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
Dear and the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
The Geeks - Every Time We Fall
Limbeck - Limbeck
WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Alternative, Pop
Various Artists — 14 Songs in 28 Days Vol. 2 Buy it at Amazon
The sophomore compilation of this selection will be released this coming January. Merely a few months after I reviewed the first volume, they ready the follow-up on Rebels Trust Records. The February Album Writing Month challenge is now in its fourth year and is the creation of singer/songwriter Burr Settles who also contributes to the album. Notable artists include the aforementioned Burr Settles, Robert Myers, Deshead, Julie Moffitt, and Oliver Bixby.
- J-Sin
Nik Sorak — Waiting For the Sun Buy it at Amazon
Christian folk-ster Nik Sorak writes inspirational tunes and branches out to the rock edged on “Waiting For the Sun”. His vocals are daring at times but mostly coast in with melodic overtures. Light percussion, strummed guitars, and poetic lyrics combine for a thoughtful light rock album.
- J-Sin
Ken Michaels — The Last of Its Kind Buy it at Amazon
Charming electro-acoustic folkster Ken Michaels writes light tunes that are surprising deep in scope and rich in layers. Dreamy muffled vocals are Michaels signature endearing him to the emo and anti-folk crowds. Apartment music recorders will revel in his style which utilizes acoustic guitars, electronic loops, and strong harmonies. “The Last of Its Kind” might not be, but it is one of the better ones of its kind.
- J-Sin
Slang — Everyday Buy it at Amazon
Bulgarian rockers Slang impressed me a bit with their “Blue” album. Now they follow that up with an uplifting joint in “Every Day”. Bouncy numbers that are as gritty as Jersey pop-rock (Springsteen anyone?) that likes to keep things uptempo and upbeat. Honest guitar licks is drenched in eclectic keyboards and timely rhythms. Nice.
- J-Sin
Shaan Sharma — The All New End Buy it at Amazon
Predictable pop-rock that’s as unfortunate as it is long-in-the-tooth (songs clock in between 3 and 4 minutes but you’d swear it was a decade). Boring, radio-friendly pop which doesn’t take any chances—if you like your music safe and forgettable than by all means…otherwise, just laugh off the “All New” part of the title and hope for the part that’s “The…End”.
- J-Sin
Lucas Cates — Contradictory Buy it at Amazon
Grief I think I’ve heard this album about a billion times this year already. Bland pop-rock with elements of country and alternative punk that tries desperately to capture the whole Jack Johnson vibe a bit too much. No thanks.
- J-Sin
Jason Vigil — Heart Gone Sober Buy it at Amazon
Singer/songwriter Jason Vigil embraces the straight-forward pop format throughout his entrancing “Heart Gone Sober”. Laden with catchy hooks ala alternative rock from the late ‘90s, it’s an album that discusses some of the more personal sides to humanity—drug abuse and recovery, relationships, and life in general. Passionate music played with vigor.
- J-Sin
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
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