Kortney Ehrhart, Author at Driven Far Off

City Sleeps – Not An Angle

September 9, 2007 By Kortney Ehrhart 4 Comments

Artist: City Sleeps
Album: Not An Angle
Label: Trustkill
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: October 9, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 9.5

Note: This album was originally set for release in 2006. The original post date for this review was July 25, 2006.

I was a little put off when I first popped this CD in to play. However, I didn’t know what to expect from City Sleeps because I had never heard them before. “Hotel” is the bands first studio album which was originally set to be released on April 4th, 2006 on Maverick/Warner Records. “Check In” threw me off a bit but when twisted into “Prototype” I was pleasantly pleased. One thing I enjoyed most about the CD was the fact that all the songs flowed very well from one another. That got me thinking about how well a slower song would transform but they had no problem with doing that from “Walkers Ridge” to “Ordinary High” as well as from “I Can’t Make You Love Me” to “Andrea.” Somewhat pop with dashes of rock thrown in and a few screams here and there but nothing to be discouraged about. After listening over a few times it’s become a favorite of mine. Once you listen, you won’t be able to stop until it’s through. And, even then you’ll be lucky if you don’t start all over again.

Track Listing
1. Hotel
2. Prototype
3. Just Another Day
4. Not An Angel
5. Walker’s Ridge
6. Ordinary High
7. I Can’t Make You Love Me
8. Andrea
9. Bones
10. Be A Man
11. Sleep With Me
12. Check Out

Nights Like These – The Faithless

July 25, 2006 By Kortney Ehrhart Leave a Comment

Artist: Nights Like These
Album: The Faithless
Label: Victory Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 13, 2006

Overall: 4.0
Music: 4.5
Lyrics: 4.0
Production: 4.0

Just another Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬Ã…”hardÃƒ¢Ã¢”š¬? band thrown into the Victory Records melting pot. IÃƒ¢Ã¢”š¬Ã¢”ž¢m not a big fan of this CD at all. The longest itself being around 5:05 while the other songs range from a little over a minute to three minutes they donÃƒ¢Ã¢”š¬Ã¢”ž¢t give you enough time between to let the wax melt out of your ears. One song meshes directly into the other leaving you there either hearing the same thing or being thrown completely for a loop. The breakdowns are about the only thing that leave you satisfied and the fact that there is no high pitch screaming or screeching.Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬Ã…”We Were Meant To RuinÃƒ¢Ã¢”š¬? and the back of melody music was a nice touch. If youÃƒ¢Ã¢”š¬Ã¢”ž¢re a fan of heavy and deep growling throughout an entire CD. As much as I dislike the CD, I have a feeling these guys will be maturing within the next few years and will hopefully add a bit of diversity to the next CD.

Track Listing
1. Storming Valhalla
2. Head Of Medusa
3. Destroy The Stairs
4. Scavenger’s Daughter
5. Memento Mori
6. Ghost Town Rituals
7. Symphony For the Plague
8. Bury The Messenger
9. We Were Meant For Ruin
10. Eternal Tempest
11. Let The Waters Overtake Us

Bullets And Octane – In The Mouth of The Young

July 25, 2006 By Kortney Ehrhart Leave a Comment

Artist: Bullets And Octane
Album: In The Mouth of The Young
Label: RCA
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 11, 2006

Overall: 8.0
Music: 7.8
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0

Gene’s gritty vocals along with the rest of the bands hard hitting drums, executed bass lines, and amazing guitar playing make for the rest of the CD to be a down in the dirt straight up rock and roll album. “Going Blind,” “My Disease,” “I Ain’t Your Savior,” and “Save Me Sorrow” are a hard kick in the face while “Last Mistake” and “Cancer California” take the notch down just a bit. If you’re looking for great guitar riffs check out “Queen Mirage” and “All Hail Halo.” In the mood for something along the lines of a ballad then take a listen to “Bathroom Floor” and by the end of the cd they’re waiting to be back in your face with “Mine Now” which is just as intense as the opening song. This album leaves no fan left unpleased, but left wanting more and more. This album isn’t just great to listen while you’re at home, in your car, or wherever you may be but the entire band executes it perfectly on stage with just as much energy being put off through your speakers.

Track Listing:
1. Going Blind
2. My Disease
3. Save Me Sorrow
4. I Ain’t Your Savior
5. Cancer California
6. Last Mistake
7. Signed In Alcohol
8. Queen Mirage
9. Caving In
10. Bathroom Floor
11. All Hail Halo
12. Mine Now

Between The Buried And Me – The Anatomy Of

July 25, 2006 By Kortney Ehrhart Leave a Comment

Artist: Between The Buried And Me
Album: The Anatomy Of
Label: Victory Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 13, 2006

Overall: 7.0
Lyrics: 7.4
Music: 7.0
Production: 6.8

The first thing that surprised me about this album after putting it in and giving it a listen was the fact that all of these songs were covers. Most would ask why do a cover album when you can put out another great original album. For me, “The Anatomy Of” showed off just how versatile Giles’ voice can get. His voice mimicks originals so well on some of these covers that you could swear it was the original singer. However, some people are put off the fact that why listen to something so just like the other when you’ve heard it before anyway. By putting this album out Between The Buried And Me are introducing their fans to older bands, older songs, and just wear some of these styles of music were introduced. For fans who have listened to the original songs and bands, well you’re in for a treat. This album is packed with vocal twists, acoustics, soulful singing, hardcore choruses, and an all around unoriginal original sound.

Tracklisting
1. Blackened (Metallica)
2. Kickstart My Heart (Motley Crue)
3. Day I Tried To Live (Soundgarden)
4. Bicycle Race (Queen)
5. Three Of A Perfect Pair (King Crimson)
6. Us And Them (Pink Floyd)
7. Geek U.S.A. (Smashing Pumpkins)
8. Forced March (Earth Crisis)
9. Territory (Sepultura)
10. Change (Blind Melon)
11. Malpractice (Faith No More)
12. Little 15 (Depeche Mode)
13. Cemetery Gates (Pantera)
14. Colorblind (Counting Crows) – Bonus Track