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Sleep Station - After the war - Eyeball Records/ Bardic Records- Some days life treats you pretty fair, you see something or hear something that really takes you by surprise. For over eight years and hundreds of releases I have been wading through the musical landscape of a zine reviewer. There is a lot of junk out there, some pretty good stuff, some stuff you really like and/or admire, and then are the few discs that just knock the air out of you and make thank the stars that you stuck it out reviewing music for some zine that never pays you. This type of disc is the payoff for all those long years of listening to Brad pontificate on the subtle differences between a honey smoked ham sandwich and a ham sandwich with a touch of honey. That this disc has a certain topic or concept which the release follows bothers me not at all, and even though it seems to be about War, loss, and the loneliness you feel when subjected to war, it's not heavy handed or preachy in it's content. Very few records really surprise me, but this one did right out of the gate. Hell, I made my girlfriend listen to it, and I never make her listen to stuff I review, unless it's a snippet so she can confirm that a band sounds like someone I think they sound like. The only other record this year that has a concept, that follows a theme throughout that I like as much as this one is the Honeydogs 10,000 years. I am just stunned at it's beauty, and It wasn't just the first time I listened to it, it was continuous, I have listened to it at least five or six times through and that has just been over a two day period. Just wonderful, for me, it's releases like this, and by this I don't mean rock music with an weird world slant on music, I like that, no it's releases like this regardless of type or structure that take chances and try out different things. This release may have noises and odd side trips with backwards talking and the short burst of song, or noise, but it all fits perfectly, like they had an overall idea of what the hell they were doing and considered the whole picture. I don't know who the hell Sleep Station is, but brother I am going to find out and so should you. (Brad Bugos 2004) 46 Short just a liability - Go Kart Records - It's punk, that's fucking evident by putting the damn disc in the player and pushing play. It also says in the time meter on the player that it's forty six songs (get it?) and just a touch under thirty three minutes. The vocals and guitar work remind me a little of Black Flag, but where Flag tended to add a little tighter jazz sprinklings and more aggression, this band could easily pass as the sound replicate son of the that band, maybe not a true offspring, but one that mutated from the puddle and muck from outside the hut where Black Flag was practicing. at the end of the disc? Why it's some dude throwing his cookies, with full bowl surround sound. The disc plays pretty fast, punk rock music, and if you know anything about Go Kart records you know that they never put out a dud, most of the releases are of punk rock nature (not pop punk like some of those queef burgers are slapping on the public, which by the way is the easiest form of punk to play, and screw up) and that you going to get your monies worth. I am almost positive that you can go to the Go kart Records site (link above) and find clips or maybe even whole songs from 46 short and decide for yourself if you like it and want to follow the band, how much easier could it be? (Skip Provence 2004) Self Evident - angular - Blue Worm Records - Do you call this emo? I don't know emo from funk, well maybe funk, but it's hard to say something is one thing and then tell people it's that thing. Know what I mean? well, describing a very competent band, that packs their sandwich with equals part emotion and jam (the good kind in my book would be the non Phish type since that stuff taste like vegemite and never ends!). I thought emo was more leaning towards a little tighter arrangements and not as rocking in texture? Can this band play a catchy form of rock music? Sure as hell can. If you were to book them on a tour with other bands you might want to see, I would say that opening up for Jimmy Eat World wouldn't be such a stretch as this release takes me back to listening to Static Prevails and really enjoying that release. Although I have to say that JimmyEW has gone a little too polished for my tastes (I mean it's obvious that they are trying to sell records & t-shirts now), it doesn't mean I don't like them, I just wouldn't buy their records, but if their song came on the radio I would listen to it. If you like Jimmy EW's first two releases, then I see no reason why you wouldn't enjoy this one too. Here is one tip with this release, although there are only nine songs, the dang thing is over fifty four minutes long. So, by doing the math, you should realize that this is not some toss off, nine minutes of buzzed through musical enjoyment, it's got some meat to it. I am not saying that either a short blast or some long songs on a short song count are bad or good, they are both what they are. Plus there is a nice instrumental work out, and you get to hear the bands chops as it were, nice to see that thing still being important to a band. This band also seems to be trying on some unique sounding guitar structures, especially song #7 "Solidarity", that is some fine guitar playing there, a nice bent and difficult sounding guitar line that sounds pretty cool. It's also good to hear a little fuzz, or distortion, and a little heaviness, although not in the fore front, in the songs because it adds a nice cover and buzz to the song. If I were doing the PR for this band, and looking to radio, First I would send a copy to WEFT or check out their web site and see which show I should send a copy too, and then casually mention that Brad Bugos is a genius in the Zine publishing world, and then just before hanging up the phone telling them that if they listen to no other song, try listening to "Solidarity" cause it really sums up what is really good and right with this band, it's all right there, it's the song I would choose to play to people I randomly stop on the streets. (Skip Provence 2004) Battery Life - Shotgun Loudmouth - Avebury Records - www.aveburyrecords.com - Well, I would have to be a blithering, slobbering over medicated idiot to miss the early Beatles sounds here, plus the fact that no matter how you slice this sandwich, the band reminds me of Charlie Chesterman and to a lesser extent (*without the organ) Scruffy the Cat. I would have no problem sitting at the bar having a few drinks and listening to this band, and enjoying myself. They are a little rough around the edges, which I think stems from them not wanting over produce the record, and that is fine with me. There is no reason a band like this has have a slick edge to it. Also they remind me of the Slugs, a fine Chicago band that skewed their music a little more to the pop side. I like the fact that I can really hear the drums in on most of the songs, glad to hear a band that is not afraid to put the drums up there and let them be heard. I can see following this band just like I do Chesterman and the Slugs, but let's hope that this band knows how to release music once every few years instead of once every eight or so (like the Slugs, I mean I love your music, but fuck, why do I have to wait that long?) or promising to release something and then doing nothing (like not updating your web site more than once every two months) like Chesterman. This band can build a good following, but it will take some work from them like playing outside their region, updating their web site often, having the record company talk about their release, touching base with fans through an email mailing list, and finally by buying music reviewers a free sandwich when they come to town (champaign,IL). (FS) The Mighty Stars- The Mighty Stars are GO!