Strong Triumphant Return – SoulSide + more

Soulside triumphantly return after a super long hiatus. Triumphant returns are the best kind. I’ve always been a peripheral fan of this group. I like their stuff a whole lot, but I don’t listen to them frequently. These two songs are going to change that. If nothing else I am going to want to compare Soulside 2022 with the original material and previous stuff. Second, for fans of power indie pop, Persian Leaps from Minneapolis. Finally, No Age from Los Angeles. I’ve barely given them a fair listen so this is my chance to do that. Enjoy the music and autumn if you are in my hemisphere. Don’t forget it is Misfits Samhain season for the fans of those bands. https://meatsheetfanzine.com/misfits-samhain-danzig/

Soulside – A Brief Moment In The Sun – Dischord Records

Speaking of which, Soulside leave their mark on the DC hardcore punk scene in the 80’s.

So these two songs from 2022 are obviously polished more so than the old stuff. Rightfully so, it is nearly impossible to capture the sentiments of where someone may have been long ago. That is musically. After all, one is in a completely different place and time. However these two tracks do contain the spirit of old Soulside. In their own words, ” with zero nostalgia”

Having said that Reconstruction starts with klaxon like guitar warning sound and then lurches into a DC Fugazi ish melodic groove. It’s super tight, locked in. It opens up to a chorus that is roomy, warm, but lyrically making social commentary. Reconstruction is slower in tempo but super satisfying. I’ve said it before, experience can make all the difference.

Runner is faster, with what seems to be a more complicated groove. It’s still adjacent to hardcore and punk.

Runner has great energy, feels more grown up that early Dischord, but not stuffy or lifeless.

I dig both alot and it is very possible as I discover the rest of the LP it will get better with each additional listen. If you already are a fan, this is a no brainer.

Persian Leaps – Machines For Living – Land Ski Records

I’m going slightly outside my realm of comfort with these two tracks. The first is Alright Alright. A commentary about keyboard warriors. Those lovely people who say whatever they like but would not dream of speaking the same things in real time to the person (s) face to face. But enough about that, you either can relate by having witnessed first hand or if this is you.. Please exit the premises of the blog now. First let’s back up. Introduction is in order. Singer / songwriter Drew Forsberg is the creator of these tunes. Hailing from Minneapolis, Persian Leaps offers five songs scheduled for October 7.

If you are still with me, great. The two songs out now sound super catchy. Listen up https://thepersianleaps.bandcamp.com/

Imagine the power pop of Orange Juice and Teenage Fanclub. The urgency of Replacements without the super serrated rough edge of the first two albums.

The guitars and riffs cut more precise and clean but not any less effective.

The track Maybe Time Will Let Me Forget definitely calls to mind early R.E.M. meets Velvet Crush ” In The Presence Of Greatness” LP .The jangle of the strums is full on but the other instruments blend super smoothly.

Moving on to Lipreader Dyslexia and Beautiful Inside.

Lipreader Dyslexia is a driving melodic plea for people to act more kindly. If you cannot back that perhaps the melodic vocal hooks are more persuasive.

That is unless you care nothing of the message or maybe what I write is incomprehensible. The vocals are succinct and clear.

Beautiful Inside again reminds me of the feeling I get from that early 90’s Velvet Crush LP. Think of Beautiful Inside as a first cousin of it. Some warbly whammy dives on this one. Jangle, bounce, with edgy lyrics such as ” I’m beautiful on the inside, Oooh Oooh , Like it or not. You’re hideous to the core” This makes for an interesting juxtaposition of intent/ meaning vs. sonic quality.

Last is The Nicest Way. Sweetly picked arpeggios paired with infectious accented drum hits. There could very well be a darkness or tongue in cheek sentiment to the lyrics. I’m not sure and would need to study this more closely. However if the earlier songs on this EP drive harder, this one is more a sparkler. It’s charm lies in the groove and picking of the 6 string guitar

Overall, Machines For Living is a fairly strong EP. I’d recommend to fans of the aforementioned groups, and general hook laden indie rock.

No Age – People Helping People (preview of 3 tracks) – Drag City Records

Allow me to preface this blurb with the fact that I have not done a proper deep dive into this band’s music. Therefore a high risk of foot in my mouth is being run. I did try to review something from theirs but at that time I had blog tech difficulties. So this time hopefully you get a fair assessment.

One can assume the public will get an entire LP very soon. Right now there are four tracks. The first is Compact Flashes. Compact Flashes starts with a deep bass percussion that makes a sore thumb look normal.

Let me clarify. For me it is highly original beat that pulses along. When the snare and toms kick in, I an even more enthused. Dull thuds on toms. A high hat flurry like none I’ve heard. All the urgency and energy of capturing a golden moment on a first take while recording. Keep in mind, I don’t know if this recording is a first take. The way that No Age repeatedly flurry the drums vs the deep bass pulse though, it’s a wow moment for me.

The spirit is like “fuck it” we’re swinging for the fences.

The vocals recall the monotone and jeer that Gordon of Violent Femmes employs. Why have I not listened to these guys until now? I have no legit excuse.

Second is Tripped Out Before Scott. This is more ‘song’ like than the last. It has a good amount of instrumentation for a two piece. Now that can be backing tracks or studio tricks but still impressive. Tripped Out Before Scott has manic yet dreamy quality. If not for the percussion, it could be a hypnotic guitar drone of a song.

Last of the three tracks you can hear before release is Andy Helping Andy. For some reason I think of Suicide’s “Keep Your Dream ” . There is a similar sustained synth ringing out in the background. However that Suicide song stands out on that LP and is not as intense as the others. On Andy Helping Andy I wonder is it intended to close the LP on a mysterious note. It trails off, it might possibly tie in with its previous track. I don’t know at this time. It is definitely a vignette of sort.

Does it convey a complete feeling or thought ? I’m saying for me no, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy. There is a shuffling sound and strange noise that sounds as if a turntable needle moves across vinyl. Not scratching as in hiphop, more a sound that you may hear by accident. These three songs pique my interest for sure. I wonder what the rest sounds like. I will have to wait.

Please support these artists if you have the means. If you are looking for more music review content please click, tap, like, and subscribe to my YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjyJ3ll8Nxw In addition to the intro I will hopefully add music updates and if I can handle the technology, extra content. Thanks ! Happy October.