Brian: Many of you have probably been dodging this band based solely on the name. This is not a wise choice, as xLooking Forwardx (pronounced simply as "Looking Forward") is actually a great, almost completely metal-free hardcore punk band more in line with Sick of It All than anything. On top of that, they aren't at all preachy, really just plain ol' posicore. These two tracks are taken from their forthcoming full-length on Facedown, The Path We Tread, due to hit stores November 8th.

xLooking Forwardx - The Path We Tread
xLooking Forwardx - All Aces Adam: I made some comment when reviewing Statues' last record that for all the Ted Leo and Jam comparisons they'd earned, they still sounded like an act too young in their career to jump to such conclusions. Despite it's 2005 Pelado release date Aux was a recording from earlier in 2004, so I've been eager to hear some more current material. "The Shipping News" appears on a new 7" titled Are Go! released by Basementfire, and the band's songwriting has been coming along quite nicely. The second song here is from a session with former Frenetics frontman Malcolm Bauld.

Statues - The Shipping News Statues with Malcolm Bauld - Ready For Anything (stream this one from MySpace)