- Avebury Records www.aveburyrecords.com What can be said about a band that advertises on the front cover that it not only has a garage beat punk sound, but that this is a five song EP? Tons, because they are telling you up front what exactly they are and what you're going to get. This five song EP clocks in at fifteen minutes, but gives the listener an idea of what exactly garage beat punk sound is. It's a short blast, but garage punk would do it. Even though it's a little thin and short, what I think one should remember about this band is that they are trying to find their sound, and this is a nice way to introduce it, sure it's not where it should be, and it's a little thin in the production area, and there is not much of a mix, but there is a lot of promise. The vocals fit the thin , pop beat of the songs, and in time I can hear them being an asset to the band, cause they are unique, distinct and easy to listen to. The lyrics are rather lame in the vein of most pop songs about girls and the geeks who chase them. I know for sure that no one has ever heard of a band called Sweet Baby, but this band could be the younger brother of that band, and in time I think they will be even better, right now it's a growing stage. You can buy this disc and say you found this good band before they got really good and interesting, or you can just wait and keep tabs on them like some kind of weirdo uncle. (DZ)
SNAPCASE - bright flashes - Victory Records - Well, how cool can a band be that covers Devo, a Page Hamilton song, and a song by Jane's Addiction ,"Mountain Song", that everyone will know the moment the song kicks in? How about a band that references Mr. Show (a personal favorite) in a song "Exile Etiquette" (only British people can fly)? How about a band that sounds a little like Jane's in some of their songs and that is smart enough to mix it up for the audience and try to add some flavor and mixture to their CD? Yeah that would be this band in all cases, pretty freakin' cool if you ask me, and if you're reading this review then you are asking me. Sometimes hard core sounding, or a little like Helmet or other rock bands, this band is way smarter than others who seem to want to lay it on thick and growl their way to giving you a headache and a case of the shakes. If I wanted to listen to a CD that just made me shake my head up and down for twelve songs and thump along in my car cranking it up for all the world to understand how cool I was trying to be then I wouldn't try putting this CD into the player. If it can be said that all music is a regurgitated form of another type that has already been discovered then no music is truly original and new, but it's what you do when throwing up that form you so dearly love and want to add (see it's a baking thing, you aren't starting the recipe from scratch but it's what you add into it that makes it interesting and tasty) to, that is important and interesting or worth listening too. Some bands would rather take a form or recipe and follow it to the letter, maybe upping the temperature or changing the baking sheet, but doing nothing to the meal that would change it other than making it hotter and harder. Get it? I hope so because all I am trying to say is that a band like Snapcase really tries to make it a whole listening experience rather than just repeating the same texture and melody over and over, but cranking it up or changing the voice a little on each song. I really think that some bands don't have the artistic creativity to make an albums worth of material, and are scared to take any chances in their music for the fear of alienating their "potential" audience. All you have to do is listen to track five on this disc "TEN AM" to know that this band is going to try some things that are different, giving the listener different song structures and sounds and keeping the audience interested as well as entertained. Try this CD, I think if you looking for something hard rock with substance and ideas, then this should be your bag of black powder. (SP) Box Car Satan - Upstanding and Indigent - Dog Finger Records - How can you not like a band that plays a mix of Jazz and rock and has a singer that reminds me of Tom Waits? Sure there is some mix and match jazzy wanking going on, but for the most part it's rock music with some dirt and grit. I think that if Steel Pole Bathtub was so interested in scuzzy metal riffing and thudding sounds, that they might be this band. You know who isn't going to enjoy this record? Anyone who needs a pop shot in the arm, cause this has some substance and no hooks the stick your finger the minute you pop it in the player. If you don't like a little meandering guitar playing, a little jazz or chicken fried steak then I suggest you forget about this band. The playing on this disc seems a little clearer than their last disc, which we also reviewed and liked. I have no problems with this disc, I think that is because I am open minded in the sense that when I want something that has more substance and a little character and flavor to it then I can listen to music like this. I also get a sense of the blues, some of the older blues, the dirt and grit and grim of the poor blues and not some of the stuff today that passes of as blues. There is some fine bluesy guitar work on this disc too, Sanford Allen should be commended for not only sounding like Tom Waits at times but for playing a nice guitar. Does living in San Antonio Texas have anything to do with their sound? I believe it does, in that the atmosphere and environment in which you live will no doubt influence you even if you don't want it to. Good for what ails you, especially if you are ailed by to much pop music and the sugar high is making you sick to your stomach. Like a good meal with lots of fixings and different styles and tastes, Box Car Satan will not only fill you but make you ask, What was in that? BS- You can't tell me that listening to "Silent and Automatic" with it's out of tune sax, messy arrangement and misplayed piano doesn't at least intrigue you or make you wonder why you find it interesting even if it is an instrumental and doesn't follow along a beaten path? (DTB) Between the Buried and Me - The silent Circus - Victory Records - I have an Uncle named Sol who is in his eighties and when he talks, mumbles really, I have a hell of a time understanding him. Sure I catch none of his meaning or story he is talking about, but he is entertaining to me. I like the old guy, he's been around the block, and I am sure if I could understand him he would tell me about a lot of different things, most of them about things I have no idea about. So when the old guy starts to talk I just nod my head and every once in awhile say "Oh Yeah?" . Listening to Between the Buried and Me is a lot like listening to that old man, hard to understand with it's raspy growled vocals, but entertaining none the less. The problem with both of these tings is that I have no idea what the hell they are talking about and most of the time I don't care, I don't think even if I put my ear up to their speaking holes that much of the meaning would get through. Sure I can look at the lyric sheet for this CD, but I have no idea where they are in the song, and maybe that is the case with this band and bands of it's similar ilk that play fast core music, they want you to go "what the hell is the singer saying?" and then grab the lyrics to find out for yourself. Okay let's give it a try for track number nine "Aesthetic". I have no idea what he is saying, cause it is greeched (growled and screeched) and fast, so the lyrics is the only way to go with this one, however you can get some meaning from the singers tone and attitude, and those are telling me he wants to kill someone and needs a lozenge. The lyrics however speak a different song, to me the lyrics talk about a band playing a party to a bunch of privileged people who have no idea what happiness is, but the band knows and it's the passion of playing true music. Here is a sample of the lyrics " We are finally free. Dying with our one passion, music. The greatest wealth of them all. We must play on." Okay, there you