Rock N Roll Experience - March / April 2007
|
Greetings Rock N Roll Experiencer's!
REVIEWS
Check out “Vice Versa” by FAIR TO MIDLAND at:
http://boss.streamos.com/download/labels/universalrepublic/fairtomidland/aud io/fablesofamayfly/vice_versa.mp3
We have a very cool promotion for the month of April! We have an autographed RED CD & Drumhead to give away to one lucky person....if you're feeling lucky, just send us an email to: cradleoffreaks@yahoo.com & include the title RED contest in the headline, & we'll pick one random winner on May 1, 2007! The only rule is you MUST be a USA resident! Goodluck!
Before you begin reading these reviews, we have a rating system to tell you just how good or bad a CD is & here's the breakdown on how it works:
1 Star - crap
2 Stars - This is stuff your Mom might like!
3 Stars - It rocks, but is only okay
4 Stars - This is good, but there's room for improvement!
5 Stars - You should consider buying this...it's a good one!
6 Stars - Sell your car, dog, baby, etc., this is a MUST have!
Rating: 6 stars!
Point One is an interesting band that actually has 3 records under their belt, & the band is a weird hybrid of frantic energy, exotic sounds, & harsh metal...I would compair the band like this..imagine the best of Faith No More mixed with Linkin Park & Korn...I mean the band isn't a rock/rap hybrid, but they are very unique & blend different styles of rock pretty well on "Unlucky Stars" which comes out on May 22, 2007. The title track, "Unlucky Stars" is the perfect song to start this cd that's all over the place, but my personal favorite track is "Monochrome Mistress" which is really a down & dirty rocker with alot of modern flavor & excess. I dig the lyrical content on the cd, that ranges from moody stuff, to chitchat about women & having fun, which really comes from the fact that the band has 2 primary song writers who are pretty different in their styles, & it really creates this wall of sound that's unique & unlike anything else that I've heard out there today!
Rating: 6 stars
For those not in the know, this is the new project from Wes Borland, former Limp Bizkit axe-slinger, & this project has him partnered with Danny Lohner who's best known from his work with Trent & NIN...this project is a mix of industrial strenght rock riffs, coupled with artsy & moody melodies that really allow you to not only hear, but feel all the emotions that Wes has to express! "Mesopotamia" kicks the cd off with an odd beat, but very memorable motion of sounds that really reminds me of Queens of the Stoneage, & the chorus is just nutty! "Animal" has a bit more of that NIN vibe as it's darker & kinda creepy at times, but "The Mark" is the song that just hit me hard..it's got so much energy, so strong of a vibe, that it just moved me & made it the most memorable track on the cd! Overall, this entire cd is really dark, it takes you on a voyage if you let it, it's not all sad, it's not all happy, it's just really personal & interesting...you almost feel like you're a voyeur at times when you listen to a song like "The Mark" because lyrically, it's intense! The artwork is weird & I'm not even sure how to describe it, so I won't! Honestly, this is one of those cd's that you will get, you will listen to it once, then you're addicted..it's just soooo good & catchy, & artsy...every track is totally different from the last, & as a complete piece, Wes really painted a complete picture of emotions, moods & attitudes that few people could develop & I think Danny Lohner really added alot to the mix & this is one of those bands that I really can't wait to see, because they are supposed to tour, & it will be very interesting to see how these songs come to life live, & I might add too that Wes sings lead vocals on every track & he's pretty darn good too!
Rating: 6 stars
I'll admit that Static-X never really caught my attention after their debut release..their 1st cd just had this energy & this freshness that was interesting & intriguing & I really never thought the band would catch my attention like that again, BUT, guess what? With the release of "Cannibal" I am proven wrong...the band is hungier, leaner, & even more exciting than they were when their debut cd came out! Musically, this entire CD is viscious..it's definitley got teeth & is angry as fuck! The opening song, "Cannibal" is a perfect opener for a cd that just rocks like fuck from beginning till end, & this is a must have CD for all the metal heads out there...the band still mixes the industriall stuff in there, but they are just at the top of their game on this new cd & they are on tour now as well, so definitley support the band, check out their new cd & see them when they play your town! I might add too, that EVERY song has a guitar solo, which is something that Static-X rarely had before in their music, so that also adds another element to the bands sound!
