Tenement - S/T EP 12" - Orange Vinyl

Deranged (2016)

Tenement's new 12" was originally released as a tour only cassette, though this new vinyl version has two extra songs and less tape warble than the original release. I've been a pretty big Tenement fan for quite some time and have been borderline obsessed with the band since their Napalm Dream full length.  They're a particularly creative band, sometimes taking detours into areas that I don't necessarily like, but they do always keep things interesting.  

On this latest self titled EP, they stick to a sound that is a bit more pop and a bit more traditional.  Frankly, there are few bands in the world that can dole out a serving of guitar pop better than Tenement, but their ability to mix in some slower, borderline country songs is what is most impressive to me.  From the hyper start/stop guitar buzz of opener "Everyone To Love You," you'd think the segue into the much more subdued "Underworld Hotel" would be clunky, but Tenement manages to swing between tempos and genres with ease and always seem to be able to bring all of the songs under a cohesive umbrella.  It's a remarkable achievement and one that could not be pulled off by most bands.

For me the highlight is one of the newly added songs, "The Strangest Couple In Love."  It's a perfect mid tempo rock song.  It has the big fuzzy guitars that I love, catchy singalong verses and some pretty gigantic hooks. It's simply another great release from one of the best bands playing rock and roll music today.

Tenement - S/T 12":

https://derangedrecords.bandcamp.com/album/s-t-2

Tenement - Bruised Music Vol. 2 LP - Coke Bottle Clear Vinyl (/225)

Toxic Pop / Grave Mistake (2015) 

I have been writing about Tenement for quite some time on this site.  I was lucky enough to stumble across them pretty early and have watched in amazement as they have taken on a life of their own over the years.  Bruised Music Vol. 2 is the second singles compilation the band has released highlighting some of their songs that originally came out on various 7"s.  

Granted, I have all of these 7"s, so there's only a couple of songs that I hadn't heard previously, but it blows my mind how well they all fit together in a full length album format.  Much like Tenement's last proper full length, Predatory Headlights, Bruised Music Vol. 2 runs the gamut of Tenement's styles; from hugely recorded, catchy pop punk songs to lo fi, treble heavy numbers to a few of those weird soundscape-y songs that aren't exactly my favorite thing the band does.  It is a remarkably diverse set of songs that for reasons I really can't explain coalesce into this perfectly formed body of music.  You'd think they planned this all along.

I'll always be partial to to the catchier Tenement songs like "Taking Everything," Paper Airplanes" and "Your Life or Mine," after all I did first hear about these guys on the Pop Punk Message Board.  Tenement isn't a one trick pony, though.  I think most have realized over the past few years that this is a pretty special band with many tricks up their sleeve.  I'll keep buying their records to see what's next.

Tenement - Bruised Music Vol. 2:

https://firestartertoxicpop.bandcamp.com/album/bruised-music-volume-two

Tenement - 5 Song Cassette

Self Released (2015)

This is actually one of my favorite things that has happened since I started doing this website.  Several months ago, I received a package in the mail from Wisconson.  In it was this tape and a letter from someone that only identified themselves as "BE."  This person wrote that they had recently seen Tenement and they had been selling this cassette.  They picked up two copies and sent the extra to me because they like my website.  Honestly, that's one of the kindest gestures anyone has done since I started doing this thing.  "BE" wasn't looking for anything, they only wanted to share good music.  That's a sentiment I can get behind, so "BE," wherever you are, thank you so much for this cassette.

Unfortunately, the tape ended up getting squirreled away as I was reorganizing some things in the house.  I should have written it up a lot quicker than I've done, but hey, cassettes are small and easy to stack in piles.

As far as the music goes, this tape contains five new Tenement songs that were not on their most recent full length, Predatory Lights.  Will they end up on another release in the future?  I would think so, as there are some pretty great songs here, but Tenement also has something of a reputation for blowing out a ton of songs and not really looking back.  Maybe there will be a third volume of Bruised Music at some point.

