Yaphet Kotto

Okay, so the other day I found out that Commodity Fetish Records and Vitriol Records are putting out a "Rare Collections" LP for Yaphet Kotto, compiling their rare, split, and unreleased tracks, due for release in late 2010 or early 2011. In recognition of this, I'm posting some music from Yaphet Kotto, who just so happen to be my favorite band of all time. Bar none.

I couldn't choose between their first full-length, "The Killer Was In The Government Blankets," and the second one, "Syncopated Synthetic Laments For Love," so I'm putting up both! The Killers was the first album of their's I listened to, so it has a dear place in my heart. It was actually the first hardcore/emo/screamo album I listened to, and the song, "Are You Still Working At That Café?" is the first song of that genre I heard, and I was hooked. To this day, that song is still one of my favorites. I chose to also include Syncopated because it's just an amazing album. And that's what these two are: albums. Through and through. Quite possibly better than The Killers but I'd say it's more like they're neck and neck. The title track from Syncopated is seriously flawless in my eyes. I could talk forever about Yaphet Kotto, but I know if I keep going, you won't wanna read it, so I'll cut myself off. Politically charged hardcore with contrasting vocals, dynamic song structures, compelling lyrics... just perfect.



1. First Meetings Agreement
2. Torn Pictures
3. Reserved For Speaker
4. Driving Through Natchez
5. Are You Still Working At That Café?
6. B And C
7. A Symbol
8. The Killers
9. Suffocate



1. Circumstantial Evidence
2. Status Symbol
3. Inquire Within
4. The Weight Of Remorse
5. Fact Nor Fiction
6. Syncopated Synthetic Laments For Love
7. Highly Enlightened
8. Blind Leading The Blind
9. Of Epic Proportions
10. Instrumental

The Reactions - Love You EP

In response to the last post's mention of a second Florida band, I decided to post the EP with the song that Screaming Sneakers covered for their EP. In similar fashion, The Reactions had very few songs written (two seven-inches and a couple live recordings), but where they lack in quantity they make up for in quality. This is a great four-song EP. I think you could call it powerpop. I don't know... I'm bad with genres. It's good.



1. Nights On End
2. Marianne
3. I Can't Help It
4. Rebel Rousers

Screaming Sneakers - Marching Orders EP

I can manage to be short-winded with this entry, because there isn't much to know about this band. They were a female-fronted punk with some poppy overtones from Florida. They were around in the early 80's and the Marching Orders EP (1982) is their only release. It features four songs, one of which is a cover of another Florida pop punk band that was around in the early 80's as well.



1. Violent Days
2. Grin And Bare
3. Reflections
4. Can't Help It (The Reactions)

Finest Dearest - Finest Dearest

EDIT: Link to download wasn't working right. Should be fixed now.

Ever since I saw this band back in March '07, I was hooked! They make such a good impression and I'm happy I got to see them both times they came to Phoenix when they were still a band. Unfortunately they broke up in June. I went to their MySpace to check up on what's new with them, and noticed that their headline read "EXPIRATION DATE: 06/26/2010" and I was so bummed (this was like a week before said expiration date). I really wish I could've flown out to San Francisco to go see their last show, that's how much I like them. But alas, it wouldn't have been practical given money and scheduling constraints. I always recommend this band whenever possible, because they're just that good. Bay Area, female-fronted Indie Rock that's pulled off so well. Carly has a beautiful voice. Take a listen!

By the way, the packaging, both on the CD version and the 2x10" version (both of which, I own, haha) are flawless. It's a great record to own, so if you like the album, go buy it from Bloodtown Records!

They also just released their farewell album on iTunes only. It's like 8 songs I think, for $3.99 - also recommended. I'll shut up now.



1. Naming Ceremony
2. Night-Blooming Flowers
3. Your Hometown
4. Making A Sound 1
5. Making A Sound 2
6. Making A Sound 3
7. Fathers
8. Tunnel Vision
9. Serious
10. Pendulum
11. Marching Into Flames

Pianos Become The Teeth - Old Pride

I saw this band about five days ago and though I had already heard their music, I was so impressed with them. I think they display a lot of the same elements that made Funeral Diner such a great screamo band but they still sound significantly different from FD. Airy guitar backed by a heavier guitar, strong vocals that don't get old, and off-beat drumming. Not to mention I think they chose a great track ordering because the album flows really well. The opening track, "Filial," is amazing - it's like double rainbows all the way! I'm glad that there are still some bands around today that play top-of-the-line screamo because almost every one I listen to is a band come and gone.

On top of being really good when it comes to music, these guys are really nice people. If you like the album, I definitely urge you to go out and buy it if you can, and if they come through your town, don't hesitate and miss out because they're great live.



1. Filial
2. Quit Benefit
3. Sleepshaker
4. Prev
5. Pensive
6. Cripples Can't Shiver
7. Jess And Charlie
8. Young Fire

Jejune - R.I.P.

Jejune were an indie/rock-infused emo band from Boston (and later San Diego) who met going to the Berklee College Of Music. Their music tends to be on the soft side with equally soft male and female vocals, but they have their loud moments, too. Though less well-known, Jejune toured the states with bands like The Get Up Kids, Piebald, and Jimmy Eat World. This album is a collection of their singles, split tracks, and unreleased records, and it's definitely my favorite. I actually have their split 7" with Jimmy Eat World, and the two songs from that ("That's Why She Hates Me" and "Early Stars") are both better pieces of the album. I have to say though, that I hate the second song "The New State" and I promise this album gets better, haha... Just skip it if you need to. That's what I do. "The Highs And Lows" sounds like it could be a theme song to Gilmore Girls, but I love it anyways. All right, that's enough from me. Give Jejune your attention.



1. Record City After World
2. The New State
3. Lunatic
4. The Highs And Lows
5. 2000 Miles
6. Heart Of Desire
7. Early Stars
8. Morale Is Low
9. That's Why She Hates Me
10. Solar
11. Lowlife (Version Remix)
12. Grace (Wizard Glick Is Swimming)

Suis La Lune - Quiet, Pull The Strings!

This'll be my first post for my first music blog, and I chose to feature Suis La Lune for it because they're a great representation of Europe's screamo scene, one of my favorite styles around right now. This blog obviously won't be all screamo all the time, but there might be a bit because I'd like to share music that I think others haven't immersed themselves in much, and emo/screamo/emo-violence/skramz/whatever is kind of really my cup of tea. But you can still expect plenty of diversity.

Suis La Lune (I think that's "I Am The Moon" in French) are a Swedish screamo group that makes me wish this type of music were popular around my area. Well, it's not just them that make me wish that, but they make that dream seem even more desirable. They did a U.S. tour in March but they only toured the east coast. I was so bummed! The opening track of this album (after the nature-sounds intro), "Utter Silence Is Fragile" is amazing. I think it represents the band really well and just drives with so much passion. If you like what you hear, I suggest you listen to the songs on their MySpace profile. The playlist there includes all my favorite songs by them, and if you want more, I'd be happy to upload the rest and link you to it since I have their discography thus far.



1. Desperate Times
2. Utter Silence Is Fragile
3. This Heart Easily Tears
4. Eris Flies Tonight
5. Quiet, Pull The Strings!
6. Fingers.Voice.Heart.Shake.Shake.Shake.
7. The Light Matters Always Matters
8. Calls For Beautiful Acts
9. A Letter - A Void
10. My Mind Is A Birdcage