Rating: 6 stars
Somewhere between Radiohead & Our Lady Peace, Lovedrug mix wicked, twisted melodies & harmonies with heavy, distorted guitars, that create a sonic soundscape that's rich, dark, & vibrant. "Happy Apple Poison" is the opening track on their new cd & it's got more turns than the Daytona 500 & there's a story to be told if you listen to the song close. "Pushing the Shine" kicks off with a deviant sounding riff that could easily have been lifted from System of A Down, but the vocals are what really make the song fly & reach peaks that most new bands will never reach! "Thieving" is a touching ballad that opens with a piano intro & when the band kicks in it's just beautiful! "Bleed Together" has all the credibility that any great indie-rock band should possess, but the thing is, I think Lovedrug possess the power to be really main-stream & I think that if they got the right push, they could change the face of music, because the song writing on this cd is just superb! At times I think that Lovedrug are what Coldplay would sound like if they had balls & power behind their delivery, because Lovedrug's music has a soft, almost feminine quality to it, but it also has power & intensity..not in a Metallica style, but just a normal rock vibe & that's where the bands true power comes from..they are straight up rock n roll, but they have this dynamic that you don't hear too often, & that's what makes the band really, truly unique! This is a really great cd & it's one of the best written discs', musically, that I have ever heard! This is an instant classic!
Rating: 6 stars!
The New York Dolls are one of New York's most celebrated '70's rockers..they were media darlings from their era, they got alot of press, alot of coverage, but they sadly fizzled from over-exposure, drug use, & currently there are only 2 original members still alive..Vocalist David Johansen aka Buster Poindexter & guitarist Sylvie...the band recently recorded an hour long concert for the TV show Sound Stage, which is exclusively on PBS & the concert itself, captures the 'Dolls as they were many years ago, lean, strong, & a proper mix of the Rolling Stones & The Beatles with LOADS of glam excess. The show starts off with David saying, in his usual banter, "When I say Love, I mean Love L-U-V" which kicks off the song "Just Lookin'for a Kiss", which is a gritty, glam soaked rocker that's blues based, but pure rock n roll excess! Throughout the show, the crowd is very attentive, soaking in every note the New York Dolls play, & it's interesting to note that this is the best representation I think the Doll's have, in terms of who they are & what they do..I remember seeing very little footage of the band, & the grainy footage from the '70's can't compair to their Sound Stage performace! "Personality Crisis" is the bands biggest hit & their ultimate anthem, & naturally that one is played, but the band also plays a few new songs off their recently released cd, so it's a good mix of old & new, & it's also interesting to note that the band is constantly tuning up their instruments through every break & it really gives that garage band feel on this tv show, & the in-between song banter is interesting too! The New York Dolls have always been a bit of a rock n roll cliche, so it's really great to see the band have some recognition & an hour long concert being aired on PBS' Sound Stage this season!
Rating: 5 stars
For the most part, I'm willing to bet that the bulk of the mainstream rock fans remember the band Unsane for their music video "Scrape", which featured loads of skateboarding accidents & it was played heavily in the 90's on MTV's Beavis & Butt-Head, but for those un-informed, the band was started in the '80's, released a few records, slip up for a few years, & got back together in early 2000 to ressurect the machine that is Unsane! Unsane's new CD, Visqueen, is on Ipecac Recordings, & it highlights the heavy & dense tones that the band is known for...the vocals are loud & screaming, the guitars are tuned nice & low, the rhythm is totally brooding, & the CD opens with "Against the Grain" which sounds kinda downtrodden, dark, & reminds me of the dark energy that Alice in Chain's "Dirt" cd has...it's got a kinda grunge sound & vibe, but it's heavily rooted in punk too! "This Stops At the River" has a harmonica in the beginning & a kinda swampy feel with slide guitar, but it's the vocals that keep the song grounded & in the hardcore vein! "Only Pain" is definitley the highlight of this cd..it's just very moving, but it's still hardcore & heavy as hell...it's kinda like a hardcore power ballad, if you will, & it's the song that just really caught my attention...the vocals are disturbing, the guitars are clear but muddy & the bass & drums keep it all together! "East Broadway" closes the CD out & it's an 8 minute track that isn't really a song, as much as it's an art piece..it's got music, but it's supposed to highlight what East Broadway, New York is like & you hear everything from cars, to crying babies, to construction work..it's probably a good representation of what city life in every major city in the USA is like, because if you're in Downtown Baltimore, which is where we are from, here in Maryland, you hear the same exact stuff, which is pretty funny! Overall, this is a really tight CD & I think Unsane are like AC/DC & Slayer..they never really changed, style wise, & they are the best at what they do!
Musically, Since the Flood is simply a wall of noise & aggression! The sad thing though is that there's little diversity & if you go from song to song, almost every song sounds the same..there's very little difference in any song on the cd..they all seem interchangable & I totally "get" the bands vibe & attitude & sound, but as a listener of music, I like to hear some diversity & some changes, whether they are subtle, or major, & this cd is like one giant track that's all pretty much the same. Since the Flood were signed by Unearth's singer Trevor, & the band is straight up hardcore, & I'm sure that some hardcore purists will slam me for saying that the cd is just redundant, but it's just a very derivative & repetitive cd that has little changes, which is fine if that's what you're into..to each their own. The band is super heavy, the vocals are like someone screaming bloody murder, & the band is straight up heardcore with no diversity...I'm really interested in seeing if the bands' next cd develops their sound, because the potential is there & I think it might just take the band a little time to develop their own original vibe.
