Hostage Calm is flawless.

[celadon]

So what happens when an insanely aware and politically active vegan hardcore band decides to become a constantly rotating, evolving, and ass kicking pop band that can throw Gatsby's American Dream, Kid Dynamite, The Smiths and The Beach Boys together? Hostage Calm. Best band on the planet now that's formed in the last five years.

Their self-titled was a huge shift from their old sound, and their newer stuff is incinerating genre boundaries. Dudes are standup guys and are trying their damndest to get others politically aware. They partnered with AP last year giving away free copies of their album if people would write to New York representatives and got like, a few thousand testimonies that helped legalize same-sex marriage in that state. Dudes will also let you speak your mind if you completely disagree with them.

Oh, and "Please Remain Calm" will be out in October.
filtermagazine.com/index.php/media/entry/mp3_hostage_calm_release_new_song_brokenheartland_filter_premiere
^ New song "Brokenhearted".

Also their last album can be found here.
runforcoverrecords.bandcamp.com/album/hostage-calm

[theretina]

i can thank allie for introducing me to this band, actually. she sent me a package with a bunch of random crap in there, amongst which was a Hostage Calm poster.

[emmeth]

Truth time: I haven't downloaded this yet. And I'm back to "blah, need new music" mode again. SOMEONE REMIND ME TO DO THIS WHEN I ACTUALLY GET TEN MINUTES TO MYSELF.

[apathy]

i don't have the monies

[freakozoid]

Please Remain Calm is a serious contender for taking Handwritten's aoty title. "The M Word" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. The whole album just says fuck you to genre defining. Stellar.