Driven Far Off

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Staff Recommendations October 1st 2006

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Trevor Bivens

Ivory – Self Titled EP: I got to check out Ivory back when they were opening up for theAudition, and I was so impressed by their live show, that I picked up their EP. It makes for good soft listening, and the atmosphere is relaxing enough to put you into a dream-like state. Still young, there’s plenty of untapped potential from this band. Things are relatively slow in their camp right now with the recent departure of their guitarist, but I’m sure things will pick up soon enough. Until then, you can check them out on Purevolume or Myspace. I highly suggest going ahead and ordering their EP.
Purevolume
Myspace

Katie Arsenault

Hit the Lights -Ԛ“ This is a Stick Up, DonÔš’t Make it a MurderԚ”: Ever since I was introduced to them, IÔš’ve been completely hooked. They are fun, upbeat and completely catchy. I always find myself singing along to Ԛ“Speakers BlownԚ” in my car by myself like a total geek. Their stage performance is excellent and they just draw you in. Plus they are the nicest guys. TheyÔš’re on the upcoming New Found Glory tour, so make sure you check it out.PureVolume

Bryce Jacobson

Spitalfield – Better Than Knowing Where You Are: Spitalfield’s new album is filled with lots of melody and the band builds on their previous releases to make this one an outstanding release. Pick it up this Tuesday, you won’t regret it.

PureVolume

Cassidy Myers

Beloved – Failure On: Probably one of the best albums to come out on Solid State Records. Beloved did something many bands try to do, mix poppy melodies with huge hardcore breakdowns and they do it prefectly.

MySpace

Julie Watanabe

Jonezetta – Popularity: Tooth & Nail have made a habit out of signing and producing the next big IT band on the market. True to their history, T&N are bringing you Mississippi’s own dance-prock (pop-rock) rebels Jonezetta. The debut is well crafted, witty, and insanely addicting. Tracks like “Welcome Home” and “Burn It Down” will have you using your repeat button like an old habit, while the overall production and arrangement will keep your ears ringing in a foot-tapping, head-bobbing heartattack. There are a lot of HUGE name releases this Tuesday–The Killers, Jet, Evanescence, Decemberists– but don’t pass up this opportunity to pick up an outstanding effort by an underdog band.
Purevolume

Tyler Hayes

Skillet – Comatose: Most people have at least heard of this band, but forget what you know. This new album of theirs that drops on October 3rd is not like their previous work. This album is radio friendly, guilty pleasure music at it’s finest. The infectious choruses and the massive arena rock sound are things that give this release a reason to check out. This may not make it on to many people’s top 10 list of the year, but it is definitely a solid album and worth at least your consideration.

Myspace

Reema Desai

Bel Air Academy – Repeat This Over:Ԛ  I’m not gonna lie, the whole reason I listened to this band in the first place is because, yes, they’re named after the school Will and Carlton go to in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.Ԛ  Luckily though, it’s not the reason why I continue to listen to them.Ԛ  Their 10 song debut, “Repeat This Over” was released last month on Stowaway Records.Ԛ  The LP is a solid pop album that delivers light-hearted, catchy songs just like any pop record should.Ԛ  Uncle Phil would be proud.
myspace

Staff Recommendations September 24th 2006

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Julie Watanabe

Adie Camp – As the former frontwoman of rock ensemble The Benjamin Gate and songwriter Jeremy Camp’s wife, Adie has, for better or worse, no lack of ties to the music industry. This Tuesday, her first ever solo album Don’t Wait debuts through BEC Records. Her music is undeniably pop laced with acoustic rock, and despite being lumped into a competitive genre that’s already overpopulated, Adie manages to beat out much of her stake. For an idea of her style think catchy choruses like early Michelle Branch mixed with soft spoken vocal insight reminiscent of Anna Nalick. Check out “Your Way” on her myspace.
Myspace

Saosin – It’s been 3 years and waiting for early Saosin fans. 3 years since Translating The Name went public and the revolution was set in motion. The justifications are endless, but Saosin in your stereo is more important than money in your pocket. DON’T pirate this album! Saosin are the pioneers of this scene (no matter what you’d like to believe) and not buying this album would be of the highest disrespect. Look for the review soon.
Myspace

Michael Schneider

Matt Wertz – Matt has consistently been a favorite of mine since I was introduced to him. His infectious melodies and lyrics that connect with all listeners drive his entire catalogue and especially his new release “Everything In Between”

Cassidy Myers

mewithoutYou – Their new release “Brother, Sister” is absolutely amazing and will be one of the best releases to come out this year.

