1. Walk The Moon – Tightrope EP
April 1, 2013 by Matt 0 Comments
As usual, when I get ready to listen to a band I usually go in with an open mind. I had no idea
what to expect from Cincinatti’s Walk The Moon, but they gave me a great sound. With a sound
very similar to Two Door Cinema Club, these guys are a lot of fun. I’m not the only one who
thinks so because these guys have earned a spot at this years Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
The first song “Tightrope” is a song that immediately tells you what they’re about. A fun, fast
beat and happy musicality, this song kicks the EP off very well. This song is a great sing along
and will be a fan favorite at shows. The next song “anywayican” is a little slower. There is less
instrumentation. The song consists of basically just a relatively simple, yet catchy drum beat with
a few quick riffs played over it. Its a very lyrically driven song that gives a nice change of pace.
“Tete-A-Tete” is a song that has a jazzy feel to it. There is really great instrumentation at the
beginning before the lyrics come into play. Once the lyrics come in, there is a few heavy riffs
played, but they bring it right back to their cheery ol’ sound right away. This is a great short song
that has some great guitar riffs in it. “Drunk In The Woods” is a song that sounds a lot like a
lighter version of Sleigh Bells. Its an in your face sound but the voice and other instrumentation
really give it a happier feel. The hook slows down is very lyrically driven, then they kick it in
your face quickly after. This is a great song as it meshes several sounds seamlessly together.
They threw in an acoustic version of “Tightrope” and I must say it is very good, but, then again,
I am a sucker for anything acoustic. “Burning Down The House” is another great compilation of
sounds. It starts off kind of blusey then goes into a kind of punk sound. They have short lines
with in-your-face-musicality. They have chants of “Burning Down The House!” Its not as fast as
modern day punk, but still punky in the Misfits kind of sense. They then bring in some horns and
electric sounds that really transforms it. This song is a great way to end off this EP because it
incorporates everything they have done on the album into a great song that sounds almost
nothing like everything else, but it does at the same time.
Watch out for Walk The Moon for those going to the farm this summer. I know when I go, I’m
going to do the best I can to catch their set because I feel like it’d be a great show. They have so
many great sounds that I love. Seriously though, do what you can to catch these guys over the
summer; you won’t be disappointed
Marina And The Diamonds – Electra Heart
December 10, 2012 by Matt 0 Comments
When I see a band name with a name like Marina’s, I expect a typical indie sounding band. That
is not at all what I ended receiving through my ears. With a mix of pop and EDM (Electric
Dance Music), this is actually interesting at points. It is a little to poppy, but there is something
about it that I like. I think it is the European sound or her great voice, or the production. There is
something though.

2. The first song, “Bubblegum Bitch,” is probably one of my least favorite songs off the album.
There is something about it that annoys me a little bit. It does get better as the song progresses,
though. “Primadonna,” the next song, is great. It is very catchy and has a great beat to it. Songs
like this I would love to hear at a festival like Ultra and see all the lights going crazy. This song
just makes me feel great about everything.
“The State of Dreaming” starts off with the potential for a song that is trance or house. Turns out
it becomes a vocal-driven house song. This song reminds me a lot of David Guetta’s “When
Love Takes Over” or Armin Van Buuren’s “This Light Between Us.” Its a song that you want to
dance to and sing to at the same time. There are few songs, especially in this genre, where you
want to sing and dance at the same time. This song is just too good to not do both.
“Power & Control” is a song that changes the pace from the previous slow song. The big is more
noticeable, and more upbeat. The song isn’t a hardcore EDM song, its more on the relaxed side,
but it still makes you bob your head.
“Teen Idle” is a song I was intrigued to listen to just because of the title. Turns out, the beginning
lyrics relate directly to the title, and its kind of depressing. Good thing Marina comes through
and makes this song great. The beginning is soft and depressing, then the keyboards come in and
you can feel the build. The beat drops its soft, quiet self as the song progresses on its sinister line.
Even though this song is a little low on energy, the song itself just sounds great.
