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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Skinny Puppy - Mythmaker
Converge - No Heroes
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Death By Stereo - Death Alive
Comeback Kid - Broadcasting
The Snake The Cross The Crown - Cotton Teeth
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The Geeks - Every Time We Fall
Limbeck - Limbeck
WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Alternative, Pop
Judd Starr — Luminescent Buy it at Amazon
Relatively bland music that I’m 99% certain is what life coaches listen to on their way to work readying themselves to siphon money from desperate souls. This is just so cheesy in its uplifting message that you find yourself gagging by the time the second song rings out.
- J-Sin
Midnight Movies — Patient Eye / Golden Hair Buy it at Amazon
“Patient Eye” is a song that you have to pay close attention to. Otherwise you may just end up missing some odd nuance or passing ambient noise in the background. Well engineered, it’s a single that surely drips paisley nuggets of pop into the fond couch of alternative music. The b-side is entitled “Golden Hair” and also is of the spacey garage rock style.
- J-Sin
Kristoffer Ragnstam — Do You Want a Piece of Me Buy it at Amazon
I reviewed his “Sweet Bills” album a while back and enjoyed it. Now he’s back with an all-new EP of melodic pop-rock with soaring melodies and dynamic harmonies. Vocally he’s once again strong and like “Sweet Bills”, “Do You Want a Piece of Me” isn’t overproduced (even with the robotic voice on the album opener “Fashion”). Crafty pop tunes that are damn radio-friendly.
- J-Sin
Nevada — The Sunlight and the Sound Buy it at Amazon
Jayhawks fans will revel in this new album by Nevada. Its monolithic neo-folk sound is engaging and compelling with churning guitars and majestic melodic vocals. Formed in ’03 in North Carolina, Nevada has a certain The Cure sound about some of their songs. You can also hear aspects to a lesser degree of gothic group Clan of Xymox. Psychedelic pop noodles throughout “The Sunlight and the Sound” making for a post-hippie rock adventure you won’t want to miss out on.
- J-Sin
Plus 44 — When Your Heart Stops Beating Buy it at Amazon
Angels and Airwaves be damned. +44 is the next band up from Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker and it’s not a space rock juggernaut ala the aforementioned band. Instead +44, concentrates on writing pop-rock songs that follow a certain formula—addicting. The guitars are surprisingly intricate often weaving thick layers upon layers. The percussion and atmospheric ambience gives other songs depth—like the stirring “Baby Come On”, which could easily be a #1 hit for these guys. Be sure to also check out the singles-in-making “When Your Heart Stops Beating”, “155”, and “Little Death”, all of which could easily dominate radio. The music may sound simple enough but it’s much more clever and complex that its appearance.
- J-Sin
In Gowan Ring — The Twin Trees Buy it at Amazon
Folksy neo-art rock that draws influences from Pixie dust and faeries. Gothic pop is another current that flows throughout “The Twin Trees”. Cast your mind back and think hard. That’s one way to relax during these washed-out ambient tunes as they coax you to a far-off fantasy adventure. Think Cocteau Twins going to the Renaissance Festival.
- J-Sin
The Silent Years — The Silent Years Buy it at Amazon
A poor man’s My Morning Jacket, is still a good thing. So that’s precisely why you should fall in love with The Silent Years. As introspective as Wilco with that same rustic roots rock traditional sound but not nearly as stripped down and raw (okay Wilco isn’t that raw I know), The Silent Years manage to craft an indie pop soundtrack that could be anyone’s soundtrack to their life. Catchy melodic hooks that delve into ranges usually reserved for a select cast of Elliott Smith, Radiohead, My Morning Jacket, and Wilco; this is an album of the year runner-up for sure.
- J-Sin
Urban Barnyard — That's the Idea Buy it at Amazon
Casey Holford, I want to be your best friend. Or hell, I’ll settle for being a little closer to you so we can hang out, jam, or trade music and ideas. I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed Holford’s other offerings and I had no doubt that I’d like Urban Barnyard, a group in which he plays bass and sings. But I had no idea that I’d freakin’ want to marry the band! This all-too-quick rock EP is an album all about animals in the Big Apple with tunes about a macaque, rat, duck, pigeon, and manger. Fun, uplifting indie pop-rock tunes that you just want to share with your neighbor, strangers, and the world all at once. If tomorrow is a good day, I’m going to go on a drive with the windows rolled down blaring “That’s the Idea”. You should too.
- J-Sin
Ra — Raw: Live Buy it at Amazon
An incredibly talented band, Ra sounds even more impressive live (despite the clipping of the introduction). Recorded at the Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan, “Raw: Live” is progressive nu-metal that crosses over genres and twists your neck into a pretzel just for giggles. High-energy with propulsive percussion and loud screaming guitars, Ra’s “Duality” was a well-received album that got this group the attention they deserved. Check ‘em out kids!
- J-Sin
Hectic Watermelon — The Great American Road Trip Buy it at Amazon
Psychedelic progressive rock that fuses Jeff Beck with ELO at times, Hectic Watermelon is a strange band to really sink your teeth squarely into. Juicy guitar licks that traverse into frenzied pace without warning is but one way that you can get sideswiped during “The Great American Road Trip”. Imagine taking mushrooms and listening to U2 only it’s just the Edge’s guitar and nothing else, then percolate it some more with some nutty Yes prog-rock and down some near beers while watching Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” on mute via an upside down TV. That’s what this experience is like.
- J-Sin
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