Dave Hause
Resolutions
Paper + Plastick Records
We all know Dave “rhymes with cause” Hause as the frontman of Philadelphia based The Loved Ones, but with newly released debut solo album Resolutions, Dave shows us his more intimate side that melodic punk just can’t show. Not to sell the record short on the first sentence, let me assure you that the album is more than melodic at times, and perhaps even punk at other times, but Resolutions is the perfect example of a solo record. It’s familiar enough to be called a side project, yet still different enough to distinguish as something new. The albums works independent of The Loved Ones – it speaks loud, clear and for itself, rather than relying largely of prior fandom.
2009 and 2010 saw an influx in punk-frontmen-gone-altcountry records and I think we need to differentiate Resolutions from this, as it’s anything but an alt-country record. I’m just as guilty of this as I’m sure most of you are, when Dave played my town last winter to all of 15 people, I attended out of boredom rather than genuine interest. Even after that performance and his recent 7” House I still wasn’t exactly convinced he was anything new or refreshing. This is me, eating my words. Resolutions proves that, like Tim Barry before him, Dave has gone on to utilize a full band (at times) to make something entirely different from his punk rock past. It’s the distinction of musicianship present throughout Resolutions that sets it apart from the tired genre.
The record opens up with “Time Will Tell”, a (seemingly) stripped down ode to life that continues to build past the ballad-esque piano until it becomes an earnest 30-second chorus-like outro that would certainly be a worthwhile record closer. We have an overture. The record continues in a similar fashion, swinging through piano rock, swelling blues-rock guitar, and even a couple sing-a-long anthems leftover from Dave’s pop punk past. Dave even channelled his inner Franz Nicolay for a token circus tinged track “Prague (Revive Me)”. Despite mixing through a number of genres, the album never feels unfocused by any means. It’s all under a distinct vision, ad couldn’t have been executed better.
Sub-Pop’s Fleet Foxes have officially debuted their new track “Helplessness Blues”, from the upcoming album under the same title. The album comes out March 3rd, and the title track will kickoff both the hype behind, and the album itself. Check out the track below.
Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues by subpop
We’ve all been paying attention to how steadily the new Bright Eyes record, The People’s Key, has been piecing together over the past couple of months. The band’s label, Saddle Creek, has inched along towards the release date, bringing us singles, 30 second clips, and even some explicit details on the packaging itself. Today the label is streaming the entire release (via NPR). NPR was no less than flattering about the record, they commented:
I won’t mince words: This is the best record Bright Eyes has ever made. In fact, it’s the best record the band’s frontman, Conor Oberst, has ever been a part of. Publicists like to say as much any time an artist releases a new album, but in this case, it’s actually true. The People’s Key is a career-defining work of art.
Stream the entire ~40 minute release right here, or check out individual tracks if album’s aren’t your bag.
Toronto based Dine Alone Records (City And Colour, .Moneen., Mockingbird Wish Me Luck, among many others) have officially added Toronto based The Golden Dogs to their roster. The band’s new album Coat Of Arms, has already seen a Canadian release, but the label is set to distribute the album worldwide, beginning in USA on April 26th, 2011. If you don’t feel like waiting, you can stream the whole album via The Golden Dogs’ website.
Catch up with the band on their current tour dates throughout the US.
Mar 17: SXSW @ Hole in the wall
Mar 19: SXSW @ Paradise on 6th (Halifax POP Explosion Showcase)
Mar 22: Portland @ Wonder Ballroom**
Mar 23: Seattle @ Showbox**
Mar 24: Vancouver @ Biltmore**
Mar 26: Missoula, MT @ Wilma Theatre**
Mar 27: Jackson, WY @ Q Roadhouse**
Mar 29: Ames, IA @ The Maintenance Shop**
Mar 30: Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room**
Mar 31: Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre **
Apr 1: Madison, WI @ The Majestic**
Apr 2: Chicago, IL @ The Vic**
Apr 3: Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls**
** w/ State Radio
A couple weeks ago Foo Fighters updated their hype machine with 28 seconds of new music. Thankfully vague updates aren’t becoming a habit for the band, because today we’re finally able to see the tracklisting for the new record (which remains unnamed). The tracklisting comes from a 300-person secret show that the band played last weekend, as does the video. Check out both below.