“Valley of the Dolls” starts off slow and quiet and builds a great, simple bass beat. It is very easy
to get lost in this song as it embraces you with its trance and beauty. Its a great transition from
the previous “Teen Idle.”
“Radioactive” starts off with that feel of a great dance song. Once the song kicks in, you feel the
sound. It nothing extraordinary, but the way its put together makes you want to move. The last
song “Fear & Loathing” is a slow song that really has great percussion beats and a trancy bass.
Its a great way to end the album because it really emcompasses ll the great things she did on the
record, especially producing wise.
I have never heard of Marina And The Diamonds, but I have now, and I expect her to make a
breakthrough in the United States soon. For you electronic music fans, expect a new face in
town.
The Porchistas – The Baby Album
November 19, 2012 by Matt 0 Comments
There is nothing more exciting than listening to an album you’ve never heard by a band you’ve
never heard and be blown away.That’s what The Porchistas did to me here. I have always had a
liking for folkish music, but never did I listen to anything like this. They used horns in their
weird beats with their raspy singing and don’t care sound.

3. It all starts with the first song “Friends In The Underground.” This song starts off with horns and
a simple, consistent bass and guitar line. The raspy singing mixed with the horns sounded great,
but the sax solo at the end took me by surprise. It was beautiful and perfectly placed. Nothing
better than a sax solo. “Tooty Tooty Ta” is a song that starts off with a very country sound, then
gets a little more punk sounding. Its a simple lyrical song which makes it great to sing along to.
This is one of my personal favorites off the album.
“Make A Wish” starts off with a jazzy feel, and maintains it to a decent level throughout. It
seems like every song has a different sound to it, and I can barely keep up. “Zombie Jesus” is
honestly the first song I heard off this album, just because of its name. And man, this song is
crazy. The words are wild and the deep “Zombie, Zombie, Zombie Jesus” chant is sinister in
itself. The rest of the song is just a catchy little song. This song is by far my favorite song off the
album, its a lot of fun, and its very weird.
“Swing Little Girl” is a soft song consisting of a violin and xylophone, then they use the creepy-
ish low voice that I adore so much. They throw in the occasional harmony which adds to the
weirdness and beauty of it all. “Oh Brother” is a song with a nice reggae kind of feel with the
guitar riffs and solos. It is very vocally driven, but the guitar is what seems to keep it going.
“Song For Harry” is the last song off the album. It starts off with a familiar beat being played on
the acoustic guitar. Its a very folky song in the sense its basically just two guys singing over the
most common acoustic riff ever. Either way, it is a great song to end it off with. It kind of sums
up who these guys are. Eccentric, yet extremely talented.
I have never had a tougher time reviewing this album only because I couldn’t quite find words
that can fairly describe these guys to you. They are their own sound, whatever that may be.
Every song has a different genre, and a different feel. I expect these guys to play a lot of festivals
over the next few years because they will blow up if they do so. I have never heard a band so
weird and eccentric, but yet enjoyed so much on my first listen. If this review seems weak,
ignore it and listen to them anyway. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Via Coma – Figures
October 8, 2012 by Matt 0 Comments
Via Coma is a band from Lafayette, California. Their name means “through endless sleep.” Their
debut album, Figures, was released this year and its really quite good. In a weird way, this band
reminds me of an indie and happy Hawthorne Heights. Don’t ask me why, it just does.
The first song is called “Aquanota.” This is a great introductory song as it really sets the tone. It
shows you their sound, and their beauty. The riff throughout the song is perfect and beautiful in
every sense. Its a great song to just relax to. “”Blame” is the next song off the record and this is a
little different than the first. It’s more upbeat and fun. This song sounds similar to a pop-punk
band’s try at a soft song, but a lot better.

4. “Stitches” starts off with a simple and beautiful bass line. It then adds the guitar and vocals
making this song really dreamy. It puts you in a bit of a trance cause its so good. A song like this
makes me wanna kick back and enjoy the summer night breeze on the beach. “Back and Forth”
is a song that starts off with the keys and soft vocals. It builds up as more and more instruments
get involved. The bass comes in and the guitar plays a simple little riff over the keys. Out of
what seems like nowhere, the songs kicks up a notch. With a faster beat and instrumentation, the
song is really a great change of pace. It has been a few songs since they played something this
upbeat so its used perfectly to wake you up halfway through.
