|
Feature Reviews:
 Buck Brothers - Me  Dustin Kensrue - Please Come Home  Jen Militia - Berlin Boot Camp  The Shins - Wincing The Night Away Other Reviews: |
|
 Adrienne Pierce Faultline 4/5 Who’s it for: Anyone who enjoys good girl rock/pop. Sounds like: Think Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton with good lyrics. What a difference a year makes. When Adrienne Pierce released her first album Small Fires last year she proved to the public that she had talent even though her album was not quite up to par. Now with the release of her sophomore album Faultline, Pierce has proved that she not only has talent but that she is a force to be reckoned with. Faultline is a well written, beautifully played album that is intriguing from the first listen. With her soft voice and absorbing lyrics, Pierce grabs the listener and takes them on a pleasant journey from the first song all the way to the last track. After this release it is obvious that Adrienne is destined for great things. - Julie Hunter  Busdriver RoadKillOvercoat 4/5 Who It’s For: Those looking for original hip-hop not about blunts and bitches. Sounds Like: Totally original hip-hop As a rapper on a label that is well-known for punk, it seems there is some type of pressure. Busdriver works on Epitaph; mainly because he’s so damn original. None of his beats are something you feel like you’ve heard before. He’s molded these unique rhymes around these cool danceable beats. You’ve almost got to hear it to understand. His voice is something else completely. It’s very big and loud and bubbly. It’s almost reminiscent of Afroman, but not so….ya know. In all it’s a really fun album to listen to. It keeps you interested, even if it’s to see where we are going next. - Stephanie Joudrey  Damiera M(US)IC 4/5 Who It’s For: Fans of emo who are looking for a more mature sound Sounds Like: A mix of Circa Survive, At The Drive-In and old school Equal Vision bands There’s nothing better than a band with a DIY ethic and Buffalo’s Damiera certainly have that in droves. While that means they can do the dirty work on their own, it also means they can do their musical research in taking sounds from others and creating their own sound. On M(US)IC (pronounced Us In Music), it’s obvious from the first thirty seconds that the band are fans of previous bands on their label. With the vocal lines of Circa Survive and occasional Coheed And Cambria guitar sounds, they’ve twisted them to sound new and distinctive. “Immure” is a great opening track, loud, fast and experimental, it’s enough to keep you going for a good chunk of the album. Each song brings new elements to the sound, but at times they can get a little drawn out and if you’re not paying attention you’ll realize that you’ve missed a couple songs. Overall for a first full length, it’s a good solid release that will leave you waiting for the next one, just to see how the band evolves. -Alyssa Caplin  Faithless To All New Arrivals 4/5 Who it's For: People into Chillout and semi-experimental electronic music Sounds Like: LTJ Buckem, BT Like the name suggests, To All New Arrivals is an experience in otherworldly sound experimentation. Each song is unique in and of itself, yet all flow along a similar avant-garde, synthetic, surreal thread that allows the mind to wander along with the music. The focal points of the album include “Emergency,” which interweaves a laid-back collection of blues influenced guitar licks alongside slow, methodical vocals and a tight, streaming beat; and “Nate’s Tune,” a purely melodic endeavour with a hypnotic synth riff, which is amplified in it’s intricate tone especially under the influence of miscellaneous substances. The disc falters in an equally random fashion: in “Spiders, Crocodiles & Kryptonite,” for example, the distorted British, child-like squealing heighten the chaotic nature of the track, yet this is not a positive venture in sound, and the effort ends up more grating then aurally pleasing. The lead vocals that dabble in many tunes (a characteristic Faithless trademark) tend to get a touch repetitive at times, and their moralistic messages get lost in the monotony of the singer’s tone. To All New Arrivals, despite it’s drawbacks, provides a tuneful mix of electronic music that can be melded into the background or isolated in focus and will always bring something new to the listening table, and would be a welcome addition to those wishing to add something different in their musical palette. - Kate Davis  My Bitter End The Renovation 3/5 The word “renovation is defined in the dictionary as “to restore to good condition; make new or as if new again; repair” or “to reinvigorate; refresh; revive.” It isn’t entirely apparent that My Bitter End “renovates” the metalcore world entirely, but they do give it a slight nudge in its side. A competent exercise in metal, The Renovation has leanings toward death, grind, and black metal. Band vocalist ¬¬¬Todd Guida can hack it with the most “kvlt” (or cult for the layman who isn’t aware of black metal slang) and can even hit notes high enough to make it with the melodic hardcore kids. A steady double