Roots

Apparently there is a trend happening on Facebook in which people are posting about 10 albums from their High School days. Since I'm one of those weird, semi-crazy (but still mostly sane) people that doesn't have a Facebook I thought this would be the appropriate place to post mine, except I'm only doing 5 instead of 10. Before Spotify, before Pandora, before iHeartRadio, before last.fm, before all of the digital streaming apps ever existed there were these things called iPods. When I got my first iPod, I had no computer, and no way to put music on it. Some guy that worked at my Dad's electrical company said he had a lot of music and that he could put some stuff on there for me. Little did I know that this person would introduce me to some things I had never heard before. Nor did I anticipate that it would lead to him becoming one of my best friends. Roughly a decade later, that small gesture has lead to all of this. There aren't enough words to describe how grateful I am or how much gratitude I have for that one kind act. With that, here are some of the albums that had such a profound impact on my life. 

Colors by Between The Buried And Me 

Colors was the first "heavy" album I had ever listened to, and it was kind of on accident. "Viridian" was the first thing that came on shuffle with that iPod and it intrigued me. It was kind of spacey, it was melodic, but more than that it sounded like it was building to something, then the track just ended. I decided to listen to the whole album right then and there. It is hard to describe my reaction to Colors, especially considering I was 14 years old when I heard it. Add to that the fact that I didn't know people could scream or yell in music and it sounds like a recipe for disaster. However, the album had (and still does have) the most angelic opening I've ever heard. It was Tommy Giles lullaby-ing me into a world I had yet to experience, or even know existed. I've talked a lot about how much I enjoy the fluidity of an album; a lot of that love stems from Colors. This isn't an album as much as it is one long song. 8 tracks that span over an hour in length, nothing flows better than Colors; I have a hard time believing that anything ever will. It acquainted me with a new style of music. If my musical roots are to be examined then this is the seed that was planted. My love for all things music stems from Colors. 

Messy, Isn't It? by Dangers

Different people express themselves in different ways. My angst and self-loathing met the likes of this album 10 years ago. A child that was sad, angry, irritated and didn't want to be a part of the world, even though he had no reason to feel that way. To be honest, I wouldn't have been able to process the lyrical content of this album if Al himself sat down with the 14 year old me and spelled it out. Yes some lyrics grabbed me, but I had no comprehension of what Dangers were after. All I cared about was how the music made me feel. Its raw, its angry, and even though it is more social commentary than it is anything else, it is honest. It is discontent. It is dissatisfaction. It made me feel normal during a time when I felt anything but. Its okay to be angry. People don't need to understand you, as long as you understand yourself. Nothing is more helpful than knowing that you're not alone on this shitty, floating rock. 

Mariachi El Bronx I by Mariachi El Bronx

I was really into L.A punk band The Bronx as a High Schooler and when I discovered they had made a Mariachi album I was pretty dumbfounded, as were many of my friends when they would hear me listening to Mariachi music. But like all Black Sheep, I didn't care because fuck you that's why. Really though, it is some of the best music I've ever heard. They were able to capture the sound and spirit of Mariachi so prominently and effortlessly that it almost just seems natural. I can't sing, so the fact that it's impossible not to sing along to every track is unfortunate for anybody around when this is playing. Nothing I can say will do justice to any of their three albums. All I can say is that each album they grow a little bit more, so go check them out for yourself and thank me later. 

Somewhere In The Between by Streetlight Manifesto

It's kind of funny that I put this album in the list because last Tuesday my friend gave me a Streetlight Manifesto sticker before we went to a show and on our walk back I slapped that sticker right on a parking meter. So when I go back to The Ogden I'm going to check and see if it's still there. ANYWAYS, this was one of the few albums that helped me make new friends when I was just a weird kid wearing Nirvana T-shirts every day. Ska isn't everyone's cup of tea but there is something special about this band that makes them impossible not to love. They are able to encompass emotions from every spectrum in a fun and energetic way. They can make you laugh, they can make you cry, and you'll sing along with every word while you do it. It's nothing short of magic really. This was the album that got me started with Streetlight and I've only grow to love them more. Every album they've made is able to make you think and feel, but each album is unique in how it accomplishes that goal. They're one of the few bands that was never "just a phase" for me. 

