Negative Progression Records

THE PROGRESS - "Merit"

Pastepunk.com - I've always been fond of records that seem to give off the vibe of summertime. There's just something inherently fun about music that you can drive around with windows down and sing along to. SAVES THE DAY is always good for this with records like Through Being Cool and Can't Slow Down. Not surprisingly, THE PROGRESS has a similar design as they play a brand of irresistable pop punk. It's always a pleasure to describe a pop punk band without feeling the need to tack on adjectives like "disposable" to get the point across.
Much like the band's previous EP, Golden State, this full length exudes a confident style of songwriting complete with plentiful hooks and clever structures. There's also a distinguishable PIEBALD similarity that pops up from time to time. Usually it's due to the fact that THE PROGRESS often strays from the verse/chorus/verse formula. A handful of songs display this such as "Backwards From Ten" and "Paper And Ink". The dual vocal attack keeps melodies fresh and memorable as Merit hums through these ten tracks. The instrumental side of THE PROGRESS is a very delicate mechanism. These guys have a style that is so cohesive I often find it hard to separate the instruments. It's a driving melodic force that sinks straight to the bone.
THE PROGRESS have solidified a spot on my summer soundtrack this year but more than that, I see a band who has found their niche. There's not a thing I would change about THE PROGRESS.

Audiolunchbox.com - Reviewer: D. Paton 4 Stars
'Merit' from the progress definitely lives up to it's name! tight arrangements, honest vocals and it-never-gets-boring hooks. i especially love the title track. to me, it's the perfect song, in the way that the rhythm and the lyrics ramble on in unison, so that i actually feel as if i'm riding alongside the vocalist. not to mention, that it's definite earworm material. check it out!!

Dieshellsuit.co.uk - (8/10) You say: "Have The Progress been around for ages? Where are they from? Do you know anything about them? Is this their first release?" I say: "Quit your jibber jabber. I know F all about the band alright. Stop hassling me. All I know is that they rock. Thatšs all I NEED to know. Išm not going to research them, I donšt need to. They rock. Thatšs for you fact fans out there." If you remember at all (If you donšt, you should) a band called The Milwaukees who released a few CDs on Boss Tuneage including the almighty behemoth of an album that is łThis Is A Stickup˛ then you will already be aware of the class of musicianship Išm talking about here. The Progress sound a bit like Tanaou (Bravestar Records) on tracks like "Merit" the title song with chilled out music and slightly lazy vocals, but then "Maybe, Maybe" follows it up with an emotional rock song that does what it says on the tin and rocks (Išm not talking shit nu-emo here, but the good sort). Tracks like "The Face Of Better Moods" are slow-tempo numbers that whilst I do whole heartidly enjoy I prefer The Progress' more fast paced ballsy attempts like "Similar Haircuts" that takes a clue from Piebald and runs along with it till they find The Progress' own route. The entire album is very non-cliché, simplistic yet utterly enjoyable intriguing rock music. I may have done a piss poor attempt at summarising this CD, so if you at all get my drift and think you'll dig the tunes that The Progress have to offer than please listen to them!

Amazon.com - Reviewer: Bud Seitzinger (Elkins Park, PA USA) 5 stars
The New Jersey indie quartet The Progress pulls no punches with Merit, their full length debut and follow up to 2004's Golden State, their 5 song EP. Showing a bit more maturity and sophistication this time out, the boys offer a heady mix of stutter-stop guitar lines, intricate time signatures, and the best call-and-response vocalizing since (name your favorite indie-emo-post punk pop call-and-response vocalizing band here). The songwriting ranges from complex math rock to quiet, reflective pieces. Mike McNelis on guitar and Evan Weiss on bass share soaring and softer vocal duties, while Eric McNelis, Mike's brother, handles lead guitar responsibilities with precision. Drummer Jason DiNapoli is the engine driving this train, quite powerfully but also with a fine musical sense. Exemplary of the best in the genre, the lyrics are at times achingly personal while managing to convey a sense of the universal. Let's face it, a lot of emo is a lot of yelling about chicks. That can get old fast. But from the wry --"Have you looked in a mirror? Can't you tell your reflection is ruining everyone's afternoon?"-- to the somber-- "From this day on I'm keeping up with you, a final day alive you've yet to choose"-- you're in safe hands with lyricists who offer so much more than just screaming about the opposite sex. Stand out up-tempo tracks include Paper and Ink, A Drug Called Tradition, Backwards from Ten, Maybe Maybe, and Similar Haircuts. In particular, the bridges in both Maybe, Maybe and Similar Haicuts give goosebumps. As a famous International Style architect once remarked, "God is in the details." Likewise, there's a lot of intricate stuff going on here that is best appreciated on repeated listening, and with headphones. Bringing the mood down a bit are the contemplative For Edward Wells, The Face of Better Moods, and the title track, Merit. These guys definitely have the chops-- complexity rendered crisply, the playing fierce and focused, yet delicate. I'm reminded of a scene from the documentary Rock School, where a young girl reflects on what she's gone through. Paraphrasing, she says something to the effect of "Yeah, once we can get through playing all this Zappa stuff, covering 311 is really no problem." Merit closes with the aptly titled This Thing Goes Forever, and, as with its seemingly interminable fade out, one hopes that The Progress will similarly endure. If this disc is any indication, they most certainly will. Merit is meritorious indeed.

Amazon.com - Reviewer: Danny Paton (New Jersey) 5 stars
I love this cd! It has it all...interesting (sometimes alittle out there) lyrics ("pirates who seethe green"), pretty ballads (I can't get the title song, 'Merit' out of my head), songs with strong hooks, tight playing...If you like listening to your parents Jurrasic Rock cd's, especially bands like 'Yes' and love bands like 'Braid', you'll appreciate the complicated math-rock production of this band (excellent!!). Everytime I listen to it, I hear something new, and each song eventually morphs into my favorite. And then they have their simpler, softer side, too, with songs like 'The Face of Better Moods'. I, also like how the two songwriters, Evan Weiss and Mike McNelis (the lead singer), trade off vocals. Mike's voice is warm and gravely (I have yet to hear anyone sound like him), and it blends well with Evan's smoother textured vocals. Their voices are meant for each other!! As I said, I love this band!!

Amazon.com - Reviewer: J. Potts (New Jersey) 5 stars
This CD is great - I have been following The Progress for years, and this release is one of their best.