“Iron Horse” is quite the trippy song. It starts off with a crazy sound that really takes you
elsewhere. This then transitions into a soft song, again featuring great key playing. The
psychedelic sound comes back later on in the song. Overall, this song is really quite good. It is
perfect for those long nights ending or a beautiful Sunday morning.
“All’s Well That Ends” is the closing song on the album. There is a drum roll playing throughout
the entire song, which is something you don’t see too often nowadays. It starts off slow but the
guitar comes in over the drums and then the vocals. Its a great way to end the album as its the
longest song on the album. It really closes it out well with its beauty and style.
Via Coma is a band that I expect to see around next summer. This album is really good, and it
wouldn’t surprise me if they get some real attention this summer. Via Coma is a band that I’d
love to listen to while in an endless sleep. They are so beautiful with their musicianship and
harmonies.
Remember the band Hawthorne Heights from high school? Yeah the band that screamed and was
depressing. Well, they’re back, and they’re back strong. Hawthorne Heights popularity and
careers took a turn back in 2007 when their guitarist, and screamer, Casey Calvert died suddenly.
They turned away from their punk/screamo music and made an album that was completely clean
vocals, and they just didn’t sound the same.
Here they are now, 5 years after the fact, releasing a trilogy of EPs, and back to their old
screaming ways. Micah Carli, the lead guitarist, took over the screaming role back in 2009, and
he is doing great. Hope is the second part of the trilogy, and, man, did it rock my world.
“New Winter” is the first actual song on the EP after their short introduction song. Not having
heard a new Hawthorne Heights song since their 2008 album Fragile Future I didn’t know what
to expect. To my surprise, the song started off like the old Hawthorne used to; with screams. I
was really excited for the screams, and even more excited to hear that this song is actually very
good. It has their old sound, the punk/scream and the pop as well. Listening to this song made
me remember the good ol’ high-school days.
“Running In Place (Niki AM)” threw me off at first. I only saw the “Niki AM” portion of the
title and thought it was “Niki FM,” but it turns out its not. Fortunately, I like this song better than
“Niki FM.” This song has a great riff with a very catchy chorus. Even though this song isn’t as

5. “punky” as I like, it still has the intensity Hawthorne is notorious for. This song is the epitome of
pop-punk, but it is still a great song that I am excited to learn the lyrics to.
“Stranded” is a song that is slower but builds into this intense chorus with a lot of screaming.
Then it goes back to the quiet, relaxed verses. Songs like these remind me of Brand New songs
off of Deja Entendu. The next song “Nowhere Fast” starts off with a nice bass line and a
beautiful guitar riff. The whole song is this bass line and riff, and it is really a nice interlude of
sorts for the EP.
The self-titled track “Hope” is a nice song that preaches about having hope. Its really a great
song when your having a crappy day and everything seems to be going against you. It will give
you some hope for better things to come. I haven’t heard a song this positive from Hawthorne
Heights, well, ever. Its a nice change they incorporated.
“Vandemonium” is a song that straight up rocks. With heavy riffs and screaming, this song is
one of my favorites off the album. The song reminds me a lot of Blink-182′s new album, minus
the screaming. Its very fast and fun. “Chemicals” is the last song off the EP. It starts off with a
good riff then moves into a heavy verse. The riffs are simple,but heavy, and there is screaming as
well. The bridge to the chorus is very intense, and then the chorus comes in the rocks your face
off. With clean vocals and background screams combined with the fast beat, this song is a really
good way to go out.
This EP shows that Hawthorne Heights is back, and back with a vengeance. Rocking harder than
ever, Hawthorne Heights is about to be back on the scene as an influential band that seems to be
able to overcome anything, from depression to death.