have it, read the lyrics. If you like any kind of Cannibal Corpse music, with growled and heavy vocals then you'll enjoy this, the musical background (the instrumentation) is fairly well balanced and decently mixed up where it's not just machine gunning guitar and heavy drums all the way through. The only real complaint I with the CD (and I don't think you can include repetitive in the complaint box because you should know that bands like this one have a limited canvass on which to paint in the first place) is song number six "(Shevanel Take 2)" an acoustic ballad type song smack dab in the middle of all this brutal pounding. The singer actually sings no less and I want him to knock it off and go back to the growling. (SP) Silo the Huskie - Sons of Columbus - Tiberius Records - www.tiberiusrecords.com - Pretty damn close to being exactly as advertised, a Midwest rock band that plays straight forward rock music. I mean you don't get any clearer than this, it tells you what is coming and still throws the punch. I can hear other bands in their presentation, but what your going to get on this record is pretty much a band that knows it's strengths and plays to them. They kind of remind me of some of the rock music that was coming out of Chicago in the early nineties, with Urge Overkill, Triple Fast Action and the like (Fig Dish too, - ed.), but they also sound like a better realized Titanic Love Affair (not quite as poppy though -ed.)with a smoother singer. If your looking for a solid rock record, a disc that delivers the goods in time and on schedule with few twists and turns but still lots of interesting stories, then you will want to hear this record. The band knows how to play and can put together some nice ideas, it may not be earth shaking of shattering, or new, but they at least play to their abilities and deliver a solid rock record. (DTB) Catch 22 - Dinosaur Sounds - Victory Records - www.victoryrecords.com - As for this band, a band that I have reviewed in the past and have enjoyed I have to say one thing up front, they have gotten better and smoother with this release. Some bands with horns feel that all you have to do is rock it hard and drop the horns in to do a little bleep, bleep action and all is well. What some of them don't get is that you really need the horns to sound good and crisp, as well as having an idea of where the horns fit best and why they should go there. It's just not enough to rock out that hard beat and plop in a trumpet and sax for the exclamation point, the exact spot some bands feel the point of horns in a rock band fit. I really think to that the band has some radio friendly tunes on their disc, some songs that would not be out of place on 107.1 the Planet (U OF I CHAMPAIGN/URBANA radio station). However, since I usually detest some of the crap that sits on that station and rotates every hour on the hour, I have to say that Catch 22 also would fit on my radio station should I ever have one. By that I mean that even though some of the songs would fit in between the shit on Mainstream College Alternative Modern Rock Planet Radio, it's the other songs that follow the same format that make me want to listen and play on my Radio Station of the mind. This band really knows it's strengths, a good singer, very fine well played horns that are up in the mix and crisp sounding, plus an idea of how to expand an idea of ska/rock/hard rock/punk rock with horns over an album. Lately have begun to think that anything Victory sends me is going to be well worth my time, and with bands like Snapcase and Catch 22 I can see why I would think that. Name me another label, besides maybe Go Kart that you can really take a release from and know that it's at the very least going to be worth your time? (FSS) Lewis Black Rules of Enragement Comedy Central Records www.comedycentral.com -Personally, I think Lewis Black is funny. I think his style of humor is the kind that I have always enjoyed. It's not joke, joke, and then here's another joke. It's more story telling and ideas with humor mixed in. I even laugh when he gets excited and stutters a little and then shoots out a loud angry answer. The guy is just funny, I'm not sure he would appeal to some people because they want a joke in the standard form. Jokes like that irritate me cause I don't think they are very well thought out and they just play to a turn of phrase or word and they usually don't make much sense. He talks on a wide variety of subjects, and I don't feel like he is going just in for the joke, I think he is talking to people and peppering it with funny notes, talking to people like people talk to each other. I mean who the fuck starts a conversation with "A nun, priest and a rabbi walk into a bar"? No one! Take the small pox vaccine, he gets to the point very quickly, and with some anger toward the government because they waited until we had a crisis to tell us that the small pox vaccination we got when we were young won't last forever like we were told. Yeah, sure he ends with saying the fuck word, but he's right, and he is very observant and topical. I like listening to him because he makes me laugh while he is also telling me about things that are going wrong with the world. No, I won't turn into one of those people who gets sentenced to time in SMARTY PANTS because I have gleaned all of my information and news from a comedians monologue, but I will be able to keep an eye out for things when I do read or watch the news because he has made them funny and topical and I gets me interested in them. Greed, Homeland Security, Situation in Iraq and many more things are all talked about and joked about. (DTB) Thistle - tired anchor - Tiberius Records 4280 Catalpa Dr. Independence, KY 41051 - All in all a pretty good disc, but the vocals can get a little on the annoying side and sometimes I found myself wanting to punch something when the "whining" went on to long. The music behind the vocal's would probably put a music reviewer in the mind of emo brand pop music, however I think that the music is the saving charm of this band because it's heavy in parts and pretty catchy when it wants to be. Look I know it's hard to find a vocalist that will fit perfectly to your music, and I am not slagging the guy singing, it's just that he reminds me of the lead singer of Titanic Love Affair , and we all know how I feel about that band. The guy's not a bad singer but after listening to his whispery, soft, thin vocals I sometimes want to bludgeon myself with a dull object, and being that the only dull object around is my wit, I have to throw myself down a flight of stairs. Actually the type of music that this band is trying to play fits perfectly with the vocals that this guys is laying down. It's just that it wears a little thin over an albums worth of material, how about a little variety. You know when Jimmy Eat World first started out they had two guys singing and their different styles helped give some variety to the band, but now it's one guy singing and it's a little repetitive and boring, good in parts but rather well tread and boring. This is how I feel about Thistle, a good band with some decent songs, mostly mopey in sound and texture with some decent singing that gets a little tiring over the course of an album. I don't want to listen to music that makes me want to think about lost loves, rainy days and the futility of life, at least I don't right now, but when I do it's time to head for the Cure or to a lesser extent this band. (DZ) The New Anxiety - S/T Six Song EP - Keep Safe Records - Pretty straight forward mellow rock music, something that the fine Keep Safe Records seems to have an easy time finding and releasing. Not as "spacey" as the Robbers or "noodling" as The Secession Movement. There are only five songs on this disc; by the way, I really like the packaging (for some reason, when a band puts out a CD in a cardboard all in one holder I really dig it, plus the artwork is nice and just adds to the whole package), but those five songs are enough to give you a good idea of whether or not you