Things kick off with the excellent "Everyone to Love You." A ferocious mix of stuttering guitar riffs and melodic vocals.  It's got a huge, huge hook and I only wish it was twice as long as it is.  From there, things settle down a bit as the rest of the songs are slightly lower key, but all are quite catchy and a joy to listen to.  All five songs are straight up rock and roll, leaving some of the more experimental leanings of Predatory Headlights in the rearview.  

Though I'm very happy to own a copy of this cassette, I do hope the band doesn't forget about these songs.  They're all too good to not get the vinyl treatment at some point.  Luckily they have put the songs up to stream on their Bandcamp page so you can give them a listen at least.  And again, thanks "BE" for sending this over.  If there's anything you're on the lookout for, pop me an email and I'll try to return the favor.

Tenement - 5 Song Cassette:

https://tenement.bandcamp.com/album/tenement-2

The Absolute Best Records Of 2015

 

Many times throughout the year I had commented on how 2015 seemed like a year that had a lot of really good records, but seemed to be lacking in drop dead great ones.  I'll admit that when I sat down to work on this list, I ended up being presented with a lot more records that I loved this year than I was expecting.  The top 20 in particular is damn strong.  Aside from Clearance, I didn't have those records that I just played non stop over and over again this year, but looking back at it, 2015 was nothing to sneeze at.  Some pretty good records came out this year.  I don't have time to discuss them all, but I do have some extra thoughts on a few.

The record that really did it for me this year was Clearance.  I am a sucker for Pavement, so when Clearance decided to pop by and pick up that torch, I was all too pleased to follow along.  It's such a perfect record from top to bottom.  I can't think of a record that I went back to over and over again as much as Clearance.  These guys are on the right track and I really hope they keep pumping out new tunes.

The Mountain Goats and Royal Headache also both received a ton of play out of me this year.  Even though the record was about pro wrestling and I figured that would be fun for a listen or two, I was shocked at how much I genuinely enjoyed the Mountain Goats, especially as I had never been that much of a fan previously.  Royal Headache was top notch, but there were a couple of songs in the middle of the record that slowed things down a bit and may have kept it from the top spot. Third of the year is still pretty great.  Good Shade technically was released digitally in 2014, but the LP came out this year, so it's going on my list.  Wonk Unit may not totally deserve to be on the list on a technicality as it's a compilation of previously released songs, but it was their first time on vinyl, and I hadn't heard them previously, so on it goes.

Lastly at number fourteen is Unlikely Friends.  I didn't review that record this year.  It didn't come out on vinyl, so I kept putting off buying it hoping it would eventually be released.  It didn't happen so I finally ordered the CD but I waited too long.  I'll get a review of that up first thing in the new year, but it's really worth a listen.

01 - Clearance - Rapid Rewards - Tall Pat (Listen)
02 - The Mountain Goats - Beat The Champ - Merge (Listen)
03 - Royal Headache - High - What's Your Rupture (Listen)
04 - Good Shade - Good Shade - Gut Genug (Listen)
05 - Wonk Unit - Feel The Wonkness - Drunken Sailor (Listen)
06 - Swami John Reis & The Blind Shake - Modern Surf Classics - Swami (Listen)
07 - Warm Soda - Symbolic Dream - Castleface (Listen)
08 - Red Dons - The Dead Hand Of Tradition - Taken By Surprise (Listen)
09 - Outtacontroller - Television Zombie LP - Southpaw (Listen)
10 - Lost Balloons - Lost Balloons - Alien Snatch (Listen)

11 - Widows Watch - This Message Repeats - Toxic Pop
12 - Radioactivity - Silent Kill - Dirtnap
13 - Hungry Tiger - Hungry Tiger - Sex Sheet
14 - Unlikely Friends - Solid Gold Cowboys - Jigsaw
15 - Sweet John Bloom - Weird Prayer - Tiny Engines
16 - Ash - Kablammo - E.A.R.
17 - Tenement - Predatory Headlights - Don Giovanni
18 - Beach Slang - The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us - Polyvinyl
19 - The Barreracudas - Can Do Easy - Oops Baby
20 - Beach Party - Broken Machine - Sex Sheet

