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.

Echo Screen – Euphoria

By Leave a Comment

Echo Screen Euphoria

Artist: Echo Screen
Album: Euphoria
Label: Rock Out
Purchase: Smart Punk

Release Date: November 21, 2006
Overall: 6.3
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 6.0

Echo Screenâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s debut â┚¬Ã…”Euphoriaâ┚¬? hitâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s on several good points musically and vocally while still leaving a lot to be desired. Echo Screenâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s release is one that could and probably will get lost in the mix of every other CD from bands that are trying to stand out. â┚¬Ã…”Euphoriaâ┚¬? can be summed up with, overall a good debut from a pop punk band but in the end very forgettable.

First let me say for the same old pop punk style, Echo Screen does do it very well. The ironic thing about the album is that I found myself more drawn to the slow songs than the upbeat ones. It might be because the vocals are show cased more or the melodies are stronger, Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m not sure, but songs like â┚¬Ã…”Octoberâ┚¬? caught my ear more than the ones that felt like they were old starting line songs.

While Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m not crazy about this release, and donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t think itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s breaking any new ground. I still think this is a good start for the band and is worth checking out. This band has a lot of standout qualities but there are only hints of what they are capable of on this record.

Songs to look forâ┚¬Ã‚¦ â┚¬?Octoberâ┚¬? and â┚¬Ã…”Rushmoreâ┚¬?.

Tracklisting
1. This Letter Bomb
2. Everything After Bradford
3. The Science of Stopping Time
4. Start Tomorrow
5. Gloria
6. October
7. Rushmore
8. The Five Cent Tour of the Pearly Gates Part I; Our Hopes
9. The Five Cent Tour of the Pearly Gates Part II; Our Fears
10. Submitted for the Approval of the Midnight Society

River City High – Not Enough Saturday Nights

By Leave a Comment

River City High

Artist: River City High
Album: Not Enough Saturday Nights
Label: Takeover Records
Purchase: Download Punk
Release Date: November 14, 2006

Overall: 7.8
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.7

River City High has been a band going at it for years but has never really been mainstream or hugely popular, which is funny because they have plenty of single worthy songs on the records they put out. If you have not heard of River City High then I urge you to go check out the newest release, or anything you can get a hold of.

I guess the thing with the new record “Not Enough Saturday Nights” is that it is just more material from the band not different material. That isn’t a bad thing, but the record just doesn’t really offer anything new. The songs while all slightly different, flow nicely and keep the record moving. Rarely becoming dull.

The vocals and the summer melodies are the best part of River City High by far. The scratchy vocals are very reminiscent of Rancid’s “â┚¬Ã‚¦And Out Come The Wolves” and man do I love the way the vocals sound. The melodies on most of the songs are ones that beg to be played on a summer blowing through. River City High keep the hooks coming all through out “Not Enough Saturday Night’s”. Like I said earlier if you have not heard of the band before please go check them out. The band plays some good catchy rock n roll. If you have heard of the band before and are a fan, then you should still be fan because there isn’t anything here that they probably haven’t done already.

Track Listing
1. Dogwood Queen
2. Bastard
3. Amy
4. Pass That Riff
5. Understand
6. We Want the Radio
7. Run Run Run
8. A Better Day
9. The Hard Way
10. Be There
11. This Times the Last
12. Makes No Difference

The band is streaming about 7 songs on their Purevolume Site

Purevolume

Copeland at Best Buy

By Leave a Comment

Copeland’s new CD “Eat, Sleep, Repeat” will be $9.99 at Best Buy when it comes out October 31st. It will also comes with 3 exclusive tracks when purchased from Best Buy.

Dead Poetic – Vices

By 10 Comments

Dead Poetic Vices

Artist: Dead Poetic
Album: Vices
Label: Tooth and Nail Records
Purchase: Interpunk
Release Date: October 31st, 2006

Overall: 9.5
Music: 8.9
Lyrics: 9.9
Production: 10.0

Dead Poetic is a band that has evolved from this screaming, underground band into a band that seems to have found their style in which they [appear to be] are very comfortable. Straight up rock would be the best category to place this release into, and it may just be me but that category has seemed to be lacking this year and thus this record hits a sweet spot of musical goodness.

