Driven Far Off

The latest on the indie, alternative, and rock music scene including news, music, contest, interviews, and more. Best described as your favorite place to find new bands.

Karate High School – Arcade Rock

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Karate High School

Artist: Karate High School
Album: Arcade Rock
Label: EVO Recordings
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: March 21, 2006

Overall: 7.6
Music: 7.8
Lyrics: 7.4
Production: 8.0

Crack out your old school Nintendo or Atari and get ready to hear some music directly influenced by umm, 8 bit sounds? Karate High School claim their main influences to be not other bands but that of old school video games like Contra, Super Mario Brothers, Millipede, Tron and Paperboy. And you could also say that Arcade Rock is almost better as a genera then the title of this album. The album features customized keyboards, live samples, crushing guitars and a lot of energy.

Opening the album is “Good News And Bad News” which sets the pace for this high energy album. It’s fast pace, mix of keyboards and high energy guitars are sure to catch your ears right away. I can’t say i’ve heard a band quite like this since Punch Drunk’s album Pure, Unadulterated Hate Is The Best Medicine. Other then that you can’t hear much of a resemblance to any other bands out there. With a light piano intro turning into some hard hitting guitars “Twice Upon A Time (110%)” opens even more doors with it’s mix of keyboards, loops, hard guitars, heavy bass and pounding drums. On their track “88 Million Light Years Away” we hear a funky electronic intro followed by some hard crunchy guitars and a lot of electronic beats. I love the piano / hard guitar intro on “This Is The Soundtrack.” The band slows things down a bit on “Scenes Rushing By.” I think the it plays off well with it’s light loops playing in the background. Lyrically we hear a lot of lyrics about life, love, girls and more. But in general they are sing along and your going to be rocking out to the music more then anything. Throughout the rest of the album the tracks don’t show much change from the first half of the album.

Having a unique sound in todays music scene is rather hard and almost unheard of in some situations. I have to give Karate High School props for being influenced by games rather then the normal set of bands that most bands write on their lists of influences. Arcade Rock doesn’t show a lot of change from song to song but it will certainly please a lot of rock/electronic lovers. And even though you don’t really hear a resemblance to your favorite old school games you can tell the band worked a lot on the electronic parts to give them a unique sound for their music. Pick this one up for a fresh taste of something different.

Track Listing
1. Good News And Bad News
2. Twice Upon A Time (110%)
3. 88 Million Light Years Away
4. Sweep The Leg
5. This Is The Soundtrack
6. Scenes Rushing By
7. Extra! Extra! (Hear All About It)
8. Another Day At The Office
9. Oh No
10. Smile, You’re On T.V.
11. The Joke Is On Us

Standout Tracks
“Good News And Bad News”, “88 Million Light Years Away”, “Scenes Rushing By”

From Aphony – Builders, Wreckers, Lovers And Takers

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From Aphony

Artist: From Aphony
Album: Builders, Wreckers, Lovers And Takers
Label: Less Avenged
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: November 8, 2005

Overall: 6.0
Music: 6.4
Lyrics: 5.8
Production: 7.2

Young is a good way to describe From Aphony. But this doesn’t mean they don’t know what they’re doing. With some heavy breakdowns intense screaming and enough energy to power an intense show From Aphony’s debut is a hard mix packed into 11 tracks. “Builders Wreckers Lovers and Takers” introduces us to the bands sound. The song includes many breakdowns as well as a lot of intense secondary guitar work. Jakes vocals come off very soft for this music, but compliment it as well not making them sound like every other band out there trying to mix the hardcore sound with a softer vocal side. “Result Of A Murder” I believe is the best mixed song on this album. Its intense breakdowns with heavy drum and bass add up for an overall great song. Throughout the rest of the album we don’t hear much of anything else besides a little big of acoustic work on “Switchblade Part 2” and “And How You Change My Moods Like The Keys Of The Machine.”

I wouldn’t classify From Aphony as sounding like everyone else out there, but they just need to find their own special spot in the music scene. Time and touring are the best thing to make that happen. Maybe with their new stuff there will be a little something more standout.

