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
The Forms — Icarus Buy it at Amazon
This enhanced CD, which I might add is quite artistic and intriguing, was recorded by Steve Albini so that should tell you something about the quality of the album. It`s just amazing that this is their debut! Great artwork and packaging is coupled with a sensible and new approach to free-form rock. The only unfortunate thing is that it`s only 18 some odd minutes long. Occasionally you can hear some Sunny Day influences but they`re only influences this isn`t copycat land. I think it`s good and I think you should give them more than a quick listen.
- J-Sin
The Brands — Ballads For Stairs and Transparencies Buy it at Amazon
Produced by Jerry Fels The Brands give us their brand of new folk that is raw and self-contained. No doubt stirring up trouble in coffeehouses (I can imagine the other acts getting perturbed that they`re not better than this guy), but I would warrant the live act is something to be seen. Ok so the band really is Mark Mandeville who wrote all the songs and played most everything and did most everything except produce. And that`s probably why the album is so consistently great. Sure he`s got a sense of humor but he knows when to just sing his songs and let that do the talking. I really also must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the backup singing of Kayla Daly on “Masquerade” and I`d have to wonder if they`ve considered doing more work together because they blend so well together.
- J-Sin
Bumblefoot — Forgotten Anthology Buy it at Amazon
Songs that span from 1995 to 2002 create this highly anticipated anthology of some of Bumblefoot`s work. The first four songs were to be on a Ron Thal album but were regrettably rejected by the music label for being too negative. Boo! Tracks 5 through 10 are gritty metallic uppers that traverse through the speaker wattage into your bleeding ears. It`s amazing that these were recorded back in 1998 because they sound as fresh as yesterday`s laundry. And check out the funky “Bagged a Big 1” that for some reason conjures up a vision of an old MC 900 Ft. Jesus track with its Anthony Kiedis-styled vocals. Gotta love that big belch too. Weird, mind-blowing, and definitely eclectic—exactly what you would imagine coming from our friend Bumblefoot.
- J-Sin
Mappari — The Firecracker EP Buy it at Amazon
Vocals straight out of a late 80`s soundtrack, Mappari is everything rock and quite modern while having one foot back in time to give it some nice retro vibe. You can`t help but want to get up and tap your feet to “Don`t Be Afraid” a pungent melodic rocker. So telling indeed is their sound that even their name, a geographical word that means “where sound never dies”, tells of what to expect and to keep expecting it. But crap, they`ve even been on MTV in commercials and the VH1 Fashion Awards so where the hell why haven`t we heard of them before? Well their sound is so polished and addictive that we probably just assumed it was some band we`ve heard before but couldn`t quite remember who it was. Yes they`re that good and soon you`ll hear two of their songs on an upcoming Universal Pictures film. So how about we actually remember who these guys are and never forget? Don`t worry it won`t be a chore.
- J-Sin
Melk the G6-49 — Mene Mene Tekel Parsin Buy it at Amazon
Melk is not for your average music listener. Featuring John Spencer`s noise and bass talents along with Karl Hofstetter`s percussion, Melk the G6-49 is innovative noise compositions and as they say in their bio sheet is “a reflection and representation of God`s creation”. True dat! Every track is two minutes long in length although it`s separated into three movements if you will. It`s good stuff and certainly is not just stoner or acid music or anything. Instead it`s adventuresome and innovative and most importantly inspiring. I`d love to see these guys perform live.
- J-Sin
Kings of Leon — Holy Roller Novocaine Buy it at Amazon
Well Rolling Stone named Kings of Leon one of the 10 to watch in 2003. With their brand of southern rock they sound like the state they come from—Tennessee. Eclectic, rooted in country, and able to rock with the best of them and hell they`re all brothers and the guitarist is the first cousin. Unlike many other bands stirring up trouble in the airwaves, Kings of Leon is a genuine article of rock-n-roll and they don`t care that they`re retro in a sense. They enjoy taking us back to the place where white guys were first starting to steal the black man`s sound. With the recent resurgence of the garage band sound, Kings of Leon take that a step further by actually sounding good and not relying on obnoxiousness to get their sound across. And with their single-in-waiting “California Waiting” is it any wonder that the stillness and stagnant airwaves are preparing themselves to be invaded by a dominant sound that is both poignant and driving.
- J-Sin
Jenn Lindsay — Fired! Buy it at Amazon
Jenn Lindsay has her finger right on the pulse of the whole wide world of working people everywhere. Sure we care about terrorism and whether or not the dude sneezing next to us is going to give us SARS but what we really fear is losing our job or being stuck in a job that we hate because there`s no other ones out there. So Jenn Lindsay presents us with her album focused on that very flammable topic that we all find ourselves obsessing with. Playing incendiary yet muted folk and as she says it is indeed for the jobless, the brave, and the indignant. Real damn good too. “Not a Good Fit” is the music equivalent of middle America and poor America shaking their collective fists at the CEOs who say their companies are losing money and need to send jobs to Mexico yet these same companies pay millions in bonuses and compensation to keep those weasels. And in a town like New York City she must identify with millions! She`s got my attention and she`ll get yours as well. Just listen, you`ll love it.
