Even though I've been listening to the instant download of the latest album by Touche Amore, "Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me", it was great to finally get the vinyl. This record has quickly become one of my favorites of the year. I could really even go so far as to say I'm obsessed. It's a perfect balance of hardcore screamed out vocals, rapid fire drums, with the more melodic guitars that sometimes reminds me of the twinkling and propulsive bursts from instrumental band, Explosions In The Sky.
When I first heard Touche Amore(pronounced tooshay amoray) I didn't know if I liked them. It took repeated listenings of their first album before it finally grabbed a hold of me. I felt the same way long, long ago the first time I heard Black Flag, The Clash, The Smiths, The Pixies, and Johnny Cash, to name a few. To this day all of those mentioned are still vitally important to me. I think the same will happen with this band.
The new album contains all of the raw throat sincerity of their first album, "To The Beat Of A Dead Horse", but interspersed with a bit more vocal melody. You can also hear an even higher level of musicianship that, coupled with better production, results in powerful and dramatic contrasts, yet manages to avoid sounding overly produced. I've been listening to this on the way to and back home from work every damn day.
The first limited vinyl pressing of "Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me" from Deathwish Records Inc. comes in green, white, blue, and a mysterious clear. Each comes with a digital download code.
Also available in a 180 gram deluxe version with a 12″LP sized, 28 Page hardcover book designed by TA guitarist Nick Steinhardt (I think the deluxe may be permanently sold out, but keep checking the Deathwish site, ya never know). This version is limited to only 1,000. I also like that Deathwish has kept the prices reasonable. The deluxe with the hardcover book is/was only 20 bucks!
A video for "Home Away From Home" Check it out!
I only just discovered Toronto based band, Fucked Up and I am still trying to completely understand them. Their name is perfect because they seem to fuck up all categories and expectations that people have about what hardcore, punk, rock, or indie should be. The singer has that hardcore growl, but the music is more art college rock, almost as if The Pixies were fronted by a punk singer. The aforementioned singer is a big bear fella who has been known to stage dive naked into the crowd.
Fucked Up's latest album, "David Comes To Life" is a double vinyl concept album released on Matador Records.
I could go on and on, but watch this for the story and then here for a song.
Though I still have a stack of stuff to write about, that's all folks... for now at least. One last thing though, I do have direct links to indie labels in this blog, but please also support your local independent record stores. Some of the really limited stuff I can only get direct, but if I can get it at my local, that's where I go. Forget that Target, Best Buy, Walmart bullshit. When you buy there, you may sometimes save a couple dollars, but you are also giving them the power to dictate what music is available. Does the public really need to go GaGa over another Madonna clone? Get your record and CD fix from the small stores whenever possible. End of speech. Thank you for coming and please show yourself out.
