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.

Archives for 2007

Fox Chase Drive – EP

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Fox Chase Drive

Artist: Fox Chase Drive
Album: EP
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: Myspace via Paypal
Release Date: 2007

Overall: 9.2
Music: 9.3
Lyrics: 8.9
Production: 9.4

Catching the attention of my friend and I in mid-2005, Mississippi’s Fox Chase Drive had some rough demos online that to this day remain two of the most played songs on my iPod. I automatically set out trying my best to promote them. They’re my favorite unsigned band. I was stoked when they got their new material done.

Hooking up with Class of 98’s Nick Baumhardt was a great choice, as his own band shows he knows a thing or two about crafting great songs. For being an unsigned self-release, the production here is solid. Everything sounds clean and crisp.

Blaring guitars open “24 to Nothing” and proceed to set the pace before the explosive chorus. A hearty synth line in the chorus is reminiscent of Motion City Soundtrack and The Reunion Show.

A new version of former demo “Close the Door” is much better than its predecessor and should have fans of sold pop/rock drooling for more.

“Promise Me So” closes the disc with enough sugary goodness to give you a cavity or two.

The only drawback to this EP is the super-short track listing. I would’ve enjoyed having the song “So California” re-recorded and tacked on to the end. Actually, I would’ve enjoyed anything else they could cook up. This band will be going places soon enough as some of our brothers-in-media are finally picking up on how good these dudes are. It’s only a matter of time before labels come knocking.

Track Listing:
1. 24 to Nothing
2. Close the Door
3. Promise Me So

Hot Rod Circuit – The Underground is a Dying Breed

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Hot Rod Circuit The Underground is a Dying Breed

Artist: Hot Rod Circuit
Album: The Underground is a Dying Breed
Label: Immortal Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: March 20th, 2007

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

This will be the record that saves 2007 from completely being taken over by the Fall Out Boys of the world [you can quote me on that]. â┚¬Ã…”The underground is a dying breedâ┚¬? could not have been a better title for this album that shows Hot Rod Circuit has always stayed true to the music they believe in whether its popular in the mainstream or not.

The record has a raw production to it that makes you feel like its 1999 again but never once does the production take away from the songs or make you feel like its a bad recording. The drums hit hard during the chorus of â┚¬Ã…”Vampireâ┚¬? which has a subtle hook and a ton of replay value. Lyrically â┚¬Ã…”What we believe inâ┚¬? is the punk version of snow patrols â┚¬Ã…”Chasing carsâ┚¬? with the same vibe of needing to take advantage of the moment.â┚¬?U.S. Royaltyâ┚¬? starts off twangy but quickly jumps into the catchy rock that this band excels in. The singing on â┚¬Ã…”Cali’sâ┚¬? verses has an interesting feel to it, which takes most of the song to get used to.

Hot Rod Circuit returns to the days of â┚¬Ã…”Sorry about tomorrowâ┚¬? on their stellar new new record. My only grip with the album is that it’s over too fast. I urge everyone to race down to the store the day this comes out and pick it up, and roll down the windows as you drive down the freeway.

Track Listing
1. Stateside
2. Vampire
3. Battleship
4. What We Believe In
5. 45’s
6. Holding On To Nothing
7. US Royalty
8. Ventricle
9. Spit You Out
10. Cali
11. 6-8

Cities Apart – Anniversary

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City Apart

Artist: Cities Apart
Album: Anniversary
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: Cities Apart Store
Release Date: November 15, 2006

Overall: 7.4
Music: 7.4
Lyrics: 7.3
Production: 7.0

South Carolina’s unsigned Cities Apart are looking to state their claim on today’s ever-growing rock scene. Channeling Taking Back Sunday and other popular artists, they have produced a debut EP worthy of playing through your speakers.

There’s nothing overly groundbreaking on “Anniversary,” but proficient songwriting and musicianship is present. There’s some especially sick bass lines sprinkled throughout the disc.

“Lost and Found” opens the album on a high note. “Softly Spoken” opens strong with and has a great bridge, but the first part of the chorus falters a bit. “Agree to Disagree” has one of those bouncing bass lines I mentioned earlier that I thoroughly enjoy. “1,000 Miles Off Course(We Want to Survive) starts off rocky, but picks up about halfway through. Had the whole song been consistent, this would have been the best track on the album. The powerful “Muddy Water” would be the perfect backing track to a commercial for this band. Finally, “Honesty Kills” forgetfully closes the disc as the weakest song present.

I’d like to hear what the band could do with a larger production budget. There’s plenty of potential here, and with time, I’m sure they will take the next step and come into their own. If their new demos are any indication, the next album will be leaps and bounds above how good this EP already is.

Track Listing:
1. Lost and Found
2. Softly Spoken
3. Agree to Disagree
4. 1,000 Miles Off Course(We Want to Survive)
5. Muddy Water
6. Honesty Kills

Secondhand Serenade – Awake (re-release)

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Secondhand Serenade

Artist: Secondhand Serenade
Album: Awake
Label: Glassnote
Purchase: Smart Punk
 Release Date: February 6, 2007

Overall: 8.3
Music: 8.4
Lyrics: 8.2
Production: 8.5

Nowadays, a guy and a guitar equal a Dashboard Confessional rip-off. It’s never been more blatant than Secondhand Serenade. However, it’s never been done this well.

