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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Current Top Ten Chart
Skinny Puppy - Mythmaker
Converge - No Heroes
The Graduate - Anhedonia
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
Barcelona — Absolutes Buy it at Amazon
Seattle’s rock outfit Barcelona showcases melody in a beautiful way that few else could hope to achieve on their debut album “Absolutes”. Reminding one of Keane, the group is piano-driven and rhythmic. Gorgeous vocals are laid out with catchy hooks abound. This is as appealing as any band could hope to be, with songs that are memorable and tuneful all at once. This is definitely one of the best pop albums this year.
- J-Sin
Bevel — Phoenician Terrane Buy it at Amazon
Chicago’s Via Nuon claims Bevel as his solo project. Nuon is removed from his Richmond, Virginia roots though his psych-folk character plays out well past the I-95 corridor. Devlishly clever arrangements spark an Americana folk tradition but also blaze with a Donovan-esque persona. Speaking of Donovan, Bevel covers his “Teas” on its ’04 hit “Down the Puppet String, Marionettes”. This album is much more cinematic, with emotional ups and downs intricately laid out before them with lush arrangements delivered in a hazy atmosphere.
- J-Sin
Satellite City — Cincinnati Modern Buy it at Amazon
Tony Miracle of Satellite City walked about his hometown and suddenly discovered that it’s quite a modern city if you look hard enough. Finding Modernist art as well as bastions of modern architecture in his hometown inspired him to write this compelling modern alternative album of jazzy electronica rock. If you’re not able to actually visit the city, perhaps you can just sit back and listen to this chilling walk-through instead. Beautiful!
- J-Sin
Syme — Swing Swing Buy it at Amazon
Norway’s Syme has a lot to live up to when folks drop such comparisons as Radiohead, Mogwai, Postal Service, and Sigur Ros. The scene in Bergen that they emanate from has included such luminaries and International stars as Royksopp, Datarock, and Kings of Convenience to name a few. So the pressure is on. But fortunately they rarely miss the target, with a brand of electronic pop that sparks something fresh in your mind. Danceable rhythms, ghastly vocals, and eclectic arrangements discern them from the rest. Nice.
- J-Sin
the.story.of — The World's Affair Buy it at Amazon
Art-rockers the.story.of once again up the proverbial ante with an ingenious album entitled “The World’s Affair”. At once an ode to XTC and yet a firm nod to delicious indie pop, “The World’s Affair” boasts creative melodic hooks and wise lyrics sung with occasional female backups. Brilliantly recorded in the homes of some of the band members as well as their two engineers, “The World’s Affair” is intelligent lo-fi indie pop that is vastly conducive to coherent and warm pop. Yet one more reason that Austin, Texas is where it’s at.
- J-Sin
June — Make It Blur Buy it at Amazon
Catchy and infectious pop-rock from Chicago, the hometown of their label Victory Records, June have built upon their dandy debut “If You Speak Any Faster” to craft a winning sophomore follow-up that shows that their potential was never squandered. Focusing on melody and building off from there, “Make It Blur” delivers a non-stop hook-fest that will turn heads as much as have them nod along. Enjoyable guitars, smoothly sleek vocals, and masterful choruses will make June a band you remember every month of the year.
- J-Sin
Hot Hot Heat — Happiness Ltd. Buy it at Amazon
The woe-is-me ballad of the title track is perhaps a little nauseating. Fortunately for all of us, this latest album by Hot Hot Heat isn’t a dark nod to the Cure the whole way through. Their brand of disco-fueled post-kraut rock is still just another clichéd blaise blend of nausea and stereotypes. It’s good for a party but it’s not going to last the test of time.
- J-Sin
Lebanon — Planet Rubble Buy it at Amazon
Israeli post-rock group Lebanon tackle dense compositions with a defined ferocity that is unrestrained and yet calculated. “Planet Rubble” was recorded live to tape by the group in the states after their debut U.S. tour. Talk about your exciting end to a tour! The group pushes the boundaries of progressive metal, math rock, and indie rock by tossing each into the blender and pureeing until a thick paste emerges. The resulting opuses are epic in scope and far reaching.
- J-Sin
Poets and Pornstars — Poets and Pornstars Buy it at Amazon
Dirty rock ‘n’ roll group that worships the ground that Guns N’ Roses and the White Stripes walk on. Simplistic rock music that is so similar to many rock groups from the ‘70s era (think Aerosmith—or just look at their CD artwork/logo), you might as well just listen to the groups they’re emulating.
- J-Sin
Beatallica — Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band Buy it at Amazon
Perhaps a funny idea when you’re still in the pub, and you’ve got that great beer head buzz going on, Beatallica’s a tribute mash-up band. Who are they mashing you don’t ask? Metallica and the Beatles of course. Using some of the Beatles songs as drop-backs and blasting through clichéd vocals ala James Hetfield, Beatallica blasts through songs like “Blackened the U.S.S.R.”, “Revol-ooh-tion”, “Hey Dude”, and “Helvester of Skelter” as well as the title track. Sure it’s funny but the novelty wears thin after the first 5 or 6 tracks.
- J-Sin
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