Comadre – Comadre

This year has started great music-wise. Comadre’s new self-titled LP is already a contender for the top 5 in 2013. The band previously released the Cold Rain 7″ single, which contained the song from the LP plus two b-sides. I was a bit sceptical back then but we all know that b-sides are mostly not that amazing.

The new LP comes with 12 songs. Basically, Comadre took their sort of unique sound that lies somewhere between screamo and punk and developped/expanded it.  The first two songs, Color Blind and and Cold Rain, are rather straight-forward and hint the band’s potential. By no later than the third song, King Worm, the record soaked me in completely – synths and postpunk-ish back vocals and overall a really cool vibe that reminded me of warm summer evenings. The vibe and keyboard sound continue on the fourth song, Summercide, and reveal the outright catchiness of Comadre’s sound. The Moon slows down the tempo dramatically. Drag Blood closes the first side of the record with a western-like feeling atmosphere created by trumpets, which, in my humble opinion, is one of the absolute highlights on this album.

The second side of the record starts with Must Be Nice. The song starts with a slow-tempo and spoken vocals and all of a sudden completely explodes and marks one of the heaviest passages on this LP. Storyteller brings back the post-punk feeling and very melodic riffs. Hack offers some beautiful synth melodies again. Untitled is a completely instrumental song and is very reminiscent of bands such as Explosions in the Sky. Binge, being the second last track, is another very straight-forward and catchy song. The closing track Date Night gives the record a solemn end by mixing almost all different sounds in one. All in all, Comadre’s latest output offers just about anything I have loved about their sound and shows how fun and catchy punk can be.

The record was released by Vitriol Records and was pressed on 180g clear vinyl. It comes in a thick gatefold sleeve and with a very nice 12×12″ booklet.

Adobe Homes – Piñata

The new year comes with resolutions in terms of this blog. I’ll try to update this more often, especially with posts about records that will be released in 2013.

The first release of 2013 that I’m going to review is Adobe Homes’ Piñata 9″. I know, technically this was unveiled on the internet last October, but pre-orders shipped in early January.

Adobe Homes is a four-piece screamo band from Alburquerque, New Mexico. The Piñata 9″ EP comes with 5 new songs, which prove that the band has evolved since the Ristra 10″ and the Beau Navire split 7″. The band knows how to change complexity and intensity during songs and creates an interesting and refreshing mix between harshness and beauty. Piñata will appeal to fans of Beau Navire and L’antietam.

The record was released by Dog Knights Productions, Bear Records, Bookhouse Records and Friendly Otter Records. Listen here.

The 9″ has a beautifully etched B-side (see 2nd picture) and comes in a folded sleeve. All the artwork was done by Juan Gabe of Comadre. There are two colorways: Black (80 copies) and tri-color (420 copies). I couldn’t help but ordering the tri-color version cause it looks very pretty and fits the artwork perfectly.

James Dean 7″

James Dean was a four-piece emo/screamo band from Newcastle, Australia. They released a s/t CDR and a 7″ and broke up in 2008.

This 7″ is stupidly limited, here’s the story:

This is a second version of the James Dean 7”. Just over 200 were pressed originally by Lawrence of Hey Presto!, 103 of these were released (the rest were planned to be part of a box set later on but this didn’t happen). Out of the remainder, 50 then got lost in the post, leaving 62 which is what this new version consists of.

This Euro press was made by Internationale Records (the release by Hey Presto has different artwork). It’s hand-numbered and mine is #62/62. I guess I got pretty lucky with that, eh? I don’t think they will show up that often… Two inserts in this one, of which one (the bottom one) is the press info that I posted above.

Beau Navire – Lumens

Here it finally is, the new Beau Navire 12″ called Lumens. I restrained myself from listening this on Bandcamp until I got my preorder in the mail. I’ve given it a few spins, it sounds really good as usual. However, I’m not quite sure if it can live up the Hours.

Lumens was put out by Moment of Collapse, React With Protest (both EU) and Inkblot Records (US). The record offers 10 new songs. Here’s the review by Moment of Collapse:

This record represents everything these 4 guys as a band stand for.”Lumens” will take you on a musically trip through the roughness of their demo recordings, the first hints of passionate melodies of their several split recordings, the intentness of the “Life Moves” 12 inch, the refinement of the “Hours” LP and last but not least their undisputed art to create something new without losing ground or forget their musical influences.

10 new songs falling into beautiful melodies, hectic, chaos, forward rocking tunes, pressure, well arranged interludes and a significant totally despaired voice. Playful and definite in the same moment. A masterpiece of today’s diy music-culture that should be noticed by everybody who fell in love with the mid 90′s and got goose bumps by bands such as Indian Summer, The Spirit Of Versailles and The Khayembii Communique.

The first and current press of this record comes on coke bottle clear w/ bone haze vinyl, or whatever you call this. Either way, I like its look. 1000 copies were pressed. Not pictured below is the record sleeve which has lyrics and liner notes printed on it.

Bâton Rouge

Bâton Rouge formed around 2 years ago in Lyon. All four members played in Daïtro. The sound is slightly different though; Bâton Rouge play melodic and rhythmic emotive hardcore in the vein of bands such as Moss Icon, Rites of Spring or Navio Forge.

The band released a 12″ called Fragments d’eux mêmes in 2011 on PurePainSugar. There’s not much to say about this one, other than it’s a really good record. First press was limited to 500 copies on red w/ smoke vinyl. Includes an insert.

Later in 2011, the band released the Amer b/w Contrepieds, contretemps 7″ on PurePainSugar in Europe and Bakery Outlet in the US. The band definitely got better on these two songs compared to the 12″. Pressed on clear red vinyl again, this record is limited to 500 copies. I love how the stamps are a part of the artwork.

Self Defense Family – Island Series: Iceland

Self Defense Family, formerly known as End of a Year, have put out the second part of the island series on Deathwish Inc. On their last Europe tour they recorded in the studio of Sigur Ros in Iceland. Self Immolation Family is on side A, World Virgins on side B.

Here’s the official review by Deathwish Inc.

“In both songs that make up this release, discordant melodies expand and contract around lackadaisical percussion, while Kindlon emotes and laments with true passion. There’s no question, Self Defense Family still wear their DC influence well, but now it’s tattered and torn; it’s taking on their own shape. Melodic and infectious, inspiring yet at the same time, uniquely depressing. These songs are soundtrack for the solemn grey area in all of our lives.”

A very simple but beautiful record. Standard single sleeve, lyrics printed on backside, white vinyl, 330 copies pressed.

Citizens Patrol – Retarded Nation 7″

Citizens Patrol is one of the best European bands imho. They’re from Holland and play straight forward hardcore punk in the vein of 80′s bands. The band released a demo, two EP’s, a split and a LP up to this point.

They have just released a new 7″ entitled Retarded Nation. The record was put out by the labels Spastic Fantastic, Too Circle, and Way Back When.

There was a special and limited mailorder version avaible at Spastic Fantastic’s shop which I ordered. It comes with in a silkscreened sleeve, has an additional extra cover, and is on clear vinyl limited to 100 copies. 5 new songs and a Seein’ Red cover.