Gulfer / Fago.Sepia - Split (2012)

For Fans Of: Giraffes? Giraffes, The Reptilian, Look Mexico

Genre: Math Rock, Indie, Emo

Website: Bandcamp

Description:

This is the new split Gulfer has done with Fago.Sepia and it's pretty fucking amazing. I don't really know much about these guys (other than that they're from Montreal), but apon my first listen, it sounds like something the reptilian would do if they were more noodly with their guitar work. The singing could be a little better on this, but it doesn't take away too much from the music on here - I love anything that's math rock. The synths kind of sound corny at times, but they're rarely used throughout their songs so it's not that big of a deal. Song structure is really enjoyable and overall this thing is a fun listen. I really recommend picking this up (or atleast giving it a listen). Check it out.

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Arrows In Her - Leaving (2012)

For Fans Of: Moving Mountains, The Appleseed Cast, Deer Leap

Genre: Indie, Post-Rock, Emo

Website: Bandcamp

Description:

Arrows In Her reminds me of that new Deer Leap release that came out a while back. All of the music on this thing is extremely heartfelt and wrenching. They remind me a lot like a younger Appleseed Cast. All of their songs groove with that atmospheric emo/post-rock sound along with extremely catchy choruses that don't sound corny and overdone. I'm going to look into these guys more and upload the rest of their stuff later when I get some more free time. Get into it.

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Brightside - Seconds Matter & Good Enough (2011-2012)

For Fans Of: Tigers Jaw, Ryker's, Backfire!

Genre: Indie, Emo

Website: Bandcamp

Description:

Found this on Circling the Drain and I'm pretty impressed. Brightside is an emo band from Pitsburgh who features ex-members from Code Orange Kids and the Edukators. Pretty chill stuff on here that I'm sure will hit the right spot with everyone. Check it out.

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Loud? - Connections (2012)

For Fans Of: The Promise Ring, Everyone Everywhere, Texas Is The Reason

Genre: Emo

Website: Facebook / Bandcamp

Description:

Loud? is another Emo band that stays true to the 90s and I'm sure hits the right spot with everyone. The Promise Ring is probably the first band that comes to mind when I listen to these guys (among many others). There really isn't much to say about this release; groovy riffs, great vocals, on-point song structure, catchy choruses - the universe appears to be in order. If you like these guys, the rest of their discography is on their bandcamp. Get it now.

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Foxing - Old Songs (2012)

For Fans Of: American Football, Hunter Gatherer, Leaf Routines
Genre: Emo, Indie
Website: Bandcamp

Description:

Another release that has been floating around for a while that I thought I'd upload too. Old Songs is essentially an EP of three "old songs" Foxing did a while back (whereabouts - have no idea). Foxing reminds me of Leaf Routine except with more screaming. However, the screaming could be better on this - I don't know if I make any sense, but sometimes I feel like it doesn't flow with their music. Nevertheless, it's still interesting and doesn't take away too much from this release. I can't express how good the post-rock parts are on this thing; they remind me of The Appleseed Cast sometimes. Although this thing is only three songs long, it's a good listen and needs to be heard.

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Deer Leap/The World Is... - Are Here To Help You (2011)

For Fans Of: The Appleseed Cast, Prawn, Moving Mountains

Genre: Post-Rock, Emo, Indie

Website: Deer Leap / The World Is

Description:

I posted Deer Leap's newest release a little while ago and they're so good that I went back and got into their old shit. This band is just incredible. I cannot express how perfectly crafted their song structure is on every song; atmospheric guitars that cast luscious melodramatic melodies with heartfelt lyrics and rising percussion that always leads the songs into climaxing buildups. This album isn't as amazing as Here. Home. but it still delivers. Get into it.

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Ghosts and Vodka - Addicts and Drunks (2003)

For Fans Of: American Football, The Appleseed Cast, Cap'n Jazz

Genre: Indie / Emo

Website: 

Description:

Ghosts and Vodka are another post-Cap'n Jazz era band that play post-emowhateverthehell and includes guitar wizard and song writing legend Victor Villareal (Cap'n Jazz, Owls) and other guitarist Sam Zurik (Joan of Arc, Make Believe). If you only consider Mike Kinsella to be the only good thing that has started projects outside of Cap'n Jazz - you're wrong. All of the music on this thing is nothing short of amazing. This band broke up a long time ago, but I heard that they were gonna do a reunion show somewhere at some point in time (I don't know how long ago that was). Below is some bizarre video of Ghosts and Vodka I found on youtube. If you're a fan of anything Cap'n Jazz related - get this now.

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The One Up Downstairs - S/T (1997)

For Fans Of: American Football, Cap'n Jazz, Owls

Genre: Emo, Indie

Website: none

Description:

If you're a devout follower of all of Cap'n Jazz's side projects (or anything Mike Kinsella put out) then I'm sure you already have this. If you don't, it's basically some Mike Kinsella fronted project that was before American Football. Either way, if you're a fan of that 90s emo/indie sound then you will love this. If you don't do anything else, download "Champaigne" because it's probably the best song on this 3 song release. If only they recorded a full length.

