Life We Planned – Lazer Lost – Deep Drink
Careening album by Hammered Hulls late pass review time. Here is some more stuff from November. Please do click around so that perhaps we can fool the computer algorithms and get me and the artists some increased traffic. Sales and revenue are also even more welcome. A vote that someone supports you. First as mentioned above, is Hammered Hulls Careening LP/ Classic DC punk, post hardcore or whatever you choose to call it. Something more indie from the returning My Raining Stars. Also another LP from Lazer Beam. Set lazers to oblivion. Some old school inspired hardcore from Drink Deep. For those who want underground, punk, abrasive, and youthful fun, from Florida, Brierkliff. ACTHUNG !
Hammered Hulls – Careening – Dischord Records
This record seems to be kicking up a lot of dust. Rightfully so though. For one, it features Alec MacKaye on vocals. Perhaps you may know of his brother who runs Dischord Records. Ian from Minor Threat and many others? Additionally Alec performed in highly influential bands. Ignition, The Faith, Untouchables. If that is not enough this LP is recorded and might be the last one to be done at Inner Ear Studios. An absolutely crucial place run by Don Zientara. Look Inner Ear and the other members of this project up if you are not up on the backstories of such. The playing and musicianship on Careening is top notch, world class.
Careening veers off to sea with Boilermaker’s Notch. This sets the tone for the album.
The beats and rhythm start off frenetic and tense in a good way. The way certain tempos and cadences get you whipped up into a frenzy. It gives way to a more open chord release. All the while it’s raw punk played extremely tight. A strong opener.
Hardest Road offers a warm guitar intro. Guitar tones you may find somewhat familiar from other Dischord projects on this one. A mid tempo gallop that goes into faster circle pit pace. Next the chorus ? Classic Dischord. If you know or remember how Egghunt harmonizes on We All Fall Down ? Vocals also remind of me of the end of If I Never Thought About It from Embrace. If this rings a bell then The Hardest Road might sound akin to those. Another great song.
Next is Bog People. This song is full of arpeggios, hardcore flavored riffs and some crisp percussion.
Pilot Light’s riffs feel like an ode to Fugazi (maybe Repeater or Steady Diet) Then it pummels you with riffs. The arrangements are just cleverly constructed, and yet without pretense. The next song or two is just as good as the previous. I don’t want to bore the shit out of you, so..
Jumping ahead to Needlepoint Tiger. A rolling satisfying bass line if I ever sensed one. It also flows effortlessly from the end of the call and response featured in the last track Rights and Reproduction. “Permission granted? Permission denied.”
That and the other songs, if not mentioned are no slouches I tell ya. The off kilter guitar rhythm and chords of Needlepoint Tiger helps break up the parts of the Careening album that might be too punk or hardcore.
Next Abstract City just wows me. The plink plank plink guitar riff with the bass slide makes me wish I wrote something this fresh sounding. Stuff like this is levels above your garage punk band. In case that tidbit is not obvious.
Again, intricate in it own right, but still not pretentious. Just fresh sound and riffs for days.
Good gravy the riffs on Sounding the Sea alone. Holy hulls. It starts off sounding artsy and melodic. When it kicks in, classic post hardcore chugging and gallops. It’s all there for the taking.
Next, somewhat similar in mood is Written Word. The bass and drums can support lots of weight. A tinny guitar run ( not weak, just played on higher notes) and quick flurry of vocal repetition set this one apart.
I am not privy to how many songs Hammered Hulls had when they walked in to record this LP. I will say they have an impressive array of material. Either they had lots of tracks and picked absolute gems. I have not ruled out if they had less they are just that strong at writing and execution. Each one of these is its own little story with big sound. Easily a no brainer and Careening album is one of the best of 2022.
My Raining Stars – The Life We Planned EP
My Raining Stars hail from France and have been reviewed on the blog before so go here if you want to read about them in chronological order relative to this EP. https://meatsheetfanzine.com/my-raining-stars-smile-with-strange-joy/
This time we have five tracks. What Can We Do introduces The Life We Planned EP. A mid tempo jangly tune. The volume swell intro is a very intriguing start. Slight growl of the six string and we’re off. Next I get a hint of sadness but its slight. It’s possible the chord that opens is a minor chord. Or it could be John Meat is eccentric and off the mark. Maybe a little of column A and B. This song feels like a warm up for the next four songs. A cool mystique and possible foreshadowing / foreboding. These are just initial impressions. This is the hardest song for me to accurately pin down with words. However it is still a very good listen.
Second is Mirror 2. Upbeat with tightly played rhythm. The hint of sadness seems gone. Mirror 2 borrows from the indie pop of the 90’s up until ’20’s. For example , the spirit of the song Young Adult Friction by The Pains of Being Pure At Heart. Try saying all that fast. Mirror 2 and the Pains song have a similar tempo and groove. Whistly synth background as well. The guitars sound in the same neighborhood as each other regarding Pains and MRS. Due to these factors and just solid songwriting Mirror 2 is a winning track. Maybe my favorite. But there is more.
