Sunday, September 25, 2016

Song Of The Week: 9/25/16







Song: "It Could Have Been Me"

Artist: From Plan To Progress

Album: "Evolution In The Wrong Direction"

Year: 2008

Place Of Origin: Brighton, United Kingdom

Years Active: 2005-2011 ???



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"It Could Have Been Me" appears to be a song about two people. The guy, who talked to her about his depression and his desire to end his life, and the girl, who listens to his stories and spent the time with him in hospital rooms. It's a pretty sad song lyrically, knowing that he did in fact go through with his warnings of ending his own life and she is left to grieve something she knew was inevitable.

FROM PLAN TO PROGRESS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2008 - Evolution In The Wrong Direction (Lime Records)
2010 - Ink Stains & Incidents (Fond Of Life Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF FROM PLAN TO PROGRESS:

The U.K.'s own, From Plan To Progress got it's start as a band back in 2005. They self-released their first EP in that very same year called "Bombs, Towns And Chords". In 2008, the band hooked on with Lime Records, who released their first full length album, "Evolution In The Wrong Direction". Most recently, which isn't really that recent at all, the band released "Ink Stains & Incidents" in 2010 through Fond Of Life Records. The band's style isn't breaking any new music territory with their melodic hardcore brand of punk rock. I'd say if you made up a recipe to achieve From Plan To Progress' sound, I would start with the melodic hardcore stylings of bands like Strung Out and Propagandhi. Then I would sprinkle in some pop punk tendencies of bands such as MxPx and Unwritten Law, especially the songs of those bands that are more uptempo. Then I would add the punk vocal stylings of a band like Autopilot Off. Mix that up and you'd get a little bit of an idea of what From Plan To Progress sounds like. The band really hasn't been heard from since about 2011. I haven't heard anything about them officially breaking up, but it's been about 5 years since they have been heard from so it could be a wrap for From Plan To Progress.

TEN FROM PLAN TO PROGRESS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. This Gig Has Electric Shock Written All Over It
2. The Last Destroyer
3. Ink Stains & Incidents
4. A Promise To Disperse
5. Immersed
6. Product Of The Past
7. It Could Have Been Me
8. The Times Are Changing
9. Departed
10. Audi Alteram Partem

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Song Of The Week: 9/18/16







Song: "Sinking"

Artist: Ambitions

Album: "Stranger"

Year: 2007

Place Of Origin: Plainville, Connecticut

Years Active: 2005-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Sinking" appears to be an anthem of sorts for those who have been shunned and cast aside by the powers that be. It's definitely an outsiders type of song. It's a declaration of those who don't feel they have a voice and who feel that they haven't been given the opportunity to grow that they will stand for their ideals in the face of those who deem them unworthy or even unuseful.

AMBITIONS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2007 - Stranger (Bridge Nine Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF AMBITIONS:

Ambitions formed as a band back in 2005, hailing from Connecticut. In 2006, the band released their debut EP, "Question". 2007 would be a rather extensive year for the band, not only releasing their first full length album, "Stranger", but also three EP's, "Neon Lights", "Exile" and "No Limits". The band's most recent release was the EP "Surface To Air" in 2015. Though "Surface To Air" was released in 2015, the songs were actually written in 2010. By 2008, the band basically went on a hiatus while the band members moved on to other projects, most notably Hostage Calm and Defeater. They wanted to get "Surface To Air" out in 2011 but several factors prevented them from doing so. In support of finally getting "Surface To Air" out, the band reunited for two New England shows in March of 2016. Does this mean Ambitions might work on new material? Not sure. But perhaps those shows sparks an interest amongst the bandmates to work together again in the future. Ambitions style is that of a post hardcore/punk band. If you are a fan of bands such as With Honor, The Argument, Ignite, Great Collapse or Avail, then you'd probably like Ambitions. There's nothing extroadinary about their music, nor anything that stands out, but they're a nice little post hardcore/punk band that's definitely worth a listen.

TEN AMBITIONS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Sinking
2. Lines I've Drawn
3. Uphill Battle
4. Surface To Air
5. Running Like Thieves
6. Distant
7. There Is A Difference
8. Neon Lights
9. Rapid Succession
10. Astro Zombies (Misfits cover)

Monday, September 12, 2016

Song Of The Week: 9/11/16







Song: "Blood Bank" (Bon Iver cover)

Artist: A Great Notion

Album: "A Little Scared" EP

Year: 2014

Place Of Origin: Peterborough, United Kingdom

Years Active: 2010-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Blood Bank" appears to be a song about a relationship between two people, beginning with the initial encounter, moving to a part where their love for each other is reciprocated and finally, to the point where they foresee their lives as always together with children in their future. It's kinda like the past, the present and the future and all the while, even at their first meeting, you feel like they know that this love at first site is going to turn into something more and they will forever be entwined together. "Blood Bank" was originally written and performed by the American indie folk band Bon Iver in 2009. A Great Notion covered this song for their 2014 "A Little Scared" EP.