Everyone's Watched, Everyone's Watching by Heavy Heavy Low Low

Well, I drifted away from the heavy side of music with those last two albums so it only seems natural for me to finish with the most odd, uncomfortable album I listened to in High School. This is not for the faint of heart (faint of ears?). Everything Heavy Heavy Low Low has ever done is seemingly sporadic and unorganized, at least to somebody that's never listened to them or is listening for the first time. It took a while for me to catch on to what was happening because it's all just noise. Once you can hear past all of the disorder, you come to realize that it is actually really well written and well timed. Even today there is nothing else like it. Found between the moments of chaos and confusion are catchy and upbeat tunes that quickly get dismantled and rearranged into a cacophony of sound. Also a suggestion to some of the boys listening to things like this in their study hall, if the girl you like asks what you're listening to, do what I did and make her listen to it. She'll rip her head backward with confusion and question why she ever talked to you. Trust me, it's for the best. 

There you have it; those are five albums that I loved in high school. I hate trends, let this be the last time I follow one. Black Sheep out. 

Albums That Influenced Me in High School

I’ve seen this floating around Facebook for a few weeks and thought I would jump on the bandwagon and do my own version of it. Instead of 10 albums, I chose my top 6. This list was tough to make because my music taste changed dramatically throughout my high school years so I chose the albums that I listened to the most. Full disclosure, I was a music snob, and borderline music hater, in high school, meaning that I hated everything that was poplar without giving it a fair shot and I actively vocalized that opinion. At the time, I thought it to be some sort of rebellion against the status quo and I thought it made me cool…but it didn’t. I am happy to say that I am no longer that rebellious, music snob and my music taste has diversified and I listen to, and enjoy, just about every genre of music there is. 

If you were wondering, I started high school in 2011 and graduated in 2015. These are in no particular order, by the way.

brand new eyes - Paramore

I’ve said in previous posts that Paramore is my favorite band and this album is why. brand new eyes came out in 2009 shortly after my 12th birthday and I fell in love with it. I listened to it almost daily throughout my junior high and, most importantly, high school years. This record is angry and angsty, yet hopeful and happy. Everyone as a high school kid has some sort of angst or anger inside which makes it easy to identify, in some way, with brand new eyes. brand new eyes was my favorite record at age 12 and, almost eight years later, is still one of my favorites.

Paramore - Paramore

Paramore’s self-titled album came out when I was a sophomore and it became the soundtrack to both my junior and senior years of high school. Junior year was the year I finally discovered what I loved, academically speaking, and wanted to study in college and, hopefully, make a career out of.* This album’s themes of growing up and moving on were something I related to immensely. During that year, I also did a lot of soul searching and finally discovered what I genuinely cared about on a personal level. My senior year, I only took classes in subjects I loved; politics and government, sociology, English, and, obviously, music. Paramore’s self-titled record helped me to build up the confidence to finally take big steps to creating the best possible future for myself.

Diamond - Stick To Your Guns

I could write an essay on how much Diamond influenced and impacted me but I’ll try to keep this short. I discovered Stick To Your Guns in 2012 when they opened for Motionless In White. I instantly fell in love with STYG because their music really struck a chord with me. (I also cried at least four times during their set.) Before this show, I had never heard of STYG and I think that if a band can make a person feel so deeply like I did, they are definitely something special. after the show, I immediately listened to (and bought) Diamond. The messages of hope and individuality that are present on that album resonated with me as a sophomore in high school still resonates with me as a sophomore in college. This record helped me to keep my head up when things got hard in school and in my personal life. Like brand new eyes, Diamond is one of my favorite records of all time.

The Hope Division - Stick To Your Guns

Another STYG album, another potential essay.  The Hope Division is one of my favorite records of all time. The first song I remember hearing from this record was “Amber” back in 2012 when STYG toured with Motionless In White, my favorite band at the time. “Amber” really spoke to me because I had turned 15 a month and half before the show and was going through a rough patch. The Hope Division and Diamond helped me get through that tough time and helped to keep me positive and hopeful. The themes of staying positive and hopeful are what helped me out during that time and still resonate with me today. I owe a lot to Stick To Your Guns.

The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me - Brand New

(I’m actually listening to this album as I write this and I can guarantee that it's in the CD player in my car right now.)

One of my best friends sent me a link to the song "Jesus Christ" during our freshman year of high school without context and just told me to listen to it. I immediately knew Brand New was something special when I heard that song. After listening to “Jesus Christ” once, I immediately went on YouTube and listened to the album in its entirety and was absolutely blown away by what I was listening to. This album plays with volume and intensity that’s unlike anything I have ever heard and I found something to relate to in every single song. Brand New was my go to band for when I was ever sad or down when I was younger. Today, Brand New is one of the few bands I listen to on a daily basis regardless of my mood. TDAGARIM is one of my all-time favorite albums and I had the honor of seeing Brand New (for the first time!) play it in its entirely in October 2016. It was one of the most indescribable experiences I have ever had.