Track Listing
1. Intro
2. Builders Wreckers Lovers And Takers
3. Tell It To The Dead
4. Result Of A Murder
5. Switchblade Par I
6. Switchblade Part II
7. Interlude
8. Love By Way Of Hollywood – Download MP3
9. This Is Your Emergency
10. Go For It Falcor
11. And How You Change My Moods Like The Keys Of The Machine

Standout Tracks
“Result Of A Murder”

Richard Cheese – The Best of Richard Cheese

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Richard Cheese

Artist: Richard Cheese
Album: The Best of Richard Cheese
Label: Surfdog Records
Purchase: I Love Richard Cheese
Release Date: January 24, 2006

Overall: 6.5
Music: 6.5
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.0

Lounge music? I believe that’s what you would classify Richard Cheese under. But when it comes to covering music in a way that you would never think who cares about a genera. Richard Cheese has been covering music with a lounge/jazz style for years. I’m sure if you have been to Las Vegas a lot you probably came across him several times or maybe even seen him on the Carson Daily show on TV late at night. The songs he covers can range from old hip-hop song like “Baby Got Back” to hard metal like Slipknot’s “People Equals Shit.”

Richard’s covers come off as funny renditions of mostly once popular songs. He adds an easy cover of jazz that follows the songs original beat. He will also throw in the horns for more dynamics but the way people will recognize the songs mostly are from the lyrics. Most of the songs are shortened versions running around 2 minuets long each, probably to keep your interest as well it’s easy listening stuff which could either put you to sleep or at least put you in a relaxed mode.

Richard does a great job of working the best lyrics of the original songs into his renditions. I think it is a fact that if he didn’t use popular songs most people wouldn’t know what he was singing so even though he covers songs from Snoop Dogg, Disturbed, The Clash and more it deems necessary for his success. If your in Vegas anytime soon see if he’s playing a show and check him out, or see if he’s on tour coming through your town.

Track Listing
1 Rape Me (2006 Big Band Version)
2 People = S**t
3 Baby Got Back
4 Girls, Girls, Girls
5 Closer (2006 Big Band Version)
6 Bust a Move
7 Down with the Sickness
8 Sunday Bloody Sunday
9 Freak On a Leash
10 Nookie (2006 Big Band Version)
11 Another Brick In the Wall, Pt. 2
12 Rock the Casbah
13 Fight for Your Right (2006 Big Band Version)
14 Hot for Teacher
15 Gin and Juice (2006 remix)
16 Come Out and Play (2006 Big Band Version)
17 Badd
18 Creep (2006 Big Band Version)

We Are The Fury – Infinie Jest

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We Are The Fury

Artist: We Are The Fury
Album: Infinite Jest
Label: East West
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: January 24, 2006

Overall: 7.2
Music: 7.3
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 7.5

Hailing from Ohio, We Are They Fury sound like another dance rock group from Europe making their rounds in the states. Even though you could probably compare them to The Killers or Hot Hot Heat, you hear bands like this on the radio quite often and for me it’s not something I can stay listening to over and over. “Better Off This Way” almost sounds like something My Chemical Romance would come up with if they were in a dancing mood. The song covers quite a few areas though with it’s punk style guitars and synths backing the chorus. On songs like “Parody at the Masquerade” and “Nation, Forgive Us” have some upbeat parts that make you want to dance but they also fall short on keeping your interest as the singers voice will either slowly drive you insane or make you want to change songs.

When first hearing about We Are The Furry I was looking forward to hearing this EP, but now that I have I’m a little let down. The band knows their stuff and they will take if far especially now that Mark Hoppus will be recording their new full length. If your up for some americanized dance rock then you have found the perfect EP. However, I would suggest probably hitting up a live show to see if that catches your ears or wait till their full length arrives to make the purchase.

Track Listing
1. Better Off This Way
2. Anesthetic Parade
3. Nation, Forgive Us
4. Parody At The Masquerade
5. Soap Opera

Standout Tracks
“Better Off This Way”, “Parody At The Masquerade”

V/A – Take Action Vol 5

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Take Action

Artist: Various
Album: Take Action Volume 5
Label: Subcity
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: February 21, 2006

Overall: 8.0
Music: 7.8
Lyrics: N/A
Production: N/A

The Take Action tour comes around once a year and features a good set of bands that help the Youth America Hotline. This years 2 CD set includes a wide mix of songs from bands like underOATH, Sugarcult, Saosin, Panic! At The Disco, Cartel, I Am The Avalanche, Maxeen and more. Some songs are unreleased or an acoustic version but not very many. This 2 CD set can introduce you to a lot of new bands as it’s mix ranges from pop-punk to hardcore. The best part of this CD is that 5% of the suggested retail list price earned by the artists and Sub City Records from the sale of the CD will be donated to The Kristin Brooks Hope Center which serves youth through YAH! the Youth America Hotline! 1-877-YOUTHLINE (1-877-968-854).

I highly suggest heading out and catching the tour and picking up this 2 CD set with lots and lots of music on it.

