Off With Their Heads – In Desolation

Eric — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 04:40:23 +0000

So this is the Epitaph debut from Minneapolis, MN’s Off With Their Heads and I’ve heard bitching from some that the vocals are a little cleaner (which they are) and that the production is a little better (which it is) and that somehow detracts from this album. Those people need to quit whining and shut the f up because this still sounds exactly like Off With Their Heads to me but with less pirate-ish vocals. Yeah, again, with In Desolation (their fourth full-length) the band is back with another tightly wound collection of 12 gritty-yet-catchy pop punk songs that you’ll no doubt be singing along to soon if you haven’t already picked this up. The sound is still bass-heavy but also still focuses on Ryan Young’s vocals (does this guy gargle with gravel?) and his brutally honest and personal lyrics which show that (despite his rough exterior) he is vulnerable. Just like the rest of us.

It’s actually kinda funny, but I thought that I read somewhere that Off With Their Heads was the first “punk” band that Epitaph had signed in something approaching 10 years. Ridiculous, right? Good for Epitaph because In Desolation is a beast of a punk rock album filled with huge anthemic choruses that will (almost certainly) find a place on my best of 2010 list later this year. So if you like bands like Dillinger Four, Dear Landlord, or Banner Pilot, you’ll like this. Trust me, I know.

MP3:
Off With Their Heads - Drive
Off With Their Heads - The Eyes Of Death

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Dear Landlord – Dream Homes

Eric — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:41:33 +0000

Mark my words, Dear Landlord’s new album, Dream Homes, will end up somewhere near the top of my best of 2009 year end list. Despite the simplicity, it’s that good. It isn’t a complicated album, but Dream Homes is played with the kind of conviction and intensity that’s rarely displayed on a debut full-length regardless of genre. This album won’t change the world, but (goddamn) it is full of some infectious, anthemic, and unrelenting pop punk songs that fill the tiny little hole between the gruff vocals of Off With Their Heads, the catchy melodies of Banner Pilot, and the biting and in-your-face delivery Screeching Weasel perfected on Television City Dream. Basically, pop punk doesn’t get a whole lot better than what you’ll find on Dream Homes. Oh, that last statement was hyperbole free. Lyrically, Dear Landlord’s melancholy and sobering lyrics are hidden beneath fun and upbeat tunes that just beg you to sing along (loudly).

Because of Dear Landlord’s members’ other established bands (Adam and Brett play in the Copyrights, Zack plays in Off With Their Heads and Brad plays in the Gateway District) there’s evidently been a shit-ton of hype surrounding the release of Dream Homes on No Idea Records, but (for the most part) it’s warranted. Like I said, this isn’t a breakthrough, but rather, a breakout for Dear Landlord. Dream Homes is near perfect pop punk that I can’t find enough good things to say about. Seriously, this is well worth your hard earned $$. Buy it now and you’ll thank me later.

NOTE: After I wrote the entire above review I played Dream Homes on repeat for the next week straight. This album is fuckin’ amazing. Period.

MP3 | Dear Landlord – I Live In Hell Dream Homes
MP3 | Dear Landlord – Landlocked Dream Homes

Can You See the Sunset? » off with their heads

Off With Their Heads – In Desolation

Dear Landlord – Dream Homes