kick beatdown is ever present on The Renovation and the guitar shredding and noodling is nothing to be ignored either. My Bitter End shows much potential on The Renovation but they don’t quite have anything to push them over the top and make them stand out from the scene. Sonically comparable to black metal meets August Burns Red and Protest The Hero; surely MBE could build up a solid fan base. To crack the base and go beyond though, My Bitter End is going to have to renovate a touch more. - Michael Kopko  The Good The Bad and The Queen S/T 4.5 Who It's For: Old school music fans Sounds Like: Reggae Pop for the next generation The Good The Bad And The Queen are the brilliant brain child of Damon Albarn (who seems to have plenty of time for projects). This one finds Damon and Paul Simonen (of the Clash) joining forces with Verve and Gorillaz guitarist Simon Tonge and Africa 70 Drummer Tony Allen. Get Danger mouse to produce and you have got one hell of a jam album. The first track “History Song” (there’s that 70’s Zeppelin riff) comes in slow and builds making you realize there is more here then just some Gorillaz dance track; this is music that will last more then a lunch time. As the CD carries on “Kingdom Of Doom” is an enticing track that pulls you along with every note making you want more and more. The disc never really takes off and sounds very much like they just got together and smoked a few and saw what happened but that is the charm of this one. In the end it’s way to short and screams JAM CD. It’s not a true worked out masterpiece yet it fumbles its way into my heart and will stay there for some time. - Zugha © 2007, All Rights Reserved |
 Aereogramme My Heart Has a Wish That You Would Not Go 3.5/5 Who It’s For: If you wished Evanescence were more tender and with a sensitive boy singing instead of Amy Lee Sounds Like: Sunny Day Real Estate and Kent Aereogramme are really nice. There is nothing hard about this Scottish band and tough guy moments shove you only a few times on My Heart Has A Wish That You Would Not Go, their third full length. There is a formulaic combo of instruments played on this record but it is dominated with a beautiful pageant of symphonic overlay which sweeten their songs and add a lot of depth. It’s very similar to the sound that is currently coming out of Scandinavia. The orchestration leads the songs in sorts of different directions from eerily dark to beautiful, inspiring and grand. Think of it as new age but created by some sensitive boys with a lot of love and feelings bleeding all over their guitars. - Jackson Main  Copeland Eat, Sleep, Repeat 2.5/5 Who It’s For: Alt Rock fans. Sounds like: A Radiohead tribute band. When it comes to Copeland the only thing truly intriguing about them is their name. Trying to push the envelope in music by making an original record Copeland’s Eat, Sleep, Repeat backfires delivering an album that is not only not original but slightly boring. That being said, Copeland does offer something that most unoriginal artists lack; talent. With a bit of help from a great producer and a little less Radiohead inspired vibe, Copeland can make a great record, and in time, with a little bit of musical maturity, I’m sure they will. Overall an album better left on the shelf, but keep an ear out for them because it won’t be long before they find that thing that will propel them into the next phase of music. - Julie Hunter  Daughtry S/T 4.25/5 Who It’s For: Fans of the American Idol ‘rockers’ Sounds like: The next step of mainstream rock Everyone already knows that Chris Daughtry was expected to win last season’s American Idol, but it’s his good fortune that he came in fifth. Instead of releasing the typical Idol winner’s first album, which are at the very least contrived and cheesy and about as genuine as your mother telling you she likes your band, he put together a solid first release that fits in both the top 40 and rock radio formats. With at least co-writer status, if not the sole songwriter for most of the tracks, he’s already one step ahead of the rest of the Idol contingent. Sure there are a few corny lyrics, but overall there really isn’t a weak moment on the disc. With session musicians like Josh Freese and superproducer Howard Benson (along with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Slash contribution), there’s nothing to complain about. Unlike the winners of Idol who are forever tagged to the show, Daughtry will likely be able to shed that attachment to his name soon enough. -Alyssa Caplin  Germans Cape Fear 3.5/5 Who It’s For: People who like The Inbreds. Sounds Like: Pavement and Nada Surf It’s funny that if you played this record in 1995 and played it now the sound in both periods of time would be current. Electric organs and Moogs were a fresh idea in alternative indie rock in the mid 90’s and now they are a staple. There’s nothing wrong with bringing music back for a new generation who aren’t familiar with what’s already been done. The fuzz distortion and stripped down cleanliness of Germans has a Toronto indie scene stamp on it so if you’re into songs with unaffected vocals of