Beautiful Bodies - "Battles" Review

Today we will be reviewing the debut album from alt. rock band Beautiful Bodies. In the wake of PVRIS' rise to the top, Epitaph Records has found their own female fronted 3 piece electronic superstars in this Missouri band. Headed by Alicia Solombrino, this band is currently on Warped Tour 2015. So can they breakout from the shadow cast by their tour-mates with this debut? Click this (link) to buy the band's debut, "Battles", on iTunes.

Quick Picks: 10 Bands to Watch (Mid 2015 edition)

A "Quick Picks" countdown, here we will be counting down the 10 bands you should be watching in the coming year. Be sure to leave comments if you think we missed a band!

Top 10 Debut Albums (2010-2014) Pt 2

Some bands have debut records that miss the mark. Then there are bands who release debut albums so put together, and well written that we wonder where they've been hiding or entire lives. Here are some of the best debut albums released from 2010 to 2014. The albums aren't listed in any particular order (1 is not the top, 10 is not the bottom). Each entry is accompanied with a mini review and rating. Click this (link) to see Pt 1 of this list. Honorable mentions can be found on our Top 10 page.

Please keep in mind that I'm only one person, and can only listen to so many albums before my brain explodes. If you think there's a debut that I should listen to, please contact me at platypusreviews1486@gmail.com with the band and their album (for this list the album has to have been released between 2010 and 2014). 

I have excluded bands that were formed after a member's previous band broke up or bands with members who were has previous success in another group (i.e, Of Mice and Men, Beartooth, Falling in Reverse, the many, many Jonny Craig bands, etc). These are bands who are fresh off the rookie circuit, and are cutting their teeth with this release. EPs are off limits, as they are often not good representations of what a band is truly capable of (though there are always exceptions to the rule). 

Bring Me The Horizon "Throne" Single Review

Well they've done it again. Bring Me The Horizon released their second single off their new album, That's The Spirit, set to be released on September 11. And before we get into the review, let's just take a moment to stress how stupid everyone is being over the fact that the release date is 9/11. It's just a date. How you perceive it is up to you. 

All that shit aside, BMTH are breaking into the mainstream world with this new album and single. Already gaining massive coverage from high profile magazines like Rolling Stone, this song further distances the band from their early deathcore work. 10 later the band has finally found their niche, and they're music has never sounded better.

We Came As Romans - "Self Titled Album" Review

If you're a metalcore fan then you've at least heard of We Came As Romans. Formed in 2005, this band is currently performing on Warped Tour 2015. An electonicore band based out of Detroit, they have spent the last few years mixing up their sound. Drawing from a more diverse pool of influences, the band has made the switch to a more mainstream sound like so many other metalcore bands have (Of Mice and Men and Bring Me The Horizon in particular). 

Top 10 Debut Albums (2010-2014) Pt 1

Some bands have debut records that miss the mark. Then there are bands who release debut albums so put together, and well written that we wonder where they've been hiding or entire lives. Here are some of the best debuts that were released from 2010 to 2014. The albums aren't listed in any particular order (1 is not the top, 10 is not the bottom). Each entry is accompanied with a mini review and rating. Click the Top 10 page to see our honorable mentions for this list. Click this (link) to see Pt 2 of this list. 

Please keep in mind that I'm only one person, and can only listen to so many albums before my brain explodes. If you think there's a debut that I should listen to, please contact me at platypusreviews1486@gmail.com with the band and their album (for this list the album has to have been released between 2010 and 2014). 

I have excluded bands that were formed after a member's previous band broke up or bands with members who were has previous success in another group (i.e, Of Mice and Men, Beartooth, Falling in Reverse, the many, many Jonny Craig bands, etc). These are bands who are fresh off the rookie circuit, and are cutting their teeth with this release. EPs are off limits, as they are often not good representations of what a band is truly capable of (though there are always exceptions to the rule). 

Memphis May Fire - "Unconditional: Deluxe Edition" Review

Memphis May Fire is one of those bands with loyal fans, and fervent haters. Either way, the band has built quite the reputation in the metalcore community. Last March they released their 4th album, "Unconditional", and was met with great reception from critics and fans. And now their record company, Rise Records, has decided that like the rest of their bands, MMF will put out a deluxe version of their album. Does it strike out like some of the label's other re-releases? Well... you'll have to read the rest of the review to find out. 

Bring Me The Horizon - "Happy Song" Single Review

Having just split from their U.S label, Epitaph Records, the band solidifies their shift to a major label band (now signed to Columbia and RCA). Their newest song dropped July 12, the same day frontman Oliver "Oli" Sykes married his long time girlfriend, Hannah Snowden. So before getting into the review, here's a congratulations for the pair!

"Happy Song" will make some people happy, and others weep over the loss of the "classic BMTH". I’ll admit, the whole “cheerleader chanting” got me worried, but as soon as the guitar riff kicked in I was sold. BMTH is always changing their sound, their last two albums and singles proving the band is very capable of orchestral rock, and mainstream alt rock. Don’t let those labels put you off the song, this is still a signature BMTH song. 

Featured Post - Pierce the Veil

The first post in this series, where I cover the featured band of the month. Talking about lyrics, live shows, and overall likability are just a few things I want to do in this series. Featured band photo is posted on Sunday night, and the featured post on Fridays!

 In this flagship post I'll be writing about San Diego's very own Pierce the Veil. A band that has had ups, downs, highs and lows a plenty. But now they're back with a new single, and an upcoming album, ready to rock fans to their core! If you have a suggestion for a featured band, please comment or email me at platypusreviews1486@gmail.com 

Citizen - "Everybody is Going to Heaven" Review

*Edited Aug 6 for some mistakes*
Currently performing on Warped Tour 2015, Citizen dropped their second album June 23. With members hailing from the Midwest, and a sound that echoes that of the grunge scene in Seattle, the band is making a splash in the music world with this release. This band's 2013 debut album, "Youth", grabbed my attention last year when I stumbled upon their song "Roam the Room". I was skeptical at first, but after a few listens I really got into it. One of my favorite songs is "The Night I Drove Alone", which is a powerful acoustic influenced piece that highlights Mat Kerekes' vocals. Flash-forward to 2015 and the band has released their sophomore effort. The obvious influences from Brand New, and the band's maturing sound are at their peak in this release. 

SECRETS - "Renditions" Review

This is one band that keeps getting better with time. As a Rise/Velocity Records signee, SECRETS was bound to put out an acoustic EP sooner or later. After releasing the deluxe edition of their sophomore album, "Fragile Figures" in 2014, fans got pumped for new material. And it was delivered in the form of "Renditions". 
    **The band is currently working on their upcoming 3rd album.**