I love this band, Adam's voice is a grower like a lot of emo bands but the emotions when he screams is what sells it I really encourage you to react to their albums
I’m by no means an expert on the genre, but BLA is by far the most interesting “emo” band I’ve heard from a musical composition standpoint. I’ve never heard anyone sound quite like them. Probably because BLA never set out to be “emo” and doesn’t consider themselves to be. In a way I feel like they’re a sort of emo counterpart to Neutral Milk Hotel - interesting vocalist with an eclectic sound palette and lots of instruments. Aside from guitar, drums and bass, the album throws in things like horns, strings, accordions, slide guitar, sequenced drums and synths. Truly one of a kind.
I completely agree. Beyond just their instrumental compositions, the way he chooses to get to certain notes and the syncopation he uses is really interesting. Plus their singer is a dude that has a nasally voice and a lisp that can write compelling and awkwardly beautiful lyrics. You just gotta love it.
“Real Emo" only consists of the dc Emotional Hardcore scene and the late 90's Screamo scene. What is known by "Midwest Emo" is nothing but Alternative Rock with questionable real emo influence. When people try to argue that bands like My Chemical Romance are not real emo, while saying that Sunny Day Real Estate is, I can't help not to cringe because they are just as fake emo as My Chemical Romance (plus the pretentiousness). Real emo sounds ENERGETIC, POWERFUL and somewhat HATEFUL. Fake emo is weak, self pity and a failed attempt to direct energy and emotion into music. Some examples of REAL EMO are Pg 99, Rites of Spring, Cap n Jazz (the only real emo band from the midwest scene) and Loma Prieta. Some examples of FAKE EMO are American Football, My Chemical Romance and Mineral EMO BELONGS TO HARDCORE NOT TO INDIE, POP PUNK, ALT ROCK OR ANY OTHER MAINSTREAM GENRE
They're an "emo" neutral milk hotel but also not really. NMH is like some old hipster gramophone dudes that eat lentils and collect unicycles whereas Abacus is like 16 year old music nerds shredding accidental midwest emo in their bedrooms and using anime samples. The only thing they got in common besides the lofi sensibilities would be the use of horned instruments and some of the DIY aesthetics.
Just discovered this song/album/band a couple weeks ago... and this a real contender to 'Hidden' by These New Puritans as the best album of 2010's. I can't believe this amazing stuff hadn't crossed my path in 14 years.
I met adam and played a few shows with him when he was filling in for other bands (interrobang?! was one) Dude was SUPER nice and friendly. he would compliment your set after and would talk to you and each bandmember and try to connect with you (more than "hey, good set") and was very supportive for bands like mine at the time that were just starting out playing shows.. I'm very glad this band is starting to get more notice even after everything. its crazy to think that Demo? was a home recording considering how dense and busy the mix is with the super nintendo samples and stuff (El Capitano RIPS) Very talented musicians that were also good solid dudes. Man this brings back memories Also Eggplant Danceoff! was really good as well look up the song "Prelude to the adventure"..
When my grandson first showed me this song, I thought it was the voice of SpongeBob (of Nickelodeon fame for those to young to understand the reference). I immediately laughed and told him I would NOT be made to feel by that bastard Tom Kenny (who was on the Epstein flight logs in my headcanon). He assured me it was not Tom Kenny, and that none of the band members were on the flight logs. I thanked God... Then I realized I could not understand this boy singing. I went to RapGenius and looked at the lyrics and read the annotations and I must say, this old fella gets down and jiggy with this music. I sashayed all day to this gem of midwestern emo. What a brilliant album, and thoughtful reaction from you that I skimmed. You're amazing and I wish you were my grandson showing this to me instead. You wouldn't call me "old-timer" and "gay."
Yooooo BLA and dltzk in one video that’s crazy. Two of my favorite artists. The tendency of their songs to morph from one end to the other is what I love so much about them. Really cool that you mentioned that.
If you’re “midwest emo curious” maybe check out inside jokes by Midwest penpals or following the holy moon goddess by the summer we went west they’re the epitome of that kind of sound
I think Algernon Cadwallader is better, along with Park Jefferson. The guitarist (I think) from MWPP played in Park Jefferson, and lots of people from MWPP were also in Merchant Ships
I love this band, Adam's voice is a grower like a lot of emo bands but the emotions when he screams is what sells it
I really encourage you to react to their albums
I’m by no means an expert on the genre, but BLA is by far the most interesting “emo” band I’ve heard from a musical composition standpoint. I’ve never heard anyone sound quite like them. Probably because BLA never set out to be “emo” and doesn’t consider themselves to be. In a way I feel like they’re a sort of emo counterpart to Neutral Milk Hotel - interesting vocalist with an eclectic sound palette and lots of instruments. Aside from guitar, drums and bass, the album throws in things like horns, strings, accordions, slide guitar, sequenced drums and synths. Truly one of a kind.