would enjoy this band and any of their future releases. I think they are just a little off beat, just enough to eschew any thoughts of calling them a straight rock band or some kind of "math" band hybrid, a category I have never understood. If you like SM, or the Robbers, and we here at SLTM do, then you would like their more straight forward cousin. If this band were at the Keep Safe Records family picnic, they would be introduced as cousin Sol, whose been around, heard and seen some things, was slightly affected by his life experiences, and has some good stories but won't scare the crap out of you when he talks to you. Sure he may spit chips when he gets excited telling you a story while he is eating, but the story and the chip spray will be worth the listen. You know, Keep Safe is becoming a very good, trust worthy label, developing some nice releases, and there by giving you an idea of what your getting even before you hear it. Know what I mean. Click on the picture above to find out more about the band, The singing is good, and there are some nice bass parts that really add to the mood of the songs, especially the bass in song three, Monuments. Good pop music, from a band I don't know, yet, and from a label I am really starting to have a good deal of respect for. (SP) The Escape Engine - celebrity role model - FIDELITY RECORDS - This CD sounds like everything else on the radio and MTV nowadays, hard rock that has no style and substance. I could be wrong with repeated listens, but I don't think I will warm up to this one ever. However, if you like music that is screamed/screeched and sounds just like all the other bands that are popular now, but won't be in five years, then this could be your bag. For me its not even close, and with the little time I have on this earth, I don't think I should be spending it listening to this type of music. Is it awful? To me, but then I have different tastes and don't like this music, but if I did I don't think I could find a way to squeeze this CD into a already crowded music scene. How does a band like this find an audience when it could be confused with tons of other bands? And that intro, why? I am going to give it a few more listens and hope that maybe I was wrong because I hate to dismiss any persons art just because I don't happen to like that type of music, or don't happen to like hearing the same type of music over and over again, but I think I will get the same feeling from it as before. (FR) Trigger Distort and Explode - Nicotine Records - Not to fucking shabby. I didn't know what to expect with this release since I had never heard of this band. You know if you listen to this or if I were to try to describe it to you, I don't think it would be as good as if you were to listen to this band yourself. No they are not hard to describe and are not some weird sounding art rock band, but I think if I said that they are a really good rock band you wouldn't think much of it. I really didn't expect it to be this enjoyable, I thought I would pop the CD in and give it a listen, be able to tolerate it and that would be it. I think they sound similar to bands like Electric Frankenstein (with out all AC/DC affliction) or Fu Manchu (but less laid back) or maybe even label mates Gaza Strippers (same energy, but less speed punk rock, plus no Rick Sims, who we all know is a god). I get a late sixties, early seventies acid rock vibe from these guys. I would not be ashamed of having this disc in my personal collection. It's a good listen and I think that anyone who likes seventies acid rock with good guitar and some fuzz, some good dirty sound will want to hear this. See this is why I review records and sit through some of the crap that I do, the surprises and enjoyment that one disc can bring. (SP)
The Sun Love & Death EP - Warner Bros. - www.thesunband.com - This six song primer tells a story of an appealing band, with lots of talent. We hope that in this recording the band is just giving a taste of what it can do, with only one really okay song, and the rest being pretty damn good. The one song I don't care for, and that's because it's a plain old acoustic ballad (and it has none of the other charms that the other songs have), is the last one "Eyelids Apart". I also realize that with an EP to show off your chops and diversity that you would want to include a different sounding song from the rest of the material, plus it gets the girls wet. That said, I like this band already, mostly because they know how to write a good rock song, and they throw things into the songs that really add to it, not just to throw shit in like some music makers do. The fact that Jay Bennett produced this at his studio should not tell you anything other than it was produced well, and that it sounds good, this is no WILCO sounding project, I mean Jay has done other things. It does help to have Jay there, he has a great ear for music and really knows what the hell he is doing, and that only adds to the luster of the recording, but the band is what makes it worthwhile to listen to. They come off sounding like the Hives on the first song "Fell So Hard" and on another song they sound like Eric Burdon and the Animals. To pigeonhole them into anyone group sound would be short sided, mostly because they don't come off the same on every song. I do enjoy the addition of the organ on some of the songs, and the screaming and feedback on others, I mean when it's used this well, it just sounds so appropriate. We'll see if this band can deliver a whole album some day, but for now this recording proves that a band with talent, and ideas can make a good recording worth searching out, and that it's not as easy as some think, otherwise you'd have everyone making good music like this, and as a reviewer, I'll tell ya, that doesn't happen often. (DTB)
The Pavers - Return to the Island of No Return - Boss Tuneage/Ratchet Records - www.thepavers.com - I have been a Pavers fan since they started, actually before that. I liked Scott's other band Goodbye Harry and even before that I liked Scott in ALL. I have always liked Scott's voice, and the first Pavers disc Local 1500, really showcased that with it's poppier, fast rock songs. This disc took a few listens to really sink in, but when it did it hit me on the back of my head like a bag of fucking bricks, and when I awoke from it's head dizzying tunes, I had a big smile in my head. It seems that Scott likes to not only write songs about serious issues, and well thought out themes, but sometimes he takes a song and gives you his silly side, making funny song, but not stupid. Really any disc that the Pavers release would be worth it for Scott's warn, road tested, but very tuneful and enjoyable voice. I liked this disc so much that not only am I doing a interview with the band in the paper issue of SLTM, something I wanted to do before anyway, but I also agreed to buy some of these disc's and have Troy at Innocent Words set them up at Record Service in Champaign (they are located at the Innocent Words Listening Tower at Record Service on Green Street). I think if you like any Bad Religion type music, ones with a story as well as hard guitar rock based music, then the Pavers would be something that you might enjoy. Let me clarify myself, you see I think that the Pavers, like Bad Religion, could write a good rock song about a History subject, just as well as they could write a song about love or girls. I don't think the Pavers could be bogged down in any one style, except to say that they mostly do hard rock songs, with some speed in their playing, but not punk or hardcore. I wouldn't say that either of Scott's older bands, ALL or Goodbye Harry, are good jumping off points since ALL is more poppy and straight forward, where GH was more heavy metal meandering. I think this disc shows good growth for the band, towards a fine tuned sound with a front man who knows how to write interesting lyrics and can sing well. How fugging often do you see that? (PW) Self Evident - direct - blueworm records - www.bluewormrecords.com - What the frig kind