Check out a video interview I did with Four Year Strong at their recent show in Salt Lake City.
Driving East – The Future Of The Free World Is Riding On This One
Artist: Driving East
Album: The Future Of The Free World Is Riding On This One
Label: The Militia Group
Purchase: Itunes
Release Date: January,15 2007
Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 6.5
Production: 7.0
Before I start I have to be completely honest I had really high expectations for Driving East and their first full length on The Militia Group. A label who spawned the careers of bands like Rufio, Cartel, and many others. So it goes without saying Driving East have huge shoes to fill.
Well the shoe fits, but there is plenty of room to grow. Driving East has created a very cookie cutter version album of what pop-punk in this day and age is. Not to say that it is bad in any way, as there are some gems on this album such as the song “Somebody Get Me Out Of Here”. The song itself is probably the strongest one on the album as far as its composition, and lyrically. My big complaint on this record is the sound quality of some songs are too consistent with the others. Overall it is a good effort from the band, and I am expecting big things from them in the future.
If your down with this you’ll be down with..
Autopilot Off
Mayday Parade
MXPX
Track Listing
1. Hey
2. Get Back
3. Come On, Come On
4. Sing While You Can
5. Somebody Get Me Out Of Here
6. Baby (Just A Little Bit)
7. Backseat
8. Pick Up The Pieces
9. Blue Eyes
10. Away
Northstar – Broken Parachute
Artist: Northstar
Album: Broken Parachute
Label: Speak Music
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: January 8th, 2008
Overall: 7.5
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 7.0
It has been quite a while since anyone has heard anything new from Northstar, and even though Broken Parachute is not new it is just as refreshing. In fact Broken Parachute is a collection b-sides collected by the band in their years together. A few of the songs on this record are alternate versions of songs they have previously released like “My Ricochet”, which is now a stripped down acoustic version of the song. The whole record is a very relaxed record as most of the songs are either slower, or acoustic. If you liked anything Northstar did in the past (especially “Is This Thing Loaded?), then you will love Broken Parachute.
Listen if your down with: Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, Cassino
Track listing
1. Broken Paramore
2. My Ricochet
3. For Members Only
4. Chesterfield King
5. Piano Jam
6. Taker Not A Giver
7. Is This Thing Loaded
8. Broken Parachute
9. Black Heart Valentine