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| Midway Valley - "Tanner" Label: Sad Nap Records |
Wes Meadows is the definition of an unsung hero. An unsung hero of underground music. I can't remember when, and I can't remember how they first got my attention, but I know that I know them and their work for 10+ years now. It might be even since the very beginning, as they founded Flowerpot Records in 2010. The label just put out FPR-229 and that's quite the ratio if you think about it. The label is extremely local as Wes mostly portrays the scene in Ohio and most of the acts they put out are befriended musicians. The two most well known releases on Flowerpot Records -at least in my opinion- must be SHIN GUARD's mega hit "2020" and "I became Birds", the record that put HOME IS WHERE really on the map. Both are no "exclusive" releases whatsoever, as FPR only put out the tape-versions of them.
One might suggest that FPR merely puts out Emo and Screamo but it's totally not like that. Wes' own projects are more on the quiet site of things, though it's hard to pin them down as an artist, as they go from Punk to Country/Folk to Ska to Indie to progressive, experimental stuff. It's basically all over the place. One of Wes' early projects even went by the name of ALL OVER THE PLACE. So it's hard for me to phantasize about Wes' discography or FPR's roster as I labeled them "crazy freaky music that's not for me" for far too long. 2023 proved to me that FPR is one of the most interesting labels around as two of my favorite albums of the year were released by Wes' label: "LISOGA" by THE HEAVY FORGIVENESS and ALAN LUETH's "Countryside Clothesline" that was even decorated AOTY on this blog.
Going through FPR's/Wes' music catalogue is like going into a candy shop to taste all different kinds of gummy candys. Some you love, some you find disgusting and some you find interesting. Wes' newest project is MIDWAY VALLEY. It was written and recorded by Wes with some help by John Bukovac and Ben Wolgamuth, the guy behind the already mentioned THE HEAVY FORGIVENESS. Their debut album "Tanner" wasn't released on Flowerpot Records though, but on Sad Nap Records. Another label out of Ohio that is somehow connected to FPR and Wes, as it is run by members of THE YOU SUCK FLYING CIRCUS.
Writing the shit around the actual record, I'll keep it short now: "Tanner" is 9 songs of "true" Melodic-/Pop-Punk greatness. It feels like it's coming out of the deep 90s or mid to late 80s. It sounds rough and sincerely sloppy, but it's extremely catchy nonetheless. Think bands like DESCENDENTS, DAG NASTY, WAX or even DILLINGER FOUR, just to name a more recent band. And yes, I know that they haven't put out anything since 2008. So, you get the picture here! "Tanner" is a nostalgic yet very authentically sounding affair, full of charme, catchy melodies, kick-ass rhythms, powerful punchlines and to-the-point-songwriting. Wes once again prove their versatility with MIDWAY VALLEY and delivered a record that is the freshest kind of Pop-Punk I've heard in a while. This is written for guys like us. This is Pop-Punk for the ugly...
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