Get Scared ‘Built For Blame, Laced With Shame’ Review
September 10, 2012 by Matt 0 Comments
Get Scared is a band from Utah. They formed in 2008 and have released several EPs and an
album. Their most recent EP Built For Blame, Laced With Shame was released at the end of
August and it is a really great listen.
Being one of those kids back in high-school where the screaming bands were the good bands, I
liked Get Scared a lot. They have heavy riffs and fast paced songs that are also very catchy.
Their sound reminds me of Chiodos or Saosin with their screechy singing, occasional screams,
and poppy choruses.
The first song, “Built For Blame” starts off with a heavy riff and fast beat but the chorus is
catchy. This song has a breakdown comparable to those of Chiodos’ Craig Owens era. Brutal and
loud.

6. “Problematic” starts off with a metal riff, then goes off sounding like Saosin with just the simple
drum beat playing over the vocals. Nonetheless, this song is brutal and energetic. The build ups
this song has really builds adrenaline and makes you wanna hop in the nearest pit.
“Cynical Skin” is a fast song that really doesn’t slow down. Even when it does slow down a little
for the verses, the riffs are still heavy as hell allowing for ultimate jamming. “Keep Myself
Alive” is a quieter, slower song. That, by no means, means that the song is quiet or slow. With a
quiet intro and verse, the song has a chorus where the singer is belting out those high notes
bringing me back to the days of listening to Chiodos. The best part of this song are the gang-
vocals near the end. This song reminds me a lot of Chiodos with the guitars and especially the
voice.
“Start To Fall” has one of those creepy beginnings. Its quiet and half-whispered. Then the chorus
kicks in, and its quite poppy. Simple drums mixed with the creepy-ish vocals make the song
great, and the chorus just allows everyone to sing along. The last song, “Don’t You Dare Forget
The Sun” is a compilation of all the sounds on the album. It starts off heavy, goes into a quiet,
kind of creepy verse, then right into a great chorus. Its a great way to end the EP because it
culminates everything we listen to on the album into one song.
Get Scared has a sound that I have been looking for for a long time. Being a huge fan of Chiodos
and Saosin, this band is like the two bands creating a super group. If you are a fan of either band
or bands that sound similar, you should definitely check these guys out. They rock and they roll.
Less Than Jake at Starland
August 31, 2012 by Matt 0 Comments
As I leave the Starland Ballroom for the first time I look back and realize that this show was one
of the loudest and craziest shows of my life. The show featured ska/reggae kings Less Than Jake
and Catch 22, along with supporting acts Obi Fernandez, The Waffle Stompers, and the Avon
Junkies. Unfortunately, I showed up late and didn’t have a chance to catch the Avon Junkies.
I arrived about 5 minutes before the Waffle Stompers came out. I was excited to see them
because I had previously seen them with Reel Big Fish at Rutgers two years ago, and they killed
it. This show was much of the same from the Stompers. Playing their fast, punky ska music, they
got the crowd moving and rocked the show. After their show ended, Obi Fernandez was due up.
Not once had I heard the name Obi Fernandez until this night, so I had no idea what to expect.
What I heard was the beautiful, relaxing sound of reggae. I instantly loved it. Every song was
just so nice and beautiful. Obi’s reggae sound didn’t stop the crowd from dancing after the
Waffle Stompers. The crowd simply slowed their dancing, and kept it going throughout the set.
The best part of the set, for me, was their closer. They covered the song “Check Your Time” by
one of my favorite reggae bands, Westbound Train. Their cover was absolutely incredible, and I
left that night with a large amount of respect for Obi Fernandez.

7. Up next are the ska kings, Catch 22. The only song that I had wanted to hear them play was
arguably their most famous one, “Keasbey Nights.” As soon as I heard the opening riff to the
song, everybody went crazy and danced and sang to every word. Seeing this song live by its
original artist was such a treat, as I have loved the song for years now. This song came in the
middle of the set, and unfortunately for die-hard Catch 22 fans, they didn’t play “The Footsteps
Die Out Forever,” “9mm And A Three Piece Suit,” or “1234 1234.” Most people didn’t seem too
upset though because they did see “Keasbey Nights,” and Less Than Jake was still up to play.
I have seen Less Than Jake a few times, but each time was a short 30-minute Warped Tour set,
so I was excited to see an extended set from them. They came out to their trumpeter playing what
is commonly known as “the boot camp song,” and then they went right into rocking “Gainesville
Rock City.” The set was insane. There were about 6 pits in the small amount of space allotted for
the show with crowd surfers and dancers, and I was able to feel the music in my teeth; yes, my
teeth. Since this was Less Than Jake?s 20 year anniversary tour, they whipped out a few classics.
Halfway through their set they played “The Science of Selling Yourself Short” to “wake up” the
old people at the bar in back; and boy did it work. As soon as the first horn sounded, the entire
place moved. People found the nearest pit and danced and sang the entire song. The next
highlight was, in my opinion, one of the best ska/punk songs made; “All My Bestfriends Are
Metalheads.” As soon as the notorious intro ended and the guitar came in, the whole building
became one large pit with everybody dancing and singing and crowd surfing and having a blast.
The last song they played was “Plastic Cup Politics,” the 2-minute song that everyone wishes
was a little longer. This fast song was a great way to end the night. Everybody went crazy with
their last little bit of energy they were able to scrounge up from the depths of their soul.
As I was exiting the show I realized that my ears were ringing quite loudly and I couldn’t quite
hear anything anyone was saying. As a regular concert goer I know that this is a regular
occurrence, but none quite this bad. I am writing this now, with my ears still ringing, reliving the
great moments of the night. So much dancing, so much music, so much fun. Less Than Jake, you
still got it.
We Are The In Crowd‘s debut album Best Intentions is a work of pop-punk genius. Every song
makes you wanna jump around and sing like a 15 year-old girl. The dual vocals of Taylor Jardine
and Jordan Eckes is masterful. Its like they are singing their own songs to each other. The songs
are a mix of Paramore and All Time Low.
The album starts off with a energetic song in “Rumor Mill.” “This Isn’t Goodbye, It’s BRB” is
another song that flows from “Rumor Mill.” Songs like these are songs that people run and jump
around to at shows. They give you a feeling of euphoria because nothing else matters but
dancing.
“Kiss Me Again” is a slower song that is unbelievably catchy. This song is a great sing-along. It
also tells a great love story that will win the hearts of all listeners almost immediately. Who
doesn’t love a nice upbeat love song every once in a while?

8. “See You Around” is a duet song that has Jordan singing about a girl and Taylor singing the part
of the girl. This song is a great song of heartbreak. Again, they use their lyricism and musicality
to create an upbeat song about something everyone goes through. This song can cure the hearts
of many as they experience heartbreak because if offers both sides of the equation, and not just
one.
“You’ve Got It Made” is the one song on the album that isn’t upbeat. Even though its a slower
sad song, the sing-along status is still through the roof. When you listen to it the first time, you
just want to sing the words, even though you do not know them.
We Are The In Crowd has created a great album. An album that I haven’t heard since my high
school days when All Time Low and We The Kings came into play. Its been a long time since I
heard a really good pop-punk band enter the scene. I am ecstatic to see that a band like this is
making music. The duel vocals, the sing-alongs, the dancing, all of it makes this album genius.
Anyone who likes catchy music should give this band a listen. They’re different, yet similar at
the same time.
Erick Serna And The Killing Floor is a one-man-band that crosses between the Black Keys and
old-school Southern Rock. The songs have a lot of distorted guitar and heavy bass lines. Along
with that they add elements of bluegrass, country, and southern rock into all of this to make a
truly unique sound.
The Grip is an incredible compilation of songs. Some songs will sound country, others will
sound heavy, and others will sound indie. You truly never know what to get with these guys, but
no matter what it is, its awesome.
I didn’t know what to expect when I was told to listen to them. What I got is the farthest thing
from what I expected, though. The self-titled track, “The Grip,” starts the album off with a
fantastic mix of different genres. It felt like I was listening to the Black Keys with a southern
twang. I had never heard anything more unique and perfect in my life.