ABERDIEN - "Kaleidoscope"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

Emotionalpunk.com - (8/10) Their banner ads boast Negative Progression's latest release, Aberdien's aptly titled "Kaleidoscope" is for fans of Circa Survive, Coheed And Cambria, and The Mars Volta. While some of these influences certainly shine through, I was immediately drawn to calling the band Park's little brother. Aberdien's atmospheric, crisp, and sonic guitar soloing are characteristic of bands like Park, A Small Victory, Counterfit, and even As Cities Burn.
Though these are all in themselves pretty low-profile bands to compare an already low-profile band to, Aberdien's technical grace should not go overlooked. This album is filled with technically fierce guitar riffs that often soar in the upper range of the guitaróand the vocals are made to match. From the second the blazing intro to "The Giant Scope" kicks off, the band sounds like a sort of hybrid between the atmospherics found in As Cities Burn's epic breakdowns and the passive, swirling drop-outs heard in Park's music. And when the chorus picks up, the melodies between the singers high-range might screech a bit, but they slide right into the guitar stylings. The stop-start rhythms and constant vocal melody bashing create together a sort of chaotic fluidity in the songsóif one could even describe it as that.
So how are the vocals? Vocally, the band tends to remind one of the standard, high-range vocals used in bands like Park, or more recently, Ever We Fall. It takes a bit of patience and a certain appreciation for this kind of vocal style but if you can dig them, the melodies on this album are as infectious as anything else out there.
The production on this record certainly is far from top notch; but the elegant, vibrant melodies in the guitars sound excellent in their somewhat raw form. In fact, my only moment of disappointment came when I realized there were two interludes and one rather bland acoustic track on this record. Truly, the choppy rhythms ironically seem to match the nature of the disc as a wholeóthe album punches you in the face with itís driving riffing, and then suddenly turns it down about 20 notches with mild interludes and acoustics. Though some are suckers for the flow of a record in this manner, I think I wouldíve been more content with non-stop rock; and when these guys pull it all out, the songs are the opposite of insipid.
Aberdien are a band I have high hopes for in the future and for a debut I was overwhelmed with the technical prowess of this new talent. If you are into jagged, cutting guitars and plenty of sonic, soaring guitars that use the upper end of the guitarís range to its advantage, you will be no doubt pleasantly surprised with Aberdienís debut.

Dieshellsuit.co.uk - (8/10) Aberdien is one of those exciting little bands that makes me ever so happy from time to time. The reason being Išd never heard any music by them before and although I was familiar with other Negative Progression Records acts like One Way Letter and Little Compass (R.I.P.) both of which I love, I had no idea about the style or quality of this release. So suffice to say I was overjoyed when amongst the sea of wishy-washy crap bands we sometimes get at DSD! HQ that it was really rather good. The genre łKaleidoscope˛ falls in is hard to summarise, but you know the general approach that Coheed & Cambria, Gatsbyšs American Dream, Anadivine, Circa Survive and Armor For Sleep take to music? Kind of prog rock post-punk with huge expansive layers of atmosphere going on just below the soothing melody? Well Aberdien are like that. łThe Giant Scope˛ could be the bastard love beast of Gatsbyšs American Dreamšs lead singer and Coheed & Cambria if they werenšt soloing their asses off all the time. I feel like I may have listened to this album too many times as itšs lost some of its initial impact it has to be said, but I still rate this album highly. Songs further down the album track listing like łClock And Conquest˛ arenšt just filler by any means, and although throughout the CD I feel the production isnšt quite as punchy enough for the parts that cry out for it or the atmospheric parts not nearly łsoundscaped˛ enough the song writing proves that you do in this day and age still need to know the knack of penning a damn fine tune or three! If youšre into your spacey prog-esque stuff right now then Aberdien are one of the highlights of the genre for sure. Many people adore Armor For Sleep and everything they do, so take that in context and then know that I think Aberdien are MUCH better.

Emomixtape.com - Technical and advanced, Aberdien are suprisingly talented and sophisticated, especially at their young ages (early 20's). Their style of energetic, technically powerful melodic rock is truly compelling--and their debut, "Kaleidoscope" is out now on Negative Progression Records.

Decoymusic.com - "10 Bands You Should Know"

ONE WAY LETTER - "Where Everybody Knows Your Name"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

Alternative Press - (4/5).

Punkmusic.com - One Way Letter has put out an instant classic. This disc is jam packed with quality songs, no filler here. I have a fondness for heartfelt lyrics, and that has to be one of the bands strong points. The singer/bass player is a female with a sexy voice that can range from the high notes to the low raspy growls, not that she screams, but she has a nice range. All of the guitar work is nicely done, reminiscent of Thursday's Full Collapse meets either Samiam or Coheed and Cambria. I have no idea how I arrived at that conclusion, but it should be taken as a compliment. For a nice change up there is a great acoustic song on track 8 called " The Passion Of the Action ", this is a example of her vocal range. It is impossible to pick 1 or 2 tracks to highlight, they are all standout. I cannot believe I have missed every show they played in Atlanta so far, I will not make this mistake again. One of the greatest debut albums I have ever heard. I now have a profound longing to see the live show. Perhaps the record release show? Check it out you will not be disappointed.

Smartpunk.com - Reviewer: Anthony Edwards, 5 stars
I saw this band live. There freakin awesome! thats pretty much all there is to it. im not sure how big they are yet but there goning to be huge...im possitve. everything about there music is amazing. good luck guys!

Smartpunk.com - Reviewer: Adam, 5 stars
This CD is great! THe lyrics are so amazing and Selenas voice is incredible. The lyrics flow so well with the music and instruments are so well played. The band is even better live and im looking foward to their next show at swayzes now that everyone can sing along its gonna be awesome! keep up the good work guys

Smartpunk.com - Reviewer: Denise, 5 stars
The cd is awesome....its good to hear an album come from a band that has worked so hard for it. Selena's voics is amazing and the instruments are just as amazing.

Smartpunk.com - Reviewer: Kat, 5 stars
From a scale of 1 to 10.. I Give it 100 The sound quality of the cd is amazing. And the presentation is professional. The band has grown so much the past few years. It seems to have gone from the local garage indie rock to a more cleaned up sound. The style of their music is almost difficult to catigorize because it's so different from the typical scremo or indie or rock punk music kids are making today. I think the style of the band finally represents who they are. Not only is the quality great but it's almost impossible not to feel the lyrics and emotion put into each song... Selena, Mark, Eric, and Craig seem to contribute his or her own unique and powerful individuality that are irreplaceable. Selena's brilliance not only comes out in her writing but in her performance as well. Also, it seems she's creating a gateway of hope for more girl singers in the rock bands of today. Mark and Eric both equally bring their unique style with guitar and such a posotive (and eric's humorous) stage presence. Craig, of course is the backbone to the music. His drum style and performance isnt overwhelming and fits the music perfectly. It seems each member of the band shines equally and their attitudes and persistancy are right where they should be. All and all i would say not only are they talented musicians but obvious amazing people as well...Their songs leave you craving more but more than satisfied with what you got. This CD is more than worth buying...You'd be almost crazy not to.

Smartpunk.com - Reviewer: Shawn, 5 stars
This band is definitely the next big thing. They have a sound that I would compare to Paramore, but with more energy , and, I would say, more fun. Their lyrics are powerful, and very well written. Everything about this CD is perfect. You need to pick this album now. You'll be so happy you did. I know I was.

Sandiegopunk.com - (9.5/10) Here's the thing, is I have never been too hot on female vocals but there's something about this disc. Selena Langley is the bastard daughter of The Start's Aimee Echo and Save Ferris' Monique Powell, (And I LOVE Monique Powell). The only downfall I see on this disk is the production quality; the levels are very low and the mixing is kind of lack luster, other than that this is definitely an awesome piece of work. The lyrics show a vast amount of heart and maturity, ranging from social commentary, abusive relationships, and even two back to back songs about a friend in the hospital (which were quite touching). Totally not what I expected from this CD. For being as poppy as it sounds the lyrics are quite dark. This disc will undoubtedly earn a permanent spot in your playlists!