The way the bass kicks in with satisfying series of thumps is invigorating. Flurries of drum fills, yet still wearing pop on its sleeve.
Summer’s Gone is a track that makes me think of the first autumn day in which you get a sense the cold is coming. It’s like a sonic shiver. Perhaps one endures a long summer. A sense of forlorn tiredness but also relief. I may compare 8 out of 10 bands to Ride in one shape or form. But the way this is sung reminds me of the way Ride is singing on their early EP’s and Nowhere LP. It just has that sound. The way that Andy Bell, Mark, and Steve of Ride sound together when singing. It’s not that far of a cry from that on Summer’s Gone. Of course this is a point of reference, best to listen on ones own. Speaking of own or solo, the fourth song is upon us.
On His Own, or that is to say, the fourth song has that shuffling drum beat intro. It is a little bit like Chapterhouse’s Pearl (if I don’t compare a band to Ride, i’m probably citing MBV or Chapterhouse) Although the beat is not all that much like Pearl, it has somewhat similar cadence.
This allows a killer bass groove to sit perfectly on top.
On His Own sounds like a theme for one going at something alone. The beats, bell cymbal hits. Guitar phased slightly which give the sense of a journey and depth. Then it fades out.
Finally the title track. It seems like if What Can We Do sets the tone and pace for the EP. Then this is what it leads up to. The Life We Planned seems to reflect on events that have gone awry. If you did not understand the English words, the delivery still conveys this sense of loss. If not loss, a change of direction. Possibly acceptance, yet disappointment. Another strong bass line and beat ties this number together. The short of it ? If you like indie rock that leans towards atmosphere but still want a rooted foundation, then The Life We Planned EP is crafted for your ears. Spin it, share it and support it !
Lazer Beam – Lost in Oblivion
Lazer Beam returns with a whole entire LP. It seems that Lucust French, the songwriter of this project is not afraid to take chances. Lost in Oblivion takes their unique stoner pop groove and turns it on its darker end.
More synthesizers, sure there is guitar, but the bottom end is fuzzy, gritty, saw like waveform as opposed to a standard electric bass 4 string in standard tuning. That is the latter is usually smoother.
For that (risk of changing sound up quite a bit) alone it’s very commendable. In the grand scheme of things the second LP could be early in the life of a band, and Lazer Beam fearlessly jumps right in. Changing the sound a bit (actually alot) from the previous LP. Compare with the old self titled LP here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/new-colonial-wound-health-rifle-club-lazer-beam/
Lost in Oblivion opens with Sorry For The Heartache. Definitely a departure from saturated , distorted heavy guitars. Six string is present, but rather than a focal point, guitars are just one of a few elements in these compositions. The guitars lead you in and out of the songs for the most part, or tie other phrases together like the famous Lebowski rug.
Instead of acoustic drum there seems to be a synthetic drum beat, an electronic feel paired with higher sometimes falsetto vocals.
This could divide the fan base early on for Lazer Beam. But then again , in time this could be a landmark album.
If you remember how Smashing Pumpkins went electronic with Adore way back when. It created a rift then, and now Adore is highly praised. Then this LP may prove similar. Sorry for the Heartache does give you a little bit of guitar and there’s a trilling, cascading guitar fill that is excellent. Maybe some that is tracked acoustic. Overall it finds its dwelling in electronic generated music.
It’s still somewhat warm and of course, human, not machine.
Next is the title track. Synth arpeggiator sets the tone. Along with some down pitch shifted guitar. The song Lost in Oblivion goes a little darker in feeling. The guitar hangs in the back but it gives you the old Lazer Beam sound that is reminiscent of Queens of the Stone Age. The vocals of the chorus are catchy. I can also hear a little bit of dream pop wanting to come in. But if I had to label it genre wise, it is not really dream pop. Definitely containing nuances of such though.
Third is Skate On By. This may be tied for the biggest departure from Lazer Beam’s self titled LP. Upstrokes on a clean electric guitar. Not ska per se. Warm fuzzy synth bass. The rest is catchy pop. Having listened to the previous LP I have to tip my hat to Lucust on this one. When one changes the sound like this, as I may have stated already, it is an artistic risk.
Next is probably my favorite. Dandelion Wishes and the Knight of Wands. If any track on here represents the new sound of Lazer Beam it is this one in my opinion. It has a pop guitar hook. You can hear a little dream/ gaze in the overall mood. I don’t advocate drugs kids, but this track feels like the sonic equal to what I imagine an epic ‘good’ trip may feel like. The playing and writing is so tight, if ones listens deeply. If you listen casually it should still make you wonder, what’s this?
The guitar is satisfyingly weepy. See comment below about wail.
The solo is just right. Also right in the middle the guitar lets out a sublime wail that even the numbest person will feel. The whole song makes me want to put it on repeat.
Lucust’s vocals perfectly tie the other tracks together. It might be a slow burn but I think you’d have to be really numb to not feel something on this one.