- J-Sin
Days Away — The Feel of It EP Buy it at Amazon
We the People Records have a true winner on their hands with the seminal poppy-rock band Days Away. While this may only be a short EP the songs last ages in your mind. Soaring guitars and beautiful vocals trumpet along with catchy melodies and rhythms that will have your toes tapping. Playing with the likes of Something Corporate, Finch, Further Seems Forever, The Julianna Theory, A Static Lullaby, and The Movielife helps too. Yes that’s right kids you better grab this CD before all the kids you call fashionable emo kids have the disc! Just listen to “Easier Said Than Done” and you’ll be an insta-fan and you’ll find yourself diving into the Internet looking for lyrics so you can sing-along. This is probably the most promising band I’ve had an opportunity to review in quite some time. And that says a lot!
- J-Sin
The Birthday Machine — Direction & Destination 7" Buy it at Amazon
When I first began listening to this, to be honest I didn`t expect much. Crammed in between two other releases on a 3-album-in-1 advance, I just naturally expected for it to be the weakest material found within and that the placement reflected this. Normally bands that have trouble carrying their own will be surrounded by other, more remarkable bands in the hope that the accompanying excellence will rub off on the music itself, yet instead The Birthday Machine offer up the most vivid indie rock found on here, and make an argument that they deserve to have their name announced from every mountain-top in the country. "Take notice, The Birthday Machine are REALLY fucking good!". The music found on their fledgling 7" is bare-boned and melodically delicate, whimsical and oppressively romantic to a fault. Their press bio. claims the band have a history for baking cakes and giving group hugs, and given the four songs offered here that`s readily imaginable. The Birthday Machine`s music is mostly harmless, simply meant to touch the listener with beautiful instrumentation sprinkled ever so lightly as to effectively insinuate itself into your subconscious without overpowering your senses. Miko Hoffman`s gentle allure accentuates songs with feminine sensitivity. "The Birthday Machine" is a glistening example of just how sincere the band can get, as Hoffman sadly states "I will try to love you less because it`s not the same for you" and no matter what you may feel, it`s hard to not be affected in some way. Stefan Udell weighs in with his sullen enunciation on "Victory Chords", a song that never ceases it`s tease of explosive musical dynamics. The song continuously builds up to an emphatic crescendo that never appears, and while The Birthday Machine comply with a heightened musical aggression, this song excels simply from remaining docile even in the face of intensity. It is curious that this track is the shortest, yet Udell holds his own and leaves you wondering where he could go next if given more time. The record`s title track is more formulaic in it`s direction, supplying the uplifting chorus progression you normally expect from a group like this, yet the background harmonies and tremendous build make this the group`s most accomplished track. "Closet Superhero" is an entertaining remix courtesy of Cowbell, and the sparse guitar melodies and multi-layered vocal echoes are at once haunting and filled with a spastic beauty. This medium works fabulously for The Birthday Machine, and should be utilized to a fuller extent on future releases. It`s always nice to be completely floored by an album you sort of expect to be mediocre at best, yet I admit when my first assumptions hold no weight. The Birthday Machine have won me over with their compelling, breezy indie rock style, and anyone in the underground rock scene who indulges on 7" releases should definitely give them a chance.
- LochnessPimpster
Sixty Stories — Anthem Red Buy it at Amazon
Sixty Stories have a formula apparent on their latest effort, Anthem Red, that screams independent success. Two parts Weezer, one part Jimmy Eat World and the added flavor of a female vocalist! Unfortunately Sixty Stories rely too much on the vocal abilities of Jo Snyder, and while she`s competent in the role, her monotone voice is just too weak to carry an entire album. For their part, Sixty Stories provide a steady supply of bass-heavy pop/rock delicacies that are hard to resist for the album`s first five songs, yet Snyder`s disenchanted vocals add a weight to the material that doesn`t compute. Anthem Red wants to be poppy but comes across sullen and depressed, and the band never seem to play to Snyder`s strengths. Sarah Sangster controls the album with her dominant bass presence, and it carries the album in several areas. Inevitably, Snyder`s drowning mumbles commandeer this ship, as "Constellations" follows a more post-hardcore tone and the band excels with this melodramatic weeper. "A Letter From Mom" rises above it`s surroundings as well with this formula, and the additional keyboard subtleties allow this to overcome it`s insecurities and stand out as one of the album`s most impressive offerings. Paul Furgale`s low-key percussion keeps the song from wallowing in a depressive mood, yet never consumes the dreary atmosphere either. Sixty Stories aren`t cut out for high-profile pop/rock, yet their moodier cathartic style of indie rock is mouth-watering in it`s intensity. Anthem Red is a scattershot rock record, yet for all it`s flaws, still holds your attention throughout.
- LochnessPimpster
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