With the title of their debut EP for Ace Fu, Pennsylvania’s ILLINOIS beg the question, “What the hell do I know?” For starters, I would say that they know a lot about everything that falls under the indie rock genre tag. In a matter of twenty-minutes or so, the quartet manages to pump out seven [...]

FLOGGING MOLLY – Float

- Since the band first broke on Side One Dummy, I’ve been a casual, consistent fan of FLOGGING MOLLY. With their act being so tremendous live, their recorded material has always seemed to play second fiddle (mandolin?) to their aura and overall spirit, yet I wouldn’t quite call it lacking. With Float however, the band’s relentless Celtic-punk attack finally has the production chops to almost outshine the group’s live counterpart. In a word, Float is glorious. You can stream the entire full-length at the band’s MySpace page.

From the inbox:

MELTDOWN’s newest effort, a three song 7″ EP aptly titled Meltdown, is the bands finest hour to date. . Recorded by Jay Maas @ The Getaway Group (Shipwreck a.d.), Meltdown showcases their continuously evolving precision/power. Their trademark machine gun guitar riffs, unrelenting double bass, and bone shaking breakdowns are more infectious than they’ve ever been. While their poignant lyrics and vocal rage continue to ring louder and clearer than ever. Sonic qualities that are all complimented by stark cover artwork by Aaron Horkey (The Hope Conspiracy, Isis, etc). And this is just the beginning, as Meltdown are currently writing a new album, to be released later in 2008.

Collectors Note: There are 3 colors of this 7″EP. If you order 3 copies, we’ll do our best to get you all three colors. All new Deathwish/Malfunction vinyl releases come w/ a free Digital Download coupon of the purchased release. Even more reason to pick this up!!!

link: MELTDOWN Audio Player

- The song in the audio player is titled “Cursed.” It is stocked with much awesomeness.

To keep everyone up to speed:

- EMBRACE THE END – “Denim on Denim Hate Crime”

- THRICE – “Come All You Weary”

- THE CRIBS – “I’m A Realist” (POSTAL SERVICE remix)

- LeGRACIA – “According to My Notes”

- INHALE EXHALE – “I Needed A Spaceship”

- KEVIN DEVINE – “Fever Moon”

- ARSIS – “We Are The Nightmare”

If Mmhmmm found RELIENT K working hints of melodic, piano-driven rock into their BLINK 182-influenced pop-punk, then consider Five Score And Seven Years Ago their coming out party as a fully-developed pop-rock band. This rapid evolution is most likely attributed to their jump from the underground Christian scene to the mainstream a few years ago. [...]

- So last year Victory released a record by 1997 who subsequently fell of the face of the earth. Now we have 1994. Love the originality, guys.

- According to this post, the vocalist of AMBER PACIFIC is leaving so he can head back to school in hopes of one day becoming a school principal. His run in music was solid, but I must say I do appreciate such a career goal more than I ever have his voice. I hope he finds success.

- It is still very early in the release season, but I feel as if though I am consumed by crap. In a stack of twenty-to-thirty new releases you’d expect to hear a few worthwhile bands. Alas, it’s not meant to be. Here is a rough outline of my current pile: screamo band that just doesn’t get it, incredibly familiar pop-rock band, boring electronic/art rock, Victory release, Fearless release, screamo band, screamo band, death metal band, Victory again, etc, etc. You get the idea.

- On a slightly more positive note, Eyeball Records is having a pretty strong first quarter. While I probably won’t be listening to any of the releases a few months from now (just being real), these quality records have saved me from complete agony during these rough release times.

- I typically never commute much, but as I had a lengthy trip to make today, I started listening to some local sports radio. In about an hour and a half of listening to Detroit Tigers spring training talk, I went from hardly anticipating the coming season to seriously wanting to buy season tickets to attend every home game. Their line-up is wild on paper, and I’m incredibly excited to see what they can do this summer. Woo Tigers!

- I have no idea what to think about WALLPAPER. It is the side-project of Mr. Eric Frederic from FACING NEW YORK, arguably one of my favorite bands making music. WALLPAPER is a huge departure from the prog-rock of FNY, and as I am not a purveyor of experimental electronica/hip-hop/R&B, I have no idea if it this good or not, but I dig it. Anyone want to weigh in? (WALLPAPER will be releasing a new EP on Eenie Meenie in April.)

From the inbox:

Photo Finish Records has announced the upcoming release of DIALOG, the debut album from Nashville’s PAPER RIVAL. The acclaimed new rock outfit‚Äôs first full-length release ‚Äì which includes the single, ‚ÄúCassandra‚Äù ‚Äì will be available in stores and via all online retailers on May 20th. The band posted ‚ÄúCassandra‚Äù today on their MySpace page. The band previously released a self-titled EP late last year. They plan to support the record in the coming months.