Track Listing

Disc 1
1. PSA by Tim Padnotta of Sugarcult
2. Underoath – I Don’t Feel Very Receptive Today
3. The Fall Of Troy – Whacko Jacko Steals the Elephant Man’s Bones
4. Saosin – Sleepers (demo) – Download MP3
5. Boys Night Out – Medicating
6. Sugarcult – Cryin’
7. Amber Pacific – Poetically Pathetic
8. Rufio – Mental Games
9. Plain White T’s – Take Me Away
10. Panic! At the Disco – The O.D.B. Martyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage
11. Cartel – The Minstrel’s Prayer
12. Hawthorne Heights – Silver Bullet
13. Nural – Chasing You
14. Let Go – Spotlights
15. Armor For Sleep – The Trush About Heaven
16. June – Patrick
17. Emery – Studying Politics
18. Bedlight For Blue Eyes – Ephemeral Addictions
19. The Receiving End of Sirens – Dead Men Tell No Tales
20. A Life Once Lost – Vulture
21. Horse The Band – Birdo
22. The Number Twelve Looks Like You – The Proud Parent’s Convention Held In The ER
23. As I Lay Dying – Confined

Disc 2
1. PSA by Joey Cape of Lagwagon
2. Dropkick Murphys – The Warrior’s Code
3. Strike Anywhere – Asleep
4. Lagwagon – Fallen – Download MP3
5. A Wilhelm Scream – The Soft Sell
6. The Briefs – Getting Hit On At The Bank
7. The Vacancy – So Obvious
8. Teenage Bottlerocket – Pull The Plug
9. Against Me! – Don’t Lose Touch
10. Lucero – Sixteen
11. Horrorpops – Where You Can’t Follow
12. Riverboat Gamblers – Walk Around Me
13. Lost City Angels – Liberation
14. Darker My Love – Summer Is Here
15. I Am The Avalanche – Dead And Gone
16. The Loved Ones – 100K
17. Cursive – A Disruption In the Normal Swing of Things
18. Maxeen – Lead Not Follow
19. The AKA’s – Desperation Is a Stinky Cologne (Unreleased)
20. Hockey Night – For Guy’s Eyes Only
21. Solea – Leaving Today
22. Broken Spindles – Burn My Body

V/A – The Best of Taste of Chaos

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Taste of Chaos

Artist: Taste of Chaos
Album: The Best of Taste of Chaos
Label: Warcon
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: January 24, 2006

Overall: 7.5
Music: 7.4
Lyrics: N/A
Production: N/A

In what seems to be like the 10th CD to come from the hit Taste of Chaos tour, The Best of Taste of Chaos is probably in all terms, the best one yet. It features a wide mix of bands that were on the 2005 tour as well as some bands that will be on the 2006 run of the tour. The only problem I have with mix CD’s is that most of the songs aren’t new or special and a person probably already has most of the songs on the CD. However if you are the opposite and don’t have a wide mix of CD’s this can introduce you to a lot of new artists.

If you’re heading to the tour this year and need a refresher course on what it’s going to be like, head out and pick up this 36 song CD that will do nothing but rock you.

Track Listing
1. The Used – Sound Effects and Overdramatics
2. Underoath – Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve Got Ten Friends and a Crowbar That Says You Wonâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t Do Jack
3. Story Of The Year – Our Time is Now
4. Thrice – Stare at the Sun
5. Matchbook Romance – In Transit for You
6. Thursday – I Wanna Hear Another Fast Song
7. My American Heart – The Process
8. Armor For Sleep – The Truth About Heaven
9. Billy Talent – Red Flag (unreleased)
10. Emery – Studying Politics
11. Bleed The Dream – Just Like I Remember
12. From First To Last – Note to Self
13. Rise Against – Give it All
14. Blindside – Fell in Love with the Game
15. Fear Before The March Of Flames – Should Have Stayed in the Shallows
16. Dark New Day – Pieces
17. Roses Are Red – 300 Motion Pictures
18. Street Drum Corps – Flaco 81
19. Avenged Sevenfold – Burn it Down
20. Killswitch Engage – Rose of Sharyn
21. Deftones – Bloody Cape
22. Every Time I Die – Kill the Music
23. Shadows Fall – Enlightened by the Cold
24. Dillinger Escape Plan – Unretrofied
25. Bleeding Through – On Wings of Lead
26. Funeral For A Friend – Roses for the Dead
27. Norma Jean – Bayonetwork
28. It Dies Today – Severed Ties Yield Severed Heads
29. The Bled – With an Urgency
30. Opiate For The Masses – Heaven
31. Alexisonfire – Accidents
32. The Smashup – Effigy
33. Adair – The Diamond Ring
34. Bloodsimple – Sell Me Out
35. Most Precious Blood – Shark Ethic
36. Dir En Grey – The Final

The Transit War – iAh Discordia!

