Tag Archives: melodic punk

(review) NOFX – Single Album

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Long time has passed between two Nofx full length albums, almost five years since First Ditch Effort and this new one. That was longest line(pun intended) between two Nofx albums. But, the band released bunch of singles in these last years, also that split with Frank Turner covering each others songs and that awesome Decline version with orchestra. This one was planned to be double album, but due to corona and shit came out as single album, hence the title of the record. Many fans out there wage war with claims that this new Nofx era is not so good as old school stuff. To me, quite the contrary, I mean, I love old school albums, but these new songs are so melancholic, dark, as in lyrics, also musically. With Karina Denike handling keyboards and backing vocals the band gained even more fantastic harmonies and I daresay darkened melodies. There are ten songs on this one, besides epic songs that I heard as singles and seven inches series in last years being I Love You More Than I Hate Me(that epic suicide video), Doors And Fours(my personal favorite, gives me goosebumps every time), Fish In A Gun Barrel being dark reggae song with dual nice vocals fitting perfectly to the lyrics about murder and death and nice saxophone solo, My Bro Cancervive Cancer, there are couple of anthems that I love so much as instant hits, The Big Drag being heavy and somber song and I would love to hear it live how it would sound. The band sarcastically covered Linoleum in Linewleum, making awesome video to pay thankful tribute to all of the bands that covered the band´s most known song throughout the years, so Nofx covered themselves and did it fantastic. Fuck Euphemism is another autobiographic song, which deals with themes of sexuality, freedom and expression of yourself, of course done in one and only Nofx way. Birmingham is the song most similar to old school stuff, simple and effective skatepunk melodic anthem just made for singing along to despite having dark autobiography lyrics about hitting bottom from drugs. Grieve Soto is a beautiful tribute to late legend Steve Soto of Adolescents and it brought a tear to my hardened punk rock eye while listening to this one over and over again Your Last Resort is another personal favorite of mine, sounding more like Cokie The Clown song than Nofx, with piano and Mike´s singing about loss of love and separation. I love the lyrics, I love the songs and vibe that they produce, this fantastic album which battles with darkness, personal demons and brings some kind of catharsis when you went through it and calls you for more.

The Fly Downs announce debut LP, At This Point In Time, reveal video for Crashing Down

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Ottawa alt/punk trio The Fly Downs have announced the April 16th release of their debut LP, At This Point In Time. The 13-track offering was recorded by Scott Burniston at Apartment 2 and mixed/mastered by Topon Das. It’s being released digitally and on colored vinyl via Thousand Islands Records.

As a preview of what’s to expect, the band unleashed the lead single Crashing Down, with an accompanying music video, check it out below and pre-order the vinyl HERE.

Crashing Down is the idea that we’re all born wet and crying and we all end up under the ground at the end of it all. Whether you’re rich or poor, black or white… were all the same in the grand picture. – Jesse, vocals

Tracklist:

Til Death Do Us, Party

Somewhere Around There

Raving Reviews .

Crashing Down

You Can’t Quit Me, I’m Fired!

Head Held High (feat. Patrick Youldon)

Nowhere To Go

Life 101

Teddy’s Revenge (feat. Anndy Negative)

The Ballad Of Richard William Johnson

Dead Ringer

Fire Up The Press

This Is Who I Am Right Now

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About The Fly Downs

Ottawa’s own Alternative-rock-infused Pop Punk band, The Fly Downs, have been making waves since October of 2016. A little over a year later they would release their well-received first EP, “Pockets Out”. After a release party and a couple more shows, Alex would join in January of 2018, joining forces with Jesse and Shane to bring a new dynamic to the rhythm section, helping set the stones for the future path of the band.

The Fly Downs have not really been compared to other bands, since their style is something of their own. Inspirations from all 3 bandmates mesh into one solid state and contribute to the overall sound and style. Inspirations include many of the bands they have shared the stage with: This Is A Standoff, Ten Foot Pole, The Human Project, The Mahones, W!nslow, and Down By Law to name a few.

The Fly Downs strive to entertain audiences and fans with a high energy and inclusive performance, often igniting group chants and sing-alongs with the audience. Never compromising catchiness for complexity, their songs are composed with a healthy blend of both. The lyrics often have outward-looking subject matter that many can hopefully find themselves in.

With the recent teaming up with Thousand Island Records and subsequent release of their debut full-length album, “At This Point In Time”, The Fly Downs are eager to hit the road again to share their music and make many more friends along the way.

The Fly Downs: Facebook

Thousand Islands Records: Website

(review) DENTAL RECORDS – Compilation vol 2

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Dental Records from Toronto is relatively young label and this is their second compilation that they released couple of days ago. Judging by the first one, I knew what to expect, knowing this label is oriented on melodic punk, skate punk and pop punk. There are ten bands in 19 songs represented on this compilation. Some of them I knew from before, like Hangtime which readers of this zine know that they are one of my personal favorites. But, real discovery are bands I never knew before like all those bands that I was discovering through compilation tapes in the nineties when I was growing up as a hardcore kid. All bands represented on this record are epic, but some that really stand out as my highlights are Giant Eagles from Holland who incorporate synth melody to punk rock so fantastic in Bloodlust Tonight creating almost gothic atmosphere. 7 Minute Martians from USA are also awesome, being melodic punk just the way I like it. Wishful Thinking from Australia have that nineties old school skate melodic punk nostalgic vibe awoken in me while listening. Japan´s Stone Leek are also superb being a bit harsher and more heavy but melodic. So, go discover your favorites and get this nice compilation and support the scene and cause worldwide.

https://dentalrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/dental-records-compilation-vol-2