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Punk Goes Acoustic 2

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Punk Goes Acoustic 2

Artist: Various Artists
Album: Punk Goes Acoustic 2
Label: Fearless Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 5, 2007

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

Fearless Records has been putting out these Punk Goes.. something albums for a while now. The latest one being Punk Goes Acoustic 2. This follow up to Punk Goes Acoustic gives the listener the same thing they have been wanting, acoustic and even more emotional versions of songs by their favorite artists. Although this album does not have as big name artists as the first one it gives the listener just as much bang for their buck.

The best songs on the album without questions are the All Time Low, The All-American Rejects, and The Spill Canvas songs. I already love those songs in their original version, but on this album they are given a whole new face lift and sound. All Time Low plays “Jasey Rae”, which is performed beautifully with soft guitars and piano playing the lead guitar parts. “Night Drive” is The All-American Rejects song. On this album AAR give it a completely new style, slowed down and sort of an acoustic folk rock sound. The Spill Canvas has their famous hit “Staplegunned”, which is just an extremely emotional song in which the emotion is amplified times three when played acoustically.

Other good songs are The Audition’s “Don’t Be So Hard”, Relient K’s “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been”, Jack’s Mannequin’s “Brusied”, and Sherwood’s “The Only Song”. There isn’t that much that is special about “Don’t Be So Hard” or “Bruised”, they are just really great acoustic versions. “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been” is also performed great, and is also not completely acoustic you will hear drums halfway throughout the song. The drums seem necessary for a song like this one, which in its original version is played very fast paced and upbeat. Sherwood plays one of their brand new songs “The Only Song”, which the best thing about it is the harmonizing and catchy guitars parts play acoustically.

There are some bands on this album that many people, including myself are not to familar with yet. One of them being Mayday Parade. I really enjoyed their acoustic verison of “Three Cheers For Five Years”. It’s chopped filled with dualing vocals and piano. If their actually cd is anything like this song they will definitely be a band to look to in the near future. The only true punk bands included on this album are the old and famous Anti-Flag and the newly claimed Set Your Goals. I really honestly don’t like the anti-government rants by Anti-Flag but they did a good acoustic version of “Welcome To 1984”. Set Your Goals perform a decent acoustic version of “Echos”. Althought it is really not even that acoustic. Drums are played constantly throughout the entire song, also with a bass and acoustic guitar. It is pretty much performed with a full band, unlike the rest of the songs on the album.

With these Various Artists albums its rare to find one that is completely perfect. This one comes pretty close. There is only a couple of songs I do not like on here, and all the rest are amazing or just averagely good. I recommend this album for everyone, and especially if you like acoustic songs. This is a great acoustic album.

Standout Tracks
“Jasey Rae”, “Staplegunned”, “Night Drive”, “Bruised”

Tracklisting
1. Jack’s Mannequin – Bruised
2. The Audition – Don’t Be So Hard
3. +44 -Baby, Come On
4. Daphne Loves Derby – Sun
5. Say Anything – Woe
6. Alesana – Apology
7. All Time Low – Jasey Rae
8. Silverstein – Red Light Pledge
9. The All-American Rejects – Night Drive
10. Mayday Parade – Three Cheers For Five Years
11. The Spill Canvas – Staplegunned
12. Relient K – Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been
13. Anti-Flag – Welcome To 1984
14. Sherwood – The Onl Song
15. Set Your Goals – Echoes

Funeral For A Friend – Tales Don’t Tell Themselves

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Tales Don

Artist: Funeral For A Friend
Album: Tales Don’t Tell Themselves
Label: Atlantic Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 15, 2007

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

First off I have to say that what I’m going to say about this album many may not agree with. If you are listening to Funeral For A Friend for the first time I’m sure you will like this album, if you are an old fan you will probably be pissed off because it’s nothing like “Causually Dressed In Deep Conversation” and “Hours”. Honestly “Hours” was just leading up to this album with the gradual change in style. There is no screaming at all in this album, which is what many people enjoyed to hear when listening to this band. “Hours” had some screaming but not too much, in this album it’s just completely mainstream rock. This album is actually a concept album about a fisherman lost at sea and trying to find his way home. Every track on this album is arranged in such a way that you can feel the intensity of the story that the band is telling through the music. This is one of the most well put together concept albums I’ve heard in a while.

