I feel very fortunate to be on a tour like this. The shows aren't the best for turn out. We have days off here and there. We might have to scramble to find a place to stay that night. Everyone is having the time of their life regardless.

It's more than waking up in a different city each day. It's more than meeting a handful of new people you are going to be friends with for a long time after. It's even more than traveling the country. It is knowing you are experiencing something most people will never get to do. There are people who would do anything to tour. I am one of the lucky few, and I appreciate everything that has happened to me on this adventure.

The Dangerous Summer and Sparks The Rescue both have albums coming out on May 5th. It's a wonder how life does that. It gives you this weird, common bond like you're out taking on the world with someone else when you didn't even know it. The two bands deserve the world. They work their asses off and write songs than are more than just heartfelt. The songs have substance and gives you something to take away and relate to. It's more than just a catchy riff or chorus. These are two real bands doing this because they want to play music for the rest of their lives. Yes, money would be awesome; but it's more than that.

Racing Kites have been a great band to tour with for the simple fact they get the crowd excited and put on a good show. It's beyond awesome to have a band that can bring it live and give people a show while getting them ready for the rest of the show.

If you are anywhere on the West Coast through Midwest, please come to a show. You won't be disappointed, and we all have sick merch you should be wearing.

03/25 - Mokah - Dallas, TX
03/26 - The Unity Center - Roswell, NM
03/27 - Chyro Arts - Scottsdale, AZ
03/28 - Ignition - Palm Springs, CA
03/29 - The Wire - Upland, CA
03/30 - Sub Mission Art Space - San Francisco, CA
04/01 - Jerry's Pizza - Bakersfield, CA
04/02 - The Box Office - Las Vegas, NV
04/03 - Moose Lodge - Rosamond, CA
04/06 - The Viper Room - West Hollywood, CA
04/09 - SHO (Murray Theater) - Murray, UT
04/10 - The Black Sheep - Colorado Springs, CO
04/11 - Roxbury - Omaha, NE
04/12 - Vaudeville Mews - Des Moines, IA
04/14 - Triple Rock - Minneapolis, MN
04/15 - The Warehouse - LaCrosse, WI
04/16 - Mojoe’s Rock House - Orland Park, IL
04/17 - Mac’s - Lansing, MI
04/18 - Static Age - Romeo, MI
04/19 - Shafer Auditorium - Meadville, PA

We're coming to a city near you sooner or later. Keep checking for new tour dates here. See you all very soon! Hopefully at a party you throw for us.

-Jan.

inPassing - Breathing In the Ash

9.50/10

Song by Song Review
"Say To Me" is the opener to this EP. It's upbeat, catchy, and infectious. Immediately the band grabs your attention with those outside of Florida asking why they hadn't heard of inPassing before.

"Back Down" continues the beautifully crafted rock/pop EP. It's just incredible how you bands this good are unsigned.

inPassing keep up with themselves with "Be Here". The song is yet another where they show they've got what it takes to write great songs.

If this is your first listen to Breathing In the Ash, then you your jaw is going to have hit the floor once you get to "All Together". The band does not disappoint in putting together songs which would fit right next to your collection of Brighten albums in your car.

"Draw The Line" goes a heavier route than the first four songs. Consider this one of the best EP releases in the past couple of years.

Final Verdict
inPassing give us just a taste of what's to come. This EP could satisfy your taste for Copeland, Anberlin, or The Graduate. If this band creates another ten to twelve gems like the ones found on Breathing In the Ash, they will solidify a spot among the three bands just name dropped. The EP's only flaw is that it is only an EP. I, as the listener, could listen to this release for around two months and then want to move back to my favorite albums or new releases. The real clincher for this band is going to have to be their live show. If the band can sing the delicate harmonies found on the EP live and absolutely bring it every night, then we'll see this band around for quite sometime. Please give us new music soon!

Sparks The Rescue - Eyes to the Sun

Score: 8.9/10

Song-by-Song Review:
"My Heart Radio" is the opening track to this full-length. It definitely sets the tone for the record. The song is up-beat, catchy, and a song that could fit right next to singles from Cartel or Motion City Soundtrack.

"I Swear That She's The One" keeps the radio friendly pop-rock songs coming. The falsetto vocals during the verses to the call-and-return from Alex and Toby are two reasons to fall in love with this song. With lyrics like, "Love's a tree growing in your heart. Better look out when the roots start," are just a taste of the simple-yet-profound content the rest of this album.

"Autumn" is the band's iTunes single and boasts the best of Alex and Toby's back-and-forth vocals. The chorus is just as catchy as it is an interstate love song.

"Shipwreck" is a song that shows off the poetic simplicity of Sparks The Rescue. The band says few words in the chorus, but those words will be one of your favorite on the record. "Be afraid. Darling, I'm a hurricane. If you shipwreck your love, I will be all to blame."

"Hello Mexico" could have fit on The All-American Rejects' self-titled debut released by Doghouse Records. The song is so upbeat and catchy it's infectious. From lyrics to lead guitar parts, Sparks The Rescue delivers you a pop masterpiece.

"Skeleton" needs to be seen performed live to get the full effect, but the album version is a good way to bide your time until you get to see the band play. The chorus stays in your head as long as you want it to.

"The Gravity" is a song that continues the more aggressive tone that "Skeleton" set up. The band keeps their song easily accessible with their lyrical content.

