Review: Crossing I's Dotting T's Drops Debut EP

Crossing I's Dotting T's release self-title EP

If you’re a fan of raw, aggressive punk music, then there is a new band on the scene to check out. Orange County, California’s Crossing I’s Dotting T’s just dropped their self-titled EP on Friday, August 6^th via Golden Robot / Riot Records. The EP was produced and mixed by Alex Estrada of Pale Moon Audio (also known for his work with Joyce Manor, Touché Amoré, and Nails) and mastered by Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Jeff Rosenstock).

Crossing I’s Dotting T’s was formed by Matt Mucerino (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) in 2020. The band which also includes Soren (Zo) Crisell (lead guitar) Oliver (Oli Humbucker) Callison (bass, backing vocals) and Mat Miranda (drums) describes themselves as “emotive-alternative rock” who combine punk, emo, and alternative rock.

Mucerino’s aggressive vocals and style on the 4 song Crossing I’s Dotting T’s remind me of I Am The Avalanche’s Vinnie Caruana and Less Than Jake’s Chris Demakes. The songs are short with a raw and energetic punk sound. However, the tunes which were all penned by Mucerino, are lyrically more emo. “Dissatisfied” is about the simultaneous fear of living and the fear of dying. In “See You at Your Funeral” Mucerino sings about loneliness and missing a loved one who died. “7:45 AM” concerns the anxiousness of the future and regrets of the past. “Regret Stained Memories” is about losing yourself.

Speaking about the EP, vocalist/frontman Matt Mucerino shares, “This EP is inspired by the death of my cousin/best friend who left us at the age of 21 due to cancer. “See You at your Funeral” is specifically about him, and the remaining songs talk of depression, anxiety, questioning society, the inevitability of death, as well as just simply not feeling wanted in certain moments. It is a mixed bag with no one main influence, but we took inspiration from a lot of 90s alt-rock type bands like Nirvana, The Pixies, Foo Fighters, Joyce Manor and Jawbreaker to create a blueprint for what Crossing I’s Dotting T’s will sound like. It is Grunge meets Emo meets Alt-Rock meets Pop-Punk. A quick 4-song EP, there is something for everyone on this.”

The songs on Crossing I’s Dotting T’s are brief and to the point with mostly verses and no repetitive choruses. If you possess a short attention span, like aggressive punk vocals and music, and have a sensitive side, then Crossing I’s Dotting T’s is an album you may want to listen to.

Follow Crossing I’s Dotting T’s

Track Listing:

1. Dissatisfied
2. See You At Your Funeral
3. 7:45am
4. Regret Stained Memories

Post by Scott Raymer (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

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