Musically, Vices is full of energy and aggression. The opening song â┚¬Ã…”Cannibal vs. cunningâ┚¬? starts with quick drums then right into the crunchy guitars that create a wall of sound. â┚¬Ã…”Self-destruct and dieâ┚¬? starts slower but before you know it, itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s up to speed with the others. â┚¬Ã…”Paralyticâ┚¬? starts with a cool spacey feeling, and mellow vocals that then become distorted. The song has slow verses but then breaks into these big choruses. The song hits hard about 2:40 into the song and doesnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t let up till the end, definitely ranking high on my favorites on this record.

The word vice comes from the Latin word vitium, meaning “failing or defect”. I got that from Wikipedia, and as soon as I read that, I knew why the newest Dead Poetic record is called Vices. Lyrically, this record is all about our defects and having to deal with the things that every person struggles with. The record is a seemingly dark one, with song titles like â┚¬Ã…”Self-destruct and dieâ┚¬? and â┚¬Ã…”Crashing downâ┚¬? and the lyrics â┚¬Ã…”The fire burns like cancer, the scarring lasts foreverâ┚¬Ã‚¦Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬?. Although the CD may feel dark at times, I see this record as more of one that is full of hope. The songs, while dealing with deep issues, still have a positive outlook that shines through. This album takes all the things in life that no one likes to talk about and faces the issues head on, which can best be summed up with the lyrics from the song vices â┚¬Ã…”Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve got vices like any other manâ┚¬Ã‚¦Vices that will make you think less of meâ┚¬?.

This is a different, yet not foreign, Dead Poetic than we have seen before, but I think they shine like we havenâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t seen them do so before. And while I donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t think this new style will alienate any previous dead poetic fans, I think they will be gaining more after Vices hits stores on Halloween.

Track listing
1 Cannibal Vs. Cunning
2 Lioness
3 Self-Destruct And Die
4 Narcotic
5 In Coma
6 Long Forgotten
7 Pretty Pretty
8 Sinless City
9 The Victim
10 Paralytic
11 Animals
12 Crashing Down
13 Copy Of A Copy
14 Vice

Kaddisfly – The Four Seasons EP

By 1 Comment

Kaddisfly The Four Seasons EP

Artist: Kaddisfly
Album: The Four Seasons EP
Label: Hopeless Records
Purchase: Download Punk
Release Date: October 24th, 2006

Overall: 7.9
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 6.9
Production: 7.9

All to often we discriminate based on the bandâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s name even though that really doesnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t have much, if anything to do with the music itself. Seemingly stupid I know but it happens. Kaddisfly fell into that category for me, a band that Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢d heard in passing but never had enough interest based on their name to check out. Though Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m sorry I hadnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t checked them out sooner.

Kaddisfly is a band that reminded me right of the bat of a more pop, more mainstream friendly version of Brazil (fearless records). Thatâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s not to say one band is better or worse, merely comparing the similarities. Intricate guitar parts, soaring vocals and typically quick spoken (sung) lyrics make up the EP â┚¬Ã…”The Four Seasonsâ┚¬?. These songs are tremendously catchy, and pull you in very quickly. For example the song â┚¬Ã…”Campfireâ┚¬? starts with the lyrics â┚¬Ã…”welcome to your life, you better watch your stepsâ┚¬Ã‚¦Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬? and even after those few words itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s hooked you.

This EP is a preview of what to expect from Kaddisflyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s upcoming album in which every song will be representing a different month (12 songs), and the songs will be grouped in threes, with each group representing a different season (4 seasons). Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s a really cool concept although I just donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t know how well it will turn out. Each of the songs on the EP was from a different â┚¬Ã…”seasonâ┚¬?, but I couldnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t tell and thus leads me to think that the concept part of the record will be lost on people, however it doesnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t take away from the music.

