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Heart Of Gold: Beautiful Dangerous

August 11, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Heart Of Gold is releasing the debut album “Beautiful Dangerous” on August 12th, via Sharptone Records. It feels weird to call this a debut with Michael McGough being an artist who has seen tremendous success both on his own as well as with popular post-hardcore group, Being As An Ocean, his new album is a rebirth of sorts for the singer-songwriter, both sonically and lyrically, and it’s finally his turn to share his story.

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August 11, 2022 /Josh Custer
Album Review, Heart Of Gold, Michael McGough, Beautiful Disaster, Sharptone Records
Album Review
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Pollyanna: Slime

June 24, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

New Jersey punk band Pollyanna have released their new album “SLIME’ via I Surrender Records. With sounds of power-pop, loud rock, bubble grunge, and punk influences, their name is directly derived from the dictionary definition, “to be unreasonably or illogically optimistic” - perfectly describing front-person Jill Beckett’s ‘stuck in 2017’ incredibly optimistic attitude.

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June 24, 2022 /Josh Custer
Album Review, Pollyanna, Slime
Album Review
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Sophie Powers: Red In Revenge

May 18, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Emerging powerhouse Sophie Powers releases her debut EP Red In Revenge via Set Records. At just 17 years old Sophie has found a combination of soundscapes to put out her powerful message. Don’t let her age fool you into thinking this is going to be some teenie bopper cliche, Sophie writes in a way that is beyond her years. She blends a wide variety of genres to deliver relatable messages ranging from failed relationships to mental health topics.

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May 18, 2022 /Josh Custer
Album Review, Sophie Powers, Red In Revenge
Album Review
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State Champs: Kings of the New Age

May 12, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

It may be a bold statement to some, but I think this is an early frontrunner for the pop punk album of the year. Calling the album Kings Of The New Age may sound arrogant or conceited but I think it is more of a revelation that pop punk is in a different place now and while there is certainly a lot of legends in the scene, there is a new era of artists coming through. I would say its hard to argue that State Champs aren’t the “Kings Of The New Era”, and this album is an open challenge for someone to prove them wrong, or give them the crown.

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May 12, 2022 /Josh Custer
Album Review, State Champs, Kings Of The New Age, Pure Noise Records
Album Review
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Simple Plan: Harder Than It Looks

May 06, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

If you have ever been a fan of Simple Plan this is an album that you have to check out. If you are of the younger generation and are thinking about checking out the album because “everyone seems so excited about this” then I would say do it, but do it the right way and that is to listen to it from start to finish in order to get the full experience of the album.

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May 06, 2022 /Josh Custer
Simple Plan, Harder Than It Looks, Deryck Whibley, Album Review
Album Review
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The Used: Heartwork (Deluxe)

September 25, 2021 by Josh Custer in Album Review

California’s Thrice drop their 11th studio album September 17th, via Epitaph Records. Brining the same energy and edge of prior albums the band takes a step towards creating an album that pushes the envelop and encourages listeners to pay more attention in our everyday lives.

This resulted in Horizons/East, a transparent view of frontman, Dustin Kensrue’s, internal thoughts. Intentional, introspective, and wholly authentic, the album presses into what it' means to be self aware. Instrumentally the album is just as thoughtful but with soundscapes that will take the listener through a journey of emotion.

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September 25, 2021 /Josh Custer
Review, Album Review, The Used, Heartwork
Album Review
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Written By Wolves: The Collab Project / / Secrets

September 20, 2021 by Josh Custer in Album Review

The Collab Project is about more than just cool reimagined songs with awesome other artists contributing. It is about breaking the stigma of mental health. Frontman, Mikey Murphy, has said that this is just the first step for this project, and that it will always be a part of the band. Mikey was a guest on the Musicians For Mental Health Podcast where he talked about breaking the stigma, finding community through music, and much more.

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September 20, 2021 /Josh Custer
Review, Album Review, Written By Wolves, The Collab Project, Trenton Woodley, Sonny Sandoval, Sydney Rae White, Kellin Quinn, Becks
Album Review
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Thrice: Horizons/East

September 15, 2021 by Josh Custer in Album Review

California’s Thrice drop their 11th studio album September 17th, via Epitaph Records. Brining the same energy and edge of prior albums the band takes a step towards creating an album that pushes the envelop and encourages listeners to pay more attention in our everyday lives.

This resulted in Horizons/East, a transparent view of frontman, Dustin Kensrue’s, internal thoughts. Intentional, introspective, and wholly authentic, the album presses into what it' means to be self aware. Instrumentally the album is just as thoughtful but with soundscapes that will take the listener through a journey of emotion.

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September 15, 2021 /Josh Custer
Review, Album Review, Thrice, Horizons/East, Scavengers, Robot Soft Exorcism
Album Review
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Phinehas: The Fire Itself Review

August 26, 2021 by Josh Custer in Album Review

"Stillness amplified some struggles I knew I had but hadn't processed," notes McCulloch. "For the first time, I had to deal head-on with fear and anxiety." Through therapy and self-realization

This resulted in The Fire Itself, a transparent outpouring of McCulloch's internal thoughts. Intentional, painful, and wholly authentic, the album presses into what it's like to be a broken human being. Instrumentally the album is just as thoughtful but with drums that will kick a hole in your chest, and guitars that will shred your skin from your bones.

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August 26, 2021 /Josh Custer
Review, Album Review, Phinehas, The Fire Itself
Album Review
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Grayscale: UMBRA Review

August 26, 2021 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Philadelphia's alt rock band GRAYSCALE drop their third full-length Umbra. The album finds the band not reborn but refined and truly coming into their sound. Umbra arrives on August 27 on Fearless Records. The record was produced by Courtney Ballard (Five Seconds of Summer, Waterparks). The band says that “Umbra is the end of the beginning” referencing that all the prior work they’ve done have been building blocks to lead them to the sonic and lyrical platform they are now on.