The album begins with the single “Into Oblivion (Reunion)”, which has a main purpose to show the introduction to the story. Immediately you can tell from this song that the band has developed into a more mature rock sound than previous albums. The song has an anthem type of sound with soaring guitars in the chorus. This song also has strings and guitars in the verse that just cruise along with the lyrics. “The Great Wide Open” is more a rocker type of song. Then there is “The Diary”, which could easily be the next single, and has more of a pop rock feel. “On A Wire” is one of the slower songs, and is a type of ballad with a emotional hard-driven chorus. The “All Hands On Deck” songs are a bit more lively than the rest of the songs, and you can definitely tell how these tell the exciting parts of the story. “Out Of Reach” is definitely one of the faster songs on the album, and gives off a somewhat similar sound of their previous styles of music. The album finishes off nicely with “The Sweetest Wave”, which is a quite lengthy song with a little bit of strings and piano. The song starts off slow but has a hard hitting face paced sound differing from any kind of music ever played by the band.

I’ll say it again, this is a good album. Everyone should definitely give this a listen, if you don’t like it immediately just give it time. I honestly can see this album getting popular and very big. This will be one of the better albums released this year, and also one of the most hated and criticized albums due to everyone judging this music compared to previous Funeral For A Friend releases. Disregard the older cds before you listen to this and come into it like it is a whole new band and take it for what it is, a conceptual album that tells a story with 10 catchy well written rock songs.

Standout Tracks
“Into Oblivion (Reunion)”, “The Diary”, “All Hands On Deck Part 1: Raise The Sail”

Tracklisting
1. Into Oblivion (Reunion)
2. The Great Wide Open
3. The Diary
4. One A Wire
5. All Hands On Deck Part 1: Raise The Sail
6. All Hands On Deck Part 2: Open Water
7. Out Of Reach
8. One For The Road
9. Walk Away
10. The Sweetest Wave

1997 – A Better View of the Rising Moon

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1997

Artist: 1997
Album: A Better View of the Rising Moon
Label: Victory Records
Purchase: Smartpunk
Release Date: April 17, 2007

Overall: 6.9
Music: 7.2
Lyrics: 6.5
Production: 7.0

Victory Records, a label that you would associate with bands of the paving the way through the emo rock genre, and the label producing the music for fans with hoodies and hair in their faces. Now you see 1997, Victory’s new band with a female vocalist and you are possibly thinking, “Wow a new sound!” Not quite though. Yes, this band does range from different sounds that are most definitely more breakthrough than the other Victory artists, but they’re still not quite that original and amazing. We already have bands like 1997 on the rise now with female singers. How about the famous FBR artist The Hush Sound and Paramore. Of course they are great bands, now add a hint of Taking Back Sunday and some little less than good produce songs and you have 1997. Before I go too much further, let me at least say that I am starting to get into this album. It has taken a few listens, and I get a different reaction everytime I play it.

First play I started with “Hey Darlin”, which by the name seemed like a catchy track. Well I liked the intro where they sang ‘Hey Darlin’, you paint a pretty picture’, but other than that i wasn’t impressed at all by the song. I only managed to feel the same way about most of the other songs on the album. Some songs even just seem like they almost don’t fit in with their whole genre. Like “The Water’s Edge”, which is a song with really heavy guitars for the choruses with the straining emo vocals, switching to out of place weak verses that just don’t quite sound like they belong. Then they have a song like “In Your Car” they has one of the most annoying choruses I’ve heard in a while, not to mention the words from the chorus were practically repeated the entire song just in different ways. Let’s move on to “Patience, Prudence”, yeah it’s alright. Either the male vocals in the prechorus have guest vocals from Adam from TBS or we know what they were trying to pull off. One of my favorite tracks on the album happens to be “Grace”, mostly because of the female singer is pretty much solo in the song. Not to mention I think the whole song is written better overall. “Grace” really gives her a chance to let her display the full extent of her singing capability. At this point I feel like I do not even need to mention the rest of the songs individually, but just let you know that it pretty much goes downhere from here.

The better songs are most definitely at the beginning of the album. All the songs really just sound like your average emo band trying to go into a more indie-folk-pop-rock band and falling a little short. The male and female vocals going over here other constantly just makes the songs just sound to jumbled up at times and is really what impresses most people about the band, and I do not find it all that amazing. Then there are the times where the vocals switch back and forth from lines in a very overly ripped off way of Taking Back Sunday. Honestly though the more I did play this album I began to sing along to it and get it stuck in my head. Yes the album is catchy, but more along the lines of those catchy songs you don’t want to sing along with but after you are kind of forced to sit and listen to it so you can review it, they kind of just get stuck in there. 1997 is a band that I just put along the lines of an alright band, with a style of music that I’m just not really going to keep on listening to. Although I would suggest that this band would not really get that huge, with the pull of Victory Records nowdays, it is quite possible. This is a definite Victory Records album, you like Victory try this out, especially if you like female singers. I really was a little over critical of the album. It isn’t horrible, but I for one do not think they are breakthrough. Even after writing this I’m sure I will listen to some of the songs again. I wouldn’t take all of my opinion for it though. At least give it a listen and make up your own decision about it.

