The Unheard Ones - "Eight Minute Absolution"

By -
Photo by Jason Forster

The Unheard Ones were a Baltimore emo band that lasted between 1995 to 1997, and played a total of thirteen shows. Their studio recordings have remained unreleased, until this Friday when Handstand Records releases Stories and Songs. While we wait to hear that, they've released a single to check out, and it's going to blow your minds. "Eight Minute Absolution" is a little over two minutes, and it defies what is considered emo for the past twenty five or so years. It's loud, it's noisy, it's abrasive, and it's a band pouring their hearts out onto tape. There's a reason The Unheard Ones are compared more to Gang of Four, Mission of Burma, and Joy Division than what is typically considered emo. If you think of Dischord Records when you hear the term emo, "Eight Minute Absolution" is perfect for you.

Tim Kabara (vocals/guitar) says of the band's latest single:

'Eight Minute Absolution' isn't eight minutes long; we always kept the songs short, sharp, and to the point. It's the other side of the Unheard Ones coin, a refined capturing of the fire and fury of our live shows. Get you a band that can do both. We only played it first in our sets a handful of times, a bad logistical move to shred your guitar that hard first song, but folks remember us starting with it every time. I guess it hit that hard."

You can watch the video for "Eight Minute Absolution" below. Stories and Songs is due out September 18 on Handstand Records, and is available to pre-order here. For more on The Unheard Ones, check out the band on Instagram.

On Repeat...

Failure - "The Air's on Fire"

By -
Image
Photo by Lyndsey Byrnes With their upcoming seventh overall studio album, the highly influential band Failure will have released more albums since reuniting in 2014 than they did during their first run. The first single from that album, "The Air's on Fire," shows the band expanding their sound while still being rooted in what has always made them great. The song is a dark and moody one that is always threatening to explode but never quite does. This is an example of 90's alt-rock meets art rock at its very finest. It's the kind of song that could easily have come out thirty years ago, but that doesn't mean it sounds dated. After the first listen, "The Air's on Fire" will sound like a killer alt-rocker from a 90's band that hasn't lost a step at all. The more you listen, the more complex Failure get on the single, and the more the song reveals itself to you. Ken Andrews says of his band's latest single: “That song is directly about my ...
Read more

Hiding Places - "Waiting"

By -
Image
Photo by Calli Westra Brooklyn's Hiding Places are originally from North Carolina, and that sound is all over their latest single. "Waiting" has a strong alt-country meets dark indie rock sound. The song is as hypnotic as it is heartbreaking. Even if you're not paying attention to the lyrics, the vibe of the song is overwhelmingly dark and somber. There's plenty of country twang and indie rock fuzz throughout the song, with the music carrying the weight of the song as much as vocalist/guitarist Nicholas Byrne's voice does. The song is stunning, both in its beauty and mood. I feel like I've been sitting on "Waiting" for a while now until I could fully wrap my head around it. Hiding Places has something truly special here. Nicholas Byrne says of his band's latest single: "Hiding Places’ first bassist, Anthony Cozzarelli, left the band in July of 2022. I wrote the chorus the day before Anthony left the band. I recalled the slow death of my ...
Read more

Mama's Broke - "How it Ends"

By -
Image
Mama's Broke, the post-folk Canadian duo of Lisa Maria and Amy Lou Keeler, have just released a break up song that might be their most accessible yet. While the previous singles from their upcoming album have a certain darkness or a sense of foreboding, "How it Ends" sounds relatively upbeat. Considering this is a song about how you never think you'll find someone as good as your ex after a break up, that's quite a feat. This is a traditional folk song with some slightly modern folk harmonies. As much heartbreak as their is in "How it Ends," there is also the warmth of remembering a recent relationship. You can listen to "How it Ends" below. Narrow Line is due out May 13 on Free Dirt Records, and can be pre-ordered here . For more on Mama's Broke, check out the artist's website .
Read more