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Olive Drab - Girl EP (2012)

For Fans Of: Teenage Cool Kids, Glocca Mora, Mineral (sort of)

Genre: Scuzzy Pop-Punk

Website: bandcamp

Description:

This has been floating around, so I though I'd upload it too. Olive Drab is a sort of newish band (I think they've only played like one show and apparently used to be called Spaceboy?) who sound like Mineral if they played scuzzed out fuzzy pop-punk. Really rhythmic shit, but nothing too crazy. Their riffs are good with great dynamics. I really like the singing on this thing; it brings to mind that 90s emo sound I'm sure everyone here knows. The production quality on this thing is decent (could be better, but it's not terrible). I kind of wish they made the guitars sound more dirty and gritty - they were recorded fuzzy, but they paradoxically sound too clean (if that makes any sense). Overall this little 4 song EP is a fun listen. Get into it.

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Legs Like Tree Trunks - Future Reference (2012)

For Fans Of: Rooftops, Look Mexico, Maps & Atlases

Genre: Emo, Math-Rock, Indie

Website: Bandcamp

Description:

Heard about this band from Sometimes I Get Drunk At Night and I'm glad I did. This band is incredible; the song structure on this thing is amazing. Legs Like Tree Trunks are amazing at casting noodly guitar melodies that are incredibly catchy and easy to sing too. This band is really technical without going overboard (This Town Needs Guns), which is great cuz I don't always need to have my face 'technically' melted by some shred-head to enjoy a song. The sound quality on this release is also something to take note of; it's nearly perfect for a DIY band. This band has another EP and full length from last year that I'll post later once I look into them more. Get into it.

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Empire Empire (I Was A Lonely Estate) & Rika - Split (2012)

For Fans Of: Penpal, Joie de Vivre, Palmkite

Genre: Emo

Website: E!E!'s webpage

Description:

Thought I'd upload this other split while I was at it. This is more new material from Empire! Empire! and Rika (Europe). Count Your Lucky Stars and Goddamn Records came together to make this split happen and it's a good thing they did cuz I'm loving the new Empire! Empire! Rika have a seven minute long epic that gives a distinct take on the current emo scene in Europe (I think they're from Austria?). Get this split (along with other one) and please help support these guys.

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Empire Empire (I Was A Lonely Estate) & Arrows - Split (2012)

For Fans Of: Little Kingdoms, Joie de Vivre, Football Etc.

Genre: Emo

Website: Bandcamp

Description:

If you've been following Empire! Empire! lately (or know who they evern are), they recently put out their entire discography up for free download. However, this is some new stuff from them (as well as Arrows who I'm sure no one here knows about) and it doesn't disappoint. This split sticks to Empire!'s original sound, except with each release - their production quality gets better. Empire! Empire! play melodramatic indie with a hint towards that midwestern emo sound making the overall vibe a meloncholy experience. Their name is also a mouthful to explain (which I can bet is completely meaningless), but I'm sure their is a reason behind it. Their overall song structure is fairly good: slow buildups in most songs, layered usually with  heartfelt and passionate lyrics about loverlorn with twinkly guitars (man I cannot stop saying that term) grooving along. However, sometimes some of their  songs can get a little boring and make you lose interest quickly; they sometimes tend to over compensate on their meloncholy buildups (which can kind of be seen as pretentious). ANYWAYS, check out their older shit if you haven't already gotten the chance to get into this band (you can get it fo' free here) and support them when they roll through.

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Glocca Morra - Just Married (2012)

For Fans Of: Street Smart Cyclist, Algernon Cadwallader, 1994!

Genre: Emo / Post-Punk

Website: Bandcamp

Description:

Glocca Morra's newest release that I'm glad I finally took the time to post. If you don't already follow this band, Glocca Morra are a scuzzy emo band from philly who sound like if Algernon Cadwallader got a little heavier (apparently both bands have members in Stable Boys so it wouldn't be a stretch to think that). Since it's emo, you already know what to expect: twingly guitars (is that even a word?), heartfelt singing, and that trademark feel-good vibe. Glocca Morra decide to take a yelpier side to their singing which is pretty cool. This release is good; if you're already a fan of this band check it out. If you never got into them, I'd check out their earlier shit.

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Our Sunday Affairs - City of Dogs (2012)

For Fans Of: Little Kingdoms, Glocca Morra, Old Gray

Genre: Emo / Indie

Website: Bandcamp

Description:

Saw this floating around a few blogs and I thought I'd post it anyway because of how blown away I am of another amazing band that I'm late as hell in getting into. Our Sunday Affairs are a four-piece emo/indie band from Jersey Shore with big riffs and big hearts. I absolutely love this kind of music that molds the emo/indie sound seamlessly together where you can barely distinguish them apart; it gives it that campy, dreamy, feel-good vibe that makes you wanna sing and groove to every song. The song structure on this thing is also really interesting: I get the sense they took some cues from Rob Crowe and Mike Kinsella and created some noodly bastardization that's reliving the 90s emo heyday of Cap'n Jazz with a dreamy twist. I don't know if I'm making much sense. All I can say is their is a difference between---a DIY emo band like Coping---and an indie band like Pinback. Although this release is only four songs long, I highly recommend getting this (I know I say that about a lot of random shit I post, but I really mean it with this one) if you're a fan of truly heartfelt music.