Rating: 5 stars
I'm sure that the Megadeth fans all know that this is another band that featuresformer Megadeth bassist, David Ellefson & musically, the guitar solo's are what really catch my attention..they are fast & totally shred! The band is typical thrash, & NO, this band is NOTHING like Megadeth, because Dave Mustaine IS Megadeth, so with that said, the band itself reminds me of a mix of D.R.I. & old Exodus..they are definitley old school thrash & they are really intense, especially on "Aready Dead", which reminds me of Pro-Pain alot with the screaming vocals, but the guitar solo is far beyond what alot of bands have the potential to do..think Yngwie & Paul Gilbert style shred overtop thrash metal..actually, Alex Skolnick comes to mind too! There's an enhanced element to the CD that has the music video for "Lethal Agenda" & I always love when bands include some extra stuff on their cd, because it shows that they wanna give their fans more than just the music, & I think the fans love it as much as I do too! "Isabel" is my personal favorite track off the cd...it's got a very organic feel to it & even though it's heavy as fuck, it just feels very raw & it's really fresh feeling & sounding!
Rating: 6 stars
Dustsucker is a riff rock band that plays loud, fast, power chord rock that's rooted in the 70's, but it has a modern feel to it & the band itself reminds me vaguely of the rock side of Monster Magnet...they have chunky grooves with treble induced guitars that are played at 10! "Dead on Wheels" opens the CD & this 2 minute rocker is fast & furious, but it's got this groove that makes it really fun & you can mosh to it, or you can headbang & just have a good time! "Wasted Times" opens with a little guitar doodle that leads into another loud & fast number that just knocks the wind out of you like a punch to the gut, & I might add to, that the band that Dustsucker really reminds me of the most, while listening to this particular song, is none other than Motorhead, because they retain that rock n roll edge, but they are heavy & fast, & the singing is as ugly as the wart that's on Lemmy's face! I can't state enough, that as a fan of straight up hard rock music, this is a CD I REALLY enjoyed..it's great music to drive really fast too..the beats are fast, the guitars are strong, & everything is in place...This IS Rock N Roll destruction at it's best....Turn it up loud & have fun!
Rating: 6 stars
Glenn Hughes is one of the most hidden gem's in the rock world..he's a great bass player, a great singer, & a dynamic song writer, & with his latest solo release, it finds Chad Smith returning to the drum kit & bringing fellow Red Hot Chili Pepper member John Fruscianti on guitar for the track "This is How I Feel". "Steppin' On" has this strong rock beginning & is promptly followed by this electronic/synth sounding chop that gives the song a funk feel & it really makes for an interesting mix & it's really appealing to the ears! "This House" & "Frail" are really where the cd changes pace because these are slower, acoustic tracks that have an edge, but they are really earthy feeling & sounding, & this is probably where no one can touch Glenn Hughes, because he sounds great playing electric, but un-plugged he's off the charts & beyond amazing! "This is How I Feel" is the stand out track, & it's not just because John from RHCP is on it, it's just because that song really captures a vibe & sound & I would be lying if I didn't say that John's guitar playing is obviously amazing on this song..it's so Jimi Hendrix like that it's scary! There's actually an alt mix of "This is How I Feel" as a bonus track on the cd that's worth checking out too & there's an enhanced video on the cd if you put it in your computer!
Rating: 3 stars
Vixen enjoyed alot of commercial success in the late 80's when big hair was still the all the rage, & they were actually known for having a hit single with a song that was written by none other than Richard Marx! Flash forward to the year 2007, & there's only one original member of the all girl band Vixen, guitarist Jan, & even though the band is totally new, the essence of what Vixen WAS is still there, it's just a sad fact that it's 2007 & their music is still rooted in what was the late 80's style! I like the concept of the artwork on the cd..it's based around being in school & detention & getting in trouble, but the music is just ok. There's a cover of Bowie's "Suffragette City" that's done in a cheesy metal style & lacks the substance & glam excess that Bowie had in his original. I'm not trying to be intentionally mean with this review, but this CD was just very bland & as much as I wanna find positive things to say, outside of the overall production, the cd is just average...it's almost stock at times & I can't help but wonder if the original line-up was still together, would they be this generic? I ask that question, because after the first Vixen record, I don't think the band ever got that energy level again or that freshness again, & it just makes you wonder what happened?
