Thoughts On Music + Love, Robot

Today, people would argue that it's easier for musical artists to gain attention because of the accessibility of the internet. Using Facebook, Myspace, iTunes, Bandcamp, ReverbNation, and many more, artists have all sorts of new avenues they can pursue to gain attention for their music. The problem is that only a small population of music listeners are actually pursuing new music. People have found artists and genres they are comfortable with, and unless a new song is really pushed, people are more comfortable with what they're used to (myself included). Mainstream music suppliers know that people will react positively to a proven playlist, and they further exacerbate the rut we find ourselves in.

Instead of bringing us to new music as they are intended to, all of these new media avenues allow listeners to easily reach and stay in their musical comfort zone. Luckily, there are exceptions to this rule, and they help discover and spread new, creative, good music. I was recommended this song by a friend, and it's one of the best emo songs I've heard in a long, long time. Please listen and enjoy Love, Robot's new single "Cucha":

All The Day Holiday

Lately I've been on a Buried Life kick. It's an awesome show about four guys who just set out to accomplish their goals in life and help a lot of people along the way. Not only is it an entertaining way to spend 22 minutes of your life, but the Buried Life is absolutely inspiring. If you haven't seen it, you should definitely check it out.

The same inspired and limitless feeling that I get from watching the Buried Life also struck me today while jamming on LastFM. Greener by All The Day Holiday is a soaring anthem that invokes the bittersweet notion that no matter who you are or where you are in your life, you have the chance to seize life and live it to the fullest.



For More Songs and Info Click Here: http://www.last.fm/music/All+The+Day+Holiday

And if you love this song, get the album HERE

When All Seems Awesome

Starting off with an old school jam, the DJ slows the record and drops it hard into the reinvented electro pop duo's new album “When All Seems Lost”. Breathingsparks make their full length debut with a tight grip on their space-age synth sounds, a complete lock on their pounding bass beats, and lyrics that could make Chuck Lidell's heart flutter and swoon.



Returning to “Contact”, Breathing Sparks display their incredible progress. Humbly beginning as two friends tinkering with their first MIDI keyboards and Garageband, Keenan Jolliff and Kiran Surdhar have become electronic artists that truly compete with established professionals.

Throughout the album, the ambitious songwriting never lets up. Creativity permeates every layer and fold of the artistic songs. Breathingsparks does an incredible job giving each track its own life. They have gracefully avoided the “same synth sounds” rut that many electronic artists get caught in. Every song on this album has its own clear identity. “When All Seems Lost” ranges from dance club beats, to chiptunes, to instrumental poetry slams, to poppy emo electronica.

The songs, especially “Melody” and the title track “When All Seems Lost”, beautifully walk the line between Daft Punk and Blink 182. Melodies will have you instantly singing along, but lyrics will keep you chewing on songs for weeks.

To check out "Melody" and It's "Gonna Rain All Night": Click Here!

Produced by Nick Esposito of The Title and Alpha Studios, “When All Seems Lost” sounds huge. With groove to spare, Nick is a MacGyver of synth sounds. He could take a 70's roller disco and remix it into an Aphid Twin track. Needless to say, Nick is an incredibly talented producer and songwriter who clearly has bright future both with his band and producing career.

Impressively talented for their age, Keenan Jolliff, Kiran Surdhar, and Nick Esposito have created one of the best electronic releases of the year. A multicolored light show crushed into a tasty bite-sized ten song album, “When All Seems Lost” is a success and sure become a staple in the genre.

To Pre-Order this kickin new collection of jimmy jams check out:
Breathing Sparks at Big Cartel

For more info on the band check out:
http://www.myspace.com/breathingsparks

Arrow to the Sun

You guys might not know this, but I consider myself a bit of a loner. I tend to think of myself as a one-man wolf pack. But when I bought the new Arrow to the Sun album, I knew it was one of my own. And my wolf pack… it grew. So there… there was a new album in my wolfpack… Anyway… what I’m trying to say is that this album makes me feel like a wolf, a wolf who found an awesome new six track CD.

Be Brave is a headbanging good time. Each song is carefully constructed and jam packed full of soaring vocals and twisting guitar leads. Jimmy Pianka artfully and poetically bends words to his will. Every song on the CD allows the listener to connect on a simple emotional level, but it’s clear that behind the scenes there’s more content and story to these lyrics.



The guitar work of Jeffrey Brooks and Nate Kerbin is familiar yet uniquely new. The two axe swingers switch between lead and rhythm with class, creativity, technical skill, and dissonances that would make Dexter Morgan smile his menacing mischievous smile.

Be Brave is a shining new album from the growing Boston music scene that proves opening for TREOS is only the beginning for this great new band.

Also, “The Wolf Pack” would be an awesome name for the fan club. Just sayin.

