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.

Kaddidfly – Set Sail the Prarie

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kaddisfly

Artist: Kaddisfly
Album: Set Sail the Prarie
Label: Hopeless Records
Purchase: Hopeless
Release Date: March 6th, 2007

Overall: 6.5
Music: 6.5
Lyrics: 6.5
Production: 7.0

Rarely does being extremely diverse, mixed with plenty of tallent, make a CD unenjoyable. However, in the case of the newest release from Kaddisfly, I found they’ve missed the mark on making, what some would call, refreshing and vibrant listening experience. After countless listens, I find myself unable to clearly state where this album even sits in my current collection. Now, don’t let me scare you away from Set Sail the Prarie, because there are many good things about it, but personally, I was scratching my head listening to this album rather then sitting back and enjoying it.

I shouldn’t be too judgemental, as this CD does have it’s good points, but it just so happens that they are few and far between. Such as an incredible reference to some ‘OhmahaStyley” that doesn’t disapoint. I don’t know what else to say about this one, I see the potencial but I find that they just don’t fully achieve it.

If your looking for something unique to perk up your music library this just might fill the void. Check out thier purevolume site to stream some tracks and make up your own mind.

Kaddisfly-PureVolume

Tracklisting:

  1. I. Summer Solstice
  2. Campfire
  3. Waves
  4. Harbor
  5. Birds
  6. Clouds
  7. Empire
  8. VIII. Winter Solstice
  9. Snowflakes
  10. Via Rail
  11. Silk Road
  12. Mercury
  13. Clockwork
  14. Forest

Brighten- King vs. Queen

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Brighten King vs Queen

Artist:Brighten
Album: King vs. Queen
Label: Carbon Copy Media
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: March 20th, 2007

Overall: 8.7
Music: 8.8
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 8.0

To be quite honest, it is amazing to me that such a wonderful CD has to be held down due to legal issues. Carbon Copy Media, the record label of Brighten, is in a very well documented legal battle with its father label, Victory Records. The strange thing about King vs. Queen getting released is that the band themselves did not even know that it was going to happen.

Legal issues aside, Brighten did a wonderful job with this CD. The first two songs off King vs. Queen really set the tempo well for the rest of the CD. Weird thing about it is those two songs combined are four minutes and thirteen seconds, the average length of a normal song. However, the up tempo starting song “More Vacations”, even though short in length, tells a story of the struggle the band has faced with their label and much trouble getting this CD released. It should be clearly noted that the line “Donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t trust anyone anymore.” appears in the song eleven times. I think they get their point across.

Song three “Ready When You Are” is one of the two songs (along with song ten, “Television”) that come directly off their E.P. Ready When You Are, and both of the re-released versions are cleaned up and come off very nicely making them standout tracks just as they were on the E.P.

If you are a listener searching for something a little less up tempo, be sure to give the Jimmy Eat World Clarity-esque song “Darling Nicotine” a try. My personal favorite off King vs. Queen, its starts with a mellowed out two minute and fourty second hook followed by heavy hitting drums and a wonderful outburst of emotion and pure rock. Right after the trip that “Darling Nicotine” and the pop-rock candy-coated myspace-rocker “The Better Way” will take you on, “Single Millionaires” will take you on a different trip, a trip that will be sure to tug the heart-stings. A song that seemed to just come naturally and unplugged, a first listen will leave the listener wanting more. Take one look at the lyrics and give me a call if you are not moved, even in the smallest way.

With a few possible fillers along the way, King vs. Queen ends with another very relaxed song entitled “Why Oh Why” that any fan of Copeland will enjoy. Some people will argue that ending a CD on a soft song is not the way to go, but I disagree. A record ended on a soft note works for some bands, and for this band, it worked beautifully.

While Brighten’s King vs. Queen might be very hard to find in stores for a while unless you were very lucky to pick it up the day it came out, be sure to shop around on ebay and other sites to get yourself a copy. Trust me, in a few months, a year, however long it takes for this band to blow up, you’ll want to be one of those people to say you knew about them a while ago.