of world is it when you keep getting good music to review and you have way to much hatred building in your heart and you want to let it out? Dammit you Blue Worm records, how about you release some shit so I have something to bitch about? I mean if I keep all of this bitterness and hatred bottled up forever it could kill me and is that what you want? I don't think so. What blue worm needs to do is release a compilation of artist paying tribute to Air Supply and send me a copy for review. What I like about this review is that I expected it to be something else, and then something else when I gave it an initial listen, but it turned into something else all together with repeated listens. Its sort of heavy, sort of laid back, but with some strained vocals, but never strained to the irritating level. There is some strumming guitar noodling going on, but I don't think it ever reaches the point of being a distraction to the songs, or the singing. Although there are only six songs on this disc, it's better that way since you get a nice introduction to the band, and you can get a good feel for their sound. Their sound would border on more improv, guitar noodling rock music, but with some power and punch when it wants to. The other good thing about this release is the packaging, and I don't know if its because its a promo copy or if this is the way it's being released, but it economical, to the point and doesn't seem to be a waste of money that could be used for other purposes. However, like I said this could only be the promo packaging and therefore makes this point null and void, but still it is a perfect package for an independent band. I like their playing, the singing is good, but I don't think it has to be super strong, since the music is more about the interplay between the instruments. The only sound problem I have is with the drum sound, it's a little thin and to much in the background, but I also understand that it is hard to get a good live drum sound, I would just like to hear a little more drum in there, but then again maybe that's how the boys wanted it to sound. (FS) Under the Weather - s/t EP (six songs) - Orange Peal Records -If I am not mistaken this band consist of members of the late band Sloppy Meateaters, a Blink 182 clone that had a few good songs, but equal their heroes in annoying throw away punk pop. This band however seems to understand that you can only digest so much candy before you get bloated and sick to your stomach, and at my age (late twenties) eating that much candy becomes less frequent. This band knows the idea behind constructing a good song, and then adding things to it besides the candy coating. If Sloppy Meateaters were Zours candy, then this would be more like Tropical Flavored Dots. The guitar playing is rather good, and the singing is a bunch better, sounds like Josh has added some depth and range to his vocals, and lost most of the nasally poindexterous. There are only six songs on this EP, and I think that anyone interested in Sloppy Meateaters should check it out, but you should know now that it's not the same disposable punk pop that they played (and played and played, etc.) before, just like a thousand other bands do on the radio and the tens of thousands that we don't ever hear of. This time they have added some touches to make it less likely to be tossed off, the guitar work and the vocals are picked up a notch and the songs bear more fruit than the gummy tree of their forefathers. By the picture on the back (nice touch with the SME head stone in the cemetery) the band seems a little older and warn out, maybe their time in their previous band(s) have helped create some character for them and their songs, it shows through on this release. (PW) Bill Janovitz - Searching For Certainty (songs from and inspired by the production Searching for Certainty) self released - more info at www.billjanovitz.com -I like Bill Janovitz, not only because I think he is a good song writer, but because he keeps putting music out regardless of what anyone thinks he should do or how many records he sells, bravo I've read your book you magnificent bastard! These songs are mostly acoustic, laid back songs in the same vein as his last release on Spin Art called Up Here. His voice has that melodic roughness to it that says he has lived a life of interest and has something to say, I enjoy his voice most of all, and its good no matter if the songs are soft or loud (which you would get a good flavor of by listening to his on hiatus band Buffalo Tom). These songs are for a play that I imagine that most of us will never see, especially us hayseed hick dipshits who prefer to live pretty much in middle of no culture or the chance to be cultured is two hours away (Oh wait I shouldn't forget the local Theatre Group who puts on Zip Bang Zoom twice a year and Wizard of OZ). You probably won't have a chance to hear any of these songs anywhere since this was a limited hand pressing and I bought it for the chance to hear some new songs from Janovitz, because I am a fan and look forward to hearing his music. It's a shame cause some of these songs are pretty damn good, melancholy though that they are, they are worth hearing by more than a handful of people. If your really interested in the music of Bill Janovitz, go to his web site and download a few of his songs for free, give them a good thrice over and then decided if you ever want to hear from him again, chances are if you like good acoustic guitar music you'll want to find his solo discs. At least give him a chance and download a few songs, with a digital cable hookup it won't take long and while your typing up your haiku it will give you something new to listen too. People like this should continue to make music, it would be a shame if Bill Janovitz never picked up another guitar because of financial concerns over his music and if he could devote enough time and energy too it. We don't want to loose one of my generations best songwriters because he wasn't heard enough later in his career do we? Fuck no we don't, so go now and check out his web site, put that fucking sandwich down (no wait, keep the sandwich, and put down the chips) and click on over there tubby. It's good for your soul. (BSB) Waterdown - the files you have on me - Victory Records - I started listening to this as background music to my game cube playing, just to get a feel for it, I didn't want to over analyze it, trying to hear every note the first few times. I have to say without a doubt that NCAA Football 2003 is a wonderful game, frustrating at times and fun to play. As for Waterdown, I will say it started out a little rocky, sounding like some of those Korn rip-off assholes on the radio I hear too much of, but then it moved along into some really good songs, and the singing was really varied and interesting and good. They didn't try to stick to one music tempo or outline, not staying in hardcore or hard rock or heavy/loud for too long, and really trying to mix it, damn if I wasn't enjoying myself playing game cube and listening to Waterdown. You know some "hard" rock music gets on video games because it mixes well with the action, hardcore or punk for skateboard video games, you get the picture. Well, except for a few games I like to hear when I play (you know Silent Hill 2 or Resident Evil), this would fit into your game playing mindset very well. I would listen to this playing baseball, or hockey or anything else (oh yeah, except Grand Theft Auto Vice City too), because it makes a good aural companion piece to your game playing. You can also listen to it by itself as well, it's good enough for that too, I just thought you might like to know what I was doing while I reviewed this the first time. SP