Track listing
1. Games (Unreleased B-Side)
2. Campfire
3. Empire
4. Silk Road
5. Mercury

Turn Off The Stars – Turn Off the Stars

By Leave a Comment

Turn Off The Stars Self Titled

Artist: Turn Off The Stars
Album: Turn Off The Stars
Label: Credential Recordings
Purchase: Tower Records
Release Date: August 15, 2006

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

With the accessibility that even your parents could get into enjoy. Combined with the ability to add depth and passion to every track, â┚¬Ã‹Å“Turn Off the Starsâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ has what it takes to compete in the flooded alt rock genre.

The vocals are probably what stand out the most on this record. The singer has a voice which is so familiar yet has a distinction all of its own. Songs like â┚¬Ã…”If Onlyâ┚¬? and â┚¬Ã…”Pleaseâ┚¬? show off the range he is capable of and itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s impressive.

The best way to describe the music on the self titled CD would be passionate, which fits the vocal style perfectly. The music is very dynamic, usually soft and low key in the verses while strong and intense in the choruses.

While not many, there are a few tracks on the album that do drag a bit. This band and the record have a possibility of coming across a little bit bland. This is a disc that has taken me, as it will probably take a lot people several listens before they fully enjoy all this record has to offer. If youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re tired of the same music in your collection hereâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s a band that deserves some of your time, go check the new record â┚¬Ã…”Turn Off The Starsâ┚¬?

Tracklisting

1. I wasnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t ready
2. Please
3. Falling Into You
4. Hours & Days
5. 30 Days
6. Getaway
7. Nowhere Skies
8. Lately
9. Usual to me
10. If Only
11. Brightside

Copeland – Eat, Sleep, Repeat

By 2 Comments

Copeland Eat, Sleep, Repeat

Artist: Copeland
Album: Eat, Sleep, Repeat
Label: The Militia Group
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: October 31st, 2006

Overall: 10.0
Music: 9.9
Lyrics: 10.0
Production: 9.8

Like a lot of people Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m sure, I had huge expectations, not to mention huge excitement for the newest Copeland record â┚¬Ã‹Å“Eat, Sleep, Repeatâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢. When excitement and expectations run so high it then becomes very easy to be let down, even by the slightest things. Let me be one of the first to say that this record is different than the previous two, yet it does not disappoint someone looking for music with passion behind it.

The album as a whole has almost a creepy/lonely feeling which the first song â┚¬Ã…”Whereâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s my headâ┚¬? sets the stage for. The song, which is a little over 2 minutes, never fully breaks into the full band but rather at its peak itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s simply vocals with a lot of background drums/noise. Musically â┚¬Ã…”Careful nowâ┚¬? seems like it could have been a track off â┚¬Ã‹Å“In Motionâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢, however vocally it strays from the traditional Copeland sound.

â┚¬Ã…”Love affairâ┚¬? is the song I can see being that song that everyone loves, whether they admit it or not. The song, which is one of the longest on the record, starts slow and then continually builds into this epic love song which then musically changes to be piano and believe it or not, trumpet lead. â┚¬Ã…”Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m safer on an airplaneâ┚¬? and â┚¬Ã…”The last time he saw Dorieâ┚¬? are two of the slower, mellower tracks (comparatively speaking).

Besides â┚¬Ã…”Love affairâ┚¬?, my personal favorites are the last two tracks on this beautiful record. â┚¬Ã…”Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m a sucker for a kind wordâ┚¬? is one of the more upbeat songs, probably a song that will stick out with its very predominant melody in the chorus and verses. The record concludes with a song you probably would not expect to hear on the record. The song starts with Elton John like piano, which then is later accompanied by an amazing strings section. I didnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t know what I was expecting with this latest release from the guys of Copeland, but needless to say they have come through in a big way. Please go buy this record on October 31st.
Track listing

1. Where’s My Head
2. Eat, Sleep, Repeat
3. Control Freak
4. Careful Now
5. Love Affair
6. I’m Safer On An Airplane
7. By My Side
8. Cover What You Can
9. The Last Time He Saw Dorie
10. I’m A Sucker For A Kind Word
11. When You Thought You’d Never Stand Out

