Petal

I saw this band mentioned as a request, and for some reason I thought I had already posted them. A quick check and it turns out I haven't, so here we go. Petal is mainly the project of Kiley Lotz, who is based out of Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 2013, she recorded an EP titled Scout, which featured members of Tigers Jaw, among others. This self-released EP is what ended up getting Petal signed to Run For Cover, as well as a handful of shows with some incredible bands. This is all for good reason, of course. Lotz has a knack for writing very catchy yet intimate songs, and has a voice that drifts through a room, kind of like the scent of a candle. Take that, and add Tigers Jaw's two main members now (Ben Walsh and Brianna Collins) as a backing band, and you've got one hell of an EP. Hopefully we'll be hearing more from Petal soon, but for now, enjoy.

Scout (2013)

1. Comeback

2. Left A Mark

3. When I See You

4. Troubled Heart

5. I'm Sorry

Shame (2015)

1. Camera Lens

2. Tommy

3. Heaven

4. Chandelier Thief

5. Feel

6. Sooner

7. The Fire

8. Shame

9. Nature

10. Camera Lens II
11. Photobooth

12. Silly Heart

Comfort (2017)

1. Comfort

2. Silver Springs

3. 15

Magic Gone (2018)

1. Better Than You

2. Tightrope

3. I'm Sorry

4. Comfort

5. Shy

6. Magic Gone

7. Shine

8. Carve

9. Something From Me

10. Stardust

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Middle Class

Middle Class were a hardcore punk/post-punk band from Santa Ana, California that formed in 1978 and broke up in 1982. They are perhaps best known for their debut EP Out Of Vogue, which is often cited as being one of, if not the first "hardcore" album ever put out, along with others such as Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown and The Germs' Lexicon Devil. Unfortunately, Middle Class never gained the notoriety of many other bands that came out in that era. This is probably also partially due to their changes in sound that came quite quickly after their first EP. On 1980's Scavenged Luxury, the band shifts to post-punk, by taking influence from the punk-funk of Gang Of Four and the artful melodies of Mission of Burma. By the time their sole full-length came out, Homeland, they've evolved into a slightly more upbeat Joy Division. All their work is definitely solid, regardless of what niche it falls into. If you're looking for late 70's/early 80's punk, here you go. Also, the compilation A Blueprint For Joy features both of their two EP's in addition to demos and unreleased songs. If you want more straight-forward punk from these guys, give the compilation a listen too. Enjoy.

Out Of Vogue (1978)

1. Out Of Vogue

2. You Belong

3. Situations

4. Insurgence

Scavenged Luxury (1980)

1. Home Is Where

2. A Blueprint For Joy

3. Last Touch

4. Introductory Rites

Homeland (1982)

1. The Call

2. A Skeleton At The Feast

3. Out Of My Hands

4. Listen

5. Shaken

6. Mosque

7. Restless Young Men

8. Ritual And Deceit

9. Everything

A Blueprint For Joy (1995)

1. Out Of Vogue

2. You Belong

3. Situations

4. Insurgence

5. Love Is Just A Tool

6. Above Suspicion

7. Archetype

8. Home Is Where

9. A Blueprint For Joy

10. Last Touch

11. Introductory Rites

12. Be Contemporary

13. Language Of Paradise

14. Love Is Just A Tool

15. No Time

16. Blue Movie

17. Red Light Sexes

18. Concession To The Enemy

19. Taken By Force

20. Failure Of All Pop

21. Misery Loves Company

22. TV Photo Life

Knapsack

Knapsack were a four-piece indie/emo band from California that formed in 1993, but broke up in 2000. For their 20th anniversary in 2013, Knapsack reunited to do a few shows, and that reunion hasn't ended since. However, they have no plans to record new music, they're only touring. In some ways it's a good thing, because they released three incredible albums in their original time as a band, and those would be quite hard to top. Knapsack are one of those "essential" 90's emo/indie bands that have influenced all your current favourite bands in some way or another.

