Man The Change has released a killer debut full length that should get fans of anything in the gruff No Idea Records pop-punk library quite excited. The album was released circa a fully DIY budget, and as anyone can tell from even the opening chords, is a real winner worth checking out.
Here’s another great one being hosted over on ifyoumakeit. The band is Candy Hearts and the album is thirteen songs of female fronted 90′s pop-punk fun with an indie tinge, a la Lemuria. I’m not going to go on much longer because this is an album that, with all it’s sugary hooks and licks of simple and catchy choruses, is very capable of speaking for itself. It’s the perfect cure for the looming fall season. And as with all ifyoumakeit releases, you can always donate if you’re feeling generous.
So yeah, the name of this band is rather juvenile, and truthfully, so is the content. It is however, pretty solid melodic pop punk with a great sloppy conclusion. Mr. Boner was kind enough to email me a link to his album, Not Quite Famous Yet. The first time I tried downloading the album from mediafire I was bombarded with some rather explicit ads on the website, so I said I couldn’t really post the link on here in good taste. Thankfully Billy has uploaded the tracks to a couple other file sharing websites, so here they are, all the way from Norway!
Tit Patrol is graciously offering a free download of their 2009 full length, Gets Less Worse. The album fits right in with the Fat Wreck Chords school of late 90′s pop punk. Think Squirtgun meets something over in the Red Scare Industries camp and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect. The band also recently released a new album for 2010 titled Hate Speech, which is well worth checking out if you dig their older stuff.
Here’s a short little EP filled with poppy hooks, soaring melodies, and overall fun and good times. The disc is Junior Battles’ self titled debut. It’s only four tracks long, but has the potential to be played again and again without losing any of its initial draw. It’s another ifyoumakeit freebie, so feel free to drop a donation if it’s to your liking.
The UK’s Bangers play a rough and rough brand of punk rock sure to appeal to fans of old school punk. If you like bands like The Cobra Skulls and The Lawrence Arms, then this is for you. There are no frills here, just good old head banging fun. The album just came out, and is available on their bandcamp for a pay-what-you-want price (and yes, nothing is an option).
Now here’s something fun and ambitious. At first it might seem like some glossy power-pop band – and you’d be right. But they have a little something more than just garden variety hooks and slick hair. It’s tough to place a finger on, but if you like post-punk, then you stand a chance at getting into this.
Detroit’s Living Like Ghosts play a tight brand of melodic metal tinged pop-punk. Their sound is big, and message honest. Trading Water marks their second release and first EP, and it’s well worth checking out for fans of edgier pop-punk.
This is a surprisingly solid split offered by a couple of deeply underground pop-punk acts that should be getting at least a little more press. The Challenged have been kicking around for what seems like forever, and Nancy, well, I’ve never heard of ‘em – but based on their contribution to this split, it looks like I’m gonna have to get out and do some research! I highly recommend this awkwardly named split to rough pop-punk enthusiasts.