This Song Is A Mess But So Am I - Church Point, LA

This Song Is A Mess But So Am I, besides having one of the longest names for a solo project ever, is Freddy Ruppert's experiemtnal electronic project. Church Point, LA would be his debut album in 2004. Just like all his further work to come, his work seems to feel much like a personal diary. 

Majority Rule - Boeing

 I don't blame you.
You only make the tools for their trade.
But if I give you a mirror,
Can you tell me what you have really made?

XO Skeletons - Asthmagasm

XO Skeletons, well they're like....a ....uh rap/party crew, but they're completely not. No, they're much more. Actually, uhh......

what the fuck are these guys all about?

Trophy Scars

Trophy Scars have just released a 7" split with one my personal favorite bands, The Saddest Landscape. While each band only contributes one song to the EP, it is still worth checking out. Trophy Scars' song "August, 1980" sounds similar to what it would be like if you had Do Make Say Think fronted by a drunk(er) and slightly emotional Stzza from Leftover Crack. Surprisingly, they no only pull it off, but do it quite well.

While on the split they chose to highlight their softer side to what could be first time listeners, their other work tends to have a stronger and steady backbeat with varying approaches. The band pulls from a heavy pageninetynine and majority rule influence with a twisted approach of counter melody over counter melody leaves the listener checking out each song repeadetly just to make sure they didn't miss something the first run through.

The unique feature of this band is their 8 member line up with dedicated piano, trumpet, and violin/cello players. They are based out of everyone's favorite butt of state jokes, New Jersey. Their first album, Hospital Music, was released back in 2004 and the band has been going on strong ever since then with their last full length, Bad Luck, just released back in March 2009. Also, they have an obsession with cats. If you're a fan of lolcats, then this may be one of your greatest musical discoveries, evar.

I couldn't find any streaming files of their 7" anywhere you can find them on good old myspace.

www.myspace.com/trophyscars
www.trophyscars.com

Kaospilot

Kaospilot is another Orchid-era screamo, hardcore band. I had completely forgot they were still around. I had seen them play with Van Johnson in Ventura and needless to say it was probably one of the best shows I had been to. In January of 2009 they released Shadows. This album is another great piece put out by this Norwegian group. If you liked any of their old stuff or are a fan of Malady, Orchid, and City of Caterpillar, do yourself a favor and listen.

Listen: http://www.gimmesound.com/Kaospilot/

The Saddest Landscape

The Saddest Landscape is a screamo, post hardcore band hailing from New York. They released their first demo in 2002 known as the "Cover Your Heart" tour cd. Fans of Envy, Amanda Woodward, and Saetia are sure to instantly fall in love with this album. The opening track "The Fashion Magazines Have Succeeded" thrusts the listener into a dizzying whirl of drums and distortion saturated guitars. The band does a great job of demonstrating their ability of dynamic song writing with their ability to build up and breakdown each song from a beautiful arrangement to an ugly chorus.

According to the band's Facebook account they have just recently gone back into the studio to begin recording their latest album. One that I am very much looking forward to. If you're in the East coast, I highly recommend you make it out to their shows while you still can. As we all know, screamo bands have a tendency of breaking up right as things are starting to get good.

Listen: http://www.myspace.com/thesaddestlandscape
Mech: Here