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‘Albums’ Category

  1. You Me At Six’s debut release “Take Off Your Colours”

    August 11, 2009 by Jackie

    You Me At Six's album cover for "Take Off Your Colors"Most people have probably heard of a small, quaint little tour known as Warped Tour that comes to a city near you on a yearly basis. Well if you were lucky enough to attend said tour this year, than you may have heard a band known as You Me at Six play.

    Hailing from Weybridge, Surrey in the UK, these five guys [Josh Franceschi (vocals), Max Helyer (guitar), Matt Barnes (bass), Chris Miller (guitar) and Dan Flint (drums)] are in no way your average Brit Pop or “British Invasion” band. This would be a good time to mention that I do not have anything against this particular musical genre. In fact, I am a proud owner of many an Oasis and Blur CD. But…if you are expecting that kind of sound on Take Off Your Colours, you will likely be quite surprised..

    http://www.myspace.com/youmeatsixTaking from pop and fast-paced rock and punk, You Me at Six have perfected a sound that, at first listen, may remind you of other bands on the scene right now. Once you get to about song number three on their nineteen track album (a fact which as a consumer, I greatly appreciate; twenty tracks= a lot of bang for your buck!), you realize that these guys are quite different. “And why are they different, Jackie?” you ask. Well I will tell you why in one mere word: emotion. The tracks on this album are not piles of summer anthems or shallow, surface level songs about breakups, lost love, and disdain. These tracks take it up a notch and to an entirely different level. Franceschi’s voice alone conveys such a range of emotions on this album that I was blown away. And the music matches the emotions of his voice to a “t.: I had to pump the CD on the surround sound stereo speakers in my house just so I could get the full effect of every line and every lyric.

    “The Truth is a Terrible Thing,” the first track on the album literally flows right into “Gossip”—the second track—without a hitch. “Finders Keepers” is a youthful love/breakup track that cleverly plays on the old saying “finders keepers, loser’s weepers.” “Jealous Minds” mixes heart-thumping guitar with clever lyrics that go a little something like “You could be the ghost in my hall” and “I could be the fly on your wall.” “Take Off Your Colours” is deservedly the title track of the album. It really is the epitome of the tone and feel of the entire album. “You’ve Made Your Bed, So Sleep In It” is another example of how this band takes your average, day-to-day cliché phrase and flips it on its side to make a great song and great song title.


    Another nice touch to the album are the two acoustic versions of “Save it For the Bedroom” and “Finders Keepers” that conclude Take Off Your Colours.

    Boys and girls alike will be hit right in the gut with this emotion-ridden album, there is no doubt about it. So if you’ve just gone through a bad breakup, if the girl of your dreams isn’t giving you the time of day in the halls at school or if you’re just a happy contented gal or fellow, you will pick up this album and blast it out of your surround sound speakers (or your car, either is equally acceptable) too.

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  2. Our Lady Peace’s Latest Release “Burn, Burn”

    August 6, 2009 by Jackie

    Our Lady Peace's album cover "Burn Burn"When you hear the name Our Lady Peace, a little bell probably goes off in your brain, right? Let me take you back to 2002 and a song called “Somewhere Out There.” Sound familiar? Of course it does.

    Fast forward to 2009—July 21, 2009 to be exact—and band members Raine Maida (lead vocals), Duncan Coutts (bass), Jeremy Taggart (drums) and Steve Mazur (guitar) are celebrating the release of Burn Burn, the bands 7th studio album and 1st release since 2005.

    With an eclectic mix of mellow, upbeat, and unusual, Burn Burn is a true “alternative” record. Starting with “All You Did Was Save My Life,” a sarcastic and catchy pop/rock tune, the album flows to “Dreamland,” which is reminiscent of their previous sound.

    “Monkey Brains,” is undoubtedly the stand-out track on the album, if not by the name alone. The lyrics are fantastically disturbing, referring to “eating monkey brains.” Then the band throws in another surprise around the 3 minute mark when the song jolts to a halt and becomes a mellow acoustic ballad, before returning to the minor-key, oddly-arranged instrumental from the beginning of the song.

    http://www.myspace.com/ourladypeace

    “Escape Artist” employs some nice choral effects on the vocals, giving it a great, full sound. “Refuge” verges on country with its arrangement, with a dash of new wave keyboard and rock guitar included.

    “Never Get Over You” brings in the ballad portion of the program and is definitely the emotional heart of the album. The real, honest-to-goodness rock sound can be found on “White Flags” and “Paper Moon,” which is an angsty conclusion to the record.

    Frontman Maida says Burn Burn is a new start to the familiar for the band. He says Our Lady Peace has “come full circle and the music is just stripped down, full of raw energy.”

