New In November Tunage 2020
New Music in November. First, the return of Field Day. Astute Palate drops a very fun album that will officially release in December. Heavy shoegaze fans should delight in Nothing’s Great Dismal that dropped the last day of October. Read a full report on Great Dismal here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/new-aggro-october-music/. As a Smashing Pumpkins fan I am appalled at their latest LP, Cyr. Plus a few more. Read all about it.
Field Day Opposite Land EP – CoreTex Records
Opposite Land opens with the track “One Song”. Guitar tone and approach is reminiscent of Brian Baker’s tone on Can I Say / WigOut. The rhythm is driving and urgent. The chorus has a more Epitaph band modern feel however. Although I’m not really a fan of a lot of Epitaph label music this song holds its own and then some.
If you love old Dag Nasty this track is right where it should be.
It’s a good blend of old-meets-new and you can hear the experience in the vocals and the band playing in general.
Second is “Stolen Words” . This song features a rhythm perfect for circle pit when it starts. More Baker esque guitar tone. Peter Cortner’s vocals again are on point. They seem to reference the Can I Say Smalley sound somehow. They still maintain the integrity of his own vocals on the Wig Out and Field Day records as well.
Third track entitled “Speak The Truth” is where Peter seems to really bloom.
Up until now the feeling and tempo is in the realm of the Dag song ” Safe” with maybe a little less sing-along quality but that is still there too. In other words the melodiousness is not blatant but it is cleverly crafted and exists for those who choose to dissect.
Next we have “Waiting for a Miracle”. This track seems to be the most modern sounding. The older tones are not as obvious. It sounds like they are breaking new ground. Now you can take that for what it is and maybe you would dig it and maybe you won’t. I happen to dig this EP very much.
There’s an honesty and urgency that I can’t deny. Doug, Peter, and company let their experience shine and yet still deliver some driving, melodic punk rock in 2020 ?!?
And to top that off it sounds like an amalgamation of the first two Dag Nasty LP’s . Maybe a touch of Minority Of One influence thrown in and some new punk animal that is just getting ready to rage.
Field Day is definitely not comprised of teens in a garage making bar chords at punk/hardcore tempos. It’s more accomplished punk that taps into energy and spirit that is timeless.
That is to say, very much like early Dischord bands did. The only difference is the early bands had no point of reference at that time like it. In conclusion, Opposite Land delivers urgent and mature punk at a time when it is truly needed.
Astute Palate – s/t LP- Petty Bunco
Short version? Loose, garagey rock from Philly. Lots of riffs and distorted hooks. I’ll give a more in depth review very soon but this is on heavy rotation and scheduled for mid December release. Highly recommend previewing, preordering. Stay tuned
Teenage Fanclub – Home – Single /Video
OK New music from one of my favorite 90’s indie acts. They still can deliver hooks and songwriting. Has the band matured? Of course. So it would be foolish to expect a carbon copy of something you may hear on their earlier Bandwagonesque LP. “Home”is a ripened Fanclub jam that has 60’s feel and yet maintains it’s freshness. If you value simple chord progressions thrown together in the most melodic way this song may offer balm that is much needed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKaoUahiY1k
Robert Aquatic and H12 – The Walkout EP
I am not the best person to review electronic music. For a few reasons. One being, I am stuck in 1992. However I can say a few words about this EP. The production sounds great. The samples of the vocals may remind you of early house music backing vocals.
The songs “Carbon Avenue” and “Citadel” feature very dance friendly beats.
I cannot really compare this to other stuff like it. Consequentially, I am not versed enough to accurately cross reference. I come from more of a casual industrial background. The electronic stuff I know borders on new wave or bands that came after Kraftwerk. I sure do not know house/techno well enough but I have a feeling this E.P. doesn’t concern itself with labels. There is an earnest collaborative effort here. It is worth a fair listen. I am ill equipped to write that fair review. If you are a fan of (modern?) electronica and certain modern, dance driven, electronica you may want to give this a few to many listens.
