Music Reviews of Unsigned Bands, Demos, Promos
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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The Geeks - Every Time We Fall
Limbeck - Limbeck
WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Unsigned Bands, Demos, Promos
Burnt Fur — Vitriol Buy it at Amazon
I definitely appreciate the retroness that is Burnt Fur—perhaps one of the few groups out there that could easily cite Clock DVA and New Order as influences. But the vocals are severely damaged goods. Guitars squelch amid the synthetic drum programming and keyboards. I think if they tossed some effects on the vocals and gave it reverb ala Frontline Assembly than we’d have something, but Burnt Fur isn’t ready for the big time quite yet (not to say I’m not impressed with their first swing at things).
- J-Sin
Medicated Kisses — Medicated Kisses Buy it at Amazon
An accomplished EP from Boston’s Medicated Kisses, has already gotten them plenty of buzz in the underground and mainstream music press. With movements as rich and thoughtful as operas, Medicated Kisses is a hip alternative to the hordes of pop-punk, indie rock, and emo bands that everyone has heard of already. Having been spotlighted by MySpace, Medicated Kisses has seen their notoriety gain ten-fold and why not? Using producers Mike Birnbaum and Chris Bittner (Coheed and Cambria, Bad Brains) to formulate their EP was a smart move not only commercially but also to rein in their magnetic sound. Female vocals that have astonishing range and depth, make this band one that isn’t as cookie cutter as the rest.
- J-Sin
Company Car — Collars Buy it at Amazon
Straight-forward indie rock from San Francisco with influences like Fugazi apparent. Noisy pop harmonies cascade alongside the post-emo harsh guitar distortions. Vocally Company Car hits on all cylinders, often finding a perfect groove—somewhere between Hey Mercedes (an admitted influence) and Jimmy Eat World. I guess what I liked most was that I felt my body moving within a song or two and I really felt that I was feeling it—I know that sounds like wishy washy annoying music critic crap, but it’s the f-ing truth!
- J-Sin
K.O.L.O. — Songs For a Sleepwalker Buy it at Amazon
After Eric Kolo impressed us with his demo, he returns with a full band suite on “Songs For a Sleepwalker”. Now back in Europe, he formed the band and shoot us over a pre-mastered copy of his latest efforts. Stunning! Nifty arrangements that are eclectic but not spastic. Daring guitars sparkle his shiny vocals which again showcases his wide range and high talent. Great stuff and why isn’t this guy signed yet?
- J-Sin
The West End — Risen Buy it at Amazon
I had the pleasure to see the Rockville, Maryland natives the West End perform up in Georgetown recently. The way the crowd was worked was impressive to say the least. The West End are all rockers that know that the word “rock” has been bastardized, twisted, and mutilated to the point where it encompasses practically anything. “Risen” looks to change that, returning rock to its proper place in the hallowed hallways of music. Brad Rourke belts out lungful belches of powerful pop ballads written with a sneer sense of sincerity and jubilant earnestness. As a fan of Nick Cave, it’s no surprise that he conjures forth the ‘everyday man’ in lyrics and delivery. The rhythm section is equally dense with steady percussion, textured bass grooves that are smooth and balanced, while the excellent keyboard work rounds out their sound gifting them with a sound quite far removed from their self-dubbed “primitive Americana rock”; in other words, there ain’t much primitive about the West End. Gershwin’s famous “Summertime” is covered and rounds out an impressive debut EP.
- J-Sin
Geron Hoy — Geron Hoy Buy it at Amazon
New York-based singer/songwriter Geron Hoy sits back and does his best to conjure forth Bob Dylan’s brand of folk-pop. Stripped down and raw songs pepper his album. Lyrically it’s wise and aged. Despite it’s relatively lo-fi approach, the album is surprisingly dense, covered with multiple textures and astonishing treatments.
- J-Sin
One Trick Pony — Phantom Pains Buy it at Amazon
Rarely has a band been better named. One Trick Pony writes melancholic woe-is-me anthems that are yawningly redundant in their attempt to recreate Rufus Wainwright. The fact that they used wax to seal their promo disc is remarkably lame.
- J-Sin
Kill Van Kull — Edge of Sunrise Buy it at Amazon
Wow this is that band you just saw last night at the local bar, sweating balls, and swilling beers. Without a care in the world, Kill Van Kull try their hands out at the hard rock thing. I’m sure they’ve gotten a few girls, a few free beers, and little in between in the meantime. You’ve heard this band before, they have precious little new to offer.
- J-Sin
Julien Carayon — Lethal Alchemy Buy it at Amazon
Instrumental progressive rock from France that proves that prog can be just as distracting and uninteresting across the sea as it is here at home.
- J-Sin
Firesuite — Forever December Buy it at Amazon
Sheffield-based U.K. act Firesuite laughs in the face of gothic pop-rock with alternative hooks aligned nicely. Atmospheric and moody choruses are stemmed with poppy verses and heartwarming guitars. The group is a real Brit-pop experiment that occasionally has some harder rock parts but for the most part is a pure alternative dragon that is best described as “British”. And we all know what I mean by that—not insulting, but certainly something tangible that you can shelf away.
- J-Sin
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