Favorites of 2012 (So far…)

So yeah, it’s THAT time, when music blogs start cranking out the “best” records so far. Since the term “best” is pretty subjective, I’m just gonna post the stuff I’ve been enjoying so far and hope you check some of them out. Here they are in no particular order.
	Stay Ahead of the Weather / The Wonder Years – Punk is Dead. Get a Job. : Can I put a 6″ split with only 2 songs on here? Yes I can, especially when one of those songs is from SAOTW. I’ll be honest, I’m only interested in the SAOTW track “No Money, Mo Problems” here. It’s another fantastic track from the elusive supergroup. The Wonder Years are ok too.
	No Trigger – Tycoon : I can’t say there’s anything groundbreaking here, but what is here is a solid, breakneck speed punk album. Catchy melodies and blistering guitar work make this a repeat listen for me. It’s the kind of album that has you pushing 90 on the highway without knowing it.
	The Fake Boys – Pig Factory : The Fake Boys are tired of all the stupidity in the music industry today and they don’t care who knows. This album is grungey, melodic, and pure passion. This may be my favorite of the year.
	Daytrader – Twelve Years : I was pretty critical of this album at first. It wasn’t what I was expecting out of the band after their “Last Days of Rome”ep and their demo 7″. Then I realized that they hadn’t really changed their style, we were just getting more of them than I was used to. The longer format has given Daytrader room to stretch their legs and give listeners a larger sample of their work. After a few listens it clicked and I really started to enjoy the album.
	The Tower and the Fool – How Long : To be honest, when I first heard these guys I didn’t like it. Then I took the time to listen to the whole album and I was pulled in. Most songs are about heartbreak (I don’t know what will happen if they fall in love) or loss. This is just solid and sincere song-writing.
	Make Do and Mend – Everything You Ever Loved : After a controversial (to fans at least) signing to Rise Records, MDAM‘s highly anticipated follow-up to “End Measured Mile” is finally out. In my opinion it absolutely does not disappoint. If “End Measured Mile” is a wrecking ball, smashing everything in its path, then “Everything You Ever Loved” is a series of precision dynamite explosions. This album hits all the right notes.
	Red Collar – Welcome Home : Red Collar is out of left field for me. I wouldn’t normally have gotten into these guys on my own but I can’t deny anything Tiny Engines releases. Passionate songs about growing up and working in America.
	State Lines – State Lines EP : State Lines is another release by Tiny Engines. This EP is just about perfect, short, sweet and to the point.
	Mixtapes – Even on the Worst Nights : Probably my most anticipated release this year. It’s classic Mixtapes just refined and a little more mature. Part of me feels like it would be better if some of these songs were split between three 7″ ep’s. But what do I know? It’s still a fun album and I’ll take as much from them as I can get.
	Japandroids – Celebration Rock : This album came out of nowhere and floored me. It’s everything I hoped their follow up to “Post Nothing” would be. Pretty much every song is an anthem, the type that leaves you with no voice the day after the show. This gem will be on a LOT of year end lists this year.
I know there’s probably something I’m forgetting and I’ll kick myself later for missing it. Maybe they’ll make it into a year end list of some sort.

Photos: Mixtapes at Madison Theater in Covington, KY 4/5/12

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Typically Mixtapes playing a show in Covington, KY is nothing new. After all, Cincinnati/Covington is their home turf. Except they aren’t always coming through on a national tour with Hit the Lights, Cartel, and Set Your Goals. That was the case on April 5 at the Madison Theater.

After local act Car Rides and tour mates Super Prime finished, it was time for Mixtapes to take the stage. They tore through favorites like “Orange Yellow” and played a new song from their upcoming album on No Sleep Records called “Russian House DJ.” This was the best I’ve ever heard the band sound. They were tight, the drums were huge, and everyone in the crowd seemed to have a great time.

Check out full-size photos from the set after the jump and be sure to come see Mixtapes when the invade Galaxy CDs on April 27th with Into It. Over It. and on May 4th with Xerxes.

New Show Announcement: Into It. Over It. with Hidden Hospitals and more!

In case you’re not hooked up with us on Facebook or Twitter or you missed the noise yesterday, we’ve got some more news!  The Into It. Over It./Hidden Hospitals/Mixtapes show that was originally scheduled to be held in Covington on 4/27 has moved to Galaxy in Hamilton!

Evan Weiss, who is Into It. Over It., is a good buddy of ours at TLH and we’re really stoked to have him play on our turf.

Joining him at the Galaxy show will be The Story Changes (from Dayton, another band we also love), Heartbreak Kid,  Tall Tales (from Cincinnati & Louisville), and The Sound Museum (Cincinnati).

RSVP to the Facebook Event here, buy tickets here, check out some tunes from IIOI and Hidden Hospitals below, and GET EXCITED.

New Show Announcement: Xerxes with Mixtapes and more!

We haven’t quite come down from the high that was last night’s Stripped Down To The Bone Tour, but we kind of like it that way.  So to keep up the momentum, we figured we’d announce another pretty awesome show.

On Friday, May 4 – Galaxy and The Lonely House, in cooperation with Title Fight Productions, will be playing host to No Sleep Records‘ Xerxes and Mixtapes.  BAM!  That’s what’s up.

If you’re not yet acquainted with either of these acts, we’re going to help you out with that.  Stream Xerxes’ 2012 release Our Home Is A Deathbed and Mixtapes’ “I Accept That” from 2011′s Companions below:

A Night of Sweet Relief – 10/15/11

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Galaxy CDs and The Lonely House were proud and excited to bring Southwest Ohio a night of Sweet Relief!

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems. In other words, Healing Musicians in Need. We all have received so much out of music, it’s time to give a little back, so please give a small cash donation to this cause at the show!

Read on for more about the show!