Midwest Blue - Alarm Clock (Johann's Face)

Reviewed by Mark Oster

This four song EP from the suburban 5 piece is their first on Johann's Face and third overall. For me, guitars take center stage on this album; the songs are marked by dueling leads on their verses and powerful, overdriven chords on their choruses. The dominant guitar work is laid upon upbeat, punk drumming and complimented by well crafted, melodic basslines and leadman Sam Swanson's throaty, poppy vocals. This guitar driven emocore will most easily remind a listener of Bob Nanna's Hey Mercedes. In this city, that is certainly an asset. At fifteen minutes long, Alarm Clock seems to server as a teaser for their first full length for Johann's Face, and if you're into Hey Mercedes, Saves The Day, and the Vagrant set in general, you may enjoy being teased.

Originally posted in Issue 2.1, January/February 2005