Rocky Votolato – Put out his amazing new album “Makers” this January. Rocky Votolato is the best solo artist to come out of Seattle.

Valida Prentice

I’m living in Barcelona right now and this past weekend was the big city festival, in honor of Barcelona’s patron Saint Mercedes. As part of the festivities, there was TONS of music, both traditional and contemporary. I think I’ll be drawing on the bands I first listened to at the free shows this weekend for the next few weeks’ recommendations. This week, I’ll recommend to you Canadians The Hidden Cameras who blend an array of string instruments with indie-pop keys & guitars and a poppin’ Spanish electronica quartet called Mendetz.

Reema Desai

The Format – Dog Problems was released in this year in the middle of the summer and I haven’t really stopped listening to it since. The lyrics and subject matter are as personal as songs can possibly be and the variety of instruments and techniques used on this album make it stick out from the crowd as well as add a certain flavor to the album. One can not listen to this album and not respect the evident hard work and sincerity that went into making it. The leap the band took from their previous record, Interventions and Lullabies to Dog Problems is truely phenomenal. This is easily one of if not the most witty and catchy pop albums of the year.

(On a side note, they also have the coolest website ever.)

Staff Recommendations September 17th 2006

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Trevor Bivens

The Receiving End of Sirens – “Between the Heart and the Synapse” is such a beautiful album that is underappreciated. It’s a sprawling epic full of emotion, energy, and some of the best musicianship to be heard in the past few years. While being out for a while, it never gained the momentum it should have. If you have the time and dig bands with spaced out music, narrative lyrics, and an edge that make them have a sound all their own, check this album out and fall in love.

Myspace | Pure Volume

Devin Henderson

Cancer BatsԚ – Self-described as a fusion between Southern Rock, Metal & Hardcore, it’s undeniable that the Cancer Bats, if nothing else, BRING IT. When you’re looking for angry, loud, driving, and original, the only thing better than their debut ‘Birthing the Giant’ is their insanely energetic live show. They’re currently on tour with Alexisonfire, Every Time I Die, and Attack in Black, across Canada & the US, and this is a tour NOT to be missed. Check out their new album, and their live show – I guarantee you’ll be blown away.

My SpaceԚ |Ԛ Pure Volume

Reema Desai

We Are Americana â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ This band formed only a short year ago and it’s already on the road to becoming the one-millionth great band to come out of New York. Before joining the band vocalist DJ Jess was a full time DJ in the city and his past shows through in the music. Songs like “My Body Hates Me” have intricate beats and effects that scream, “A DJ wrote this song!” The guitar sound is energetic and manages to flow perfectly with the vocals, beat and bass line without either of the four being drowned out by one another. DJ Jess’s vocals almost sound like another instrument of their own especially on tracks like “How I Killed the Rekindle”. Their current EP “My Body Hates Me” is something you’ll want to listen all the way throughâ┚¬Ã‚¦several times. The best thing about this band is not their vocals or their EP though; it’s the fact they know how to get people moving. Come on, if you didn’t dance around even a little bit in your chair during the “My Body Hates Me” Remix, then there might be something wrong.

Mike Duncan

Dashboard Confessional – What can you expect from a veteran songwriter such as Chris Carraba but another great album? Yup, he did it again, another fine collection of nostalgic songs dealing with relationships. The funny thing about nostalgia is that it takes stillshots from all the romanticized moments in life you want to remember and that’s exactly what Dusk and Summer is â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬ eleven “stillshots” from someone’s idealized love life that are composed in such a way that they are relatable to everyone. While Carraba’s first try as a full band in A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar may not have gripped you, I think this effort will. For me, as a change from the last album, I do see the same man who wrote The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most writing Dusk and Summer. Believe me, you’ll want to remember these songs, and you most likely will.

MySpace | PureVolume

Julie Watanabe

Falling Up – This past Tuesday the boys from Falling Up released their first ever remix album, Exit Lights. Selecting hit tracks from both Crashings and Dawn Escapes along with several brand new, never recorded songs, the boys hit the studio with a tag-team of reknowned producers and fellow Christian musicians to put some killer new spins on some otherwise old tunes. Now I’ve always loved the stuff Falling Up have put out, and Exit Lights is no exception. Gone are the harder rock riffs and in their place a swirling hue of ambience and rich electronic tones. The idea of a rock remix album in itself is a novel idea (not to mention for such a young band), and Falling Up are one of the few groups capable of translating their hit songs to an equally astounding remix. A must have for anyone who owns Dawn Escapes.