Rating: 6 stars!
Deeply depressing, ironically tragic, & musically oblique, Type O Negative are back with a new cd called "Dead Again" that reachs into the bands musical collective to purge an opus of dark beauty that has a really dark sense of humor in the lyrics & themes, but musically, it's as serious as a heart attack! "Dead Again", the title track off the CD kicks off the disc with an almost punk rock energy but in a very goth style; Peter Steele's vocals are amongst the most distinct in this genre & this is the ultimate opening track for a cd! "September Sun" is the first slow cd on the disc & it starts with a brooding piano piece that's followed by what I would consider a power ballad, goth style! Musically & lyrically, "September Sun" is probably the most emotional & touching moment on this cd...it's just really beautiful & touching, & then a song like "Halloween in Heaven" kicks the emotions to the floor for fast, dark riffs & loads of energy! "An Ode to Blacksmiths" might just be my favorite song on this cd because it's just a straight up rocker & it has a really driving pace that gives it the potential to actual be a single that would get radio airplay, if pushed properly! "Hail & Farewell To Britain" closes the CD & it's a little over 8 minutes of dark energy & I might add a little side note that I noticed when I saw the new band pic..the entire band is sporting facial hair now, but the black & green is still prominant as ever! Musically, I think this is the defining record of Type O Negative's career...it's got the most varied supply of interesting songs, good hooks, the production is superb, the songs are perfect & I think the band has just hit a peak in their career with this cd! I would consider this a MUST HAVE cd for metal fans!
Rating: 6 stars!
Musically, Dead Child is just straight up, pure f**king metal...they are loud, heavy, & ugly & they are extremely proud of it! "Angel of the Odd" starts the disc off & I wanna say first & foremost, that this CD reminds me of a really good band demo..it's got all the energy, angst, & character that a bands demo SHOULD have..alot of times, a band will record demo's & then go into a studio & a producer will lose the energy that the original recordings had...well kiddies, this is NOT the case here! "Angel of the Odd" is not over produced, it's loud, very raw, & I LOVE it! This is what rock n roll is all about, seriously! "Black Blood Leather" almost sounds like it was recorded live..the vocals are kinda distorted, the guitars are not polished, & the rhythm sounds like it was recorded at a live show, which is really amazing & cool! "I Will Live Again" is the slowest number on the cd & it has this swamp feel to it that is very reminiscent of old Black Sabbath ala Mr. Iommi's riffage! For a bands first cd, this cd really captures the vibe, freshness & new-ness that is Dead Child, & I can't state enough that the raw sound & feel on here is just amazing...so few bands maintain that power & passion on their debut release, but Dead Child have done just that! This might be the best debut EP from a band that I've ever heard!
REVIEWS
Rating: 6 stars!
G.B.H. are an interesting punk band...they are NOT the new punk shit that's out there now..they are NOT emo-core, they are NOT like Greenday..they are NOT sanitized by any means..they are an ugly, loud, pissed off band that actually could play their instruments, & they really developed over the course of their career..they went from simple 3 chord tunes that were very out of key & sloppy, to songs that were still sloppy in a punk style, but they had more intricate parts & the vocals got better, the production got better, & everything just came together! When I listen to this box set, it makes me realize just how much the metal world was influenced by G.B.H., I mean if you listen to VENOM, who are the pioneers of black metal, you can easily see the style similarites & influences of G.B.H. on Venom, & even when you hear early thrash metal records, like Metallica's "Kill 'Em All", whether they cite G.B.H. as an influence, it's apparent that the styles are similiar in vibe & energy! The songs that really catch your ear are, "Slut" - simply because it's a very immature, annoying & totally kick ass song, "Alcohol" - because it was never meant to be released & it's the band messing around with an octave effect on the vocals & it's just really cool, "Bellend Bop" - because it's a little over 5 minutes long & the guitar solo's in the song are a good break-up from the fast power chords that adorn every other song on the set, "Womb With A View" - this is probably the best written song the band has ever done, in my opinion anyways, & the guitar intro is interesting!, "I Feel Alright" - this is an Iggy & the Stooges cover & it's every bit as good as the original, done G.B.H. style of course! I can't find any flaws on this box set..it's got cool liner notes, superb sound, & even though a live record doesn't capture the ANY punk bands energy, even the live CD is killer! This is a great collection of early G.B.H. & simply put, it kicks f**king ass!