Truepunk.com - I think One Way Letter has got all of the chances to becomes as big as their old label mates Over It. Not that Over It is really big anyway. But One Way Letter is so much better and more original of course. The band's new album "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" is really a breath of fresh air in the music scene: after listening to old and boring discs released lately, I finished my pile of CD's and One Way Letter was at the bottom of this pale. I found out the beauty of this CD way too late, but I am sorry and I am enjoying it right now. The disc, filled with ten songs, made my heart go back in 1997, when bands like The Stereo, The Impossibles, and Midtown were still small and releasing good quality music no one ever heard. That is the mood behind this disc. Of course there are a lot of modern elements, like some screams thrown here and there, as on "The Damage". The album has got really melodic and fast songs: "Her Voice Was Full Of Money" has got ripping melodies and catchy hooks in the choruses, "I'm A Great Misogynist" has got that acoustic guitar riffs that will make you want for more, while "Counselor Of The Left Handed Boys Camp" is the perfect emo song for kids who want to dance. "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" is a disc that probably will not be noticed by anyone, but if you want to check good music, I heavily suggest to pick this up.

All Music Guide - While they have an album title that reeks of pop culture touchstones, on Where Everybody Knows Your Name One Way Letter show that they are a fine and promising alt-rock or indie band led by the strong timbre of Selena Langley, which comes off like Geddy Lee in control of his pipes. The opener, "The Damage," ebbs between soft and hard "emo" rock with a fine chorus, resembling Evanescence in some respects but with a greater musical ear. However, the ensuing neo-waltz, "Her Voice Was Full of Money," is much of the same song, just with a few tweaks here and there and strong drumming by Craig Goldberg. They go down a different road with better than expected results for a larger-than-life "Alone in My Principles," which seems destined for the Warped Tour. Meanwhile they hit their stride with the power punk of "Hospitals Aren't So Hospitable," which instantly recalls contemporaries such as Taking Back Sunday with its change of gears throughout. The same can be said for the big brawn sound oozing out of "I'm a Great Misogynist," which deals with physical abuse. The longer the album goes, the more one thinks that Langley was influenced greatly by lyricists like Natalie Merchant, Linda Perry, and Billie Myers. But there are real rock gems here, including a stellar, no-nonsense rave-up called "Counselor of the Left Handed Boys Camp." "Theme Songs" and the closing "And the Survey Says" aren't too shabby either. Where Everybody Knows Your Name is a powerful piece of emo that would be almost tragic to ignore if not appreciate.

Absolutepunk.net - I saw One Way Letter about three years ago at a small local venue in Marietta, GA and distinctly remember leaving the show a bit unimpressed and bored, but thinking that the band had a good amount of potential. I also remember thinking to myself "One Way Letter must really like Taking Back Sunday." So far, they have not entirely realized their potential, but have made damn good progress--and I still think they really like Taking Back Sunday. Where Everybody Knows Your Name, One Way Letter's debut album, is a solid emo punk release, though I feel that this is simply the beginning of much better things to come for the band. One Way Letter has a slight one-up over most bands in the emo genre in terms of being unique, simply by virtue of having a female lead singer. Selena Langley's wavering voice is both bold and gentle, driving the songs with vigor and liveliness. Unlike most female singers I've heard, her voice isn't really angelic or light, but is somewhat aggressive and assertive. Langley also handles bass duties for the band, though there's not much I can say for her abilities--I don't mean that in a negative way at all, it's just that she plays very simple lines, so it's hard to judge how good of a bassist she is. The guitar playing is also pretty simple for the most part, but occasionally there's some pretty cool stuff, such as the dual guitar work in "Alone in my Principles" and the intro of "Counselor of the Left Handed Boys Camp." I didn't really notice anything surprising about the drums, except that they sounded a bit thin. Playing-wise, it's pretty much basic stuff, but it sounds fine, and all the parts were written in good taste. The album's first song, "The Damage," starts off with a lone, constantly shifting palm-muted guitar until Langley comes in with her powerful vocals and takes charge. The guitar riff and vocals culminate in a somewhat boring, relatively heavy, power-chord passage, only to return for the first verse. The song is fairly uneventful until we get to the lyrics "Choke, choke on your words / Instead of feeding them to everyone else." The words appear in the chorus before the synth-enhanced interlude, and make for a pretty catchy moment, but when the same lines appear in the gang-vocal breakdown of the song, they make a much stronger impact. The third track, "Alone in my Principles," begins very much like Name Taken's "A Year Spent Cold," with a bending guitar line kicking things off. Like I mentioned before, there's some cool dual guitar work going on, but as for the rest of the song, it doesn't do much for me. "I'm A Great Misogynist" slows things down a bit with a slower tempo, an occasional acoustic guitar, and some falsetto vocals. The next track, "The Second Story Love Affair," is also a slower track, making for a relatively dull middle of the album, though the song itself does pick up a little bit mid-way through. "Counselor of the Left Handed Boys Camp" gets the CD rolling again with a quick countoff and drum and guitar pull-off intro. Later on in the album, One Way Letter slows things down yet again with an acoustic ballad ("The Passion of the Action"). While it's not a bad song, it doesn't do much for me--not because it's not passionately played, but because something about the songwriting just doesn't click with me. Ultimately, I find that a lot of the album is a bit boring, though there are definitely some cool parts. I'm not entirely sure why I find myself bored, though I suspect that some of it has to do with the relatively average and repetitive melodies, and that some of it has to do with the uneventful, uncatchy choruses. One Way Letter prides themselves greatly on their sincere lyrics, and they do have some neat lines: "Choke on your lies / And die in the house or the car or the yacht / You bought with the money that should have saved their world" is some pretty intense stuff, directed against dishonest politicians (redundant?). Sometimes the lyrics are kind of hackneyed, as in "Counselor of the Left Handed Boys Camp": "Press your lips to mine / And kiss me one last time / I'll press my gun to yours / And you'll kiss the sky tonight." The lyrics are pretty good overall, but again, since I don't really pay much attention to lyrics when I listen to music, I don't have too much to say about them. Matt Goldman usually does much better work than this, and I'm really surprised that he's the one who produced this, especially after his good work with Copeland's latest album and Cartel's EP. The guitars on the album sound too remote, and there's just way too much distortion on them, muddying things up. The bass sounds alright, though its not as clear as it could be. Goldman has never been one to get big sounding drums, but they sound especially thin and weak here. The mix also helps to drown the drums out with the overpowering guitars, so that's another disappointing aspect of the production. Overall, Where Everybody Knows Your Name is a solid emo rock release in the vein of Taking Back Sunday, but could gain substantially from better songwriting (particularly the choruses). However, this is only One Way Letter's debut, and I see bright things ahead of the band.

Amazon.com - Reviewer: M.C. Wright (Rexburg, ID) 5 stars
I saw these fools last night and they tottally stole the show, unfortunatley our local venue is pretty incompitent so they had to cut thier set short, but it was... AWEsome! Guys this girl (and guys)rowks, plus if you abbreviate this name it's OWL, whooo whoo!

Amazon.com - Reviewer: Kay Williams (Stockbridge, GA) 5 stars
I recently saw OWL live in Georgia and they OWNED. Selena's voice is beyond amazing the guitar, the drums, everything is just amazing. "Damage" is probably one of the best songs I've ever heard, it has great lyrics AND it's catchy. I suggest picking this CD up pronto!

