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Bridge and Tunnel

Bridge and Tunnel [7 inch] (2007)
No Idea Records

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Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on June 19th 2007

With just their first demo, pressed onto grey-esque 7" vinyl recently by the illustrious No Idea Records, Bridge and Tunnel prove themselves to be Long Island's best new punk rock act not named the Agent in a long time. Finally, here's a band who's probably influenced by standard `90s punk legends like Fugazi and Hot Water Music, but don't make it that obvious, merely by combining the heartstring-tugging of emotional punk rock and the intricate, almost atmospheric structures of post-hardcore into one palatable, delicious mixture.

Bridge and Tunnel proceed on the self-titled deal with male/female vocals across songs about gentrification, hopes and dreams, and through singing lines and spinning guitar textures that show an incredible, depth-filled sense of melody. Playing at a fairly moderate tempo much of the time, it's amazing how well they pull the listener in considering.

When the members join in to declare "the ink on my fingers will speak to every lost hope" on closer "The Rules of Childrens Games," squealing, ringing guitars echo and square off in the speakers, growing louder and louder as Jeff leads the way sincerely pleading for "dreams of trespass [to] please last longer," making for a memorable finish. Opener "Location, Location, Location" is certainly a powerful opener, though; upbeat, swirling riffs back up the group chants of "we're the new problem in the old 'bad part of town'," a line so fiercely melodic and passionately sung it'll last in your head for days on end. These two songs are so good it causes a definite imbalance, but "Circles to Shreds" and "In Case of Emergency" are still assuredly solid.

Featuring (overlapping) ex-members of Latterman, Slingshot Dakota, Fellow Project and Regarding I, Bridge and Tunnel's backstory might provide solid motivation on paper for someone to check them out, but their debut 7" is well worth the shot in the dark of picking it up unaware. Rarely do bands sound this original and accomplished so early on, but B&T have immediately quashed the odds.

STREAM
Bridge and Tunnel

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BrandonF (May 22, 2008)

Yes!

ifyoumakeit (September 24, 2007)

Bridge and Tunnel Videos

"Circle to Shreds" - at Vox
http://www.ifyoumakeit.com/video/music/bridge-and-tunnel

New song at Bereafest
http://www.ifyoumakeit.com/video/music/bridge-and-tunn el-2

"Location Location Location" at Stay True Paltz.
http://www.ifyoumakeit.com/video/music/bridge-and-tunnel- 3

ven89 (July 25, 2007)

This band is fucking amazing live. Not sure how I feel about the 7-inch though, it doesn't feel as powerful.

inagreendase (June 21, 2007)

i saw them selling a cd copy of the 7inch.

That would be the original "release" of this, which was a CD-R demo they sold at shows in 2006 (and still sell, obviously). You may as well buy the 7". Like Scott says, you'll get the CD-R and it'll come with full color artwork for the vinyl. The 7" is literally a dollar more, too.

case in point: he seems to adore this record. three and a half stars. he was admittedly disappointed and not that psyched on the Ruiner record. three and a half stars.

I'll be the first to admit I give out 7/10s like it was my job. It's actually kind of old news by this point.

But the thing with Ruiner is that I expected it to be great and it turned out only pretty good. I didn't really expect anything from Bridge and Tunnel and thus ended up being pretty impressed. So it tends to be about perspective.

Plus, 7/10 is just a really good, moderate score and it's how I happen to feel about an album/EP a lot of the time.

nocigar (June 21, 2007)

yea, bring latterman back.

Anonymous (June 21, 2007)

is it just me or does this dude Brian give three and half stars to every single thing he reviews, regardless of how much he likes or dislikes it?

case in point: he seems to adore this record. three and a half stars. he was admittedly disappointed and not that psyched on the Ruiner record. three and a half stars.

whats the deal?

the_other_scott (June 21, 2007)

that's a really funny name for a Long Island band to have. i'll probably check this out.

vocalyouth (June 21, 2007)

I miss latterman!

maverick (June 21, 2007)

"i saw them selling a cd copy of the 7inch."

My copy of the 7-inch actually came with a CD-R of the songs, too.

-Scott

pendalum_mcgonagal (June 20, 2007)

i saw them selling a cd copy of the 7inch.

jacktheskipper (June 20, 2007)

If you click on the stream link in the review you`ll be able to hear the whole thing ...

pendalum_mcgonagal (June 20, 2007)

"Their biggest critics always said how Latterman kept writing the same album over again I was enjoying myself too much to care, so I'm pretty disappointed that they just dropped off the face of the earth. Can anyone tell me if Bridge and Tunnel will be able to kinda fill in for Latterman because I'm interested in checking this out but will probably have to mail order and that's a pain in the ass."

Take a chance, find the songs, and get into it. Trust me you'll find elements of Latterman in there but gotta remember that it is another band hoping to gain respect through hard work and not heavily on a previous name.

ConsolationPrizefighter (June 19, 2007)

Their biggest critics always said how Latterman kept writing the same album over again I was enjoying myself too much to care, so I'm pretty disappointed that they just dropped off the face of the earth. Can anyone tell me if Bridge and Tunnel will be able to kinda fill in for Latterman because I'm interested in checking this out but will probably have to mail order and that's a pain in the ass.

pendalum_mcgonagal (June 19, 2007)

they put up one fine live show

Anonymous (June 19, 2007)

This is pretty good, but how can you say that the hot water music influence isnt obvious?

hvmyselfabear (June 19, 2007)

This band is so fucking awesome.

onegirlarmy (June 19, 2007)

Great band and 7inch record. I can see where this could disappoint Latterman fans as they sound nothing like that band, but hopefully they will eventually get off the "ex-Latterman" horse and become known in their own right.

wearestillalive (June 19, 2007)

oh god latterman just come back to us already

maverick (June 19, 2007)

Goddamn, that one Backup Plan record was so good. Bummed I never got to see that band.

I've spun this record a bunch of times and it still hasn't hit me yet, but I can hear the potential.

-Scott

Anonymous (June 19, 2007)

Your new Orgcore heroes right here.

What happened to Latterman? I heard they broke up?

inagreendase (June 19, 2007)

what ever happened to that li band the back up plan?

The singer went on to form This Is Hell (as a bassist/backup vocalist) but eventually left to pursue a career in medicine.

The drummer also went on to form This Is Hell and still plays for them -- as well as Soldiers.

Other ex-dudes also play in Thieves and Assassins, Take My Chances, Soldiers, probably a couple others I can't remember off the top of my head. I think a lot of them either just became a little tired of touring and/or financially incapable of it.

Anonymous (June 19, 2007)

good stuff..what ever happened to that li band the back up plan?

jacktheskipper (June 19, 2007)

This is really really really good, kinda original these days, with some 90s indie influence but totally worth buying, this gets better with every spin ... I only wish Latterman would make another record ...