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October 19th, 2008 - Cleaning Out My Mailbox Pt. 3
It seems that as you get older you are faced with more and more responsibilities
that you must complete. This often takes away time from other things leaves
you with a sense of time poverty. These added responsibilities have started
growing and has, unfortunately, made me fall a bit behind in my reviewing schedule
again. So as my review pile continues to grow, I decided to take a quick run
at covering a bunch of the releases that have fallen to the bottom of the pile.
Like always, some of these are great - records that deserve a full blown review
but for one reason or another haven't received the time they deserved. At the
same time there are others that deserve less than what I'll be giving them
as they're just bland and generic - but hey, maybe that'll be right up your
alley!
Here's a quick rundown of some of the records I've been spinning the past few
months. Some are great, some are bad, and some are just plain odd.
Band: Apocalyptica
Album: World's Collide
Label: Zomba Records
Score: 3/5
Apocalyptica started many years ago by covering Metallica songs
with the use of only four cellos. I heard about them a few years later from
a friend and by that time they had become quite popular in Europe and had progressed
as a band - writing their own songs and added a drum set to the mix. Still,
it was essentially four metal heads head banging to hard rock songs being
played by cellos with a drum to add some intensity in the rhythm.
It was fascinating. Now on their sixth studio album, Worlds Collide,
the band has progressed once again for a slightly more commercial sound which
is
at times wonderful and other times disappointing. For half the songs on here
they've recruited various singers from bands such as Slipknot, Three
Days Grace and Lacuna Coil among others while on
the other half they remain true to just four cellos and a drum kit. This makes
for a sometimes uneven listen as a lot of the songs (I'm Not Jesus being
the main culprit) fall into generic radio rock singles. Some tracks with vocals,
see I Don't Care and the German Helden, work
but ultimately it is when the band sticks with their signature sounds that
the album truly succeeds.
Band: Ben Nichols
Album: Last Pale Light In The West
Label: Liberty & Lament
Score: 4/5
On Last Pale Light in The West, Lucero's Ben
Nichols ventures off on his own for the first time and continues
to do what he has done before with Lucero - and that is
sing songs drenched in sincerity, familiarity and americana. With smoke worn
vocals, he sings songs of love and lost over the strumming of an acoustic
guitar and the occasional other additional instruments (harmonica, accordion,
pedal steel, etc.). It's a heartfelt, relatable album that strikes you right
where it matters and fits perfectly in between the recent solo releases of Tim
Barry, Chuck Ragan, Greg Graffin and Tom Gabel.
Band: Carpenter
Album: Law Of The Land
Label: Smallman Records
Score: 3/5
Law of The Land wasn't an album I properly appreciated until I saw
them live, it was then that I appreciated the subtitles hidden within their
rock/punk tunes. Featuring members of Daggermouth, By A Thread and Speaking
of Heroes, Carpenter have writen an album that breathes
out Canadiana/Americana. Songs like You Can't Keep A Good Man Down and Six
Shots (a song which in itself makes buying this record worth while)
get you singing along instantly as the feature equal elements of punk rock
heroes Hot Water Music and newcomers Attack in Black.
It may not be life changing, but its a feel good debut worthy of a few good
listens - particularly Six Shots.
Band: Cheap Girls
Album: Find Me A Drink Home
Label: Quote/Unquote Records
Score: 3/5
Find Me A Drink Home is a step back in time to the mid nineties alt-rock
musical landscape. It's an alcohol-induced coma of three-chord pop-rock songs
delivered in a slightly muffled and distorted fashion. Songs like No
One To Blame and Stop Now are filled to the rim with
catchy hooks and spoke-sang vocals that fall somewhere between Bob
Mould and Evan Dando. But no matter how catchy and
entertaining some of the songs are, many fall victim to an overtly smothered
mixing job which makes the album seem a little long and bloated.
