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Razorcake - www.razorcake.or - Sinker
The Failures' Union is a three-piece from Buffalo, NY. Their music is a cross between the Lemonheads, Jawbreaker, and maybe some Buffalo Tom. The sixteen tracks run a broad range from country-fied to pop punk, with song lengths anywhere from under a minute to one tune that is over five minutes. There are some tracks on here that are really good, passionate, alternative rock songs with nice hooks and catchy choruses, but others that seem like they should have been tossed out due to not fitting in with that style which was predominant—more than anything else—on the album. A little more focus would've been great; still, it's a helluva lot better than most of the things I get to review. Consider that a compliment, guys. –Kurt Morris (One Percent Press)
Daggerzine - www.daggerzine.com - Sinker
Stuck in Buffalo, NY with some bad memories Failures' Union leader Tony Flaminio did what any other red-blooded American would do: write some songs about it. Sinker opens with "Give Way" which sounds like catchy pop punk but by "Useless Facts' he has already brought a pedal steel into the fold and the record only gets better from there. He and his cohorts know the importance of "the hook" as there is no lack of melody here. This is terrific.
Terrascope - www.terrascope.co.uk - Sinker
The opening track of 'Sinker', the latest album from The Failures' Union reminded me so much of Husker Du that I knew I had to write something about them. I guess it is the frantic and angular guitar shapes that really appeals, that and the fact they have a song 'Watch The Sky' that last 47 seconds and still has lyrics and everything. Actually there is much to enjoy, although it is the guitar that does it for me and will for anyone who likes a bit of melodic noise, roll on summer so that I can open the windows.
Exclaim! - www.exclaim.ca - Sinker
The Failures' Union face somewhat of an uphill battle to stand out from the crowd. Because all their members are in other bands (Lemuria, the Exit Strategy and the Grade Grubbers), they need to make sure they bring something new to the table, and they do just that. Sinker manages to elevate itself from the rest of the field by mixing together punk and country influences in a way that doesn't feel forced. And any album that can list Uncle Tupelo and Hüsker Dü as influences has to be worth at least a quick listen, and in this case it deserves even more than that. In addition to the newer material, they revisit a few older songs from earlier singles and there also some shorter, perhaps unfinished songs that act as interludes throughout, keeping the album to a surprisingly brief length, considering there are 16 tracks. That is down to the band's precision and brevity in their songwriting, which ensures nothing on Sinker overstays its welcome, making for a very entertaining album.
The Big Takeover - www.bigtakeover.com - Sinker
The sticker promises fun for Guided by Voices, Buffalo Tom, and Lemonheads fans -- and a moonlighting Lemuria member. And for once, a band has actually gotten a "recommended if you like" list right. On the Buffalo trio's first LP, songs such as "Give Way" and "The Worst" could be "Alison's Starting to Happen" if throaty Bill Janovitz beat Evan Dando over the head and took over -- in other words, Lemonheads were never this thick, and Buffalo Tom never this finger-snapping poppy. Meanwhile, Robert Pollard was off getting drunk and missed the faster numbers, but he could cover slower hooky numbers like "Burned to Last" and "Love to Leave It" (though not the surprising lap steel C&W-measured "Useless Facts" and "Carry It Well"). Leader Tony Flaminio has a delightfully effective voice, a little syrupy the way you like it (think Archers of Loaf), and he writes strapping riffs like knocking down pins. Excellent debut!
Aiding and Abetting - February 2008 - http://www.aidabet.com/ - Sinker
Fine bar pop stylings, taking the punk-country crunchiness from the likes of Uncle Tupelo and combining it with a defiant indie pop streak. Lots of attitude, lots of noise and plenty of solid hooks. Quite the tasty dish.
Terrascopic Rumbles - February 2008 - http://www.terrascope.co.uk - Sinker
The opening track of 'Sinker', the latest album from The Failures' Union reminded me so much of Husker Du that I knew I had to write something about them. I guess it is the frantic and angular guitar shapes that really appeals, that and the fact they have a song 'Watch The Sky' that last 47 seconds and still has lyrics and everything. Actually there is much to enjoy, although it is the guitar that does it for me and will for anyone who likes a bit of melodic noise, roll on summer so that I can open the windows. (www.onepercentpress.com)
Collective Zine - http://www.collective-zine.co.uk - Sinker
You don't come across this type of album very often - it's the kind of indie rock that actually isn't afraid to make a melodic racket. You can trace the roots back to bands like Husker DU and then Archers of Loaf, and in the UK bands like Swervedriver or Adorable. Indie rock bands where the guitar is buzzing, things are a little ragged and the songs rock a long excitably. "Sinker" gets off to a great start, with the standout song "Give Way". After this song I was convinced the album would be a classic if it continued in this fashion the whole way. Sadly it doesn't quite measure up to those standards, but we do get a mostly enjoyable album out of it by closing time.
Some songs head off in a different direction, like "Useless Facts", which introduces to the country-rock side of the band, all Americana and whatnot. I prefer the fast, melodic stuff but it's a nice diversion. The best stuff for me are the songs where they let go and throw caution to the wind, songs like "Classic Car Wreck" is a prime example. Songs like "the Worst" are driving and forceful, and bring to mind the first Beezewax album but with less fuzz. It just leaves me wondering why we don't hear bands playing this style of music very often. Because it sure sounds like a lot of fun to play music like this. Bah! We are being deprived of good music.
The Failures' Union have made a super solid album of rocking indie here, and I am very grateful for it. I just hope we don't have to wait a bunch more years for another good example of the style.
