| | |  Subsound Records
It’s always interesting to receive an Italian CD. Mainly for the reason that Italian bands lack so much of the popular culture which has such a heavy influence on US and UK artists. They seem to have such a fresh approach on music that it sometimes catches you out on how good some of this stuff can actually be. Deflore are an example of a very alternative sound coming out of the country.
Describing themselves as “an explosive mix of electronic grooves, heavy’n’distorted instruments and psychadelic-noise atmosphere” they do certainly capture the imagination. This blend of electronic grooves however is somewhat short of explosive. In truth this album limbers on from an ambient-driven two and a half minute opener, past so many songs which possess the same qualities and offer so little in the way of diversity.
It does at one point feel as though you’re just listening to the same song over and over. When the whole thing is over it’s hard to tell exactly just went on. Sometim 
Views: 90
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-29-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | |  Facedown Records
When; in music, you wait five years for something it’s either going to be a resounding success or a tragic failure. Kingston Falls aren’t new to making music or touring, they’ve done extensively during their collective lifetime, but now it’s time for a new adventure. When you’ve built it as comprehensively as Kingston Falls have done during their time it’s hard to see this album being anything but good. That’s exactly what it is.
The first impression that really forces itself upon you is that they really do strive to make music both epic and meaningful. For what they produce alone, they can be forgiven for taking so long to actually get it out there. Combining melody with riffing, heavy guitars they manage to create a really refreshing sound. So many bands aspire to do something different and fall short because they end up doing something which has already been done or just mix two existing genres and call it unique. Kingston Falls have made everything completely their own a
Views: 127
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-29-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | | Smalltown Records
The movie High Fidelity told us: “Now, the making of a good compilation tape is a very subtle art. Many do's and don'ts. First of all you're using someone else's poetry to express how you feel. This is a delicate thing.” My Awesome Compilation have clearly never seen this movie, or read the novel by Nick Hornby. This, their second album is a let down, to put it as simply as possible.
Not that there ever should be any rules as such when it comes to making music, you at least expect a little better than this. My Awesome Compilation have supplied a mix of guitar-heavy rock songs filled with cheap melodies and the sort of stuff which was getting bands noticed two years ago but now just seems overdone. At just ten songs too it is just about pushing the boundaries of what you’d expect an album to be; the whole thing is just short of thirty-two minutes.
The opening song, ‘Red Is For Danger’ is a perfect set-up for the letdown which is to come. Everything feels too forced and done wi
Views: 192
Comments: 3
Last Activity: 04-29-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | |  Decaydance Records/Fueled by Ramen
Pretty Odd indeed how a very original and fresh band can release a sophomore album that is as stale as three month old bread.
For a band that pricked up many ears and basically received massive fame, fortune and a slew of fans off the back of their debut effort (which I am personally a big fan of) it is very strange to see the direction of their current release.
The first single "9 In The Afternoon" still hankers back to the Panic at the Disco that all the fans grew to know and love and after listening to the whole album it is easy to see why they chose this song as the first single. The rest of the album sounds like the Panic boys holed themselves up in a room somewhere with nothing but "Sgt.Peppers Lonely Hearts Club" band on repeat, replacing the LSD that was used to inspire the afforementioned album with green tea or some other non mind altering boring alternative. Also lacking from the aforementioned comparison album is the skill, songwriting, integrity a
Views: 153
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-28-2008
by altsounds
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| | |  Unsigned
NEVER SAY DIE - PROUDLY PRESENTS
By Fridae Mattas
Popping in this EP the Intro starts in it sounded like an ambient track an excuse to say you have six songs on the EP instead of five. They shouldn’t have even put that there and in big bold letters too like it was amazing. The real first track was ‘Picture Me Rollin’ (OG 07)’ the guitars were good the best part of the track, the production of the EP is pretty good for an indie unsigned band. The lyrics are catchy extremely emo-pock if we’re talking categories for those that like pretty packages. The music reminds me of the British version of Hedley or Simple Plan. Lead vox has way too much nasal in his vocals, it drives me crazy! Some people like the nasal sound but I loathe it, especially if it’s as excessive as Nelly Furtado’s in which his is.
