Long Island’s ORION could be any one of a number of screamo bands out there today. There’s virtually nothing on The Sound and The Fury that distinguishes this band from their peers, save for an excellent recording quality, and a pleasurable lack of pompous excess and flimsy self-importance. Perhaps that’s the problem with ORION – [...]

- We’re a few days away from yet another huge release date, primarily from major labels. From the heavy spectrum comes SHADOWS FALL’s Threads Of Life (have you seen the artwork on this sucker…terrrible) and POISON THE WELL’s Versions. Some bands called FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE and KINGS OF LEON also have new ones coming out. However, there’s a more prominent theme running in major label releases from pop bands once on indies. On that note…

- Tuesday marks the release of THE ACADEMY IS…’s new album Santi. While their first single “We’ve Got A Big Mess On Our Hands” is catchy in its own unique way, the other song they’re streaming at their MySpace, “Seed,” is a dud. They will sell a boatload of CDs, but will it be worth it?

- Also out will be the debut from Aaron Gillepsie (UNDEROATH’s drummer) in the form of his band, THE ALMOST. Originally I thought this project was simply something on the side, but Virgin and Tooth And Nail are pushing this thing with full force. On top of that, Gillepsie will be touring a ton in-support of it and pulling double duties this summer on the Warped Tour. THE ALMOST is definitely more accessible than UNDEROATH, and it’ll be interesting to see how the album fares with both the mainstream and underground audiences.

- In other Tooth And Nail news, the label recently announced they’d soon be releasing new albums from THE FOLD and SULLIVAN in May and June, respectively. Both bands put out forgettable albums last year, and with recent Tooth And Nail albums by BROTHERS MARTIN and JOY ELECTRIC already losing promotional steam, I’m not sure new albums will quickly alleviate the problem they face in such a saturated market.

- What is the deal with MUTE MATH? I think they finally have a CD out, but where is it? Where is the hype? What label is it on? The band puts on a great live show, and their songs aren’t bad if groovy, radio-ready pop is your thing. For a taste of MUTE MATH, check out their incredibly cool video for “Typical” at their ‘Space.

- Finally, yet another NCAA championship will be settled between Florida and Ohio State (I picked it right, did you?). While Ohio State were the favorites in the football contest earlier this year, I think it’d be fair to say that Florida has the edge coming into basketball’s version. That said, Mike Conley Jr. and Greg Oden (if he uses his brain) seem like the formidable freshmen force needed to overthrow the reigning champs. Should be a great game!

From the inbox:

HOT ROD CIRCUIT has entered the studio to record a new cover of “Gin and Juice” originally by SNOOP DOGG. The new cover will feature original concepts mixed with HOT ROD CIRCUIT’s indie rock style. Look for the new track on the hip hop cover compilation Can You Rock It Like This in stores this summer on Immortal Records.

For now, add “Can You Rock It Like This” on Myspace for the latest updates on track listing and special features.

From the inbox:

YOUTH GROUP, the Sydney-based rock outfit, is currently in the midst of a U.S. tour. The extensive Stateside trek in support of the band’s third studio album, Casino Twilight Dogs will wrap on April 15th in Chicago. Casino Twilight Dogs is in stores now through Epitaph.

4-5 Space Gallery Portland ME

4-6 Middle East Club Cambridge MA

4-7 Century Lounge Providence RI

4-9 Maxwells Hoboken NJ

4-10 Mercury Lounge New York NY

4-11 North Star Bar Philadelphia PA

4-13 Black Cat Washington DC

4-14 Club Cafe Pittsburgh PA

4-15 Magic Stick Detroit MI

4-17 Empty Bottle Chicago IL

- In-between listening to a lot of the more conventional things we cover here at Pastepunk, I’ve continuously listened to YOUTH GROUP’s chill brand of indie rock. They are indeed a very cool band.

Need we say more?

link: Full album sream of Versions

From the inbox:

Orange County transplants THE DEAR AND DEPARTED will release their Science Records debut Something Quite Peculiar on May 22.

After relocating from Australia and New Zealand to life behind the Orange Curtain, singer Dan Under, guitarist Simon O‚ÄôGorman and drummer Joel Bourne slept on couches and in vans while seeing ‚Äúsure thing” record deals fall apart before teaming up with guitarist Darren Parkinson and bassist David Williams to form the band.

Mixing a dark aesthetic and an esoteric approach with punk and new wave influences, the band has more in common with THE CURE, THE CHURCH and SISTERS OF MERCY than other bands hailing from the 714 area code.

The band teamed up with NINE INCH NAILS drummer Chris Vrenna, whose production resume includes U2 and SMASHING PUMPKINS, to produce their debut album. AFI’s Jade Puget also came onboard to help with additional production.

Look for THE DEAR AND DEPARTED rocking the Hurley Stage on the Vans Warped Tour this summer.

Volume 24 of our Band Profiles series has been posted. This time around, North Carolina’s BLOODJINN and Colorado’s SIGNAL TO NOISE answered the quick-fire slate of questions. You can check out the feature here.

In a perfect world, we would be free of cliches like “comeback album of the year,” or a “return to form,” but the ignorable fact is, phrases like these develop because they signify the filling of a void that’s created when something goes astray. SAVES THE DAY’s previous full-length, In Reverie, went about as far [...]