Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Kevin Rips: Antilles/Staph Split

It's exciting to find THAT band. Often, those of us writing for this blog feel as if we've heard everything. Much of the bands playing this genre, while awesome, nevertheless are playing the same styles we've been hearing since the early 90's. But with Antilles, I found something unexpected, and incredibly memorable. And I'm going to be the first to say it right now - Antilles are THE best post-hardcore/emo/whatever band of the past year. Maybe I'll regret that statement later - but I've let this band breathe, let it sit and come back to it, but they're still as exciting as ever. I bought this record on a whim when I ordered the 1994! records - I do that often when ordering records; I check out the rest of the roster. The Antilles myspace sounded good, so I decided to try this - and it's pretty much the best thing I've done in the last while. After giving this 7" a thorough listen, I immediately tracked down every other release of theirs. Every one's a winner, but I started with this 7", and you may as well start here too.

Antilles are from Ohio - I can only deduce that the seclusion they face there has only fueled them to rise above, much in the same way that sort of thing is happening here in Alberta. The Antilles side opens with a blistering riff, falls into a slow mess and then into something altogether incredible. I guess what really sets this band apart is just how distinct and memorable each song is. They aren't retreading another band's steez, they aren't playing the same old song - they're making the most unique and emotional music I've heard in a long while.

The Staph side is pretty awesome as well. It's just over seven minutes and the song moves through sludgy guitars, sailing riffs, screamed break-downs, speedy drums - this song is all over the place. It rules. Were it backed by another song from another band I would probably be ranting about it. But that Antilles side would overshadow anything.

Antilles are the find. Antilles are IT.
~KS

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