terminal boredom reviews roman candles tape

terminal boredom reviewed the newest roman candles tape

Roman Candles "Last Exit to Berkeley" cassette
Over the past years I've reviewed enough Roman Candles releases that these guys now seem like friends. Like that one guy you went to school with, that you weren't really all that fond of in the first place, but he was just always there since you grew up on the same street or whatever so you tolerated his presence. But you could do without as well. It's to the point where they send a short letter with each release now (I think the last one said "Suck on this Termbo."). I never like their music and say so in their reviews, but they just keep sending shit anyway. Love-hate relationship? Friendly rivalry? I dunno. They said in this package that this is their last one. I'll miss you guys, but I won't miss your corny acoustic folk music or whatever this shit is. Take it easy Christopher, you're a good sport, and congrats on graduating.(RK)
(Aztec Records // romancandlesmusic-at-gmail.com)

terminal boredom reviews roman candles 7"

terminal boredom finally got around to updating their reviews. here's what they said about the romcan 7". or read it HERE.

Roman Candles "Whatever Happened to VBK" 7"
Roman Candles jump from the Termbo Demo//Zone pages with an actual vinyl release, extending a giant middle finger to me in the process. Well done gentlemen. I mean, well done in that you released an actual record and all, even if it is not real good. Two songs of painfully goofy and "playful" pop that owes a debt to Camper Van Beethoven in the worst possible ways. What the Zodiac Killer referencing sleeve has to do with this is beyond my understanding.(RK)
(Young Foole Records // romancandlesmusic-at-gmail.com)

razorcake reviews roman candles - the stowaways tape

Roman Candles Presents: The Stowaways: A Compilation of Songs 2007-2009:Cassette
Folk punk with an accordion, and while nothing about this is offensive in anyway, it is otherwise unremarkable in pretty much every other capacity. –Jeff Proctor (Aztec)

oc weekly reviews roman candles - last exit to berkeley

oc weekly reviewed our new tape HERE.

Yorba Linda's Roman Candles continues its steady campaign at low-key releases with a new tape for 2011--but in a change, it's actually a solo acoustic collection by bandleader Christopher Gordon, recorded for the most part in, indeed, Berkeley. Given the band's past releases have often been about changed ideals, memories and compromises moving from teenage life into adulthood, it's no surprise to see the theme continue here as well on songs like "Mixtape." This time, though, as the liner notes and tape title indicate, it's about "graduating from college and not really wanting to."

The sense of hesitancy and looking back doesn't dedicate itself to four years of partying, though. A song like "666" looks back at birth and upbringing in Tustin and Orange, although the narrator, in this case, is the devil. (Seems appropriate, really.) There's plenty more wry humor throughout, despite a blunt song title like "Molestation Is Not a Joke." Who could blame him when he notes that he wishes the rent was free?

Hearing Gordon on his own after all the collective band work conveys a sense of isolation caught somewhere between comfort and constriction--something a song like "Rockstar" also lives up to in its lyrics. In itself, Gordon's not-a-boy/not-a-man questioning is not new lyrical ground per se (just ask Pete Townshend, Paul Weller and many more). After so many figures like John Darnielle and followers like Conor Oberst have made the guy/guitar/home tape-recording combination its own aesthetic, Last Exit to Berkeleydoesn't reinvent any wheels.

However, as much as the rest of his work, Gordon is about documenting the impressions of his life as they happen with jokes--however gawkily or nakedly expressed--leavening the impact but not necessarily providing any kind of final resolution. As the final song notes, "Goodbye for Now," but there will doubtless be something new soon.

the underground railroad to candyland - know your sins

know your sins! punk ALBUM OF THE YEAR! maybe . . . ? this has been a long time coming. it feels like forever ago that bird roughs came out. and 'jimmy v' has been on the internets for a while now, but it was worth the wait. 15 tracks in 35 minutes this absolutely flies by. the underground railroad to candyland are definitely my favorite present-day straight up punk band. they have surpassed off with their heads. urtc wins. this album is so fun. 'animals! run!' feels like a race, and i feel out of breath just listening to it. 'my number's on the stall' might be my favorite track on the album. 'and you think you can tame me' has the best guitar solo/intro. i also really like the closer: '2010 reprise.' this is out now on recess on 7 different colors each representing one of the deadly sins. grab it HERE. enjoy!

joyce manor / big kids 7"

joyce manor have two songs. the first one is a new jam called "new in this light". coming in at 1:17 it's got a catchy chorus: 'i can't see nothing new in light oahh oahh". it could of easily fit on the full length. their second song is a murder city devils cover of "midnight service at the mutter museum". they completely made the song their own. they skipped the intro, cut the organ, added vocal harmonies, and sped up the tempo at the end. i really really like it. big kids have one song called 'pig through a python'. the intro is some world war 2 sound clip about the atomic bomb that would have easily fit on a desaparecidos song. musically it's a little heavier song for big kids. not my favorite, but good nonetheless. the joyce manor side is definitely stronger. my 7" came on a cool lime green color. cool bands. cool songs. cool record. split release between solidarity records and brick gun records.

