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
London After Midnight — Violent Acts of Beauty Buy it at Amazon
Political bands are a dime a dozen now-a-days. I mean the Bush administration and Republican party just make it too easy to cry foul these days. London After Midnight are yet another in a long notch of political bands to emerge with something to say and a pulpit from which to say it. It’s not to say that I don’t agree with what they’re eluding to, but songs like “America’s a Fucking Disease” are just tired—I get it, but what’s the solution? It’s easy to question and shake your fist, it’s difficult to offer a real answer and alternative.
- J-Sin
Oslo — The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate Buy it at Amazon
Alternative rock that peaks with vocal harmonies that are so great they’ll make you weep in envy. Catchy rock ‘n’ roll that has a Brit-pop finish to it and a space rock glean to their guitars. Perhaps Oslo says it best with their opening track “Slowdive”, they’re a group that easily reminds one of that favored band Slowdive but they are no copycats just impressionists.
- J-Sin
Annie Barker — Mountains and Tumult Buy it at Amazon
After you stumble through the first few verses and choruses of this ethereal vocal pop performance by Annie Barker, you’ve heard it all. Produced by Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins), it’s a dream pop sound that has lush guitars and ethereal vocals. Whoopee.
- J-Sin
Bush Tetras — Very Very Happy Buy it at Amazon
Ruling the New York City nightclubs back in the ‘80s, Bush Tetras were a female fronted post-punk New Wave rock act that were to later influence such luminaries as Sonic Youth and Gang of Four. “Very Very Happy” features several of their tracks re-recorded, a couple never-before-released tracks, and some music videos. Urban feminist punk drawls sung to the tune of frantic post-punk guitar-glazed rock.
- J-Sin
The Protocol — Recess Buy it at Amazon
Smooth and diverse hooks compose The Protocol’s sophomore release on Parlor Records. Reminding one of a mid-career R.E.M., The Protocol shines a light on their tight-knit choruses and well-written pop harmonies. “Recess” is written by a Seattle quartet that seems intent on bringing back the word ‘pop’ into indie rock with lyrical content that ponders topical content such as terrorism, environmentalism, and evangelicals.
- J-Sin
Speed of Life — Catalyst Buy it at Amazon
New York’s Speed of Life has been a group for a little over a half decade now. Over time they have perfected the art of combining various influences to forge their own brand of alternative rock. “Catalyst” is proof-positive, with its varied hooks that touch the atmospherics of reggae and ambient, the sheen of electronic pop, and the melodic mainstay of pop-rock. Rich harmonies are combined with a clever sense of songwriting.
- J-Sin
Carrie Akre — Last the Evening Buy it at Amazon
Genuine soul-searching lyrics pound at you via Carrie’s sweet and sultry vocals. Surrounding the beautiful prose are jazzy pop standards and modern alternative rock ballads. Well produced hooks that are both catchy and serene makes “Last the Evening” a classic that you don’t want to miss. Celebrate female vocalists with Miss Akre, in the vein of Tori Amos or Fiona Apple.
- J-Sin
Annie Lennox — Songs of Mass Destruction Buy it at Amazon
Soul and pop singer Annie Lennox sheds her ‘80’s top hat (Eurythmics) for some modern alternative pop numbers on her fifth solo disc. And while the album’s title may indicate a hint of political action, it seems that this album is more proto-feminism than anything else. She has already won such awards as an Oscar, Golden Globe, and some Grammys but rarely has she sounded so empowered than on “Songs of Mass Destruction”. Easily a force of gorgeous vocal pop, Annie Lennox doesn’t succumb to any of the typical trappings of pop fodder.
- J-Sin
Minipop — New Hope Buy it at Amazon
San Francisco duo reminds me a bit of the Cardigans with their delicate pop masterpiece punctuated with emotional dream pop. Lush and beautiful harmonies sweep across “A New Hope” deftly arranged with guitars, keyboards, light rhythms, and Tricia Kanne’s stunning vocals. They’ve toured with fellow tastemakers Tokyo Police Club, Stellastarr, and Midlake and now having made a name for themselves after casting off from the Bay Area scene in 2005, Minipop looks like they will be on the tops of music blog charts until the bigger rags come along and further ingrain them into the mainstream.
- J-Sin
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals — Follow the Lights Buy it at Amazon
Ryan Adams joins with the Cardinals on this quick EP of pop-rock. The EP is seven songs strong with two brand new tracks, specifically the title track and “My Love For You Is Real”, both of which were specifically recorded for “October Road”, the ABC television show. “Follow the Lights” also boasts a cover of a Norah Jones song as well as Alice In Chains’ “Down in a Hole”.
- J-Sin
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