F-U-N

When The Format announced that they were going on an "indefinite hiatus," as any other fan I was bummed. Summer came around, I put on Dog Problems. Dog Problems is one of my favorite summer albums. Nate Ruess is a tremendous vocalist. When I heard about this new project "Fun," I was intrigued. Rumors of Jack Antonoff of Steel Train being apart of the band made this a lot more interesting. Plus the addition of Andrew Dost (Anathallo), I knew that this project was going to be more musically crafter. They released a previous Format demo entitled "Benson Hedges." Now, they are on tour with Jack's Mannequin. They have been playing new songs, TF covers, and a really groovy cover "Come On Eileen (Dexy's Midnight Runners cover)." Take a listen below.

Fun- Benson Hedges (Demo) [MP3]
Fun- Come On Eileen (Live Dexy's Midnight Runners cover) [MP3]

Socratic- Spread The Rumors

Socratic- Spread The Rumors

Music labels can be some very interesting characters. Some labels enjoy taking their time to see band’s progress. While others want success right away. Drive Thru Records have been waiting for their slew of new bands to make some noise in our headphones. Drive Thru’s waiting process seems to have proved them right.

The Jersey boy’s of Socratic deliver Spreading The Rumors. It seems to be a huge relief to fans and as well as to the band for finally releasing something new, besides the Just Turn EP in 2006. The full length seems to have matured very much from Lunch for The Sky. Socratic has always been a weird, interesting band to me. They seem to fit in any environment they perform in and most of my peers enjoy them. Sometimes all this quickeryness might be too much.

Socratic- Spread The Rumors (MP3)

The record opens with “Boy In A Magazine.” The song gives me a feel for a New Found Glory type of song. The band’s been playing this song at recent show’s and it’s slowly becoming a fan favorite. Vocalist/Songwriter Duane Okun show’s how well he understood English by using the literary device of symbolism. “Janis Joplin Hands” explains a spoiled relationship; where Okun explains how he’s going to give her his “cold James Dean eyes.” ‘Constant Apology” showcases how talented Vincent D'Amico can be at keys. The song asks to be played on your summer drives; or just relaxing as I am. Socratic bring up resemblance to many other bands that you couldn’t really hear in Lunch For The Sky. In such songs, you could hear Fountains of Wayne (Long Distance Calls); or even Okun’s voice reminding you of Nate Ruess of The Format(Another Headache). Spread The Rumors is an album that can attract many new fans.

Socratic- Constant Apology (MP3)

Whether it’s the news paper album cover or a fresher sound, this album doesn’t really disappoint anyone. The flaw that I could only see is recording with Mark Hoppus. Fans knowing that name would agree that whatever Mark touches will become famous. Also, he seems to always leave behind some of that Blink-182 he has in him onto other projects. But, all that aside; Spread The Rumors is a fun, upbeat record. The road for Socratic looks very bright after this release.

Score: 7.6%

For Fans Of: The Format, Fountains of Wayne, Say Anything

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