No Direction - staring at the ground - Orange Peal Records -First Off, I have listened to this disc three times all the way through already. I like to listen to a release at least a few times all the way through before I type a word about it. This disc would generally fit into all the pop punk (young "punks" playing punk music) categories, a nice little space on the CD shelf, easy to file and number. The only thing wrong with that is some people would buy this as a good standard bearer for the punk pop genre, and miss or hate some of the finer touches of hard rock and fine guitar work that shines through on a few songs. I'm not personally a big fan of pop punk, since so many bands find it easy to do and they just slap it off one song right after another, unlike a band like ALL (whom we all love here, hurry up with the new CD's would ya!) who has the chops down and song writing talent and experience to waste. This band is a competent pop punk band, with thin vocals about girls and girls and something else. I think and what the hell do I know I have never picked up an instrument in my life (well actually that is not true, I have a guitar I abuse from time to time), is that the strengths of this band lie somewhere else, and not in just Pop Punk. Like song #3 "Without You", it starts off nice with some good guitar work, and plinko plinko, and then goes straight into the toilet with some plodding repetitive guitar strumming, nasal/annoying vocals about some girl and love lost. There is some genuinely well thought out, interesting moments in this disc, and I hope that the fellas from NO DIRECTION realize this and start making a few crazier choices in their songs, cause this formula of Pop Punk retread, plodding nothingness without much charm gets old fast. I really think they have some talent, but are unsure if they want to bring it out all at once cause if they try something different than what is on radio/MTV2 then they might not "make it", and to that I say "who gives a fuck if you make it, don't waste your talent trying to play to someone else's strengths" . I am going to keep some tabs on this band and see where they go, hoping that despite the middle of the road, safe approach they have taken for most of this disc, that they break out and take some chances. Listen you guys are young, take some chances stop playing to the watered down radio jerkwads and take your talent and make something of it, or don't. Oh yeah, the singer can sing, as evidenced by song #6 "Stuck at Alone", I think he just chooses not to on some songs to sound un-interested and laid back/uncaring, stop that you got a decent voice, use it, and hey nice guitar work on this song too, why isn't it on all the songs? SP
A18 - forever after nothing - Victory Records -How could you not like a band that plays hard rock so well, that even if you didn't like Hard Rock, you would enjoy this CD? How could you not? I was pleasantly surprised by this, only because I didn't expect it to be this enjoyable for me personally, either I like hard rock or it sounds like everything other damn thing on the radio that is being mass produced and shoved down my damn throat. What makes this CD so good that I was bobbing my head and felt like dancing around like a stupid ass in my apartment, several things (well played instruments being one), but the most likable factor about this release is the melodic nature of it. You ever listen to CD's from hardcore or heavy rock bands that screech and yell, pound the music into the center of your brain, fun for some I guess, but that type of music leaves me with a headache and a tendency to shy away from it altogether in the future. This release gives you some yelling and gruff voices but never forgets that people like music that has some melody to it. Also unlike some other releases in the category, it doesn't seem repetitive and monotonous, which seems to be the calling card of some bands ( they break a decent riff and then repeat it ad nausea, expecting us to forget from song to song that they are basically playing the same riff and melody, and creating a stale environment for my headache and dislike to grow). There is a certain death/suicide motif, I mean you would have to be blind not to notice the obvious pictures in the booklet, and I always get a sense of heaviness, darkness and maybe a touch of the brutality of life from releases like this, but I didn't really have any depressing thoughts while listening to this, I just bobbed my head and enjoyed it and was kind of disappointed when it ended at thirty seven minutes. Plus there is a weird, eerie garbled voice track attached to the last song, I only noticed because I left the CD running one time (I've listened to it about five or six times all the way through already) when I went the can after the last song. I say check out the Victory Records web site and www.heroesaredead.com and find out more about this band, see if you can find some song samples, because I think anyone who likes hard rock, heavy rock, hardcore with melody will enjoy this and be glad it's in their collection. DTB The Telegenic - S/T - (I have no idea how you would go about getting this groups music since there is absolutely nothing on their CD about what/where/when or who. If you are interested, then email us and we will pass you along to their PR people). - To say that they sound like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is a very obvious pick, but I would add to that they sound like Tom Petty and HB before "There will be Peace in L.A.", which was such a total draining of the Tom Petty soul that the sound he had cultivated for all those years seemed to be something totally different than what we remembered it as. By the way, I believe the track was just credited to Tom Petty, but still it was a turning point of a band forgetting what they were and declaring that sound of their youth was no longer relevant in their universe. I think that J Snyder has probably been told that he sounds like Tom Petty so much that he is beginning to give serious thought to starting up a Traveling Wilbury's cover band. Most of the songs are very solid, nothing fancy rock songs, that hold up pretty good and I think that has to do with a band that knows how to play their instruments and get what they want out of them. "All the Fighters", would be my first choice for a single if such things existed in the indie music world (wouldn't that be really cool if they did, and you would hear this song and decide if you liked it and if you would want to find out more about the band? But fuck no we have to hear the new STAIND song fifteen times a day for fucking three months, even though we are extremely sick of it and don't really need to hear it that much, FUCKING radio, stupid bastards!). There is one song in there that sounds like a laid back, laconic, sleepy (wait that is exactly what he sounds like, strike that "sounds like" quip and put in "this could pass for") The Wallflowers, but most of it is in the same vein as any of the first five or six Tom Petty albums, and yeah I guess you could get Bruce Springsteen early years out of it too, but mostly I hear just good seventies rock music, but not so repetitive that you want to cut down the local "CLASSIC ROCK" radio station tower, fucking radio, how many times do I have to hear Led Zepplin in a day? Didn't they break up, ya pricks? Why can't I hear a song from these guys on the radio next to Pernice Brothers, or The Jayhawks, Wilco, Idle Hands, or thousands of others? I don't know how the hell these guys are going to get heard, but I think they deserve a listen and I think they are pretty decent. What to do with a band that strives and wants to be heard, but probably won't? Start the Cult of The Telegenic? Possibly, or how about I pass this disc along to someone cool at WEFT 90.1 FM? Okay we'll see after I give it a few more listens and review it in the paper edition, it's a shame I can't start the Cult of Monkees and make people do what I want, that would be great. (SP) The Guff - The Guff is a Disaster EP - GO KART records - This band plays pop punk music, and if your a fan of that type of music then you need to go to the Go Kart Records site, and listen to the MP3 and spend your five bucks on this EP. The band is appealing, in that it doesn't play pop punk in the goofy, doofness of bands like Blink 182 or Sum 41, but that it does play pop punk