Day 51: Rust Belt Lights - Religion & My Ex

Artist:   Rust Belt Lights
Album:  Religion & My Ex
Source:  http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/album_premiere_rust_belt_lights_religion_my_ex

Pre-listening Notes:  I have been stoked to listen to this since the first song was put out to preview.  I will try to remain as unbiased as possible, as they are local dudes.  They are a super catchy pop punk, melodic punk, whatever punk we want to call it these days band.  This is album number 2, they are on a better label and hopefully will get some push behind them because I like what these dudes do.  I've heard about 4 of the songs already, so I am going in with some high expectations already, but I don't expect these guys to let me down.         

Initial Reaction:  First song opens with a song I haven't heard yet.  Starts off catchy, the music sounds crisp, which I love.  Vocals are not in that that typical whiny vibe a lot of bands in this genre try to pull off, and very few can.  These guys have some background in the hardcore scene and the backing vocals show that at times.  Great slow down break a little before the three minute mark.  This song is coming close to the four minute mark, but did not get stale or boring.  Awesome opener. 

Random Thoughts:  Ah yes!  Old Ghosts, this song was one of the preview songs, and probably my favorite one that I have heard so far.  That could also be due to the fact that I've listened to it the most.  This song is another example of being able to write a longer song that is still interesting throughout.  The tempo switches and catchy vocal patterns on this song make me want the song to not end when it gets there.  The next song is another previously previewed song, Dead Letters.  After an intro, the tempo picks up and the drumming on this upbeat song is awesome.  There is a nice quick, little chug break in the middle.  I'll never tire of Woah-oh's.  They "gang" vocals on these songs are perfect!  More chuggy parts on the next song.  Zach's vocals are strong throughout so far in the first third of the album.  I'm running out of positive things to say, but only because I like everything.  Parkside was the last song that popped up for preview, so I've spent the least amount of time with it, but it's a faster, upbeat song, which was my second favorite of the early released songs.  It's really catchy and has that more Lifetime/Movie Life faster upbeat vibe going on.  Such a catchy end to this song, too.  While the songs I haven't heard yet are awesome, and maybe familiarity plays a part, but Old Ghosts and Parkside are my favorites, halfway through.  The second half of the album opens up with a four and a half minute song that has more of the gang vocals, and is a little more on the slower tempo side, but not too slow.  Stay Young or Try Dying (great title!), ups the speed again, "East Coast is better" already solidifies the awesomeness of this.  There is An Ocean brings me back to noticing the drumming, which is really great on this.  Okay, so Haunted Streets starts off real slow and showcases Zach as a singer, the song kicks up the speed a little towards the end, after a drum buildup, but as far as slower songs go, this wasn't bad.  The last of the preview songs is the penultimate song, and it's another really catchy song, that fits right in with the themes of the album as I have already addressed.  I just figured I've basically mentioned every song at this point, might as well say something about all of them.  The closer is a five minute song that starts off actually more upbeat then I expected when I saw the song length.  It ends with a nice, driving, slowdown part.  I kind of want to hit play again.   

Final Reaction:  Alright, I think I was able to do this unbiased, but really this is just awesome.  This is the type of album, of this genre, that I could see myself listening to repeatedly even though it's not a style I go for on a regular basis.  It has variety in the songs, the vocals are strong aren't just a whiny dude.  There was a lot of things I liked about this.  The music is great and the production really shows that.  The vocals that I already described and lyrically it never feels that Zach's just complaining about girls and life, which is a trap a lot of bands like this fall into.  I can only imagine that this is going to sound awesome live, too.  This is a great record, from local dudes, who hopefully are going to get some serious recognition from this.   

Final Grade:  9.0/10