Joyce manor - s/t

when joyce manor decided to go with 6131 i wondered if their sound would change; if they would cater to those kids. fortunately they delivered the goods. 10 songs in under 20 minutes, this is the perfect length for me. the first two songs on the album are okay, but it really picks up with 'beach community' and doesn't look back. i kind of wish they hadn't re-recorded 'leather jacket' and 'constant nothing'. i can't hear 'constant nothing' without wanting to hear 'done right discount flooring' right after. but those are both great songs and help space out the album nicely. '21st dead rats' is probably my favorite song on the album-the vocals are perfect. i like 'astray petting zoo's' guitar solo the best out of all the songs. that song is a bit slower, but one of the albums best. 'constant headache' is a good closer, and also the longest song on the album. this is all around great pop punk in the vein of jawbreaker and weezer. they are on tour with lemuria and white wives right now. dates are HERE.

the henry clay people - this is a desert

this is the most i've liked the henry clay people since the working part time e.p. that was three years ago. this release is a very spring release. just like working part time brings about memories from spring '08 this will very much do the same for spring 2011. 'the honey love he sells' reminds me of sorry ma era replacements. 'california wildfire' is as good as it gets for thcp. if only we could get an album full of the 'little Rn(s)' 'social scientology(s)' 'double dutch(es)' 'fine print(s)' 'the taste of the tasteless(es)' and the 'slow burn(s)' we'd have a perfect album; this song fits with those. they're all great. in a recent interview joey siarra said something to the effect that when they record they end up with records full of 6's and 8's and that he was going to shoot for more 2's and 10's. if that's the case than 'winter song' is a 2 and so is 'it isn't the waiting'. it's nice to hear andy's voice on the record. this is great release. i hope the next full length is this good, or maybe the e.p. is just the format that they should stick to for releasing music. i'm not sure.

joey said, " I think a lot of bands/artists treat the EP as just little place holder. Don't forget about us. Save the date. I still romanticize the idea of a full-length album above all else. I hope everyone else does too. But I do see EPs as having a lot of potential to "make a statement" especially if the statement is a stylistic shift. "

at this point in time, the henry clay people have released five full lengths, two e.p.'s, a live album, and have a back catalogue of unreleased material that unfortunately will never be heard by most. with well over 120 recorded songs under their belt, anything they put out is going to sound like "THE HENRY CLAY PEOPLE." for this reason, This is a Desert doesn't sound like a stylistic shift as just straight up better songs. therefore, we can only hope they keep releasing better songs.

manhattan murder mystery - s/t

I picked this little gem up on vinyl at amoeba berkeley for record store day. It quite possibly might be the best thing to come out of la this year. I've been waiting for this for a long time now, but it was worth the wait. WOOoOah! the first song kicks off the album with instrumental rock accompanied with WOoah's! These WOOoOah's make their way throughout the whole album. Trailer Trash starts the lyrics for the album begging, "Do I creep you out?" The reason this album is so good is because of its honesty. Quite frankly honda prius might be my favorite song:

"Well you got your honda prius and your HD TV/ you got cash in your pocket and a college degree/well i flunked out of high school and university/now i'm finally starting to feel the effects/ i make minimum wage and i get no respect/but i got a guitar that i can't hardly play/ i write songs about things that i feel everyday/i write songs about things that i felt in my past/ like my mother my brother my dog and my dad/ it's the only thing that keeps me from going crazy/going out in the streets and shooting somebody."

i think the lyrics speak for themselves. this album has old favorites like ambulance and parking lot re-recorded and sounding better than ever. the best song on the album is probably smoky mountain, but honda prius is my favorite. 9 songs in 35 minutes this couldn't get any better. available from HELLO MY NAME IS RECORDS. do yourself a favor. this is required listening.