boredom with some fun and darkly simplified hooks then this will interest you. The album is fun but has nothing special to offer a listener but will probably be viewed by hipsters as fantastic. Listening to this album will cause you to question if you want to get drunk and pout or dance with a cute girl who’s a grade older than you. These choices are both valid on Cape Fear. In case nothing in this review made sense it should be clear that this is a pretty good record. - Jackson Main  Million Dollar Marxists Zero Culture 3/5 Who It’s For: Punk rock purists Sounds Like: A new twist on 80’s punk This is “real punk” that is more like The Stooges and The Clash, more than the stuff kids are pulling off as punk nowadays. Zero Culture might only be eight songs, but it’s an album full of truth and heart with the kind of songs that spark conversation. There are no little tricks and pro-tools to muck things up. This disc and this band are what a lot of people feel are missing in a music industry lead by bands like My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boys. Punk rock purists should unite around Million Dollar Marxists. The eight songs may not be the flashiest and if you listen to this disc enough it will get a little monotonous, but that doesn’t put a dent in what it does have. - Stephanie Joudrey  Mnemic Passenger 2/5 It is said the imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, isn’t it? For Mnemic to get Christian Olde-Wolbers of Fear Factory fame to produce their latest album Passenger, and to sound just like their producer’s band, you’d think they would be embarrassed wouldn’t you? On sheer production alone, this album scores high, but not high enough to save the song writing and sheer overall borrowing and butchering of sound and style. Olde-Wolbers has crafted a sonic masterpiece once again, much like he did with Mnemic’s label mates Threat Signal’s debut (oddly enough both Passenger and Threat Signal’s Under Reprisal could be musical clones of one another. Coincidence?). Guitar tones are clean even when distorted, punchy drums and a bass just thick enough to permeate the mix coupled with catchy scream/sung mixed vocals makes for an ear-appealing sound that can’t be denied. If there are other things that can’t be denied, there’s the blatant worshipping of the previously stated Fear Factory, Strapping Young Lad, and Meshuggah. The one thing that can barely compare to the rest of these bands is the caliber of new band vocalist Guillaume Bideau. Although Bideau’s voice is solid, it is definitely NOT quite up to par, not to mention he barely sounds different to the former Mnemic vocalist. This band’s stab at reviving nu-metal is not well done, nor is it well received. Try again, but really, save yourselves the embarrassment and leave it to the pros. - Michael Kopko  Of Montreal Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? 3.4/5 Who It’s For: Your pessimistic Indie Synth-Pop fan that has a long attention span and a reason to be bitter Sounds Like: Glossed-up melodies and infectious synth riffs going through a nasty breakup Don't say that I have changed/Because man, of course I have. On the third track, “Cato As A Pun,” Kevin Barnes lets us know there’s a lot more experimentation to come from this now decade old band. Of Montreal are trying to break out of the old shell and find a new identity after all these years. Unfortunately they still thrive at their euphorically poppy best on such tracks as the aforementioned “Cato As A Pun,” “Suffer For Fashion” and “She’s A Rejector.” Meanwhile sandwiched between the glorious pop of the first three and the last three tracks of the album is a 12 minute epic that has a mere 2 or 3 listenable minutes of music. Like most bands trying to experiment with their sound, all that comes out of all that ambition are longer tracks, more instruments and a listener straining to keep their attention. - Dan Hamilton  The Horrors S/T 0/5 Who It’s For: People who think garage rock is new Your first thought when you see The Horrors is that they are going to rock out and kick your ass. Well they don’t and this self titled EP is just proof that you can look good but if you don’t sound good then who the fuck cares! This disc comes off like they didn’t even realize that bands like The Devil Dogs or the Mono Men ever existed and that they have something new to teach us. All I can say is don’t even bother; these guys are a legend that will last a lunch time. - Zugha Archived Reviews: January 15, 2007: Brian McKnight, Tom Waits, Youth Group and more... December 20, 2006: Isis, Justin Nozuka and The Holiday Review Section December 1, 2006: Brand New, Incubus, The Pixies and more... November 15, 2006: Deftones, Lady Sovereign, Matt Mays, The Prize Fighter Inferno, Robbie Williams and more... November 1, 2006: My Chemical Romance, The Rasmus, Sparta, The Tragically Hip and more... October 15, 2006: Evanescence, The Killers, K-Os, Seemless and more..... October 1, 2006: John Mayer, Helmet, Method Man, Ryan Star and more.... February 2006 - September 2006: A-F G-M N-S T-Z |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