Creatures - Motionless In White

Motionless In White, at one point in time, was my favorite band on the entire planet and Creatures was my favorite album of all time. Although I don't listen to Creatures or Motionless In White at all anymore, it still holds a special place in my heart because it helped me embrace my uniqueness as a person. I was one of the few people in my classes who listened to heavy music, liked horror, and things that were just out of the ordinary. Before MIW, I had never really been exposed to artists who expressed themselves with makeup, wrote music about horror and embraced things that were considered ‘weird.’ Because of Motionless In White, I discovered The Misfits, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, and Ghost. This album, like some of the others on this list, helped me embrace my uniqueness and finally express myself in the way I wanted to.

*If you're curious, I fell in love with government and the law, specifically American government, after taking a mandatory Civics class. I'm currently a political science major working towards going to law school, eventually. 

Album Review - Tell All by Homestead

Tell All by Homestead

FFO: Counterparts, Capsize, Being As An Ocean

Favorites: “Doubting Thomas,” “The Vine,” and “Tell All”

This is my first album write-up on this blog and I can promise it won’t be my last. This post is dedicated to an album called Tell All by a band called Homestead. For those who are unfamiliar, Homestead is a five-piece melodic hardcore band from Connecticut. Although they have not been around long, they have already become a staple in their local scene.

Tell All is a collection of ten songs that tell a story of finding light in times of darkness and hope in times of despair. Each song is brutally honest in the most beautiful and poetic way. I would highly recommend listening to it from beginning to end at least once; it’s a really cool and emotional experience. The record flows beautifully and is more cohesive than other records I’ve listened to.

This record is heavy, but not too heavy. Songs like “If Only You Knew,” which features Louie Vigorito, vocalist of New Jersey band Idle Minds, “Dangerous Characters,” and “Relapse” will make you want to start a pit wherever you are. Each of these songs are written from the heart and have real meaning behind them.

My two personal favorite heavier songs are “Doubting Thomas” and “The Vine.” Both of these songs have a great balance of clean vocals and yells. “Doubting Thomas” has the perfect mix of yelled verses and a super catchy, clean chorus. The gang vocals on “The Vine” give me the chills whenever I listen to it and it’s incredible live.

Like I said before, Tell All is not an album with ten high-energy, heavy songs; “Mourn” and “Sulfur” are somber and much calmer than the songs previously talked about. Both of these songs are very melodic and beautiful. You can truly feel emotion behind the lyrics and the vocals; especially “Sulfur.”

The record has the perfect balance of heavy and soft songs but the most surprising song is the title track “Tell All.” “Tell All” is the closing song on the album. It comes after “Relapse” which is much heavier. On “Tell All,” the mix of clean vocals and spoken word over an acoustic guitar is more powerful than the heaviest riff or breakdown. The lyrics to that song are dripping with emotion and a love that comes from the deepest parts of someone’s heart. It’s truly amazing. The first time I listened to it, I was driving and had to pull into a random parking lot because I was so overwhelmed by what I was listening to. I had to sit for a little while and cry because it was so amazing. I’ve said this time and time again – music is powerful and one of the most beautiful things on this planet.

If you want to check out Tell All, it is available for download on Bandcamp and streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and tons of other international streaming platforms.

Follow Homestead on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Bandcamp.

Author’s Note: I had the pleasure of seeing Homestead at their record release show in Mystic, CT in January and I will say that it was one of the most powerful shows I’ve ever been to. If the Homestead dudes come and play a show near you, go. You’ll regret it if you miss them. 

On The Rise

When I started this blog I never anticipated it to grow or expand beyond myself (funny considering the name of it). I didn't expect this to be anything more than writing about albums that I love to people that would never read it. My perspective has shifted slightly with the addition of other writers as well as the fact that over the weekend a couple of bands sent me downloads to their music. Some even want my opinion on what they're doing. Before we dive into anything musical, I would like to say thanks to any and all of the people who have, for whatever reason, read anything on Growth. Additionally, everyone should keep in mind that I'm just a person. I'm not a musician. I'm not a producer. I'm not even a journalist. Take what I say with a grain of salt, and know that my opinion is just that, MINE. Part of writing these reviews is to get you to listen for yourself and formulate your own perspective. Now, on to why we're here...

