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.

Promise of Redemption – When the Flowers Bloom…

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Promise of Redemption

Artist: Promise of Redemption
Album: When the Flowers Bloom…
Label: I Surrender Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: January 22nd, 2008

Overall: 8.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 8.0

trag·e·dy – Definition: 1) very sad event: an event in life that evokes feelings of sorrow or grief.

How exactly does one recover from a tragedy? I suppose that it is different for everyone, for Valencia frontman Shane Henderson, solace was found in a guitar and piles of photographs; following the untimely passing of his girlfriend Dana Burrell. When the Flowers Bloom… is a honest and sincere look at heartache and loss, 13 tracks of sorrow, hope, and a great attempt at recovery. Henderson’s raw emotion pours out of each song, as the stripped down acoustic sound of the record possesses more intensity than any sonically charged rock album. In my opinion, if Shane’s experience could be summed up in one song, it would be “Trace Those Steps” – which is why I’ve named it the Standout track. I had sometime to meet with Shane this past summer, and he is a very genuine individual, why something so horrible could happen to such a nice person is unknown. Nevertheless, I’m sure through every chord, and each show Dana is smiling down on Shane, and is now more apart of his life than ever. When the Flowers Bloom…, is a heartfelt tribute, and a meaningful record that can comfort and offer hope.

Standout Track
Trace Those Steps

Track Listing
1. Getting Through
2. How Fast
3. From the Second I Wake Up…
4. Oh the Way
5. Remembering the First Day
6. When the Flowers Bloom
7. Live in Love
8. Sunsets and Pictures
9. A Long Way Home
10. Rough Road Leads to the Stars
11. Dana Leigh
12. It Just Takes Time
13. Trace Those Steps

The Maine – The Way We Talk

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The Maine

Artist: The Maine
Album: The Way We Talk
Label: Fearless Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: December 11th, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.5

The phrase “immediately catchy” is often thrown around these days when referring to new music. However The Maine brings upon new meaning to those words with their debut effort, The Way We Talk. The Arizona based quintet is sure to make waves in the upcoming year. Their swaying pop/rock melodies are well beyond their years, as showcased with the opener, “If I Only Had the Heart” and each of the accompanying tracks. All I can say is that Fearless Records has locked in another winner, and will undoubtedly produce more great music in 2008. I greatly anticipate a full length release from The Maine, this band creates fantastic music and has the chops to make that music something exciting and special.

Recommended if you like: Cute Is What We Aim For, Plain White T’s

Standout Track
The Way We Talk

Track Listing
1. If I Only Had the Heart
2. The Way We Talk
3. Give Me Anything
4. We Change, We Wait
5. The Town’s Been Talkin’

The Wonder Years – Get Stoked on It

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Get Stoked on It

Artist: The Wonder Years
Album: Get Stoked on It
Label: No Sleep Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: October 30th, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 8.0

The Wonder Years have successfully created a fun post hardcore synth fused rock album with Get Stoked on It! The lyrics are fresh and amusing; each song is a vibrant breath of fresh air. From its opening homage to their hometown to the space influenced “Buzz Aldrin: The Poster Boy for Second Place” the album flows impeccably from one song to another. Finally you can slow down and catch your breath with the acoustic track “Racing Trains” however the break is short lived as “Zombies Are the New Black” kicks everything back into full gear. The pace stays frantic and fun through it’s closer the aptly titled “When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong.” Plain and simple this record is a great listen!

Recommended if you like: Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals, Motion City Soundtrack

Standout Track
When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong

Track Listing
1. Keystone State Dude-Core
2. Bout to Get Fruit Punched, Homie
3. Buzz Aldrin: The Poster Boy for Second Place
4. Let’s Moshercise!!!
5. What If We [Swam] Into Nothing?
6. Racing Trains
7. Zombies are the New Black
8. We Were Giants
9. My Geraldine Lies Over the Delaware
10. Dude, What Is a Land Pirate?
11. I Fell In Love with a Ninja Master
12. When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong

Envy on the Coast – Lucy Gray

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Lucy Gray

Artist: Envy on the Coast
Album: Lucy Gray
Label: Photo Finish
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 7th, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 8.0

Better late than never… even though Lucy Gray was released in August and the fact that I’m just getting to it, holds no barring on the record itself or Envy on the Coast. This album is filled with stirring post-hardcore, laced with incredibly catchy overtones. Each song takes on a different direction and its own unique shape. Lucy Gray is a fun listen, and it’s great to hear a band break the mold and create something as original as this record.

Recommended if you like: Tacking Back Sunday and Glassjaw

Track Listing
1. Sugar Skulls
2. Artist and Repertoire
3. The Gift of Paralysis
4. Tell Them That She’s Not Scared
5. (x) Amount of Truth
6. Vultures
7. Mirrors
8. If God Smokes Cheap Cigars
9. Starving Your Friends
10. Lapse
11. “…Because All Suffering Is Sweet to Me.”
12. “I’m Breathing…Are You Breathing Too?”