Rating: 6 stars
Beautifully crafted, intricate yet simple, "Pain is a Megaphone" is a glorious collection of instantly memorable, very well written, & definitley good rock music that's very radio friendly, & to be honest with you, I believe alot of these songs could be #1 hits! "Glorious Collision" is the song that really got my attention...it's got an interesting guitar tone, the lyrics are touching, & it's just a song you will take with you! "What if Everything Goes Right" is a great pop song that is very upbeat & happy, & this CD really reminds me of the old Beatles records, where everything just flows, all the songs are great, there's NO filler here, it's just all emotions, energy, & at times I'm reminded of Jeff Buckley, but this music is NOT dark in any way...it's really positive & there's great energy here for sure! I really wouldn't be surprised if Steve Bertrand became the next huge pop/rock star of this era, I mean the songs on this cd...simply perfect!
Rating: 6 stars
I'll tell you in advance, listen to the entire..there's a cool bonus track that has a chorus of "If I can't get everything I want I might as well be shot" that's actually a pleasant surprise! Ok, now onto the actual review of this CD...the cd is really a love letter to the world...it really sums up the youth of today & what we face, what we are going through, & where we are...I don't really think the older generation quite understand that the post-woodstock generation, the left over hippies, the random shit from the 80's..it spawn these children who felt even more alienated, even more weird, & I think we all kinda grew up & out of the shell of the stuff that our parents created...every scenario is different, but to be totally honest with you, the lyrics on this CD are the most amazing, pure, raw, & emotional words that you will EVER read! Songs about twisted love, abuse, addiction..it's really what punk rock tried to accomplish back in the day..it's just really raw, real, true shit that you can't fake...even if you wanted to! "Girl with Issues" is a song, in particular, that I can relate to, because I have MANY friends who totally fit the mold of this song..."Too F** Up" is ironically a slow song that really captured the vibe of being really messed up, & overall, if you listen to the music, read the lyrics, & let this CD absorb in your brain, you'll understand where the current generation is...musically, this cd garner's industrial, rock, ska, & punk in waves of passion & fury...this is a great CD from beginning to end!
Rating: 5 stars!
Even though alot of these artists are not Rock N Roll Experience style bands, I still think it's a good thing that SPV/Blue records are re-issuing LOADS of cool, old blues & R&B releases from artists like Bo Didley, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, & Johnny Jones, to name just a few! Each cd is packaged with tons of pics, liner notes, & the sound is remastered & sounds superb! Every artist on the list is interesting, & I found the "story" cd's to be the most interesting, because many of these artists & labels are obscure & I never even knew of the majority of these artists! The best piece of advise I can give anyone who might be reading this review is, check out stuff that you might not normally listen to..there's some really good stuff here that ranges from blues, rock, jazz, & it's all good if you have an open mind & understanding for older artists, who recorded in a time when technology was limited & a good recording relied on a good performance!
Rating: 4 stars!
Khymera, featuring Pink Cream69 singer Dario Ward on vocals is an interesting band...the cd starts off with an instrumental piece, that leads into "Alone" that reminds me of an updated Night Ranger or something along those lines, because the keyboard is very dominant in the song, but it retains a hard rock edge that just reminds me of the 80's for some reason. "Looking For You" is a good song, but at times the keyboards just seem to be too strong for my personal taste...it gives the music a poppier vibe & that's not a bad thing, because every song on this CD is very commercial & radio friendly, but at the same time, the CD really lacks balls because the production is very slick & there's literally NO flaws on here at all. I usually joke about bands like this & refer to it as girl music, & what I mean by that is, it's stuff that women will love...the really dirty edges are clean & it's not something that a dude would necessarily crank on 10 while driving wayyy over the speed limit, but the cd is still good & if you read my reviews, you know that I just state what I feel when I listen to a cd.
Rating: 5 stars
You know what I've always loved about the stereotypical metal bands? I always love how you can look at a cd cover & tell that the music's gonna be fast, heavy, & there's gonna be a singer trying to hit the Ronnie James Dio stuff & then you'll get the shredding solo's & the double bass...it's almost like Manowar, which is a little over the top, but you get my point! Messiah's Kiss are that same type of band...they have a CD cover that screams metal & even the song titles fit that mold too!~ Actually, it reminds me of old Iron Maiden too, which is a good thing...musically, the band is heavy as hell, they chug along with all the great metal bands & it's obvious that they were heavily influenced by Judas Priest! "The Ancient Cries" sets the pace for the entire cd...there's some melodic breaks & valley's in the music, but the only song that really changes the pace of things on this cd is "The Ivory Gates" which starts slow & really dark, but then it kicks into high gear with heavy guitars & the soaring vocals that rule this entire cd, & the last song is a little over 6 minutes long, which is very Iron Maiden-ish! Overall, I'm glad to see/hear that bands are still playing old-school metal like this, but I can't help but wonder, does the USA still support these bands? There's like a handful of them that tour the USA & I always wonder what the rest of these great bands do...there's a fanbase, but the clubs just don't support them anymore.