I completely agree. Beyond just their instrumental compositions, the way he chooses to get to certain notes and the syncopation he uses is really interesting. Plus their singer is a dude that has a nasally voice and a lisp that can write compelling and awkwardly beautiful lyrics. You just gotta love it.
“Real Emo" only consists of the dc Emotional Hardcore scene and the late 90's Screamo scene. What is known by "Midwest Emo" is nothing but Alternative Rock with questionable real emo influence. When people try to argue that bands like My Chemical Romance are not real emo, while saying that Sunny Day Real Estate is, I can't help not to cringe because they are just as fake emo as My Chemical Romance (plus the pretentiousness). Real emo sounds ENERGETIC, POWERFUL and somewhat HATEFUL. Fake emo is weak, self pity and a failed attempt to direct energy and emotion into music. Some examples of REAL EMO are Pg 99, Rites of Spring, Cap n Jazz (the only real emo band from the midwest scene) and Loma Prieta. Some examples of FAKE EMO are American Football, My Chemical Romance and Mineral EMO BELONGS TO HARDCORE NOT TO INDIE, POP PUNK, ALT ROCK OR ANY OTHER MAINSTREAM GENRE
@@daltorthedestroyer2016 lol shut the fuck up and go outside
@@daltorthedestroyer2016 Now this is a pasta so old it's like new again 🤣
They're an "emo" neutral milk hotel but also not really. NMH is like some old hipster gramophone dudes that eat lentils and collect unicycles whereas Abacus is like 16 year old music nerds shredding accidental midwest emo in their bedrooms and using anime samples. The only thing they got in common besides the lofi sensibilities would be the use of horned instruments and some of the DIY aesthetics.
Just discovered this song/album/band a couple weeks ago... and this a real contender to 'Hidden' by These New Puritans as the best album of 2010's.
I can't believe this amazing stuff hadn't crossed my path in 14 years.
I met adam and played a few shows with him when he was filling in for other bands (interrobang?! was one) Dude was SUPER nice and friendly. he would compliment your set after and would talk to you and each bandmember and try to connect with you (more than "hey, good set") and was very supportive for bands like mine at the time that were just starting out playing shows.. I'm very glad this band is starting to get more notice even after everything. its crazy to think that Demo? was a home recording considering how dense and busy the mix is with the super nintendo samples and stuff (El Capitano RIPS) Very talented musicians that were also good solid dudes. Man this brings back memories
Also Eggplant Danceoff! was really good as well look up the song "Prelude to the adventure"..
When my grandson first showed me this song, I thought it was the voice of SpongeBob (of Nickelodeon fame for those to young to understand the reference). I immediately laughed and told him I would NOT be made to feel by that bastard Tom Kenny (who was on the Epstein flight logs in my headcanon). He assured me it was not Tom Kenny, and that none of the band members were on the flight logs. I thanked God... Then I realized I could not understand this boy singing. I went to RapGenius and looked at the lyrics and read the annotations and I must say, this old fella gets down and jiggy with this music. I sashayed all day to this gem of midwestern emo. What a brilliant album, and thoughtful reaction from you that I skimmed. You're amazing and I wish you were my grandson showing this to me instead. You wouldn't call me "old-timer" and "gay."
You sound like the type of granddad who meows Tom Petty songs to your Grandson to make him laugh.
Yooooo BLA and dltzk in one video that’s crazy. Two of my favorite artists. The tendency of their songs to morph from one end to the other is what I love so much about them. Really cool that you mentioned that.
You look like the nice grandpa I never had. Good job.
Such a good song lol love this band
If you’re “midwest emo curious” maybe check out inside jokes by Midwest penpals or following the holy moon goddess by the summer we went west they’re the epitome of that kind of sound
I think Algernon Cadwallader is better, along with Park Jefferson. The guitarist (I think) from MWPP played in Park Jefferson, and lots of people from MWPP were also in Merchant Ships
I'd definitely recommend Algernon Cadwallader & Capn Jazz above those bands you mentioned as the epitome of midwest emo sound
I just realized this band is from new hampshire