Reviews

Eleventh Hour

Rubella Gallows Humor LP

According to press, Cleveland’s RUBELLA has put out over 60 releases since 1998 and they’re all a little different. On this vinyl release, the band consists of dense, minimalist synth with mostly plain, somber, clear vocalizations. There is a ’90s 4AD Records feel to it, underscored by rumbling, low frequencies. The earnest vocal delivery sometimes reminds me of someone who had a past in folk-punk, but I don’t think that is really the case here. Overall, a solid release for the synth crowd.

Saints of Lorain Those Dark Roads LP

The roots of SAINTS OF LORAIN are clearly drinking from the shore waters of Lake Erie because this is clearly scuzzy Cleveland punk/hardcore that can only come from a specific Rust Belt area that can have a good time in the face of overwhelming sorrow and self-doubt. Musically, the twelve songs on Those Dark Roads aren’t anything that you haven’t heard before, although where this style can often fall into nihilistic partying and semi-violent songs, SAINTS OF LORAIN have a humanity, weight, and honesty in these little nuggets that’s more in tune with community and friendships lost too soon. Lyrically, most of the songs are clouded around very personal experiences and anchored by local landmarks that impacted their lives. For a debut LP, I think this is a great start.