 TAKOTA – THE IVORY TOWER Ares Records By: Fridae Mattas “The Ivory Tower” is the debut album from these five larries who formed in 2005 migrating out of Anaheim California, like fellow OC spawns “Atreyu” they have turned a few heads gathering quite a following of fans. This album “The Ivory Tower” was produced by Atreyu’s very own Brandon Saller. Currently Takota are working on their follow up major label debut album “Just Before Morning” set to be released by Island Records this year. The title track is one of my favorites off this record; the singer (Grant Arnow) is good, thank GOD! His vocals are strong not too excessive, he gets the drift about how to emote a story through song, cluing in on how to convey the passion and heart of the lyrics coinciding with the music of the track. Right to the point the track kicks into gear with fluid guitars, fierce percussion and a memorable melody. The music flows effortlessly from verse to chorus with flawless key changes showing the talent of the musicians yet not overshadowing the vocals. The band compliments each other working in unison there is chemistry with this band, too bad guitarist (Andy Lara) left the band. A line in the first verse is “Maybe I’m Cynical but it seems like it’s never enough, fake conversations negotiations, never letting up.” On the tune “City Drugs” producer Brandon Saller features on this track, another one of my favorites the eighties inspired sound is frequently active with a retro throw back but also bringing a new modern sound making it their own. A bit reminiscent of “Protest The Hero” musically speaking with the hard edged punk infusion, yet a times it is mellow and soft more on the “City and Colour” side. Vocally Arnow is a cocktail of Queen’s Freddy Mercury, Skid Row’s former vox Sebastian Bach with a little sprinkle of Axl Rose. Every tune on this LP differs, melodically there are a few reruns but props is definitely granted to Takota and their producer for making each track as individual as possible. The music is fast rocking and ready for people to obsess over. They not only have the rock out tunes but they have softer new school power ballads displaying their versatility. The only downer is in a few of the vocal arraingments, a little too much “My Chemical Romance” meets “Fall Out Boy” but Arnow’s voice is superior. A few honorable mentions for ‘Lioness’, ‘A Little Honesty’ and ‘Carpark Conversations’ the rest of the band is Justin Ferreira on drums, Danny Roddy on Bass, Guitar/vocals Brett Anderson and newbie Lead Guitarist Sergio Ruelas. Hop on this wagon now these dudes from the OC will reach the stars, they won’t be the biggest band in the world but will get damn close. www.myspace.com/takotamusic ©FRIDAE2008™
Last edited by altsounds : May 16, 2008 at 10:44 PM.
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80% | |
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Takota - Altsounds.com Video Interview - September 2007
| Video Interviews 
TAKOTA - THE IVORY TOWER
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