Convoj/The House Floor
Split 7"
Sound/Friends Network

I should've covered this one ages ago, so here's to making up for lost time! It's a new song from Convoj and I'm incredibly excited about it as I've been waiting for new material from these guys for ages upon ages. And now with rumours of a new album actually coming to fruition (finally!), we might as well check back in here for a taste of what to expect and well, they certainly didn't reinvent the wheel on this one -- if you dug the band's previous postpunk-influenced, angular rock'n'roll noisepop, then you will be contented. They're as great as ever, with powerful, driving beats and compelling, exuberant vocals. Pity it's only one track, but I'll take what I can get.

Elsewhere, on the flipside, we're treated to a track by Virginia-based act The House Floor. They're a band who follows in the fine harDCore tradition of their neighbors, 'cept that instead of taking after Fugazi (yay!), they tend to follow more in the footsteps of Jawbox (boo!). The song is way too long, it doesn't go anywhere and it has no hooks whatsoever. A decent rhythm section doesn't make it okay, in fact it only disappoints me more because it means they're not talentless.

On a more positive tip, it's worth noting that the art direction on this record is great. I love the cover design and limited palette of black, grays and blue printed on heavy white paper. The matching white vinyl is a nice touch, too.
- Avi Roig