Band: Chesterfield
Album: Death Grip
Label: Mental Records
Score: 3.5/5
Amidst the mass amounts of generic pop-emo records that I'm covering here
in this little article, Chesterfield are one of the only true
punk rock bands that I've left to be piled up in my review pile. It's not because
it doesn't deserve a full fledged review, but more so because I haven't had
the time to do one for it or really know how to properly describe it. For Chesterfield,
like all their pop-emo counterparts, aren't re-inventing the wheel here. However, Death
Grip offers something more than most records and that is a scathing, pissed
off and angry, crest and street punk album. Distorted riffs, gang vocals and
straight forward punk rock drum beats, Chesterfield are the
punk rock band for the disenfranchised punk. They are the band to be played
in grimy clubs and fans of the late-eighties/early-nineties punk rock scene
will find a new lost brethren in Chesterfield.
Band: Cute Is What We Aim For
Album: Rotation
Label: Fueled By Ramen Records
Score: 0.5/5
Cute Is What We Aim For are one of those bands we can blame
for bring pop-emo to the masses and making it so easy for millions of bands
to follow in their footsteps. They did that all with one successful album, The
Same Old Rush With A New Blood Rush. On their follow-up album, they continue
that trend but have built on their sound which is simultaneously good and bad.
It makes the songs more complete but at the same time doesn't deliver the
same catchy hook that a few of their earlier songs did. As it is, Rotation sees
them sounding exactly like all the copy-cat bands that they themselves spawned.
They occasionally diversify their sound with horns and interesting guitar riffs
(see Hollywood or The Lock Down Denial) but
normally stay in the same, safe, beaten path.
Band: Energy
Album: Invasions of the Mind
Label: Bridge Nine Records
Score: 4/5
Bride Nine is a hardcore label through and
through; and with hardcore being a very hit and miss genre for me, I'm always
filled with a sense of curiosity and dread when a new album from them comes
out. Energy's debut album, Invasions of the Mind,
intrigued me more than anything because of all the hype behind it and despite
that it may not be the signature Bridge Nine sound, Energy have
delivered an album worthy of the hardcore hype. The release sounds like Ignite slowed
down a bit. It's a record filled with phenomenal bass lines (see 400)
and nice mixture of more melodic hardcore vocals, a decent dose
of "woahs" in the background, steady drumming that will peak your
interest and an overall sense of eeriness. Any fan of Ignite will
definitely have this record on repeat for a while.
Band: I Hate Kate
Album: Embrace The Curse
Label: Glassnote Music
Score: 2.5/5
A band is a collective unit that works together to make something magical.
It is often the different elements of each member that work together to weave
an unique and interesting sound. That's what happened with Zebrahead anyway.When
Justin's pop-punk vocals mixed with Ari's rap delivery it just worked. Then
Justin went off to start another band, I Hate Kate, and it's
never been the same. Zebrahead have been unable to write another
record like Playmate of the Year or MFZB and I Hate
Kate's debut seems to be lacking too. The songs are catchy (particular Black
Roses, I'm In Love With A Sociopath and It's
Always Better) and there's nothing controversial about the pop-rock
delivery; but that's the problem. As a whole, the record lacks a punch or something
unique and even though Justin still has some good hooks in him, they would
just work better alongside a Zebrahead album.
Band: Jack's Mannequin
Album: The Glass Passenger
Label: Sire Records
Score: 3.5/5
Andrew McMahon seems to have finally found his stride with Jack's
Mannequin and given his Something Corporate fans
something to drool over once again. Yes, his debut - Everything in Transit -
showed promise, but that was it: a showing of what could happen. On The
Glass Passenger McMahon has found that promise and released an album
that is worthy of a listen the entire way through. Songs like Swim,
Miss California or American Love all beg to be
played; and the songs in between rarely make you reach for the skip button
either. It's a much more complete album with McMahon's signature vocals and
piano hooks that sounds better than both North and Everything
in Transit combined and instead feels like the rightful follow-up to Leaving
Through The Window.