Cro Mags – 2020 – Single/EP – Mission Two Entertainment
Before Harley Flanagan sings the first note I was thinking that he is going for a more apocalyptic , moody vibe, on this song. The drum beat is one that can mess with your head. It doesn’t seem to be straight 4/4 time(there’s something either off kilter, syncopated, I don’t know for sure but I can feel the changes). Ending abruptly also adds a layer of what the fuck. So whether you dig this or not, I don’t think anyone should be bored. Once you try to catch the groove, it’s over. After a few listens, I commend Harley on this. Definitely taking a chance by adding a darker brooding element. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AntpWzj6e_E&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1KMq3QfdeLPVyOABUjMwJ6IJkKVnDEDPwrDnR_VW8CA79ZoUjObGoDbqw
Could it be that Steve Zing of Samhain helped with this? I cannot say for sure but I am hoping it is why this track has the dark, mysterious edge. It is still hard. Just not in your face. The guitar work and (keys?) also lend a slight Indian East Asian feel. WOW. If the whole record is as adventurous, then I’m in. I love Age of Quarrel and Best Wishes. In The Beginning was no slouch record from earlier this year as well. However, this is what I was hoping for.
Classic Harley Flanagan material with a twist. New York Hardcore with an added dimension.
I love straightforward New York hardcore most of the time but anyone that tries to blend that with other elements piques my interest. Look for the whole LP soon.
Smashing Pumpkins – CYR – Sumerian Records
Wow. Love much of SP’s extensive catalog but this just doesn’t do anything for me. In fact ten of the 20 songs were released over the last months and each time I was just left shaking my head. I am all for artists taking chances and trying to stay relevant. Reinventing yourself and all that. However these songs, at least for the most part, don’t come close to any of the songs that fans may love IMO. I don’t know what Jimmy Chamberlin or any of the other players did on this LP. Maybe they co wrote? Pushed a few buttons? Programmed the sequencers?
It would be nice to hear Jimmy Chamberlin play an acoustic kit.
If he did I’m not hearing it. The drums are lifeless and sound programmed. Electric and acoustic guitars sound nearly absent. Out of the 20 songs I am left searching for one I consider on par with anything found on the first 5 – 6 Pumpkins LP’s. 28/100
Bloodclot – Save The Robots –
John Joseph (formerly of Cro Mags/ Both Worlds) releases a song with Tom Capone (Bold, Beyond, Quicksand) on guitar. Manuel Carrerro who played with Burn on bass. Darren Morgentahler on drums who has played with Maximum Penalty and Madball. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvpNTn7q6Zw&feature=emb_logo This song has the intensity you would expect from John Joseph and the other members (and their bands they were in). For about a minute, speed, urgency, and tightness seems to be the focal points. You get a brief interlude breakdown and then a classic New York hardcore moshpart.
Vocals in which John Bloodclot are more sung than screamed, only to go back to the faster speed that is close to thrash.
The vocals reference our decline and events that are coming to pass. However the bright spot is stepping into our power by freeing our minds.
This is noteworthy and relevant hardcore. Much like Field Day in the review above, these guys have experience and it counts. I am curious to hear what else Bloodclot has in store.
The new music in November comes through strong.
In conclusion I don’t have a pick for November album of the month. If it is featured somewhere on my blog and came out in November I am probably recommending it. This month was hard to keep up on new music as my personal life just got busier. I will say that the song below is becoming a favorite single.
TRZTN is an exceptional artist I’ve followed for a long time. He is dropping singles faster than I can listen to and review. As a result I’ll try to properly review each one. Tristan Bechet aka TRZTN is a composer in which I happened to see play live in late 90’s. He is scheduled to release an album featuring collaborations with other performers. Fans of Interpol take note as Paul Bank’s performs vocals over TRZTN’s composition, entitled “Black Exit” Watch the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdOCAvhtZIU and stay tuned for more on TRZTN and Astute Palate (mid December)