Vinyl
SOFT OPENING
s/t (2011/HUMDINGER)
DOOM/PSYCHEDELLIC-ROCK. This debut LP from Asheville's SOFT OPENING displays 6 tracks from a band that has evolved their sound into one of the most sonically mesmerizing experiences to have popped up in a long time. While no band comes to mind with a sound quite like theirs, the melting pot of influence is somewhat massive. Part stoner and sludge, part psych attack which seems to range from the mentalities of HAWKWIND to SPACEMEN 3, part apathetic comfort. It's not heavy enough to be metal or hardcore, it's not so spacey enough to be shoegaze, and they have found a sweet spot that keeps them from falling into either the overly-noodley or drone/repetitive worlds. All in all, it's complex, heavy, and definitely far out!
SOFY MAJOR
s/t (2009/EMERGENCE)
POST-HARDCORE. The latest from French post-hardcore act SOFY MAJOR is this excellent one-sided LP (with screenprinted artwork on the other). Yet another promising act that delves into the noisier realms of post-hardcore with loads of caustic guitar textures and clashing chord phrasings, harsh vocal screams, and a solid rhythmic core that drives the bulk of the songwriting. This is another great release from a curious group that's getting better and better. They've always been deserving of more appreciation, but now more than ever... Beautiful screen-printed gatefold too.
SOJOURNER
s/t (2008/16OH)
HARDCORE. For those familiar with SOJOURNER, you can hear the modernistic stylings of ROLLINS BAND, BURN and ORANGE 9MM amongst many other influences shining through in a new and creative way. This 7" is limited to 343 copies, all with silkscreened covers. The 7" contains one song from their upcoming full-length "the narrows" called "artifice," and two b-sides, never available anywhere else ever again, or something like that.
SOLDIERS
hit the brick (2011/STATE OF MIND)
HARDCORE. Long Island, NY's Soldiers return another 4 devastating tracks. Playing heavy New York styled hardcore the way the masters VISION OF DISORDER and SICK OF IT ALL played it. You might recognize members from bands like THIS IS HELL, ICE AGE and STRAY FROM THE PATH. 7" includes a MP3 download card.
SOLEA
even stranger (2003/DEFIANCE)
INDIE ROCK. Emo and indie-sllstar group featuring members of TEXAS IS HE REASON, KNAPSACK, and SAMIAM. You'll get 5 songs that are reminiscent of TEXAS IS THE REASON and SAMIAM, yet with a more rock attitude that still captures their lilting melodies and poppy songwriting.
SOLID DECLINE
Adorning the void (2006/HEART FIRST)
HARDCORE. Die Debut 7' auf dem gleichnamigen Label, sowie die Split 7' mit STRONG INTENTION waren ja schon Kracher vor dem Herrn und machten Appetit auf mehr. Nachdem es jetzt etwas ruhiger um die ex-Y-Jungs geworden ist kommt diese brutale Vollbedienung in Form von 10 neuen, abwechslungsreichen Tracks unverholen aus dem Nichts und zwingt einen unweigerlich in die Knie. Im Vergleich zum alten Songmaterial hat die Band wieder einen richtigen Schritt 'nach vorne gemacht' und hat nun auch durch die Mithilfe von Frank Bolz (Burial, Doomtown uvm.) an den Reglern ihre musikalische Positionierung weiter ausgebaut und gefestigt. Die auf 750 Kopien limitierte Do7' kommt zudem im sehr ansprechenden Falt-Siebdruckcover. Einziger Wermutstropfen. ich haette ein 12' Format der Doppel-7' vorgezogen!
SOLID DECLINE / RUIDOSA INMUNDICIA
split (2008/THOUGHT CRIME)
HARDCORE. RUIDOSA INMUNDICIA are even better on this nice split LP than on their crucial 7”. The band from Vienna are the still one of the most underrated bands around. 10 shredders by Vienna´s RUIDOSA INMUNDICIA that are proof that their crucial “de una vez” 7" was no one hit wonder. If you still think that there can´t be good hardcore coming from a place like that, you´re way lame. On the flip there's a bunch of East Germans that used to be in the thrash band Y. After changing the bandname and getting lost in generic crust territories quite a bit, the band must be on its peak now. Besides diverse other sources they´re paying homage to '80s american hardcore, but not necessarily to the early Boston, DC or LA scenes that have become revivaled to death these days. It's rather bands like early HÜSKER DÜ, DIE KREUZEN etc. whose legacy you can sense when you listen with an open mind. The vinyl comes with a selfprinted screenprinted cover. This baby is gonna make you shit your pants...honestly!
SOLID GROUND
can't stop now (2008/DEMONS RUN AMOK/LET IT BURN)
SXE-HARDCORE. SOLID GROUND once again made the proof that they're amongst the spearhead of European Hardcore. "can't stop now" features 15 tracks of hardcore the way it was meant to be. While still staying true to the band’s unique sound, "can’t stop now" turned out to be a bit more heavier and harder than the band’s previous material. "can't stop now" brings up associations with MADBALL and even classics like JUDGE and KILLING TIME but also modern bands such as HAVE HEART or BETRAYED come to mind when listening to the band’s new material.
