| | |  Modern Art Records
Imagine, if you will, you’re in a band. You post your first song up onto MySpace and suddenly thousands of people the world over profess to love what you’re doing and everyone wants a piece of the action. What do you do? Anybody would’ve thought such an instant success story would reel off into a protracted story of stardom without merit and riding on waves of popularity straight to the bank. You are clearly not a member of The Medic Droid, these guys have been doing it since the end of 2006 and have only now got everything together for an album, despite talk of its release for around a year without it materialising.
It’s a testament to the times that a band can merit a record deal based on the popularity of one song, had a record label A&R spotted these guys without the massive numbers following them, it’s quite possible they’d have been overlooked and written off. There’s no massive story here of how everything suddenly came together, there’s apparently no explanation for ju 
Views: 350
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-30-2008
by kevinbarnes
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| | |  Law Records
Pepper are based in Hawaii, and seem determined to hammer that point home, with almost every track on this album built on funky tropical rhythms. It may feel fresh and original for the first couple of songs, but the novelty quickly wears thin because 99% of the songs sound exactly the same. This wouldn’t be so bad if Pepper sounded like a holiday carnival when, in reality they sound like an afternoon spent relaxing on an Hawaiian beach.
Everything about ‘Pink Crustaceans and Good Vibrations’ is thinly spread, from the stop-start-stop-unnecessary-pause guitars to the lyrics, which frequently disintegrate into doo-doo-wop-oh-no-no-no jazz free-styling, until you being to suspect that they’ve actually just run out of things to say.
The lyrics also seem to wander wherever the rhymes take them, resulting in lines such as “seen her at the hotel bar/ but don’t ask Lucy why don’t she drive a car,” until it becomes unclear what the song is actually about. ‘Musical 69’ in particular
Views: 605
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-30-2008
by Jessica_Thornsby
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| | |  FERRET MUSIC
Controller is the third studio album from Milwaukee based Misery Signals. The band have been together for 5 years and have consistently pushed themselves to spread the word of their great music and technical ability. The music is heavy and very solid. This album has a rich style and is very dynamic, with different levels of power and melody flowing throughout. There are heavy drilling riffs that are all about the power and then there are lots of more interesting, technical and melodic riffs.
The other great attribute this album is the production work of Devin Townsend. Having produced bands like Soilwork, Lamb of God and Darkest Hour, Devin is no stranger to the art of getting the best from an artist. Devin thrives to work very intimately with an artist and drive them all individually to be better than they thought they could be. This is really shown through out, right across the board.
The vocals are steaming though out with the screams sounding like Randy from Lamb of God mix
Views: 172
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-29-2008
by Marcymarc
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| | | Six Shooter
Mountain Meadows is the second album from Canadian alternative country trio Elliott Brood. Following 2005's impressive, but largely unnoticed debut Ambassador, the band have developed their sound while staying close to their traditional roots. The album has been described as 'hardcore country', conjuring up images of Hayseed Dixie and their obsession with Motorhead. That is something of a misnomer as Elliott Brood's music is much more interesting.
Mountain Meadows is an astonishing mix of old fashioned approach and new musical arrangements. This is clear from the start as the beautiful instrumentation of Springsteen-esque opener 'Fingers And Tongues' makes way for Mark Sasso's wonderful rasping vocals. By the end of the song he is practically screaming as the frantic guitar strumming brings the song to a close. From here the album weaves through numerous music styles but all within the same country/folk/indie framework. 'Write It All Down For You' fuses delicate guitars with dramat
Views: 214
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-29-2008
by cjsheerin
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| | |  Bwlch Hits Records
Although impossibly high pitched for the average grown man to sing along to, I found myself trying to nonetheless. Upon listening to Crickhowell boys ’s debut single ‘Dance Again’, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where they draw their influences from; although that is probably a positive thing, as this establishes them as original, fresh and exciting. Unlike many bands that are currently doing the rounds, the music of is far from outdated, as it is possibly a small taste of the future. As a result of mixing up their entire collective influences the band have created an appealing cocktail of sounds that offers something for everyone. Melodic guitar lines, punk chants and throat tearing vocals in the heavier moments ensures that anybody who takes the time to listen to ‘Dance Again’ will be amply catered for.
