EP Blast! #2

Thumbnail- s/t EP

[can't find the album art]

    Nine tracks, and thirty-five minutes of music. I have no idea how this doesn’t qualify as a full-length. Either way, this is pretty much what you would expect from a screamo group: noisy and chaotic, with under-produced drums. Thumbnail come strapped to give you a headache, and leave you with an aneurysm. When they’re not making a lot of earth-shattering noise, they slow down the feedback for another build, which makes the whole EP a flatline affair. Lots of the same, but it’s not terribly good or bad. Recommended for fans of Saetia, Mohinder, and other bands of that ilk.

Born Ruffians- s/t EP


    A pretty bare-bones group who follow in the vein of The Pixies. Singer Luke LaLonde has one of those manic voices that is fucking terrible and unforgettable at the same time; guy sounds like he ran a marathon before each track. There are oddly southern qualities to them, despite being from Canada, and “Piecing it Together” strikes a long-forgotten Talking Heads sound (a compliment). Lyrics are relatably unpoetic, and successful for that reason, and “This Sentence Will Ruin/Save Your Life” is catchier than pink-eye in a frat house. Long story short, Born Ruffians are immensely fun, albeit none too inventive.

Engine Down/ Twelve Hour Turn- split EP



    Engine Down are a total anomaly, more a springboard than anything else. They formed out of Sleepytime Trio [great band]. After they broke up, Keeley Davis went on to join Sparta [okay band] and Cornbread Compton moved to Cursive [another great band]. How they didn’t get more recognition is evinced by their six-minute submission to this split- it’s gorgeous and brutal at once, but clearly appeals to a niche market. Damn shame. Twelve Hour Turn follow a tough act with the surprisingly melodic “Wide Awake”, and the disappointingly similar “Flowers for the Dead”. Thumbnail would kill to be these guys.

O Lucky Man!- When I Was Young I Would Type Your Name Just to See it in Front of Me


    A very mathy duo from Berkeley who make the noise of ten musicians. Zach Hill-style drumming peppers this whole (long-windedly titled) EP, jumping from blast beats to warpspeed jazz so quickly that beats and fills become one. The guitarwork here is similarly busy and difficuly to follow. Because they never settle into any comfortable passages, it ends up sounding more like a good ol’ King Crimson circle jerk. If they could reign themselves in a bit, they might end up somewhere between Make Believe and Maps & Atlases, but they sound too much like they want to prove their chops.


Catch 'Em All! Again!

EP Blast! #1

Modest Mouse- No One’s First and You’re Next

    We’ll, I had left these guys for dead before their ship even sank, following the release of Good New For People Who Love Bad News, and just like the title of that album, this EP, and the full-length between then, Modest Mouse seem to have traded the sideways mescaline wisdom and lo-fi roots of their past for one-note wit. “Whale Song” harkens back to their Moon & Antarctica days, but only as an unconvincing imitation. A B-sides collection fit for superfans, and those who enjoyed the last two albums, but without any real standout tracks, it's more of the same.

Thousandaires- s/t

    What a voice! Somewhere between Sparta’s Jim Ward, and Against Me’s Tom Gable. Musically, expect an ‘up the punx’ Bear vs. Shark, without the wonky horns and keyboard interludes. In short, this EP is volatile. They know how to go from playing a shimmery arpeggio to burying their fist in your nose, all with the skill to make you not want to punch back. There isn’t a single low point on here, and the choruses are anthemic without being artificial. These guys will hopefully blow up very soon. Only complaint: there are only three songs on here. We want more.

Kudrow- Lando

    It looks as though Jeff Rossenstock might have to eat his own words. Based on the performance of Kudrow’s first EP, Lando, side projects might yet be successful. Following in the footsteps of BTMI, Kudrow are a low-budget, trashy venture, but rather than the ‘do it in post’ way he filled out tracks for Bomb, Lando remains a stripped-down, no-nonsense affair. The three-piece gives serious nods to lo-fi, Pavement, having fun, and being broke, without even a hint to ska. Rossenstock’s vocals are as impassioned as ever, making this EP a must for fans of BTMI, garage rock, and handclaps.

Piglet- Lava Land

    Oh, you wanted math-rock? Piglet have that covered, in spades. This won’t be your sing-along EP of the century, but Piglet find ways to keep your attention through strictly instrumental means. If you get a hard-on when Maps and Atlases’ upcoming album gets mentioned, bring a change of boxers for Lava Land. Their prowess and synergy here are astonishing. Lots of jazzy drum hits, plenty of complicated guitar taps. This is also the only ‘true’ EP of this list that gives any real attention to tone. When Piglet play, flaxen-haired baby math-rock angels are given an extra set of wings.

Catch 'Em All!