SOLID GROUND
get used to it (2006/CARTHAGO)
SXE-HARDCORE. Am ersten vollen Album der sympathischen Schweizer werden alle Fans von sattem und klassischem end'80er NYC-Hardcore ihre helle Freude haben. Die 11 Songs haben aber auch wirklich alles, was das Old-School Herz begehrt und sind dennoch sehr im hier und heute verankert. Stark beeinflusst von Bands wie JUDGE und CRO-MAGS und der leicht metallischen Wucht von frueheren MADBALL. Diese macht sich vor allem beim Gitarrensound bemerkbar, die den clever eingesetzten Break- und Moshparts noch mehr Power verleiht. Abgesegnet hat den Sound Alan Douches in seinem West West Studio, wo auch schon TERROR, HATEBREED, MADBALL oder SICK OF IT ALL zugange waren. Die Macht der Livekonzerte der Band wurde dabei perfekt eingefangen, inklusive wohldosierter Hintergrundchoere und Gastvocals von Micha TEAMKILLER und einem Gitarrengastspiel von Ralph PUNISH. Die positiven Texte in Songs wie ''Run and hide'', ''No easy answers'', ''What are you waiting for'' oder ''Should have known better'' sind zwar sehr szenetypisch, passen aber perfekt zu diesem klassischen und klasse Release. CD Kommt im stylischen Pappschuber!
SOMALI PIRATES
greatest hits (2012/CAMEL CLUTCH)
PUNK-ROCK. After growing up together on the beaches of Oxnard, former members of IN CONTROL, RETALIATE etc. moved to San Diego and started SOMALI PIRATES, which ventures away from the members' previous bands sound with raucus punk-rock that takes cues from bands like early TURBONEGRO and GG ALLIN.
SOMEONE STILL LOVES YOU BORIS YELTSIN
let it sway (2010/POLYVINYL)
INDIE-ROCK. SOMEONE STILL LOVES YOU BORIS YELTSIN nimbly carries their post-punk torch on their hook-laden 3rd studio album. "let it sway" is a feast of musical comfort food for the nostalgia-tripping slacker-chic children of the ’90s. The album slides downhill, a mix of inoffensive and unremarkable power-pop with the occasional slow jam to break the wistful monotony. "let it sway" takes cues from the band’s quiet Broom-era bedroom recordings and couples them with the polished sound of Pershing to create a whole new aesthetic. Vinyl comes on 180gr and includes MP3 download code. Both CD and LP include bonus download songs.
SOMEONE STILL LOVES YOU BORIS YELTSIN
pershing (2008/POLYVINYL)
INDIE-ROCK. Their follow-up to the critically acclaimed "broom" SOMEONE STILL LOVES YOU BORIS YELTSIN have toured around the globe. Spin declared them the band that "could succeed THE SHINS" and enthusiastic press rolled in. Now, they're raising the bar even higher with "pershing". Quirky chord changes amid massive hooks and addictive melodies. The band's songs have appeared in various films, commercials, and TV shows, including "the O.C.". Vinyl version includes MP3 download code.
SOMEONE STILL LOVES YOU BORIS YELTSIN
tape club (2011/POLYVINYL)
INDIE-ROCK. SOMEONE STILL LOVES YOU BORIS YELTSIN has never been the type of band to write and record only when it's time to release a new album. Now, with 3 full-length releases to their credit, the members feel it's time to properly unveil a portion of the songs from their extensive catalog. The result is "tape club" - a carefully curated 26 song collection that serves as the culmination of a decade's worth of writing and recording above and beyond what could be included on their previous records and which stands by itself as a truly unique album. Deluxe double gatefold LP on 180gr vinyl includes a MP3 download card.
SOMETHING FIERCE
don't be so cruel (2011/DIRTNAP)
PUNK-ROCK. "don't be so cruel" is the 3rd album from Houston, TX upstarts SOMETHING FIERCE. If "there are no answers" perfected the MARKED MEN meets BUZZCOCKS brand of snappy poppy punk that the band had been working on since their inception, "don't be so cruel" finds 'em rapidly expanding outwards from that sound. While undeniably influenced by various strands of '70s punk, this record is slightly more subtle and sophisticated than mere 77-revivalists would have it. Slightly nuanced, almost understated at times, vapid party-punk this is most definitely not. More '79 than '77!
SOMETHING FIERCE
there are no answers (2009/DIRTNAP)
POP-PUNK. This band fits in perfectly on Dirtnap: it's catchy, poppy punk that's not really pop-punk. This is a gem of a record from start to finish - an adrenaline rush of hooks, choruses, and some of the cleverest pop writing since those BUZZCOCKS fellas picked up their guitars. Upon reflection, though, Dirtnap realized that they just couldn’t wait that long to wrap her slimy tentacles around this young band, and have decided to rush re-release their recent, self-released album on vinyl. LP includes a MP3 download code.
