mewithoutYou- I Never Said That I Was Brave

I Never Said That I Was Brave is the second release from the Philadelphia based experimental indie rock band mewithoutYou. The five song ep shows the band sounding incredibly raw and hard compared to their later releases. The music is more aggressive and singer Aaron Weiss screams, instead of his usual singing/speaking methods. Three of the songs on the ep were rerecorded and for later albums (two for [A to B] Life and one for Catch for Us the Foxes). To be completely honest, I prefer their later albums much more to this one (especially [A to B] Life). That's not to say this one isn't good, because it is, but it just doesn't compare to any of their full lengths. It's pretty interesting to see how far this band has progressed from album to album and it all started here. Their latest album It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All a Dream! It's Alright is amazing and highly recommended.

Link
Website
Track Listing:
1. I Never Said That I Was Brave
2. Flamethrower
3. Dying is Strange and Hard
4. We Know Who Our Enemies Are
5. Four Word Letter

Less Than Jake- Better Class of Losers

I feel like when I started this blog I was posting a lot of ska and for one reason or another I don't anymore, so this is for all of those fellow ska fans (way to stick with it). Anyways, Better Class of Losers is a Less Than Jake ep released on cassette in the very early days of the band (I couldn't find a date but 1994-ish). Also, some of the songs on the ep were rerecorded for the band's debut, the beloved Pezcore. The quality of the recording is pretty good considering it's a old cassette recording. The songs on the ep are amazing, old-school Less Than Jake. They're upbeat, aggressive, catchy, and most importantly have horn sections (I'm glaring at you In With the Out Crowd). Classic. Seriously. I used to listen to Losing Streak and Pezcore every day. I love this band and you should too.

Link
Website
Track Listing:
1. Liquor Store
2. Shotgun
3. Big
4. 24 Hours In Paramus
5. Down In the Mission
6. St. James Hotel

Paramore- Tour Preview Pack

I get why people don't like Paramore. Too poppy, too simple, and, yeah, some of their songs sound the same. But whatever, the way I see it is this: I'd much rather listen to a Paramore song than a Nickelback song (or Papa Roach or Hinder etc.). And while I do loath the song "Decode," pretty much all of their songs are incredibly catchy, with huge choruses, and lyrics people can relate to. Not to mention their drummer is a fucking monster (seriously, listen to "Let the Flames Begin" or "For A Pessimist.."). Basically I can see why other people don't like them, but it's hard for me not to. This is the "tour preview pack" for Paramore's upcoming tour with the Swellers and Paper Route. It only features one song from each band, which is a bummer but for all those art lovers, there's printable tour posters and all that jazz, as well as random coupons (one of them says $5 off fan club membership but I wasn't aware being in a fan club cost money... kind of a rip off). Anyway Paramore's track is the acoustic version of "Ignorance," the first singe off their new album and it sound pretty good. I was super excited when I heard the Swellers because they don't suck but they're recently signed to Fueled By Ramon (a label that probably hasn't signed a good band since they signed Paramore in, what, 2005?). They are a pop-punk band but not the nauseatingly over produced kind that we're used to. It's a little strange to see Paper Route on this bill but whatever, they're good.

Link
Website
Track Listing:
1. Paramore- "Ignorance (acoustic)"
2. The Swellers- "Fire Away"
3. Paper Route- "Gutter"

Portugal the Man- "Do You" Video

This video is weird, but I like it. Plus "Do You" is probably my favorite song off of The Satanic Satanist.

Andrew Jackson Jihad- Holey Man, Holy War + Issue Problems

Holey Man, Holy War is AJJ's first demo and all of its four songs were rerecorded for the band's next two demos, as well as their first full length Candy Cigarettes and Cap Guns. For a demo, the recordings sound pretty good, just more raw. It should also be noted that "Lady Killer" is one of my favorite AJJ songs. Issue Problems has several songs that were rerecorded for the amazing People That Can Eat People Are The Luckiest... as well as one or two from AJJ's split with Ghost Mice. These songs are great folk-punk with interesting/weird/witty lyrics and if you haven't gotten into this band yet, you're missing out. Their new album Can't Maintain just came out and it's awesome. Seriously, I know I say that about a lot of bands/artists but AJJ's new album is their best yet.

Myspace
Holey Man, Holy War:
1. My Father Didn't Love Me
2. Lady Killer
3. The Cigarette Song
4. Who Would Jesus Fuck Up

Issue Problems:
1. Brave As A Noun
2. Survival
3. Murderer
4. People
5. Randy's House
6. Power Plant

The Taxpayers- A Rhythm In the Cages

I was wondering around the Quote-Unquote Records website as I do and stumbled upon this gem. Apparently it was a part of their "Maximum Summer" deal where they posted a new album every week until labor day for free (obviously). Sure, not all of the albums were new but they were to QUQ and they're free so I'll let it slide. Anyways, The Taxpayers are a punk/folk band from Portland, Oregon and honestly when I first listened to this record I wasn't a huge fan. HOWEVER, after giving a second chance, I am thoroughly impressed. This band makes so much noise it's ridiculous and despite that they are still catchy (maybe not in the pop-punk sense that people are used to *cough*Fall Out Boy*cough*, but really who wants that anyways?). The Taxpayers do Latterman-Esq punk rock and Against Me!-Esq ballads. Their charm is in their imperfections. The bad quality recording, the singer's scratchy voice, and some sloppy playing; if the band didn't have any of that, there would be less keeping them from sounding like every other punk band, which they aren't. I especially like the band's lyrics. There's something about how simple they are that makes them great. I'm also a sucker for any song with lyrics that tell a story, and many of their do. I would highly recommend this band to anyone.

Link
Myspace
Track Listing:
1. Never Getting Warm
2. White Walls
3. This Building Is Falling Down
4. Dig Too Deep
5. No Lodging For The Mad
6. Needle's Eye
7. Militaristic Kitchen
8. Cuyuahoga Canal
9. Stealing Apples From The Man
10. Bike Cops
11. Montana
12. There Is Trouble

Brother Ali- "Us" + "Tight Rope"

Brother Ali's The Undisputed Truth is probably my favorite rap record of all time (though Atmosphere's God Loves Ugly is up there too). His new record, US, comes out on Tuesday but has already leaked. No, I'm not giving you the link to the album find it yourself or be a good person and buy it. Instead here are the links to two tracks on the album, one of which Rhymesayers has up for free, and the other one I upped. As far as the album goes I'm a little disappointed. It's definitely not as aggressive and The Undisputed Truth was but maybe it will grow on me. The tracks themselves are solid and the lyrics are great as usual. The album has a sort of retro, 1920s feel to it which is different but in a good way. I don't know, I'm still undecided.

Myspace

"Us"
"Tight Rope"

Portugal. the Man- Autumn Tour 2009 EP

This is the free sampler that PtM just posted on their website to celebrate their current tour with Drug Rug, Hockey, and Robert Francis (AND one incredibly random but equally awesome date with the Get Up Kids). The ep features two songs from each of the four bands, with the exception of Robert Francis who only has one song. The two songs by PtM are off of their latest album, The Satanic Satanist, and are some of my favorites on the record ("Do You" and "People Say"). I'd never heard of Hockey before this sampler but they sound pretty good. Sort of like a dancier, punkier version of the Strokes (that description didn't really do them justice but they're pretty good, trust me). Robert Francis is an indie/folk/singer-songwriter that has a retro feel to his music. Drug Rug has the most in common with PtM musically out of all of these bands/artists. They're sound is a more chill version of The Satanic Satanist with a lot more pot and lo-fi thrown into the mix.

Link
Track Listing:
1. Too Fake- Hockey
2. Wanna Be Black- Hockey
3. Do You- Portugal. The Man
4. People Say- Portugal. The Man
5. Nightfall- Robert Francis
6. Coffee In The Morning- Drug Rug
7. Never Tell- Drug Rug

Three Summers Strong- We Will Get There + If You Change...

Three Summers Strong is a kick-ass punk rock band from the UK who I've just recently discovered. Their songs are upbeat, with catchy anthemic choruses, and lyrics that are relatable and that are about things that matter (Think Latterman, The Riot Before, O Pioneers!!!, and The Gaslight Anthem (Sink or Swim era)). The band's demo, We Will Get There, is a collection of four acoustic songs, two of which were rerecorded for the band's ep, If You Change The Way You Look At Things, The Things You Look At Change. One of my favorite songs by the band (I know it may be a bit premature to say things like that but whatever, I do what I want) is also on WWGT, the Gaslight Anthem/Hot Water Music Esq "Let's Get This Song Airplay!" Three Summers Strong's most recent release is the aforementioned If You Change The Way... and it's a five song, full band recording. The ep is filled with uptempo punk rock that sounds like it's straight out of Gainesville. Highly recommended.

Myspace
We Will Get There (Demo):
1. We Don't Need No Introduction!
2. I Will Write
3. Let's Get This Song Airplay!
4. Sink Or Swim

If You Change The Way...:
1. Lovers, Sinners, Saints
2. Lock and Key
3. I Will Write
4. A Life Worth Waiting For?
5. Sink Or Swim

Paul Baribeau- Demo

Paul Baribeau writes thoughtful, raw, clever, and honest folk songs. Simple as that. His music always puts me in a good mood, even if I'm having the shittiest day I can listen to one of his albums and feel completely relieved of all my worries. I honestly don't know a lot about where this demo came from or when it was made, so sorry about that. The songs on the demo are simple, acoustic and incredibly catchy (classic Baribeau). If you like this, definitely pick up his debut self titled album as well as Grande Ledge (I prefer the self titled but both are amazing).

Link
Myspace
Track Listing:
1. If I Knew
2. Through the Wall
3. How Could That Be True
4. The Mall
5. Eight Letters
6. Sand Dollar

Gallows- Demo (2005) + more

Frank Carter from Gallows is one of the most badass front men in punk music today. Not only does he tear it up on stage, publicly mock "bands" like Brokencyde and Jeffree Starr but he's also a tatoo artist. He also could be one of the most badass gingers ever (I mean look at that). But enough about Frank, more about Gallows. For those who don't know, Gallows is a hardore/punk band from the UK whose debut album Orchestra of Wolves, is one of my favorite hardcore albums is a long time. This demo is from 2005 and is incredibly raw (yes, more raw than their studio albums). Unlike most demos, it's also listenable. Three of the five songs on the demo were rerecorded for Wolves and the other two are solid listens. I also uploaded a separate file of some b-sides from the Wolves era that are all pretty damn good.

Demo Link
Myspace
Track Listing:
1. Just Because You Sleep Next To Me
2. Abandon Ship
3. Will Someone Shoot That Fucking Snake
4. Swarm Over Death
5. The Ballad Of...

Wolves B-Sides + more:
1. If Credit's What Matters I'll Take Credit (Hot Snakes Cover)
2. Staring At The Rude Bois (Featuring Lethal Bizzle) (The Ruts Cover)
3. Nervous Breakdown (Black Flag Cover)
4. Black Heart Queen
5. Sick Of Feeling Sick
6. Wrathchild (Iron Maiden Cover)