Everything Never Intended by Life Is Short

Both the name of this band Life Is Short and the name of their debut EP Everything Never Intended has struck a chord with me. Just take a look at their album cover. There is a lot happening in that image. A person, animals, nature, music, cannons, the moon, a gun, its hard to process. On top of that, it looks like a giant puzzle the way everything is broken up. It is symbolic of how I feel about this as a whole. I'm not going to sugarcoat things, the EP started rough for me. The opening track entitled "Gum Band" was not my favorite thing I've ever heard. It was fun, which was fine, but it didn't feel genuine. It had aspects I liked, most notably little things like the subtle harmonies in the chorus, but overall they sounded like just another Pop-punk band, except for the fact they're not. The next five tracks show exactly why. I believe every word that they sing for the rest of the EP; not only do I believe them, but I feel those lyrics as well. They have this very positive upbeat sound, a fun and energetic style, and a very honest impression. Find what you love. Be with the ones you love. Live the way you're meant to live. Have fun. You'll be gone some day, so make it count. These are some of the things I puzzle-pieced together from Everything Never Intended, whether that was their message or not. If you're in the Pittsburgh area do yourself a favor and catch one of their shows. But before you do, get this EP for free on their Bandcamp page. Watch their music video below. Listen to them. Follow them on Twitter. Talk with them. Befriend them. Life is too short not to.

Drown The Earth by Pains

If it seems weird to go from a fun-loving upbeat pop-punk band from Pennsylvania to one of the most brutally heavy releases I've heard in the last month or so, that's because it is weird. But I don't care, its my blog and these guys deserve the love. Hailing from Rockford, Illinois Pains draw on a lot of seemingly different styles in the hardcore scene to create their own unique heavy sound. It opens with "Man of Misery" a disorienting two minutes and forty-four seconds of pure, enraged assault. I challenge you to play that first track and not become a stark raving lunatic. At the very least, you'll want to demolish something. And that is just the opening track, the EP itself gives you a much more expansive taste of what their future holds. They've got some shows coming up as well so if you're in one or near one of these cities shown below I would advise you to attend. Drown The Earth is also available on their Bandcamp page so be sure to listen before you go get the fuck down.

Muscle Beach by Muscle Beach

These motherfuckers right here! Everyone I have shown Muscle Beach to has the exact same initial reaction to them as I did, "What. In. The. Fuck." I saw the Denver trio open for Retox in April of 2014 and have had the pleasure of watching them grow and grow and grow into the unstoppable music machine they're becoming. Their style is hard to put a pin in. Hardcore-punk-surf-rock? Regardless of what anyone would call their genre, this album slays. Its full of energy, its catchy, its aggressive, its something I think is very special and distinct. They are also one of the best live bands I've ever seen. If you catch one of their shows be ready to dance, be ready to sing, and don't hold back. They are playing a show at the Hi-Dive on Friday January 20th for the Colorado Coalition for The Homeless, as well as kicking off their California Crooze Tour which is listed below. If that isn't cool enough, they're also playing South By Southwest in March. They are three of the nicest people you'll ever meet so be sure to say whats up to them. Also snag yourself a copy of this LP at their Bandcamp page. If you think it sounds great digitally, the vinyl will blow you away.

Julia's Most Anticipated Releases of 2017

2016 was a really great year for music, but 2017 is going to be even better seeing as some of my favorite artists are releasing new albums this year. Each of the time frames for the actual release of the albums are approximate, with the exception of one, and some have no release time at all. I know there are many artists I neglected to put on this list, but if I put every artist I liked on this list, it would be incredibly long. Here are my Top 5 Most Anticipated Releases of 2017.

Paramore 
Expect it: “When the time is right.” – Hayley Williams, vocals

When Paramore started hinting at a fifth album, I literally lost my mind. Paramore is my favorite band on this planet and have been for close to a decade. It’s been hinted via Paramore’s social media accounts that this album will be something very different from their past releases. Being that the band is only vocalist Hayley Williams and guitarist Taylor York, it is only fitting that this record be a departure from the old records. 

Brand New
Expect it: ?????

I think Brand New’s new album is the one I am most excited for. This album was supposed to be released last year, but the band thought that it was incomplete and pushed the release back. Their last LP, Daisy, was released in 2009 and it was like Brand New on steroids. In 2016, they released one completely new track and some older demos. The new track titled “I Am A Nightmare” is, hopefully, a taste of that new album. There is no release date or even a vague time when we can expect the album. Fingers crossed that it’s 2017 seeing that they’re disbanding in 2018. 

Stick To Your Guns 
Expect it: Fall

Stick To Your Guns is one of the best bands to come out of the hardcore scene in recent years. I am interested to see where STYG goes with this new record. It has been rumored that it will sound more like 2010’s The Hope Division and less like the Better As Than Dust EP that was released last year. Whichever way Stick To Your Guns chooses to go, the album is going to be good.

