Sinai Vessel // Profanity

Last spring, I downloaded Sinai Vessel's Labor Pains after only hearing one song, but didn't fall in love with the music until I already had listened through a few times. It wasn't until I really engaged with the lyrics that I heard the songs for what they were. The songs on Labor Pains, released back in 2011, are wise and insightful.
Those who know me personally, know my strong affection for poetry. The quality of Sinai Vessel's lyrics has made me a fan for that reason.
A good song is a good song, but a great song is a poem--in my opinion.
Admittedly, I was curious about how Profanity would sound after the lyrical strength that came from their previous work.



To start: Profanity is great; I'm into it.
I have been trying to pin-point the change in their sound. Sinai Vessel is louder on Profanity than they were on the sweet, more mild-mannered Labor Pains. At first, I thought they had grown a little angry since 2011, but I'm not so sure that's the case. I think they have matured a lot. The power seems to me to come from some life experience and a solidified sense of who they are as individuals and as a band.

Just as I was hoping, they have pulled out a well-composed sound with relatable lyrics again. I'm glad I didn't find this band back in 2011 and that I didn't have to wait that long for new material. The download comes with the booklet with all their lyrics and I would recommend reading it as well as listening to better appreciate the songs.
They moved most away from Labor Pains with Cats, Cuckold, and Index On The Oval as far as the heightened power and sense of confidence is concerned, but my favorite track off of Profanity is Flannery. I am an avid reader of Flannery O'Connor and I really enjoyed their take on her short story, "Good Country People." It was a fresh perspective on a story that I hadn't read in awhile and had almost forgotten. My other favorite is Cats. I like it for personal reasons going back to what I think the song is getting towards, but I think it can be appreciated by people who come from a different background than me just as well. That is probably my biggest takeaway from the ep--it's relatable without being exclusive. Also, don't overlook Greatham for it's length because I think it says just as much as other songs on this ep.

I am thoroughly enjoying this album and will certainly have it on repeat during my commute to school and work for the next few weeks. I wish these guys the most success with this release and I know others will receive it with as much positivity as I have. I'm hoping these guys blow through DC sometime in the next year and they always have an open-invitation to crash at my apartment. I'm also hoping that they don't wait as long as they did to release more stuff...
Truly truly recommended; listen through this ep at least three times.

Brave Bird // Rekindle

Even more into these guys than I was in the spring.
Here is to me trying to get back to posting on this site.
I've been really lame with following music in the past few months and got in a funk before leaving for Hungary.
I'm state-side again and ready to post random shit again for very few to read and for even less to enjoy.


Cavebear

Colossal // The Serious Kind

I wasn't really into these guys when I first heard them, but now I am getting a fresh perspective and I am really feeling this song.

Stop wasting your time towing the line when you feel compelled
So hard to define what's yours and what's mine
Oh, I can't tell
Did you really think we'd consider those of you straddling the line?
Are you the serious kind?
Do you regret you signed?
We'll make haste that you wait and be vague every time
And we can't help you at all
Holes in the walls are provided for those of you straddling the line

The Hundred Acre Woods // Plane vs Tank vs Submarine

Ignore the video but this is a pretty great cover of a pretty great song.
I don't like that Tigers Jaw is breaking up, but I am excited for the many tribute covers that will be occurring in the next year.

Emperor X // Allahu Akbar

I stole this video from Nervous Energies, but HOLY SHIT.

Colour Revolt // 8 years

Now that I have come back from not posting in a while...I'm just going to flood you with a bunch of music posts with very little to nothing to say about the music.
like it's good, just listen to it. Stop questioning my dedication to sparkle motion.

Sinai Vessel // Labor Pains

There is something very precious about this band.
I don't say this a lot, but I would want to be taken on a date by this band...

There just are not many bands that I want to sing along too.
Like look up the lyrics and sing along to.

They already hold a self-deprecating tone by calling themselves sissy on their bandcamp, so I don't want to make them feel anymore so, but I really find their music beautiful.
They're like a cute boy performing at an open mic.

Crime In Stero // Type One

Jammin'

Inbirdseye // Speak Easy

The Dead Trees // Killer In Me

Live version.

The Front Bottoms // Legit Tattoo Gun

Modern Baseball // Sports

Seriously, Philly.
Stop reading my Diary.

My Heart To Joy // Watch Me Live

Topshelf Records band. The album is Seasons In Verse

I have no idea why this only has 800 views on youtube....

Castevet // Between Berwyn and Bryn Mawr

Why have I gone this long without getting into this band??? Eh?
This is off of their album, Summer Fences.

bare feet slide across 3am kitchen floors, you were up all night playing detective with one glass eye. and relief came in the morning with sloppy haircuts and old t-shirts. stay in old apartments with ghosts in the walls. church bells and airplanes try to roll you out of bed, but you’ll sleep instead.



-CaveBear

Owen // Playing Possum For A Peek

Who else is falling asleep to this song for the next week??



on repeat too.

Ida // Road To Ruin

Once again, I have a good artist brought to me from Polyvinyl Records.
Not exactly along the lines of the genres I aim to post here, but I like the song so suck it up.

Balance and Composure // I Tore You Apart In My Head

So you got a few iTunes gift cards in your stocking this year?
Me too.

My recommendation for the album to buy and walk around town with it blaring in your headphones is the album, Separation by Balance and Composure.
Yes, the album is from 2011 (which is exactly why you should have it by now)
Well...I didn't have it yet in my legal possession and now I do.
the gift that keeps on giving.

The Republic Of Wolves // A Weather Vane

I don't have that 'only listen to obscure music' mentality. I genuinely want the bands that I find to become as successful as they can.
There is a cheeky part of me though, that really likes that I first heard this band back in 2009, when they were just another purevolume page with only two or three songs and a low range of views. I have to give it up to my best friend, who tossed them my way for the great find.
Years later, they still have not had the success that I wanted to see from them/ expected to see from them.

All things aside, this is a great band and I want to see more from them in the next few years. They really are as good as any other more recognized name.

This song comes off of their debut EP, His Old Branches.

Owen // Put Your Hands On Me, My Love

Somehow this song has given me an odd, unplanned cathartic emotional release.
Like I cried a little bit....which is different for me.

Tomihira // Mr. Disco

Everyone loves a cover. That doesn't mean that all covers are good.
I'm more of a fan of Tomihira's original music, but when a band can do a song justice then I have to give it props.
I'm not a huge New Order fan, but I really dig this cover. It's 'chill out' music.