Europunk.net - One Way Letter (OWL) have been around for just over three years and this is their first full length release. One of Atlanta's "youngest, hippest and most talented independent rock groups" may well be the case, but if it is then Atlanta may not be a great place for new bands. The production is excellent, and at first the whole outfit sounds great. The vocals are great, and she has a fantastic voice. However once I heard the first track, it all sounded pretty much the same. This band need to sound like a band and not one girl's vocal work out with a backing track. Track 1 "The damage" is a great song as is track 4 "Hospitals Aren't So Hospitable", both have a great emo feel. However tracks like "theme songs" are let down by annoying hand claps, it may be a little thing but it's indicative of an underlying commercialism present in the whole album. I do like this album but some of the lyrics are not written or delivered with enough conviction for me to belive the songs. Again it feels like a one girl band, playing angst ridden songs with no real angst. It's just a little too Dawsons Creek to be a great album. Great Sunday morning album, and maybe one for a candle lit dinner, but thats about it.

Exoduster.com - One Way Letteršs debut Where Everybody Knows Your Name would be completely smoking save for a few misguided ballads. Fronted by vocalist/bassist Selena Langley and supported by Eric Deleva on guitar, Mark Uhl on guitar and drummer Craig Goldberg, One Way Letter belt out melodic punk with indie rock enhancements. Produced by Matt Goldman, the abovementioned ballads (łThe Second Story Love Affair,˛ łThe Passion of the Action˛ and łAnd the Survey Says˛) fail mostly because Langley noticeably changes her impassioned vocals into softer, cuddly singer-songwriter mode. If you contrast the powerful opener łThe Damage˛ with łThe Passion of the Action,˛ you could hardly say it is even the same band. Otherwise, the songs on Where Everybody Knows Your Name feature great progressions with Langley taking control. Listening to highlight numbers łHer Voice Was Full of Money,˛ łHospitals Arenšt So Hospitable˛ and łAlone in my Principles˛ you realize that there are very few female vocalists doing melodic punk (read: emo punk). It puts a fresh spin on a sound where all the vocalists sound like Adam Lazzara from TBS. Besides from Langley, Uhlšs and Delevašs guitars admirably play off of one another and Goldbergšs drums keep the beat (though they often sound mixed too low). With a good deal of work ahead of them, it is likely One Way Letter will be passing through your locale soon.

Muchkinmusic.be - One Way Letter plays some energetic emo-ish poprock and is fronted by a girl that knows how to pluck her bass snares as well as her vocal chords. Selena Langley's vocals are probably what stands out the most. She has a deeper girly kinda voice that works well with the music. As for the music, take a driving rhythm section and throw in two guitarists that know every rock riff in the book and you know you're in for something good. This Georgia-based fivesome laid down a debut album with some help of Matt Goldman (Copeland, Cartel) that should have no problem leaving an impression on fans of acts such as Taking Back Sunday. Check 'em out live when you get the chance as they'll be touring all thru the summer!

Indiepulse.com - This emerging band from Atlanta's blend of emo, rock and melodic pop that has gained them a growing fan base. Selena Langley provides strong vocals and powerful lyrics. Over the past few years, the band has taken their music on the road, making connections and lasting impressions on fans.

A BURNING WATER - "We Can See The Sky From Here"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

Alternative Press - (3/5).

Punknews.org - I hate that feeling. The feeling you get when you listen to a band, and you know they sound almost identical to somebody else, but you'll be damned if you can figure out what band that is. A Burning Water pose just that dilemma with We Can See the Sky from Here. It may be a stretch, albeit not a big one, but there's some heavy Glassjaw influence instilled into the album, maybe with a bit of flare represented in Endicott's better moments. Although elements of hardcore abound, the band mostly manages to stray far away from the sound most consider hardcore, opting instead for sporadic bursts of raw power and intensity that blow the speakers out. While they clearly understand the dynamics of hardcore, A Burning Water inject far more rhythm and melody than the average Victory records band circa `95. Hectic tempos and straining vocals find the band just as at home as their lower key moments, where Brian Link's vocals are more important than any other aspect to be found. However, songs like "This Is a Test" find a much more volatile version of A Burning Water, a version ready to combust at each change of tempo and each new chord progression. The following effort, "Retract," shows a band with some obvious pent up aggression, and they let some of it out all the while writing a song brimming with choruses. The problem with the album is that nothing is particularly worth remembering after the duration. While it's on, the disc is full of moments that seem great at the time, but two songs down the road, you'd be hard pressed to remember what you just heard. The exception to that rule is the standout track, "These Ruins," where A Burning Water absolutely explodes into a ball of fury. It starts as a pretty run-of-the-mill rock song that builds and builds until Brian Link's vocal chords rip from his throat as he screams as loudly as possible until a relatively quiet interlude, pulled back into the chaos by a solid breakdown and more of those shredding screams. A Burning Water aren't reinventing the wheel, or really even improving upon it for that matter, but the album does present some solid post-hardcore, with good instrumentation and better vocals.

Punkbands.com - (4/5) A mix of instrumental post-hardcore and furious emo rocking both define this album and put A Burning water, Santa Cruz, CAšs own four piece rock army beyond definition. We Can See The Sky From Here is the album that would have been made if members of Sigur Ros and Refused moved from Iceland and Sweden respectively to sunny California and found themselves in the midst of the screamo revolution. Harsh screams give way to melodic screams, over Glassjaw-like heaviness. Then all of a sudden: airy, wispy, ambient drift. A Burning Water can cause some serious aural whiplash sometimes, and their best moments come when both styles exist simultaneously, as on track three the hard but melodic, simple yet cunning, Missiles and Markers. Although at times exuding a more traditional rock sound, A Burning Water usually sticks to forays into the experimental, with the exceptions of the lyrics. All too often, the lyrics remain mired in the trite emo conventionalities they seek to transcend. However, in a weird paradox the catchiest song is This Is A Test, a song that bounces from cliché to cliché like a pinball or a drunk on a row of bars. In a sequence of seconds, ABW manages to jam in the words łromance,˛ łfailed,˛ łheart,˛ łgun,˛ łbleed,˛ and łregret˛ but then they bring out the bounciest pop chorus in months and all is forgiven. WCSTSFH is a solid release from an up and coming band, a well produced if sometimes overindulgent album. At times lulling, as if to sleep, other times shaking, as if to wake, A Burning Water makes sure that at no time will their music not have an effect. The twinkling guitars and sometimes poppy singing can sound borrowed straight from a mid-90šs emo band, but their inventiveness and exuberance keeps We Can See The Sky From Here from fading into the distance.

