Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Pop
Band Spotlight
Chiodos
Perhaps no one can explain the sheer ferocity and timid quietness it is better than when vocalist Craig Owens says “we don’t want to let the kids down” when discussing the group’s intense vocals live at shows. Well they never let a single kid down with their vicious assault on the ears and grip on the jugular...
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Current Top Ten Chart
Skinny Puppy - Mythmaker
Converge - No Heroes
The Graduate - Anhedonia
Death By Stereo - Death Alive
Comeback Kid - Broadcasting
The Snake The Cross The Crown - Cotton Teeth
Dear and the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
The Geeks - Every Time We Fall
Limbeck - Limbeck
WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Alternative, Pop
Barenaked Ladies — New Revue: Live at the Glenn Gould Theatre Buy it at Amazon
I had no idea that Barenaked Ladies was still a band and to top it off that they were still touring and performing live. Apparently I’ve been missing out as this multi-Platinum band that many would dub a one-hit wonder has been still together this whole time since their big late ‘90’s hits. And boy are they ready for a big comeback as they ready this thirteen-song strong album along with two bonus tracks and another 27-song digital packaged called “Barenaked Ladies Are Me: Deluxe Edition”. Their music is still quite catchy and will no doubt help propel them back to the tops of the chart. Besides you can’t go wrong with a song like “Adrift” with its nifty guitars and plucky banjo!
- J-Sin
To the Moon — Something to Hide Buy it at Amazon
To the Moon’s (what's up Honeymooners?) debut EP, “Something to Hide”, is sure to be a hit outside of their native Philadelphia area. Their music is dark melodic rock with hard edges and female/male vocals (that surprisingly don’t try to compete with one another). Biting guitar distortion blames its stirring melodies as the reason it will haunt you for hours after you hear such glimmering tunes as the album opener ironically entitled “Listen”. Kick it!
- J-Sin
Various Artists — Five Way Street: A Tribute to Buffalo Springfield Buy it at Amazon
I’ve never been a huge fan of Buffalo Springfield. But their music has certainly affected plenty of folks throughout the rock universe. Neil Young of course went on to become one of folk-rock’s most influential songwriter. Of course Stephen Stills was probably better known as the “Stills” in Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Richie Furay was lost to the careful cult worship of Christianity. On this tribute album, twenty-one tracks are assembled and covered by a wide variety of those bands. Such bands as The Shambles, The Retros, Maplewood, Jeff Larson, The Kennedys, and many more offer their unique takes on some of these classics.
- J-Sin
Fresh Mowed Lawn — Fresh Mowed Lawn Buy it at Amazon
You know how that smell of freshly mowed grass sort of makes your eyes tear up, exploding your sinuses into a runny mess of nasal drip? Well Fresh Mowed Lawn doesn’t affect you emotionally like that but does somehow manage to make you tear up a bit. Their craft of catchy melodies and roots rock harmonies deliver the goods in a hand basket weaved with careful attention to detail.
- J-Sin
Tri Point Paradox — Pictures of the Journey Home Buy it at Amazon
Red Leaf Records in association with Tri Point Paradox welcome you to the home of true American rock ‘n’ roll. Fusing catchy melodies with magnificient songwriting, Tri Point Paradox’s “Pictures of the Journey Home” is an honest vision of roots rock, pop, funk, and everything in between. Funky piano reminds one of a honky tonk which could very well be the influence given that Kansas is their home state. Check ‘em out.
- J-Sin
Edie Carey — Another Kind of Fire Buy it at Amazon
Boston’s Edie Carey delivers another burning catchy album of Americana roots-oriented folk-rock. Her vocal delivery is tender yet interesting and brazen. Having several personal issues to stew over the past couple of year has added to her personal and reflective lyrics. Far from common, Edie Carey is a young female artist that deserves the recognition of being a bright spot in the pop world.
- J-Sin
Hotspur — Beta Buy it at Amazon
Despite “Beta”’s name, this is not a rough album or anything that needs any iota of work. Perfection aside, Hotspur doesn’t seem poised to relinquish any crown of awesomeness to the next band. Instead they gift us with their brand of pop-rock with elements of punk and indie rock stirred in for good measure. The DC-based quartet build on their self-titled EP and seem to amazingly improve on that album which was just two steps from perfect. Chris Grainger and Russ Long (Wilco, Switchfoot, Dropping Daylight) produced “Beta” and culled addictive melodies and catchy pop hooks that will produce grins from ear to ear.
- J-Sin
Low Water — Who Said That Life Is Over? Buy it at Amazon
Brooklyn-based trio Low Water rock it out with nods to alternative rock and classic rock equally making an impact in their music. There are some strong songs on this album mostly due to the gravitating guitarwork. The multiple vocal harmonies that speckle the album are also nicely received. Despite that relative young age as a band (only one year at this point), they seem to have pretty good chemistry. They were featured on NPR’s “All Songs Considered” and are gathering up more critical praise day in and day out.
- J-Sin
Stacie Rose — Shadow and Splendor Buy it at Amazon
Stacie Rose combines catchy hooks with decent songwriting and sweet singing. Her voice has a certain sentimentality built in that gives it an earnest and honest approach. Rose’s lyrics are gentle but are mordant and glare inside the heart and brain of her subjects. She’s been making a bit of a name for herself with her song featured in a 60 second ad spot on AMC and on MTV’s “Sorority Life” and “Fraternity Life”.
- J-Sin
Trentalange — Photo Album of Complex Relationships Buy it at Amazon
Evocative soundscapes with whirling and lush melodies that are born from exotic instrumentation including piano, cello, and flute. Vocally it’s different with female vocals that whisper of a myriad of emotions touching your spine with special tingles. Emotional rock that picks at Nick Cave and Peter Gabriel, Trentalange is a special hypnotic band. Featuring members of Spyglass, Head Like a Kite, and Crooked Fingers added dramatic flairs with drummer Mark Pickerel (Neko Case, Screaming Trees) developing rhythms. Nice and haunting.
- J-Sin
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