Look Mexico - Gasp Asp EP

[Blake Solomon]

Look Mexico - Gasp Asp EP
Record Label: Lujo Records (Digital) / Tiny Engines Records (Vinyl)
Release Date: Winter-ish, 2008

Writing a review for Gasp Asp is an honor. I imagine any forthcoming full-lengths will hospitalize me due to an overdose of exceeded expectations. With all this hyperbole, it seems ironic that Look Mexico still need an introduction. Their Midwest-emo and math-rock sounds are absolutely covered in the catchiness of pop songwriting. So even when Matt Agrella showers us with off-kilter strumming, we’re still obliged to bob our heads and maybe even dance a little. It’s hard to improve upon a debut as solid as The Crucial EP, but with each new release (especially This Is Animal Music), the band has found new talents - this time, it’s unnervingly smooth guitar noodling.

Four f**king songs. That’s all there is to fill our musical bellies on Gasp Asp. But even after multiple (and I mean multiple) back-to-back-to-back-to-etc. plays, I still anticipate the next thoughtful line or rolling drumbeat. This canned insanity comes together most effectively on “I’m Not Guilty, But I’m Used To It.” Joshua Mikel’s drum kit is never wasted for a second, as he uses the cymbals to offset a southern guitar solo and Agrella’s forceful delivery. And don’t be surprised when you start belting out the lines, “I can read / And I can breathe” on the subway or in bed (alone, sigh). The band’s choruses don’t sound “normal”, but that doesn’t make them any less memorable.

“A Survivors Code. My Code.” increases the angst without sacrificing tempo or technicality. In fact, the back-and-forth between bass and guitar is one of the album’s most challenging moments. And if that doesn’t spin you around enough, Mikel drums the song dangerously close to warped speed. It’s fitting that Agrella yells out, “I’d rather not have to leave you / But tell me where should we go from here?” If I had my way, they’d come play a show at my house and then record their awaiting magnum opus. Oh God, please let me have my way.


Recommended If You Like: American Football, This Town Needs Guns, clear mindsets, Loom-ish, Garmin GPS


www.myspace.com/lookmexico

[Jeremy Aaron]

Nice review. I love these guys and this EP. They keep upping their game every time.

[EndSerenading]

I actually had never heard of these guys somehow, but simply based on "Recommended If You Like: American Football" I will be checking them out now...

[EndSerenading]

annnddd Blake hits a home run. I love it. It sounds like a great mix of a lot of the midwest emo bands I grew up on plus some of the more modern stuff like minus the bear. Great suggestion, and I feel like a n00b for not having heard of these guys before...i guess thats par for the course when you get older unfortunately

[porttheman]

Good review, good EP. You're Not Afraid of the Dark Are You is an awesome song

[Bearchuck]

Sweet review, Blake. Much thanks for the kind words!

Just to throw this out there, we still have a few copies of the 7-inch version on the Tiny Engines website (http://www.tinyengines.net). We're probably in no danger of the green vinyl running out any time soon, but we only have about 15 copies of the blue vinyl / silver foil and 20 copies of the white vinyl / red foil. They come with download codes too.

Of course, if you don't care much for the wax, you can get the songs on iTunes as well.

Sales pitch, out.

[EndSerenading]

picked up on itunes last night so I had some new stuff to listen to at my desk at work this week ;)

[trappedintime]

Never even heard of them. I'll check out their songs on myspace later.

[prefix-core]

Love these guys. This E.P. is stellar!

[exthuse]

Love this so much. Great review. Amazing band. Hope they visit the UK soon. Would even put shows on!

[boykosaurus]

Good review Blake. I heard these guys before but (gasp) forgot about them. Thank you so much for reviewing this so I can come back to some excellent toonz

[Travis Parno]

sweetness, i'll check this out, blake

[Eurotrash Drock]

my friend had a house/backyard show during the second afternoon of the fest VII and look mexico played. even with a shitty PA they were still on point.

[toddc]

loved these guys since I first heard them. gawd I need to see them live.

[thehereaway]

I only heard of these guys at the weekend and i like what i heard.

