Sunrise

Debuting off of San Francisco based Owl Paw’s newest six song EP, Carry On, the first single “Sunrise” is a swirling mix of harmonious vocal rhythm's, upbeat guitar licks and soothing hums. The step into the sunlight begins with the head bobbing movement of lead singer/songwriter Derek Schultz’s hand over the his acoustic guitar. Soon joined by the rest of the band as an electric note rings out over the sonic landscape. The band bops up and down as the song progresses. A lonely violin enters the mix, morosely leading the song up to its climax and continuing on throughout the peppy chorus.

“But if the sun won’t rise/The body can’t die again” is chanted in a glorious three way harmony. Highs, lows and mids are all there and executed in perfect unison. A trailing voice echoes the group, yet it lacks the muster to properly accent the line. Leaving a slightly sour tone in the listeners ear. Continuing on in basic pop structure, “Sunrise” ends on a delicate note.  In a desirous, desperate cry for happiness the band sings, “When all I want to see is the sunrise/I’m already running late.” Soothingly tugging at the strings of any listener. 

The folk/indie musings of Owl Paws have long been in motion since their inception into folk world. Their 2011 self titled release captivated listeners with its acoustic ballads and smooth vocal melodies. With the release of Carry On, out in August from Urban Scandal Records, the band continues this legacy with a more full bodied and polished sound. “Sunrise” is the culmination of this hard work and proves to be some of their catchiest and most polished tunes yet. 

Rating: 4/5

Rad Summer 2012

Straight out of Florida, land of retirement homes and vacation destinations, comes one of the most brutal, straight forward hardcore compilations seen on this side of the internet in many years. Featuring the likes of Code X Red, Clockwork, Losin’ It and more, the Rad Summer 2012 compilation brings some the best of the hardcore reality to the world. 

Released by Life to Live Records, this compilation clocks in at a rad 29 and a half minutes and unrelentingly brings the listener to their knees as each song progresses. Chock full of obscure and hungry hardcore champions, this comp spans the whole spectrum of the genre. Fast, aggressive, heavy, brutal, melodic, chugging, driving, dizzying, its all here. 

One of the more outstanding tracks on the record is Code X Red’s song “Never Again.” Straining, high pitch screams release over the ensuing wrath of the guitar and drum attack that backs it up. Circling around the listeners ears until one is dizzy, Code X Red brings the hate effectively in the style of Terror, Alpha and Omega, and American Nightmare. On the opposite side of the lens lies Clockwork. Bringing to the table a melodic style similar to Sinking Ships, Shook Ones and older Crime In Stereo, the bands submission “Ad and Subtract” shows great promise. A speedy intro breaks way into a pounding, toe tapping outro that brings to mind Polar Bear Club in its thickness and heart tugging movements. 

Other mentions within Rad Summer’s walls are Losin’ It and their song “No Apology.” A dragging bass lines calls for stage dives right off your bedside as the drums smack your ears. Releasing into a pounding, mosh heavy riff that brings to mind the aggressive days of More To Pride and Rivalry Records. Even more aggressive is the enormous open ended breakdown at the end of Modern Pain’s “Let Down” that is only countered by the melodic sounds of Tiebreaker’s “Take It Back” two tracks later. The later bringing to mind Verse and Shipwreck, at their more melodic moments. 

All in all their is something for every hardcore enthusiast within the sonic layers of Life To Live’s Rad Summer 2012 compilation. Make the summer even radder than it already has been by picking it up over at their bandcamp for a cheap dollar.

Rating: 3/5