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Album Review:

rchrd prkr - “It’s Getting Worse” (Release Date - July 6th, 2015) 

Rchrd prkr seems to have mastered the art of catching attention in most ways possible--poetic lyrics, hooky guitar parts, catchy choruses-- all while sitting on the good side of the fine line between boring and easy to listen to. In fact, their latest release, “It’s Getting Worse” was so easy to listen to that I played it on repeat probably 5 times while I was writing this review and didn’t get close to sick of it. Listeners often find themselves skipping through new releases, wondering when something eventful will happen to make them stop skipping, but when a record opens the lyrics, “Who are you, and what’s your name? I feel like I’ve met you before”, you honestly don’t have much of a choice but to continue listening. The four piece indie rockers open the record with “Another Try”, which is immediately reminiscent of “This Is a Long Drive” era Modest Mouse. The approach they take to writing this track and the whole record is chaotic but also relaxed, and done in a way that comes off more strategic and well planned. 

As you get further and further into the record, you start to notice a trend within the lyrical content of all the songs that contrasts well with the music, in which vocalist Miles Campbell is openly making a plea to work out a dispute with a fading lover and coping with the fact that whoever he is singing about may not want to do that. This is the definition of a group of people who don’t have to try hard to make sickeningly good music, and that’s the exact beauty I find in the band. Their musical styles can range from slower, more relaxed A Great Big Pile of Leaves sounding parts, to more punky, fast Descendents sounding parts, all while being seamlessly sewn together by originality in between, wrapped up with climaxing group vocals for all you live sing-along fans!

I give “It’s Getting Worse” an 8/10 and think these dudes have a real shot at being Donovan Wolfington’s newest favorite band, if they can put out another solid release to follow this one up.

Pick up the album on cassette or digital download at https://rchrdprkr.bandcamp.com/

Review by Matt D.

#rchrd prkr #rchrd prkr pa #pennsylvania #pennsylvania indie #indie #punk #emo #flower jar media #reviews by matt #ARTIST-REVIEWS

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FEATURED: Our good friends in ROMP just released their new music video on Bad Timing Records. The band is preparing to re-release their Debut EP with the bonus track “Burrito” on October 30th as well as plans to release their first full length album in early 2016. You can catch them on tour with select dates:

11/6 - Wilmington, DE

11/17 - New Brunswick, NJ

11/28 - Sayreville, NJ

12/4 - Boston, MA

12/5 - Brooklyn, NY

12/6 - Amityville, NY 

“Sorry, Not Sorry” available on October 30th, 2015 via Bad Timing Records.

http://badtimingrecords.limitedrun.com/ http://badtimingrecords.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ROMPistight https://twitter.com/rompistight https://rompistight.bandcamp.com/

#romp #romp nj #nj #nj pop punk #pop punk

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ALBUM REVIEW:

ODD FOLKS - “Monica" (Release date - October 31st, 2015)

It’s not often you come across a band that completely stands out in their genre. With a constant shift in the mainstream, our generation seems to fall victim to repetition, especially in various Emo/Pop Punk genres. However, this band turned my head - mid-conversation - the second they started their set on stage.

Odd Folks is a four piece band based out of College Station, Texas and they are releasing their debut album this Halloween. ”Monica" opens full of pure energy with “Spoke” that trades a memorable melody between the lead guitar and vocals. Songwriter and vocalist, Marco Pisterzi speaks of staying honest with himself and people around, yet feeling a constant pull to negative surroundings. “Enemy” is track #2 and although a shorter song, keeps the momentum going naturally with one of the most catchy chorus lines on the entire album. It leads to a huge buildup that concludes the energy, for now. Track 3 (“Hands”) moves to a slightly darker mood and sets pace for experimentation - straying away from a pop song structure. Following tracks “Wasted,” “September,” and “Pills” hold our attention close and defiantly set the band apart from others in their genre. Next is an instrumental interlude that connects us to the last three tracks. “DNA” contains powerful vocals and lyrics that illustrate a lifestyle easy to relate to.

Over the summer, I had the privilege to watch Odd Folks perform and I noticed “Monster,“ the next song on the album, was a fan favorite at the shows. A slower, yet powerful track has tight fills and spine-tingling lyrics that connect an evil fictional character to real-life issues that bring you depressive thoughts. With the slowed-down dance beat throughout the tune, it’s one of those songs that make us wish we all played drums. “Bloodline” closes out the album with an upbeat verse, catchy chorus, and an unusual sounding bridge that leaves us wanting more. We can only anticipate a follow up to this stacked record.

Overall, the content and musicianship that went into this album is well above average. For a debut full-length, it is a confident and well rounded piece that is presentable to any listener, but specifically fans of early 2000’s emo/punk as Odd Folks keeps that memorable sound alive and breathing.

Obtain your hard copy of “Monica” at their album release show on October 31st, 2015 at Revolution Cafe & Bar in Bryan, TX and digitally at http://oddfolks.bandcamp.com/releases

Review by Doug G.

#odd folks #odd folks tx #texas #texas punk #punk #emo #pop #indie #flower jar media #reviews by doug