Blotto split 7″
The lead song, “No Regerts” (intentionally misspelled), is the shot: self-doubt, scene-doubt, and life-doubt becomes a swelling anti-anthem. It’s one of those smile/cry songs where the protagonist is on the “cynical and jaded?” vs. “lifetime devotee-on-my-own-terms” fulcrum points in life. I hear celebration… You could call ‘em pop punk and it wouldn’t be wrong, but it wouldn’t be right, either, because that wipes out their biggest weapon: heart. - Todd Taylor @ Razorcake

Historical Fiction 7″
Their catchy blend of the Discount sound and folk-punk is as catchy and enjoyable as it can be uplifting. Their latest 7″ is an affirmation that when this New Brunswick, New Jersey band gets their stuff together, it’s worth checking out. Both songs on Historical Fiction feature Lauren on vocals rather than the mix of Lauren and Mike that we have seen previously. The A-side of the 7″ is the title track which, interestingly enough, didn’t appear on the full-length of the same name. It sounds like Discount meets the Weakerthans. The band allows melody to let the song shine rather than the romps full of energy that we’ve seen in the past and the end result is probably the band’s best work as of yet. Lauren’s voice comes off as sincere and passionate as the listener could hope for while the rest of the band takes the song for a ride with enough pop and swings to leave you wondering if you would rather sing along with the words or hum the melody. -Punknews.org

Listening to music in specific formats has its own rewards. What’s great about following a band through a series of 7”s, when done well, is it’s like reading a book of short stories. Themes interconnect. There’s an overarching arc. You get the feel and tone and approach of a band. And that’s great, that’s artistry, that’s development; it’s not just an exercise in consumerism. It’s also a different sort of challenge for the band because the 7”s must stand on their own—several songs at a time—and give a true representation of the band, while being true to the texture to their body of work. These two songs, “Historical Fiction,” and a New Dress cover, are on the more quiet and introspective side of things, and they’re, well, just beautiful and show the range that The Measure [SA] is capable of. Pop punk is far too often a creative trap. This band shows that there’s still a lot to explore, and that’s why it’s so rewarding following them, step by step. –Todd Taylor @ Razorcake

Union Pool 7″

Can you bottle exuberance? Just sheer joy? Can it be dabbed behind your ear like a perfume? It sure as hell can be captured on vinyl and The Measure’s got its number: über-earnest, let’s-get-this-shit-right, dual vocals DIY punk that’s disregarding paint-by-numberisms. And it makes me giddy—actually smiling when hearing these songs come on—that bands, in this relative dearth left in the wake of mid-‘90s pop punk aren’t only jumping into retreads of fun, but are taking the exposed wires of the best of that decade and plugging them directly into their instruments, hearts, and minds, while pedaling down new avenues into the 2000s. Like a supercharged Discount? Like watching otters magically frolic and play instruments? Like the best basement show, glasses fogged, windows steamed? Contagious? Yes, yes, and yes. –Todd Taylor @ Razorcake

Here’s one of the best records I’ve heard in a while. A lot of people have told me about this band but this is actually the first thing that I’ve heard from them. Anyway, they’re called The Measure, they’re from New Jersey and they play punk rock. May sound like any band but they really got a thing of their own going on. I really like the female vocals, and the energy that this band has. Their mix of punk rock and fast pop is great and I can’t really compare them to anything else I’ve heard. All I can say is that you will sing the chorus of “Union Pool” for the rest of the day after listening to this 7″ just once! -Christer @ Mutiny Zine

Historical Fiction LP

Progress comes when old solutions just dont quite work anymore. Bands that realize this very simple idea can excel at making great songs. The Measure {SA} sound concerned with the past, but they push it back: to the background, as a backdrop, and, ultimately, a springboard. And then they take center stage and play their own songs, brightly and powerfully. Although I hear passing points as far separated as the Pogues, Discount, and Bent Outta Shape, Historical Fiction is very far from a mess of gifts, poorly wrapped around someone elses notes, but a complete and utter surprise that reveals itself slowly with each additional listen. Its complex without being obtuse, melodic without artificial sweeteners, sincere without the I like Jawbreaker. I like Converse. I ride a bike. Hug me. Coffee! pitfalls. The entire record plays like its holding you close while dancing and singing in your ear. Neck and neck with Fifth Hour Heros Not Revenge for coming completely out of left field and handing my ass to me. Todd Taylor @ Razorcake

I was lucky enough to get their demo, luckier still to get this full-length. The Measure {SA} have hit upon a diversely unified sound. Now bear with me on that one. They have male and female vocals where the male vocals are full of gravel and drunken-sounding slurring. The female vocals alternate between sweet and strong. Every song has a new approach, but it all works as a cohesive unit that doesnt feel like they step outside of themselves at any point on the album. Its inventive, raw, and powerful. Ive listened to it at least once a day for the past two months and dont see myself stopping. Megan Pants @ Razorcake

