The Hills and the Rivers - Apocalyptic Dreams

Pittsburgh folk punk group, The Hills and the Rivers, appropriately released their album Apocalyptic Dreams last November, and it's the perfect music for the modern times. With both XVI - The Tower, and XX - Judgement's, symbology woven together into the album cover, this album promises right from the start to tell a story of the upheaval our world is going through.

"Secondhand Grin" goes through a few musical shifts, showcasing this band's excellent musicianship.

"The Tower" starts off with the card from Tarot's Major Arcana of the same name - which represents such things as chaos, upheaval, and destruction, losing the "crown" that you've built up as things start to come crashing down - then applies that to our lives in the world today. All with a catchy chorus.

"The Collapse" follows, with some descriptive apocalyptic imagery, laid over a smooth melody.

"Sorrow" is slower, with some lower vibrations, but it really hits home with how many of us feel right now.

"Lift the Veil" conjurs up more apocalyptic imagery, outright saying, "We are living in an apocalyptic dream."
                                       

"Lot's Wife" was good, but the symbology went beyond me on this one.

"Wild Wolves" asks questions about nature - is everything just chaos, or is there an order?

"Misery's Company" brings up things like how all life is meaningless, and everyone dies, but that we can't think that's all we are.

"Folk Steady" is a groovy finish to a great album that lifts the energy back and gets you wanting to create some movement.

Check out Apocalyptic Dreams on Bandcamp before it's too late!

Also, see album reviews for Straight Line Arrival - If No Place, or Broken Glass Kids - Another Step Back

Straight Line Arrival - If No Place.....

The first full band release by Straight Line Arrival, If No Place....., came out in May, earlier this year.

Starting with "P.A.W.S.", we get the confession that Sky doesn't believe he deserves to be where he is in his career compared to more talented friends, something I personally connect with 100%. It delivered so good, too. Very catchy.

"I Don't Got Money, I Got Friends" is more agressive, and filled with some self-loathing.

"Of Floods" starts off calm, but builds up quickly. The flow of this song is kinda like tides coming and going.

"I Just Want My Sweatshirt Back" is another agressive song, not showing any remorse at a relationship that is over.

"No Place" calms it down again, and is also very catchy. This is, in my opinion, the best track on the album by far. Definitely a great song to round out this short, but powerful release by Straight Line Arrival.

Check out IF NO PLACE..... on Bandcamp today!

Also, see album reviews for Wolfe Sunday, and Icabod Kobain - Demo '94

Funkrust Brass Band - Dark City

A couple weeks ago, I talked about Junkyard Golem by Out of System Transfer. Danielle of OoST also hit me up with an album from another band she's in - Funkrust Brass Band. This disco punk brass band's debut album, Dark City, was released only a couple months ago, and you really need to check this musical fusion out!

Full of high energy, Dark City opens up with "Funkrust", which you'll probably find it nearly impossible to not dance to (dancing in your seat counts). The song asks, "Are you ready for the Funkrust Brass Band?" Well let me tell you, you better be ready because these folks are coming at you strong.

"Elevator" keeps it rollin. Trance-inspiring lyrics in this one help you let go of inhibitions and really let yourself get lost in the groove.

In "Zoology", the lyrics and rough style in the vocals really bring out some of the band's more punk roots.

The title track, "Dark City", has some serious attitude expressed in the instrumentals, alone. Plus some more trance-inspiring vocals shouting at you to tie the song together, and WOW!

"Swamp Samba" keeps the motion swinging, with some happiness-inspiring lyrics, "We can run on sunshine. We don't need no money at all." If that don't make you smile among all the endorphins you're probably already releasing from dancing along, I don't know what will.

"Catch Yr Death" is another you can really feel the attitude in the instrumentals. Some catchy lyrics, too.

The album ends with "Riptide", which more attitude-packed instrumentals, and an smooth lyrial flow.

I would highly recommend Funkrust Brass Band to pretty much anyone. This album is an incredible musical fusion masterpiece that makes me wanna run out and go see this band live!

Check out Dark City - available on Bandcamp!

Also, check out album reviews for Broken Glass Kids - Another Step Back, or Out of System Transfer - Junkyard Golem