Rating: 6 stars
Helloween has always been a band that intrigued me, because they technically only did one USA tour EVER & that was the Headbanger's Ball tour back years ago, & yet the band is a stadium act overseas & have sold tons of records, yet over here in the USA they are almost unknown except for the metal geeks! Helloween have an interesting new 2 cd live record & corresponding dvd set that captures the bands last tour exceptionally! "I Want Out" is the only single the band really have here in the USA & that song is there, but the interesting stuff is really the more recent stuff, because the band is a mix of prog-metal & straight up hard rock, & they are techinically amazing & it's kinda sad that the USA market just ignored the band after the late 80's! "King for a 1,000 Year" is a musical journey that's strong & rich with riffs & rhythm & you can't deny the vocals are superb from mr. Andi Deris! On the CD, there's actually 2 bonus tracks that are from a Japanese show & they are "Halloween" & "Occasion Avenue". The dvd is nothing short of spectacular with great audio, amazing video & loads of extra features! Overall, Helloween always deliver great music & their new cd/dvd sets are well worth every penny!
Rating: 5 stars
It's always interesting how every band in the same genre kinda cop a very similiar vibe...Mob Rules remind me of Helloween alot..they have that melodic-German metal thing going with the neo-shred guitar playing, the vocals are strong & soaring, & the first song on the cd is in 6 parts, which is underheard of for the mostpart in today's rock market! When I hear the bands name, all I can honestly think of is the Ronnie Dio/Black Sabbath song, but musically, this band is far beyond the range of Black Sabbath..the music is textured & with like "Ain't the One", there's this weird vibe to it that's kinda mid eastern, but it's still straight forward metal & you can't deny that this band rocks hard & fits totally in that prog-metal/german metal scene that's so prevalent over there! My final statement is that this is a killer cd from start to finish!
Rating: 6 stars
Distinctly post-modern, Night Kills The Day's new cd is a mix of artistic license, moody vocals, echo-y guitars, & very ecclectic rock music that has an edge, but it's definitley NOT metal! I think the song writing on "After Hours" is superb & almost haunting! "Rainbow in NYC" is like 80's style punk pop...it's very singable, but not like anything I hear today, which is what makes it cool! "Meaning" is my personal favorite & the odd thing is that it reminds me of the Smiths a little..maybe it's just me, but I think it's a good thing! "Final Mask" opens with a bending guitar lead that has a steady drum beat, & the overall vibe of the song is kinda sloppy, but it's very punk-ish in an anti-punk kinda way & it's also a stand-out track on the cd! The last 2 songs on the CD are a little over 7 minutes, so I'll warn you that you better be prepared for a musical journey, because these 2 take you places with alot of diversity & artistic license! Overall, Night Kills The Day are definitley one of the more promising new acts that I've heard in quite a long time...I hate to make a reference here, but I could see the band going to a Radiohead status if they got the right exposure..they are that good!
Rating: 6 stars
Interesting how you'll meet someone at a show, they'll tell you they are working a band & I'll get a demo to check the band out...more times than not the band will suck & I'll just try to be nice because I don't want to have to face people I see alot at shows & in the area if I give them a bad review...this being said, I can say with all honesty that the demo I got from Hollo is pretty freakin' cool! "White Walls" opens the cd up & it's kinda got a Korn vibe, back when Korn we're toruing for their 1st CD & still good! Musically, it's heavy as fuck & the vocals are a mix of reggae/metal/rap which makes it kinda interesting because the entire Rock/Rap thing ended a year or 2 ago & on a song like "Bottom Feeder's" there's a cool melodic part that gives you just a small enough of a difference in the aggro vocals, that makes it really cool to listen to, but the overall vibe of every song is just heavy & ugly, which is great! The guitars are tuned nice & low, the rhythm is there...this band just reminds me so much of early Korn that it's interesting...I actually can't wait to see them live to see how they pull the tune's off, because on cd they rock! Check out this Maryland based band at www.myspace.com/hollo1
Rating: 5 stars
Ronin are a cooler than thou New York based band that just put out a new cd entitled "Dissolving Pinch Roller", which is an interesting mix of emotions, rage, attitude & vibe...there's slow songs, trippy songs, heavy songs, & overall, the band describes themselves as very Kyuss-like & I'd be inclided to agree, except I think Ronin are a little more musical than Kyuss..."Crickets" kicks the cd off & this cd, if you let it, takes you on a strange trip, & musically, it's kinda all over the place, but it's all rock focused & just super cool! Few bands can say they put out music that's just for the love of music, & Ronin are one of those bands...this new cd is all about creativity & I think the band really comes into their own on this cd! I made a comment before that the band has this really fresh feel & they don't seem jaded at all, & this CD just asserts that notion...Ronin are a very original band that doesn't fit in with the current bands because Ronin have a totally different vibe & that's a cool thing!