The next track I’m just going to skip because the title consists of the whole alphabet, why the need for such an extra long title that will not be remembered? I know they did th
Views: 143
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-24-2008
by FRIDAE
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| | |  HELLCAT RECORDS
There isn’t a lot you can say about punk rock which hasn’t already been said a million times before since the days of The Ramones. It remains one of the only forms of music which has come so far yet maintained the basic essentials which made it so popular in the first place. Punk is all about thrashing out straightforward chord progressions in the fastest way possible; put simply. Time Again duly oblige and these fourteen songs on their second album clock in at just over thirty-two minutes.
Don’t be deceived by the whole pop-punk movement, Time Again are in there with the likes of Rancid, Sick of it All and so on, for the type of punk they create. You get the impression from listening that to see Time Again live would be to witness one hell of a punk show. The differences from song to song are subtle, as with any good punk album; everything goes into each other nicely. The Descendents spring to mind in comparison at times, ‘Lookin’ Back’ starts off with a very Descendents-esq
Views: 94
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-23-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | |  No Sleep Records
"Head above water this year boys" is the first line on the new release from Philly boys and friends of Altsounds, The Wonder Years and it sets the pace and theme for the rest of the EP. It may only be an instrumental track but its a complete step up from the sound of the debut album. This is the sound of a band who know what they want and where to go to get it.
Despite the title lending itself towards a more serious side of the band, the track titles contradict that almost instantly. Name checking Star Wars characters and influential authors is not the most obvious connection but don't get me wrong, that's not a bad thing at all. This is what most bands lack these days. The ability to show a personality and shine through as the band they are and not the band they want people to think they are.
The new vibe I'm getting from the band is that they have got determination and they are not going to let chances pass them by. Musically and lyrically they are showing massive determinati
Views: 292
Comments: 1
Last Activity: 04-22-2008
by helloimclaire
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| | | Self-Released
http://hangout.altsounds.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=518&stc=1&d=1208879825
http://hangout.altsounds.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=517&stc=1&d=1208879815
http://hangout.altsounds.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=513&stc=1&d=1208879815
http://hangout.altsounds.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=514&stc=1&d=1208879815
Views: 242
Comments: 1
Last Activity: 04-22-2008
by helloimclaire
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| | |  Epitaph Records
The first song I heard from this band was ‘Insurance?’ I then had the need to find out more about this band who come from Vegas. Listening to other songs I had found, made me like The Higher even more.
The first four songs are full of upbeat rhythms and bouncy vocals before breaking into a song which is the shortest one at 1 minute 48 seconds. For that length of time, it is Seth’s vocals, acoustic guitar, bass, keyboard and claps to keep the beat running through. It feels like this song should carry on after the final “One check, one love” and a clap. The sudden ending keeps the listener peeled for the next song which goes back to tapping your foot, chipper music. The final track on the album is a Patrick Stump remix and I think this one is the most Hip Hop song on, ‘On Fire’ I don’t find the rest album to be classed in that genre like the band say they do. The hidden track is, lets say… it’s good that they hid this track. Again, using the claps makes you want to clap along wi
Views: 162
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-18-2008
by XgavedgeX
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| | | Drive Thru Records
When you hear it took a band a year to write a new album you immediately expect it to be something special. Say No More have created eleven tracks of simple, catchy, brilliant pop-punk. With an ear rich for melody they have gone ahead and crafted the best songs possible. It’s comforting when listening to the songs, just how quickly it sinks in that their extra efforts have not been in vain.
The immediacy with which ‘Masquerade’ draws you in is an instant sign of intent from Say No More. The hook “inside of this masquerade” and the accompanying “ahh’s” just make it an instant classic and the sort of song which will happily have you up and dancing. The vocal delivery and urgency of front man Peter Pedrazzi does bear a resemblance to Motion City Soundtrack, even Dashboard Confessional at times. There’s an unflinching conviction and reality in all his words, you can see crowds hanging off his every word for years to come.