well, and seem to be singing about something other than a laugh. It's all well played, and the singing fits the songs, but how much of this is there out there and how much can one person listen to? I think there is just way too much of this out there and that too much of anything can only water down an idea further. However, instead of passing judgment on a decent band, one who plays to their strengths no matter how ordinary they are, I will instruct you to check them out on the Go Kart site and spend a little green on their EP. Hell, it's only five bucks, and I know there are only five songs and twenty one minutes, but it's a pretty good bargain for some decent music in a popular type of music. (FSS) Blue Moon Harem - S/T - Roadside Music Inc. - bluemoonharem- I feel very lukewarm about this release, it's just not something that has reached out and grabbed me at all. I don't want to say it's bad, but it's something that maybe middle aged people would like because it's got a beat to it, and it's non-threatening and every once in awhile there is a sharp guitar, but nothing too offending, especially the lyrics. Here is what I mean by the lyrics. "Talk to the hand, cause the face don't understand. Talk to the hand, cause the face don't give a damn". How old and terribly uninteresting is that remark? Also instead of any offending words, he uses damn. There are more, like this gem "I'm living a dog's life baby/9 to 5 and overtime. I'm living a dog's life baby/years are rolling by I'm running so behind." It's tepid pooh lyrics and music like those two songs ("I am a Well" and "Dog's Life") that really keep this disc from being anything but a try at mediocre and midstream. Come on fellas, jump for the fence. I mean if Evil Knievel had said he was jumping some creek in the middle of Michigan instead of Snake River, who would have cared? It's exactly this afraid to take chances and please everyone down the middle that this disc suffers from. It's to bland for my tastes and I figure that anyone who reads this, cause I don't believe we have a lot of middle aged James Taylor fans in the fold, won't give two hoots about hearing some band like Blue Moon Harem. Freedom of Speech? Well some people need to think about that before they release something into the public, that would go for us too, not like we are much better. There lies the argument, who am I to say that this is too boring and bland for the music buying public, when what we do is not generally acknowledged to be some creative force in the zine publishing world. However, since this is our zine and we spend our own money making it, we would advise our readers to skip this one, unless they want to end up like Helmet Spargle and bland themselves to death. BAM! (Potty Waters 2004) Cougars - Manhandler - THICK RECORDS - I had always figured that some Neal Pollack, Lester Bangs type would write an article about bands no one has heard of but who will carry on the dirty, sleazy, sweaty tradition of rock and roll. Of course, Lester is long dead, and Pollack is a satirist, but the point is, some where the new Griel Marcus is putting together some self centered idea of what rock is (Most likely a bunch of bands that put out one album that no one has heard of) and where it all went wrong (what will it be this time? Disco? New wave, hair bands? or maybe it will be the rise of boy/girl bands. Oh well, that is what they get paid to do, search out the true essence of music, and tell a story about the lost and the never found. Me, I am not a rock critic and never will be, I can't even tell a good story. What I do know is what music I like to listen to, and this is one band that I like to listen to. I have reviewed their first CD, saw them in concert and I have to say that I like their "sleazy" blues rock with horns, it's something that they play well, and the singer and his yelling, throaty delivery fit perfect with the beats. I may never write an essay about the essence and truth of rock and roll and how most people are zombies being spoon fed small doses (some would argue it's much larger, but think about it for a minute, if you fed the body a huge amount of poison you'd kill the person, small doses build up a desire, much like a junky) of pop/crap rock music to keep them mindless, consumers. What I will do is plain and simple tell someone what I really think about a band and what they mean to me when I listen to their CD. It's got some shake, some bluesy swagger and some nice fucking horns. It's all the good ingredients, plus a sense of smart ass humor, that make this a desirable listen, and it's a nice introduction to a pretty decent band. What does the heart of rock and roll exist? in the heart of some band of young kids barely playing their instruments in a garage somewhere in Plainfield, Indiana? Maybe, but let's not overlook bands such as these, yes it is hard to listen to every band that comes along, almost impossible to buy everything or even 25% of the stuff out there, but at least check out their web site, go to a show and see if they blow your ass away from the stage and then proceed from their. SKIP PROVENCE (2004) Elephant Dreams an album by Grasshopper Takeover - This "concept" album starts out with news reports laid over some guitar noodling, and what you ask are the news snippets about? It's about the "tragic" lose for the band called Grasshopper Takeover. It seems that some jackass' stole their equipment, which is pretty low because what independent band riding around in a beat up VW van has stuff worth stealing? I mean, what would they have that is of value? I wish people would stop doing this and I also hope that in the future that all bands will get someone to watch their equipment, don't they have a loser friend who just sits on their couch smoking dope that they could take out on the road with them to sell shirts and watch their stuff. What is the loser friend doing at their apartment that is so fucking important that he can't give them a little pay back for all the times he threw up in the colander and left it for someone else to clean up? What kind of music does this band play you might ask? Well, I get a Collective Soul feel on some songs, but a definite loose jam vibe, Big Head Todd and the Monsters maybe? Does anyone remember them? They were a little thicker, this band seems a little more Van Halen than Deep Purple. It's a tad bit harder than Dave Matthews, whom I cannot stand and who I think is trying to bland the music world to death with his tepid lukewarm down the middle music that is soft, unobtrusive, boring and unimaginative. This may play in the same neighborhood as Mr. Matthews and his band of jackbags, but it's in no way the same type of animal. Although I don't think if you tied the animals in the same back yard this one would kill or maul the Matthews animal, they just probably wouldn't bother with each other. however, with that said, this is a pop album, regardless of the conceptual ideas of the packaging and production. It's not threatening, but it's not so bland that you won't taste it. The songs seem to be set apart in sections, at least it's that way on the back of the CD. Why? Well, it would seem to divide the songs in direction and tone, the first pack are more Dave Matthews acoustic non threatening type. Some of the second pack seem to be more electric guitar, but still poppy songs that owe a little to old Cheap Trick, a little. The lead singer has a good voice, it's best suited for pop music, stuff that you would hear on any Top 40 station. One of the big problems with this release is that most of the songs are three minutes plus, some are over four, and the whole disc is nineteen songs just a little over seventy minutes. Now I ask, who in their right mind is going to give an independent band the time and effort they would need or maybe deserve, although I am still up in the air about that since most of music is to airy and acoustic for me and not enough of the Cheap Trick aping, to hook you into their vibe when it takes so damn long? Who is going to sit around through every song and