"Chemistry Set" continues what could have been a separate EP from the first five songs on the record. The pre-chorus lyrics and melody are the best part of the song.

"Saco Boys Have No Class" and "We May Be Cruel" help keep the last half of the album more like A Change of Pace than The Rocket Summer.

"Pangaea" is a great closing song leaving you asking yourself, "Where has this band been my whole life?!" The answer is, "Maine." The band have their jump off. Let's see where they go from here.

Final Verdict:
Sparks The Rescue have taken their time with this album. By writing for four years, the band has honed its sound and written some classics. "Hello Mexico" is the stand-out track and could launch them into the mainstream. Songs like "We May Be Cruel" give the band the backbone needed to win over fans of a more aggressive sound. The band will definitely open a lot of eyes with this release. It is easy to see why they draw 300+ kids in their hometown. The band has been waiting for this release just as much as we have been waiting for another band to come around and surprise us with some new, substance-filled music. Sparks The Rescue will be your new favorite band if you like The Spill Canvas, Just Surrender, or anything in between. This album will turn a lot of heads, so jump aboard their bandwagon before it's full. Sparks The Rescue is the next big thing!

myspace.com/sparkstherescue

Take Cover - Take Cover EP

Score: 7.0/10

Song-by-Song Review:
The EP starts with an intro song that bleeds seamlessly into one of the stand-out tracks, "One More Shot".

"One More Shot" gives the listener a great introduction to where the band is going to take you on your first listen. Driving guitars are accompanied by soaring vocals. The hooks in this song will be left in your head even after only one listen.

"Dangerous" features a familiar face amongst the Minneapolis music scene, Pat Brown of Sing It Loud. The song is another high-energy singalong. I bet this song was fun to see live on the Sing It Loud headlining tour with Take Cover.

"Star-Crossed Lovers" is a hit-or-miss song where the listener could go either way. If the listener can look past the lackluster lyrics in the chorus, then they'll keep the song around. Those looking for substance will discard this song even though there's a pretty powerful end to the song.

"Letting Go" makes me think having Take Cover play a show in Atlanta with 1994 would be a great idea. The two bands have a very similar sound and would do great on tour together with a band willing to headline a two week tour.

"Lady Love" is your last chance to see what Take Cover has to offer. The band puts together another fast-paced singalong.

Final Verdict:
Take Cover hits halfway home on their debut. The band shows some definite highs but falls short to make an EP that keeps your attention the whole way through (which is what you need to have with the saturated, music market we have today). The band gives you two great songs in "One More Shot" and "Dangerous", two songs the hometown kids will get into, and a filler song. Kids will get into this EP because it features a member of Sing It Loud, but they will continue to listen to it if the band delivers live.

myspace.com/takecoverofficial

Anarbor - The Natural Way

Score: 7.8/10

Song-by-Song Review:
"Love Instead" gives you a song to turn up in your headphones. The band delivers on giving you a heavier, more aggressive sound than most of the newer bands that have been sprouting up across the country. The singalong factor in this song is definitely high with the "..and we can make it. Yeah, we can make it" part.

"The Brightest Green" gave me this classic gangster/mobster feel. The band definitely expanded their sound with this track.

"Right There With You" is another fast-paced, rock song which we have come to love from the band. The hook in this chorus is just as catchy as anything you've heard on previous releases from this band.

"Passion For Publication" shows Anarbor's age a bit with lyrical content, but the music itself is a great way to leave the listener wanting the band's next release as soon as possible.

Final Verdict:
After being signed just out of high school, one could expect the new Hopeless band to take the same pop-punk direction getting bands big right away. Anarbor choose to create songs in their own fashion. The band is comfortable in writing the songs they want to write instead of conforming to the standard pop-punk release. The band could go just about anywhere with the songs they released with this digital EP. All the more reason to get excited about their Mike Green produced Hopeless debut.

myspace.com/anarbor

You, Me, and Everyone We Know - So Young, So Insane

Score: 8.0/10

Song-by-Song Review:
"I Can Get Back Up Now" is the start to the new EP and features Say Anything's Max Bemis. The track makes a great first impression of the new material and has hooks very similar to Fall Out Boy. The guest appearance fits appropriately as many people, including me, wanted to know what Max Bemis thought of a vocalist that has a very similar style.

"Could It Be Sunstroke?" could have fit perfectly New Found Glory's Catalyst album. If you like any variety of pop-punk, then this song will fit perfectly on one of your iPod playlists.

"A Symptom" is a 50's slow-dance which has its moments but is easily skipped over and kills the momentum the EP had going.

"Colorful Language" continues where "Livin' Th' Dream" left off. The song is an up-beat, fast-past anthem of the night.

"Sometimes We Have Too Much Fun" is another track that takes notes from the success of their first EP.

"Happy Birthday" has great singalong parts and will be a staple on your playlist if you are a fan of cute, piano-rock songs that tears apart a girl.

Final Verdict:
So Young, So Insane keeps You, Me, and Everyone We Know relevant. The band was able to get a certain someone to guest appear on the EP which will definitely give them "street cred" on drama-induced music webzines. The band is here to stay, and I am officially here to congratulate them on succeeding in putting out another great EP. The band gives us another wait for a full-length but shows us there are some tricks up their sleeve. If You, Me, and Everyone We Know have not become a staple in your pop-punk diet, then let it be know this is all you'll be eating for the coming months.

myspace.com/youmeandeveryoneweknow

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