One thing in particular I love about Knapsack is the songwriting. The songs are incredibly catchy, they've written some great hooks and very memorable lyrics to back them. In addition to that, they've got some incredible dual guitar work happening. It's very subtle, and never gets too technical, but they balance out chunky rhythms and melodic lead riffs very smoothly, which is a huge attribute of this particular genre. They've got the quiet verse/loud chorus down, and simply have an  amazing dynamic range, which is to be expected from a bands with contemporaries such as Braid and The Promise Ring. To name another thing, singer Blair Shehan has a very, very distinct voice. I won't even try to describe it, just listen, you'll see what I mean. Shehan now plays in The Jealous Sound, who have made a name for themselves by their own right. Regardless, Knapsack are a definite personal favourite, and have had quite the influence on numerous bands, and definitely deserve all the attention they can get. So do yourself a favour and give this a listen, and enjoy.

Silver Sweepstakes (1995)

1. Cellophane

2. Trainwrecker

3. Effortless

4. Fortunate And Holding

5. Casanova

6. Makeshift

7. Centennial

8. Symmetry

9. True To Form

10. Addresse

11. Silver Sweepstakes

(Don't Forget To) Breathe (1997)

9. Less Than

Day Three Of My New Life (1997)

1. Thursday Side Of The Street

2. Courage Was Confused

3. Decorate The Spine

4. Diamond Mine

5. Simple Favor

6. Boxing Gloves

7. Henry Hammers Harder

8. Perfect

9. Heart Carved Tree

10. Steeper Than We Thought

This Conversation Is Ending Starting Right Now (1998)

1. Katherine The Grateful

2. Change Is All The Rage

3. Shape Of The Fear

4. Skip The Details

5. Cold Enough To Break

6. Arrows To The Action

7. Cinema Stare

8. Hummingbirds

9. Balancing Act

10. Please Shut Off The Lights

Hey Mercedes

Hey Mercedes, aka Braid Lite. Not in a bad way, of course. Hey Mercedes were a four-piece indie/alternative/emo band from both Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois. After Braid broke up, three of its members (Bob Nanna, Todd Bell, and Damon Atkinson) formed Hey Mercedes in 1999, and lasted until 2005. Though this band does have a lot in common with Braid, they took the more melodic and poppy side of Braid and really emphasized it. The songs here are catchy, straight-forward, and upbeat. Nanna's distinct voice still drives the songs, and some bright guitars shimmer along with his voice. They put out two great albums that have influential in their own right, regardless of the member's previous affiliation. Enjoy.

Hey Mercedes EP (2000)

1. Bells

2. St. James Street

3. The House Shook

4. Stay Six

Everynight Fire Works (2001)

1. The Frowning Of A Lifetime

2. Every Turn

3. A-List Actress

4. The Slightest Idea

5. Eleven To Your Seven

6. Que Shiraz

7. Our Weekend Starts On Wednesday

8. Haven't Been This Happy

9. What You're Up Against

10. Quit

11. Let's Go Blue

The Weekend EP (2002)

1. Our Weekend Starts On Wednesday

2. Save A Life

3. Everybody's Working For The Weak

4. Wearing A Wire/The Promise

Loses Control (2003)

1. Quality Revenge At Last

2. It's Been A Blast

3. Playing Your Song

4. Knowing When To Stop

5. The Boy Destroyers

6. Unorchestrated

7. Lashing Out

8. Police Police Me

9. Oh Penny

10. The Switch

11. Absolute Zero Drive

12. Go On Drone

Unorchestrated (2005)