21 - The Ballantynes - Dark Drives, Life Signs - La-Ti-Da
22 - ИO​​/​​​/​​​/​​sé - Lower Berth - 1859/Man In Decline
23 - The Blind Shake - Fly Right - Slovenly
24 - Nervous Talk - Nervous Talk - Hosehead
25 - King Khan and BBQ Show - Bad News Boys - In The Red
26 - The Sonics - This Is The Sonics - ReVox
27 - Built To Spill - Untethered Moon
28 - Mikal Cronin - MCIII - Merge
29 - Legendary Wings - Do You See? - Dirtnap
30 - Apocalypse Meow - The End Is Nigh - Sex Sheet/Rad Girlfriend

Other Records I Picked Up This Year:
Archers Of Loaf - Curse Of The Loaf - ARRA Music
Baby Shakes - Starry Eyes - Lil Chewy
Built In Sun - Built In Sun - PIAPTK
The Butterscotch Cathedral - The Butterscotch Cathedral - Trouble In Mind
Casual - Casual - Dead Broke / Square of Opposition
Hex Dispensers - III - Alien Snatch
Hysterese - Hysterese - Dirt Cult
Hospital Job - Never Get Cold - Rad Girlfriend / It's Alive
Jaill - Brain Cream - Burger
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Freedom Tower - Mom + Pop
The Knew - Schmew - Greater Than
Mandates - In The Back Of Your Heart - Hosehead/Taken By Surprise
Maniac - Demimonde - La-Ti-Da
Mac McCaughan - Non Believers - Merge
Nervosas - Nervosas - Dirtnap
Pale Angels - Imaginary People - Recess
Phylums - Phylum Phyloid - Dirtnap
The Rubs - The Rubs Are Trash - Tall Pat
Sanhose - Pi - Snuffy Smiles
Shadow In the Cracks - Shadow In The Cracks - Goner
The Soaks - The Soaks - Riot House
Spraynard - Mable - Jade Tree
Wavves - V - Mom + Pop
World's Fair - Leisurely - Rok Lok

Previously:
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009

Tenement - Predatory Headlights 2xLP

Don Giovanni (2015)

Long time readers of this website will know that I've been chomping at the bit for a new Tenement album for ages.  Pretty much since the day after their prior effort, Napalm Dream, was released.  I've been singing this band's praises for quite some time and they've finally come out with their new record...and it's a double album to boot.

In the past I have often compared Tenement to a poppier and more exciting to me version of Dinosaur Jr.  They've always had the hooks and searing guitar solos to go along with it.  Predatory Headlights is something of a new direction for the band.  While you could have certainly seen this album coming if you were paying attention, it still comes across as somewhat surprising.

While this is a double album clocking in at just a tick under 80 minutes, there's probably only a single albums worth of straight ahead rock songs.  Much like the album's artwork, there's a lot going on during the course of this record. Also like the artwork, it's a bit of a collage of sounds.  In addition to some rock, there is real diversity on this record.  You're going to get some jazzy interludes, some experimental noise meanderings and a couple of atmospheric soundscapes. 

You could argue that these excursions add to the album and you could argue that they detract from the guitar focused rock songs.  That's going to be the opinion of the individual listener.  For me, I don't listen to much in the way of jazz and I can't say that jittery experimental is typically my bag either.  I find myself sitting through the chaos waiting for some more rock, but individual listener milage on these songs may vary.

As far as the rock, there is a very strong album's worth of material on Predatory Headlights.  You could argue that in some ways these songs are more straightforward than what the band has released in the past.  There aren't too many of the screaming guitar solos that Tenement has used in the past and there also isn't much in the way of cutting, energetic punk rock.  These songs tend to be more mid tempo in nature and the focus is much more on the chord progressions and the vocals.