Aversion.com - A Burning Water expands its post-hardcore ethos with doses of everything from The Cure to Radiohead. Remember when the "it" thing in hardcore was to get pumped up? When glistening, oiled muscles and preset pushups were darn near mandatory for any hardcore band that wanted to be taken seriously? In case you havenšt been paying attention for the past, oh, seven or eight years, those days are long gone. A Burning Water just reminds us just how far gone they are. Grey matter is the new bulging biceps, and We Can See the Sky From Here wants to flex your head. Although A Burning Wateršs rooted firmly in hardcore traditions (its angsty, mad-at-the-world themes and convoluted, strong-arm dynamics give that away immediately), it doesnšt want to be just another gang of muscle-bound thugs armed with guitars. It wants to be just another gang of community-college exiles showing off its well-polished, albeit totally predictable, eclectic influences. In that regard, A Burning Water doesnšt reach very far. Grabbing bits from the usual suspects, We Can See the Sky From Here jimmies together a workable collage of Radioheadšs ambiance, At the Drive-Inšs tortured desperation and The Blood Brothersš knack for mangling tempos. Despite a resume that could have been a post-hardcore form letter, A Burning Water squeezes its influences around each other in ways to make music thatšs, if not exactly novel, at least a step above the pseudo-intellectuals whošve turned ripping off The Refused and At the Drive-In into the hardcore undergroundšs new national pastime. Still, We Can See the Sky From Here is a few degrees less novel than A Burning Water would like us to believe. While the act tones down its hardcore fury a good degree (thrown in occasionally to push songs through the roof), it never quite grows into its want for ambiance. That leaves it sounding stretched a little too thin for college-radio-adoring hipsters and slightly too cerebral for circle-pit mayhem. łSo Much You Hide˛ flips between A.F.I.-like spacious and simmering verses and powerful modern-hardcore choruses. łPatience is Me˛ closes the album by working the band into a frothy hardcore fury, as singer Brian Link tears his vocal chords out over a sea of spidery post-hardcore guitars. łThese Ruins˛ and łIn Failed Attempts˛ continue the bandšs up/down minor-key murk think A.F.I. inspired by Radiohead instead of Sisters of Mercy and balance the bandšs fury with a bit of introspection. A Burning Water doesnšt rock the boat too much, but it manages to rock the house a little. A small improvement on an otherwise increasingly standard strain of post-hardcore, We Can See the Sky From Here should tickle hardcore rockersš ears without causing too much of a fuss.

Amazon.com - Reviewer: C. Peterson 5 stars
This CD is innovative and original with hard rock and great harmonies. A Burning Water is one of the hottest new bands out there. Everyone I have recommended the CD to loves it.

Smartpunk.com - Reviewer: The Max, 5 stars
This band rules the world, their live show is amazing, don't knock it before you try it. a few good hard listens and thing will begin to take shape.

Smartpunk.com - Reviewer: Jamie, 5 stars
Fan of screamo? buy this. Honestly, this cd is amazing. I wasn't expecting much from a band with such an emo name, but they're really not emo at all. More on the indie/hardcore side. Definately pick it up if you're a fan of Emery or Emanuel.

Skratch - Lead singer Brian Link is, for better or worse, giving Santa Cruz, CA's A Burning Water their tags. Mr. Link's vocals leap from the shrill screams of The Blood Brothers' screamo style to the sweet emo concerns and thoughtful angles. Ash Moore (guitar), Jordan Peterson (drums), and Gideon Naude (bass) are amazing musicians. Their musical ideas are outstanding and impressive. The music is worth the price of admission. Mr. Link's vocals may turn you off if you are not a fan of his style. WE CAN SEE THE SKY FROM HERE is a straight-up solid disc. Some of the highlight moments include "The Instrumental" (which is a modern take on '70s jazz fusion), "This Is a Test", and "These Ruins". A Burning Water could very easily be next week's big deal. WE CAN SEE THE SKY FROM HERE is a solid modern disc.

Exoduster.com - Spending several years to get their feet underneath them, Santa Cruzšs A Burning Water attack the eleven tracks on We Can See the Sky From Here with a post-hardcore amalgam that fits well with a melodic EVR crowd. Since many of the songs only reach three minutes or so, there is more of a melodic punk sheath placed over the hardcore edge and that suits the band well. That is, when A Burning Water decide to employ screams over actual singing such as on łOut in the Dark,˛ łRetract˛ and łThis Is a Test˛ their appeal drops off to being a second-rate metal-core outfit. The four-piece are clearly better suited for the more melodic songs where the vocals match the guitars and harmoniously collect the California punk sound. Such gems comes from łMissiles and Markers,˛ łThese Ruins˛ and łA Passing Wish.˛ The screaming helps to differentiate A Burning Water in one respect, but it also hints that its inclusion is simply a temporal thing to match the soundsš of today. The problem with the melodic songs is that they arenšt very different from the lot of melodic punk bands including several bands on NPR. Still, focusing on the melodic parts may lead to more impressive future recordings from A Burning Water. If nothing else, having a band and living in Santa Cruz ainšt a half bad life.

Sandiegopunk.com - (8/10) Based out of Santa Cruz, California and playing a mix of edgy-melodic rock, A Burning Water offers forth an eleven track debut that will most likely please the current warped tour demographic and possibly beyond. The first couple tracks are really great, and towards the end, "These Ruins" keeps things interesting, but the problem is that there are a ton of bands playing similar tunes right now. Upon putting this in I immediately saw this challenge as a listener. While I think that A Burning Water are probably a step above the rest and are most likely better dudes, this still fits with bands like: A Funeral for a Friend, Secret Lives of Free Masons, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, The Valley Arena, and a ton more that I have reviewed over the last two months. Basically if the current market wasn't so flooded with so many similar acts it would be easier to stamp a high recommendation on this album. It is good for what it is, and if you're looking for a melodic, yet (at times) screamy album, then pick this up.

Zero Magazine - Finally, local boys ABW have released their debut album, and what an album it is. Ranging all over the place sounding like a mix of AFI, Further Seems Forever (Jason Gleason years), Hopesfall (old and new), and Alexisonfire, ABW have something great going for them. With their deep muli-layered sound and even deeper lyrics, I was impressed from start to finish. I would only think such an awesome band (they put on a rockin live show) would get deserve to put out such a well-produced release. Brian (their singer) channels so much raw emotion through his voice, you can feel his pain when he feels it through his heartfelt lyrics. Recommended for fans of Hopesfall and Further Seems Forever.

LITTLE COMPASS - "Discover"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

Absolutepunk.net - Little Yellow Box's album "Volume 1: Et Cetera," is an extremely strong release, taking from a variety of influences including but not contained to post-hardcore, funk, and rock, to create a rich disjointed style, unique from anything I have ever heard before...If you have to pick one new band to listen to, make it Little Yellow Box, their style is like a breath of fresh air, the syllables and chord changes haunting you long after the CD has been turned off.

Decoymusic.com - Little Yellow Box remind me a lot of Coheed and Cambria mixed with Glassjaw, minus the screams, plus more indie stylings. Pretty much it sounds like C&C's style of music with Glassjaw's vocals and attitude. This is pretty much the best way I can convey what the wonderfully interesting songs of LYB sound like to you at the moment...

Punkbands.com - That's what this is, what this whole band is. They're artists that only come around once in a while. Of course they can improve, and they will, but this twenty minute EP is worth putting on repeat. It's worth buying. Buy this, put it on and close your eyes because music like this deserves no interruptions and no distractions. Great release for Negative Progression...

Punknews.org - [T]he band manages to take a sound blueprint and inject a little style and wit into it, and for that they should be proud. One can hope that they manage to define themselves as more than the sum of their influences for their next record, and I can imagine them referred to in the same breath as their idols....