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The Transit War

Artist: The Transit War
Album: iAh Discordia!
Label: Orange Peal
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: January 10, 2006

Overall: 7.8
Music: 8.2
Lyrics: 7.8
Production: 7.6

The Transit War, who hail from the sunny city of San Diego, CA, have the desire to make your ears melt with their indie rock tunes. On their new release iAh Discordia! (which is actually a re-release) the band deliver 8 tracks with indie guitars and emotional / inspiring lyrics. From the opening track “We’re Sleeping Better Now” you know that this album is going to be an exciting one. “Beakers & Bunsen Burners” shows the bands creative writing skills with mixing guitars and writing lyrics that move. “Mayday” presents some great guitar work and a faster chorus. You have to love the bands ability to keep you interested on this short album. The title track “Discordia” is, well, different from everything else on the album. It’s short but it’s acapella style is refreshing for the album. If you are going to enjoy any track on this album make sure it’s “Kerosene” which showcases the bands talents on this perfect song. “Hey, Get A Load Of That Stained Glass Window” wraps up the album and it’s a great song that showcases both some great vocal and guitar work.

For indie fans this is another great album. I can’t describe their sound to the fullest so your best bet is to take a listen for yourself and enjoy the music.

Track Listing
1. We’re Sleeping Better Now
2. Beakers & Bunsen Burners
3. A Brighter Green
4. Mayday
5. Discordia
6. Kerosene
7. Wild Nights & The Aftermath
8. Hey, Get A Load Of That Stained Glass Window

Standout Tracks
“Kerosene”, “Hey, Get A Load Of That Stained Glass Window”, “We’re Sleeping Better Now”

The Prize Fight – The Process

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The Prize Fight

Artist: The Prize Fight
Album: The Process
Label: TDR
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: March 7, 2006

Overall: 8.1
Music: 8.3
Lyrics: 7.9
Production: 8.0

The Prize Fight have been off the radar for a bit since their first EP which they released back in 2003. You may remember their horn infused pop songs or the great track “The Trainwrek” that filled that EP but the band has changed and dropped the horns for a new sound. Fans may not totally recognize the band without the horns but their sound overall has improved and it’s great to hear new stuff from them none the less.

Opening the EP is a diverse indie sounding guitar part followed by an increasingly faster emo beat mixed with some emo vocals and lyrics. “This Apartment” is a great opener for the EP which introduces the bands somewhat new sound to the listener. After mixing in some small guitar solos the song tends to carry on a bit coming in at over five minuets long. The next track “Lesson #6: Learning to Let Go” starts out with an almost unpleasant intro (probably just the mood I’m in) and is followed by some back and forth guitar work and a bit of a breakdown. From there on the song almost carries the same exact sound across as the first song except for the dual vocal part where they sing “If all else fails” which brings your ear in instantly. I have to say that some of these vocal parts remind me of The Early November (which is a good thing if you like them) but the band has more of a pop edge to them then TEN does. “Now Or Never” starts out with a great intro followed by a more relaxed chorus. The song has a very nice relaxing feeling to it, but the band doesn’t do much else to impress besides some more emotional lyrics to go along with their indie style guitars. On the next track “I Hate To Say, “I Told You,” we get a similar indie guitar intro filled with some highlights from the second guitar. Overall the song brings up memories of early Jimmy Eat World or even back to bands like Sunny Day Real Estate. “The Red Light District” comes in at over 6 minuets long and is filled with even more of the same indie licks and emotional lyrics. The song carries a nice beat though and if you can stay interested you’ll really enjoy it. A harder and faster track titled “Another Day, Another Struggle” wraps up this 37 minuet EP.

If your looking forward to hearing a continuation of The Prize Fight’s previous EP then you best look elsewhere. The bands sound has matured and overall is still great. This is probably one of the most indie sounding bands I’ve heard in a long time and I thank them for keeping things sounding real. Overall you might be fully impress or a little disappointed in this EP but I found a nice sound that reminds me of music being music and now a sub-culture. Check this out if your looking for something along the lines of The Early November or an older indie/emo style.

Track Listing
1. This Apartment
2. Lesson #6: Learning to Let Go
3. Now Or Never
4. I Hate To Say, “I Told You So”
5. Another Day, Another Struggle
6. The Red Light District

Standout Tracks
“This Apartment”, “Now Or Never”, “Another Day, Another Struggle”