In particular, there's some insane backing vocals going on throughout this album.  We're talking high pitched full on Bee Gee's style harmonies weaving in and out of several songs.   Honestly it sounds incredible.  On paper, that may not sound like something you'd want to hear, but within the context of the songs, the vocals just sound amazing.  You'll also hear a solid amount of keyboard and other complimentary instruments that do a great job of augmenting Tenement's songs and adding new layers of depth to everything.

I can't help but think this is going to end up as something of a polarizing record.  On one hand, you've got some really incredible new Tenement songs.  On the other hand you've got a whole lot of new and unexpected sounds to try to process.  In the end, I think this is a good album and as a piece of music, it works.  But I admit that I would have been content with a single album's worth of rock and roll.  In some ways it's going to depend of how adventurous you are.

Tenement - Predatory Headlights LP:

https://tenement.bandcamp.com/album/predatory-headlights

Tenement - Bruised Music Volume One LP - Green Vinyl (/220)

Toxic Pop / Grave Mistake (2015)

Bruised Music Volume One is a collection of some of Tenement's earliest material.  Culling tracks from various 7"s and a few from one of their first demo tapes, it's pretty striking how cohesive these songs are as a full album.  Sure they were all recorded around the same timeframe, but it is interesting just how great these songs all sound together as one piece of music.

I was lucky enough to have caught wind of this band when these songs were first being put out, so I actually have all of the 7"s and most of these songs already.  I didn't have the two songs lifted from the Tenement Sucks demo tape and there are two more from Dead Broke tape compilations that are also new to me.  Still, these songs still sound fresh to me all these years later.  

Tenement is playing with punk rock energy, but keep their songs catchy.  You can't really call them a pop punk band, but god damn can this band write a hook. Layer on top of that some Dinosaur Jr.-esque guitar shredding and that might paint a better picture of what they sound like.  Or just click on the Bandcamp link at the bottom of this review and blow out your speakers with their greatness.

It's very cool having all of these incredible songs on one LP.  I'm eager to get Volume Two of Bruised Music and am even more excited about the upcoming Tenement full length that has been talked about for a few years.  They're simply one of the best bands going right now.

Tenement - Bruised Music Volume One:

http://firestartertoxicpop.bandcamp.com/album/bruised-music-volume-one

V/A - Something To Du 7" - Blue Vinyl

V/A - Something To Du 7" - Blue Vinyl, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Dead Broke / Drunken Sailor (2013)

I'll be the first to admit, I may not be the best person to judge this record as a tribute to Husker Du. I know I'm in the minority, but I've always been more of a Sugar guy. So I'm much, much more familiar with the Sugar records than I am with the Husker Du catalog. That being said, I was really looking forward to this 7" as it paired up a lot of bands that I really like.

The 7" starts off with Unfun and their take on "The Girl Who Lives On Heaven Hill" and flat out I do not like this. Sure the original is a little blown out and a little shouty, but Unfun really takes it too far and this is just an overblown screaming mess of a song. Tenement, one of my favorite current bands, takes on "Obnoxious" and also takes that song way over the top. It's just a shouting, borderline inaudible pile of fuzz. Things get back on track with Crow Bait's "Dead Set on Destruction," which is the first track you can hear the music and lyrics on. Good production and a catchy take on the original.

Over on the B-side, Bent Outta Shape leads off with "Terms Of Psychic Warfare." it's another one of the highlights of the 7". Nice guitar tones and a clarity missing from a lot of the other songs. The best cover on this 7" is turned in by Dauntless Elite. The chose "I Don't Know What You're Talking About," one of Husker Du's catchier songs, and really took some creative license with it. The Dauntless Elite version puts a real UK/Clash/The Tone spin on the song and manages to make the it their own. Lastly we have another one of my favorites; Your Pest Band from Japan. Their version of Green Eyes is dreamy and swampy and vaguely feels like it was recorded underwater. It's not my favorite thing they've done, but does kind of fit in with their more recent records, which have definitely been heading in this direction.