Munchkinmusic.be - Take some frantic drumming, add weird melodies and throw in a vocalist that sounds a lot like Glassjaw's Daryl Palumbo and you've got yourself a pretty nifty band called Little Yellow Box. They hail from Connecticut and have already been around for three years. Aside from their two demos, the 5-song EP "Et Cetera" is their debut and it's out now on Negative Progression. This post-hardcore outfit definitely has an At The Drive In vibe going and that adds up nicely with the Glassjaw reference. Downside with a band that carry their influences so obviously on their sleeves, is that they don't have much of a sound they can call their own. Then again, if you can put out a debut EP like this one, whatever they come up with next could very well blow us all away....

Pastepunk.com - As a quartet, LITTLE YELLOW BOX have a surprisingly big sound, and the fact that there's only one guitarist seems to bear little on the complexity of their songwriting. Manic drumming is the likely focal point to Et Cetera as skin-basher Ian Ingram springs this band to life with stiring fills and dizzying rhythms....

THE GOODWILL - "That Was A Moment"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

The Daily Page - Anthemic emo-popcore from the anthemic-emo-popcore hotbed of Long Island. You know you want some...unless perhaps, you don't.

Punknews.org - Am I wrong in claiming that something is not right with today's music? Let's look at the current trends; metal cut the tempo and hired a stylist, thugz became huggably cute, and punk is a slew of commercial jingles with wimpy singers. It's become increasingly harder to tell a Simple Plan video from a Gap commercial, or a New Found Glory clip from a Blink-182 outtake...

Long Island Press - Forming only in late 2001, the pop-punk quintet already has to its credit shows with like-minded groups such as Taking Back Sunday and this debut on San Francisco's Negative Progression Records. On an album that meets all the criteria for its genre (boy-loses-girl lyrics, brisk tempos, sonic guitar crunches, etc.), The Goodwill grieves over lost love while also reminiscing about the good times...

The Goodwill/Count The Stars/Motion City Soundtrack - live in New York City - The show was really good, but on my way back to penn station to catch a 7:14 train I fell on my face. G-d damn shoes with no traction haha. And my friends and I missed the train.

Catch 22/Boys Night Out/The Goodwill/Worthless United - live at The Downtown - And so it was time for Long Island pop-punk/emo heroes The Goodwill to take the stage. The kids were going wild during the entire set, and there was even a bit of the old crowd surfing going on. But these guys seem to be really caring and protective of their legions of fans - more than once various band members told the crowd to help each other out if anyone was in trouble or anything.

Overratedmag.com - From the moment I first heard The Goodwill, I knew they were going to be the next to break free from their scene and unleash their talent upon the masses. The release of "That was a moment" only proves what I and so many others already knew...this band is amazing...

Pastepunk.com - "That Was A Moment" retains a level of earnest cheekiness that few bands come close to ever conquering. The incendiary burn of the third song, "Lying Alone" represents this disc well, as its mid-to-fast pace stings of "This Time Next Year," era MOVIELIFE.

Synthesis.com - Love isn't always candied hearts, long-stem roses and sweet sentiments. There is also a sour side: wounded pride, painful regrets and restraining orders. That Was a Moment - with songs titled "Lying Alone," "Deception" and "Broken" - is an exploration of love gone terribly wrong...

Calamityproject.com - I think it does have a genuine quality to it, unlike most of the shit you hear today, which lacks the passion and heartfelt nature to have any sort of substance. These guys kind of stand apart from that. If you're a fan of melodic rock/pop punk, you'd definitely enjoy these guys...

THE JUNE SPIRIT - "Testing Superstition"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

Punkrocks.net - Those of you who read my review of the last June Spirit CD would know that I wasn't really a fan of it. Well this time, to be completely truthful, I have to say that I really enjoyed 'Testing Superstition.'

Emotionalpunk.com - The long-awaited and numerously postponed new LP from The June Spirit was not only worth the wait. It is a killer LP filled with 12 (well, basically 11, the first song is more like a 30 second acoustic intro) ingenious emo/pop punk tunes. ...

Sandiegopunk.com - Basically there isn't too much to knock on this album besides its lack of innovation, it's just your basic pop-punk/emo, but still it's done very well. Their style is very similar to the Juliana Theory, so if you are a fan of them, then the June Spirit might be a good band for you to check out...

Impact Press - "New Jersey's The June Spirit have just a bit of that, spirit that is. This CD has a collection of some well-developed songs in the cute boy emo tradition that is so popular these days. The only downfall is just that, it sounds a lot like a lot of other things, as goos as it is, there really isn't much that jumps out and grabs you. The artwork is great and the lyrics ar epretty straightforward. All and all, it's pretty middle of the pick at the end of the day...

THE JUNE SPIRIT - "Treat Me Like Someone Else"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

Slapmagazine.com - I almost chose to not review this record as it can be written off as 'just another young post-punk emo band from New Jersey.' After a couple listens though and taking into consideration that this is a debut release, I realized that this little five song EP shows more maturity in their music than other bands in their genre have shown in their second and third releases...

Punknews.org - Here's something quite promising to check out for all you people out there who think there's need for some more hard-edged emo-(punk)rock. No wonder these 5 still very young guys originate from New Jersey...

Emotionalpunk.com - If you do decide to be smart and get this, you seriously will not regret it. Fans of The Starting Line, Rufio, NFG, Saves the Day, etc.. will welcome this band as another awesome band to add to their lineup of good music. Emo punk at its finest...

Punkupdates.com - Anyway, this little masterpiece will surely entertain many of you, it's really one of the best debuts I've ever heard....

Pastepunk.com - On this release, things are slowed down to mostly a mid-pace, with a strong production focus on raw guitars and very sweet, "adorable" vocals...

Jersey Beat Fanzine - On your first casual listen the June Spirit may strike you as just another emo act, as the band's lyrics and their passionate vocalist Ian Musgrove are placed in the forefront of their sound.However, upon more careful inspection, these five guys from Jersey are far more than your typical "my heart is broken" emo band. The sound of Treat Me Like Someone Else can be volcanic or hushed, as the band floats effortlessly between these two extremes on tracks like "Subject to Change," the more raucous "The Ivy League" and the impressive "Lost in the Translation." Bold guitar work and precision drumming helps to elevate the band above others, as the playing is simply supurb, but what will leave you wanting more is Musgrove's enchanting voice. He has a dynamic range, one in which he has the skill to hit and hold staggeringly high notes, making these tales of longing seem truly alive and sincere, not the usual sullen, lonesome whine. The June Spirit is all that emo should be, as the guys may sing of topics that pull on your heartstrings, but they do so with power and intensity, proving that gentile subjects do not have to be described through gentile music. The rumble of force that acts as the intro to the concluding "New Jersey in my Rearview" evolves into a monstrous hook that is the finest of the collection. Latch onto this now, for The June Spirit will be a band on many people's lips very soon.

PopPunk.com - I've reviewed plenty of emo bands in the past and most of them were pretty talented. I can say without the blinking that The June Spirit is a definite standout amongst all of them. What I liked about this EP was it's rich guitar sound that blended superbly with the silky smooth vocals. This band also has an uncanny knack of being able to produce a fiercer emo sound and yet maintain a great pop sensibility. "Can We Lip Sync This One?" was my favorite with it's offset tempo changes and great guitar riffs. Other songs like "Subject To Change" are a tad slower but still kept a great melody. The final 3 songs include "The Ivy League", "Lost In The Translation", and "New Jersey In My Rearview". The latter can be downloaded at the Negative Progression website. Oh, and I failed to mention that the songwriting is so simple and yet so meaningful that you have to read the liner to understand what I mean. A great start for a soon to be great band.

