Tag Archives: reissue

03.02.13
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[REVIEW] Octaves – Greener Pastures (Reissue)

octaves-greener-pastures-300x300OCTAVES
Greener Pastures (Reissue)
[TOPSHELF RECORDS]
Verdict: 9/10
RIYL: Poison the Well, The Bled, The Chariot

In an age of downloadable media, reissues seem pointless. While hipsters and audiophiles still purchase vinyl, the majority of listeners recognize the dawn of the digital age. That said, this reissue is vital to your musical library. If you have yet to bask in the glory of OCTAVES yet, then I think it’s time to thank Topshelf Records dearly. I had not heard of the band prior to this reissue, and it has left me all but salivating for more music from this Baltimore group. Thankfully, the reissue is out this week, just in time to prepare your ears for the band’s full-length in April. The main reason I find OCTAVES so endearing is that the entirety of Greener Pastures is fantastic. Other reasons include songs one through eight. In all seriousness, I have said for years that I don’t understand why more bands haven’t started taking sonic cues from POISON THE WELL, and here comes OCTAVES out of the woodwork. The riffs are meaty, and the dissonance is certainly there. However, OCTAVES is no one-trick pony. Each of the eight songs on the album oozes energy and technical prowess. Latent in there is some southern charm, a la THE CHARIOT and EVERY TIME I DIE. I struggle to find a favorite track, as the mini-album is remarkably consistent. Needless to say, fans of metalcore in its earliest stages will find more than a little bit to love about Greener Pasturers. Sprinkle in some progressive and chaotic tendencies, and you have an absolute band to watch in 2013. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Progressive Post-Hardcore
Recommended Tracks: The Whole Damn Thing
Stream: http://topshelfrecords.bandcamp.com/album/greener-pastures

07.30.12
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Woe, Is Me – Number[s] Deluxe Reissue

WOE, IS ME
Number[s] – Deluxe Reissue
[Velocity / Rise Records]
Verdict: (New Songs) 9/10 (The Rest) 7.5/10
This reissue may have been more valuable if it had more than just two new songs. Remixes, cover songs, and acoustic versions of tracks are fun and all, but I don’t feel like they make a reissue of a record really worth it. With a new singer, Hance Alligood, on team, then why not go back and at least re-record some of the old songs with him on mic instead? Hmmm? That would have been better than throwing on remixes. My bitching aside, the two new songs are at least better than the original Number[s] release. Seriously, they’re more tightened, focused, and hard hitting. If the new album they’re working on is even slightly as good as “Vengeance” and “Fame>Demise”, then Woe, Is Me will make me an official fan (Number[s] wasn’t enough for me). I still think Hance should have stuck with Oh, Manhattan, which had a much more interesting and unique sound, but he does sound better than Tyler did in the position. – by Nathaniel Lay

>> Classification: Electro Metal/Screamo
>> Recommended Tracks: “Vengeance”, “Fame>Demise”
>> In Conclusion: If you already own the original Number[s] release, then don’t buy this. Just go on iTunes and pick up the two new tracks featured on the reissue. The rest is not worth the price (once again, IF you already owned the original).

07.30.12
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Of Mice & Men – The Flood Deluxe Reissue

OF MICE & MEN
The Flood – Deluxe Reissue
[Rise Records]
Verdict: 9.5/10
If you’re going to do a reissue, then this is a great way to go. Basically, Of Mice & Men have attached a brand new EP to last year’s awesome record, The Flood. Rather than mix the new tracks in with the original, the band has attached them as a separate disc, which is actually genius. It makes the listener view the new recordings as a brand new release (even though it’s coming combined with the previous full length). As far as actually discussing these wonderful new songs, Of Mice & Men have once again taken things up another notch. Opening with the peaceful intro, appropriately titled “The Calm”, the 4 track batch reels the listener into a false sense of security. Then, gradually, the intro moves smoothly into “The Storm”, which erupts into a panic about thirty seconds in. Once this has happened, all bets are off; the rest of the track is absolutely devastating. The same goes for the song that follows. “The Flood” has some classic metal vibes that surprise, both vocally and instrumentally. That combined with the already awesome OM&M formula, and “The Flood” comes out as an unstoppable and grand beast. Lastly, you have “The Depths”, which feels a little more hardcore in its speed and “padding” drum beats in the earliest stages. It then becomes a bit more chug-chug with its guitars, punk in its screaming styles, and all around arena with its occasional group shouts. This is the kind of reissue that actually makes an impact. – by Nathaniel Lay

>> Classification: Intense Thrash Screamo
>> Recommended Tracks: “The Storm”, “The Flood”, “The Depths”
>> In Conclusion: Think of this reissue as a brand new EP that also comes with last year’s OM&M album, which was already a killer album. The new songs are some of the best recordings yet from the band, so you can bet this is a highly recommended release.