“The more I listent to this record, the more I hear comparisons that just don’t work. One second I hear a band like Rumbleseat, then I hear some Soviettes and the whole basic “I grew up with early Lookout or No Idea records releases” thing going on. Somehow, though, the Measure {SA} has blended into something that also has the feel of Petrograd and pre-dance Chumbawamba. Whatever you want to say it sounds like, you can sum it up with one word: “excellent!” A winner that you can get from…
- Jonathan Floyd from Maximum Rock’n'Roll #278

This record, the band’s first album, was actually released before the “Union Pool” 7″ that we reviewed some time ago. As you know I loved that record and fact is that I like this one even more. I got this one in the mail this morning and I’ve listened to it a couple of times already and it really grows with every listen. The simplicity and honesty of The Measure’s music is something that is not so easy to find nowadays and I’m glad to tell you that a couple of new releases are being released as I write this. Naturally this record has a couple of more songs on it than the 7″ and the more songs I hear the more diversity in the band’s songwriting is revealed. Mostly this is a mid-tempo record with a lot of great lyrics. Lauren’s voice really fits the band’s sound and so does Mike ’s. Having both female and male vocals lifts the songs yet another level and the parts where both Mike and Lauren sings are fantastic. Sound wise “Historical Fiction” is really rough and it’s obvious that this is just how the band likes it. The Measure [SA] is all about energy and the raw sound is something that I’ve come to associate with the band. I’m not even gonna mention any specific songs ’cause it’s all great. One of the best bands I know! Get yourself a copy of this album. Christer @ Mutiny Zine

Historical Fiction, is the first album from this New Jersey band, and it’s doozy. The Measure (SA) formed a few years ago as a folk punk band, but as they continued to practice they found that they became louder and faster. They have all but left the folk punk influence behind, and have risen to become one of the better bands to come out in recent years. With the ability to tie together influences as diverse as the Pogues, Discount, and American Steel, the Measure (SA) have created an album that is dynamic from start to finish. What I find refreshing about Historical Fiction is the variety of the songs presented, leaving never a boring or dull moment.I also love bands with multiple vocalists, and this band is no different. Mike has that Shane MacGowan quality in that his vocals are partially gruff, and partially drunkenly slurred. Lauren has an almost Allison from Discount approach to singing where the vocals shift from sweet to strong. The lyrics are also great as they are personal, and many times deal with the alienation of everyday life in the way that leaves us the listener able to relate to them.The songs flow well together leaving an album that sounds like it was intentionally put together in the order it is presented. The music varies from straight ahead melodic punk tunes such as Just Go, and Letters, to the more folk/country influenced tunes such as Autonumously, and It’s Me or the Marlboro Man. Dare I say there is an almost Psychedellic Furs as channeled by bands like Jawbreaker or American Steel, meets Billy Bragg influence in the songs.If it isn’t apparent, I think this album is great. I look foreward to seeing them in a few weeks when they swing through St. Pete on their winter tour.” - Sink or Swim

Trading vocal duties between Lauren and Mike, The Measure [SA] plays a down-and-not-completely-dirty punk rock straight from the garage and into your arms. Mike clearly hates pockets because sometimes he sings like he’s got his car keys and spare change in his mouth, and possibly a lit ciggie too. On “Ballad Of A Falling Star” you are slapped around with a speedy burst of punk rock that hearkens back to the punks who never sold out and never bought in, and whose voice does this remind you of? Oh yeah, Shane MacGowan. Lauren’s singing is something to make specific mention of, because so many women in alternative music just get it wrong. A woman’s options in alt-music are bracketed by sounding like someone booted her in the nose (Brody Dalle) on one end, or like a girl who has just been humped tirelessly or dumped unceremoniously by wonderboy (Gwen Stefani) on the other. What Lauren does that is so rad is that she sings fast but in her own voice, not trying to sound tough or sexy or angsty or whatever: she’s getting it out like someone who loves music, not someone who is auditioning for “American Idol” or reconstructive nose surgery. She is cool without pleading with you to think she’s cool. When you talk about catchy songs or singalong choruses, you have to be specific and say this is not the “whoa-ohhh-oh” type of bro-core kiddie music. This is just super-catchy music. This whole album is tight and fast, with only one song breaking the 3 minute mark, and 6 not breaking the 2 minute mark! The Measure [SA] plays with manic glee like you find some wannabe Irish punkers doing, yes, with that joy, but without sounding artificial or like they’re humping the Pogues’ legs. If you want the story behind the “[SA]” go to their website. - Culturebunker