If conventional wisdom is our guide, writing that second album can be a real bitch for a band. We hear phrases like "sophomore slump" or "sophomore jinx" all the time, yet I can't help but feel that the emphasis on that phenomenon is a little overblown, perhaps a product of our cultural predilection for focusing on the negative. For today, at least, let's turn our attention to those bands who didn't flounder when faced with the challenge of making LP2, but stepped up the plate and launched one over the fence.

Here, I've selected some noteworthy nothin'-but-net second albums and written some comments for each. I don't intend for this list to be the "best" sophomore albums or even...

Boardroom Heroes is punk rock band from Maryland, due to release its sophomore effort Another Year on June 5 via Sinking Ship Records. The band's sound is a well-produced brand of '90s-style pop-punk, not unlike Green Day, Millencolin, Lagwagon, The Swellers or NOFX. You can stream the song "City Song" on their AP.net Profile or in the replies - we really think you should give this one a listen if you're a fan of the genre - and preorder the album here if you like it.

Today we are streaming a song called "III" from ambient indie-rockers Athletics new album Who You Are Is Not Enough. The album release will drop June 26th. If you're looking for something in the vein of Moving Mountains, this is the song to check out. Head to the band's AP.net profile to check out the song and go to the replies to read a message from the band.

As you can see, we're getting things started a little early on the site today. For one, we're super stoked to bring you a premiere of a brand new track from Dave Hause, lead singer from The Loved Ones. You'll find the title track from his upcoming 7-inch Pray for Tucson, available June 19th via Bridge Nine Records, in Dave's AP.net profile and in the replies. Let us know what you think about this one – pre-orders are now available through Bridge Nine here.

We're bringing a new column from The Swellers drummer Jonathan Diener, appropriately titled "Jono Goes To The Movies", where he gives his thoughts and opinions on new (and old) movies. Do you have any movies you'd like him to review? Put your suggestions in the comments.

Hit the replies to read his review of Sacha Baron Cohen's latest film, The Dictator.

This weeks gym playlist comes from Trapped Under Ice vocalist Justice Tripp. Hit the replies for an Rdio widget and a Spotify link.

"I am all circuits and wires conducting symphonies of heat exchange and energies."

Staff Reviews

Misser - Every Day I Tell Myself I'm Going To Be A Better Person (Thomas Nassiff)
Robert Francis - Strangers in the First Place (Greg Robson)

Staff Articles

Slam Dunk Festival Essentials (Andy Biddulph)

Add Cancer Bats to the list of bands covering Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" recently. Check the replies for the video.

Bruce Springsteen's video for "Rocky Ground" can be found in the replies.

Pre-orders for Senses Fail's Follow Your Bliss are now up.

Looks like Underminded are getting the old band back together. Two songs have been written so far, "I Heard You Fucked The Band, The Crew, The Merch Dude, and Detroit Warped Tour" and "Fuck Your Band and Fuck You."

Dave Nassie of Bleeding Through will be doing an up-close and personal guitar clinic at West L.A. Music Saturday, June 2nd starting at 4pm.

Submitted by seanwestlamusic

Stateside have signed with Anchor Eighty Four Records.

Mike Ness has estimated that Social Distortion will begin writing new material in January.

A "making of" video from Neon Trees can be found in the replies.

Razor & Tie has signed California hardcore band Defiler. They are currently working on a new album to be released later this year. Listen to a new song entitled "Lucky 38" in the replies.

Front Magazine have posted up their interview with Mark Hoppus.

From the Interview

My approach with him and swear words is that he’s going to say them, and I’m not gonna fool myself into thinking he won’t. I explained it to him like this – in class you pay attention, you listen to the teacher, and you behave in a certain way. When you go outside you can run around and do somersaults. Bad words are like that – there are situations where it’s cool to use them and others where it isn’t, and the trick to being a human being is learning that. That being said, he’ll go “Well how come you say fuck in front of 10,000 people?” He’s also just at the age where he’s starting to understand...

Happy Birthday to Jason Maffucci from Just Surrender.

Submitted by UnderclasHero

NOFX's new song "My Stepdad's A Cop And My Stepmom's A Domme" debuted on Mike Davies's Punk Show on Radio 1. You'll have to skip to around the 1 hour 46 minutes mark.

Submitted by skanal1

Anywhere will release their self-titled debut album on July 24th via ATP Recordings. Listen to a track and see the artwork in the replies. The group is a collaboration between Cedric Bixler-Zavala (At the Drive-In, The Mars Volta) and Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE).

Track Listing
1. Pyramid Mirrors
2. Rosa Rugosa
3. Khamsin
4. Dead Golden West
5. Anywhere
6. Shaman Mantra
7. Infrared Moses

Obi Fernandez of Westbound Train will release his first solo album, Confessions, Waves and the Garden State, on August 21st via Paper + Plastick. Watch a video on the recording process here.

With the Punches, Forever Came Calling and State Champs will be touring together this summer. Dates can be found in the replies.

Purevolume is streaming Transmit Now's new album, 1955, here.

A new song from Aerosmith called "Legendary Child" can be found in the replies.

A live set with Dustin Kensrue is streaming right now, right here.

Submitted by brook183

Hit the replies to check out a new music video from Riff Raff & MOD SUN, for "Live Fast". You can catch MOD SUN on this year's Vans Warped Tour all summer long.

The Early November will release In Currents on July 10th.

Track Listing
01) A Stain on the Carpet
02) Frayed in Doubt
03) In Currents
04) Digital Age
05) Tell Me Why
06) Close to You
07) Guilt & Swell
08) That's Not Your Real Name
09) Like a Kid
10) Smell of This Place
11) Wearing a Tie
12) Call Off the Bells

Watch Matt Skiba and The Sekrets' music video for "Voices" here.

Such Gold will release a limited edition 7" entitled Storyteller on June 26th via Razor & Tie. It features two tracks - "Storyteller" and "Locked Out of the Magic Theater" - from their upcoming full length. Pre-order it here.

American Nightmare (AKA Give Up the Ghost) will be playing another reunion show at Webster Hall in New York City on July 22nd. Tickets go on sale on May 31st.

In this interview, Armor For Sleep's Ben Jorgensen quiets rumors of a new AFS album surrounding the band's reunion shows.

From the Interview

We’re not going to make another Armor for Sleep album. I can 99.99% say we’re not going to do it. Everybody has their own things going on in their lives, and people’s priorities change, and everyone is really busy with what they’re doing. And another thing is, that [while] we could all do different creative things, I feel like AFS is very attached to a certain time, and to do anything to dishonor that would be unjust in some ways. So, if we do other things – when we do other things – it will be outside AFS.

The Early November kicked off its tour with The Wonder Years yesterday in New York City. Head to the replies to watch the band perform a new song called "Digital Age," and be sure to check AP.net later today for our photos from last night's show.

You can stream Cassadee Pope's debut solo EP in the replies.