Too Tough To Buy is a new column brought to you by Punknews.org. Every Tuesday, Bryne Yancey will highlight anticipated new releases, spotlight underappreciated new releases and torchlight other things on fire. Have a question or want to submit your band for inclusion? Email Bryne here. Wanna spam your band at him in the most patently annoying way possible? Follow him on twitter.
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MUST BUY: Mixtapes - Even on the Worst Nights
Raise your hand if you thought Mixtapesâ debut full-length would be longer than half an hour. Even on the Worst Nights, out today, clocks in at a hefty 16 songs and 38 minutesâthis from a band thatâs never been one to risk wearing out their welcome on record. (Their next longest release, 2010âs Maps, is eighteen minutes long. The band donât consider it a full-length and going forward, neither should we.) As daunting as EOTWN appears upon first inspection, itâs about as sonically breezy as anything else Mixtapes have released, with a couple of notable new beats (the Weezer-esque plod of "Russian House DJ" is a highlight), great vocal interplay from Ryan Rockwell and Maura Weaver, relatable-as-ever lyrics and a pair of guest spots from Grath Madden of House Boat/The Steinways ("Anyways") and the Wonder Yearsâ Dan "Soupy" Campbell ("Mt. Hope") that sum up Mixtapesâ potential for mass appeal at each end of the pop-punk spectrum. (No Sleep)
THEN BUY: Hold Tight! - Blizzard of â96
Richmond, Virginiaâs resident rowdy pop-punks have returned with a new full-length thatâs long on fun and short on time. Rapid-fire drumming and unconventionally intricate guitar work have always been cornerstones of Hold Tight!âs sound, and theyâre luckily both on Blizzard of â96 in healthy amounts, separating them from the pack just a bit more this time around. The band are still working on finding their own voice, but based on some of the flashes here (the shredding of "I Guess this is Fucking Up," the undeniable catchiness of "Moving Day"), thereâs vast potential for greatness. Judge for yourself at their Punknews.org profile. (Animal Style)
BANDCAMP RECOMMENDATION: Pedals on our Pirate Ships
Pedals on our Pirate Ships, also from Richmond and touring with Hold Tight! this summer, will release their new album A Place to Stay July 17. The band have made three songs from it streamable (embedded below), and it sounds promising. Male/female vocals, swirling keys and understated guitar hooks call bands like the Anniversary and the Rentals to mind. (Say-10)
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK:
Old Man Gloom - No: A surprise release from a modern metal supergroup, featuring Aaron Turner (Isis), Caleb Scofield (Cave In, Zozobra), Nate Newton (Converge, Doomriders) and Santos Montano (Zozobra) performing dirty, sludgy, doomy music with a demented sense of catharsis slathered on top. (Hydra Head)
The Holy Mess - Cold Goodbyes single: Philadelphia drunk-punks preview their upcoming (and debut of sorts) full-length, Cande Ru Las Degas, out in August. Perfect music for sitting alone in your room and reflecting, or for your short bike ride to the corner bar, whatever your party speed may be. Starting tomorrow afternoon, you'll be able to listen to it at their Punknews.org profile. (Red Scare)