1. Roulette Systems

2. Warm Chords

3. Own Up

4. We Lie Half The Time

5. Unorchestrated (Live)

Braid

Photo credit: Shawn Scallen / www.scallen.com

Braid are a four-piece indie/emo band from Champaign, Illinois, that formed in 1993, disbanded in 1999, reunited briefly in 2004, and have been fully active again since 2011. They are often considered one of essential 90's emo/indie band, whose name is often spoken on par with the other greats, such as Cap'n Jazz, Jawbreaker, and Texas Is The Reason. Just like those bands, what made Braid so good is that they aren't exactly like any of their contemporaries, but still fit within the same realm so seamlessly. However, one thing that especially sets Braid apart now is that they both fit in with the "classic" tag for incredibly influential albums such as Frame And Canvas, but they exist today in the same realm as the bands that have been influenced by them. They are signed to Topshelf Records, they put out a split with Balance & Composure, and have toured with the likes of Into It. Over. It. and A Great Big Pile Of Leaves. Braid's legacy has already been solidified as something of legend, and they continue to prove why they've earned that title. Braid's members have also been active in bands such as Hey Mercedes, The City On Film, and The Firebird Band, which are all also worth giving a listen to.

A few notes on their discography: Their three full-lengths from the 90's are all below here, which were released while they existed. Posthumously, they released their compilations Movie Music, Vol. 1 and Movie Music, Vol. 2, which collect most of the songs on their splits and singles, as well as the live album Lucky To Be Alive. They wouldn't release anything else until their 2011 reunion, which spawned the EP Closer To Closed, and 2014's long-awaited follow-up to Frame and Canvas, which is No Coast. The band also released a handful of splits, but so far I've only managed to find the ones with The Get Up Kids and Balance & Composure. Most of their split material is included on the aforementioned compilations, but if anyone happens to have them, I'd appreciate you sending them to me. Enjoy.

Frankie Welfare Boy Age Five (1995)

1. Angel Falls

2. Capricorn

3. Minuet

4. New Dollar Building

5. Lining Lake Michigan

6. Wax Wings

7. Garner Hall Music Room

8. Hugs From Boys

9. Three Point Turn

10. Eeyore And Easel

11. Red Dye Company

12. Summer Salt

13. X Marks The Hope Box

14. Brass Knuckle Sandwich

15. Dolores

16. Under The Influence Of Tricycle Mechanics

17. Featherweight

18. Ornamental

19. Kissy Windmill Point

20. Jane Describes John

21. Quarters

22. Interstate 57

23. Yawn London

24. Vest of Interest

25. Pipsqueak

26. Zero Frisco

The Age Of Octeen (1996)

1. My Baby Smokes

2. Nineteen Seventy Five

3. Divers

4. Jimmy Go Swimmer

5. Movie Clock Star

6. Eulalia Eulalia

7. Grace Car Part One

8. Harrison Ford

9. American Typewriter

10. The Chandelier Swing

11. Autobiography

The Get Up Kids/Braid (1997)

1. The Get Up Kids - I'm A Loner Dottie, A Rebel

2. Braid - Forever Got Shorter

Burning Airlines/Braid (1998)

1. Burning Airlines - Back of Love (Echo & The Bunnymen)

2. Braid - Always Something To Remind Me (Naked Eyes cover)

Frame & Canvas (1998)

1. The New Nathan Detroits

2. Killing A Camera

3. Never Will Come For Us

4. First Day Back

5. Collect From Clark Kent

6. Milwaukee Sky Rocket

7. A Dozen Roses

8. Urbana's Too Dark

9. Consolation Prize Fighter

10. Ariel

11. Breathe In

12. I Keep A Diary

Lucky To Be Alive (2000)

1. Autobiography

2. The New Nathan Detroits

3. Killing A Camera

4. Please Drive Faster

5. Forever Got Shorter

6. What A Wonderful Puddle

7. Never Will Come For Us

8. You're Lucky To Be Alive

9. Grace Car

10. A Dozen Roses

11. Breathe In

12. Milwaukee Sky Rocket

13. Divers

14. First Day Back

15. I'm Afraid Of Everything

16. The Chandelier Swing

17. Capricorn

Movie Music Vol. 1 (2000)

