THE SAFETY FIRE releases new single, “Circassian Beauties”, online‏

Century Media press Release:

THE SAFETY FIRE has pushed the boundaries of the ever-growing British progressive music scene since their ihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnception in 2006, but now the band is finally ready thttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifo release their first full-length album, Grind The Ocean, on April 9th in the UK and April 10th in North America! Originally set to be released in late February via Inside Out Music, Grind The Ocean is available for pre-order here. If you pre-order your copy, you'll still receive the album on the original date of release (February 27th in the UK, February 28th in North America), plus additional bonus content in a special digipack, so reserve your copy now!

In anticipation of this upcoming release, the band has now debuted a new single, "Circassian Beauties", from Grind The Ocean . To listen to the track, head over to THE SAFETY FIRE's official YouTube:

http://youtu.be/O3Khv3kiN-k

THE SAFETY FIRE will join PROTEST THE HERO, PERIPHERY, JEFF LOOMIS, and TODAY I CAUGHT THE PLAGUE on the road this spring for the band's first tour of North America! In regards to the tour, guitarist Derya "Dez" Nagle comments: "We are super hyped to come to the US, especially with such an amazing lineup. We are huge fans of all the bands playing and feel they all bring their own unique vibe to what should be an amazing tour. It's our first time to the US, and we are ready to bring the ruckus/party."


THE SAFETY FIRE tour dates feat. PROTEST THE HERO, PERIPHERY, JEFF LOOMIS, TODAY I CAUGHT THE PLAGUE
3/31 - Phoenix, AZ - Club Red
4/1 - Los Angeles, CA - Key Club
4/2 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
4/3 - Portland, OR - The Branx
4/4 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
4/6 - Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue
4/7 - Denver, CO - Summit
4/9 - St. Louis, MO - Pops
4/10 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave II
4/11 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
4/12 - Columbus, OH - The Outland Ballroom
4/13 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
4/14 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
4/16 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
4/17 - Orlando, FL - The Social
4/18 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theater
4/20 - New York, NY - Gramercy
4/22 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero



THE SAFETY FIRE online:
http://www.facebook.com/thesafetyfire
http://www.myspace.com/thesafetyfire
http://www.twitter.com/thesafetyfire
http://www.youtube.com/thesafetyfire
http://thesafetyfire.bigcartel.com

Music Review: Stereotyperider - Songs in the Keys of F and U PLUS Listen to the track "Twon Song"

So, first off, the title of the last album by Stereotyperider Songs in the Keys of F and U is awesome. Second, the ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giflbum reminds me a lot of No Knife’s Riot For Romance record. It has chrunchy punky guitars, some screaming, some delicious pop hooks and is overall solid but not outstanding, and a bit long with a few tracks not even worth paying attention to.

Sometimes I wish bands would just release EPs – three or four of their best songs – and not try to put together a whole album. It was an EP from Stereotyperider that first caught my attention a few years ago. It was the first of the “Under The Influence" series on Suburban Home Records. The series had artists release EPs of songs by bands that influenced them – Sterotyperider did an awesome 7-song collection of Fugazi, Pixies, Seaweed, Descendents, Quicksand and Cure covers. Having less songs makes a band put only their greatest ones forth, not fillers and unpolished studio songs. Bands sometimes need editors, like a newspaper reporter does, to cut out their excess bullshit that misses the point and doesn’t help the story.

If Stereotyperider had an editor on Songs in the Keys… it probably would have been another 7-song effort, instead of 14 tracks. All 14 tracks are pleasant enough but only a few are stellar. The band throws in a few instrumental tracks – something Fugazi always did (I think just to prove they are awesome musicians and don’t need to bark intelligent lyrics and ooze an ethos) – and mixes in a few tracks that don’t seem to have had time to percolate completely.

“Did You Hear What I Meant” is a feisty rocker with tough breakdowns and a Hot Water Music in-and-out flow. “Twon Song” is an intense tight indie rock fury that pumps, grabs you, releases its hold so you can smell the sweet air and then chokes you out. "Luck" and “Useless Point” are pop-punky anthems, with a bit of Screeching Weasel and Face to Face to them. The album ends with a track – “Longer Than A 72” – that explores a bit with various times and chunked up fuzzy refrains but is grounded in a nice melody, and it works for the most part.

Songs like “Not Sayin’ It,” “Dave’s Fault,” “Annoy Me,” and “Problem Solved” seem unfocused or loose retreads. The editor needed to step in and realize that giving a band room to expand doesn’t always work and leads to repetition and recreation, but not really worthwhile innovation that stands up to the original content and demands to be with it.

This was the last album the Phoenix, Arizona foursome ever put out, and it’s not the best thing since sliced bread but it’s decent and if your CD collection needs more Dischord post-hardcore-sounding bands and Southern math rockers, then you can slip this one near there. And while I doubt you’ll pull it out a lot when you do, it’ll be just fine. Hell, who gets CDs anymore anyway, I guess. Get the tracks as mp3s and put it on a shuffle in your digital music player and it’ll be cool.