manhattan murder mystery

big kids - don't be a baby ep

big kids pick up right where hoop dreams left off. don't be a baby is the new three song ep available from topshelf records. 'don't be a baby' is the first track. it's faster paced. it makes me want to crowd surf. 'i'm a romantic comedy dude' is still my favorite big kids song. it's slower, and really emphasizes the vocals more than a lot of their songs. the drums are slower, but it still picks up when it should. plus the lead guitar is pretty close to perfect. "every drink neglected to take/every friend ignored" are just some of the lyrics lead singer jason romero belts. 'you're so fucking ps' is the final track. at five and a half minutes it offers big hooks and dual vocals. a pretty strong finish.

these songs are compiled on a tape available from mountain man records. the tape also includes their tracks from the koalacaust split 7" and the joyce manor split 7".

the joyce manor split 7" is available for pre order HERE.

finally, BIG KIDS are going to EUROPE. April 26-June 5. click HERE for the dates.

to listen to songs off the e.p. click HERE.

I Think We Should Stay Away From Each Other - Compilation

Aaron Kovacs, the drummer from summer vacation put out a pretty amazing compilation of songs. it's the first release on his label Lauren Records.

The tracklist is :

1. Merry Christmas - Teenage Jackie

2. Pangea - CIA

3. Fishboy - Duncan

4. Summer Vacation - Children Aren't The Answer

5. Jehovas Fitness - Welcome Back

6. Andrew Jackson Jihad - Sad Songs

7. The Underground Railroad to Candyland - Flush Twice and Leave

8. Shakes - Brain Damage

9. Big Kids - I am a Romantic Comedy Dude

10. Shang-A-Lang- Song Against Porches

11. Japanther - Our Day Will Come

12. Albert Square - I Wish I Was a Teenage Heartthrob

13. Joyce Manor- Famous Friend

14. Forming - Always

i think the big kids song is the best song they've written. i think the andrew jackson jihad song is fucking awful. i've heard new songs off the new ajj album, and so many of those songs are so good. i'm bummed they picked such a shitty song for this. i feel like they really fell short. i wish joyce manor had picked an unreleased song, but famous friend is great so no complaints. my favorite song on the comp. is forming's 'always'. i had never listened to them before, but this track stands out more than any other. the shakes song is really really catchy, and the merry christmas song is FUCKING GOOD. the underground railroad song is classic todd. the bands on this comp. speak for themselves. it's a great record. you need this. 200 black vinyl 100 red. comes with digital download. buy it here. listen to the whole thing here.

big wheel magazine reviews roman candles 7"

big wheel magazine/team goon is the coolest. thanks for the review.

This 4 piece band from Yorba Linda makes music that is a little bit indie sounding. It reminded me a little of very early and obscure Blink 182 recordings but more like Jawbreaker, but this is more basic and simple. They lyrics to “Whatever Happened to VBK” were pretty cool. It talks a little about memories, bands, and music from their past. This is their first 7” after 3 demo tapes, and was put out by Young Foole Records and This Side That Side Records.

razorcake reviews roman candles 7"

razorcake reviewed our 7". it's not actually in this issue though i just checked. i guess they don't print shitty reviews? but it's on the website. thanks juan.

“Whatever Happened to VBK?” b/w “More Man”: 7"
I don’t know what’s worse: the fact that a band so boring would actually aspire to one day “headline the Glass House.” Or that they actually thought pressing such attempts at indie punk to vinyl was a good idea. –Juan Espinosa (Young Foole / This Side That Side, romancandlesmusic@gmail.com)

maximum rocknroll reviews roman candles 7"

maximum rocknroll reviewed the new roman candles 7". this is what they had to say:

Two infectious tracks of jangly pop punk along the lines of ONION FLAVORED RINGS. Occasional tremolo-laden guitar leads add a hint of UK DIY bedroom shambles. DEAD MILKMEN meet TV PERSONALITIES uptown. (AM)

(Young Foole)

they also reviewed the media blitz-no regrets e.p. click the link to read that.

terminal boredom reviews roman candles tape

terminal boredom reviewed the newest roman candles tape:

Roman Candles "Punk Belongs To Us" cassette
God, you guys are killing me. This is just terrible. Please stop sending me tapes. It's not funny.(RK)
(AZT // ugh)

i love it. you have to click the link and read the pizza! review we even get made fun of in someone else's record review hahah.

yi - at home +5

i finally got my hands on a copy of this tape. i guess only 40 were made. yi is a kind of lo-fi surf rock/punk band with really heavy rock n' roll parts. the first song 'singing arc' builds for a minute and a half before the vocals finally kick in and when they do it fucking rocks. musically, it sounds pretty dark, but at the same time has a total surf vibe. 'golden pouch' sounds like lo-fi early 90's indie rock. the vocals sound really cool, but it's definitely the guitar tones that give this band its extra kick. '(when i grow up i'm gonna be a) selfish scientist' is my favorite song on the demo. this tape is totally worth having. i'm not sure how many more are left floating around. i got my copy from brick gun records, whom i believe are putting it out as s 12". you can also download it for free from the band here.

