by Carly Schorman
Senior Editor
AJJ
Hometown heroes AJJ are breezing through town this month to play not one but two shows to mark the release of their sixth studio album, The Bible 2, later this week. The impending release follows in the same vein as Knife Man and Christmas Island, something a little more garage rock than the folk punk of AJJ past. Fans will find the same combination of dark humor and acute observations that established the band six albums ago on this new release. Strewn throughout The Bible 2, you’ll find religious references as often as you find pop culture references. It’s difficult to pick stand-out tracks because the album is stellar from start to finish (no surprise). “Cody’s Theme”, the opener, sets a fiery pace. I’m particularly partial to “Junkie Church” but I’m sure that will change ten more times before the month is out. And, you can’t deny “No More Shame, No More Fear, No More Dread” which strips you down to that anxious inner core of your being. The album doesn’t exactly end on an upswing between the brooding second-to-last track, “Small Red Boy” and the closer, “When I Am a Dead Boy”. AJJ is for those pensive creatures; the externally reserved, internally tumultuous. The Bible 2 comes out on Friday, August 19th, and AJJ will be at the Rebel Lounge for a two-night celebration (more info here). You can preview (and pre-order) the album beforehand…
Knightingale
The trio out of Singapore known as Knightingale are making some serious garage rock. Their 2016 debut album, God Damn Youth, contains eight high-energy tracks. The album opens with “You Belong to Me”; a track that has a little more pop-punk tinges than you’ll be hearing on the rest of the album, but not devoid of that grungey garage noise. The second track, “Mr. Grey”, incorporates a bit of a surf feel. “Harbinger”, the fourth track, is one of my favorites along with “Demons” and “She Takes Away My Love”, but this release is solid from start to finish. The songs are short, clocking in at under three minutes every time, but the pack a punch. Knightingale made a conscious choice to not include a bass player in their band. However, I would contend that a little more bass could add some extra grit to their sound. But, all in all, Knightingale has a good thing going. Listen to God Damn Youth for yourself here…
Skull Drug
Phoenix rockers Skull Drug make shout-it-out, trash-around punk meant for mosh pits and petty vandalism. Wasted Daze dropped earlier this summer, just in time to rev up your heat-induced attacks of angst to a hardcore level. The lyrics behind the songs are more personal than political, but they have their moments of social commentary (see “Naive”). Other songs focus on the intimate issues of everyday: lost loves, friends who refuse to grow up, struggles of sobriety. Wasted Days is purging; a cathartic release of all the rage that builds in us as we’re continually subjected to the tedious horrors of our everyday. Get that hardcore release with Skull Drug here…
Good Look, Sigourney
Good Look, Sigourney out of Vineland, New Jersey takes pop punk and drags it on the ground, through the gutter, and into the garage. There’s a 90s quality catchiness and vibrant energy from start to finish on An Aquatic Situation, the band’s six-track debut. “Overboard” kicks off the album which is one of my few disappointments with An Aquatic Situation as this track certainly isn’t their strongest by any stretch. Once “Seasick” starts up, Good Look, Sigourney is redeemed. And, yes, the aquatic theme stretches through the rest of the track titles from the Dancehall-tinged “Undertow” to “S.O.S.”, which just might be my favorite track from the album. Give An Aquatic Situation a listen here…