Being As An Ocean
Expect it: June 9
Title: Waiting For Morning to Come 

Being As An Ocean has never put out a record or song that I haven’t loved. Guitarist Tyler Ross has posted some samples of instrumentals that are, presumably, from Waiting For Morning to Come. Those clips sound more ambient and melodic than what BAAO has released in the past. From what I’ve seen and heard, it looks like that is the direction BAAO is moving towards which is a refreshing change in that scene. 

Lorde 
Expect it: Spring

I’m just going to start with this – I love Lorde. If I’m being completely honest, I was late to the party on Lorde because I found “Royals” to be incredibly annoying and constantly playing on every radio station that broadcasted close to me. But I did give her last album, 2013’s Pure Heroine, a listen and fell in love with it. Lorde has been tweeting and posting vague things about her album on social media but she did briefly discuss her new album and called it more mature than Pure Heroine. She talked about how her new record is more mature lyrically and musically than Pure Heroine. I am very excited to see where Lorde is going with her music.

Cold Front

Right now it is 9 degrees outside and snowing; perfect whether to take the pup over to the dog park, pop in my headphones, and jam a couple of albums that fit today's weather. I usually have a preset playlist, but today I mixed things up with these bands listed below.

When Your Teeth Crowd by Sleep Spindles

As I have explained numerous times in my short time doing this blog, bandcamp is amazing for finding new artists. Sleep Spindles are just further proof of why. I stumbled across their opening track "Sunspots" one day and was pretty jarred initially. It is a very ambiguous introduction to a sound and style I have still yet to categorize. "What is going to happen? Is it heavy? Is somebody going to start screaming? Where are they going with this?" I've never had so many different interpretations of an opening track; as the song played out I grew ever more intrigued. So after downloading the EP I listened to it front to back. Every day. For probably two weeks. I don't think I will ever stop listening to it to be honest. Their debut EP has a remarkably unique blend of new-wave and indie-rock, infused with an unbelievable amount of energy for sounding so tame. They've been working on a follow up EP and tour since September but I haven't seen many updates since. Regardless, you should immediately go to their bandcamp page to get this beauty for free. Especially if it is pounding snow and you want something that will suit your needs.

10-23 by Open Letters

Are you a sad-boy like me? It's nothing to be ashamed of, everybody is sad. Especially when your face is frozen and you're trudging through a foot of snow in an open field just so your dog can lose some weight (seriously, my dog is fat as shit). Once again, bandcamp. Once again, you need to start using it. I found Open Letters around the same time I did Sleep Spindles. While I love them equally, they are very different from one another. The opening track to 10-23 starts off slow with some shittiest hardcore vocals I have ever heard in my life. I know that sounds like an insult, but coming from me it means that I love it to death. Its like if the cookie monster were allowed to express himself to a group of adults. Anyways, the tone changes halfway through the song when the vocals switch to a more clear and whiny (again, sounds negative but I love it) singing voice. This album is 95% pop-punk and 10% hardcore, adding up to 105% honesty. Every lyric punches my heart in the butt. This album fucks me up big time. Its riddled with off-kilter harmonies and really weighs down on you as the album progresses. I love things that make me feel, and I'll be damned if this doesn't make me want to cry and sing along and dance all at the same time. If you're looking to get it all out, this is a good place to start. They have released a single since, but not much has followed. You can also get this for free on their bandcamp page.

Pedals by Rival Schools

You thought I was sad listening to Open Letters? Then you better gear up because Pedals is one of my all time heart-breakers (kind of). It's a very bittersweet album in my eyes (ears?). Its brimming with an upbeat, positive vibe while simultaneously being dark and depressing. It has a dissonance about it that is hard to put my finger on, but that I feel all the same. "Shot after shot" is a perfect example. It is catchy and poppy, but certain lines tare your heart out of your chest, show it to you, then promptly put it back in before you realized what happened. "Love doesn't know anything, only believes when it believes. Love doesn't know anything, never did. Never does." What am I supposed to do when I hear that? I'll know I'm in love when I feel it? But I'll never truly understand it? WHAT? Every song off of Pedals does that to me. It slaps me in the face with its honesty. It makes me happy, it makes me sad, and I think that is what I find so lovable about it. It can be an homage to my inner sad-boy or it can be a celebration of life and how much it should be appreciated. Maybe none of what I said has anything to do with Rivals Schools or their intentions writing this album. Maybe I'm "doing art wrong." At any rate, this record will always hold a special place in my heart and I'm thankful for it every day.