So, I guess I'm kind of disappointed in this record. The bands that I was most excited to hear didn't live up to my lofty expectations, but bands I wasn't expecting really shined. It's always tough judging a band based on cover songs, so I'll just say it's an interesting record to listen, but maybe not an essential one to own.

V/A - Something To Du 7":
drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/album/husker-du-tribute-7

Tenement / Screaming Females - Split 7" - Orange Vinyl (/100)

Tenement / Screaming Females - Split 7" - Orange Vinyl (/100), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Recess Records (2013)

Tenement has been on a real 7" kick of late. Lots of new records from them, which is always a good thing if you ask me. The song on their side of this split, "Wouldn't Let You Go," is a real gem and one of the best from this last batch of 7"s they've released. The verse builds on top of a bass heavy, borderline sludgy guitar the launches into a gigantic hooky chorus. Aside from the odd droning noise that goes on for too long at the end of the song, this is Tenement at their best.

Screaming Females are a band that I just don't understand. People love them. I mean seriously, I know people that just LOVE this band, but they don't do anything for me. I'm often puzzled by things like this and I wonder what I'm missing that so many others get. To me, the song on this split is just a slow tempo track, with kind of drone-y guitar. The female fronted vocals are warbley and kind of remind me of a cross between Sleater-Kinney and something you'd hear playing in a haunted house.

I'm having a bad run of being able to find songs streaming online this week and it continues with this record. I'm kind of surprised given the bands and label involved, but I can't find anywhere to link to these songs. Sorry!

Tenement - Freak Cast In Iron 7" - Green Vinyl (/100)

Tenement - Freak Cast In Iron 7" - Green Vinyl (/100), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Cowabunga (2013)

The whole reason I subscribed to the Cowabunga Records Sick Club singles series was to get the limited version of this Tenement 7". A bonus was the Mean Jeans 7" that they advertised which seems to no longer be mentioned anywhere on the label's website. So that might be out at this point.

Tenement is a band that I will always buy everything they put out. One of the things I like about the band is how diverse and creative their output is. While I prefer some of their songs to others, I love that you never know what to expect until the record starts spinning. These 2 songs are more a part of their lower fi cannon, with the first being short & catchy while the flip side is a bit longer and a bit weirder. Both enjoyable songs, though I personally prefer their slightly higher production punchy numbers.

There's no way I'm not buying this record, and I can't wait for the band to finish working on their next LP. It's nice that we've gotten a fairly consistent stream of 7"s being released in the meantime.

Tenement - Freak Cast In Iron 7":
tenement.bandcamp.com/album/sick-club-vol-3

V/A - Snuffy Smiles Presents: Puke & Destroy 2 7" (Gleam Garden,What-A-Night's, Tenement, Holy Shit)

V/A - Snuffy Smiles Presents: Puke & Destroy 2 7" (Gleam Garden, What-A-Night's, Tenement, Holy Shit), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Snuffy Smiles (2013)

Life doesn't get much better than a Snuffy Smiles compilation. Especially when it pairs 2 of my absolute favorite Japanese bands and 1 of my favorite American bands. The deal with this 7" is that each band contributes 2 songs. One quick 30 second long one, then another longer track.

I could go on for days and days about how much I love Gleam Garden and What-A-Night's and you really need to look no further than this 7" to see why. Gleam Garden's 30 second long song isn't anything special, but their 2nd one, "It Smelled Good," is pretty great. Neither is quite as good as their most recent CD, but this band is outstanding. What-A-Night's just kill on both of their contributions. They cram a lot of greatness into the 30 second one, and "Cry for Nothing" is also a hit. This band has tons of energy and write some of the best hooks coming out of Japan right now.

For the US side Tenement 30 second long song (like What-A-Night's) isn't really a standout, but "The Block Is Safe Again" is a really strong mid tempo rocker with great backing harmonies. Tenement is one of the best US bands going and I suggest you buy as many of their records as you can. Holy Shit isn't really my copy of tea, they lean more to the hardcore, really fast side of things and that was just never a style the clicked with me, especially as I've gotten older.