A GREAT NOTION DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2012 - Fun With Swifts (Ashes Records)
2013 - Possibilities (Self Released)

CURRENT STATUS OF A GREAT NOTION:

A Great Notion is an acoustic/folk/punk project of Jordy, who plays in the bands Evil Macaroni and Sammy's Fatal Mistake, two bands entrenced in the Peterborough, U.K. punk scene. The band first broke on the scene with the "Still Singing" EP in 2010. Along with their two full length albums, 2012's "Fun With Swifts" and 2013's "Possibilities", A Great Notion also released the "Demos" EP and a split 7" with Andrew Cream in 2011, a split 7" with Luke Hilly & The Cavalry in 2013 and the "A Little Scared" EP in 2014. Most recently, the band was on the bill on the Leeds, U.K. "Scene Better Days Fest 2016" in August of 2016. A Great Notion brings a brand of acoustic/folk/punk with their sound. They do at times, however, incorporate some electric instrumentation in some of their songs but acoustic guitars are at the foundation of what their music is all about. If you are a fan of bands such as Onward, Etc, Chuck Ragan, The Horrible Crowes, FM359 or Flatfoot 56, then you would probably enjoy the music of A Great Notion. It's been quite commonplace for punk rock bands, or at least bands with punk rock roots to explore the acoustic format and A Great Notion is no different. I would say they aren't one of the top acoustic folk punk bands, but good enough to warrant being checked out.

TEN A GREAT NOTION SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Black Lungs
2. Anywhere
3. Sleep Well
4. Long Live Tonight
5. Drinking For Possibilities
6. This Isn't Kansas
7. Ode To The Grove
8. Late Nights In The Morning Sun
9. Insecure V (Political Jam)
10. 5th February

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Song Of The Week: 9/4/16







Song: "Straight Papers"

Artist: The Dopamines

Album: "Expect The Worst"

Year: 2010

Place Of Origin: Cincinnati, Ohio

Years Active: 2006-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Straight Papers" appears to be an anthem for the total slacker! The vocalist is well aware that he is a failure surrounded by others who are seemingly successful all around him. He seems quite content, in a way, to live his life in boredom, laziness and drunkeness! A total slacker!!

THE DOPAMINES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2008 - The Dopamines (It's Alive Records)
2009 - Insubordination Fest '08: Live From Baltimore (Insubordination Records)
2010 - Expect The Worst (Paper + Plastick Records)
2012 - Vices (It's Alive Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF THE DOPAMINES:

Cincinnati, Ohio punks The Dopamines got their start in 2006, forming as a side project of members of the bands Black Tie Bombers and Ukraine Crane. It wasn't long before The Dopamines became the main focus of all the members involved and those other bands soon disbanded. Getting their music out there via pop punk forums and message boards, The Dopamines caught the ear of It's Alive Records who released their debut self/titled album in 2008. 2009 saw the band release the live cd/dvd "Insubordination Fest '08" as well as an EP called "Soap and Lampshades". 2010 saw the band hook up with Paper + Plastick Records to release their sophmore effort, "Expect The Worse". The band landed the opening slot on a Less Than Jake tour to promote that album. Their last full length release, 2012's "Vices", saw the band return to It's Alive Records. The Dopamines most recent release was the 2015 7" single "Guided By Vices". The Dopamines are known for their beer drenched, energetic live performances and their infectious brand of melodic, pop punk with a little snarl. This is a band that definitely draws it's influence from skate punk of the mid to late 90's. As for contemporaries, if you're a fan of bands like Dear Landlord, House Boat, Off With Their Heads, Banner Pilot and Dillinger Four, then The Dopamines should be right up your alley! Gritty pop/skate punk at it's finest!

TEN THE DOPAMINES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Public Domain
2. Useless
3. Try This Kids At Home
4. Molly
5. You're Ruining My Life
6. Soap And Lampshades
7. Vices
8. October 24th
9. Car Trouble
10. The Satisfaction Of Physical Retraction From A Chemical Reaction