Woke Up Falling

I first encountered Woke Up Falling on Epitonic, that grand old repository. For a kid from the suburbs who didn't know anyone in any scene, never mind the emo scene, Epitonic was a window into a side of music that never made it to the radio. Of course, that window was extremely narrow—Epitonic only offered a couple songs from an artist. I held on to the track "Let Your Halo" for well over a decade before I found the rest of their music on Bandcamp.

Woke Up Falling were from Portland. They played a really fantastic combination of midwest emo, emo pop, and indie rock. They are extremely melodic, but that doesn't mean they don't hit it hard too. I've always loved the vocal work as well, so raw and emotional. They released two full length albums, one in 2001 and the second in 2004, and an EP in 2003, and there are a couple more songs on a lathe 7" that unfortunately aren't available anywhere. The band was working on a second EP when they called it quits; the songs are a natural continuation of the second album and really make me wish the EP had seen a proper release. Additionally, one of the bandmembers posted a pre-first album demo and some other rarities on Soundcloud.

Dividing Blue from Blue, It's Only Your Ghost EP, and Self-Titled LP are available on Bandcamp in digital and physical formats.

Summer Camp EP + Rarities

Miracle of 86

Miracle of 86 are a band best known for their second album, Every Famous Last Word, which is available for streaming and purchase on major platforms. Less known is their first LP, The Miracle of 86, and the EPs and splits that came before it, especially the Stages 7" they released under the name Delusion. Delusion's second seven inch, Teenage Unity, was re-released under their new name (and the title track made part of an Emo Diaries compilation), but the first wasn't.

The Miracle of 86 is an interesting listen because on a track-by-track basis it veers between true midwest emo and emo pop that wouldn't be out of place on the much poppier second album. Songs like "Two-Color Pattern" and "Red 19" aren't far away from sounding like excerpts from a more polished The Power of Failing, while "Surprise Me" could have easily been saved for Every Famous Last Word. The band's pop leanings would gradually push out most of the midwest emo, or at least the rawer sounds inherited from that genre. This is why, despite my appreciation for the band's later work, The Miracle of 86 is my favorite release from them.

For download, I've made available Miracle of 86's early discography, from 1995 to the release of the first LP in 2000.

Miracle of 86: Early Discography, 1995-2000

The Shivering

The Shivering were a band from California that are probably best known for their compilation album, & Brand the Ground with Storm and Song, which puts together their scattered releases on Council, Owsla, and Alone. It's their most widely disseminated material and the only work from them that's made its way to streaming so far. Less heard is their excellent split 12" with Funeral Diner, which is for some reason omitted from the compilations, and even less heard than that is their sole LP, Behind Broken Eyes.

The Shivering played early-90s, late-80s inspired emocore, and do a good job of sounding a lot like Rites of Spring. Occasionally, some more modern screamo influences slip through on their later work, but Behind Broken Eyes especially is almost pure emocore. The LP was released in 2000, their split with Funeral Diner in 2001, and the compilation in 2004. 

The Shivering Discography