Send "Tigers Jaw " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Absolutepunk |
 Waiting to hear a record can be a crazy thing. A lot can happen when you're anticipating a record by one of your favorite bands. The excitement of knowing that they're recording, the little obsessions of their back catalog that you get when you find out the release date, the never-sufficient teasers that whet your palette like the first single and the studio video with the song clips. All of these emotions lead up to the feeling of your heart dropping to your stomach when you find out that the album has leaked or, if you're not the guy to download, the feeling of tearing open the CD wrapping when it finally arrives on your doorstep.That excitement that you feel, well that's always a great experience for me. It doesn't happen often...only for the most anticipated releases. But it was happening to me for this new Tigers Jaw album, Two Worlds. When Run for Cover announced the release date, I played their self-titled for hours. When Run for Cover sent me the advance, I paced around my living room as my crappy Internet connection downloaded the file. But what can bring that feeling to an end? What can turn your excitement into disappointment so fast? Could it be the weird intro to "Vices" on Daisy? Maybe. Could it be the realization that an 11-song album clocks in at just over 25 minutes? Yes, yes it can. I felt cheated before even listening to Two Worlds. I didn't even want to listen to it at first. Why, after my waiting, was I only getting 25 minutes of wonderful indie rock goodness? I needed at least half an hour of the sweet vocal melodies that Adam McIlwee and Ben Walsh give to the world and the mesmerizing keys provided by Brianna Collins. Well, after one listen into the album I realized I was just being an idiot, as I often am. Two Worlds is a phenomenal punk-tinged indie rock record. Although length was a concern for me, I now view the compactness of Two Worlds as a plus. There are no lulls in excitement during the album and it has absolutely no filler....full text |
| Lushbeat |
| Initially, I was absurdly excited at the prospect of reviewing the new Tigers Jaw album, Two Worlds. But then, as I listened, over and over, it became almost daunting. There was no amount of hyperbole that I could justify to explain what this band represents to me. It’s been a long time since a band has come along and completely reinvigorated and reignited my love for music and what it can do to you, mentally and emotionally, even physically. They demand movement, action, participation. There are very few bands and artists that have been able to speak to me directly – sure, I listen to a lot of music, enjoy most of it, and obsess over some. But there is a relatively small amount of bands or artists whose music feels like it was created and played specifically for me. Dear and The Headlights, Saves The Day, The Anniversary, The Get Up Kids, The Impossibles – You’ll see these names pop up in this review a few times. All of them have had, and continue to have, a significant impact on me – not just as a fascination with or an appreciation for what they do, though there certainly is that. No… it’s something more. Something resonant. Something evocative. There’s something essential to what they do, what they’ve done, and what they mean, be it for me on a personal level, or to the music world at large. Tigers Jaw, with each of their releases, has quickly and without a doubt become a band that belongs in the same category for me, and I suspect that there are a lot of people who feel the same way. From the beginning, with Belongs To The Dead, to their superb self-titled full-length, their Spirit Desire EP and their split with Balance and Composure, there’s a well-defined sense of purpose and a surety of sound that most bands can only hope to achieve. With Two Worlds, Tigers Jaw has crafted a love note to the past, as well as an unflinching proclamation to future listeners: Pay attention. Consisting of 5 members, guitarists/vocalists Ben Walsh and Adam Moilwee, bassist/vocalist Dennis Mishko, keyboardist/vocalist Brianna Collins, and drummer Pat Brier, Tigers Jaw has crafted a sound that is as much nostalgic as it is inventive. Deeply rooted in the late ‘90’s, early ‘00’s sonic sandbox of the Vagrant and Equal Vision catalogues, Tigers Jaw plays like the perfect mix of The Anniversary and The Get Up Kids, with the lo-fi, almost indescribable energy captured by The Impossibles on their stunning Return. As this is a band that relies on so many vocalists, the collaborative feeling of the album is captured in a variety of ways, but it’s the shared vocal duties of most of the tracks that really speak to the essence of the band. While one or two vocalists are highlighted on each track, most utilize the inherent energy of group vocals, making you feel as if you’re a part of what they’re doing. All of their albums infinitely sing-along-able, and it’s that all-inclusive nature that makes helps to make them so alluring, and what ultimately makes each of their releases so commanding and listenable. If there are any complaints I have about Two Worlds – and I want to get them out of the way, because they’re mostly minor – it’s that it simply plays too quickly. At just under 27 minutes, it’s over and done with before you can register many of the most important aspects of the album – an innate and intuitive sense of melody, brutally honest and emotive lyrics and vocal delivery, subtly mixed keyboards/organ, clever guitar lines. You can catch some of this on your first listen, but as when you listen to any Tigers Jaw release, you’re struck by an overwhelming but welcome sense of familiarity. The simple fact is you can and more importantly want to listen to this album for as long as possible....full text |
| Scenepointblank |
| Tigers Jaw are an indie rock band with heavy emo influences based out of Pennsylvania. Think early Weezer meets The Get Up Kids. Having already released two LPs, an EP, and a split with Balance and Composure, Two Worlds, their newest release on Run For Cover Records, finds them maturing their sound and producing one of the best releases of the year. Tigers Jaw have two distinct sounds that they weave in and out of magnificently. One is the upbeat, guitar driven indie rock that makes you tap your toes and sing-along, like in “Smile” and “Static”. The other is a more soft, melancholic sound, found on tracks like “I Saw the Wolf”. And sometimes they mix the two together in one song, like in “Test Pattern”. The songs here are not nearly as catchy as on their self-titled full length debut, but the songwriting here is markedly improved. The guitarists play together, rather than one playing melody and one playing rhythm. The riffs bounce off of one another, and the songs flow incredibly. The keyboards tracks are still subtle, and contribute greatly to their overall sound (Get Up Kids anyone?). It’s hard to pick out a low point, or even a high point, as the record is consistent from start to finish. From a musical standpoint, everything from the musicianship to the production quality is extraordinary. Tigers Jaw really are on top of their game here. The vocals are just as solid as ever, and are easily my favorite aspect of this band. The lead vocalist is raw and emotional, and the other members of the band harmonize with him magnificently. Brianna Collins’ vocals in particular make the songs sound spectacular, and add a unique quality that sets the band apart from the crowd. Lyrically, this record is more bitter and less hopeful than its predecessor. Though it may sound like it at times, this definitely isn’t a feel-good album. The songs are highly relatable, and pluck your heartstrings from time to time, a la Saves the Day. This is definitely an Autumn record, so it’s unfortunate that it has come out so close to winter. I definitely look forward to throwing this disc on come October next year, and walking through the fallen leaves reflecting on past relationships as well as what the future holds....full text |
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