Tracklisting
1. More Vacations
2. Heart Like That
3. Ready When You Are
4. Treasure Island
5. Mr. Mister
6. Darling Nicotine
7. Better Way
8. Single Millionaires
9. We Chose The King
10. Television
11. Cops and Robbers
12. Why Oh Why

The Graduate – Anhedonia

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The Graduate Anhedonia

Artist: The Graduate
Album: Anhedonia
Label: ICON MES
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 10th, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 7.8.
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0

The Graduate, who seem to have come out of the shadows almost overnight, are creating a huge buzz for their debut full length “Anhedonia.” What are you looking for in a good record? Amazing vocals, fast driving drums, or hooks all over the place? Well take you pick because The Graduate serve up all of the above.

Anhedonia opens up with â┚¬Ã…”Sit and Sinkâ┚¬? which lets the listener know exactly what they’re in for with the solid vocals and hooks that fill the song. â┚¬Ã…”I Survivedâ┚¬? could be this records anthem, if it were to have one. The song starts off vocally and then the drums take over and drive the song the rest of the way. The song sells the point of being glad to make it through something and be able to move on.

â┚¬Ã…”Anhedoniaâ┚¬?, the slightly darker title track is one of the weaker tracks the record has with the chorus peaking interest yet not really feeling like it fulfills on it. However, The Graduate tend to throw down a Cartel like rock style with a tad less pop. Not only their music style sings of Cartel, but the vocals have that Cartel feel to them as well, which is not a bad thing. The vocals are definitely something that will get this band noticed.

The record rounds out with â┚¬Ã…”Surround Yourselfâ┚¬? which carries such a groove that itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s hard to resist bobbing your head and wanting to just sing out “we donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t get down in front, we never get what we want.”

Besides a track or two that fall a little short, The Graduate has succeeded in putting out a debut full length that will be hard to top. The record, which could be categorized a perfect blend of acceptance and cartel, will be sure to be one of the sleeper hits of the year. Be sure to check out this much deserved band before they blow up and everyone else on to the next big thing before you.

Tracklisting
1. Sit and Sink
2. I Survived
3. Bet It All
4. Anhedonia
5. The City That Read
6. Better Company
7. Surround Yourself
8. Interlude
9. Doppleganger
10. Stay The Same
11. Justified
12. Sing

The Almost – Southern Weather

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The Almost

Artist: The Almost
Album: Southern Weather
Label: Tooth & Nail / Virgin
Purchase: Music Today
Release Date: April 3, 2007

Overall: 8.3
Music: 8.2
Lyrics: 8.6
Production: 8.2

Aaron Gillespie has just gotten one step closer to total domination. The Almost’s new record Southern Weather is the cure to the haters of his other band, Underoath. The Almost is Aaron’s full display of his talent, vocally and musically. Sharing control with the reputable Aaron Sprinkle, Gillespie wrote and recorded eleven songs.

While the songs vary in tempo and dynamics, I don’t really feel like the record ever reaches a smooth flow. Individually, the songs are outstanding. Aaron’s guitar-work is what came as the biggest surprise to me. His all around talent is comparable to that of Dave Grohl and Phil Collins. His voice, unlike in the demos, is powerful and controlled. He soars melodically on most tracks, reminiscent of Underoath’s “Reinventing Your Exit” but climbs higher and tensely combats himself with harmonies that stand the hair on your neck. Songs like “Amazing Because It Is” and “Dirty and Left Out” (which features guest vocals from Sunny Day Real Estate’s Jeremy Enigk) dive into Aaron’s unhappiness with his own behavior, faith and love for Jesus. Much more open with the spirituality that takes a metaphorical disguise in Underoath, The Almost is as honest as you can get.

My favorite track, hiding at the end of the CD, “Everything That Makes Me Sick” is anything but. Other standouts “I Mostly Copy Other People (with Kenny Vasoli)” “Everyone Here Smells” and radio single “Say This Sooner” make this a definite staple in my music collection. Aaron will be touring for the next six months straight between both bands, definitely make the effort to catch this band before they hit mainstream success! Check out the record after its release on April 3!