Jonezetta – Popularity

By Leave a Comment

Jonezetta Popularity

Artist: Jonezetta
Album: Popularity
Label: Tooth And Nail
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: October 3rd, 2006

Overall: 8.5
Music: 8.8
Lyrics: 8.4
Production: 9.0

Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll lay it out for nice and simple; Jonezetta is that smooth talking new student at school that is instantly friends with everyone. You would never know they were the newest band on the Tooth and Nail record label. Jonezetta are not messing around, they take â┚¬Ã…”pop punkâ┚¬?/â┚¬?indie popâ┚¬? and cram a whole lot of energy into every song. The record is infectious and just flat out fun. It should get should get at least a few people dancing.

This record hits hard, like I said Jonezetta are not messing around, they intend to bring the fun, dancey rock music. The first six songs on â┚¬Ã…”Popularityâ┚¬? come in strong and donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢tâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ let up until you get to â┚¬Ã…”The love that carries meâ┚¬? which, even though slower does not lose the foot tapping drums.

My favorite song on the record would definitely be â┚¬Ã…”Communicateâ┚¬?. It starts out with acoustic, and electric guitars and vocals then having the entire band slide into the mix. The chorus of the song â┚¬Ã…”Isabelle, Isabelle itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s a long way home, to communicateâ┚¬? is one of the infectious parts I was referring to, It gets in your head and by the end of the song you singing along. The record flows very smoothly into the next song â┚¬Ã…”Man in a 3k suitâ┚¬? which sports [The Killers] reminiscent keys.

I knew Jonezetta was a talented band and that this was a pretty good debut album, but I didnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t realize how much I like the record until listening to a few times. I think people will like this after the first listen but I also think they will enjoy it the more they listen to it. This is no doubt worth peopleâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s ten bucks. Please support the band and go out and grab â┚¬Ã…”Popularityâ┚¬?

Tracklisting
1. Welcome Home
2. Get Ready (Hot Machete)
3. Communicate
4. Man in a 3K Suit
5. Backstabber
6. Popularity
7. Love That Carries Me
8. City We Live In
9. Bringin’ It Back Tonite… Everybody Start
10. Burn It Down!
11. Imagination

Skillet – Comatose

By 2 Comments

The Decemberists The Crane Wife

Artist: Skillet
Album: Comatose
Label: Atlantic Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: October 3rd, 2006

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 9.5

Skillet has been around forever, and so Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m sure most people have at least heard of them. If you were never really interested before, or have never heard them this is the opportunity to do so. With the release of their newest album â┚¬Ã…”Comatoseâ┚¬? they have picked up a more mainstream sound that will definitely turn a few heads that werenâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t paying attention before.

This record has radio anthems written all over it. If Atlantic pushes this release like they should, they will have the next big thing on their hands for sure. For some it may be your next guilty pleasure that you just canâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t stop listening to because the choruses are too infectious, or because you secretly love that arena rock sound.

â┚¬Ã‹Å“Comatoseâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ starts with easily the best choice for a first single â┚¬Ã…”Rebirthingâ┚¬?. The song starts with strings which erupt into pounding drums, while still accompanied by the strings. The vocals on the song (and entire record) are the scratchy forceful vocals that make a good rock song. The record moves forward in cookie cutter fashion following all the rules through the next few songs. We get to â┚¬Ã…”The older I getâ┚¬? and I donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t know if itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s a really good song, or just me, but this song sticks out in good way. â┚¬Ã…”Those nightsâ┚¬? would be my vote for a second single. It has that radio friendly sound that people just eat up.

Like I said the record does follow a pretty strait forward set of rules, yet Skillet just does all the right things, while not taking many chances. The one thing different would be the last song which is unexpected but does get in your head, and Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll leave you to discover that on your own. Overall a good release and worth the money and your time.

Track listing
1. Rebirthing
2. The Last Night
3. Yours To Hold
4. Better Than Drugs
5. Comatose
6. The Older I Get
7. Those Nights
8. Falling Inside The Black
9. Say Goodbye
10. Whispers In The Dark
11. Looking For Angels