All in, this is a great 7", but really you should always be buying everything that comes out with the Snuffy Smiles logo on it, they can do no wrong.

Tenement / Cheeky - Split 7"

Tenement / Cheeky - Split 7", a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

No Breaks / Let's Pretend (2012)

The past few months have seen a pretty steady onslaught of new Tenement records. I really hope they keep this pace up as I would love more and more 7"s every month. This time out Tenement shares a record with a band that has already broken up, Cheeky. Cheeky supply 2 female fronted, fast paced & pretty aggressive tracks. Can't say they're my favorite and I think the vocals are a little loud in the mix, it's all I hear.

Tenement give us one firecracker in "Blast Exhaust," though the 2nd song of theirs, "Perverse universe," songs like it could have been the theme song of an 80s sitcom. I like that the band genre hops and explores a wide range of music, but if pressed, I will always say I like their fast punky stuff better.

I can't find the Cheeky songs to embed, but if you go here, you can listen to one of them:
http://www.nobreaksrecords.com/fr_blastexhaustsobored

Tenement Songs (Via Bandcamp):

Tenement - Napalm Dream - Double Cassette /100

Tenement - Napalm Dream - Double Cassette /100, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Drugged Conscience (2012)

As always, I tend to get annoyed with tapes, but here's an instance where it was really done right. First off, I already own the album on LP, so cassette isn't my only option. 2nd, they went all out and made a custom box with new artwork. Finally there's an entire extra cassette with 19 tracks of demos and unreleased songs. Plus it's limited to 100 copies and was only $10. That is how it's done, future cassette labels. This is how you get me to buy a cassette and not complain about it.

So the maim album itself, Napalm Dream, is one of the very best records from last year. Go get it right away in whatever format you prefer. The 2nd cassette of demos is what I'm here for. For the most part, they're rougher versions of the album tracks, some have different solos or vocal arrangements and there's a few out and out unreleased tracks. It's a really cool listen, though at the end of the day, I'll probably grab the few unreleased songs and only go back to those repeatedly. I believe this is sold out already, but if you happen to stumble across a copy, especially at a good price, it's definitely worth grabbing.

I can't find any of the demo tracks online to link to, but the band is streaming the entire main record on their Bandcamp page.

Tenement - Napalm Dream (via Bandcamp):

Tenement / Culo - Spilt 7" - Red Splatter Vinyl /100

Tenement / Culo - Spilt 7" - Red Splatter Vinyl /100, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Cowabunga Records (2011)

Another new Tenement record with 2 new songs, and these ones are rippers (not to be confused with the fabulous hot dogs sold at Rutts Hut). Fidelity-wise, this is probably mid range for Tenement. Not quite as polished as their full length, Napalm Dream, but to me it sounds much slicker than than the material they recently put out on their Blind Wink LP. Most importantly, these songs are just bursting with energy & hooks. The Culo side doesn't do anything for me. I don't really like the kind of screamy hardcore they're serving up. I'm sure people that like that sort of thing may enjoy, but it's not for me. However, Tenement is one of my current favorites, and this 7"s should be bought right away whether or not you plan on playing the Culo side.

I couldn't find any of the Tenement songs streaming online, but their bandcamp page has pretty much every other song they've ever recorded streaming. tenement.bandcamp.com/

Tenement - Blind Wink LP - Green Vinyl /100

Tenement - Blind Wink LP - Green Vinyl /100, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Cowabunga Records (2011)

Tenement's Napalm Dream was one of my very favorite albums of last year. Blind Wink is not a proper followup. It's an expanded version of a cassette that the band released themselves that focuses on demos and other tracks that aren't on Napalm Dream or any of their 7"s. I will say straight up I don't like this as much as Napalm Dream. The production isn't as full and about 1/3 of the songs are kind of meandering ideas that don't really go anywhere. That being said, the good songs are very good and even though I personally think they could benefit from some better production, there''s no denying that Tenement knows how to write a hit.