PureVolume | Exit Lights Ecard

The Static Age – Blank Screens is The Static Age’s third full length album and first release through ReIgnition Records. With a classically trained pianist setting the backbone for most of the band’s earthy, organic musical approach, Andrew Paley’s enigmatic voice floats above the melodies in a very ethereal manner. Think Paulson vs. new school This Day And Age. Recommended for anyone who can appreciate the quality of original music beyond the scope of pop-rock and scene bands. If you can’t understand it’s greatness now, you most certainly will in two years.

PureVolume

Michael Schneider
Matt Wertz, Underoath

Bryce Jacobson

Nevertheless – Live Like We’re Alive is Nevertheless’s new album that we happen to be streaming on the site this week. They mix the power of Number One Gun with the energy of MxPx and top it off with the likes of Hawk Nelson. Sounds like a good mix right? Take a listen for yourself this week and let us know what you think.

Staff Recommendations September 10th 2006

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You can read this weeks staff recommendations below.

Katie Arsenult: All Time Low.
Paul Bruens: Nevertheless, Jonezetta.
Bryce Jacobson: Pick up this years best pop-rock album, Boys Like Girls.
Michael Schneider: This Providence
Mike Duncan: Cassino, Matchbook Romance – This week Matchbook Romance’s sophomore album, Voices, has been in heavy rotation for me. Even though I have owned this record since its release on Valentine’s Day of this year, it had not sunk in until now. The reason being that it was such a drastic change from Stories and Alibis, which has always been one of my favorites. I gave Voices a second chance, which turned into a third chance, which turned into a fourth and a fifth… The fact is that this is not an album that should be overlooked. Matchbook Romance took a chance with the direction of this disc and took some stabs for it, but I found that if you listen to it a few times and let it hit you, their new sound begins to take on its own shape and you depend less on your expectations. I love how dark the whole album sounds; it has really been gearing me up for Halloween.

Staff Recommendations September 3rd 2006

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Our first week of staff recommendations is here. Have a look below for some of the great music we have been listening to.

Julie Watanabe

Skillet – I’m a shoo-in for Christian rock bands, and really, it’s not like I’m even Christian. The truth of the matter is that I’ve not always condoned some of the music-making decision’s Skillet have made over the past 10 years as a band. I mean, they’ll pulled some pretty disasterous electro-gothic styled mishaps in the past, and John’s voice hasn’t exactly been the poster-child of pleasing until now. Comatose is Skillet’s seventh studio album and first mainstream takeover. Think scratchy rock vocals via Papa Roach, punishing guitar gothic rock ala Evanescence, and the most hauntingly gorgeous male/female vocal harmonies you’ll recall hearing post-boy-band explosion. The first single “Rebirthing” sounds more polished than anything they’ve ever produced, but it’s also the most focused and cohesive Skillet have ever come across. Comatose hits stores two months from now in October, which means you’ll have plenty of time to play and replay “Rebirthing” to familiarize yourself with the band until the release.

MySpace | Pre-Order Comatose

Mike Duncan

The Invite – The Invite get my recommendation this week because of how far they’ve come since their last release, the Daydream EP, which was not too shabby to begin with. Their latest effort, A World Outside, is masterfully produced by Jay DeZuzio and marks their debut on indie label Red Blue Records. With this release I can only see The Invite going one way — the way towards widespread recognition from major record labels. Catchy choruses and poignant lyrics are all that emanate from this sweet-and-crunchy rock EP. The band’s first single, “Dear Journal,” really steps it up a notch, especially when lead singer Johnny Gates hits a series of notes lasting an entire nineteen seconds without taking a breath. Chances are you’ve never heard of The Invite, but chances are you hadn’t heard of your favorite band until they were already huge. There are no skipable tracks on this CD and I strongly encourage each and everyone of you to do yourself a favor and discover one of your new favorite bands. A World Outside is available through Smartpunk.com.

PureVolume

Bryce Jacobson

Forever Changed – It may seem strange to recommend a band that recently retired, but Forever Changed released one of this years best albums. Chapters is some of the bands best work and songs like “Never Look Down,” “All I Need,” and “Letting Go of You” not only pack a lot of power they are also filled with plenty of emotion. Julie pretty much summed up how great this album is in her review. Also be sure to check out their PureVolume page to stream some of their new songs and even download some.