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You'll Live - Above The Weather (2012)

For Fans Of: Old Gray, Snowing, Our Sunday Affairs

Genre: Screamo / Emo

Website: Bandcamp

Description:

I found it moderately difficult to get into this band, but I still managed to enjoy them. You'll Live are a three-piece emo/skramz band from Florida who have been the most recognizable band that I've listened to in a while. What I mean by that is every song sounds like that campy, whiny, emo sound but is instead layered with intense sceaming that will probably catch most people off guard from the get go. I'm not saying that it's not pleasant, it's just really differnt. Apparently on their last release they had a more traditional emo sound and I guess just wanted to flat out change it for this record. ANYWAYS, it's a pretty tight release - it just requires multiple listens to get into. I still recommend getting this just to check it out.

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Algernon Cadwallader - Discography

For Fans Of: Snowing, Coping, Owls

Genre: Emo

Website: Blog

Description:

Thought I'd also post this while I'm uploading all of Snowing's shit. I really don't see how I need to explain a lot about this band; beautiful harmonies, Kinsella-esque vocals, high energy song structure, and an overall fun experience. This band draws everything from Cap'n Jazz and mold it into something amazing. In my opinion Algernon are the best DIY emo band that are currently around right now. Below I have every full length that they've put out so far (including last summer's Parrot Flies). If you enjoy 90s emo - this is a must have.

Some Kind of Cadwallader (2008)

Fun (2009)

Parrot Flies (2011)

Snowing - Discography

For Fans Of: Algernon Cadwallader, The Clippers, Coping

Genre: Emo

Website: none

Description:

If you're a fan of poorly produced emo that is really fun than this is for you. Snowing is (was) one of the few emo bands that did the genre justice. Every song clocks in around 2 and a half minutes when by the time you're getting into the first one - the next song kicks in. Intsrumentation on here is great, except they don't really stray away from the emo/math rock realm, which can get boring at times. The vocals by this band can also be a huge drawback for listeners: it's as if the Native singer had strep throat. However, every song has that high energy feeling (like every other DIY emo band) that ends up pulling weight for each release, making it an overall fun listen. Unfortunately this band broke up over the summer and are no longer together, so I thought it'd be best just to upload everything they put out. Below are both of their full lengths: Fuck Your Emotional Bullshit and I Could Do Whatever I Wanted If I Wanted.

Fuck Your Emotional Bullshit (2009)

I Could Do What I Wanted If I Wanted (2010)

Chalk Talk - Bad Influences (2012)

For Fans Of: Snowing, Coping, Ape Up!

Genre: Emo / Indie

Website: Bandcamp

Description:

Chalk Talk's newest release that brings just as much fun to the table as their last one. If you never got into The Food Chain - you're slacking. If you're a fan of that high energy DIY emo music that I'm sure everyone who follows this shit is - this release is a must have then. Although this release feels like some of that energy from The Food Chain is kind of muzzled or watered down, it's still a fun record (and better than all the other shit that I've been listening to). This might be a stretch but I think Chalk Talk are one best bands currently around making this shit. I don't have the link to download it so you;re gonna have to get it from their bandcamp, they really could use the help anyways. PLEASE SUPPORT THESE GUYS

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Bedroom Eyes - What Are You Wrong With (2012)

For Fans Of: The Meeting Places, The Promise Ring, Everyone Everywhere

Genre: Shoegaze, Post-Rock, Emo

Website: facebook / Bandcamp

Description:

Bedroom Eyes are a post-rock/shoegazy type band from New Hampshire (apparently they were named "best new band" by some obscure publication I think called The Phoenix?) that include members from Bravo Fucking Bravo, Pathos, L'antietam, and The River Bottom. As usual they tend to have that stapled Explosions in the Sky sound that makes the genre its own. However, what's sort-of different about this band is the amount distortion and reverb they use on their guitars; giving it an extra crunchy sound that makes their songs interesting. "Weak Beak" is probably my favorite song on this LP; it truly shows the band at their best. As far as the rest of the album goes, it's an easy listen without many other tracks standing out; sort of blending together into one big song. I still recommend downloading this thing if you're a fan of that shoegaze stuff (I really wonder if they named their band after that Dum Dum Girls' song).

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Deer Leap - Hear. Home. (2012)

For Fans Of: Moving Mountains, The Appleseed Cast

Genre: Indie, Emo, Post-Rock

Website: Bandcamp

Description:

Heard about this band from Sometimes I Get Drunk At Night and man am I impressed. Deer Leap are three guys from New Hampshire who play atmospheric post-rock and are amazing at it. What I like most about this band is their knack for creating dreamy luscious imagery with their reverb laden guitar work. Deer Lear also have a great sense in song structure; choruses rise with swelling buildups and climaxes that make almost every song epic. This release has also been one of the few new releases that I've actually sunken my teeth into and listened to for more than a week (I get bored of shit really fast). If Moving Mountains and The Appleseed Cast are instant comparisons to this release then you couldn't be more right. This is a must have for everyone right now.

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