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August 26, 2021 /Josh Custer
Grayscale, UMBRA, Review, Album Review, Babylon (Say It To My Face), Dirty Bombs
Album Review
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Bayside: Acoustic Volume Three Review

December 12, 2020 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Bayside has been providing the emo kids soundtracks and anthems for the last 20 years. With every album they have released over the years it has provided a snapshot of where they were in their lives, and given us the music to tie our memories to. Sometimes they like to treat fans to stripped down acoustic versions of songs that hit the feels from all new angles. Now with the release of Acoustic Volume Three fans are getting treated to reimagined tracks from even the deepest pages of the catalogue.

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December 12, 2020 /Josh Custer
Bayside, Acoustic EP, Volume Three
Album Review
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Boy Becomes Hero: Escape Artist album review

December 05, 2020 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Escape Artist is a cinematic concept album, and the prelude to the debut album Reverie. The story follows Amatera (Andrew Brittingham) as he struggles with toxic relationships, mistakes he will make and has made, and searches for Restitution, by creating a life of atonement. Boy Becomes Hero, with a partnership with To Write Love On Her Arms, is dedicated to creating a musical experience across the post-hardcore scene while raising awareness for depression, self-harm, addiction and suicide.

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December 05, 2020 /Josh Custer
Boy Becomes Hero, Escape Artist, Garret Rapp, Andrew Brittingham, Jonny Craig
Album Review
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Happy. - Imposter Syndrome Album Review

October 28, 2020 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Pop-Rock Emo band Happy. are dropping their new album Imposter Syndrome on Friday October 30th. Signed to Rude Records, and working with producer Marc McClusky the band have been able to put together a soundtrack that tackles the experience they have had with Imposter Syndrome. Focusing on a positive approach to mental health discussions, and upbeat songs to change the narrative.

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October 28, 2020 /Josh Custer
Happy., Imposter Syndrome
Album Review
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Wolf Culture are "Dying In The Living Room"

August 03, 2020 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Dying In The Living Room is a punk highlight of the year for sure. This EP should be on everyones playlists and radars. Wolf Culture is poised to redefine the punk scene and as soon as live music is allowed to happen again the shows that they will put on are going to be must see shows for sure. It was great talking with the guys for the podcast and the EP is a solid showing of their new sound and direction. You can find the EP anywhere you stream or buy music.

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August 03, 2020 /Josh Custer
Wolf Culture, Dying In The Living Room, Kellin Quinn
Album Review
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Album Review: Emmure - "Hindsight"

June 25, 2020 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Controversial. Brash. Unapologetic. In your face. Aggressive. Heavy. Emotional. Loud. These are all words that you’ve probably heard people use when trying to describe Emmure. While all of them ring true in various ways, the best way to describe them is: Passionate. For nearly 17 years Emmure’s only remaining original member, and founder of the band, Frankie Palmari has been pouring 100% of himself into his passion. While at times it has been a self sabotage, other times it has been the perfect mix of chaos and control. The new album “Hindsight” is exactly that; chaos and control.

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June 25, 2020 /Josh Custer
Emmure, Frankie Palmari, Hindsight, Album Review
Album Review
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New Found Glory promise Forever And Ever X Infinity

June 20, 2020 by Josh Custer in Album Review

After 20+ years being Pop Punk kings I’m not sure who still needs an introduction to New Found Glory. Their resume’ includes 10 studio albums, 1 live album, 2 EPs, 4 cover albums, and countless tours. Forever And Ever X Infinity has been long awaited by fans. If you’ve been a longtime fan of the band this album is going to check all the nostalgic boxes, as well as deliver new and evolved sounds that you have come to expect from NFG.

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June 20, 2020 /Josh Custer
New Found Glory, Forever And Ever X Infinity
Album Review
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Same Side Release "Same Side" EP

May 29, 2020 by Josh Custer in Album Review

The 5 track EP features Geyer’s vocals lightly guiding listeners through the spaces of the instruments. Each of the tracks has a unique somber and entrancing vibe. As you listen through each track on the EP you can get lost in a somber and melancholy diary of pent up feelings and emotions.

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May 29, 2020 /Josh Custer
Same Side, Kevin Geyer, The Story So Far
Album Review
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Dead Lakes release "New Language"

May 16, 2020 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Dead Lakes from Seattle, Washington release their new EP, “New Language”. The guys have taken a trip away from their more traditional post-hardcore roots to explore the space of a genre blend of high energy rock, post-hardcore, passionate vocals, and electronic flourishes. The band worked with Erik Ron for the production of this EP, Erik has worked with artists such as Dance Gavin Dance, Set It Off, and Godsmack.

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May 16, 2020 /Josh Custer
Dead Lakes, New Language
Album Review
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Little King released Occam’s Foil

April 24, 2020 by Josh Custer in Album Review

The 5-song EP is a play on the theory “Occam’s Razor,” a problem-solving principle that states “Entities should not be multiplied without necessity,” as theorized English Franciscan friar William of Ockham. It is sometimes paraphrased by a statement like "the simplest solution is most likely the right one". This album is exactly that, it is the simplest solution to showcasing the new lineup.

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April 24, 2020 /Josh Custer
Occam's Foil, Little King
Album Review
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The Used release their "Heartwork"

April 23, 2020 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Overall this album is one of the strongest showings from the band, and thats saying a lot as they’ve been producing great albums for nearly 20 years. There are tracks for every fan of The Used on this album whether you’ve been around since the self-titled “The Used” album, or maybe the previous release “The Canyon” was your first exposure to the band.

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April 23, 2020 /Josh Custer
The Used, Heartwork, Album Review
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