Bad Planning and A Semester Abroad - Splitting Hairs
BAD PLANNING & A SEMESTER ABROAD RELEASE ‘SPLITTING HAIRS’
Two bands from Chicago, Bad Planning and A Semester Abroad, recently dropped a grand split EP, called Splitting Hairs. Both these bands should be picked up by one of the big labels, as they’re really locked-in.
Bad Planning
Bad Planning is made up of Alex, Aaron, Dylan, and Miles, from Barrington/Palatine, Illinois. I don’t know who plays what instrument or provides vocals.
Their Facebook bio page says: “Based out of Barrington Illinois, Bad Planning started as a trio back in the fall of 2013. With the addition of a bass player, the band recorded their first album the next summer. After a lineup change the band's second release, Lifetime, came out in winter 2015. Since then the band has been dedicated to playing shows and releasing music to further contribute to and expand the amazing Chicago Punk Rock/Pop Punk scene that they have grown up with.”
A Semester Abroad is made up of: Miles, Laurence, Danny, Trell, and Matt. Once again, no indication of who plays guitar, drums, bass, etc. According to their Facebook page they are from the “Northwest suburbs of Chicago.”
I love the harmonic shifts and breakdowns on this track, imbuing the song with delectable variation, while still pumping out nuclear energy.
The EP encompasses five-tracks, three from A Semester Abroad and two from Bad Planning, which starts things off with “Be Brave,” which opens on an austere guitar ramping up to maxed-out beefy levels of thick chugging guitars and stellar drumming. Terrific vocals and backing harmonies infuse the tune with tasty melodicism on the chorus.
Track two is “Self-Reliant,” from A Semester Abroad, which, like the first track opens on a lightly strumming guitar flowing into a potently pulsing rhythm topped by gleaming muscular guitars. I love the harmonic shifts and breakdowns on this track, imbuing the song with delectable variation, while still pumping out nuclear energy. And whoever handles lead vocals has it going on.
“Flower Fields” rides growling rampaging guitars and alt-metal-like drums seguing into a snapping, rumbling tune full of powerful glistening guitars and intense vocals. “Actors” begins on a rumbling drum fill, followed by the entry of dirty, snarling guitars. Searing vocals give the lyrics a metal-core flavor, but without the demonic screams. And the melody pushes hard, exuding beau coup punk muscle.
The final track, “Meadows,” is pretty much psychedelic dream-pop amalgamated with Ramada Inn lounge music, but jazzed up with swirling colors and drifting glowing textures.
Splitting Hairs is excellent pop-punk, full of pummeling energy, brawny guitars, compelling rhythms, and first-rate vocals from both bands.