3/2-11 w/ The Hush Sound, The Secret Handshake, and Charlotte Sometimes

3/21-29 w/Owen

March

2 Urbana, IL The Canopy

3 Covington, KY The Madhatter

4 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls Theatre

6 Allentown, PA Crocodile Rock Cafe

8 Virginia Beach, VA Club Relevant

9 Augusta, GA Club Hollywood

10 Montgomery, AL Off The Wagon

11 Birmingham, AL Zydeco

14 Austin, TX Shirts For A Cure/Photo Finish Records @ Red7

16 Claremore, OK King Of Clubs

20 Lansing, MI Mac’s Bar

21 London, ONT The Salt Lounge

22 Ottawa, ONT Zaphod Beeblebrox

23 Quebec City, QUE Le Cercle

26 Montreal, QUE Club Lambi

27 Toronto, ONT El Mocambo Club

28 Detroit, MI Magic Stick

29 Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop

- Wow…judging by this song the band has really embraced the music of their hometown. No trace of the lonely atmospherics that dominated their earlier EP.

From the inbox:

THE CARRIER are one of Boston’s newest and most interesting hardcore bands. Their brand of powerful melodic hardcore is the next chapter of evolution in their genre. Emoting with a goose-bump inducing fervor unlike any other band out there today.

In the summer of 2007, THE CARRIER released their debut 7″EP on the Words Of War label. This amazing three song 7″EP caught the attention of the hardcore community worldwide, paving the way for the band to tour throughout the year. In late 2007, THE CARRIER teamed up with the Rock Vegas label (COA, ROSES NEVER FADE) to release their first proper album titled One Year Later. With this album The Carrier truly shined, pushing their approach to new heights, and solidifying their standing as one of the best melodic hardcore bands to surface in ages.

THE CARRIER will release their new 7″EP, No Love Can Save Me on Deathwish soon. Recorded by Jay Maas @ The Getaway Group (Meltdown, Shipwreck a.d.), the release cries out with impassioned vocals and towering guitar melodies that sway and swell before crashing forth with explosive energy. Showing the band at their most emotionally charged, while also hinting at the creative greatness that is looming on their horizon. Pre-ordering info, Audio Player, and release date for The Carrier “No Love Can Save Me” 7″EP will be posted shortly.

05/16: Waterbury, CT @ Bobby Allens As One Fest

05/17: Waterbury, CT @ Bobby Allens As One Fest

05/18: Waterbury, CT @ Bobby Allens As One Fest

05/19: Indianapolis, IN @ The 1511 w/ Trash Talk

05/20: St Louis, MO @ Two Cents Plain w/ Trash Talk

05/21: Hutchinson, KS @ McGraws w/ Trash Talk

05/22: Denver, CO @ Underground w/ Trash Talk

05/23: Boise, ID @ Myrtle Morgue w/ Trash Talk

05/24: Tacoma, WA @ The Viaduct Rain Fest

05/25: Tacoma, WA @ The Viaduct Rain Fest

05/26: Portland, OR @ Backspace

05/27: Orangevale, CA @ VFW Hall

05/28: Santa Cruz, CA @ 418 Project

05/29: Newhall, CA @ American Legion Hall

05/30: Reseda, CA @ Chateau Harder

05/31: Tijuana, MX @ Kimbara Cafe

06/01: Tucson, AZ @ tba

06/02: San Antonio, TX @ The Crossing

06/03: Dallas, TX @ Red Blood Club

06/04: Oklahoma City, OK @ The Factory

06/05: Lincoln, NE @ tba

06/06: Sioux Falls, SD @ tba

06/07: Fargo, ND @ Red Raven

06/08: Minneapolis, MN @ NELC

06/09: Waterloo, IA @ Amvets Post 19

06/10: Peoria, IL @ tba

06/11: Romeo, MI @ Static Age

06/12: Toronto, ON @ Studio BLR

06/13: Erie, PA @ tba

06/14: Providence, RI @ Club Hell w/ Killing The Dream, Trap Them

06/15: Perth Amboy, NJ @ Copa De Oro w/ Killing The Dream, Trap Them

06/16: Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory w/ Killing The Dream, Trap Them

06/17: Baltimore, MD @ Talking Head w/ Killing The Dream, Trap Them

06/18: Doylestown, PA @ Siren Records w/ Killing The Dream, Trap Them

06/19: Albany, NY @ Valentines w/ Killing The Dream, Trap Them

06/20: Montreal, QC @ Black Dot w/ Killing The Dream, Trap Them

06/21: Haverhill, MA @ Welfare Records w/ Killing The Dream, Trap Them

link: deathwishinc.com