TRANSIT – Listen & Forgive (Rise): I hate when I have to confront my own preferences for how a band should sound. I didn’t ask TRANSIT to change their sound from fast melodic pop-punk/hardcore to the melodic rock/emo hybrid that dominates Listen & Forgive , but they went and did it anyway. The results are in fact very good and vocalist Joe Boynton establishes himself as a guy who can truly sing and command. Lush instrumentation brings to me AMERICAN FOOTBALL and THE GET UP KIDS, while the band takes a page from HOSTAGE CALM’s on transition on a few songs as well. It feels like deja vu from 2001, when SAVES THE DAY transitioned from Through Being Cool to Stay What You Are. Let’s hope for TRANSIT’s sake that they handle burdening success with greater focus.

NIGHT BIRDS – The Other of Side of Darkness (Grave Mistake): It’s kind of shocking to me how little “traditional” punk rock I actually listen to on a daily basis, but dammit if NIGHT BIRDS aren’t giving their best efforts to change that. The aggressive, quick-footed, surf/horror/garage influenced punk rock band impresses dearly on their full-length debut.  With its 13 tracks peppering your brain for a brief 22 minutes, the band never lets off the pedal and the snarling, sneering vocals have an addictive quality. Just as engaging are the pointed lyrics which switch between personally or socially reflective with “Landfill Land” being one of the most relevant as it rages against sprawl and industrial wasteland.  Grave Mistake’s track record on full-length releases is virtually bulletproof, and Darkness is no exception.