Editors' Picks: The Ends / The Methadones / The Esoteric / Ted Leo/Pharmacists
Adam: This coming Tuesday Dirtnap Records will release the second full length from Austin, TX's The Ends. I'm in love with everything I've heard from this album, so I don't feel any shame quoting you some press-release hyperbole: "Guitar riffs sneak up, choke you, then give you a kiss. Bass lines sweep your legs from under you. Vocals snot and croon. It's rough and sexy stuff that you can dance to with a beer held high... It's mid-tempo, ultra catchy, intelligent, boisterous punk rock that sounds as great as it did when a needle touched the first piece of punk rock back in the late '70s." Indeed, it also rocks the piano like nobody's business. Check this out:
Brian: The upcoming Methadones album, based loosely on the movie "Falling Down", also happens to be a surprisingly pleasant mix of classic punk and the mature side of early 90s Lookout! pop. While I've never given full spins of their first two full-lengths, Not Economically Viable still sounds like it could be the band's best work yet. Thick drops the record November 15th, but you can check out the first track now:
The Methadones - Bored Of Television
Aubin: When we posted that The Esoteric had signed to Prosthetic earlier this week, I got the impression that few of you were familiar with their brand of mathy, progressive hardcore. This particularly strong track from their excellent EP A Reason to Breathe is a perfect demonstration of their unique, genre bending sound.
The Esoteric - Strategy of Luck
Scott: Ted Leo's the motherfucking man. Shake The Sheets is better than Hearts Of Oak [review]. If you haven't downloaded this song yet, you're a fruitcake, but just in case, here's the link once more:
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Me And Mia