Cassette Store Day 2015 is right around the corner (Oct 17th to be exact) and Friendship Commanders are coming out swinging with this new release of fast paced, big riff rock. There’s still some well placed ooh’s and aah’s hanging out in there but, make no mistake, this is driven rock-n-roll at its finest.

Oh, and some of the proceeds go to Animal Rescue Efforts, so you’re also getting a dose of Do Goodery by being a part of the release.

Clearly, it’s safe to assume that the Boo Dudes are making some ridiculous Halloween music based on their band and album names. However, the absurdity is entirely amusing. They did it. They sought to write songs about Dracula getting a DUI or a Kreepy Kegger and they accomplished it. Without being annoying either I might add. Great work Boo Dudes.

Released in 2009, this collection of songs never seems to get old to me. Granted, the songs are about ghouls, experiments gone awry and the undead but they are stories I continuously want to hear over and over. Honestly, I listen to this once a day during October, at least! I implore you to do the same if you haven’t been already.

Another entry in the V to Z monthly releases project. This new track features Jason Moore on vocals along with some space-y keyboards and floaty atmospheric vibes. 

It’s been a minute since Happy Little Trees released anything out into the world (2011 to be more exact) but the feel good pop rock onslaught hasn’t seemed to have slowed any during that time. It’s only two songs – as the title clearly states – but they’re packed full of a punch and energy that is quite welcome.

There is something decidedly reminiscent of this EP that harkens the works of The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Church. To put it more ridiculously, it has a feeling that one might equate with going to a sombre german college in the 80′s. 

But that’s pigeon holing it a bit much. The influences make their way through but it’s a very strong offering on its own. It’s emotionally honest without being overwrought and it’s musically familiar but without being derivative. 

Hopefully there’s more from Blinds – seems like they’ve got plenty of goodness to offer from  the sound of these seven tracks. 

Fuzz Ghost manages to find that magical combination of lo-fi recording style, languid vocals, a melodic chorus and a driving energy throughout. It’s also, smartly, just five songs – so there’s not much room for error or boredom. 

Hopefully they take no offense to this but I think it’s safe to say this collection of four songs fits squarely into the Screamo genre. I hesitate to lump it in with the rest of the 90′s throwbacks that have been sprouting up all over the place but it’s definitely a nice reminder of a style of music that I don’t hear much anymore – aurally and emotionally intense.