Tag Archives: band
Track(s) of the Day Tuesday: COLUMBUS Raindrop and BALANCE AND COMPOSURE Reflection
December 6, 2016 by ERIK'S ALBUM REVIEWS	tagged album, album review, alternative rock, australia, band, bandcamp, blink-182, cassette, columbus, downsides of being honest, home remedy, john floreani, lost tape collective, music, music sharing, music streaming, music video, new, new album, new music, pennsylvania, pop punk, pop rock, raindrop, reflection, separation, spring forever, the things we think we're missing, track of the day, track of the day tuesday, trophy eyes, vinyl	| Leave a comment
Last week I totally forgot to write a post for Track of the Day Tuesday so, like what I've done in previous weeks where I missed a post for Track of the Day Tuesday, I've decided to discuss two songs that you absolutely need to check out today. These tracks are Balance and Composure's "Reflection" and Columbus' "Raindrop". These two bands have made a significant impact in the pop punk/alternative rock genres and are slowly becoming some of my favorite acts in the punk and rock scenes, despite the fact that I just started listening to these bands this year. Columbus and Balance and Composure have multiple prominent differences in their music that makes them extremely distinct from one another, but what they do have in common is phenomenal material that I guarantee you will definitely enjoy.
Balance and Composure is one of those artists that I have heard a lot about over the years but have slept on until recently. Even though they often tour with some of my favorite pop punk bands of all time, I still neglected their material and put off listening to them until this month. And of course, like with most bands I put off listening to, I realize I have been missing out on great music and instantly regret not giving them a listen when I first heard about them. My reasoning for finally giving them a shot is due mostly to the fact that their two iconic albums, "Separation" and "The Things We Think We're Missing" (which is the album that features the track "Reflection"), were recently repressed and released on cassette tape. "The Things We Think We're Missing" has actually never seen a cassette tape pressing, but "Separation" has seen one pressing over three different variants years ago through Lost Tape Collective that quickly sold out. Due to the fact that Balance and Composure tapes are pretty rare I decided to finally give them a listen to see if it would be worth it for me to buy myself a copy. I'm extremely glad I did because they are one of the bands I cannot stop listening to lately! I haven't really given "Separation" an in depth listen, but what I have heard so far from "TTWTWM" is simply amazing. Balance and Composure does a perfect job with mixing my favorite elements of alternative rock and pop punk together to form outright beautiful music. "Reflection" is a perfect example of this and is easily my favorite song that I've heard so far from Balance and Composure. I definitely plan on checking out more of their discography, especially their 2016 release, and if you are not familiar with their material then definitely check out their track "Reflection"!
Columbus on the other hand is a pop punk band that I have been a huge fan of for the last few months. I discovered Columbus when I was bored last spring and decided to search through different tabs on bandcamp. I ended up stumbling upon their 2015 release, "Home Remedy". After hearing the first track off this EP, "Downsides of Being Honest", which features guest vocals from John Floreani of Trophy Eyes, I instantly got hooked on Columbus and I have since become a massive fan of the Australia based band. Right after I discovered Columbus I saw their announcement that they were recording their first ever full length record. Excited to hear new material, I continued to stay up to date with the group until the release of "Spring Forever", their debut LP. Even though I've only listened to the record once through, I can definitely say that it is a great album and is full of amazing Columbus songs. Their sound changed slightly, exemplifying a more calm pop punk sound that Blink-182 fans will instantly become addicted to, but overall this new record still sounds like classic Columbus that their fans have grown to love. I will say though that none of the songs top my favorite track by them, "Downsides of Being Honest", but this does not mean that the 2016 album is anything less than superb. However, what "Spring Forever" does have is an amazing new track titled, "Raindrop", that is accompanied with one of the saddest and most powerful music videos I have ever watched. I don't want to spoil too much about the music video, but the symbolism and plot development of the main characters and how it aligns with the lyrics heard on the song allow the video to get progressively more sad until the absolutely heart breaking ending the music video has. Emotional music and videography is one of Columbus' strengths and it is showcased in the outstanding track "Raindrop". It is essential that you watch this music video today and give this great up and coming band a listen as they would greatly appreciate your support!
This has probably been the lengthiest Track of the Day Tuesday that I have ever written. However, the two groups mentioned are so significant and important not just to their respective sub genres, but also to me as a fan, that I think a lengthy post like this is completely justified. The two tracks, "Reflection" and "Raindrop", which you need to listen to, are attached below. I've also added the link to buy the Balance and Composure cassette tapes for any fans of the band that would like to buy their own copies and I've also added the link to Columbus' bandcamp page where you can download "Home Remedy" and any of their past material for free. Give these tracks a listen, let us know what you think of the two songs, and be sure visit the site often this week for more music content!
Columbus bandcamp:
https://columbusmusic.bandcamp.com/
"Raindrop":
Balance and Composure Cassette Tapes:
http://merchnow.com/catalogs/balance-and-composure
Breaking News: Speak The Truth…Even If Your Voice Shakes Release First Single
October 22, 2016 by ERIK'S ALBUM REVIEWS	tagged 2002, 7", album, album review, band, buddy neilson, emo, even if your voice shakes, finch, music, music video, new, new music, post hardcore, punk, rock, senses fail, single, singles, speak the truth, speak the truth even if your voice shakes, supergroup, vinyl	| Leave a comment
For those who didn't hear, Buddy Nielson of Senses Fail and the majority of the members of Finch recently joined together to make a post-hardcore band that, in their words, "sounds like 2002". All members of this new supergroup come from bands that were groundbreaking groups in the early 2000's emo and post-hardcore genres. Because of this, they have decided to unite to help recreate that sound while also adding more modern post-hardcore as well.
The group officially came together earlier this year when, according to Buddy, a tour between Finch and Senses Fail fell through. Because of this, Finch members reached out to Buddy, and asked if he would want to form a side project group called "Speak The Truth…Even If Your Voice Shakes". Neilson himself had never been in a serious, established band besides his own Senses Fail, so due to the interest of actually doing a side project, "Speak The Truth…" was born.
The band have released their first single ever called, "Crash My Car". The song is very catchy, but to me lacks the ability to be an instant classic, unlike older Senses Fail and Finch material. I do believe, however that this band will eventually release material to that caliber, but for now this is a great musical debut. You can pre-order their first vinyl release, a 7″ featuring "Crash My Car" and another single to be released later, below at the Bad Timing Records pre-order page, however the rarest variant has already sold out. Also check out their first music video below and get stoked for all that "Speak The Truth…" has to offer in the near future!
7″ Pre-Order:
http://badtimingrecords.limitedrun.com/products/580084-speak-the-truth-even-if-your-voice-shakes-self-titled-7
"Crash My Car" Music Video: