- The email from the label that sent me a link to this EP left an ominous impression, “a unique blend of folk and hardcore that some have deemed ‘acoustic-core.’”. I know hardcore is a vast genre, but I suddenly had the vision of Ray Cappo doing a coffee shop version of “Break Down The Walls”. It was an unhealthy vision. But I’m willing to listen to anything, and this EP is pretty cool. It sounds like acoustic double-speed THURSDAY to me, with an eerie screamo-like element. I generally like guitar sounds to impugn the chance of cardiac arrest, instead of being tickled on the arm with a soft feather, but the music does have a sense of muted heaviness, especially on the second to last song “Fall”. Pre-orders for the vinyl version is up now via Flannel Gurl Records. Give it a whirl…

- Sounding more and more like IN FLAMES by the minute. Not a bad thing…

From the inbox:

Shopradiocast is proud to exclusively offer YELLOWCARD’s “One For The Kids” on vinyl for the first time ever on August 21! First pressing will be available on three LP colors. The 7″ will be available on black and clear. Clear 7″ is limited to 500 copies and will be randomly distributed.

One for the Kids was the third studio album by pop-punk band Yellowcard. It was originally released in 2001 via Lobster Records and is the first Yellowcard album to include Ryan Key as lead singer and guitarist.

Pre-order is posted here.

- The 7″ features the album b-side “Rough Draft”. The comments on the pre-order page are umm…interesting.

- First song from the upcoming nine song acoustic release, “Live From the Montage”. Bundles and other assorted pre-order options are available from the B9 store. If you are new to the band or simply want to pick up their CDs, the three CD POLAR BEAR CLUB for $20 is a nice deal.

- I’ve long liked the concept of a “summer record”. I suppose it helps to have only lived in regions that have cold winters and warm summers, but what makes a summer record is its looseness, and the almost gullible way it makes you follow along to every word and melody. NEW FOUND GLORY have written an entire shelf of great summer records. MIXTAPES first full-length, after three very catchy and convincing EPs could not be more perfectly timed with its mix of emotionally flirty indie rock and manic pop punk. The band is personified by its interplay of male and female vocals, and its their ability to flicker through tempos like an ocean breeze. Every time I listen to this record, I think of a scene where the band is in the van and discussing out loud, “what if we revisited Four Minute Mile, but framed it in the view of The Upsides”? Just a cool, cool release…

- A HATEBREED classic…

- New EP from this Maryland-based murky hardcore/grind band, via Patac Records. For something that barely runs 10 minutes the band stuffs a whole lot of styles and personality into its compact rampaging. More info about the release can be found here.

- More gruff youth crew hardcore from this Detroit band. The six song 7″, titled “Strong Survive”, is limited to 500 copies, split between two colors. You can order it here.