Band: Lucero
DVD: Dreaming in America
Label: Liberty & Lament
Score: 3.5/5
A grassroots documentary about a band struggling in the face of adversity,
that is what Dreaming in America is. It tells the story of Lucero leading
up to their signing to East/West and recording of Nobody's Darlings and
throughout that story you are shown a band doing what they're doing for the
love of the music, with no hopes of popularity but instead a realistic view
of their limitations and who they are. With interview snippets with all the
members, crew and other random fans (including Kris Roe and Jon Gerhardt) alongside
some well filmed and clear live footage, Dreaming in America is a
treat for any fan of the band. However, non-fans won't find much enjoyment
in the hour long film.
Band: Metallica
Album: Death Magnetic
Label: Warner Bros Records
Score: 0.5/5
I don't like Metallica and I never have. Yes, I like Enter
Sandman and One but I've never been able to get
into them no matter how influential or important they are to the history
of rock. To me, they are arrogant ass holes and hypocrites concerning the
whole internet revolution. So Death Magnetic is the first record
I've heard from them in entirety and hey, maybe its considered to be an epic
masterpiece by their fans but I find it long, boring, and repetitive. The
songs normally last seven to eight minutes long with the shortest being five
minutes and the longest being just under ten and they just jam as many rock
riffs as they can into those eight minutes which just makes each song
sound the same. It's as if they wrote the songs for their new Guitar Hero
game
instead of for an an album.
Let the hate mail come.
Band: Panic at the Disco
Album: Pretty. Odd.
Label: Fueled By Ramen Records
Score: 1/5
If you haven't heard of Panic at the Disco then you've probably
been living under a rock. However, if there's room, I'd like to join you under
that rock if it means avoiding records like Pretty. Odd. A record
built for the mainstream, Pretty. Odd. merges sixties pop with horns, "quirky" lyrics
and an overall Fall Out Boy wannabe persona. They still have
their random elements and the occasional flourish that catches the listener's
attention but for the most part the record can't hold my ears. But I'll give
credit where credit's due, and you can always say that Panic
at the Disco doesn't
follow the trend of the generic emo band and they've at least tried to do something
somewhat unique. Unfortunately for me, its not the right kind of uniqueness.
Band: Relient K
Album: The Bird and the Bee Sides
Label: Gotee Records
Score: 3.5/5
The Bird and the Bee Sides is a twenty-six song album from everyone's
favourite Christian pop-punk band Relient K. Split into two
releases, the record is comprised of thirteen brand new songs and thirteen
b-sides that features some unreleased tracks along with some demos, acoustic
versions
and even one ska track (Five Iron Frenzy Is Either Dead or Dying).
Oddly enough, the same thing that attracts the listener also ultimately
hinders
the album too; and that is its length. At twenty six songs, the record
easily entices any fan of the band and really, they never dissapoint. However,
at twenty six songs, the album does seem a little long which hurts it. But
if you can get past the lengthiness, maybe by splitting it up when listening
to it, you'll find some catchy, upbeat, energetic and generally happy pop-punk
that the band has been known for - in fact, its one of the band's stronger
releases in a while after the slightly boring Five Score and Seven Years
Ago.
Band: Strive
Album: Fire
Label: Go-Digital Records
Score: 0.5/5
I like some piano-drive pop-rock. Something Corporate are
good. The Fray has a few entertaining songs. Hell, I even
like the occasional James Blunt song. But on Fire, Strive have
delivered an album that is almost impossible to play the entire way through.
There's no catch or hook in the album but instead feels forced, bland and laughable.
Lyrics like "beauty's all around us in the smallest things" are the
highlight, and that's not saying much. The vocals, which are supposed to be
the main attraction, sound like a cross between a bad Disney knock off and
some forgettable Christian pop release. It's pop, but not even pop with a good
beat or melody; thirty seconds into it you're already itching to turn it off.