Standout Tracks
“Garden Of Evil”, “Grace”, “Hey Darlin'”

Tracklisting
1. Water’s Edge
2. Garden Of Evil
3. Hey Darlin’
4. In Your Car
5. Patience, Prudence
6. Grace
7. The Roads You Can Take
8. Lovelikepoetry
9. Tennessee Song
10. Enough Is Enough
11. Droppin Dimes
12. Curse Or Cure

New Atlantic – The Streets, The Sound, and The Love

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New Atlantic

Artist: New Atlantic
Album: The Streets, The Sound, and The Love
Label: Interpunk
Release Date: April 10, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 7.0

Here’s a band that has done nearly constant touring since they have banded together few years back. All the while they were unsigned, and still managed to get the deserved recognition of most signed indie bands. Managed by The Starting Line’s  guitarist Matthew Watts, they have also managed to share the stage on tour with bands such as The Starting Line and Cartel. Now they have released this album on Eyeball Records, which is their first album released on a record label.

This cd starts off with “Cold-Hearted Town”, which is one of my favorites.  It starts off with an upbeat/rock-like tempo with soaring guitars and smooth perfect on pitch vocals that just layered over the guitars and rhythm to the song. The next song “Wire And Stone” I am quite sure is their single or most popular song, is another great pop rock song, which will most likely be some kind of a hit among the band’s listeners. For most fans of Cartel you can notices that Will Pugh from Cartel sings the backup vocals in the chorus.  There are other great rock songs like “Now That You’re Gone” and “I Won’t Be Back”, and there are some  more slower emotional songs like “What It’s Like To Feel Small” and “Safer Times”. The title track ends the album with gathered atmosphereic vocals with a bridge chanting ‘Give it up’, which makes for a great closing track.  From what I can tell there is only one older track, “Late Night Television”.

My favorite things about the album are mainly the vocals, catchy melodies, and pretty much the entire style of music the band puts together. The only complaint I have about it is really production quality, which is easily overlooked due how great the music is. New Atlantic maybe an old band to some and new to others right now, but before much longer this band is going to blow up.  If you have never listened to them, this album is the perfect chance to jump on the bandwagon and check out a new amazing band before they get big. This is a great album and I am very impressed with what they have done.

Stand Out Tracks
“Now That You’re Gone”, “Wire And Stone”, “Cold-Hearted Town”, “I Won’t Be Back”

Tracklisting
1. Cold-Hearted Town
2. Wire And Stone
3. Now That You’re Gone
4. You Get Me
5. What It Feels Like To Be Small
6. I Won’t Be Back
7. So If You Try
8. Safer Times
9. Late Night Television
10. The Ever After
11. The Streets, The Sound, and The Love

Sherwood – A Different Light

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Sherwood

Artist: Sherwood
Album: A Different Light
Label: Myspace Records
Purchase: Flipside Industries
Release Date: March 13, 2007

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

Sherwood is a band that simply made a huge music career lately with the online music scene. This album is going to take them from online listeners to a whole new audience. All the songs are just pop-gems dying to be ate up by the mainsteam radio crowd. It’s been a while since I have listened to such a full sounded pop cd such as this. I am very impressed with the album production. Everything is so clean and the guitars are very crisp with the distortion and clean levels. Not to mention the pounding kick drum and bass that drives the rhythm for all the songs. One of the things I love most about Sherwood’s music is the style and feel. They are a pop band that gives off a very happy vibe, unlike most of the depressing emotional pop songs of bands popular in this indie internet scene.

The album kicks off with their single “Song In My Head”, which starts off as a slow song but kick in with the keys and turns into an upbeat pop rock song. The next few tracks have the similar style, which are upbeat and filled with catchy melodic choruses. Then there is “Home”, which slows it down with a hard punching emotional chorus. Then the cd changes up with songs like “Alley Cat” with a lot of key-created drumbeats and soft vocals. For those of you who are familiar with the bands “Summer EP” released on Absolutepunk.net last summer, you will notice three songs from it like “Middle Of The Night”, “The Only Song”, and the softer closing album track “I’m Asking Her To Stay”.

Overall this band has really manage to impress me more than I thought they could. If you are into classic pop rock songs this is definitely the album for you. Even if you aren’t still give it a try, because it just might convert you to a new style of music. This is definitely going down for my nominations of Top Ten albums of the year. Sherwood is a fun rock band that will not only inspire future bands of this genre, but also change the face of indie music all together.