Article first published as Music Review: Stereotyperider - Songs in the Keys of F and U on Blogcritics.


LISTEN TO "TWON SONG" FROM STEREOTYPERIDER

Stream the new MOONLIT SAILOR album on Deep Elm Records

Deep Elm Records Press Release:

MOONLIT SAILOR "Colors In Stereo"

To sum it up succinctly, Colors In Stereo is huge. It's like the thunderous boom of 1,000 armies marching in lockstep. Already receiving well-deserved critical acclaim for creating an entirely new dimension to the post-rock genre, these four Swedes have done it yet again with a truly unique album. Firmly entrenched in their quasi-pop / post-rock roots but adding space-rock elements to their already massive soundscapes, MOONLIT SAILOR has created a blueprint for the future of post-rock. Everything on Colors In Stereo is special: from the sounds you've never heard before, to the arpeggios that swallow you whole, to the powerful crescendos that devastate your senses. If you don't find it difficult to listen without being overwhelmed with emotion, you're not listening. "This album means a lot. We didn't want to disappoint anyone, especially ourselves. As for the title, it reminds us of the future...very positive and joyful. You can really feel the colors float through your inner mind and leave you purified" says says bass guitarist Markus Rundlof. This is the new standard. It's that good. (click Here to read all of the amazing reviews).

You can stream the whole album HERE.

Download: NPR Music's Favorite New Artists Of 2011

From NPR New Music Newsletter:

At some point in 2011, all of them gave us something new to fall in love with. At the end of the year, we're happy to offer a little gift from each of them to you.

Visit the NPR list and download the tracks HERE.

Music Review: The Serious Geniuses - You Can Steal The Riffs, But You Can’t Steal The Talent

The Serious Geniuses are a light punk trio from Boston, and they put out one album a few years ago called You Can Steal The Riffs, But You Can’t Steal The Talent on Kiss Of Death Records and I liked it immediately upon hearing it. It was pleasant, crunchy, poppy indie rock that wasn’t too forceful but had enough kick to it. The album reminded me of Blink 182 or Sum 41, but a bit more indie rock.

This album is not outstanding and it’s kind of old sounding, and maybe that’s what gives it some nostalgic charm. Even the press materials with this album say it sounds like old Chapel Hill bands, Archers of Loaf and such, and I can see some Merge Records or Deep Elm Records influences in the band. It feels Superchunk-ish and a bit reminiscent of old Boston light punk indie rockers Six Going On Seven, who relied on a more moody and "emo" delivery, whereas The Serious Geniuses lean a bit more punk, with a dash of Gorilla Biscuits' sloppy fury and melody. The songs on this record are catchy and played well but they don’t pummel you or throw a smile on your face. You could probably listen to it on repeat for a while though and be fine.

The Serious Geniuses have an energetic sound with words that are chantable, like the lyrics "change the station, cause everyone says that" on the song “Station” and "stick my tongue firmly in my cheek and repeat" on the song “Unique." The guitars are barreling and jangly, while the bass lines and drum beats are tough and rooted, which keeps the melodies driving as the band pops out pleasant and somewhat predictable tunes. Again, a mishmash of other bands rise to mind as I listen to the album, including Rye Coalition and At The Drive-In.

Also, it sounds like a less powerful Rancid but not as hyper or cocky, and Chisel, but without Ted Leo’s high-pitched and fun, cheerleading voice carrying everyone. So the sound from this band is a bit too generic and derivative, taking pieces from all the bands mentioned above but not making it unique or indispensable enough, which is probably why they went on indefinite hiatus and never came back. But hear some of their old stuff here if you’re interested.

Article first published as Music Review: The Serious Geniuses - You Can Steal The Riffs, But You Can't Steal The Talent on Blogcritics.

Check out a song from The Serious Geniuses HERE.

MANY ARMS Premiere New Music and Details of New Self-Titled Album Out Now on Tzadik Records‏

Breaking News from Solid PR:

MANY ARMS Premiere New Song "Rising Artifacts in a Five-Point Field"
+ Details of New Self-Titled Album Out March 2012 on Tzadik Records



Stream "Rising Artifacts in a Five-Point Field" from Many Arms exclusively @ ImposeMagazine.com!

Following the announcement of their upcoming, self-titled album out March 2012 on John Zorn's Tzadik Records, Philadelphia and New York-based avant-garde power trio Many Arms have premiered the first new song from the release, entitled "Rising Artifacts in a Five-Point Field," exclusively at ImposeMagazine.com

In addition, the band has revealed details of the new release including track list and cover art, available here.

"Many Arms" Track List:
1. Beyond Territories
2. In Dealing With the Laws of Physics on Planet Earth
3. Rising Artifacts in a Five-Point Field



About Many Arms:

Formed in 2007, Philadelphia and New York-based Many Arms are a power trio in the truest sense of the term. The band’s music is a loud, aggressive blend of punk and free jazz, tied together with compositions that twist and turn through angular unison melodies and complex rhythmic vamps.

