Dance Gavin Dance

Acceptance Speech (2013)
Torrent 

Dance Gavin Dance has been through a multitude of line up changes and now they are back with a new clean vocalist (but don't worry Jon Mess is still on board, and still crazy). This album sticks true to the DGD genre, fun and heavy riffs, pulsating drums, catchy vocals and the insanity that is Jon Mess. The new vocalist certainly takes the cake for having the highest voice out of their past line ups, but I have learned to actually really enjoy it. Dance Gavin Dance just has such great lyrical flow you almost have to sing along if you know the words. My favorite song has got to be "Carve", especially the breakdown with the lyrics:

"That's my trope, and my sleight of hand
I'm about to predict the future
Any credit given will be swept under the rug
Or reduced to the fine print
I'm only silent when you're asking questions
The simple answer is "no I wasn't present""

But honestly every single song on this album is worth listening to and has its moment of "wow."

Native

Orthodox (2013)
Bandcamp 

Today is the day Native released their second full length album entitled Orthodox. This band easily makes it into my Top 10 favorite bands and I can't wait to fall in love with this album. They are going on a US tour with O' Brother soon to promote this album release. 
 

Langosta

Super Nature EP (2013)
Bandcamp

Well, langosta means lobster in Spanish, and we all know that lobster is a delicacy. This band is no different. This four song EP packs heat, name your price.

Shy Guy Says

Sucraphrenia (2011)

Bandcamp

For those of you still listening...

"Centered in Illinois, we've been playing music across the midwest since 2008. We like to throw ourselves in the "undefinable" genre category, although we've certainly been influenced by the region's historic DIY scene, as well as a long list of post-rock, shoegaze, ambient, and math-rock bands."

100%Chevalier

EP-IC (2013)
Bandcamp 

Spacey instrumental math/post rock from Strasbourg, France. They remind me a lot of Maserati with the occasional quirkiness of Battles.

The Slaughterhouse 5

Alan B. Clay (2013)
Bandcamp 


I will always be a sucker for some unique and interesting vocals. Very cool album, it kind of reminds me of Cursive at some points. Free download of a sixteen track album, can't complain there. Be sure to listen to "Light Bulbs", track 6.

Astrochasm

People Say I Look Like Jackie Chan (2013)
Bandcamp




Awesome single released by Los Angeles's Astrochasm. Female lead vocalist sounds great! I'm excited to hear more from them soon. They are looking to find a bassist as well.

Ninetails

Ghost Ride the Whip (2011)
Bandcamp 

Naomi

Naomi (2012)
Bandcamp

This is Naomi's debut release. They have a downtempo relaxed feeling, perfect for waking up to in the morning. Give them a listen, the fox is pretty cool too.

Coheed and Cambria

The Afterman: Ascension (2012)
Download 

This has been out for awhile but I'm just coming across it. Artwork is certainly intense, and from what I hear this is an improvement from their last album.

Hurricane Sandy Benefit EP

Hurricane Sandy Benefit EP (2012)
Bandcamp


"So many of our friends and families were directly affected by Hurricane Sandy, we felt we needed to do something to help out. Starting today you can pay-what-you-want & download an exclusive 5-song EP on Bandcamp with previously unreleased b-sides from Circa Survive and Psychic Babble (Colin's solo project), plus remixes of Anthony's solo songs "When I'm On Pills" (Stephen Clifford remix ft. Chris Weyh) and "Get Yours While You Can" (Psychic Babble remix), and an instrumental song by Brendan ... It's all in the family."





 Can't forget to mention another beautiful piece of artwork by Esao Andrews, it reminds me of Wind Waker.

Minus the Bear

Infinity Overhead (2012)
Zippy 

Minus the Bear's newest release Infinity Overhead. Excited to get to know this album, I want to be friends with it. Check out their older releases here.

Likes Lions

First the Head, Later the Tale (2012)
Bandcamp 

Sheffield based band Likes Lions has just released their second EP entitled First the Head, Later the Tale on September 10th, 2012. This band has been putting a lot of hard work into their music and deserve all the support they can get! They have really amplified their sound since the last EP, with many powerful melodies, striking chords, and pulsating beats, just to describe a few qualities of the band. Head over to their bandcamp page for a free download of ALL their music, what's not to like?

Check out the fourth track Rome, short and sweet beautiful acoustic picking with the wise words of Alan Watts to finish and roll into the next track.

Hello Jupiter

Do I Dare... (2012)
Bandcamp 


They said it better than I can:

 "The concepts behind this EP revolve around chance and uncertainty. Those moments in life, in which what is seemingly a wrong action, brings us to the right situations and the contrary; that slight hesitation we all endure before making a decision that seems would alter the course of where your life was going; the impending over-analysis that follows of abstaining from that decision and the dwelling on the "what if" factor, and the occasional self-loathing or regret that results consequently. The title "Do I Dare.." is a portrayal of that moment in which you're contemplating that decision."

Wot Gorilla?

Kebnekaise (2012)
Bandcamp

After a quick Google search I found that Kebnekaise is the name of the highest mountain in Sweden. Now that we got that little fact out of the way, Wot Gorilla? released their first full length album a matter of days ago. I am really excited to listen to this album after being thoroughly impressed by the earlier EP's. Wot Gorilla? is just one of those bands that really stand out as their own genre. The lead singer's voice is the perfect compliment to the complex use of tapping, time signature changes, and melodic breakdowns that seem to put a weight on your chest. This album really stands out on first listen and I'm sure this will soon grow to become one of my favorites.

Oh and hey Wot, nice job with the screams.

Circa Survive

Violent Waves (2012)
Zippyshare 
www.circasurvive.com 



"We must learn to be lost graciously."

The Velocity Raptors

I, Donna (2012)
Bandcamp 

The Velocity Raptors is an ambitious math rock/post rock band with an upbeat in your face feel. The instrumental's have a poppy punky twist that put a smile on my face at first listen. The music could be mistaken as the soundtrack to a cartoon, with its adventurous feel and dreamy loops. This two song EP is available on their bandcamp page, along with another former release. Don't be afraid to click the link!

The Early November

In Currents (2012)
Download 

I'm excited to give this a listen, I hope it can stand up next to their previous releases. It's been a long time since this band has written any material together so they may have changed quite a bit. 

Circa Survive - Suitcase

 Violent Waves (Aug 28th, 2012)

http://circasurvive.com/

And it's here, Circa Survive announces their fourth full length album will be released August 28th and a fall tour will follow. The first single entitled "Suitcase" is available for free on their official page. I have watched this band grow and am amazed at their persistent hard work, and they do it all for the fan. I'm proud to call myself a Circa fan and can't wait to hear the rest of the album.

The Early November

Room's Too Cold (2003)
Mediafire 

I'm happy to hear that this band is back together and writing a new album. One of my favorite bands from my early teen years. Never thought I'd ever get to see them play live but I actually got the chance just a few days ago and they sounded great, as if they had never really left. I'm trying hard to find a link for The Mother, The Mechanic, and The Path but it's not going to well, if I find it I'll throw it up here. Until the new album comes out you should follow this link to watch a trailer for the new album to be released in July 3rd, 2012, here.

It's never been harder to fall
There's nothing to grab and that's all I want to hold onto
Just another sweep and it'll be fine
But this carpet's got hills and I can't see this helping at all