***By now BANNER PILOT have cemented themselves as a pillar of the ever-swelling Midwest punk scene and continue to reinforce that claim with each subsequent release. 2011’s Heart Beats Pacific elevated Banner Pilot from a band that was notably influenced by the likes of Dillinger Four, Alkaline Trio, and Screeching Weasel, to a band with such a trademark sound and style that they were the ones doing the influencing. Their latest full-length, Souvenir, only serves to strengthen their legend. On every track NICK’s gritty vocals urgently belt out poetically penned lyrics over the top of edgy up-tempo guitars and sprawling bass lines. Pairing instantly catchy melodies with aggressive and smart instrumentation, Souvenir finds a way to be equally comforting and invigorating. To be blunt, these guys literally keep getting better with every album. How is that possible, you ask? Performance enhancing drugs? Deal with the devil? Secret mentoring sessions by Phil Spector? It’s hard to say, really, but sometimes it’s best not to ask questions and just enjoy the results. (STREET DATE - 4/15/2014)