Starting off with some rock, the new Anberlin album Dark Is A Way, Light Is A Place starts off powerful and engaging. Pressing forward and hoping for another Paper Thin Hymn, I'm sad to say I was let down. With each track my mind continued to wander farther from the album. In an interview with Absolutepunk.net, a band member was quoted saying this new record had an "in the zone" feel all throughout the writing and recording process.
While I wish Anberlin had created a masterpiece worthy of competition with Britney Spears' third studio album, it didn't have a "Toxic" feel to me. Regardless, as one of my favorite bands, I really hope they are successful enough with this release to record a new album that leans more towards New Surrender and Never Take Friendship Personal than the "Dream Within A Dream Tour".
As a side note:
"Woahs" have become a dangerous tool in a songwriters bag of tricks. Through the development of our genre, "Woahs" have become a cheap tactic in a formulaic songwriting pattern to add some free, and most of the time heartless, catchyness. Please! replace those "Woahs" with lyrics unless you can nail an absolute perfect moment.
For more info check out: http://www.anberlin.com/
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Alter The Ending - Dashboard Confessional
On November 10th 2009 Dashboard Confessional released Alter The Ending featuring some radical new tunes which push Dashboard in a rock direction, while keeping the well crafted emotional, singer-songwriter lyrics.
The CD begins just the way Dashboard Confessional started: Chris Carrabba and a guitar. The track "Get Me Right" features a two verse intro with a melody on the words "get me right" that swirls up and away like a firecracker gone rogue
"Alter The Ending" alters the dashboard ending and brings the half time, "little Devotional" Esque Rock intro that I was begging for. After bringing it up a notch, Mr. Carrabba brings it back down to the old scool dashboard style with "Even Now". Incredible imagery depicts the lonely, missing, hopeful protagonist that we all have somewhere deep down inside of us. Hoping he can strum the ghost of a girl back into his life.
After this melancholy adventure on the staircase, we take a right turn into the hallway of Dashboards brick house. Another turn reveals the devious science lab where frothing beakers, bubbling potions, some synthesizers, and hopefully some of the missing muppets have been hiding all these years. Here is where the "pop"sicle called "The Motions" was somehow extracted from the back of Carrabba's mad scientist brain. My favorite track on the CD goes where no Dashboard has been before and busts into the synth pop world to take a look around. A song about the chemical reaction that is love, this song makes the chemical reactions in my brain just sing along like those hyenas in the lion king.
The single on the album "Belle of the Boulevard" is a catchy, well constructed song, but to me it feels almost formulaic. It's one of those track syou feel like you know right after your first listen, but I wanted more.
For More Info Visit:
Friday, November 20, 2009
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:
Monday, October 26, 2009
Every Avenue Leaked Early Through Alex From ATL
New Every Avenue Song Leaked! Check it out here!
Click Here: http://twt.fm/313090
AlexAllTimeLow: "I just received a new @everyavenue song, and, well... I'm leaking it because the world needs to hear it."
This new jam was recently thrown up on TWTFM by the lead singer, guitar player, and ladies man Alex Gaskarth. The new song "Picture Perfect" will be released on Every Avenue's new CD also titled "Picture Perfect" which will be in stores on November 3rd, 2009.
After one listen I completely agree that the world needs to hear it. Contrasting between hard rock guitars and soft synth parts with a very Anberlin-ish chorus, this song is so sweet it will give your ears cavities. Give it a listen and post your thoughts!
For More Information Check Out:
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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 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
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