Lemuria - Pebble

Lemuria signing to bridge 9 was pretty crazy news to me last spring. i thought it was the coolest. their sophomore album, Pebble, is a pretty descent step from Get Better. 11 songs in just over a half hour, this album feels a lot longer than it is. the opening song 'gravity' sets the pace for the entire record - slow indie rock. i've had to listen to it a few times, but i'm starting to really love it. all the things i loved about their previous recordings are still hear, but better. the production is better. the guitar sounds better. the drumming is better, and the boy/girl vocals still do it for me. standout tracks for me are 'pleaser' 'different girls' and 'chautauqua county.' their indie/punk crossover is something more bands should strive for. go buy this record.

sourpatch - crushin'

sourpatch have been on my radar for a couple of months now, and i finally got around to listening to their full length album crushin'. they're a girl/boy twee pop band from san jose, ca. greatly inspired by rose melberg's tiger trap and go sailor 90's pop bands, sourpatch manages to take their influences and make them new and relevant. these are some really catchy songs. they made me want to start a twee pop band.

thirteen tracks in under a half hour this record makes for a really good investment. stand out tracks include fun where the lead singer sings "i know about your rough past." i love the singers voice - it fits so well with the guitars. the title track crushin' lets us know that "you knew not to get so attached/it was meant to break up anyway." teenage pop at it's best. in outer space we get some of the male vocals and a really great guitar line with some ooh ooh oh's. but the best song on the album is the closer i want you either way. see for yourself with their music video for the song. for a copy of the album email: imxrichx@yahoo.com. available on cd and lp.

Sourpatch - i want you either way from Richard Gutierrez on Vimeo.

oc weekly reviews roman candles 7"

oc weekly reviewed the roman candles 7". thanks dudes. click the link.

Roman Candles

Whatever Happened to V.B.K.? 7"

Young Foole Records/This Side That Side Records

Yorba Linda's Roman Candles are continuing their low key but enthusiastic releases with their latest efforts, following up three previous cassette-only's with a new one, Punk Belongs to Us, out on their own Aztec Records label. The band recently had a record release show for their first vinyl effort, as well as the first thing they've done released on another label. If Whatever Happened to V.B.K.? is the kind of quick, blink-and-you'll-miss-it release that seems to be from another time, it's also another representation of the kind of scene that any number of OC acts are fully embracing: they're just going out there and doing it because it can be done, rather than making a big deal out of it all.

It's still a bit funny, though, to hear lead figure Christopher Gordon begin the title track with the words "When you were young...you were punk," given he's not a grizzled veteran yet himself. But "Whatever Happened to V.B.K.?" has the kind of half nerdish and half sweet sound familiar from many of the band's other work, less aggro and more reflective, concerning the mental distance already traveled between being "16 years old in the back of my car" and the present. The short length and in-a-living-room recording quality, further punctuated by a wheezing harmonica part from Gordon, could make this an early Guided by Voices number, if not so Who-obsessed.

Even stronger might be "More Man," which tells the story of friends out to find God via missions and considers how others should or shouldn't react to the situation. Heady stuff for a short song perhaps, but it's all handled nicely and in similar sonic fashion to the A-side, with a semi-surf guitar line from Christopher Torres adding a nice bounce to the proceedings. The whole is a portrait of youth and questions faced at that time, and it's precisely the kind of thing that is fresh the first time one goes through it. It's admittedly nice to hear that ramshackle rock 'n' roll thrives still.

koalacaust - smiles shine like broken glass

koalacaust's follow up to their self titled full length album is a departure in sound. they no longer have an accordion player. instead they fill the sound with electric guitars. this three song 7" rocks, and if this is any indication of the direction the band is going, then we're all in luck. 'Mirrors' is a great song, but the 7"s best is the last song 'Woods,' "because they say that it gets better/because they say that it can't get much worse." this is definitely the catchiest line on the e.p. the guitars are clean and their sound is full with backup vocals. the drumming is also really tight. this is a great transition from their old sound to their new sound. another great release from mountain man records.