listen to this? Stoned people who are pissed at Phish for giving up the goat? Parrot heads who are looking for the new "sound" to keep them young at heart? How are people going to find out about this band, when they really want you to listen to the whole album and it's lite pop rock and over seventy minutes long? I noticed in their thank you's one for a station called 89.7 The River , and I bet that they play a ton of Dave Matthews. Wait, see their slogan is the cutting edge of Rock, but I don't think that would be true, the River? Okay I have gotten off track, and it is a community college radio station (hell I worked at one through college), but what I am getting at in this review which has now turned into my graduate thesis on mild rock making America mild, is that this is a CD for people with patience and time on their hands who like very non threatening music. I'm just not sure that those people, however patient and stationary they are will be able to devote the time to the whole release and that is not what the band would like, otherwise why would they make it a concept with a beginning and an end? It's to much to digest, and maybe all those Phish heads will be able to devote the time, but others won't. (Skip Provence 2004) Chrome Pistola - "belly of the beast" - Mindless Records - There are only five songs on this disc, three of them different mixes of the single "belly of the beast". This says two things to me, either Chrome Pistola thought a hell of a lot of the song , or he just doesn't have that many ideas within the hip hop, Everlast musical snow globe to fill an entire CD. I have no idea which it might be because I don't know the guy and can't tell you what he is thinking, but if I had to guess or give a guesstimate, I would have to say that it's the former idea, a CD single with different mixes. Why do this in the day and age of MP3 clips and the internet? Why indeed, I have no clue, but it does harken back to the days of when I was in radio and people would send radio edit, long version, and mix versions of the same song, trying to get us to like one version of the song at least and then play it on the radio. Well it worked sometimes, I guess, but really why all the extra songs if nobody has heard of you or your music, why not just have two songs, one radio and one mix of each song? He does sound like Everlast, and anyone who enjoys Everlast and his type of hip hop, and don't start emailing me about how he is not hip hop, but more of a trip hop or house or trash hop artist, I have no fucking idea when it comes to that type of music, I am no expert and I don't listen to it. Would I listen to more of this music if it came in the mail? Sure, I did enjoy the single, but it was the "dirty" edit that really caught my ear (see, there you go, justification for Chromes plan) and the instrumental version of "Pretty Houses" wasn't bad either. Like I said, if you remember the laid back, acoustic guitar, kind of mellow hip hop of Everlast and his second and it would seem, third releases, then this might be your bag of tea. What's more important is that you now know this person exists, and you can put in some effort by checking out the web site and getting more informed. (Fat Ruben 2004) A18 - Dear Furious - Victory Records - A damn fine hardcore record, if only you can push your self defined terms of Hardcore out a little to include those that sound enough like a hardcore band but don't throttle you with the overall sound. If there was any hardcore record that has been released that I have heard lately that would be a good introduction to fans of other types of music looking to branch out , then this would be the CD to purchase. Yeah, it's got all the hardcore textures, with the vocals being a little easier to understand and less growling, but still intense. It's hardcore, but I think it's easier to digest, a little more rock than most hardcore bands, and I like hardcore bands (NIV and Premonitions of War being two I really like on the Victory label), but it just seems a little more hard rock than most of your speed or hardcore bands. I will have to admit a certain joy when hearing the lyrics "I hate you the old fashioned way" and "I want you dead; your family, dead", why? Because it may sound hokey, but it at least sounds like he's telling the truth, and not trying to cop a pose, and it is a little funny. Don't get me wrong and think that I am saying that this is some kind of hardcore break through album, that totally changes the genre and that A18 will blow your ass to the heavens and back, rocking all the time. Well, maybe the ass to heaven and back rocking part, but they do follow the recipe already written by a gazillion other bands, but they do so in an entertaining way. Sure the screams are there, the kind of repetitive nature of the guitar parts of hardcore music and the "I'm angry as hell" attitude, but like I have said before, it's not how closely you follow the recipe, because we all had the final product before and know how it should come off, but how they interpret the recipe and make it enjoyable and fun to sample. A very strong band in the hard rock, hardcore music strip of America, a band that should be successful, but whom fate and a few thousand dickwad music "Lovers" will ignore and leave abandon on the side of the road like some beat up Buick Century. www.heroesaredead.com (Skip Provence 2004) Cari Clara - miniature American model society - Tiberius Records It's very evident to me that someone has a big crush on Wilco, and has been listening to their last three albums, especially Summer Teeth, in hopes of some sort of transference of pop power. If it was only that easy. A more predictable path in pop music couldn't be taken by the band, Wilco is now the "main" road, and will forever be on the strength of those last three releases. When traveling down a path that has been cleared or at least mowed again (cause who amongst us would declare that Wilco was the first band to veer off that road and head in a different direction?) by a previous band, especially one as beloved (especially now) as Wilco, you don't have much room to set your own tracks. It's all here, the big thumping, distorted drums, the piano and big pop leanings with all the trimmings. Plus they throw in some repetitive singing, and guitar loops to exact that calculated quiet cool. Cari Clara, not a female solo artist, is not a pure bred , and won't win any originality prizes at the local arts council weekend arts and people festival, but it's an interesting car ride down a path that you know someone else has already made. There are still ruts, tire tracks from previous adventurers, but there enough dips, and turns to make it interesting. So hop into the car with Cari Clara, let them drive, the windows will be down and it will be a little humid out, but you're heading in the direction you wanted to go and the road is dirt, so there is some mystery. However, don't stick you head out the window like some dumb ass doing a dog impression, and no mooning, cause who the hell would you be sticking your bum at on the back road of Midwest, pop America? Along the way you'll see the road signs for YHF, Summer Teeth, Pet Sounds and other pop music gems, and Kentucky Fried Chicken (apparently it's the only franchise brave enough to put up on the road to somewhere, although we all know it's Chicago via Belleville Illinois.) The lead singer even reminds me of Jeff Tweedy in voice, a likable voice to be compared to, but there is less longing in this persons voice, and more smooth operator, if that makes any sense to you. Tweedy has a warn out, world weariness to his voice, very soaked in tears, sweat and heartache, but this voice doesn't. It's not all Wilco aping however, there are some moments of radio pop attempts, and a danceable beat, but if you had to jump in a car with a band who liked Wilco and was heading in the same direction as that band, just a few years after it was safe, you would really enjoy the ride. (DTB 2004) back to top |
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