[oncedarkness]

Even their tiny shows are amazing. Their guitar work reminds me of As Cities Burn alot.

[JoshMexico]

Thanks for the killer review, Blake!
We just posted some new tour dates (some with Frank Turner) at our myspace.
<3 joshua

[Blake Solomon]

I also highly recommend you all check out Loom. Its a bit more post hardcore, but they have a violin and amazing skills.

[mybreakingpoint]

looooooooooooooooooooove this band. great review.

[jrtbighurt]

I fucking love this E.P. and this band. Tour, outside of Florida, NOW.

[InaGreendase]

Band/EP rulz.

[jrtbighurt]

Sweet review, Blake. Much thanks for the kind words!

Just to throw this out there, we still have a few copies of the 7-inch version on the Tiny Engines website (http://www.tinyengines.net). We're probably in no danger of the green vinyl running out any time soon, but we only have about 15 copies of the blue vinyl / silver foil and 20 copies of the white vinyl / red foil. They come with download codes too.

Of course, if you don't care much for the wax, you can get the songs on iTunes as well.

Sales pitch, out.
I purchased one last week!

[Keagan Ilvonen]

Awesome EP

[kevinrocks409]

awesome band, awesome ep.

[archerboy]

I actually had never heard of these guys somehow, but simply based on "Recommended If You Like: American Football" I will be checking them out now...
Hah, like the first post, I never heard of these guys, but saying "This Town needs Guns" is an honor itself. I'm liking what I'm hearing.

[boykosaurus]

Just ordered the 7"

[KilledByAnAngel]

Sweet review, Blake. Much thanks for the kind words!

Just to throw this out there, we still have a few copies of the 7-inch version on the Tiny Engines website (http://www.tinyengines.net) (http://www.tinyengines.net%29). We're probably in no danger of the green vinyl running out any time soon, but we only have about 15 copies of the blue vinyl / silver foil and 20 copies of the white vinyl / red foil. They come with download codes too.

Of course, if you don't care much for the wax, you can get the songs on iTunes as well.

Sales pitch, out.
I remember seeing them first in Alternative Press with the recommended "American Football" thing. I listened then and haven't stopped since.

I've already ordered my package deal of vinyl. Can't wait.

Edit: They came in the mail today. They look great. Could you hook a brother up with some pressing info?

[denissuxx]

So short.. :(

[Scott Irvine]

Not that similar to American Football...

...good review nonetheless.

[EndSerenading]

I think the RIYL works though, doesnt always mean they have to sound the exact same, but rather tend to share similar fans.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

I'm gonna check these guys out for sure

[zombie!pirate!]

great review. I gave "You're not afraid of the Dark, are you?" a spin, and for some reason it sounds like a Jimmy Eat World b-side to me

[porttheman]

I also highly recommend you all check out Loom. Its a bit more post hardcore, but they have a violin and amazing skills.
I second this

[pinklipgloss]

is this release like their full-length which was akin to minus the bear?

[Blake Solomon]

is this release like their full-length which was akin to minus the bear?
i'd say you could make that comparison. I saw it another review for some of their stuff, the comparison I mean. There's definitely that technical noodling turned into pop music feel here. If you like MtB, you'd probably dig Look Mexico

[Bearchuck]

I remember seeing them first in Alternative Press with the recommended "American Football" thing. I listened then and haven't stopped since.

I've already ordered my package deal of vinyl. Can't wait.

Edit: They came in the mail today. They look great. Could you hook a brother up with some pressing info?
200 blue vinyl / silver foil
200 white vinyl / red foil
600 green vinyl / no foil

[songydarko]

They are wonderful.

[jtsnazzy]

Absolutely love this ep. Great review.

[Rich Duncan]

I also highly recommend you all check out Loom. Its a bit more post hardcore, but they have a violin and amazing skills.
Great review Blake! I love this album. Its funny you mentioned Loom, i think I reviewed that a little while ago. It definitely is good stuff though

[I am Mick]

This is Animal Music is perfection. I've only heard two of these songs thus far, as I can't find anywhere to get it. I wish I was this band...