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.

Between The Trees – Spain

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Artist: Between The Trees
Album: Spain
Label: Bonded Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: August 11th, 2009

Overall: 9
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 9
Production: 9

Very few musicians today are creating what would be called inspiring music; many different bands have tried to make songs with a message and have fallen short or have come off as to “over the top”. It’s hard to pull off an earnest song that can evoke emotion and be listened to again and again, at least for a newer band that is. Between The Trees and their new record Spain is just that: Inspiring. These major label turned indie band have been through a lot and it shows in their music, as they try to conquer an even more mature sound then their debut The Story And The Song.

The album starts off with lead single “We Can Try”, and while this song is very well crafted and catchy it falls on the weaker side of things when compared to the album as a whole. While it makes for a good single it doesn’t match the beauty of other songs on the album. Following tracks like “Spain”, with it’s collapsing chorus with layered vocals and “One Last Time (Darlin’ II)” with it’s quivering vocal delivery and beauty really shine through and put this album as a top contender already out of the box.

The rest of Spain flows so perfectly that it’s unbelievable, as every single track has something to offer and nothing could be considered as filler. Something that really emphasizes their ability to craft great songs is from lead singer Ryan Kirkland, whether it be in the falsetto led chorus of “Miss You” or the passion behind his voice in “Scarecrow” that could make any grown man cry when the soaring chorus is first burst out on top of the slow-moving piano. His voice takes the music to a whole new level and makes the album that much more special.

It’s no doubt that Spain is one of the best albums of 2009, with beautiful lyrics and inspiring sentiments they envelop the listener and make you feel anew. There is a time where music must be listened to as a whole and truly appreciated, and Spain is a record you should do that with.

Breathe Carolina – Hello Fascination

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Artist: Breathe Carolina
Album: Hello Fascination
Label: Fearless Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: August 18th, 2009

Overall: 6
Music: 6
Lyrics: 5
Production: 7

The opening riffs off of Breathe Carolina’s sophomore album (debut for Fearless records) Hello Fascination mark a step in a different direction for the band. The implementation of real instruments in their music, moving away from the strict electronic beats of their debut It’s Classy Not Classic. Already there is a sense of hope for a band that has garnered nothing but hate from bloggers and critics around the internet, but it’s hard for a band to go from hated to loved in one day.

The opening track/lead single “Hello Fascination” has a fairly catchy chorus and strong melodies, but what really brings it down is the chunky screaming that doesn’t really fit, that’s where we find the tragic flaw on Hello Fascination. The singing is there for the most part, such as the ambient vocals on “I’m The Type Of Person To Take It Personal” or the pure gold found on the beginning of “I Have To Go Return Some Video Tapes”. Once again these two tracks are taken over by the chunky screaming that ultimately hurt and bring it down.

It’s not fair though to assume that Breathe Carolina aren’t trying to change some attitudes by their use of instruments in their music now, they are creating what one could debatably call a heavier sounding Cobra Starship. Songs like “Welcome To Savannah” and “The Dressing Room” are dance-oriented tracks that move along at a nice pace and contain catchy hooks with complimenting beats.

All in all there is a lot of progression to be done by Breathe Carolina before they can become scene-darlings. But there is potential throughout the album found in certain vocals and instrumentation (the acoustic ending of “Tripped And Fell In Portland” is wonderful). The possibilities are endless for this band at the pace they are moving creating music and hopefully they find their voice soon and the praise will follow.

Cobra Starship – Hot Mess

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Artist: Cobra Starship
Album: Hot Mess
Label: Decaydance Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: August 11th, 2009

Overall: 7
Music: 7
Lyrics: 5.5
Production: 8

Cobra Starship have been on their way to becoming what they are for a while now, so it should come to no one as a surprise that their third album titled Hot Mess is a melting pot of electronically layered pop-punk with lots of attitude and neon. While this album will garner so much hate it is unprecedented by any other band in the scene with such a career, it is still an album that has its moments and shines through at just the right times.