“I’ve Been Walking” is a bass heavy song that is slow and quiet. It is a simple song with
complicated guitar fills. As the song progresses, though, it builds up into a loud jam of a song,
and at the end it goes back to the jazzy, mellow, bass-heavy song it was at the beginning. This
song is a great song to just drive and bob your head to.
The album closes out with a slow, sing-along song called “Dear McKenzie.” This song is a
change from the rest of the album. It is melodic, soft, and vocal heavy. The instrumentation is
still impeccable, though.
With Erick Serna And The Killing Floor, you never know what to get. The Black Keys, George
Thorogood, Alice In Chains, or straight up southern rock. It is fantastic and as unique as
anything I’ve ever heard. These guys are going places, too. They shared the stage with Circa

9. Survive this October at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville. I recommend people go online and
download “The Grip” from Erick Serna’s website because it is a great and engaging listen.
Jonquil caught me off guard with their name. “Its so strange,” I thought. Then I decided I have to
give them a listen with a name this strange. Lucky for me, their music was relaxing and soothing
to the ears. A very relaxed and melodic indie band, Jonquil is a band I recommend everyone to
listen to.
Their album, Point Of Go, begins with a song called “Swells.” This song starts with a quiet synth
with a snare-less drum beat. The vocals ease in and sooth your ears. You suddenly realize that
you are dancing along with the music. “Getaway,” the next song, is a little more upbeat and bass
heavy, but it is still a song to relax to.
Songs like these guys are making remind me very much of the Fleet Foxes. They are indie, quiet,
melodic, and most of all, beautiful. Jonquil has a different sound than the Fleet Foxes, but the
comparison is noticeable.
“Run” is a song that is upbeat and ready-to-go. It is very catchy with the keys and synthesizer.
The drums have a lot of quick fills, and the musicianship is more difficult. I must say this is the
most beautiful pop song I have ever heard. “Real Cold” is another one of these upbeat songs.
Featuring a catchy riff, the song makes it way forward with Hugo’s beautiful vocals and work on
the synth.
“Mexico” is a tribal song that is happy and relaxing. The tribal beat makes you wanna dance and
sing along, but this song can also be a great beach song. “History Of Headaches” gives you the
furthest thing from a headache. If anything this song can replace Tylenol. Soft on the ears, this
song is a great one for taking a nap to. The song builds near the end with the catchy guitar
picking and the increasing drum roll. The end explodes into a sound of triumph and success. It is
truly a beautiful moment in the album. As the song crashes at the end, the album rolls into the
last song, which is instrumental. The piano and guitar are playing a soft tune together over a
background of static. This is a beautiful way to end the album because it sums everything up in
60 seconds. Beautiful and clever.
Jonquil is a band I am excited to see grow. A mix of the Fleet Foxes and Tokyo Police Club,
these guys are geniuses. They use such an array of instruments throughout their songs as well.
You should listen for the horns in “Swells” and the cowbell in “It’s My Part.” There is even a
hint of tambourine in “Run.” These guys are geniuses, and I cannot wait wait to see what they
can accomplish.
Young The Giant are exactly what they call themselves; young giants. They are a band that is
rapidly growing throughout the indie/alternative scene. With their catchy choruses and happy

10. songs, people can’t resist. Their self-titled debut album is near flawless to many. All the songs
have their own special sound to it.
The album starts off with a soft song called “My Apartment.” It then picks up with the next song
and first single off the album “My Body.” Their next single “Cough Syrup,” is a catchy, soft
melody from the band. The first line “Life’s too short to even care at all,” is a line sung very
often during the song.
This band knows how to put together a great album of a variety of songs. After their performance
back in August at the MTV Video Music Awards, they have been getting rapidly more popular,
deservingly so.
This album doesn’t slow down at any point. Every song is catchy and cheerful, and so well put
together. The musicianship is fantastic on this album. I am excited to see what this band puts out
next because they are well on their way to really big things. Young The Giant are literally young
giants in the music industry.