Dress Like Yer Idles

BOAT - Dress Like Your Idols

BOAT play really great indie rock that gives a tip of the cap to all your favourite alternative bands from the 80's, 90's and the oughts. Do you dig The Cure, Pavement, The Shins and Built To Spill? Because they've got songs that sound like all those bands. Their last LP, Setting The Paces, was one of my favourites of 2009 and this one ain't half bad either. Even if the music was shit (it isn't) you'd have to admit that that is one fucking cool album cover.

Lemuria

Lemuria - The First Collection 2005-2006

Lemuria - Get Better

Lemuria - Pebble

Lemuria are a female fronted pop-punk band from Buffalo New York. They have released albums/singles on Art Of The Underground, No Idea and Asian Man Records and are now signed to Bridge Nine Records. Their early material sounds like Alkaline Trio and Jawbreaker mixed with Jimmy Eat World, which no doubt led to them being at the front of the pop punk pack. They've matured a bit on their new one, Pebble, taking a more sophisticated songwriting approach (and I can hear a definite Nada Surf influence going on). The album was produced by J. Robbins (Braid, The Promise Ring, Jets To Brazil) and it is definitely their best sounding stuff. If their is any justice in the world then this band will blow up in 2011.

Scared Straight

Scared Straight - Born To Be Wild EP

Scared Straight - You Drink, You Drive, You Die

Scared Straight were a Nardcore band (even though they were actually from Simi Valley) who changed their name to Ten Foot Pole and signed to Epitaph Records in the 90's. Lead singer Scott Radinsky (who also went on to front Pulley) was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1986 (right out of high-school) and pitched in the majors for almost 20 years. Both these records were released on Mystic Records, which meant the band never got paid any money for them and they sound pretty shitty. Despite all that Scared Straight were a pretty rad band who thankfully stuck it out and, as Ten Foot Pole, released Rev which is one of the 90's best skate-punk albums. Thrash.

No Trigger - Be Honest

No Trigger - Be Honest 7"

Two new songs from one of my favourite melodic hardcore bands. They'll have a new album out next year and if these two jams are any indication it is going to slay. I thought for sure that these guys were done, but thank Jah they're back. The second jam on here, "Tooth", sounds like Banner Pilot and that fucking rules. Get this now.