Rating: 6 stars
It's funny...I've had this CD for a week or 2 & just didn't get around to checking it out...what a mistake! The opening intro might not be cool, but track one, "Breathe Into Me" kickstarts this CD with a heavy, fast pace & the bands reminds me of Breaking Benjamin slightly, but I actually thing the smoke Breaking Benjamin because the songs are not depressing...most of the songs are crunchy & the band has this really hungry vibe, which makes them really stand out to me! The vocals are a mix of clean & aggro, & there's alot of slow piano breakdowns that really add depth to the cd...I really wanna see this band live, because they mix alot of stuff in their sound & I even hear a little bit of Faith No More at times...this is a great rock/metal CD & definitley worth checking out if you like fresh, new metal! "Hide" could really be a hit single if it got radio attention..it's just an amazing song! Ironic too really, the cd closes on a slow number which is the 2nd part of "Already Over" which is really like the ending to a movie..very dramatic & climactic!
REVIEWS
Rating: 4 stars!
We Are I is a band that kinda has the energy of System of a Down, but they also must up some of the same vibes that The Toadies had...they play straight up hard rock that's got some definite elements of metal, & on this 6 song EP, they lay down all the foundation for a future fan base, because they have a modern sound & they have some catchy tunes & their CD artwork reminds me of the kinda stuff that Tool uses..it's realyl dark, oblique & interesting. This CD actually ends really cool too, the last song is "End of the Line" & the last vocal line is basically saying that it's over, which just ends the cd perfectly. I actually can't wait to hear the bands full length release to see what they can do on a full length!
Rating: 5 stars
I won't even beat around the bush here...the music on this cd is good, but it's obvious that the selling point is the drop-dead gorgeous looks of Taylor Mills, & for those who may not know it, she's the protege of Beach Boy, Brian Willson, & her music is well produced adult contemporary stuff that's really middle of the road, this is NOT a metal or hard rock record, but more over just a good pop-rock record meant for adults, with songs about love, loss, & life. "Consolation Prize" is the stand-out track on the cd & "New Year's Eve" is also pretty interesting & catchy. The artowrk that adorns the cd has images of Taylor all over it & that's a good thing..trust me, because she's someone you won't want to forget!
Chris Shinn might be best well known for his work with Unified Theory, which featured a few of the remaining members of Blind Melon..the music was melancholy & kinda sad at times, & I secretly wondered if the music Unified Theory made was shaped by the guys from Blind Melon or Chris, & one listen to this new CD by Everything is Energy makes it VERY apparent that Chris Shinn was the force that shaped those songs, because the songs on this cd are interesting, melodic, dark at times, & the tempo's are up & down, the vocals are rich, & every song kinda takes you places if you let them. "Hut" reminds me of the dark energy that Jeff Buckley had & it also has that same kinda dank side that Radiohead uses at times, & then a song like "Someday I" packs the same punch that Army of Anyone kinda had..the vocals are not like Richard Patrick from Filter, but there's a strange similarity, or atleast that's what I hear & I really dig it, because there's a break-down that's just really trippy & this is a great song to listen to on a road trip! "Rest of My Life" is a strange little instrumental that kinda gets a little moddy & heartfelt as it goes on, but "Curve of the Earth" is the song that just really gets to me...I can't even sum it up in words because the song is just really emotional, the music is touching, & this song actually starts off with a driving drum beat! Overall, this is a great, well written cd & if you appreciate well written, artistic songs that have no limits, then this is a CD you MUST check out!
Rating: 5 stars
Honestly, the only thing I can really complain about with this CD is the back cover...it type font that the band used is a little hard to read on certain song titles, but that's just my little complaint...well, actually, I really hate it when bands release a CD & don't put a band picture either, BUT, if you look closely at the inside of the artwork, there's a live band shot, but it's really hard to see if you don't look closely, but you can't deny that the car on the front cover is bad-ass! Musically, the band kinda blends nu-metal with hard rock & they kinda remind me of Three Days Grace alot. "Hovering" is a pile-driving song that isn't particularly fast, but just slow & sludgy sounding with tuned down riffs, clean vocals, & guitar harmonics in certain spots that just set the song off! "Dwell" is an immediate favorite from the very first listen..it has this dark intro & the song just captures your attention from start to finish. "Crash Coping" has total radio potential with it's fresh sound, punchy chorus & driving melody...I might actually go as far as to say this is the best song on the cd...it's got a really great hook to it that you can kinda move to & this song just REALLY flows well! For those that want really heavy stuff, "March" & "Nocturnal" are probably the heaviest things on the cd & they just destroy everything in their path with power & angst!