    Burn Burn may not be a completely 360 degree drastic change to Our Lady Peace’s sound but what they have done with perfection is take the raw energy, a great mix of songs and a hint of their former sound and combine it to make a diverse and listen-friendly album that just about any listener will enjoy.

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  3. Like the Ocean’s debut album “The Endless and Unseen”

    July 13, 2009 by Jackie

    Like the Ocean, source: myspace.com/liketheoceanHailing from California’s Bay Area, Like the Ocean has just completed their first full-length album entitled, The Endless and Unseen. Band members Eric Padilla (guitar/vocals), Jared Duke (bass), John Miller (guitar/vocals), and Kenny Padilla (drums) derived their aquatically-themed name from a lyric in their song “This is the Moment:” “sway and swell like the ocean.”

    Even with a name that seems to insinuate a certain kind of calm, the 11-track compilation is actually a pretty consistent mix of high-energy rock. Heavily filled with electric guitar and strong drum beats, from the get-go on The Endless and Unseen, you get a clear idea of what to expect from Like the Ocean on this album.

    “Lucy” has a classic rock vibe to it, allowing both Miller and Padilla to share the vocal reins.  Miller and Padilla actually do a good deal of vocal sharing on The Endless and Unseen, a nice departure and something uncharacteristic of most bands.

    “Won’t You Listen” slows it down just a little, with Miller playing a little more of a funk-style of guitar. “Afterglow” is probably the most mellow song on the album. It’s mainly acoustic guitar-driven until about 2 minutes into the tune when the electric guitar and tambourine come in.

    There is one word that comes to mind when I think of Like the Ocean’s music: contagious. Their melodies, their instrumentals are all extremely and consistently contagious. If you’re looking for a song about summer romance or a slow ballad to dance to with your sweetheart, this isn’t the album for you. This is actually one of the few albums I’ve heard in a long time that consists completely of 100% upbeat and charged-up music.

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  4. Nightmare of You’s upcoming release Infomaniac

    July 1, 2009 by Steph

    Nightmare of You

    Infomaniac

    Nightmare of you, an indie rock quartet out of New York City, is preparing to release their second full length Infomaniac. Following their 2005 self-titled release and their Bang EP in 2007, their new album had a lot to prove. You know how when you love a CD so much that you don’t think it can possibly be topped? That’s how I feel about Nightmare of You, but Infomanic has far exceeded my expectations and could end up being another favorite.

    Nightmare of You is one of the best bands out of New York this decade. I know, I know. That’s a big statement, but I’m prepared to back it up. Nightmare of you has all of the essentials of a great band: originality, creativity, diversity, and ambition. And all of this definitely shines through on Infomaniac.

    The whole album reminds me of a broken music box. A little happy, a little creepy. The album starts out with “Good Morning, Waster” with frontman Brandon Reilly singing “I know it’s hard / but it will only get harder from here / so before you’re dead / get yourself out of bed” to an acoustic twangy guitar solo.  This sets the mood for the album but each song is entirely unique. Some like “Hey Sweetheart” are more fast-paced and piano-driven like those on the more recent Bang EP, while songs such as “Eustacie Vye” have a slower staccato piano melody like many of the tracks on the self-titled album. Other songs like “Experimental Bed” are unique to this release and are exactly as the name implies: a little experimental and a little creepy, set in minor keys.

    Nightmare of You has a unique style that contrasts happy piano and guitar melodies with cynical and sexual lyrics and sweet vibrato vocals white create this interesting dichotomy. They are constantly playing with this formula and creating songs that all have a different feel but are completely Nightmare of You. To top it off, Nightmare of You has created their own label, the Bevonshire Label, in order to release and distribute their own music. If this hasn’t proved that this band is awesome, then check out their album Infomaniac which will be released on August 4th and see for yourself.

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  5. Fate Under Fire’s 1st EP “The Simple Things”

    June 3, 2009 by Jackie

    Fate Under Fire album coverReleased on May 22, 2009, Fate Under Fire is celebrating the release of their first EP The Simple Things.

    Formed in Sacramento, California, Fate Under Fire members Dave James (lead vocals, guitar ) Chris O’Keefe (guitar ), Rob Pierce (drums), and Alvaro Gonzalez (bass , backing vox) have burst onto the rock music scene. With an incredibly polished and sophisticated sound that rivals that of any big name arena act out there today, the four songs on The Simple Things are both diverse and immensely energetic.

    The EP’s namesake “The Simple Things,” is an emotional and instrumentally riveting track that starts off slow and switches into fast-paced guitar and hauntingly powerful vocals. It’s not hard to picture this song being pumped on the radio waves 24/7. You can hear what the inspiration for the song was on the interview on the Addicted to Shows podcast here.