PunkInternational.com - Flat out, I must say The June Spirit is the best band San Francisco's Negative Progression has signed so far. "Treat Me Like Someone Else" is a 5-song EP, incredible in its own right, but I wish it were a full-length. Chances are, though, their full-length will be worth waiting for, despite my tendency to think these five-star tracks might be difficult to outdo. The melodies here are outstanding. I am reminded of Saves the Day, first of all, in the sense of their power and emotion intertwined with complex songwriting. Second, there's a bit of New Found Glory poppyness, making this an upbeat and singable record. The vocals, too, are outstanding, belted out from deep into singer Ian's gut, loaded with emotion and melody, and skirted with slick, technical guitar lines, similar, I suppose, to Matchbox 20 on their first album "Yourself or Someone Like You" (which I hold true to as an excellent example of songwriting). This is an essential EP to own as far as I'm concerned, and a remarkable start for this new band.

OVER IT - "Hindsight is Always 20/20"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

Punknews.org - Virginia's OVER IT has restored my faith in new-school-emo-pop-punk-rock-whatever-core. ÔHindsight' boasts five absolute rockers, with an unlisted sixth acoustic track tacked on the end..

Punkrocks.net - Showcasing five power pop/rock tunes and acoustic track, Over It has set themselves apart from the simple fast beat with hooks akin to nearly every band associate with the "pop punk" genre...

Emotionalpunk.com - If you haven't heard Over It, you should definitely check them out. They are a band who don't focus quite as much on vocals, but rather the guitar work. ...

Punkupdates.com - Technical, fast-paced and irreproachably tight but not the least bit aggressive. Poppy yet sophisticated and unpredicatable. Intense, colorful and emotionally charged lyrics. Top-notch production down to the smallest detail. That's Over It, Virginia's best kept secret since 1998...

Pastepunk.com - For those who are "not in the know," OVER IT are an extremely talented power-punk act (from northern Virginia) that plays with their hearts on their sleeves and with the intensity level at 110% Besides having an awesome vocalist in Peter Munters (the dude can sing!), and a slightly better than incredible drummer in James Ulrich, OVER IT pound you over the head with searing guitars and hooks to die for...

PunkInterviews.com - Over It has been a band that has grabbed my attention since they were in their early teens. They have always been one step ahead of the game with songwriting skills like no other. This EP, Hindsight 20/20, has more of an up front rock and roll feel than their last full-length, The Ready Series. The EP starts out with "Blackball" which is the only song of 6 that I am not drooling over. The drums keep basically the same fast beat through the whole song and while the guitar action is amazing there isn't much variety in the song. It does, however, have a very abrupt ending making you wish for more. Next is "B-54", my personal favorite. This tune is structured perfectly, with the right harmonies in the right places and more center stage guitar techniques. Vocalist Peter Munters has a voice stronger than any other power-punk act there is and his lyrics put all others to shame. "Sitting On My Hands" has the most becoming introduction on the record. As a sustained guitar rings over a melodic beat, Pete's vocals come up quick and high to kick the tune off. His vocal stylings are a rarity and become more and more pleasant each listen. The artwork is tremendous with a vibrant color scheme that has much more character than their previous releases. Over It is one of the most hardworking bands in independent music. They have been touring virtually non-stop across the US and back again. Don't miss this EP and keep an ear out for these guys, sooner or later you won't even have that choice.

OVER IT - "THE READY SERIES"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

Pastepunk.com - If you like your punk rock somewhat sappy but a ton of energy and an edge in just the right places, I highly suggest you check this one out...

PopPunk.com - Now here is an album I'm fucking stoked about! Since its arrival from the PO Box into my hands, this hasn't left my CD player. Amazing pop-punk/emo with all of the emphatic and catchy qualities that make songs memorable. If you like early Dr. Strange stuff like Gameface, Zoinks, and Sinkhole, or even the new emo sounds of Saves The Day, and The Get Up Kids, you'll have "The Ready Series" for 3 meals a day. This 12 track-er held my attention from beginning to end. No repetitive, generic crap. I'm eager to see where these Virginia boys are headed from here. Do yourself justice. Buy this record.

PunkBands.com - (9.5 out of 10) Hearing this new talent from Virginia, signed to the upcoming Negative Progression Records label, staggered me like when I first heard the Ataris or Fenix TX. This was one of those rare moments when you discover a new band that you just know you'll follow for the rest of your punkrock-life. Over It is often described as an emopunk band, but I can assure you that the stress isn't on the emo part. This music comes pretty close to the new (Dennis-)Ten Foot Pole, you know, fast paced melodic punkrock with extremely clean, high pitched vocals and the best tempo changes. Frankly, this band easily surpasses Ten Foot Pole. Moreover these great tunes are supplied with awesome lyrics like those of the Ataris or A New Found Glory, so, 'it's all about the girls'. "80's Movie Antihero" and "A Sight For Sore Eyes" (which has an awesome intro, Get Up Kids eat your heart out) are the best examples of this eminent combination of highly melodic instrumental work and exquisite down-to-the-heart lyrics. My other favorites are "Ashland" and "Connect The Dots". I sure hope that this band will get the opporunities to show its talent to the entire world, 'cause they deserve no less (and yup, I'd love to see them live myself).

Ctr-Alt-Del Webzine - Over It is Negative Progression's contribution to the emo-pop-punk movement. In a scene with great bands like the Alkaline Trio, Saves the Day, the Get-Up Kids, and Gameface, Over It fits in nicely. Fast drumming, plenty of technical guitar riffs, and melodic, harmonious vocals make up the sound that has been reaching new fans extensively. The twelve songs on this disc are a follow-up to Over It's successful debut EP on Negative Progression. They're also touring the US to promote the new disc. Don't hestitate to check it out and hear what all the fuss is about. This album carves Over It a crisp groove in their world of punk. The Ready Series is a great creative twist on a well-defined, modern genre in itself. You'll probably find, as I did, that these songs grow on you, once you're familar with, and can appreciate, the technical guitar and melodic vocals.

Punk Interview Resource - Out of Virginia is the four-member powerful emo/pop band Over It. I first heard these guys on their self-titled EP and it was a pretty impressive first listen. The emotion in singer Peter Munters vocals is very distinct and is backed up by a solid pop punk sound. I see a lot of similarities between them and Saves The Day but Over It has their own edge that puts them higher then a lot of the other bands in the pop genre these days. One of my favorite songs on the record is the first track, "Welcome To Virginia", because the distorted backup vocals in the chorus sounds almost perfect with the instruments behind it. Another great on this record is the breakup song "Whitney." I think this song's vocals sound the best and the backup vocals kick in perfectly. Over It has a lot of repetition in their songs. Almost every song either repeats a verse lyrically or has a key phrase that gets said many times throughout the song. Their sound on this record is a lot more defined then their first EP and with their technical guitar riffs and emo-pop-punk sound this record is sure to be liked by anyone that digs this style of punk.