Track Listing:
1. Say This Sooner
2. Drive There Now!
3. Dirty And Left Out
4. I Mostly Copy Other People
5. Southern Weather
6. Stop It!
7. Amazing, Because It Is
8. Everyone Here Smells Like A Rat
9. Never Say, â┚¬Ã…”I Told You Soâ┚¬?
10. Call Back When Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m Honest
11. Everything That Makes Me Sick

There For Tomorrow – Pages EP

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pages_ep_cover

Artist: There For Tomorrow
Album: Pages EP
Label: Self-Released
Purchase: Smartpunk
Release Date: March 27, 2007

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

Produced by my all-time favorite producer James Paul Wisner, Pages is the debut EP from rock quintet There For Tomorrow. These boys are textbook James Paul Wisner products as their riffs are heavy with energy, high on melody, and exploding with instant pop-rock appeal. If you’re a fan of Saosin, Boys Like Girls, and Hit The Lights consider yourself already a fan as There For Tomorrow effortlessly walk the line between these bands.

Pages is like a novella in itself possessing the infectious, suspenseful quality of a short story that you can’t put down. From start to finish each track will grab you in and keep you rocking. Opener “Wrong Way To Hide” punctuates There For Tomorrow’s high energy, vocally riveting performance style. Follow-up “Addiction And Her Name” is ripe with sing-along verses and get-on-your-feet riffs. I could go on to describe every track on this EP because they’re all worthy of your attention, but I’m going to save my breath and provide you a link to their myspace because hearing really is believing.

Admittedly, these Florida natives aren’t doing anything particularly new, but they do it so well that it’s easy to forget that tons of bands have already walked this walk. If There For Tomorrow don’t become your new favorite band in March, I’ll be shocked. Powerful vocals, addictive guitars, and crazy energy, what’s there to stop you from picking this up on Tuesday?!?

Track Listing:
1. Wrong Way To Hide
2. Addiction And Her Name
3. Pages
4. Waiting
5. Taking Chances

Standout Tracks:
All of them

Reel Big Fish and Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer – Duet All Night Long

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duet.jpg

Artist: Reel Big Fish and Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer
Album: Duet All Night Long
Label: Reignition Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: February 20, 2007

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

Duet All Night Long is one of the most interesting releases so far this year. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s part split, part collaboration, part cover. The bands switch care of the covers at the end of each song, meaning there is a nice mix of Reel Big Fishâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s standard-setting ska and Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyerâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s fun-loving, synth-driven pop rock. Both bandsâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ sounds are upbeat with some silliness, giving way to a perfect feel-good album. Adding to the fun is the collaboration on vocals on each track; Rachel Minton of Zolof lends her talent to all of Reel Big Fishâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s tracks and Aaron Barrett and Scott Klopfenstein mix up Zolof songs with some more masculine vocals. As for the songs covered, these 80s hits were mostly before my time, so I was only a little familiar with half of the songs. However, the album was still immensely enjoyable given both bandâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s happy-go-lucky interpretations of the melodies along with the great vocal duets.

Tracklisting:

  1. “Ask” (originally by The Smiths) – Reel Big Fish (03:20)
  2. “Dress You Up” (originally by Madonna) – Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer (03:24)
  3. “Lyin’ Ass Bitch” (originally by Fishbone) – Reel Big Fish (04:17)
  4. “Don’t You Want Me” (originally by The Human League) – Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer (03:08)
  5. “It’s Not Easy” (originally from the Walt Disney animated film Pete’s Dragon) – Reel Big Fish (02:46)
  6. “Say Say Say” (originally by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney) – Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer (03:23)

Dear and the Headlights – Small Steps, Heavy Hooves

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dear.jpg

Artist: Dear and the Headlights
Album: Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
Label: Equal Vision Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: February 6, 2007

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

I was interested in Dear and the Headlights after hearing a song or two on their Myspace, but when I got their album I felt like would be unable to review it because it was quite difficult for me to pinpoint their sound. Their sound shifts from song to song, sometimes soft-spoken and soothing “but with synth instead of piano “like Copeland (e.g. “Oh No”), sometimes more like the peppy indie rock of Rooney (e.g. “Sweet Talk”), sometimes reminiscent of alternative bands like Coldplay or British pop-rockers Travis (“Happy in Love”), and sometimes ringing in my head like Straylight Run (“I’m Bored, You’re Amorous”) or even at times like Dashboard Confessional (“Run in the Front”) “mostly due to vocal inflections common in the sub-genre.