With some impressive previous support slots under their belt and the drive and ambition to succeed, I would not bet against seeing start to pull in the crowds within t
Views: 210
Comments: 6
Last Activity: 07-25-2008
by avalon28
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| | | 102.1 THE EDGE
EDGEFEST RETURNS PART TWO
By: Fridae Mattas
In such a better mood, muddy yes but so over it, once I heard some tunes it all went away. I was even more chilled out because every band was good in their own way, each brought a different experience. They all had one thing in common they put on a good enough show, well the bands I checked out minus the nappers. Sweet thing was the last band I saw on the second stage once it poured I had no choice but to stay in one area. The band was typical pop boyband dudes vocals are good they entertain the crowd that's for sure emoting the passion they have for their music. Drummer dude looked so familiar where have I seen him before so into the music keeping that beat tight. These larries turned it out I would go see them again I only caught one tune.
Views: 169
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-25-2008
by FRIDAE
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| | | Basick
The Comanche Cipher are a 5-piece metal/hardcore band from Guildford and Ludovico Technique is their debut EP. This is hardly ground breaking, neither is it original, but you can hear that these guys have an ear for a good riff. Taking influence from The Dillinger Escape Plan, you can expect some off key and discordant riffs in odd time signatures. But also having a very strong metalcore sound these guys end up sounding a bit like The Architects but just a lot less tech.
The problem is that their sound is an amalgamation of various types of metal and hardcore riffs appose to being a complete package of elements coming out in a combined product. It’s not necessarily a bad thing they just lack originality. The vocals are pretty good but I’d recommend they stick to the high screams, as the guy just can’t seem to hit the lows. The quieter bits on the album add a nice contrast and break up the brutality of some of the more in your face riffs and add a lot more depth to the release.
Ov
Views: 295
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-23-2008
by Marcymarc
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| | | Motley Records
This album had a lot of pressure riding on it. If any of you have read the dirt you will realise that Motley Crue are not the closest of bands and still having an original line up is quite a feat. So, when it comes to writing a new album it would be very hard to get the cohesion that is needed - still sounding solid and passionate as if the guys were young and up for it. Is this album just a way of bringing in a bit more cash as over the years they’ve pissed it all up the wall, stuck it up their noses or in their arms and need some to actually live of?
Well let’s get in to the music. It’s classic Crue. They are one band that was always pretty consistent in their style. The quality had fluctuations at points but they were always capable of writing a few truly rocking songs for every album. But over the years their writing techniques would have changed due to massive decrease in substance abuse but maybe that is why this album is consistent all the way through, leaving behind days wh
Views: 187
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-19-2008
by Marcymarc
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| | | 102.1 The Edge
EDGEFEST RETURNS PART ONE
By: Fridae Mattas
Why is it every time I mission to an outdoor event this year it rains!! Where is the summer? It feels more like spring, the heat is here but the sun rarely shines with it!! What you are about to read may offend some people but hey my observations and experience their actions and we all know actions do speak louder than words!! Local Toronto Rock station 102.1 The Edge throws together this massive all day concert, last year they took a break but this year came back with sixteen bands in one day. I have never been to Edgefest before because it’s always in the boons or when I’m not available, I could check out most of the bands at a venue closer to home. I was in line for about forty-five minutes, there always is some sort of altercation and for some reason it’s always with people I have come across before. What goes around comes around that’s when karma hits you like a back handed bitch slap! This one security broad whom I have se
Views: 373
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-18-2008
by FRIDAE
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| | |  Warner Bros
I was really nervous to finally catch the highly anticipated new Batman film, The Dark Knight. It has been receiving massive amounts of promotion since Heath Ledger died earlier this year. That is perfectly understandable, but it is often said that The Dark Knight is the last film Ledger did before his death, which is not true. He died while filming another movie, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, which is set to release next year. Apparently they finished the film with Johnny Depp playing Ledger's role. Sounds strange, but based on what I've read about the surreal aspects of the style and story, it may not be that weird.
