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Weatherbox – American Art

April 6, 2007 By David Gagnon Leave a Comment

Artist: Weatherbox
Album: American Art
Label: Doghouse Records
Purchase: SmartPunk
Release Date: May 9th, 2007

Overall: 9.5
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 9.0

Look, if you missed out on Weatherbox’s recently released EP The Clearing then you need to get your music priorities straight. It was, simply put, awesome! However, if you’ve been living under a rock and missed out on it, don’t lose too much sleep as three of the five tracks, from the EP, have made their way onto their debut full length due out this spring.

Ok, now that I’ve snapped a batch on those who slept on The Clearing, I can address those individuals, like myself, that have listened to the EP fifty times and are getting a little tired of the five tracks. Unfortunately I wish that the three tracks hadn’t made their way onto the full length, but that’s marketting; and to be completely honest, they are probably the three tracks I would have picked to carry over to American Art. Let’s just be thankful that the entire EP didn’t find it’s way to the full length.

So where do I begin; Ԛ the CD itself is a work of art. Lyrics are on point, guitars, drumming and vocals are excellent, if there was anything to be let down by, it would have to be the production level. Now, maybe it’s because my copy was an “advance” release and things could easily change from now to release date; but the production doesn’t take anything away from the stellar listening experience. Let it be known, my favorite track Snakes, Our Ground, which by the way can be streamed from their Myspace and Purevolume website, mixes great hooks and melodies that don’t disappoint… it has great lyrics about grass, wind, roots,
earth, fire, water, death, and going insane; without giving it outright away, it fills me with visuals of my
favorite Wednesday night show.

**Hint: Island Life for the TiVo generation.

American Art should be on everyone’s wish list, keep your eyes peeled in early May for it; You won’t be disappointed.

Myspace | Purevolume

Tracklisting

  1. Atoms Smash
  2. Armed to the Teeth
  3. The Clearing
  4. Wolftank, Doff Thy Name
  5. ________
  6. Moments Before The Smashing Of Future Ryan
  7. Snakes, Our Ground
  8. A Flock Of Weatherboxes
  9. I Worship Raw Beats
  10. The Dreams
  11. The Drugs
  12. Drop The Mike
  13. Trippin’ The Life Fantastic

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Doghouse Records, Weatherbox

Kaddidfly – Set Sail the Prarie

April 5, 2007 By David Gagnon Leave a Comment

kaddisfly

Artist: Kaddisfly
Album: Set Sail the Prarie
Label: Hopeless Records
Purchase: Hopeless
Release Date: March 6th, 2007

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

Rarely does being extremely diverse, mixed with plenty of tallent, make a CD unenjoyable. However, in the case of the newest release from Kaddisfly, I found they’ve missed the mark on making, what some would call, refreshing and vibrant listening experience. After countless listens, I find myself unable to clearly state where this album even sits in my current collection. Now, don’t let me scare you away from Set Sail the Prarie, because there are many good things about it, but personally, I was scratching my head listening to this album rather then sitting back and enjoying it.

I shouldn’t be too judgemental, as this CD does have it’s good points, but it just so happens that they are few and far between. Such as an incredible reference to some ‘OhmahaStyley” that doesn’t disapoint. I don’t know what else to say about this one, I see the potencial but I find that they just don’t fully achieve it.

If your looking for something unique to perk up your music library this just might fill the void. Check out thier purevolume site to stream some tracks and make up your own mind.

Kaddisfly-PureVolume

Tracklisting:

  1. I. Summer Solstice
  2. Campfire
  3. Waves
  4. Harbor
  5. Birds
  6. Clouds
  7. Empire
  8. VIII. Winter Solstice
  9. Snowflakes
  10. Via Rail
  11. Silk Road
  12. Mercury
  13. Clockwork
  14. Forest

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Kaddisfly

Lovedrug – Everything Starts where it Ends

February 18, 2007 By David Gagnon Leave a Comment

Lovedrug

Artist: Lovedrug
Album: Everything Starts Where it Ends
Label: The Militia Group
Purchase: Smark Punk
Release Date: March 6th, 2007

Overall: 8.9
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.8
Production: 8.9

This four piece from Canton, Ohio hope to open your mind and catch your ears all at the same time. Now, many faithful concert goers will have already heard of these guys seeing as they have been touring with such acts as Matchbook Romance, Eisley, The Juliana Theory, Acceptance, Copeland, Mae, and Action Action over the past few years. This, Lovedrugs second major full length release, Everything Starts Where it Ends, is the follow up to the 2004 Pretend You’re Alive, also released on Militia, an may leave you questioning yourself, “where have I been?”

The cd itself is faily moody and will more then likely require a solid listen through, I chose to pop it into my yamaha suround sound for an optimal listening experience, and I was blown away. Atmosphereic rock at it’s best! For example, theyԚ make perfect use of a piano ballad with crunchy guitars to keep you wishing the track “Salt of the Earth” continued on for another 10 minutes. (**I hit repeat)

Sorry to say this, because I just can’t hold back, but anyone who hasn’t been able to remove Mutemath’s self titled from their cd changer can at long last rejoice! At last!!

