09 June 2011 - 0 Comments

BATTLES – GLOSS DROP – CD / 2 x LP 

You can often spot the best bands - the truly once-in-a-generation type- by their names alone. The all time greats usually come ready made with nomenclature that encapsulates their sound and ethos effortlessly. BATTLES are no exception. They are a rock group locked in conflict with the very limitations of what it means to be a rock group; conducting an all out assault on mediocrity and waging a fearsome campaign against genre conventions and pigeonholes.

While other acts are content to deal in revivalism or stasis, BATTLES are still looking for far-off boundaries to study and then demolish, searching for new and exotic styles to mesh together.

Yet another impressive collection to the Warp discography, is a must for all Battles and Rock fans

For Fans of: Gang Gang Dance, Holy Fuck

FEDERICO AUBELE – BERLIN 13 – CD

Federico Aubele's new album "Berlin 13" marks his return to a smoky realm of acoustic guitar licks, heavy rhythms and sinister dub atmospherics. Featuring guest appearances by Jesse Harris, Karina Zeviani, Natalia Clavier, and Mauro Refosco (of Forro in The Dark and Thom Yorke's live band).

If you’re familiar with ESL label mates Thievery Corporation, you’ll know what to expect with this album. A very natural worldly sound that really touches people from all different backgrounds, it’s an album without borders that is palatable for any audience. ESL have been responsible for some of the best music throughout the 2000’s and they continue that fine tradition with Federico Aubele.

For Fans of: Gotan Project, Nikodemus,

AGAINST ME! – TOTAL CLARITY – CD

With the release of their second full-length ‘As the Eternal Cowboy’, AGAINST ME! had firmly established themselves as a genre defying success. The band was drawing praise from seemingly every corner of the industry and with mention of a third album in the works, fans, tastemakers and critics.

The building wall of anticipatory pressure for more new material proved too great a force, and eventually a handful of demos from the upcoming album ‘Searching For a Former Clarity’ were stolen/leaked to the public.

Finally years later, AGAINST ME! decide to officially release the legendarily leaked tracks as ‘Total Clarity’, they added a bunch more never before heard recordings from the very same demo session. In addition, among the 15 selections that comprise Total Clarity, there are 3 songs that were never rerecorded for the Searching For a Former Clarity album.

Sonically Total Clarity offers a gritty simplicity that reconciles the songs to the passionate essence AGAINST ME! is loved for.

For Fans of: The Gaslight Anthem, Alkaline Trio

MEMPHIS MAY FIRE – THE HOLLOW – CD

Texas based post-hardcore/ screamo band MEMPHIS MAY FIRE have consistently pushed the envelope to redefine both themselves and the various sub-genres they’ve made their mark within.

2009’s “Sleepwalking” full-length yielded no exception as the band ventured into the territory of Post-Hardcore / Southern Rock with no reservations. Their fresh approach to a sometimes stale scene gathered critical acclaim and found ‘Ghost In The Mirror’ featured on the both the Saw VI Soundtrack and DVD/ Blu-Ray releases.

Subsequent touring with the likes of Asking Alexandria, From First To Last, and Alesana brought their sound to a wider audience, that the band has continued to build on, leading to this new album on Portland, Oregon label Rise Records.

For Fans of: The Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember, Alesana

THE PLOT IN YOU – FIRST BORN – CD

The Plot In You’s debut full length will hit you like a ton of bricks. The dark overtones on this album will affect you. It’s supposed to. That’s part of the plan.

Have you ever felt unloved…not loved by a single person? This album is for the unwanted, the forgotten. ‘First born” is the soundtrack to a life gone awry, not by choice, but by circumstance and fate. This is the new breed of heavy music: a new era in metal-core. It’s time for the world to meet THE PLOT IN YOU.

For Fans of: Motionless in White, The Devil Wears Prada

Thanks to www.border.co.nz for this story.

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