Continue reading…
RVIVR have posted an update of sorts on their blog this morning. Most importantly, the band is going to release a collection of their two 7″s and the Dirty Water EP on a single LP. The collection will feature two new tracks and some other assorted goodies. No word on release date, but the band is just wrapping up the process now.
The band is also planning out their next tour, with hints that they’ll touch both East and West coasts of America, some Canadian dates, and even some European dates in the fall. Again, no word on final details as of yet, but we’ll keep you to date as details surface.
RVIVR – Real Mean from If You Make It on Vimeo.
As fans of melodic hardcore we were delighted to receive the following missive from the folks at Creator-Destructor Records, regarding the band Kid Icarus.
Creator-Destructor Records is extremely excited to announce the addition of Connecticut’s KIDS ICARUS to their roster! Hailing influence from the likes of Propagandhi, Shai Hulud, and A Wilhelm Scream, the Northeastern quintet combines razor-sharp technicality with genuine sincerity and unbridled passion to create a sound truly unique in the world of punk rock. Label owner Ben Murray states, “It is truly an honor to be putting this record out. I have known these guys for a while and always knew what they were capable of, but this material just blew me away. It’s so refreshing to see such progressive musicianship and forward thinking within the genre of punk rock, and they are definitely a perfect match for our label’s ideals and ethics. Get stoked!”
The debut self-titled 7” will see a late March release via Creator-Destructor Records in vinyl and digital formats. The effort will contain four tracks that reflect the band’s progressive and innovative take on modern punk rock and melodic hardcore. Preorders for the record will begin in the coming weeks, but fans can now stream the songs at the band’s bandcamp page, at http://www.kidsicarus.bandcamp.com
The good news is these songs are every bit as good as they’re described. We’ll have a review of Kid Icarus‘ EP up soon, but check out the songs currently streaming at BandCamp.
Late last month Vans announced that they were going to release two sets of sneakers inspired by Gorilla Biscuits‘ legendary iconography. Now after a month of waiting the company has started sale of the shoes. The band has been immortalized (again) in two of the brands most celebrated shoe styles, the Sk8-Hi ($68), and the slip-on ($52). Check out the Vans page for more detailed photos of the sneakers.
The Underground legends known as Gorilla Biscuits are paid homage in this limited edition run of the Sk8-Hi. The band’s emergence in the late ’80′s and subsequent rise from local New York club favorites to global recognition is a testament to their innovative and influential sound.
We here at the 1st Five are vinyl junkies (well, I am at least.). Pretty packaging, laser cutting, eleven hundred different colours of the record itself, it doesn’t matter. It makes me happy. When I received a message from Saddle Creek this morning about the new Bright Eyes vinyl pressing, well…I jumped up and down a little bit (ok. A lot.). The fact that it’s being pressed to beautiful 180g vinyl? That’s just icing on the cake. Here’s the info on the cd / vinyl release:
CD – 6-panel tri-fold die-cut digipak, printed on iridescent foil. Includes O-card, full color CD inner sleeve, and 20 page booklet.
LP – 6-panel tri-fold die-cut old style Stoughton tip-on LP jacket, printed on iridescent foil. Full color LP inner sleeve. 180-gram HQ RTI Vinyl. Full album on CD in a printed sleeve.
If that wasn’t enough excitement, check out the video they sent along about the pressing of the record. The People’s Key will be released on February 15 via Saddle Creek Records.
You can stream [!!!] the whole thing HERE
Bright Eyes – Making of The People’s Key Deluxe LP from Saddle Creek on Vimeo.
Follow the jump for a full list of tour dates, which begin Feb 8 in Glasgow, Scotland. Continue reading…
Deathwish Inc’s newest band, Touche Amore, aren’t wasting much time on their newfound home, detailing their upcoming full length for the label. The album is entiled Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me, and will be recorded by studio legend Ed Rose (The Get Up Kids, Small Brown Bike, Coalesce, etc). Vocalist Jeremy Bolm commented:
We are very excited to get to work with Ed Rose, he has an unmatched ability to drive out some of the cleanest but heaviest sounding records. He was first on our list of people to work with and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity
As it stands there is no concrete release date for the record, but the label aims for a 2011 release.
