Bridge and Tunnel – Rebuilding Year LP (solid white/clear yellow split / ???) plus Live at Fest 9 7” (fruit tingle /???)

I pre ordered the shit out of this album! I was excited enough about a new Bridge and Tunnel album, but the addition of a limited 7” as well was too much.  I also managed to catch them play twice in Sydney and once in Melbourne while they were touring Australia on the back of ‘Rebuilding Year’.

So I’ll start off with the 7”. Rachel (guitar/vocals) broke her hand (in a bike accident?) and as a result couldn’t play guitar for their set at Fest 9. So the band did a covers set with Rachel on vocals. The National Underground were there to record it.

The packaging is simple and effective, black and white paper live shot on the sleeve with a stamp on the back.

Track list:

Side A:

1. Minor Threat – Small Man, Big Mouth
2. Minor Threat – Seeing Red
3. Inside Out – No Spiritual

Side B:

1. Bikini Kill – Rebel Girl
2. Propagandhi – Fuck The Boarder
3. Modern Life Is War - D.E.A.D. R.A.M.O.N.E.S.

Now onto the LP. Everything that I love about this band is here. The twinkly and noodly guitars, unique song structures, duel male/female vocals and meaning full, sincere and heartfelt lyrics. This had me singing along in the first song. I’m a fan of the artwork as well. Who doesn’t like paper mache? And the vinyl looks great! To top it all off it’s housed in a gatefold jacket.

Get this!

FFO: Latterman, Small Brown Bike

Website: http://bridgeandtunnelmusic.com/

            http://bridgeandtunnel.limitedpressing.com/

http://www.noidearecords.com/

Friends With The Enemy – New World DisOrder

I picked up this EP/demo when I saw Friends With The Enemy supporting Pour Habit and Smoke or Fire at the Gaelic Club (boy have they fucked that venue up with pokies now). I was pretty impressed.

Friends With The Enemy are a female fronted melodic punk band from the Gold Coast. Fast and at times techy. I’m definitely digging this.

FFO: Strung Out, Tsunami Bomb and Heartsounds

Website: http://www.facebook.com/friendswiththeenemy

Gyroscope – Are You Involved?

This is the last record in G!!!! Finally!

‘Are You Involved?’ is the follow up to ‘Sound Shattering Sound’. I didn’t find this album as exciting as I did ‘Sound Shattering Sound’. I think Gyroscope went with a safer direction with these songs. That’s not to say that these songs aren’t good because they are.

FFO: Trial Kennedy, Horsell Common and Kisschasy

Website: http://www.facebook.com/GyroscopeMusic

            http://www.gyroscope.com.au/

Gyroscope – Fast Girl/Beware Wolf

This is the CD single for both ‘Fast Girl’ and ‘Beware Wolf’ which both appear on Gyroscope’s ‘Are You Involved?’ album.

Other songs on this single include ‘T.I.A.’, ‘Monument’ (a Jebediah cover from Triple J’s Like a Version) and an acoustic version of ‘Sexxxy’.

FFO: Trial Kennedy, Horsell Common and Kisschasy

Website: http://www.facebook.com/GyroscopeMusic

            http://www.gyroscope.com.au/

Gyroscope – 1981 7” (white /500)

‘1981’ is a single from Gyroscope’s album ‘Breed Obsession’, which I never bothered to pick up. ‘1981’ if more of a soft rock Gyroscope song with a disco vibe. Not my thing. The B side ‘This Will Kill You’ isn’t much better. Soft Gyroscope is kind of boring.

FFO: Trial Kennedy, Horsell Common and Kisschasy

Website: http://www.facebook.com/GyroscopeMusic

            http://www.gyroscope.com.au/

Pour Habit – Suiticide

First off before I get to the music, this artwork is HORRIBLE! Fucking horrendous!

OK now I have that off my chest onto the music. Pour Habit play 90’s Fat Wreck/ Epitaph styled punk rock with a dose of metal and a hint of reggae. ‘Suiticide’, which has been reissued by Fat Wreck, is Pour Habit’s debut. I picked up this CD when I went and saw Pour Habit play at Herman’s Bar when they were touring with NOFX. Not really hearing about these guys before that they completely grabbed me. Their live show was amazingly fun.

For some reason I can’t help but think of Power Rangers while listening to some of these songs, especially the guitar solos.

All in all, the music makes up for that horrible artwork.

FFO: 90’s Fat Wreck/ Epitaph

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pourhabit

Smoke Or Fire – The Speakeasy

I really enjoyed Smoke or Fire’s ‘Above This City’ and ‘This Sinking Ship’ and with Justin “Gwomper” Burdick of Avail playing bass on this record I should really fall in love with ‘The Speakeasy’. It took me a few listens to really start enjoying this album. I’m not sure why though as it has everything that I could want from Smoke or Fire. Catchy melodies, sing along choruses and punk rock energy. I think I was being a little to harsh as I had high expectations. This is an all-round good record, though if you’re new to Smoke or Fire this probably isn’t the best place to start.

Ryan Parrish from Darkest Hour also plays drums on this record.

Listen to Avail!

FFO: The Flatliners, The Draft and Against Me!

Website: http://www.facebook.com/SmokeOrFireOfficial