Interpunk - wwwinterpunk.com - Sinker
Debut full length by one of Buffalo, NY's best bands. A varied and detailed album knee deep in mid-nineties indie rock and alternative rock traditions. Great lyrics, jagged guitars, and a super tight rhythm section. Features members of Lemuria, The Exit Strategy, and The Grade Grubbers.
Artvoice - www.artvoice.com - Sinker
The Failures' Union's allegiance to 1990s indie and alt.rock hits paydirt on Sinker. The band shares members with bands Lemuria and Exit Strategy but are on their own path to guitar rock glory. If you believe that Bob Mould's true glory days were with Sugar and remain devout to your Jawbox and Superchunk seven-inches, then the Failures' Union might be the band for you. Following their steady string of releases, the new long-player Sinker has singer/guitarist Tony Flaminio pouring his heart over this collection of songs—but don't you dare call it emo. "Give Way" is a fine exercise in melodic, hook-heavy post-hardcore. Cohesion is the key: This band writes strong, thoughtful songs and plays them with a wound tautness. The passion explodes on tracks like "West Coast, NY" and the bristling "Young Offenders." The Failures' Union also heads out on the road this month.
Rapid Transit Radio - http://www.rapidtransitradio.com/ - Sinker
Those who say that 90's alternative rock is dead are wrong. With new albums released recently by The Lemonheads and Dinosaur Jr., the musical genre is far from buried. Some may think that The Failures' Union is jumping on the bandwagon with the release of their first full length "Sinker" on One Percent Press. This too is a false statement, as the Buffalo,NY indie rock trio has been around since 2004. Previously to this, the band released an EP called "You Know Who" on Art of the Underground. The Failures' Union will be hitting the road for a week in support of their album from August 20th-26th. Check out their website for the dates.
Indie Pages - www.indiepages.com - Sinker
I first heard this band a couple years ago when I was really getting into Lemuria (Jason from Lemuria also plays bass for this band); I picked up their first album and thought it was pretty good, but it didn't really grab me. Now we have their second album, and it's an entirely different story. They've taken their Superchunk/Archers Of Loaf-inspired indie rock sound and refined it a bit, creating a much more original and interesting record than their debut. This record is chock full of catchy indie rock tunes, with instant favorites including the title track, "Give Way", "West Coast, NY", "The Worst" and a revamped version of an earlier single, "Friends In Jail". They also show off a bit of a country influence with the poppy "Useless Facts" and the sadder "Carry It Well", both of which feature prominent use of pedal steel guitar. Even with sixteen songs, the album still only clocks in at just over 41 minutes, thanks to the handful of minute-long tracks sprinkled throughout the album - they're not exactly filler, but seem more like song ideas that never got beyond just a single verse or chorus. I quite liked "Step Light", but found the other two to be less interesting. A big improvement for this band, and a rather good record, as well!
Delusions of Adequacy - www.adequacy.net - Sinker
With 16 tracks spanning only 41 minutes, Buffalo NY trio The Failures' Union pound out quick-paced and catching punk-pop that on first listen may sound somewhat generic and nondescript. But upon further review, the driving rhythms are smoother, the guitars have more texture and the songs have more depth than what first appears on the surface.
That's not to say that there aren't some snags along the way. While the fiery drumming, churning rhythm guitars and sleek bass lines are short, sharp and tight, and often very catchy, a few tracks fall prey to under-developed songwriting and end up being more like lively little chord progression pieces. Thankfully though, they are short and spread over the disc so the album never gets bogged down for too long.
In fact Sinker never really gets bogged down at all thanks to the anxious, yet polished vocals of Tony Flaminio. Singing with the tense and jerky diction of Andy Partridge of XTC and the understated charm of The Long Winters' John Roderick, Flaminio delivers a spastic thoughtfulness that provides a razor-sharp, punk-pop edge, and a melodic punch, to the layered, chugging guitar rock.
The shifting, taut arrangements and the high energy guitar chords on Sinker are reminiscent of Green Day, and are mixed with a zippy, new-wave smartness comparable to The Futureheads; while, at times, the clean and crisp production and layered guitar arpeggios approach Death Cab for Cutie territory. Of course this isn't the case for every track, but a few standouts like "Give Way", "Burned To Last" and "Friends In Jail" are fine examples of the band firing on all cylinders. The Failures' Union aren't afraid to throw a change-up now and then either as "Useless Facts" and "Carry It Well" slow things down and mix in some keyboard flourishes and slide guitar for a breath of fresh air.
While a few tracks on Sinker seem unfinished, most are an accomplished mix of concise, energetic power chords and jerky pop melodies, but all are short, crisp, clean and smooth and will reward the extended listen while satisfying fans of catchy punk-pop.
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Razorcake - www.razorcake.or - You Know Who
Let me be straight with all of you. When I saw a CD from a three-piece from Buffalo, I was praying to God there was no Supertramp cover on it. Luckily my prayers were answered. This trio's debut was a wide smile surprise. Tight arrangements, nice harmonies and lyrics that may make you pause for a few moments of reflection. Remember when songs from Bob Mould, Evan Dando (at least before he started hittin' the pipe), or even Buffalo Tom made you stop and think? This is what You Know Who brings to mind. "I Feel the Same Songs about Her" sings about those dark nights we've probably all had—"that's all right/I can see your breath/'cuz we don't spring for heat." "You're the Coyote" chugs along with a chorus of "persistence is futile/I've learned that from you/the sheep run for shelter when you make the room," before kicking into a revved-up guitar solo. Out of nowhere, a stellar debut that doesn't sound like Interpol. Hooray!
6:40 AM
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