Fans of Chris Carrabba longing for new acoustic tracks to tug on their heartstrings absolutely need this album. “Awake” is a re-release, celebrating John Vesely’s joining of the East/West family.

John’s voice is able to hover barely above a whisper and then take off soaring into a melting pot of harmonies. It’s much more accessible than D/C.

The songs themselves are nothing original, but are crafted so well that you don’t care. You will sing along all the same.

Sprinkle several songs from “Awake” on a mixtape or purchase the album as a Valentine’s Day present for your sweetie. You’re sure to get the “sap of the year” award, but a smile is guaranteed on their face.

Track Listing:
1. Half Alive
2. Broken
3. Vulnerable
4. Your Call
5. Maybe
6. It’s Not Over
7. I Hate This Song
8. Awake
9. Take Me With You
10. Let It Roll
11. The Last Song Ever
12. End

Fall Out Boy – Infinity On High

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Artist: Fall Out Boy
Album: Infinity On High
Label: Island Def Jam
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: February 6, 2007

Overall: 9.2
Music: 9.2
Lyrics: 8.7
Production: 9.4

Fall Out Boy are either the world’s most loved band, or the most hated. For those of us that “get it,” they have delivered a fantastic new album with “Infinity On High.”

The album expands on the style of “From Under the Cork Tree.” With that album, the band introduced a safe, mainstream sound to new and old fans alike. Now they’re able to take creative liberties and spin off into new directions that keeps the music evolving.

Despite what some may think, with Jay-Z introducing this disc, you know it’s is going to be huge. “Thriller” shows hints of Fall Out Boy’s hardcore roots with Andrew Hurley on double bass pedals and Joe Trohman’s chugging guitars. If Jay-Z on the same track as double bass isn’t enough to excite you, the album has barely even started.

“The Take Over, the Break’s Over” has grooving verses that transit into a pumping bridge that melts into a delicious chorus.

Polarizing first single “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race” grew on me after I could actually sit down with it. It was a gamble for the band to experiment with an R&B sound, but the charts say it was a smart move.

“I’m Like A Lawyer With the Way I’m Always Trying to Get You Off (Me and You)” draws upon Maroon 5 and will probably give the media more reason to bastardize the word emo.

“Hum Hallelujah” is sure to be a new fan favorite. Then it’s followed up with what’s sure to be known as “the worst FOB song ever.” “Golden” shows that the band are trying new things, but this song was poorly executed.

The album hammers through eight more tracks ranging from good to great. The b-sides that have been released, depending on where you buy your disc are also welcome additions to the band’s catalog.

While I doubt we’ll ever get another “Take This To Your Grave,” “Infinity” is a worthy follow-up that’s sure to keep Fall Out Boy on top for at least another year.

Track Listing:
1. Thriller
2. The Take Over, The Break’s Over
3. This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race
4. I’m Like a Lawyer With the Way I’m Always Trying to Get You Off (Me&You)
5. Hum Hallelujah
6. Golden
7. Thnks Fr Th Mmrs
8. Don’t You Know Who I Think I Am?
9. The (After) Life of the Party
10. The Carpal Tunnel of Love
11. Bang the Doldrums
12. Fame < Infamy 13. You're Crashing, But You're No Wave 14. I've Got All This Ringing In My Ears and None On My Fingers

Win Free Tix To See We Are The Fury W/Jacks Mannequin

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We Are The Fury join up with Jacks Mannequin, Head Automatica and good friends the Audition Saturday night in Lincoln, NE for 4 weeks of fun. We Are The Fury, Gibson and Purevolume.com are giving you the opportunity to check out the show for free plus win lots of cool prizes. Head on over and check it out plus get special exclusive information from all the bands on the road.

Modern Life Is War Signs With Equal Vision Records

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Iowa-based melodic hardcore/punk band, Modern Life Is War have signed with Equal Vision Records.

“We chose to sign with Equal Vision for a couple reasons,” explains vocalist Jeffrey Eaton. “Number One, because they can give us the support we need to keep touring year round. And number two, because the label is driven by music and not trends, images and marketing schemes like so many other prominent record labels.”

Modern Life Is War are currently at home writing the follow-up to their 2005 album, Witness, but will be taking a break in February to preview some new songs on the road with Ambitions and The Geeks. Following the tour, Modern Life Is War has studio time booked with legendary indie/punk producer J. Robbins (Against Me!, Texas Is The Reason, Jets To Brazil) to lay down tracks for the upcoming album, which will also be available on vinyl through Lifeline Records.

TOUR DATES

2/18 – Kansas City, MO @ The Anchor
2/19 – St. Louis, MO @ Lemp Arts Center
2/20 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
2/21 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Underground
2/22 – Dayton, OH @ The Water Front
2/23 – Mt. Clemens, MI @ Hayloft Liquor Stand
2/24 – Beloit, WI @ Beloit University

On The Rise: The Appreciation Post, East End Lights, Fox Chase Drive

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I have added new bands to the On The Rise section. Be sure to give them a listen for some good new music.

The Appreciation Post – (Boston, MA – Indie / Rock / Powerpop)
East End Lights – (Birmingham, AL – Rock / Powerpop)
Fox Chase Drive – (Jackson, Mississippi – Alternative / Rock / Powerwpop)

This Beautiful Republic – Even Heroes Need A Parachute

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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