Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Pop
Band Spotlight
Chiodos
Perhaps no one can explain the sheer ferocity and timid quietness it is better than when vocalist Craig Owens says “we don’t want to let the kids down” when discussing the group’s intense vocals live at shows. Well they never let a single kid down with their vicious assault on the ears and grip on the jugular...
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03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Alternative, Pop
John Biz — The Happiest Days of My Life Buy it at Amazon
Proto-alternative rock cat John Biz likes to dive deep into Beach Boys’ era vocal melodies at times. “The Happiest Days of My Life” seems to be a Weezer-esque sort of album that wants to find a home nears the Replacements and maybe R.E.M. Fortunately for those of us who really love pure indie rock, it won’t interfere—this is far reaching power-pop that has occasional indie rock noodlings with driving guitar fuzz and infectious rhythms that are demanding. Nothing bad but nothing superior either.
- J-Sin
Arielle Silver — Somethingprettysomethingtrue Buy it at Amazon
Arielle’s sophomore release “Somethingprettysomethingtrue” tries to be a lot of things but it doesn’t try to really break free of pop-rock which is a good thing. Silver’s vocals are empowered pro-feminine lyrics that are refreshing in the land of “man”. The music reminds me of classic R.E.M. at times with more orchestral pop and indie rock mixed in with delightful results. Wanting to find some hot female singer/songwriter folk-pop that’s nifty, dynamic, and outreaching? Look no further!
- J-Sin
Acid Android — Purification Buy it at Amazon
Japanese rock group Acid Android soak their sound in what most refer to as “industrial” with its chugga-chugga riffs and droid-like rhythms. But it’s not industrial as you may expect it to sound. Instead, it’s more industrial in the methodology of songwriting that Yukihiro employs. Churning guitars wail against a distorted wall of angst, hard rhythms that are somewhat danceable, and pop harmonies that maintain a nice level of catchiness.
- J-Sin
Fair to Midland — Drawn and Quartered Buy it at Amazon
Serjical Strike’s Fair to Midland hopes to prove that categorization is something of the past with their enigmatic debut. System of a Down’s Serj Tankian personally chose the group to be on the roster for his interesting label. The group marries heavy guitars, melodic vocals, dynamic songwriting, crafty harmonies, and progressive rock undertones into one majestic sound all their own. Clever, different, and quite divergent from what you normally hear on the radio—or even might expect from Serj’s camp—“Drawn and Quartered” is a challenging listen that every music fan should engage in. The enhanced EP contains two original demos, two live tracks, and a music video.
- J-Sin
Breaking Laces — Astronomy Is My Life But I Love You Buy it at Amazon
Vocally it seems as if Breaking Laces firmly resides in the alternative rock arena. And that’s just damn dandy if you ask me. Because they circle with wagons filled with indie rock pop harmonies and infectious hooks. Based out of the gritty land of Brooklyn, Breaking Laces isn’t what we’ve been typically hearing out of the Big Apple these days, which seems to be more lo-fi apartment-based rock or anti-folk fodder. It’s a great chance for this group to reclaim the rock world as a New York commodity that Wall Street wouldn’t dare trade. Nice edgy pop with melodies you can really sink your teeth into.
- J-Sin
Josh Dion Band — Live! Buy it at Amazon
Funk rock outfit Josh Dion Band has some good chops and does a good job of writing a funk riff. But is that really something you want to listen to for over an hour? Hip funk rock, over and over, and over some more with R&B crooning for sixty-six minutes? I got tired fast and you might too. Just think, this is them live, imagine ‘em just recorded…
- J-Sin
Various Artists — Superstars of the '80s Buy it at Amazon
A massive three-disc consortium of great ‘80s pop hits, “Superstars of the ‘80s” manages to find the very, very finest pop hits of that infamous genre of spandex and Reaganomics. Beginning with “All I Need Is a Miracle” and ending with “Everytime You Go Away”, the collection manages to find those hits that you remember so dearly. Available via Time Life and certain to spin your head “right round, like a record” some day in the future via infomercials, “Superstars of the ‘80s” spotlights such artists as David Lee Roth, INXS, Yes, Tears For Fears, Bananarama, Fine Young Cannibals, The Cars, Robert Palmer, David Bowie, Duran Duran, The Fixx, Pat Benatar, Stray Cats, Billy Idol, Culture Club, Wham!, Toto, Loverboy, Billy Ocean, and Mr. Mister among many many others. Sweet!
- J-Sin
Possible Selves — Possible Selves Buy it at Amazon
Spatial folk-pop that drips with clean wet melodies from synthesizers and guitars and hollers back to the grand old ‘60s age of folk pop. Neal Williams is the mastermind behind the curtains but unlike the Wizard of Oz he invites you back there to delight in his array of genius songwriting and clever multi-instrumental performance. Neal plays a vast amount of instruments including synthesizer, guitar, banjo, bass, drums, violine, saxophone, accordion, wood flute, recorder, melodica, clarinet, fender Rhodes, lap steel, and bells with various percussion instruments too. His songs are strong and deviously delicious, armed with explosive harmonies and catchy hooks.
- J-Sin
Primus — Blame It On the Fish DVD Buy it at Amazon
Released alongside their greatest hits collection, “They Can’t All Be Zingers”, this DVD chronicles a look at the ’03 Primus Tour de Fromage. Tim Alexander, Les Claypool, and Larry LaLonde pop and weave with their insane and zany hits with innovative multi-media installations throughout these live performances. Also included with the live performances are interviews, behind the scenes material, and crazy visuals to trip you out all clocking in at around 90 minutes. Also as a bonus there’s this wacky half hour documentary that’s all futuristic talking about the band in the year 2065 with interviews with a 102-year old Les Claypool. Weird and cheesy just the way you love ‘em.
- J-Sin
Primus — They Can't All Be Zingers Buy it at Amazon
But on Primus’ Greatest Hits collection, they all are zingers. Easily assembling the best and brightest Primus classics onto one anthology, Les and the gang spotlight songs like “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver”, “My Name Is Mud”, “Mr. Krinkle”, and “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver”. It’s quirky, bass-heavy funk that we’ve all come to love from this funky trio of super jam band prog rock. Also included is a previously unreleased and extended version of “Shake Hands with Beef”.
- J-Sin
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