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.

Four Year Strong Tell Fans To Go FysYOURSELF

By Leave a Comment

Four Year Strong have launched FysYourself.com, an interactive picture website application that allows users to customize uploaded/webcam photos with 100+ unique details, including elements from the Enemy of the World album artwork, mythical imagery, hardcore lifestyle, recognizable items from Decaydance band members, and other FYS-related details. Upon completion, the photos can be saved and sent to either Facebook or Twitter.

Four Year Strong have always embraced the idea of not taking themselves too seriously and now, they have spread that philosophy with FysYourself. Just hours after its launch, FysYourself swept the internet and became a sensation, attracting the likes of Pete Wentz, Paramore’s Hayley Williams and over 10,000 other viewers.

Fans will have the opportunity to enter a contest with their FysYourself masterpieces, and the best entry will receive the ultimate “Enemy of the World” prize package: FYS Skatedeck, vinyl, CD, shirt, poster, pin pack, and tickets to see the band live.

Tuesday Recommendations – A Mix Tape

By Leave a Comment

Let’s do something a little different. Today, I’m bringing you a little “mix tape” of what I’m listening to this week.

John Mayer – Who Says
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – So Everyone
Q and Not U – Wonderful People
Regina Spektor – That Time
Okkervil River – Black
Au Revoir Simone – The Lucky Ones

Sail By The Stars – The Night Owl EP

By Leave a Comment

Artist: Sail By The Stars
Album: The Night Owl EP
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: Online Store
Release Date: April 27th, 2010

Overall: 7.5
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.0

These days, it can be hard to find music that just feels good to listen to. A lot of songs are striving to hard to be important, and trying to reach a “deeper meaning.” There’s a whole load of people just looking for songs that make them feel happy, while not making them feel completely shallow at the same time. Enter: Sail By The Stars, this one man band has everything you could ask for, crisp melodies, shiny hooks and a disposition sunnier then a hot summer day in the south. All these components are displayed to hear on The Night Owl EP.

The EP begins with the song “I Wish I May, I Wish I Might”, which allows the listener to everything right about Sail By The Stars. The bouncing acoustic guitar, and the catchy chorus that circles round and round the infectious toe-tapping beat. Starting the album off with the right foot is exactly what this song does.

The Night Owl EP‘s especially impressive moments involve things like the acoustic intro of “If My Room Were A Rocketship,” or the catchy chorus of “A Glowworm Never Grows Dim,” which is also complimented by the hooky lyrics. All of this leads up to the final, ballad track entitled “I’ll Give You The Moon.” Any listener that enjoys a good ballad will find themselves spinning this one on repeat, as the combination of piano and strings will have you singing the song to yourself all day long.

While most critics will shake their heads at the fact that Sail By The Stars isn’t necessarily reinventing the wheel when it comes to catchy pop tunes, those who enjoy the songs will find themselves playing them again and again, and what’s wrong with smiling every now and again? This EP serves as a nice taste of sunshine amongst more savory albums.

Circa Survive – Blue Sky Noise

By 1 Comment

Artist: Circa Survive
Album: Blue Sky Noise
Label: Atlantic Records
Purchase: iTunes
Release Date: April 20th, 2010

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

After a few years, and a couple side projects, Circa Survive are back with their highly anticipated third album Blue Sky Noise. Following their previous record On Letting Go, it seemed like the only place to go was up for the band, but does the new album live up to the expectations that the band set themselves up too?

One of the complaints that could have been made about Circa Survive’s previous records was that they didn’t stray far from the alternative rock sound, playing with the same old ideas of needling guitars and drawn out melodies. It was something they were (and are) great at, but it could only be done so many times. Blue Sky Noise takes a different turn with the bands sound, with a much more decidedly rock vibe to it. Whether it be the intense (and I do mean intense) screams on “Get Out” or the rocking guitars of “Fever Dreams,” the expansion of their sound is a welcome edition to their catalogue.

That’s not to say though that the entire album is all new, there is still plenty of the old Circa Survive that people have loved since day one. A song like “The Longest Mile” really calls to the bands earlier material, or the haunting echoing sounds of “Glass Arrows.” Blue Sky Noise is as different as it is the same, and many diehard listeners will most likely respect this from the band.

The last thing about this album, and the most controversial, would Anthony Green’s voice. It’s really a love/hate affair with all listeners, and this album will only spark more debates over whether he has a place in music. His voice has easily gotten more gruff and it’s harder to hit those really high notes heard on previous affairs, but it does add to the intensity of their sound. While at other times, when Green is singing in his lower register, it amounts to some of the best songs on the album (most notably “Frozen Creek” and “Spirit Of The Stairwell” which are both beautiful). His voice is most definitely an acquire taste, but those who like it will love it this time around.

All in all, Blue Sky Noise is a welcome addition to the Circa Survive’s discography. This album won’t grab you right out of the blue the moment you hear it if you are a casual listener, but you’ll find it growing on you listen after listen. The band has acquired a certain explosive, yet subdued sound, that most other bands don’t have (or can’t control) which makes them very special in their own right.