Rating: 6 stars
Ok, I'll preamble this review by saying that this is a straight up blues cd that features ALL Freddie King covers! Freddie King, in many blues guitarist's opinions, was one of the most underrated blues legends EVER....Freddie's playing was clean, distinct & guitarists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton & Johnnie Winter openly admitted to idolizing Freddie King. John Mayall has put out a really cool tribute to Freddie King with what most would consider to be his finest songs, but the guitarists in the crowd would debate that "Hideaway" was his most well known & influencial song, BUT, since it's an instrumental, it was left off this cd sadly. "Going Down" is a song that's become a blues standard over the years, & the band on this CD do it justice, & the only thing I can really say that's kinda off is the vocals, because John Mayall sings them fine in his own style, but Freddie King had this Texas style rasp to his voice that's not easy to copy! "Palace of the King", which is the title track on this CD is probably the stand-out song..it just rocks & rolls & flows really solid...great guitar work, the horns accent the song well, & the rhythm is tight! "Cannonball Shuffle" is probably my favorite, personally off this cd, because it's a great instrumental & really sums up what Freddie King was about, in my opinion!
Rating: 6 stars
This CD kicks off with "Say This Sooner", which is almost like a declaration rather than an opening track on this cd..it's fast, loud, & rocks, but there's also acoustic guitars & an interesting breakdown too! "Drive There Now" is the 2nd song on the CD & it starts off kinda like a Foo Fighters song, but with more emo-goodness, & "Southern Weather" is the song that just kicked things in gear for me, because it starts off loud, distorted, & just kinda angry, even though the song isn't angry at all & it actually develops into a great poppish-hard rock chorus that goes right back to the fast, loud, almost punk vibe that the song starts with! Initially when you read the song titles on this cd you'll probably think what I did at first..this is a joke band that does goffy stuff like early Blink-182, BUT, that's totally NOT the situation here..every song on this cd, if you read the lyrics, is about finding yourself, being yourself & not following the trends & paths that other's have gone down & it's really all pretty positive if you read into it all...in all honesty, I did this CD more than Underoath..I make that statement because this CD is by Aaron from Underoath, & I am really pleased with his work on this cd, & he's actually taking the band on the road to play, so if you get a chance, check 'em out!
Rating: 4 stars
Emo rockers Relient K are back with a new cd called "4 Score & Seven Years Ago" & the cd is well written from beginning to end, & the accapella version of "Pleading the Fifth" that opens the CD kinda reminds me of the Beach Boys oddly enough, but the CD kicks in gear with "Come Right Out" that just rocks! Most of the songs on this CD have that typical emo-passion, with the trendy big choruses that tug at the heart strings & pack plenty or guitar riffs along the way. "I Need You" reminds me of The Used alot, & "Forgiven" is the song that you really wanna make sure you check out, it's a slower song with a punchy drum beat & really catchy vocals! "Devastation & Reform" reminds me of a song I've heard before, but I can't really place it, but it's a great song with interesting lyrics & the drums just kick ass on this one! "Bite My Tongue" has a great opening guitar lick & I might add that at a little over 51 minutes, this is one of the longest emo releases that I've ever heard!
Upon my first listen of this cd, the vocals really reminded me of Vin from the band Sponge...there's this certain quality to the singing that I just really like & I can't even explain it...it's very pleasing to my ear & there's not alot of guys with that style to their voice! Musically, the band is straight up rock, there's no metal, no rock/rap, just good rock music with lots of interesting lyrics & well written songs with lots of structure & balance. "The N & The R" is the song that I really dig, but don't ask about the title, because I don't know what it means, it's just really interesting & that's good enough for me! The art for the CD is pretty interesting & seems to fit the music well, & all of the tunes on this cd just really fit together to make a final product that's strong & interesting.
I purposely didn't include the track listing for this release, because I would have to censor it since ALOT of it is dirty, BUT, I can tell you that this entire CD captures the Evil Dead musical really well..it's really vulgar, really funny, & think Rocky Horror, but even more twisted, & you get the picture of what this musical/cd is like! This 26 track CD tells the story of the Evil Dead trilogy & it's funny to hear bad words sang in musical style as if it's just the usual fodder, I mean "What the F**K was that?" is a prime example..it's funny as hell, but there's a weird, serious, yet surreal element to the entire cd...it's one of those things that you listen to, laugh, but also appreciate the reality that it's a play that was created about an odd, old school horror movie that's attained legendary cult status as a result of 3 generations of horror freaks screaming that it was the best movie ever, & I really hope that they release the musical on dvd at some point, because the soundtrack is a riot!