Aside from all of the Heath Ledger hype, I have been generally disappointed with most movies I have seen lately. Hancock was terrible. Hellboy II was alright, but felt really really long. Iron Man and The Hulk were both really good, but it was hardly like I needed to change my pants after seeing them. Those are two films that are working toward the upcoming Avenge
Views: 366
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-17-2008
by GlockMeAmadeus
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| | | True North Records
Church Bell Blues is the second album from Canadian roots singer and guitarist Catherine MacLellan. Lying somewhere between folk and country but staying firmly on the right side of both, it is a stirring collection of songs with seemingly sparse arrangements and delicate instrumentation. Everything is held together by MacLellan's astonishing voice, piercing through the music. The smart but simple production is added by co-musician James Phillips. This is a perfect example of how artist and producer have developed a relationship and understanding over time - Phillips was in MacLellan's former band The New Drifts and worked on her solo debut Dark Dream Midnight. It is this dynamic that forms the core of the album. The guitars are turned up a notch so that every rasp and vibration is retained, adding a stark reality like recapturing every subsequent live performance. But MacLellan's gorgeous voice is left to glide unhindered with crisp clarity. The mark of a great producer is the abili
Views: 198
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-16-2008
by cjsheerin
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| | | Rough Trade
Following the success of his debut solo album ‘Yours To Keep’ back in 2006, the second full length outing from Albert Hammond Jr, ‘Como Te Llama’, showcases a band of musicians that have gone away and refined and matured their musical style.
To say that this record was incredibly varied and was a ‘musical journey’ from start to finish would be far from the truth, but this really isn’t an issue. My reason for saying this is because it simply has no need to be. For those who liked the first album, this is pretty much more of the same thing and seems to follow the ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ school of thought. However, for those who have never taken the time to listen to Hammond’s solo work then they too will appreciate the simple, classic and hazy summertime feel of the album which would sound amazing cruising down a dusty road on a summer’s evening with a single sunkissed trucker’s arm slung out of the window.
Considering that Albert Hammond Jr’s ‘day job’ is to play guit
Views: 253
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-15-2008
by MattWillis
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| | | Horsepower
You know the kind of music that you really have to be in the mood for? Well KC’s new release is exactly that. If you just want something to put on as background music, then the ‘Ideology EP’ really isn’t for you. The repetitive and limited music alongside the grime influenced vocals and sometimes cringe worthy lyrics have the potential to get really annoying at times so if it’s not been a good day then listening to this EP will probably result in something being thrown/ driven over / into.
However….
If the sun is shining and the vending machine didn’t swallow your money, give this EP a chance. KC just seems to want to do something new in a region that is saturated in guitar orientated bands and good for her for doing something about it. Currently residing in the fringe-tastic South Wales although originally from England, KC has earned your attention as it can be so difficult to start something new musically anywhere in the world, let alone in somewhere like South Wales where t
Views: 128
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-15-2008
by MattWillis
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| | | Self Released
America has a great tradition of piano playing singer songwriters. Sarah Perrotta definitely fits this stereotype - earnest and passionate lyrics set to emotional piano-led music with added strings. On paper it has all been done before so the key is to mix things up to generate new and interesting directions. 'The Well' is Perrotta's first solo release and the album is a mixed bag of sounds, themes and ideas, not just across the album but usually within each song.
'The Well' is a wonderfully crafted combination of formula and melting pot. Almost every song has at its core a Coldplay-esque piano or bass loop, like the impressive 'Fishes' and most notably in the excellent 'Steel', like a slowed down 'God Put A Smile Upon Your Face'. Even the lyrics are typically Martin-like: "I can hear the whole world humming and inside my heart is drumming. Has the world gone mad? Is it all so bad?". Perrotta throws everything into her wavering high pitched vocal delivery which is often striking b
Views: 153
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-14-2008
by cjsheerin
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| | | Side One Dummy
Well, those of us familiar with The Briggs will know that they’re not the most original band in the world, a friend of mine once made the observation that it was like listening to a covers band trying to write original stuff. It’s true, they do mercilessly rip off the likes of Flogging Molly and (in particular) The Dropkick Murphy’s and that has always proved a problem for most people including myself. It’s a bit like going to see Def Leppard when Led Zeppelin are playing next door, if you’ll excuse the poor comparison. On their fourth studio album ‘Come All You Madmen’ however, The Briggs seem to have finally turned this trick to their own advantage.
The music this band produce has always had an Irish tinge to it, this is what makes for the obvious comparisons but it also makes for some pretty anthemic choruses and a big, full sound. Previous efforts by The Briggs have all had the same kind of feel to them but here it sounds like they’ve stopped trying to rival Against Me! and ju
Views: 156
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-14-2008
by cassette
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| | |
Can’t fight robots is the debut Facedown release from Arkensas band Take it Back. As you can probably guess from the name, Take it Back are a hardcore band, taking influence from hardcore heavy weights Comeback Kid, Bane and Stretch Arm Strong. So with these kinds of bands as their key influence, you would expect the result to be pretty good. Well these guys don’t disappoint.
