Review: The All-American Rejects – Sandbox

For a band that’s been fairly quiet for the past decade and a half, The All-American Rejects stormed back onto the scene pretty significantly with a DIY approach to the music business, and their viral pop-up house party concerts put them squarely back in the spotlight. Sandbox is the fifth studio album from the band, and their first new album in 14 years, that was capped off with 2012’s Kids In The Street. This record was produced by AAR band members Tyson Ritter & Nick Wheeler, with additional production credits from Scott Chesak. If you’re expecting big hooks and loud guitars, much like was found on Move Along and When The World Comes Down, you might be a little disappointed in the music found on Sandbox. For fans who have stuck around with AAR for this long, Sandbox isn’t as jarring of a listening experience as one would think. Instead, the band’s independent approach comes across as an artist comfortable in their own skin, and one who are still willing to take some risks to further their development.

Jason Tate 2 weeks ago

Oxford Pennant have released some Take Off Your Pants and Jacket inspired merch.

Jackie Cular 2 weeks ago

Noelle Scaggs, vocalist from Fitz & the Tantrums is here with her debut solo album, “Money Fame Love,” out now. Here she talks to me from Florence, Italy about why now was the right time to step out on her own.

Jason Tate 2 weeks ago

Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra has shared a new note. You can find it in full below.

Jason Tate 2 weeks ago

Jack Antonoff talked with Rolling Stone about the upcoming Bleachers album:

While making Everyone for Ten Minutes, Antonoff was also working on Kendrick Lamar’s GNX and Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend. And though he often taps the members of Bleachers to play on his other projects, making them both band and Wrecking Crew, he notes that “there’s almost zero sonic crossover” between his own records and those he’s producing for others. The sounds and tones are generally not what inspire him, anyway.
“If I’m in a room with Kendrick… I think, ‘Oh, the way he’s telling the story about his past is so vivid. I’ve been trying to do a story about my past.’ Or the way Sabrina can vacillate between the most brilliant, sad poetry and comedy — which are really linked — I was like, ‘Maybe there’s a moment I could put a wink in.’ It’s the broad strokes of someone’s honesty or artistry.”

Stand Atlantic – “Velcro” Video

Jason Tate 2 weeks ago

Stand Atlantic has released a video for the new song “Velcro.”

Jason Tate 2 weeks ago

Jack Antonoff is on the latest Kyle Meredith With… podcast

Pinhead Gunpowder Announce Tour

Jason Tate 2 weeks ago

Pinhead Gunpowder are heading out on tour.

Adam Grundy 2 weeks ago

Today I’m so excited to introduced everyone to a pop-punk band called Unicorn Dogs who are releasing their newest single called “Bogus Journey.” The Baltimore-based Unicorn Dogs are comprised of father/son bass and drum duo Jon Moser and Oliver Moser and former Dead Mechanical guitarist Lucas Carscadden. Jon Moser shared about working with Grath Madden (House Bout, Steinways) by sharing, “Grath has a distinct voice and style that we love and find inspiring. Short songs that are catchy but without overly predictable repetition and relatable, self-deprecating lyrics. That’s the formula!” If you’re enjoying the single, keep an eye out for the band’s new LP Closer To Death that will release later on this year via Mom’s Basement Records / Jolly Ronnie Records.