    “Not Like You” brings one word to mind: crescendo. Around the 3:20 mark, the song builds to a great vocal and instrumental “climax” that carries all the way to the end of the song.

    “You Kill Me,” though the name may sound slightly sinister, is actually a beautifully composed and executed ballad-esque rock tune. James‘s vocals are nothing but strong and on this song he manages to combine that strength with a great softness that comes across the best in the lyrics “cold
    hands and bloodshot eyes.”

    If you’re looking for some real, honest-to-goodness rock with vocals that are just as good as the music itself, then look no further than the guys of Fate Under Fire and their new EP.

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  6. Marcy Playground’s New Album “Leaving Wonderland…In a Fit of Rage”

    May 21, 2009 by Jackie

    www.myspace.com/marcyplaygroundmusic

    Those of us who were around in 1997 (or the 90s in general) will likely remember a little song called “Sex and Candy” that hit the radio waves with a force. I’m sure my mom was none too happy that I used to turn the radio up every time the song came on since I was only in middle school at the time.

    So when I got the chance to review the latest release from John Wozniak (vocals, guitar), Dylan Keefe (bass), and Shlomi  Lavie (drums) – also known as Marcy Playground– I was more than excited after years of wondering what had happened to them. Not even an episode of “Where Are They Now?” would tell me.

    Most people may not be aware that the band actually released two other albums (Shapeshifter in 1999 and MP3 in 2004) after their debut. And after 5 years of composition, their new release Leaving Wonderland…In a Fit of Rage makes that three.

    At the immediate start of the album, with “Blackbird,” I could tell that this was definitely going to be a departure from what I knew from Marcy Playground. Songs like “Memphis,” “Devil Woman,” and “Irene” are almost pure country. Not Big ‘N Rich or Shania Twain country but Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, down-home, bluegrass, Southern country. It’s impossible not to hear the piercing echo of the banjo and the autoharp in the background. I could almost picture myself walking down a dusty road in the middle of rural Alabama as I was listening. It’s awesomely ironic coming from a band who came together not in the South, but in New York, and who lists Nirvana as one of their greatest influences.

    Not all the songs on the album channel such an old-school country, though most songs do contain a folksy aspect of some kind. If you pick up this album expecting to here “Sex and Candy, Part II,” you will be sorely disappointed. Instead, this album is an innovative mixture of alternative rock, country, folk and even some pop. The edgy rock/alternative feel present on their past three albums is barely even discernable, present only in moderation in “I Burned the Bed” and somewhat in “Emperor” as well. “Star Baby” is positively positive; not a sinister note can be found in it anywhere. It will make you drive up PCH in a red convertible with the top down and the song blasting out of the stereo.

    Marcy Playground has really broken the mold with this one, especially their own mold. Will they have another hit as big as “Sex and Candy?” Maybe not. But they’ve definitely pushed their own artistic and musical boundaries and dared to step into something completely new. Lead singer John Wozniak says this album is “by far, the best thing I’ve done. This is the most personal record I’ve ever made.” And for that, they deserve major recognition and self-pride; something no Billboard Top 40 can touch.

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  7. Japanese Rockers FACT’s Self-Titled Release

    May 19, 2009 by Steph

    Fact, source: myspace.com/factjapanSo I’ve been selfish. I’ve been keeping this secret all to myself and I’ve decided that it’s only fair that I share it.

    Too many weeks ago, I received an album that I didn’t think much of. The band’s name: FACT. The CD was like a crypt. Apparently only able to play on vintage stereos due to copyright protection, I am only able to listen to it hovering in front of my old school boom box. Maybe this is a good thing, because I was able to give the band a thorough, undistracted listen. And it was magical.

    FACT is a five-piece rock band from Japan and they released their album in the US on Vagrant on April 14th. Man, can these boys rock. Their line up starts with Takahiro on guitars/vocals, Tomohiro on bass/vocals, Eiji on drums/vocals, Hiro as lead vocals, and Kazuki on guitar and vocals. Metal and hardcore mixed with catchy rock and layered with synth and electronic rock, Fact, source: myspace.com/factjapanthis album is afull-on jam fest from start to finish. Even with the occasional slow song, FACT never turns down the intensity. If you were wondering, from what I can tell, most of the songs are sung in English, but it’s their musical genius that really pulls you into each track.

    Sadly, the band was involved in a serious van accident on the date of their album release and was forced to drop off their US and Canada tour with Iwrestledabearonce, Greeley Estates, and Memphis May Fair. On their way between Montgomery, AL and Altoona, PA another vehicle crossed the median on Interstate 85 outside of Atlanta and caused a head-on collision. Singer Hiro sustained a concussion and Eiji’s broken arm rendered the rest of the tour impossible. Two US dates and all Canadian dates were canceled but after FACT recooperates in Japan, they promise to reschedule those dates.

