Life’s a Bummer

Earlier this month LA musician Rachel Levy (of Kiss Kiss Fantastic and Teen Porn) self-released her first solo effort, R.L. Kelly- Life’s a Bummer. I was alerted about it via Teen Suicide’s facebook page and I couldn’t pass up listening to something with such a great title. I immediately listened to it like six times in a row. It’s really sweet, sad, and heartwarming at the same time. The first song, You’re Not the Only Monster in Hell, is really pretty catchy. And the second song is an Aleg G. cover. It’s a killer EP. Enjoy!

For my Valentines Punks

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s time for a new Sharp Corners mixtape! If you haven’t gotten anything for your crush yet just burn a copy of this and put it in their mailbox. All anyone in their right mind wants for Valentines day is a mix CD anyways. You have my permission to pretend  you made this. All’s fair in love and war. What’s a little white lie on the most romantic day of the year?!?! … You might wanna remove the song “I Hate You”, but it is amazing so… yr call.

Download Sharp Corners Volume 3!

500 Channels – Choking Victim
Favreau – Kudrow
IV – Shoppers
Fall – 1905
Dukes Up – Modest Mouse
Curling – Speedy Ortiz
Getting Old (i hate you) – Places To Hide
Jumping Jacks – Omar
Toby’s Song – Billy Raygun
Still – joyride!
Bone Valley Deposit – The Besties
Seeing Double – Madeline

Football, etc. (Happy Thanksgiving)

In my post about Kittyhawk I mentioned that there aren’t many female fronted emo bands. Well, I guess I was forgetting about Houston natives Football, etc. Back in 2009 Count Your Lucky Stars Records released their amazing four-track EP First Down, and last year they released their full length, The Draft. First Down‘s title track is the highlight of the EP.

I hope you get a black lung/ I hope that you get two of them

The full length has the same hypnotic vocals, rambling bass, and shoegazey elements. It moves away from the math rock guitar styles evident in their EP, and overall I don’t like it quite as much. But it’s a close call! Listen to both. Especially if you’re a fan of Rainer Maria or American Football.

For lyrics, upcoming tour dates, and merch check out their website!

Coping- NOPE

The Chicago emo group Coping decided to break up over the summer, but before making it official they recorded their second album, NOPE. It was released on their bandcamp in September and will be available on vinyl in December from Protagonist Records. If you’re a fan of midwest emo then you’ll love this album. Double Perfect and B are my favorites. I’m getting old and you’re getting loud.

Omar- I’m Not Mad I’m Just Mad That You’re Mad

Omar is a two-piece pop punk band from Philadelphia with male + female vocals. They have only released one recording and it happens to be an amazing 6-song EP. I’m Not Mad I’m Just Mad That You’re Mad was self-released on CDs and through their bandcamp. It came out almost three years ago and there’s been little word from the band since, though they did play a few shows in 2012. I’m a little mystified by how such a good band could disappear. If you know anything about new projects plz comment.

I often say pop punk is one of my favorite music genres, but when I say pop punk I mean music like this. Omar’s album is heartfelt, catchy, urgent, and hopeful. I’m going to beg you to listen to Jumping Jacks.

Team Spirit (FUCK THE BEACH)

So this band is pretty silly but they have this one song called Fuck the Beach that I’m totally crazy about.  I finally looked them up on bandcamp and listened to their other songs. They only have three others posted, and I’ll admit they aren’t quite as great as Fuck the Beach, but they’re pretty fun! The EP apparently came out last February on Black Bell Records, but they only made 300 CDs. Also I guess that Pashy Pit synth dude Ayad Al Adham is in this band.

Infinity Girl – Stop Being On My Side

Six months ago four Boston dude teamed up to create the band Infinity Girl. Last month they quietly released their first album Stop Being On My Side. It’s 11 songs long and a pretty undeniably great noise rock/shoegaze debut. Nolan Eley perfects the dreamy vocals and is occasionally joined by Samira Winter, for example in the the tracks By Now (which is really good, but a lot like My Bloody Valentine) or Even If (also a favorite, but so much like Yo La Tengo.)

If you like 90’s indie rock and shoegaze you should name your price for their album on bandcamp (whether you download or not By Now is worth a listen) and if you’re in Boston you can see them later this week at a benefit show in Allston!

Fay Wray — S/T

So this album came out in 1998 on No Idea Records, but I’m still going to write about this erstwhile band because … they deserve it.  This 12 song record clocks in at just under 30 minutes, which means they are probably doing something right, pop punk-wise. Hailing from South Florida, this band has a little bit of a Hot Water Music/Clairmel  sound going on, but their vocals have their own vibes, perfect at shouting & singing. The lyrics are at times funny, honest, or both. Baywatch is a great one about going crazy watching shitty TV. Amanda is probably my favorite, but maybe just because it’s the token love song.

This album isn’t available anymore from the record label, so I’ve uploaded it here for you to download. Apparently No Idea is selling Bright Eyes albums now?