1. Sounds Like Violence

2. Motion Light

3. Perfect Pitch

4. I'm Afraid Of Everything

5. Radish White Icicle

6. Now I'm Exhausted

7. Fire Makes The House Grow

8. Niagara

9. That Car Came Out Of Nowhere

10. (Strawberry Ann) Switzerland

11. What A Wonderful Puddle

12. First Day Back

13. Hugs From Boys

14. Forever Got Shorter

15. Please Drive Faster

16. Circus Of The Stars

17. You're Lucky To Be Alive

Movie Music Vol. 2 (2000)

1. Elephant

2. Jimmy Go Swimmer

3. Eulalia, Eulalia

4. Katycat

5. Grand Theft Autumn

6. To Kiss A Trumpet Player

7. I'm Glowing And You're The Reason

8. Do You Love Coffee?

9. The Consolation Prizefighter

10. Bridge To Canada

11. Painting Nebraska

12. Collect From Clark Kent

13. Roses In The Car

14. My Life (Billy Joel cover)

15. Baby, Now That I've Found You (The Foundations cover)

16. This Charming Man (The Smiths cover)

17. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths cover)

18. Always Something There To Remind Me (Lou Johnson cover)

19. Trompe le Monde (The Pixies cover)

Closer To Closed (2011)

1. The Right Time

2. Do Over

3. You Are The Reason

4. Universe Or Worse

Braid/Balance And Composure (2013)

1. Braid - Lux

2. Braid - Many Enemies

3. Balance And Composure - You Can't Fix Me

4. Balance And Composure - Say

No Coast (2014)

1. Bang

2. East End Hollows

3. No Coast

4. Damages!

5. Many Enemies

6. Pre Evergreen

7. Put Some Wings On That Kid

8. Lux

9. Doing Yourself In

10. Climber New Entry

11. Light Crisis

12. This Is Not A Revolution

Kids Get Grids (2015)

1. Kids Get Grids

2. Because I Am

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Heaven In Her Arms

Heaven In Her Arms are a five-piece screamo/post-hardcore/post-rock band from Tokyo, Japan that formed in 2004. Two full-lengths and numerous splits and EP's later, Heaven In Her Arms are definitely one of the most notable Japanese hardcore bands. Perhaps the other one of most note is the one that everybody knows (and for good reason), Envy. HIHA and Envy are definitely quite similar, in more ways than just geographical location. They both craft immense songs that balance atmosphere with gripping intensity and emotional passion. There's definitely a very prominent post-rock influence, with tremolo-picked guitars, massive crescendos, and spoken monologues, but where they really peak is their dark and heavy climaxes, which are topped by some animalistic screaming. This band is highly recommended, especially if you're looking for more progressive and experimental screamo/post-rock. Pretty much all of their song and album titles were originally in Japanese, but most have English translations floating around the internet, which are below. So if you wanted the titles in Japanese, sorry about that. Thanks to the people that mentioned them in the cbox who reminded me of this amazing band, and enjoy.

Demo (2004)

1. Light To The Hope

2. Just To Find The Answer

3. Untitled

4. Owareta Kokoro

5. Bikasareta Omoi

Heaven In Her Arms (2006)

1. A Secret Signal... Here Is...

2. Akai Yume

3. Get Out!! (Live)

4. A Secret Signal... Here Is... (Remix)

5. Akai Yume (Remix)

Heaven In Her Arms/Tomato Steal (2006)

1. Tomato Steal - You Can't

2. Tomato Steal - Love O.G.R.2003

3. Tomato Steal - C.C.K.C.257

4. Heaven In Her Arms - Tessen to Kanaria

Koenji (2007)

1. Heaven In Her Arms - The Old World Is Behind Us & The Jailors Speak Of Freedom (Ampere cover)

2. Killie - Giugno (La Quiete cover)

Erosion Of The Black Speckle (2007)