‘Long Drive Home’ could quite easily become a drivi
Views: 340
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-18-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | | OP3/UNIVERSAL
Reviewing Trey Mills' first effort as an artist. "ATHABASCA"
Views: 159
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-18-2008
by FRIDAE
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| | | Drive Thru Records
Socratic are returning to the scene with their second album, ‘Spread The Rumors.’ Following on from 2005’s ‘Lunch For The Sky.’ They are an embodiment of the Drive Thru Records spirit; writing good music that they love and are more than willing to tour their asses off in order to promote it and sell it. Socratic appeal immediately with opener ‘Boy In A Magazine’ setting the tone for what is overall a confident and composed album. The songs have grown, developed and evolved somewhat from what was available on their previous offering.
The piano blends into the music much more now and they offer more coercion as a full band rather than a band with a pianist. Everything is so sweet and melodic, listening to Socratic is like forgetting about your life and your problems for twelve blissful songs. There’s nothing too complex and nothing to catch you off guard, they do offer similar qualities to Motion City Soundtrack in this sense, although their not quite as fast or upbeat. Despi
Views: 400
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-17-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | | Repeat Records
Johnny Panic are a band who’ve come through a lot to get to where they are now. ‘The Rebel’s is the second physical release taken from their second album ‘The Good Fight.’ It was originally released last year as a download only but now is being unleashed as a limited edition 7” vinyl.
For what it is, the song ‘The Rebel’ is a driving modern rock anthem. Combining many elements from right across the spectrum, they manage to maintain a good sense of identity and Johnny Panic shine through the heavy guitars and irresistible hooks. The whole thing creeps up on you and is a beast of a track, it’s the sort of song which will make you want to listen to the rest of the album straight off. The catchy “ooh’s” and “aah’s” have all been done before but never fail to bring a smile to the face of even the most stringent of rock fans.
But for every good a-side there’s a slightly obscure b-side, and Johnny Panic duly oblige with ‘Hurt (I See You Around)’. It could draw comparisons to t
Views: 101
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-17-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | |  INO Records
The Afters’ single ‘MySpace Girl’ gets a video in the form of animation rather than a real video. It does look like a lot of care has gone into this in fairness. Sadly, the video does little to improve on the song as a whole. The song is about seeing a girl on MySpace, and all the video does is chart how that actually happens, from a drive-thru to an internet screen, it’s as simple as that.
MySpaceTV Videos: Myspace Girl by The Afters (New Album Out Now!!)
The video takes the form of a storytelling and the lyrics are the narrative. Not much else can be said, it’s not a bad video but it’s not really groundbreaking or new. Fans of The Afters will enjoy the video and the quirky characters devised for each band member. The animation is amusing though. The way the strings of the guitars resemble waves rather than actual guitar strings being played is quite amusing. The strange way the animated band members bounce around is also amusing but does little else to improve the vid
Views: 105
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-16-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | | Saddle Creek
If band names were a competition, Tokyo Police Club would win for one of the least relevant names in history. Neither are they from Tokyo nor police as far as I can tell. If they are a club it would appear to be quite an exclusive club. ‘Elephant Shell’ is the debut album from the Newmarket, Ontario quartet. They’ve honed a unique sound and mix aggression with melody for the greater part to create and promote this.
There is a combination of many musical elements and instruments in various songs. Everything combines to further express the sound which Tokyo Police Club have developed. Vocally in parts they sound like another Canadian band, The Weakerhans; but vocally is the only way that comparison ever sees the light of day as this is completely different offering. Tokyo Police Club offer an interesting new brand of indie, they sound instantly like an old friend and there’s an instant familiarity within the music. It’s stuff like this which make for a good band, the fact th
Views: 134
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-16-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | | Caned & Able
‘Rollercoaster’ is everything you’d want from a debut single, it’s big, catchy, and it’ll get stuck in your head. Dorp aren’t exactly new to all this but this is the first time they’ve really had the chance to push themselves to something greater. Based in London, they’ve strived to separate themselves from just about anything else which was emerging around them. They don’t instantly strike as the most original band ever but they do have some fresh ideas and definitely have an interesting sound.