Many Arms’ punk rock touring ethos has taken their music across the US and Canada numerous times, where they've shared bills with many bands, including Marnie Stern, Nat Baldwin, Tera Melos, Dysrhythmia, Extra Life, Schnaak, Bardo Pond, Normal Love, Inzinzac, Eric Carbonara, and Pitom.

To date, Many Arms have released two full-length albums and one EP, and in early March 2012, the not-for-proft cooperative record label Tzadik Records (owned and operated by composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist John Zorn) will release the band's third full-length, simply titled Many Arms. The band will join a prolific roster of artists teeming with talent including Mike Patton, Merzbow, Ruins, Kayo Dot, Buckethead and more.

Many Arms are:
Guitarist Nick Millevoi (Electric Simcha, Make A Rising)
Electric Bassist John DeBlase (Zevious/Cuneiform)
Drummer Ricardo Lagomasino (Joe Lally, Capillary Action).

Many Arms Live:
Friday, 3/23 - Philadelphia, PA @ Fire Museum Presents (venue TBA)
Monday, 4/2 - Lafayette, IN @ Black Sparrow Pub
Sunday, 4/8 - Ithaca, NY @ Silent City
Friday, 4/13 - Troy, NY @ Ground Zero Basement



For more information, visit:
www.manyarmsband.com
www.tzadik.com

Music Review: Mono - Holy Ground: NYC Live with the Wordless Music Orchestra

A fine experimental, swelling and crushing piece of work, Holy Ground... is a beautiful and angry CD from Mono. Mono's usual intelligent structures and amazing instrumentals are enhanced here with a live orchestra that makes their classical instrumental rock feel even bigger and sweeps you away even more.

Mono is a quartet of guitars, bass, and drums from Japan that produces songs that, for the most part, sweetly lull you in, gently rock you, pushing you into a soft groove, then burst out at you with incredible precise cacophony. The band brings forth intricate musicianship, energy, and “walls of noise” that have been called "violently beautiful" and "terrifyingly beautiful." The bursting flood of sound is even more intense here, and more enveloping, on Holy Ground... released by Temporary Residence Limited, with the live orchestra helping build the anticipation and bring the noise.

All the songs on this release can be found elsewhere in Mono’s catalog, but here they have a sparkle and intensity that they have never had before, with a full orchestra pummeling out tunes with tremendous force and a crowd just on the other side. The set lulls you sweetly then rocks you indescribably and the crowd must have been swaying and beating their fists with their eyes closed the whole time, perhaps engaging memories and parts of their brains they haven’t engaged in forever, because that is what Mono brings, a flood of sound and transportation.

Mono has been around for a more than a decade and although the tracks on this live CD come from throughout their history, they fit nicely together in the live performance. It is a wonderful and powerful sampling of Mono and perhaps the only Mono CD you need. The band will be touring some in the new year and playing with The Wordless Music Orchestra at some point – according to the band website – so keep an eye out.

Article first published as CD Review: Mono - Holy Ground: NYC Live with the Wordless Music Orchestra on Blogcritics.

Listen to “Primitive Girl” from the new M. Ward album A Wasteland Companion

Merge Records press release:

M. Ward's forthcoming album A Wasteland Companion will be released on April 10th. The first single, “Primitive Girl” has been posted for streaming on mwardmusic.com and below via the Merge SoundCloud page. The track is now available for purchase from iTunes and can also be found on Spotify.

“Primitive Girl” features M. Ward on vocal, piano and guitar, John Parish on percussion/marimba, Mike Mogis on organ, and Susan Sanchez providing backing vocals.

Listen to M. Ward - "Primitive Girl" HERE

In the three years since Portland, OR-based troubadour M. Ward released his last solo album - the universally lauded Hold Time - he’s toured the globe, released two albums as one half of Grammy-nominated duo She & Him as well as one with the talented group of friends collectively know as Monsters Of Folk.


M. Ward on tour:
April 11 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
April 12 Santa Cruz, CA The Cocoanut Grove Ballroom
April 13 Indio, CA Coachella **SOLD OUT**
April 14 Santa Barbara, CA SoHo **SOLD OUT**
April 16 San Diego, CA Belly Up
April 17 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom
April 18 Flagstaff, AZ The Orpheum
April 20 Indio, CA Coachella **SOLD OUT**
May 5 Portland, ME State Theatre
May 6 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
May 7 New Haven, CT Toads Place
May 8 Boston, MA House of Blues
May 11 New York, NY Webster Hall
May 12 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
May 13 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
May 15 Durham, NC Duke Performances at Page Auditorium
May 16 Athens, GA Georgia Theatre
May 17 Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre
May 18 Gulf Shores, AL Hang Out Music Festival
May 20 Nelsonville, OH Nelsonville Music Festival
May 22 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
May 23 Madison, WI Barrymore Theatre
May 24 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue

Jonathan Richman supports 4/11
fIREHOSE supports 4/12, 4/16-4/18
Lee Ranaldo Band supports 5/5-5/22