Our contributor Ray Cobra weighs in on what Count Your Lucky Stars Records means to him and concludes with a few mini-reviews:

Every once in a while a record label comes along that changes the scope of music. Right now that label is Count Your Lucky Stars. The tiny label is based in Michigan and is home to some of the best bands in emo/indie/punk right now. The label was found by Keith and Cathy Latinen, who also just happen to be in Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate), one of the biggest acts on the label. Count Your Lucky Stars specializes in emo/indie sounding bands. The label has been said to be one of the reasons that emo is making a comeback. The bands on CYLS have been a part of festivals such as Bled Fest, the Fest, Vans Warped tour and others.  Notable bands on the label include Dowsing, Brave Bird, Moving Mountains, Joie De Vivre,  Annebel and Into it Over it.  CYLS just recently put out their 50^th release. To celebrate they put up five pre-orders and put up all their releases up on band camp for pay as you wish/free. Needless to say this writer got a few albums he did not have. One more thing about the label, when you order from them they send you a few starbursts. How cool is that?

Football, Etc. / Plaids 7”

This is a good release that showcases the talents of Football Etc. very well. The vocals are dead on point. The guitar playing is settled yet aggressive at the same time. The song “Down The Field” was a good song to use. It serves as a good holdover until he next Football, Etc. release. Plaids are a band that I hadn’t heard of before. Right away I liked what I heard. The two songs they chose for the split are fast punk rock, the way the genre is supposed to be played. These young lads from England do their forefathers proud. Plaids are a young band that can very well put English Punk Rock back on the map.

Warren Franklin And The Founding Fathers – Every Letter And Souvenir

Warren Franklin has been around the scene for a few years. Also, he has released stuff as a solo artist. This is his first release with a full band.  Right off the bat the first thing that sticks out about this release is the folky sound. This is not the usual for CYLS. But it still finds a way to fit right in with the rest of the roster. The song “some form of irony” has an emo feel to it.  In the song he says, “no one is going to care about the songs you sing.”   It is that kind of self-loathing that works well for this band. This is a name that should not be forgotten.

Perfect Future – Irrational, Malleable, Inevitable

Perfect Future is another band that does not fit the mold that CYLS is building. However much like Warren Franklin and the Founding Fathers they fit right in. This release shows the diversity that the label has. Perfect Future is a three piece band from Maryland/Virginia. This is their 2^nd release for CYLS. They have a number of splits out on their label. Upon listening to them I got the feeling they were a political band. So I did a little research and found out that the goal of this band was to be like Refused and Propagandhi but with a little emo thrown in. Well they did that. On this EP the topics range from animal testing to how nature will continue to grow without humans. This is a thinking man’s album. If you are a fan of La Dispute I would check these guys out.

Texas Instruments – Neither There Nor Thayer

Texas Instruments started out as a two piece in Kansas. Which is awesome, I have come to like two piece bands. They eventually added a bassist and are now a three piece. This is their first release for CYLS. They previously released on their own label.  With an emotional-hardcore sound they might be the hardest band on the roster.  One of the things I like about this album is the length; it is a throwback to the old days when hardcore albums were maybe 20 minutes long. This albums clocks in at around 21 minutes, with ten songs.

Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) – When The Sea Became A Giant

I like to think that most good successful indie labels have a cornerstone band.  Epitaph Records had Bad Religion, Nitro had The Offspring, Hopeless had Thrice, SST had Black Flag and that band for CYLS is Empire! Empire!.  This EP by Empire! Empire! Was one of the first releases by the label. Up until now it has never been pressed on vinyl. It also serves as the labels 50^th release. This is the album that set the tone for the label. If there is such thing as that CYLS sound, you will find it on this release.  However it not only set the tone for this label but for this current emo resurgence we are in. Listen to almost any band on CYLS, topshelf and Run For Cover; I promise you, you will hear traces of this band. One of the things that set them apart is the dual boy/girl vocals.  When listening to this release you can feel what Keith is singing about. And you know that you are not the only one going through whatever it is you are at that time. If you have not heard of this band you should give them a listen. Especially if you miss the days of Braid, Mineral, and any emo band from the Midwest.

[All of the above releases are available for download/purchase at the CYLS bandcamp.]