of a guttural growl instead of screams, Tigershark rumble through three impressive songs themselves. The slow paced closer “The..I..Um..We..Uhh… ” is the winner here as the diverse musical backdrops and whispered vocals weave slowly through each other ever so cleverly. Unfortunately, due to the tragic death of their drummer, this is the last release by the band. But, they leave their mark with quite a powerful, moving statement.

Genre: Punk/Screamo/Hardcore

RIYL: Shut up and buy a record player!

www.myspace.com/thnkgod

www.myspace.com/tigersharkrva

Title Fight “Kingston” (Flightplan/Attic)

Under the band’s influences on Myspace, Title Fight have the following description: pool parties, skateboards, summertime, girls, long hair, and not listening to our parents. If the band’s music didn’t already have me hooked, their influences sure do. Title Fight arrive at the most appropriate time. On the brink of spring, the band offers up three pulsating blasts of unadulterated pop/punk rock. This is the kind of stuff that breeds pop punk summers right here folks. Title Fight are perfect for cruising around with the windows down and the sun beaming in. No doubt Kingston is sporting that “we were raised on hardcore but we love pop punk” vibe. And for such a young band they carry these songs with such poise. Melodies are plentiful but never overpower the band’s muscle like so many other pop/punk bands today. The band instantly reminds one of the glorious early material of Saves The Day or even Set Your Goals minus the insane treks into hardcore breakdown territory. In less than eight minutes time, Title Fight jump in and then get the hell out. Kingston is more than enough to leave quite the impression.

Genre: Pop/Punk/Rock

RIYL: Set Your Goals, Saves The Day, Lifetime

(All songs are available for streaming on the band’s Myspace page below.)

www.myspace.com/titlefight

Life At These Speeds/Thank God “Split 7-Inch” (Exotic Fever/Tick Tock)

Unfortunately, instead of just being a sick split 7-inch between two exciting bands, this record will probably be looked at as the final recordings for Portland’s Life At These Speeds. Though, if there is a silver lining here it shows up quite well on Thank God’s side of the record. With every great band that dies, there are others poised to take their place. While more chaotic in nature than LATS, South Carolina’s Thank God are no less affecting. “Ahh The Magical 90’s” might just be the band’s masterpiece thus far. With squealing horns and a massive two-minute instrumental build the track teeters on the edge before the vocals come crashing in. “Lay Down Lula” shows the incredible balance between melody and chaos that Thank God are able to sustain. Thank God continue to prove they are a force to be reckoned with in the underground.

On to the finale. With their first recordings since 2006’s amazing To Your Health, Life At These Speeds continues with a brooding passion. “Younger Monkey” echoes the band’s noticeable DC influences even more but with a remarkable precision. The song weaves so sharply through melodic fields and sets the stage for “Older Eagle.” Woven into the fabric of “Older Eagle” is a spoken word piece that beautifully accentuates the band’s harsher tones. These two songs leave the listener craving more only to know that this is the end for the band. Sad indeed. But an admirable ending to an amazing band.

Genre: Punk/Screamo/Hardcore

RIYL: Shut up and buy a record player!

www.myspace.com/lifeatthesespeedspdx

www.myspace.com/thnkgod