Topshelf Records

“Baltimore's Pianos Become The Teeth cleverly combine elements of screamo, hardcore and post-rock with compelling 8-track release, 'Old Pride'. Beginning with 'Filial' and 90's emo-like guitars before erupting into what sounds like Thursday, at their most chaotic. What follows is a mixture of screams, that at times dominate over well thought out melodies, that bring a sense of grandness.”
– Alter the Press

“Toe runs a great balancing act avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued many bands of the same genre, expanding on their strengths and creating new ones they will be a band to watch. With dashes of Tortoise, Pele and a unique sound all their own, Toe is moving forward with another exciting album while their counterparts wallow in their stagnant sound to be forgotten in the years to come.”
– First Order Historians

“On the whole, Twelve Towns is an attentive collection with good amount of variation to please both new and old fans. From the sturdy full-band moments to the intimate solo points, it’s clear Weiss is a strong and sensible song-writer who truly cares about his craft. On Twelve Towns, he has used his experiences on the road valuably, resulting in a concise collection songs that are beneficial for both fans and Weiss himself.”
– Under The Gun Review

“Things weren't always so wild for the Wild Ones. On the way to completing their debut album, Keep It Safe, the Portland sextet's guitarist suffered a blown-out eardrum and their drummer wound up with a punctured lung. Also, they damn near went broke. But you're not likely to sense that in "From Nothing," a springy song with only the slightest down-turned corners. The melodic grace of singer Danielle Sullivan is undeniable, while the band's mix of buoyant synth-pop and familiar indie-rock keeps things moving ever forward.”
– SPIN Magazine

“Make no mistake, Knots is emo as hell and a reminder that the term evolved from “emotional hardcore.” It’s an album of real stakes and bone-deep commitment, where any honest interaction, of mind, body, or soul, is preferably full-contact.”
– Pitchfork

“Musically, Enemies are at the top of the game on Embark, Embrace, and absolutely fantastic, diverse instrumentation can be heard throughout the entire record.”
– Absolute Punk

“Caravels unleash an incredibly dense and yet thoroughly interesting, non-specific blend of brooding, modern hardcore, '90s screamo temperament and gloomy, lumbering post-rock elements with their five-song EP, Floorboards. It's a progressive and circuitous sound offering few hooks to satiate early or even later listens, but it's a rewarding investment all the same.”
– Punknews

“Blame & Aging is filled to the brim with music that you can feel resonating in your bones for days on end. Simultaneously visceral and contemplative, We Were Skeletons represent a nearly forgotten genre’s still beating heart.”
– Dying Scene

“Over in Boston, Massachusetts, Topshelf Records are quietly (or loudly, depending on perspective) putting out quality release after release, records that remind people why they like music in the first place. ‘Mountain Smashers’ is one such album. The first full-length from New Jersey band By Surprise, it’s the sound of shy bookish-types given guitars and told to raid indie record stores for obscure inspiration.“
– Alter The Press

“If this is the music that speaks to you, here is where the action now is. So, forget the emo revival—this is about two subsets of rock fans being pushed together by aspirational emo bands reaching beyond their niche on one side and the eclipse of traditional indie by mainstream pop on the other. Keep Doing What You’re Doing marks the precise point where these audiences meet, get drunk, and turn it up.”
– Pitchfork