1. Manifesto

2. Filled Up With A Bruise

3. Intersection Arrangement

4. Iron Wire And A Canary

5. A Sublingual Tablet

6. Correlative Sign

7. Get Out

8. The Balance Drowned In A White Rub

9. Partiality Of Luminosity Eight

10. Recursive Dependency

11. Red Dream

12. Erosion Of The Black Speckle

Duplex-Coated Obstruction (2009)

1. Wound Dehiscence

2. 39/40

3. Rusty Trace

4. Moon Get Distorted By Cornea

Paraselene (2010)

1. 46x

2. Anamnesis Of Critical

3. Morbidity Of White Pomegranate

4. Jade Vine

5. Echoic Cold Wrist

6. Halcyon

7. Butterfly In Right Helicoid

8. Veritas

Heaven In Her Arms/Aussitôt Mort (2011)

1. Aussitôt Mort - Une défaite à la piaule

2. Aussitôt Mort - Supraliminaire

3. Heaven In Her Arms - Lost Title/Inversion Operation

Heaven In Her Arms/Yumi (2012)

1. Heaven In Her Arms - White Night Recrystallization

2. Yumi - Empty Circle

Heaven In Her Arms/COHOL (2013)

1. Heaven In Her Arms - 黒い閃光

2. Heaven In Her Arms - 繭

3. Heaven In Her Arms - 終焉の眩しさ

4. COHOL - 不毛の地

5. COHOL - 木霊

6. COHOL - 疎外

白暈 / White Halo (2017)

1. 光芒の明時 / Ray of Light at Dusk

2. 月虹と深潭 / Abyss of the Moonbow

3. 赦された投身 / Forgivable Drown

4. 終焉の眩しさ / Glare of the End

5. 枷 / Chain With Fetters

6. 円環を綯う / Entangled Torus

7. 幻霧 / Turbid Fog

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Diamond Youth

Diamond Youth (originally known as Diamond) are a four-piece alternative rock band from Baltimore, Maryland that formed in 2011. They share members with bands such as Trapped Under Ice and Down To Nothing, but the similarities end there. A good way to describe their sound is "big". They've got a massive guitar sound, soaring vocals, drums that boom and echo, and production work that fills up every corner with sound, but with a tasteful hint of reverb that gives each instrument its space. Diamond Youth don't fall into the terrible trend currently going on where the reverb level goes to 11. They use it for its actual purpose, to create a wall of sound with room to breathe. Thankfully so, since this band has some incredible songwriting capabilities, and are able to crank out tons of catchy melodies and solid guitar riffs. I mean, these songs could be on the radio and they'd fit right in (and I mean this in the best way possible). Diamond Youth have way more in common with radio friendly unit shifters Foo Fighters and Muse than anything else really, plus they could sit between Nirvana and Weezer on the 90's alt. rock station and not seem out of place, perhaps except for the little "2015" on the release date. Regardless, they're an amazing band that I highly recommend. They just put out their first full-length on Topshelf, and have an amazing back catalogue of EP's that are all worth your time, so here you go, enjoy.

Don't Lose Your Cool (2011)

1. Sunburn

2. Fix of Mine

3. Fly Solo

4. Don't Lose Your Cool

5. The Feeling

6. Keep Dreamin'

7. Pleasantries

DMND (2011)

1. Driving Home

2. Love Somebody

3. Don't Belong

4. Blood Does A Bat

5. Baby Please

Christmas Time Is Here (2011)

1. Christmas Time Is Here

Orange (2013)

1. Cannonball

2. Separator

3. Come Down

4. Orange

5. Swing From You

6. Lola

Shake (2014)

1. Red Water

2. Can't Shake The Feeling

3. Don't Feel Real

4. Warm Scene

5. Maryland Ice Cream

6. Follow Through

UK OK (2014)

1. Don't Feel Real

2. Bonfire

3. Lola

4. Cannonball

Nothing Matters (2015)

1. Nothing Matters

2. Thought I Had It Right

3. Spinning

4. Far Away From Earth

5. Succulent

6. In The Clouds

7. Riptide

8. No Control

9. The Nothing

10. Deep Love

11. The Difference

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