They offer that solid hardcore style through out with a few little additions, such as the Blink 182 sounding “A New Day” and a little Down style moment in “Act Your Age, Not Your Shoe Size”. These guys have the gift of consistency and throughout the album there is a hard-hitting edge gently trimmed with catchy vocal lines and gang style chanting.
This seems to be another sterling act to the already strong roster of Facedown records. With bands like Sleeping Giant, Means and For Tomorrow all having recent released pounding new albums, it seems that Facedown have made sure that they only sign the best
Views: 213
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-13-2008
by Marcymarc
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| | | Eyeball Records
Where to start with this album? Well, lets just say that these Seattle boys have had a great deal of influence from across the wide genre’s of pop, rock, grunge alternative and emo. There is so much going on, on this album. It all starts very Muse-esc with falsetto vocals over a simple picked guitar line, which then gently builds up to a climactic Coheed and Cambria style ending, giving you a taste of the quality that is contained on the album.
The great thing is that the little hints of influences only pop up for a second, making this an amalgamation of all the best bits of other bands and not just another wanna be band. The addition of keyboards to the standard formation of 2 guitar’s, drums and bass give their sound extra depth, whether it be through simple accenting or full on swirling, winding electro pop lead lines.
The thing that is really surprising about this outfit is that this is their first release. What a way to make your musical debut. If this album gets the backi
Views: 273
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-11-2008
by Marcymarc
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| | |  Self Released
We all loved that nu-metal shit back in the day, I don’t care who you are, it’s nothing that any of us are very proud of, in fact it’s kind of like how some people embarrassingly reminisce about the 80’s, but still, it happened so let’s live with it and try and move on, well not if your in a band called Primitive Reason.
Cast The Way is without a doubt the worst thing I have heard this year, quite a big statement to make I know, but wait no it isn’t, it really is that bad! The sound is so dated and hacked out that it would make even disco seem like a fresh idea.
Opening track ‘Com’on’ starts out quite promisingly, a slick drum beat and a psychedelic guitar hook that instantly throws images of lava lamps and inflatable furniture into your head. Once the main body of the song kicks in (after about 30 seconds) it’s all downhill from here. Apart form the fact that the vocals sound like they were recorded in a pair of socks and the guitars possibly at the bottom of a silage pit, this so
Views: 278
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-10-2008
by cassette
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| | | Union 2112 Records
The Real Deal broke onto the Canadian music scene in 2003 sharing stages across North America with bands like Bigwig, Set Your Goals, and Belvedere to name a few. They’ve played ska festivals, they’ve played Warped Tour, and they’ve toured across the continent a number of times.
Hungover, But Dead Sober is the band’s second full length release/offering. It is reminiscent of late 90’s pop punk along the lines of Good Riddance, NOFX, and Pennywise. In this latest release, the Real Deal continues to define their unique brand of hilarious party punk and ska. The album features 15 intense songs that encompass a variety of issues ranging from senseless violence in “Bombs Away!” and “The Beating” to the stage of the music industry with “What Happened?!? Fuck!?!”
Hungover, But Dead Sober is exactly what a good punk album should be – full of catchy melodies, teenage angst, thought provoking insight, loud guitars, violent drums, toned vocals/lyrics, and what many bands attempt
Views: 166
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-08-2008
by BradK
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| | | Brash Music
The good thing about being on American Idol is you're basically guaranteed a record deal and you get exposure to a very large national audience.
The bad thing about being on American Idol is people already know whether or not you can sing.
Now, I remember Chris Sligh. He was a fair singer. A smooth tenor. And he chose songs that the judges weren't always familiar with, but music fans definitely were. He belted out a less than perfect rendition of MuteMath's song 'Typical' but was probably best known for his rather uncomfortable razzing of Simon Cowell, reminding the ego maniacal judge of some of his more embarrassing projects.
After seeing Chris Sligh over analyzed for a couple weeks by people who don't really know what they're talking about, I found myself pulling for him. He didn't fit the American Idol mold. They put him through because he was an alright singer with a good sense of humor that would appeal to the audience but have no real shot of winning. They didn't really g
Views: 181
Comments: 0
Last Activity: 07-07-2008
by GlockMeAmadeus
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