Unfortunately there’s no excuse to make a song like “Nice Guys Finish Last” passable as a legitimate Cobra Starship tune (especially the opener), it leads the album off on a bad foot as it sounds like a rejected Britney Spears song (Blackout, not Circus…). Already one might be contemplating their purchase of the album.

The aforementioned track is probably the only one that really brings Hot Mess down to any bad level. The rest of the tracks are either great, good, or just kind of a letdown. Nothing else really screams terrible or bad. Songs like “Pete Wentz Is The Only Reason We’re Famous” and “Move Like Your Gonna Die” pay tribute to the sounds of their debut and sophomore album (more guitar and fast pacing) that make them shine on an album filled with electronic beats.

But the songs that do rock with a more mechanical song are also good. The falsetto led chorus of “Living In The Sky With Diamonds” feels good and dances along at a nice pace (also with probably the best lyrics on the album), and “Hot Mess” is anthemic in nature and really calls for some hardcore chanting at the chorus (don’t pay attention to the use of the word “boo” though).

It seems that Cobra Starship are genuinely happy with where they are at in music. And it just so happens that they are reaping the benefits with the lead single “Good Girls Go Bad” being played on radio stations nation wide. It’s good to see Gabe Saporta finally getting the attention he deserves, he’s come this far and the mainstream is his to call home now. While the lyrics aren’t really up to snuff most of the time, and the music can be overly obnoxious, it’s a fun record with catchy songs and a good time to be had.

Blink 182 Tour Date Changes

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Blink 182 has changed a few of their upcoming tour dates due to the death of their friend, DJ AM. A message from the band can be read below.

After much thought and consideration, blink-182 has rescheduled their next two shows in order for Travis Barker to mourn the loss of his dear friend Adam Goldstein. blink-182 will now play St. Louis, MO on Sept 29and Cleveland, OH on Sept 30. To accommodate the change, shows in Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA have also moved to October 6th and 7th respectively. All previously purchased tickets will be honored and the band will resume their current tour on September 4th in Kansas City, MO.

Travis, Mark and Tom would like to thank all their fans for their support during this difficult time. For additional information, visit
www.blink182.com

Owl City – Ocean Eyes

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Artist: Owl City
Album: Ocean Eyes
Label: Universal Republic Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: July 14th, 2009

Overall: 7.5
Music: 8
Lyrics: 7
Production: 8.5

Maybe it’s getting to hard to make music nowadays, it seems that any kid with a laptop can make beats in his basement and croon some sweet nothings (complimented with auto-tune of course) and can snag himself a couple of bucks and some groupies. This genre is littered with so many bad acts that it is even hard to acknowledge the ones that do it well. Enter: Owl City, the one-man band that uses all of these characteristics in a hated genre with good results (he’s your girlfriend’s favorite band you know?)

Owl City’s major label debut Ocean Eyes is a collection of every thing he can do well. From the acoustic/piano combo of “The Bird And The Worm”, the abstract yet catchy lyrics of “Hello Seattle”, the boy/girl vocal combo of “Tip Of The Iceberg”. There’s so much to be heard on the album and so many assets to utilize that it’s hard to believe this can all be done by one person.

There’s no doubt that the album is all very cutesy and sugary in it’s lyrically content, whether it be from songs about going to the dentist (“Dental Care”), or romancing songs about bright-lit insects and dreams (“Fireflies”). But who says music can’t be optimistic? Although a sad slow song might allow Owl City the room to grow and mature it can wait because this album only finds the happy in life.

Ocean Eyes is made for someone who likes to look on the sunny side of things and doesn’t dwell on the negative. Someone looking for something new and something better from the electronic hipster music out there will be blessed to happen on this release. Not only will this album take precedent in the playlists of every single teenage girl in love, it does so without a faux smile because everything feels real and meant the way it’s said.

Strung Out Concert/Album Release

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Legendary LA based band Strung Out will be releasing their new record, Agents of The Underground, on September 29th. Head over to spin.com to download “Black Crosses” of the new album.

Strung Out will also be playing a show at The Shore with Death By Stereo and Bullets and Octane supporting on September 25th.

The Shore
6400 East Pacific Coast Highway
Long Beach, CA 90803
562.252.8434
7pm Admission: $15