EVERY TIME I DIE – EX LIVES Buffalo’s Every Time I Die have built a strong reputation from their consistently brilliant albums, supported of course with their equally as strong live performances to boot. When news of ‘Ex Lives’ first emerged, the hype train starting rolling, and since the momentum has built and built. So much so, that ‘Ex Lives’ is easily one of the most hyped records of 2012. But, is it worth its hype? Simply: yes.
“Those predicting the exact formula of their past releases will very well be slapped with surprise.” Opener and lead single ‘Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space’ is the visceral and venomous southern hardcore we’ve all known Every Time I Die to be from the very beginning of their career, but they manage to keep it fresh and new. There’s riff after riff, firing off like a shrapnel grenade throughout the record. Those predicting the exact formula of their past releases will very well be slapped with surprise. The banjo leading riff into ‘Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow’ could sound completely questionable and, possibly, even come across as a bit of a joke. But, Every Time I Die manage to make it work and sound as a natural inclusion into the piece. One of the brightest shining moments comes from Keith Buckley’s clean vocal moments, such as that in second lifted single ‘Revival Mode’. It is, however, the outro in ‘Drag King’ that’s the strongest and catchiest moments that truly sheds the gritty outer shell of Keith Buckley’s voice and exposes it to a weapon that can tug at the heartstrings, leaving “What does he have that I don’t, except you?” on rotation in your head for hours to follow. Despite the years adding up on Every Time I Die, something that some people will think work against the southern hardcore outfit, what the four-piece have undeniably created here is arguably the strongest album of their career, and a strong contender for one of the best releases of 2012 already. ZR
THE SKINTS - PART AND PARCEL Back in 2011 London based reggae, dub, ska, four piece, The Skints, announced that they’d be starting a campaign to have their fans financially aid the recording of their new album through Pledgemusic. They were given ninety days to raise the funds or the recording would not go ahead, amazingly by the eleventh day the cash was raised and work on the album could get under way. The result is simply wonderful and confirmation that not a penny of their fans money was wasted. Influences come from all corners of reggae, dub and ska and the often rap style vocals give the music a contemporary edge. This constant mixing of styles gives the album more diversity than most bands achieve in a whole career but never strays too far away from what makes The Skints unique. Every track bursts with a self-assured, upbeat, sun-kissed confidence that I defy you to not dance to. Highlights include the two-tone stomp of Lay You Down and the almost Lily Allen-esque Ring Ring which showcases the bands pop sensibilities. Is a contemporary ska revival on the cards? I hope so, Because we need more bands like this. Awesome stuff. GM