This single mixes elements of heavier rock with a huge chorus, they sound like a typical American rock band at times. Oozing the huge hooks in the chorus with a strangely familiar tone. It does tend to feel a bit overdone, as if this isn’t something entirely new, just a fresh take on something which has been done before. You can’t really fault Dorp for this though as they do it well.
The b-side shows a different side to this band, it introduces more of a grunge element, certainly
Views: 114
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-16-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | | Lujo Records
Listening to this debut album from Pomegranates it’s almost impossible to imagine it was recorded and mixed in the grand sum of six days. With the majority of tracks having been recorded live, the overall quality of sound and feel of the songs is incredibly accomplished. Pomegranates offer a straightforward indie-pop approach to their music, it’s simple and easy to listen to, the melodies are infectious and for reasons beyond your direct understanding you could spend hours listening to this album over and over again.
In a little over thirty minutes they offer much more than a lot of bands will offer in a lifetime. It’s hard to believe this is their debut album, the intellect in the songwriting defies their limited time together. The vocals of front man Joey Cook are at times dreamy, the beautiful ‘Desert Hymn’ does demonstrate this to an wonderful degree. Everything is agreeable, enjoyable but without requiring a dissection of every last meaning. Equal parts substance to catc
Views: 230
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-16-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | | Subsound Records
Italian bands always seems to create music which has such an amazing feeling of grandeur about it. Rome’s Tomydeepestego are no exception. Tomydeepestego’s debut album may only be eight tracks, but don’t be fooled, it makes for over an hour of listening time with some frankly huge songs on there the likes of which most bands would never dare to record.
It’s difficult to gauge the full implication of what the band are doing. It takes a few songs for everything to really sink into place, and during those first few songs (twenty minutes or so) they set the tone as one of melodic and sweet guitar parts laced with more intense moments. The expressionism from the band is amazing, there’s an intricate feel for every last note contained within. Everything is put together so seamlessly that you feel like you’ll get lost in this.
At times it becomes repetitive as the band push through 3/4 minutes of the same progression before eventually moving onto something else. It gives the who
Views: 136
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-16-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | | self-released
It’s hard to know what to say about this EP without sounding too harsh. Given the unenviable task, I shall just tell the truth. The first impression of this band is that they have listened to too much Hellogoodbye, found a vocoder and forgotten how to sing without it; and finally have spent far too long on MySpace.
There really is little else to say in order to sum them up. The lyrics sound like something a 14 year old girl would write in her journal and the whole thing is just too much of a copycat of Hellogoodbye to even appear credible on its own merits. It came with little surprise to find that this EP was self-released, if I were a record label A&R I wouldn’t give them a second glance.
If you love MySpace and love the sappy, not quite fully formed lyrics and you think “electronic music is cool”, then you’ll think Select Start is the best thing since sliced bread. Chances are if you fit this description you are a 14 year old girl who hasn’t discovered what real music
Views: 119
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-16-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | | FDM Records
A two-piece Leamington Spa band full of vocals, guitars, odd bodhran, double bass and human beat boxing makes Nizlopi sound unique from that alone. Luke (vocals, guitar and bodhran) and John (double bass and human beat boxing) are proving everyone they are more than just ‘that song’ with their new album ‘Make It Happen’.
The introduction on the album is called ‘Tape Spooling’, lasting only 6 seconds and it does exactly what it says on the tin. Seeing as the band recorded this album on a 2 inch tape and not digitally, it makes this a great opener for the record. Flowing straight into the second track, ‘Start Beginning’ which is the first single from their new material, this song grasps the attention from listeners as the double bass begins just before Luke’s harmonising vocals. The gentle verses and upbeat chorus does make this song single worthy.
Lyrically Nizlopi not along sing about love stories but also a trip to Africa in ‘Last Night in Dakar’ and politically views in ‘Engla
Views: 144
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 04-15-2008
by XgavedgeX
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