Standout Tracks
“For The Longest Time”, “Middle Of The Night”, “Song In My Head”, “The Only Song”

Tracklisting
1. Song In My Head
2. The Best In Me
3. Middle Of The Night
4. For The Longest Time
5. Home
6. Alley Cat
7. Give Up!
8. Never Ready To Leave
9. The Only Song
10. Alive
11. The Simple Life
12. A Different Light
13. I’m Asking Her To Stay

House Of Fools – Live And Learn

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House Of Fools

Artist: House Of Fools
Album: Live And Learn
Label: Drive-Thru RecordsPurchase: West Aspen Merch
Release Date: March 6, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 8.5

Throughout the years, Drive-Thru Records has come out with several bands, and many have had a major influence on the indie pop punk scene. Now it is time for the DTR fanbase to come face to face with a new style of DTR music. The trend has started with Steel Train, An Angle, and now the latest is House Of Fools. Imagine a band that can combine a sensible sound of Bob Dylan, The Eagles, and some more contemporary bands like The Format. With a sensationable sound of Southern sensibilities they show that they are a band that can play catchy laid back indie rock songs. This would describe House Of Fools. They first released their self-titled EP back last October on Drive-Thru Records, and now with this newly released album “Live and Learn” House Of Fools will go down in the record books.

The album starts off with one of my favorite tracks “It Could Be Easy”. This is one of the more catchy upbeat songs on the album. Other new songs such as “Kiss The Haze”, “Go Down”, and “Coke & Smoke” are great new songs by the band that just blew me away. They include a few old songs from their EP released back last October like “My Life Before Today”, “Better Part Of Me”, and “Live And Learn”. “Better Part Of Me” is one of the best songs on the album. It is the kind of music I could listen to outside on a sunny afternoon just relaxing to. “Live and Learn” plays out as slow emotional track to finish off the album with. I honestly could sit here and tell you about each individual song, but really it’s pointless because they are all good. I recommend everyone to get this album and just listen to it from start to finish to get the real feel for the album. Trust me listen to the cd even if there are some songs that do not click with you right away, because they will eventually.

In today’s music industry many of the most brillant and musically talented bands often become overlooked. This is much due to the artistic style and complex guitar progressions that just do not click with most mainstream music listeners. House Of Fools is a band that not many people know about right now, but will hopefully not be overlooked in the near future like others of similar style. They have produced one of the greatest easy listening and most original albums I’ve heard in a long time, and I can’t wait to see more from this band. “Live and Learn” is an album that will quite possible change the face of indie music and even more put Drive Thru Records back on the map. It is no wonder why AP has named House Of Fools in “the 100 bands you need to know in 2007”.

Standout Tracks
“Kiss The Haze”, “Better Part Of Me”, “My Life Before Today”, “It Could Be Easy”, “Go Down”

TrackListing
1. Introduction
2. It Could Be Easy
3. Until It’s Over
4. My Life Before Today
5. Kiss The Haze
6. Me & Everyone I Know
7. What Are We Supposed To Do
8. Go Down
9. Better Part Of Me
10. Interested
11. Pour Me Out
12. I Heard A Rumor
13. Coke & Smoke
14. Live & Learn

Sick Puppies – Dressed Up As Life

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Sick Puppies

Artist: Sick Puppies
Album: Dressed Up As Life
Label: Virgin Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: April 3, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 8.0

Trying to review an album for a band called Sick Puppies is a lot harder than one would think. It took me a while just to get over the band’s ridiculous name to try and enjoy their album. As much as I tried to head into this session of music listening of being open minded, my mind quickly closed as the cd played. Although being from Austrailia, the band resembles many of our famous North American rock bands Creed and Nickelback mixed with the trashiness of Puddle of Mudd. Throughout most of the album, very few songs really caught my attention. I found myself even hating a few of the songs. In all fairness, even with the bands cheesy grunge rock style there are some good rockin’ guitar parts.Like most of the bands they resemble, the lyrics are definitely quite cheesy and trashy. Don’t get me wrong there are some good songs on this album, like “World” and “Pitiful”. Other than those two songs I didn’t seem to find many songs catchy or worth spending my time listening to. For all of you who do like the slower songs, there are a few slower ballads “What Are You Looking For” and “Too Many Words”. Then there are some songs like “Asshole Father”, which I found so awful I wanted to break the cd. This band definitely has the talent, it’s just not talent I feel like wasting my time listening too. If would recommend this album to fans of Creed, Nickelback, Puddle Of Mudd, or any other cheesy band of that genre. But don’t get me completely wrong, I love all kinds of music, it’s just that I believe that this album could have had some better songs on it. An album needs more than just two or three catchy songs to be considered more than decent, and decent is exactly how to describe Sick Puppies.

The Only Standout Tracks
“World”, “Pitiful”, and “What Are You Looking For?”

Tracklisting
1. My World
2. Pitiful
3. Cancer
4. What Are You Looking For?
5. Deliverance
6. All The Same
7. Too Many Words
8. Howard’s Tale
9. Asshole Father
10. Issues
11. Anywhere But Here
12. The Bottom