07.02.12
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[MUSIC REVIEW] States – Room To Run (Reissue)

STATES
Room to Run (Re-Release)
[Tooth and Nail Records]
Verdict: 7.5/10

Last year members of famed indie groups COPELAND and LYDIA came together to create a surprising release. Sure the quality of the sound was there, but instead of crafting dreamy indie rock, Room to Run was much more aggressive than either of the aforementioned bands. Mindy White’s strong vocals and the backing members’ fairly aggressive indie rock approach combined for an affair that leaned closer to PARAMORE than slow burning indie pop. Thankfully, the backing members are very talented, which helps captivate the release even when the music dips into more traditional indie rock tropes. To cement the fact that this is a different band, “Everlasting” drops the indie label is a straight-up pop gem; it would not seem out of place on a top 40 radio station. Recently, the band was picked up by Tooth and Nail Records and is re-releasing Room to Run with seven unreleased songs, two of which are original recordings. Fans of COPELAND will be pleased with the two new songs, as they are both slower than anything on the original release. Listeners will have to wait to see if this sonic shift will carry on to the band’s sophomore release. Regardless, this re-release is perfectly timed, as Room to Run features nearly perfect summery indie rock. While the members’ previous bands specialized in music well suited for dreary, rainy days, STATES excels in a sound that is best enjoyed on sunny days. – by Nicholas Senior

>> Classification: Aggressive Indie Pop
>> Recommended Tracks: “Timebomb” and “Everlasting”
>> In Conclusion: Fans of driving indie rock will be at home with STATES’ Room to Run. Each song is equally enjoyable for its vocal hooks and well-crafted instrumentals.

08.09.11
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[MUSIC] Attack Attack! [INTERVIEW]

Short ‘n’ Sweet
An interview with ATTACK ATTACK!
by Jon Hole

Ahhh yes. Summer. Heat. Humidity. Scantily clad women. Warped Tour. As is done every year, Warped Tour 2011 is rolling around the US and laying waste to whatever city it decides to rest in. This years line up is extremely strong with bands that have been blowing up. MISS MAY I. ASKING ALEXANDRIA. ENTER SHIKARI. Bands that are extremely heavy. WINDS OF PLAGUE. THE ACACIA STRAIN. And pretty much everything in between. For i believe the fourth year in a row, Rise Records ATTACK ATTACK! have been wowing crowds and doing their thing. With a freshly released Deluxe Edition of their 2010 self titled record, featuring 8 bonus tracks, under their belt, AA! once again proves why they are one of the scenes best. If you still havent picked up their re-issue or seen them live, now is the time to do so.

First off, let me just say the re-issue is fantastic. Who am I ‘speaking’ with and what is your role in the band?

My name is Wetzel and I play drums in the band.

How has the response to the newer material on the re-issue?

The response has been fantastic to all of our new material. Very exciting!

It sounds like you guys were experimenting with different sounds on the 4 newer tracks…

That is correct.

How do you feel these songs represent the current state of mind within the band?

These songs definitely reflect the gradual change in our musical taste and the evolution of our writing capabilities. We really wanted to experiment with a more “rock” sound on these songs because it’s a genre we haven’t really touched yet.

How has Warped Tour 2011 been compared to previous ones?

It’s been fantastic. Crowds have been gigantic, the response of our new material has been absolutely awesome, and we’ve been having a total ball just hanging out and jamming on Main Stage.

What are Attack Attack!’s plans for the rest of the year?

We’re going to hit the studio and write/record until we can’t possibly put musical notes together any more. Then we’re going to head back out on the road and show case what we’ve come up with!

One last question, if you could put together a ‘dream’ tour of current bands, who would be on it?

Panic at the Disco, Muse, and Linkin Park.

Thanks for taking time out to answer these questions.

No problem.