House Boat

House Boat: Processing Complaints [7-inch]Processing Complaints [7-inch] (2010)
Traffic Street

Reviewer Rating: 4

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Contributed by: BryneBryne
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Published on August 6th 2010House Boat's "members of" history reads like a pop-punk encyclopedia. When you've spent time in bands like the Ergs!, the Steinways, Dear Landlord, Off with Their Heads and the Copyrights, well, that's one hell of a pedigree. And the band's new EP, Processing Complaints, lifts elements from each of .

House Boat's "members of" history reads like a pop-punk encyclopedia. When you've spent time in bands like the Ergs!, the Steinways, Dear Landlord, Off with Their Heads and the Copyrights, well, that's one hell of a pedigree. And the band's new EP, Processing Complaints, lifts elements from each of those acts to create a fun listen.

"DC Presents: Inferiority Complex, Volume 420" serves as the opening track here, and it's mostly carried by a driving pace and a catchy chorus. Most or all members contribute vocals here and there, keeping that part of the equation interesting. The band constructs a power-pop gem with "Payment Plan." The somber manner in which Grath sings "I wake up and cry because I'm all alone / So tired to try staying at home" is, unfortunately perhaps for him, a great moment here.

"Kids of the Black Hole Sun" (Copyrights reference! Meta!) and "The Self-Aware Octopus" is where Mikey Erg most makes his presence felt behind the mic, which ought to be a welcome site for any Ergs! fans pining away for one last reunion show. Those two songs segue into the 70-second closer "Tired Pleas" and just like that, Processing Complaints is over before anyone realizes it.

Brevity plus hooks equals extra replay value, so don't fight the urge to move that needle back to the start of the record. You won't be alone.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

arejaypunx (October 22, 2010)

not quite as good as Delaware Octopus (one of my most favourite albums ever) due to the lack of lead-vocal variety, but still motherfreakin' awesome. My favourite EP of the year.

iristing (September 28, 2010)

XDDDD .... Great I love it. . .tks ...

ilikepie (August 9, 2010)

I can't really stand the steinways, but for some reason I love this band. Maybe it's the backup vocals.

Thrusters (August 7, 2010)

This band would be better if Zack sang more. Best voice in the band, in my opinion.

lmnndtlgrph (August 6, 2010)

I should probably point out that no one from The Copyrights is in this band.

Though Luke did record their full-length and Azeem almost once played drums on a Copyrights tour.

Close enough.

Bryne (August 6, 2010)

""Kids of the Black Hole Sun" (Copyrights reference! Meta!) "

Ever, um, heard of bands called the Adolescents or Soundgarden?

Yup.

But given this band's pedigree, the Copyrights reference makes waaaaay more sense. Even, um, you should be able to figure that out.

mattramone (August 6, 2010)

""Kids of the Black Hole Sun" (Copyrights reference! Meta!) "

Ever, um, heard of bands called the Adolescents or Soundgarden?

mattramone (August 6, 2010)

Great band, great EP, really great label. Peanut butter in my chocolate, etc.

withoutbellson (August 6, 2010)

pretty good though for an alleged supergroup could be better

withoutbellson (August 6, 2010)

pretty good though for an alleged supergroup could be better

wyld_stallyns_rule (August 6, 2010)

This is another group that I started listening to innocently enough. I found myself going back to it more and more, and then one day realizing, holy shit! This is becoming a staple. Same thing happened with the Riot Before.

arejaypunx (August 6, 2010)

greeeeeeat EP. really can't wait to see what these guys come up with next. I like the LP a lot more though.

TSOL (August 6, 2010)

i couldnt get hooked on any particular tracks, preferred the LP slightly more cause it had a few standout hits