If your already a fan, or just plain interested,Ԛ be sure to check your local listings as Lovedrug is set to go on tour with Plain White T’s beginning in early March 2007.

LovedrugMyspace

Tracklisting:

  1. Happy Apple Poison â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 03:39
  2. Pushing The Shine â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 04:19
  3. Castling â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 03:25
  4. Thieving â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 03:17
  5. Bleed Together â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 03:27
  6. Dancing â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 01:15
  7. Ghost By Your Side â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 03:42
  8. Casino Clouds â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 04:40
  9. Doomsday & The Echo â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 05:11
  10. Salt of the Earth â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 06:30
  11. American Swimming Lesson â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 04:17
  12. Everything Starts Where It Ends â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 07:45

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Lovedrug, The-Militia-Group

Roark – Break of Day

February 17, 2007 By David Gagnon 1 Comment

Roark - Break of Day

Artist: Roark
Album: Break of Day
Label: LoveMinusZero
Purchase: WestAspen
Release Date: February 20th, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.3
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 8.8

To be completely honest, I haven’t had the had the pleasure to listen to a CD of this genre that was this good since Copeland’s latest release. Roark, a stickler for melody, and trust me it shows, crafted a simply amazing listening experience that I have been unable to put down since my first listen through.

Break of Day, the first release from the new lable <3-0 (LoveMinusZero) has it’s share of up’s and down’s. I say that in a good way though, based on the fact that the subject of many of Roark’s tracks are on Death, Relationships and Love. However, let me warn you right now, if you’re looking for some ass kickin’ rock and roll, you best look elsewhere, because, although this cd rocks, it rocks on a whole different level.

I highly recomend that everyone checks out the <3-0 website as snipit’s of each track are available to listen. It doesn’t do any track justice, but should provide everyone with a chance to hear, what should be, one of the best new pop/rock/indie cd’s this year. Break of Day get’s my vote for ‘sleeper hit’ of the last few months.

Be sure to check out the Roark contest taking place right now here with Driven Far Off. You could be the proud owner of a signed copy of Break of Day.

Be sure to check out the conest Driven Far Off is running right now with Drive-Thru Records and <3-0 to become the proud owner of a signed Break of Day CD.

RoarkMyspace

Tracklisting:

  1. Never Felt So Lucky â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 04:19
  2. Into Pieces â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 03:20
  3. Movin’ On â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 04:49
  4. Today (Perfect) â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 04:03
  5. Letters â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 03:07
  6. Brighter Side â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 03:55
  7. Broken Smile â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 05:58
  8. Song From The T.V. â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 04:05
  9. All Of The Riches â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 03:26
  10. Ask Myself â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 04:13
  11. Take It Slow â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 04:00

Filed Under: Album, News, Reviews Tagged With: Drive Thru Records, Love-Minus-Zero, Roark

This Beautiful Republic – Even Heroes Need A Parachute

February 9, 2007 By David Gagnon 1 Comment

Beautiful Republic

Artist: This Beautiful Republic
Album: Even Heroes Need A Parachute
Label: Forefront Records
Release Date: April 3, 2007
Purchase: Soon

Overall: 8.9
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 9.4

Looking for catchy, melodic, emo driven rock? Look no further… because this five man group out of Toledo Ohio have will satisfy your hunger. Well, here I am, my first review but certainly not my last. I managed to get my dirty little hands on an advance copy of the debut full length cd from This Beautiful Republic, and might I add, a very stellar debut onto the scene. These guys have put a lot of time and effort into this cd and it shows. Produced by Allan Salmon, who also did the unreal Mutemath release last year, I don’t have to say much more; but, to be completely fair, musically, these guys are extremely dynamic.

Although this cd is only thirty eight and a half minutes it packs a tightly wound punch. The tracks flow fairly seamlessly and provide quite an enjoyable listen. The disc starts with a bang for the first two tracks giving you a solid idea of their sound and goes right into, which is quite possibly one of the best tracks on the disc, Jesus to the World. I find it hard to say that though, as the entire cd has something for everyone, whether your after something fast and hard or slow and soft. If your thinking about picking this up, the tracks on both their purevolume and myspace pages are definitely worth a couple listens. I would suggest checking out the final track, if you have the opportunity to stream it anywhere, as it is well worth the listen and a great way to close out the cd.

All too often bands are compared to similar sounding bands, not something I’ll ever do. I just want to give you the facts and let you make up your own mind. This Beautiful Republic are classified as Christian rock; they might be, I don’t know, however, one thing’s for sure, they rock. **Sorry no photo/purchase link available at this time.

Track Listing:
1. Casting Off
2. Going Under
3. Jesus to the World
4. Right Now
5. Black Box
6. The Surface
7. Let’s be Honest
8. New Year
9. Something to Deny
10. Fears & Failures
11. Cloud Cover

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: ForeFront-Records, This Beautiful Republic

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