Buy their shirts:


For more info check out: http://www.myspace.com/arrowtothesunband

and to buy sweet shirts check out: http://www.districtlines.com/arrow-to-the-sun

Paramore - Brand New Eyes

Paramore's newest release "Brand New Eyes" featuring the singles "Ignorance" and "Brick By Boring Brick" proves that the female fronted rock group is and will continue to be a powerhouse in the Emo/Pop-Rock music scene.

Ignorance is a solid, catchy, attitude filled track written about Hayley being treated poorly by her band members. Boasting some amazing "Hey!"s, this track is sure to get the crowd on their feet. My favorite track on the album is the band's second single "Brick By Boring Brick". Written about a fairy tale romance gone ary, this song has some creative lyrics and a prechorus/chorus that I promise will one-two punch you into sing-a-longsville.

Recently Paramore has been releasing acoustic videos which are very impressive. Before the release of their album there were countless videos of their songs Decode, Ignorance, and even a Kings of Leon cover that are simple jaw dropping. Hayley's voice has definitely matured over the last few years of Rock N' Roll. She has unbelievable control and range which really shines in an acoustic setting.

For More Info Visit:

http://www.paramore.com

http://www.myspace.com/paramore

Conditions - You Are Forgotten EP + Show Review

This evening I'd like to take you on an adventure. With my imagination brush, I shall paint you a story of the most epicest proportions. Take my hand. No seriously, take my hand right now.... Ok good. Here we go.

The Setting - A veterans center in Melrose Massachusetts sporting 70's decor with old brown carpet, cheesy office ceiling tiles, a chandelier, and bowling trophies in the windows.

The Drama - A show of pretty solid local bands headlined by the up and coming "movers and shakers" Conditions.

The curtain opens (there was definitely no curtain) and conditions has effectively turned a highschool dance floor, discoball included, into a rock venue fit for only a true troupe of tight pant, tattooed, spiky haired rock stars that you would be reluctant to bring home to mom (allright fine, they were extremely nice southern boyz you would actually be pretty proud to bring home to mum). Not only did they bring the ruckus with their hot jams, they basically brought their own stage set up. The band provided three platforms out in front of the stage, two separate banners, a rig of flashing lights above the drummer, and a strobe light under the singer, all covered in the "Conditions" color scheme and logo. Opening with their proven and trusted "Keeping Pace With Planes", every scene kid in the youth center turned with their head cocked to the side, asking themselves "Wait, is that Therefore Tomorrow's older, better looking, brother's band?". Once the attention was grabbed, Conditions held the unsuspecting youthz gaze' stronger than the new blonde intern at the office attempting to put her whole fist in her mouth.

The set included songs from their Self Titled EP (released in early 2008), as well as new tracks from their new EP entitled "You Are Forgotten". Throughout the 6 songs frontman Brandon Roundtree sang extremely well, soaring above the dark and heavy guitars while switching from "I'm extremely good looking" stage antics to "I'm seriously possesed" looks of insanity that would earn him a high five backstage from Ozzy Osbourne. The other band members Jason Marshall, Alex Howard, and Ryan Tinsley we're equally as solid, and with only a few exceptions they completely nailed the instrumentals.

In this day and age of vampire sex idols, melting ice caps, and fueds between Kanye and my girl Tay Tay (Team Tswift obv) its hard to find a band that really delivers both in a live show and a recording. Conditions is definitely one of those few diamonds in the rough, and you need to check them out.

To Find Out More Visit:

http://www.myspace.com/conditionsband

Saosin - In Search of Solid Ground

When it comes to a good ol' "Search For a Solid Album", Lil Wayne (as usual) said it best in his guest rap in the song "Down" by Jay Sean:

Indefinitely, not probably, and honestly I'm down like the economy

"In Search of Solid Ground", Released September 8, ended my search (at least for the week) for some hot jams with singers who couldn't sing nearly as high without such tight jeans, busy guitar shredding, and drummers who shake their sexy hair all around when they beat the crap out of their kit just like the legendary muppet, Animal. Mr. Cover Reber starts this journey through emo rock with a soft haunting whisper "Keep Me A Secret", I however will not be keeping this hard hitting full length a secret in any way.

Notable Tracks -

I Keep My Secrets Safe - Brings the rock just like older Saosin. Would fit on their last release flawlessly.

On My Own - A remake of an older song, they "never thought they'd let you down" and I promise this track won't.

What Were We Made For? - Incredible prechorus will have you singing like Mike Tyson in "The Hangover". Hopefully less punching, but if they stole your tiger they might deserve it.

Before these tracks were released, the album artwork was displayed on Absolutepunk.net. Surprisingly all of the forum posters absolute(punk)ly hated it. Upon reading this negative response, Saosin went back to their roots with a simpler piece of art sporting the inside gears of a clock on a black background.

First Draft:

Final Cover:

To Find Out More Visit:

http://www.myspace.com/saosin

http://www.saosin.com