Moving on, Lower Your Guns is an anthemic stoner pop rock song. It is more like the s/t Lazer Beam material. The guitar tone and delivery could be a distant cousin of Blue Oyster Cult’s Godzilla. Perhaps this could be the most approachable song on here. That is not to demean it, it is just full of melodic hooks. Of course Lost In Oblivion may tie for what I think is the most accessible and likely to be hummed.
I Really Want You Slowly is slower, smoky song all about desire. Dim the lights for this one. Light a candle and make sure it has plenty of burn time.
Moving on we come to Vultures. Vocals (maybe music) that sound like a blend of Cheap Trick’s Heaven Tonight and Queens Of The Stone Age.’s Like Clockwork (song, not entire Clockwork LP) More cascading guitars. Composition wise, lots to chew on, however it’s not overly busy.
Similar in tempo and feeling is Derelict. Only this time there is guest vocals. Deeper, full of mystique, is the singing of Patrón. This guest spot really stands out due to the difference in range and singing of Lucust.
Last is The Graveyard. There is a sense of acoustic doom on this one. Appropriately it feels like a finalization of the album and it the closing track. It also appears to be a cover of a Devil Makes Three song. So if you are open to sounds like sludge doom , and pop elements of the Queens Of The Stone Age, then I highly suggest you start with Lazer Beam self titled linked above. Then get your favorite beverage and chase that with multiple doses of slinky darkness found on this one, aka Lost In Oblivion.
Drink Deep – Demo – SFR
Four songs that just speed right by you. And it’s pretty good, better than that in fact. Hailing from Berlin Germany, I give you.. Drink Deep.
Doubting Pace opens with a pace that sounds confident. It’s just the content of the lyrics that contains the doubt. I don’t think I would be alone in saying the vocals remind me of Dan O’ Mahony from No For An Answer, 411, Carry Nation plus more. Drink Deep is even describing themselves as coming from old school influence. Their lineup features players from ex – Praise, Police and Thieves ( oh yeahhh) , Remission, No Longer At Ease plus more. So before I can blabber on here is link https://drinkdeephc.bandcamp.com/album/demo?fbclid=IwAR1IWAha0oDx8N_7DWd5Uo-_gO7OjLPV9Er9kHMaRObOjpN0sQMc1rrXwfM
Not You is perfectly urgent. One second past a minute long. The drum rolls really stand out. They’re raw and fill the gap between the vocals. Still pulled off somewhat tight the production is a little bit rough but it doesn’t in any way retract from the quality of the overall work. Come to think of it for a demo it’s pretty damn good as far as production.
Unlearn is even shorter. Under a minute and it could be their anthem.
If I saw them live, this is one I’d ask them to play 2X or in other words ‘ Play it again !” Not afraid to say please either. Even if it may be construed as not punk rock.
Empathy. The way these guitars fit together.. it is a big nod to old school. The power chords just slide all over the frets. If you listen to early hardcore then you will recognize this type of thing immediately. If you attempt this hope the skin on fingers is prepared.
The way the vocals hang on a note you’ll hear some early Dischord influence.
What a strong demo coming right out the gate. I don’t have any complaints except maybe I’d want one or two more tracks but as is Drink Deep bring it. Support them if you are a fan of old school hardcore.
Brierkliff – Nuclear War
Last but not leastest. Were you ever in your teens and just getting into punk ? Here are tracks that capture that spirit. Throw em a subscribe and likes. Please. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeYcsSSNDEz9XWeu_zVKAvg
First is Cum. I doubt they are referencing Latin language word for ‘with’. LOL We’re all adults and if not, well, you can laugh like Beavis at the title. The mix is fun, raw, but its just right for a demo like this. I cannot tell if the melody running through this is a bass, a six string that is low through the mix or if its a synth. No matter. It sets things up nicely. A groove with punk roots.
Next is Nuclear War. This track is full of samples referencing the title. Also some clever guitar and drums that have that lo fi black metal feel. In fact the sounds blend so much together that when they stop for a half second, it gives the vocals of ‘Nuclear War’ a little more impact. For a first demo, this is fresh. Of course it helps to appreciate 80’s punk, thrash, and early 90’s black (and grind core) metal. Can’t Take It is next. Classic punk song about being fed up. Fast and to the point. Just under a minute.
Last, the final song is the classic Louie Louie by Richard Berry. The roster of bands and singers to cover this is extensive. As in I’m not listing even a third of them because I have trouble getting eyes on this blog as it is. Conversely though, add Brierkliff to the list. They give it their own spin and its just as listenable if you like punk or garage rock.
It’s gritty, slower than Black Flag’s version. Perhaps not as gritty as Motorhead but cmon. Motorhead is true grit. Needless to say Brierkliff’s version is fun and they make it their own. Keep an eye out for this project.
Like Tooty Cicero and the old man in GoodFellas say after whacking Tommy. ” and dats dat.” I hope you truly enjoy the Careening album, Brierkilff songs, Drink Deep Demo and My Raining Stars EP.
Won’t you consider supporting me and these artists ? I tell you it does make a difference and it matters. It allows people like myself and the other artists options to continue making the art. Be it songs, blogs, zines, merch and what have you. Support, support, and support again. That is if you have the means. Until next time.