Musically this album can be filed neither under emo, despite aforementioned vocal stylings calling various emo bands to mind, nor indie rock. While pop-punk influences are clear, for the most part, guitar riffs are strong and varied making the entire album an interesting listen. Before putting the band’s variation to words, I was disappointed by the unreliability in style. However after a few listens and an attempt to describe the sound on Small Steps, Heavy Hooves, I’ve found that Dear and the Headlights essentially deliver a well-rounded, mainstream album.

Tracklisting:

  1. “Oh No!” (4:14)
  2. “Sweet Talk” (2:56)
  3. “Hallelujah” (4:09)
  4. “Happy In Love” (3:45)
  5. “I’m Bored, You’re Amorous” (4:00)
  6. “Grace” (4:05)
  7. “It’s Gettin’ Easy” (3:32)
  8. “Paper Bag” (3:53)
  9. “Skinned Knees and Gapped Teeth” (3:35)
  10. “Run in the Front” (4:22)
  11. “Mother Make Me Golden” (4:12)
  12. “I Just Do” (3:43)
  13. “Midwestern Dirt” (6:46)

Love Arcade – Self Titled

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Love Arcade self titled

Artist: Love Arcade
Album: Love Arcade
Label: Atlantic
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 8th, 2006

Overall: 5.0
Music: 5.0
Lyrics: 4.0
Production: 6.0

Writing a review 101, welcome to the first day of class where we learn how to write a review that you donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t necessarily want to write. The first thing you need is a mediocre (at best) record. The second thing youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll need is a lot of time on your hands to craft your writing into something objective for the masses.

A popular thing to do is to compare the record that is being reviewed (in our case thatâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s the Love Arcade self titled album) to something. Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll give you an example, the Love Arcade is the closest thing there is to actually being able to fit high school drama on a compact disc. The next thing that you want to go over is a few of the songs that you liked, or that stood out to you and you think will stand out to other people. Weâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll point out the first song â┚¬Ã…”Keep it comingâ┚¬? which walks the fine line of catchy and annoying. The song â┚¬Ã…”Passengerâ┚¬? is another notable song which is probably the strongest song on the record (so take that how you will). Usually, if you love the album you can keep on talking about all the great lyrics and melodies that the record contains.

The end of the review is for giving an overview of the good and bad things about the record. For the Love Arcade we would talk about the dancey, sometimes catchy musical beats. We would probably want to mention the cheesy lyrics and the shallowness of pretty much every song. Then, conclude with mentioning that if people wanted to check the band out they can do so at a myspace page. There you have it, step one to writing a review.

Tracklisting
1. Keep It Coming

2. Sara
3. Candy
4. Passenger
5. Tease me
6. Moses
7. Can’t Stop
8. Sweet Thing
9. Party
10. Going Down
11. Waste
12. Open

Life In Your Way – Waking Giants

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waking giants

Artist: Life In Your Way
Album: Waking Giants
Label: Solid State Records
Purchase: Smartpunk
Release Date: March 6, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.5

After releasing two albums on Indianola then being dropped from the imprint, Connecticut natives Life In Your Way have teamed up with hardcore Christian staple Solid State for their third outing Waking Giants. If you fancy yourself a fan of melodic hardcore, Waking Giants may be a worthwhile, albeit unmemorable, addition to your record collection. Crafting songs that roar and reign but still remain highly tuneful, LIYW deliver your cornerstone sing/scream breakdowns amidst some admittedly catchy guitar parts.