GotPunk.com - (8 out of 10)I can't help but like this band, anybody that plays a melodic brand of punk rock mixed with emo is sure to catch my attention. "The Ready Series" is the second release from Virginia's Over It on Negative Progression Records. Over It manages to walk the fine line between emo and poppunk without a hitch, the songs have solid lyrics and many of them have that sing along quality that's sure to make this one a hit. Don't let the emo tag fool you though, Over It plain out rocks in a way similar to bands like face to face. My one complaint is that the songs seem to blend together a bit, although that's just a small annoyance. Definitely a must for fans of the whole emopunk wave that's washing ashore currently. Look out for more of Over It in the near future, these guys are definitely one to watch.

COUNTERFIT - "Super Amusement Machine For Your Exciting Heart"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

Impact Press - "With harmonies, catchy vocal melodies and a perfect mixture of clean and distorted guitar, this indie pop rock band from Cali purely rocked. I loved the entire album. It started with a Hey Mercedes feel on "Souvenir," but at times the vocals had some Further Seems Forever similarities while the harmonies reminded me of Hot Rod Circuit, especially on songs like "This Dance." The instrumental song, "Mile Marker," is technical at all the right moments and doesn't slow down the album a bit, powerfully riding you into the final track, "Better Late Than Never." Excellent."

Sandiegopunk.com - 'Don't act so interested, I'm not so interesting.' Contrary to what Counterfit wants you to believe, they are interesting. In fact they are one of the most interesting bands you will ever hear...

Punknews.org - I can only touch up on how I really feel about the CD because I have trouble finding the words describing how incredibly awesome I think this CD is...This will just be one of the better things that'll happen to your CD collection. I'm serious.

Lastlifemedia.com - Just about every song is good. Mock Orange on the other hand runs the gamut from exceptional to average, but those exceptional songs are just stuck in your head for days. Although I liked all the songs on this album, only one or two had that intangible stuck in your head aspect. Knowing that, I still liked the album and if you like any of the many bands I mentioned in this review (Mock Orange, Mock Orange, etc.), you will surely like this album...

Razorcake.com - If you like Jimmy Eat World, you'll like this...

Bullet Proof Pope Mobile - I finally got this CD in my mitts, and I'll tell you it was so worth the wait. Justin's voice has grown stronger with this release, and the rest of the band sound a lot more focused than on previous releases. No fluff on here, guys. You want to hear one of the better emo/indie sounding bands? I suggest you check out Counterfit.

COUNTERFIT - "From Finish To Starting Line"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

Emotionalpunk.com - The CDEP has so much variety it's stunning. I was afraid that, since it was an EP and all, I might get sick of it. Let's just say my fears cease to exist. The CD is a whooping 25+ minutes in length, and, trust me, it's not one you'll fall asleep to...

Soundthesirens.com - Counterfit presents their raw musical talent through their debut EP, "From Finish to Starting Line". The five song EP makes you fall in love with this band with their somewhat off beat chords (which sounds excellent by the way), great lyrics, and intense screams...

PunkInternational.com - This is the band Negative Progression Records has been talking about for maybe as long as a year now. We begin the Counterfit career here with a 5-song EP called From Finish to Starting Line. The band is compared to such emo (using the term loosely) powerhouses as Mock Orange, Get-Up Kids, and Saves the Day. The musical complexity and often intensity reminded me of the Victory's recent post-hardcore signings, Thursday and Waterdown, just with less of the hardcore-inspired screaming. Counterfit plays this style well, with good vocals, and nice transitions between the soothing and peaceful parts and the intensely melodic parts. I won't hesitiate to recommend this CD to fans of any of the aforementioned artists.

GotPunk.com - A lot of people seem to be talking about this band of late, another solid Negative Progression band, but one that doesn't stick as close to poppunk as label-mates Over It. Counterfit seems to be progressing towards a slower emo-core sound full of harmonies rather than be whiny, poppy enough to stick on your head for days and textured enough to keep a person listening. "From Finish..." is really nothing more than a 5 song EP to give us all a taste of what this band can do, a taste that will surely hook many people into being fans of Counterfit. Come winter this one will be a mainstay in my cd player I'm sure, soothing my emotions through another long Nebraska winter. I only wish it was longer, keep an eye out for a Counterfit full length sometime soon. 8/10 Another one of those "damn, it's already over?" discs.

Poppunk.com - This is a nice little 5 song EP of emo-filled melodies from this San Diego band. The songwriting was done very well and great production here, also. I haven't heard much of this band so I assume they are fairly new. Think of a cross between Mock Orange, Staring Back, and Thursday...

CONTENDER - "Awaywithwords"

- - Hear it for yourself! - -

Impact Press - "Let me start with the bad: this album is only 29 minutes. Ok, now that we got that out of the way, the good: Contender is an immensley creative and intense band, fusing the best elements of power punk with hardcore aggression. They use a perfect blend of screaming and singing to emphasize the emotional ferocity while capitalizing on ever-changing musical arrangements, utilizing big tempo changes and breakdowns that are captivating. You could file Contender with Lawrence Arms, Grade, Strike Anywhere and Thrice, but in the end, Contender stands out along, creating a style that is distinguished and powerful."

Pastepunk.com - Although my tastes in music are widely varied, if there's a certain particular sound that I'm always a sucker for when done well, it's hardcore with catchy, aggressive, melodic vocals. So it shouldn't be any surprise to anyone that bands like BAD RELIGION, THRICE, AVAIL, and H20 are all on my good side (even though those bands sound nothing alike). With that in mind, CONTENDER can gladly be added to that list...

Sandiegopunk.com - Contender plays within a genre of hardcore set with clich's and boundaries. Adhering more to the power-driven screamo formula, heavier with rock than melancholy, Contender manages to lay an exuberant blend of defiance and perseverance...

Punkbands.com - There is so much passion in every single one of the songs it's awesome. Contender has been described as Grade mixed with Avail or The Get Up Kids meshed with Kid Dynamite, honestly to understand anything I have said and to get the full picture of how purely fresh this band is you need to take a listen for yourself...

Decoymusic.com - These guys from Denver definitely strive for something new. Their sound ranges from pop punk to emo hardcore. The chorus' are all incredibly catchy and topped off by the almost screamo style of singing over the clear vocals...

Punknews.org - Starting off the album with a scratchy 7" alike piano intro, the first song immediately indicates what this band is about: Hard bursts in both vocals and guitars, alternating with laidback melodic punkrock tunes or even some emotive parts...

Emotionalpunk.com - Some of people who are into more straight up hardcore stuff (like Poison the Well, etc.) might think that the mix of extreme hardcore and somewhat semi-melodic vocals is interesting...

Punkupdates.com - A mix of Thrice, Finch, Thursday and Jawbreaker stuff. So not really innovative maybe, but then again who doesn't like a portion of melodic hardhitting punk these days?....

Punkinternational.com - My impression of Contender is that they have potential that hasn't been fully realized. They play the current buzz sing/scream sound with a more of a melodic punk engine. Neither the singing nor the screaming vocals strike me with the same impact that bands like Taking Back Sunday and Thursday deliver...

The Music Korner - Don't judge Contender's piano intro as a gauge for the outfit's 11-track offering, as that's about as light as the disc gets. This Colorado quartet have taken heed to the current wave of bands that mix a potpourri of influences into the rock and roll crock pot, and Contender's concoction is as potent as any of the emo darlings on the scene today...