Band: The T4 Project
Album: Story Based Concept Album
Label: Mental Records
Score: 4/5
The T4 Project is the definition of a punk rock
super group. With members from the likes of Bad Religion, Pennywise,
Strung Out, Circle Jerks, The Damned, Subhumans, Porno for Pyros and
more, its safe to say the members of the band know what they're doing. They've
taken that knowledge and turned it into a politically charged album of skate-punk
music. If you're a fan of any of the aforementioned bands, then The
T4 Project is for you. Add in an interesting story line, fantastic
artwork, and some experimentation that includes the use of a choir and Story
Based Concept Album personifies the ideals of a complete album. But yes,
some of the pseudo commercials do ruin the flow of the album occasionally.
Band: TGL
Album: Sweeter as Fiction
Label: Oort Records
Score: 2/5
TGL (The Good Life) are one of those bands who's priority
was probably to re-inject the "fun" into music, unfortunately just
like all the bands who tried to do that before them, TGL forgot
one main thing: You also need to have some good songs to make an album fun.
As it is, the recent high school grads have just committed another pop album
to the tombs of the twenty-first century archives. A tomb that would be better
left unearth.
Band: The Tossers
Album: Gloatin' and Showboatin' (Live on St. Patrick's Day)
Label: Victory Records
Score: 3/5
Live albums are always a tricky thing and The Tossers show
us exactly why they are so tricky with their live CD/DVD combo - Gloatin'
and Showboatin'. Yes, the Chicago group are extremely exciting to see
live, to hold a pint and sing along with their Celtic punk is one of the best
things you could do on a Friday night. Unfortunately, that sense of pure enjoyment
is not definitely conveyed well in recorded format and it offers nothing more
than the band's catalogue that is already available for purchase. With songs
like I've
Pursued Nothing, Good Mornin' Da, Buckets of Beer, Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye,
Preab San Ol, No Loot No Booze No Fun and Seven Drunken Nights,
the album features all of the band's classics but like many live albums, its
for completists only.
Band: Various
Album: Juno Soundtrack
Label: Rhino Records
Score: 4.5/5
Yes, I know, this is an indie hipster's wet dream and for that reason alone
the Juno soundtrack could easily be written off by many of the punk
community. But really, that's an unfortunate thing because if they take the
time to actually listen to it they'll be in for one hell of a good
compilation. Kimya Dawson and The Moldy Peaches definitely
steal the show with a handful of perfectly written acoustic, folk songs such
as the acclaimed Anyone Else But You, Loose Lips, and Tree
Hugger.
On top of that they also have songs from Belle & Sebastian, Buddy
Holly, Mott The Hoople, Velvet Underground and Antsy Pants which
all work together to create a laid back album that never becomes stale.
Band:The Waking Eyes
Album: Holding On To Whatever It Is
Label: Coalition Entertainment
Score: 2/5
On their first major label release, Video Sound, The Waking
Eyes delivered a rock album that merged The Strokes with Danko
Jones. On their sophomore major label release, Holding on To
Whatever It Is, the band went back to their old style of flourish experimentation
and crazed song structures. Gone are the straight forward rock songs of Video
Sound, instead they have a mixture of dance, classic rock, orchestra
melodies, piano ballads and even the occasional electronica element. But
no matter how impressive the amalgamation of styles and genres are, it does
make for a somewhat disjointed and uneven listen. A fact that makes listening
to the entire record quite difficult, which is not something you normally
want.
Band: The Wedding
Album: The Sound The Steel
Label: Brand New World
Score: 2.5/5
The Sound the Steel is a concept album from a band that's not quite
sure what they want to be. In fact, the only thing they are sure about is that
they wished it was 2002 again because The Wedding seems to
be mixing styles from Taking Back Sunday's Tell All Your
Friends, The Used's Self-Titled album (with
a bit of In Love and Death) and The Starting Line's Say
It Like You Mean It. It's an odd mixture but it works on the harder tracks
like Receive and Return; its when they slow
it down and throw in a piano and pop heavy orientation like they do on Renew that
the album deviates. From there, they're never really able to save the album,
even when they return to the heavier rock sound that they had before. At just
under twenty minutes, the five song EP still seems a little predictable and
forgettable. Despite taking hints from bands that I've always enjoyed, The
Wedding aren't able to make a strong enough spin on their styles to
keep me coming back for more.
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