Produced by veteran “farm man” GGGarth Richardson, Waking Giants delivers on most fronts, never compromising it’s hardcore elements to reach a greater appeal. Tracks like “We Don’t Believe” and “Making Waves” showcase LIYW at the peak of their genre, mixing enchanting chord progression with heavy breakdowns and solid scream/sing choices. Even songs that start off less than brutal eventually find their callousness amongst the melody (Reach The End, Salty Grave). The redone “Threads Of Sincerity” (which appeared on the band’s previous album) sounds more intense than ever, flaunting a self-assured conviction that wasn’t apparent in LIYW’s past efforts. In fact, the greatest thing LIYW has to offer in this album is their ability to punctuate their song structures. In “Worthwhile” beautifully executed vocals are complemented by Joshua’s growls before tearing away into slow-moving savagery.

In my book, there’s a fine line between raw and polished that can make or break a band. All raw and no polish makes for an earache of a listen; over-polished and under-heated lacks the heart that’s central in hardcore. Life In Your Way did a good job tight walking the line, and consequently wrote songs that shirk predictability and rigor. However, I feel the album tries to do too much in the way of proving itself to both the hardcore and melodic hardcore communities. There are lot of great ideas and riffing inherent in this album, but few of them are ever taken to completion. What’s left is something that feels like the first draft of an epic poem–tons of great stanzas, but no ultimate build up and resolution. And although LIYW make it evident that’s what they’re trying to do, the pieces just don’t seem to fit the way they should.

Furthermore, as with many releases in this genre, there’s nothing truly original that Life In Your Way bring to the table. Labelmates As Cities Burn did a similar release two years ago, and while Waking Giants comes across slightly better than Son I Loved You At Your Darkest, it doesn’t stir the tide enough to ever break a wave. This pattern, in general, has plagued Solid State’s name over the past two years. They’ve been signing bands that, for all intents and purposes, have been pretty generic.

With that in mind, if you’ve been a longstanding fan of Life In Your Way, you’ll want to pick up Waking Giants to hear the progression the band have made since leaving Indianola (because it is considerable). However, if you’re a just a passing fan of the genre, move along until something better awakes the giant.

Track Listing:
1. Reach the End
2. Worthwhile
3. We Don’t Believe
4. Making Waves
5. The Shame
6. Salty Grave
7. Help! The Arm of the Mighty
8. Threads of Sincerity
9. The Beauty of Grace
10. Judas
11. Beneath It All:

Standout Tracks:
Reach The End, We Don’t Believe, Making Waves, Threads of Sincerity

Permanent Me – After The Room Clears

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Permanent Me

Artist: Permanent Me
Album: After The Room Clears
Label: Stolen Transmission
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: January 23, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 9.0

“After The Room Clears” was the fourth full length to ever be released on Stolen Transmission Records, a label that has built itself up seemingly overnight. Permanent Me (previously called Yes, Virginia) was one of the first to be signed on the label, and after recording and relentless touring, they’ve finally put out a full-length record.

The album is upbeat and nearly every song seems to be an energetic pop number about relationships, and to be more precise, relationships gone wrong; not that this is a bad thing. “After The Room Clears” possess a certain energy that makes up for the few parts that get somewhat repetitive. A supreme example of this energy is the first 10 seconds of the record. Permanent Me wastes no time with a intro song, but rather jumps into the record with â┚¬Ã…”Until You Leaveâ┚¬?, a catchy, upbeat song that promises to get stuck into your head. This approach sets up the mood for the rest of the album and the song is the perfect way to start off the record.
As the album continues, the energy captured in the first song is never lost, making the record that much more memorable. The band showcases it’s potential most notably in the songs “Dead To You”, where vocalist Brian Kapler sings with an extra bit of intensity that was previously unheard on the rest of the album.
The final song on the record “20 Years” demonstrated the same potential that “Dead To You.” Maybe it’s the “whoaâ┚¬?s in the chorus, but every time I hear this song, I can’t help but think it’s one of those songs that you go to a concert and can’t wait to hear because you can’t wait to sing along. A lot of the record is like that, and although it’s not groundbreaking, it’s fun pop rock that people can have fun listening to.

Track Listing
1. Until You Leave
2. Allison
3. Heartattack
4. 4 A.M.
5. Christine
6. Blackjaw
7. By the Time
8. Later On
9. Friday Night
10. Dead to You
11. NYC
12. 20 Years