    When the band comes back around, I will definitely be checking
    out their live show and advise you to do the same. Don’t think you’ll recognize them on tour, however. They always wear masks in photos. The point of which, Kazuki explained, is to force listeners to rely on their music, and not looks, to judge them. They’ve been judged and found rock-tastic.

    Until their next tour, check out their music on http://www.myspace.com/factjapan

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  8. Green Day’s 21st Cetury Breakdown

    May 18, 2009 by Charitie

    Green Day's album cover "21st Century Breakdown"Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown

    I have been a fan of Green Day for years so when I first received 21st Century Breakdown I was not sure what to think about it. I had heard clips of some of the songs and thought, “Oh no. Green Day has gone soft and lost all their punk roots.” As I continued listening I realized I was completely wrong.

    While this album definitely has the feel of American Idiot, it’s different enough to stand out. Songs like “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades” is for the old school Green Day fans that love Insomniac yet there are songs like “!Viva La Gloria!” for fans of Warning. This album proves that Green Day can do experiment and produce great songs. “Last  Night On Earth” proves that with a slow ballad.
    Photobucket

    Billie Joe Armstrong sings with almost a sarcastic and snarky tone in his voice which brings out the best in songs such as “Murder City” and “Peacemakers.” I would recommend this to anyone
    whether they’re already a fan of Green Day, haven’t yet been swayed, or haven’t even heard the band. Album’s available pretty much everywhere now.

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  9. Emery’s …In Shallow Seas We Sail

    May 18, 2009 by J-Man

    …In Shallow Seas We Sail

    On June 2nd, Emery’s new album …In Shallow Seas We Sail hits shelves (Click here for Our Interview with Bassist and Vocalist Devin Shelton). Now, I could tell you how Emery delivered on their ever present ability to seamlessly blend hardcore primal screaming with gorgeous melodies and layered harmonies. I could tell you that they took a step back into their The Weak’s End roots, without losing the lessons and maturity that they’ve earned over the years. I could tell you that this album is probably going to end up on my Top 5 List for this year. I actually DID tell you all of that. Those things, however, are not going to be the focus of this review. There is one piece of Emery that I did not mention; a very large piece…

    The Lyrics.

    These boys have a way with words. Just look at the album title. Do you wonder why it starts with the “…”? (That’s called an ellipsis.) It’s because the EP that preceded it is called While Broken Hearts Prevail. Go ahead and put those two together, and then close your mouth after it falls open in awe of Emery’s word-smithery. Okay, maybe I’m overdoing it a little bit, but it’s hard not to give a huge head nod to the words that are woven into Emery’s music.

    Here’s the great thing about being a language artist in the digital world we live in: your fans will use your words as their new motto, and spread your genius to all their friends. In honor of just that, I’m am going to give you one line from every song on this album that is undoubtedly going to end up in Myspace headlines, Facebook statuses, and Twitter updates everywhere.

    1 – Cutthroat Collapse

    “Under this December sky, I walk away
    compromised.”

    2 – Inside Our Skin

    “We all feel real inside our skin, with
    selfish hearts that hide our sin.”

    3 – Curbside Goodbyes

    “I chose every word that I knew would hurt,
    but that was a poor choice at best.”

    4 – Twelve And Fading

    “There
    is a part of me that sees the easy way out. If it doesn’t hurt, then not
    another word…”

    5 – I’ve Got A Way

    “You’re a broken record repeating these
    vanities, over and over…”

    6 – In Shallow Seas
    We Sail

    “I fell apart when I fell for you.”

    7 – The Poor And The Prevalent

    “I’ve got to put a stop to all this. To all this being separated and being cut off…”

    8 – The Smile, The Face

    “You
    rehearsed your lines with rhythmic details, they match the pounding in my
    chest”

    9 – A Sin To Hold On To

    “If you’ve got the time, then I’ve got the
    reason for the sin”

    10 – Piggy Bank Lies

    “If
    lies were wealth, you’d need help counting riches from your mouth’s piggy bank”

    11 – The Edge Of The World

    “My intentions were to never give myself to
    anyone… Look what I’ve done”

    12 – The Ghost Of You

    “Esta noche serás mía.”

    13 – Open Hands, Closed Eyes

    “Take
    a look around, where is your hope found.
    Is it the ones you love, or just your bank account…”

    And there you have it.
    Every song on this album contains, at the VERY LEAST, one line that will be quoted all across the facebook/myspace/twitterverse. You’re impressed (I can tell) and you can’t even hear the music that’s playing behind the words. Combine this with all that awesome stuff I said at the beginning of the review?
    Great. Album.

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