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.

Over It – Step Outside Yourself

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Over It

Artist: Over It
Album: Step Outside Yourself
Label: Virgin Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 29, 2006

Overall: 9.1
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 9.5

Over It is a band that many people have either heard about or listened to in the past few years. Now with their first major label release just about everyone will hear about them. Over Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s musical style has progressed every album starting from the fast paced â┚¬Ã…”Timing Is Everythingâ┚¬? to the last album â┚¬Ã…”Silverstrandâ┚¬?, which is more of a pop punk genre of music. Now the band has taken a whole new approach of their style on this album. They have taken their sound up to the next level. I will honestly say that this album is very main stream in every way possible. The songs are catchy with melodies that will get you hooked. The best part of the album is its production, with the soaring vocals, hard hitting drums, and loud bass.

â┚¬Ã…”Step Outside Yourselfâ┚¬? opens up with a very rock styled song called â┚¬Ã…”Think Against the Grainâ┚¬?. This song is probably my favorite song on the album, and reminds me of a mix between Donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t Look Down and Over It. The band also re-recorded the single from their last album â┚¬Ã…”Siren On the 101â┚¬?, which sounds much better now than the original. The vocal ranges are much better and the production as whole just makes the song even more enjoyable than before. Then there are the songs on the album that have guest vocals, â┚¬Ã…”Dishonor and Disorderâ┚¬? featuring Mike Herrera of MXPX and â┚¬Ã…”The Energyâ┚¬? featuring Sean Mackin of Yellowcard. â┚¬Ã…”Dishonor and Disorderâ┚¬? sounds more like a pop punk song and â┚¬Ã…”The Energyâ┚¬? sounds more like a ballad song. The album has the perfect mix of songs. There are the more rocklike songs like â┚¬Ã…”Think Against the Grainâ┚¬?, â┚¬Ã…”Your Songâ┚¬?, and â┚¬Ã…”Come Out with Your Hands Upâ┚¬?. Then there are some tracks that give Over It a whole new sound like â┚¬Ã…”Too Much Informationâ┚¬?, â┚¬Ã…”The Energyâ┚¬?, â┚¬Ã…”Mister Seriousâ┚¬?, and â┚¬Ã…”Feels Like Affectionâ┚¬?. The album also has the perfect closing track â┚¬Ã…”Like Satellitesâ┚¬?, it is a catchy closing track with some acoustic guitar in it and it definitely has a different sound for the band. Overall this album is amazing. With one listen you like this instantly, but with a few more listens you love it. It has really grown on me, and I think it will do the same to everyone else who comes across it. Over It has really stepped it up for their first major label debut with an amazingly produced album and well written lyrics for everyone to enjoy.

Track Listing:
1. Think Against the Grain
2. Gunslinger (Running Out of Time)
3. Siren on the 101
4. Too Much Information
5. Dishonor, Disorder (featuring Mike Herrera of MXPX)
6. Your Song
7. The Energy (featuring Sean Mackin of Yellowcard)
8. Lost
9. Where the Sky Begins
10. Mister Serious
11. Feels Like Affection (Turn It Up)
12. Come Out with Your Hands Up
13. Like Satellites

Stand out Tracks

  • “Think Against the Grain”
  • “Siren on the 101”
  • “Come Out with Your Hands Up”
  • “Your Song”

Monty Are I – Wall of People

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Monty Are I

Artist: Monty Are I
Album: Wall of People
Label: Stolen Transmission
Purchase: Interpunk
Release Date: August 1, 2006

Overall: 9.3
Music: 9.4
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 9.5

With their debut album as Monty Are I and their first deal with a record label, Providenceâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s â┚¬Ã…”No Longer Localâ┚¬? band of 2006 puts Rhode Island on the map. Not only does it do that, but it gives the smallest state in the country a very large and commanding voice. The unveiling of Wall of People is sure to attract a huge amount of attention in 2006-07. However, because six tracks from the bandâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s previous release as Monty reappear on this 11-song full-length, it is questionable whether Monty Are I has hidden enough tricks up their sleeves to keep old fans entertained.

The album begins with a familiar song, â┚¬Ã…”Between the Sheets,â┚¬? which if you didnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t know, actually has enough voltage to jumpstart your heart. Its persistent machine-gun beats hammer the song forward with dynamic horns and Coheed-like squealing guitars in key parts of the song. Vocally, it could be reminiscent of the menacing voice of Claudio Sanchez, except that lead singer/guitarist Steve Aiello sings with more vigor and passion. At the same time, trumpeter/vocalist Ryan Muir adds convincing echoes and harmonies to the mix. â┚¬Ã…”Between the Sheetsâ┚¬? stands out as being the most energetic song on the disc.

While the momentum created by the opener is carried through the next four songs, there are enough rests to catch your breath. Second on the track list is the heroic song â┚¬Ã…”Castle Bound,â┚¬? whose 8-bit Nintendo-style introduction and uplifting chorus enhance lyrics about rescuing a damsel in distress. â┚¬Ã…”Dublin Waltzâ┚¬? makes a big first impression with a momentous beginning complete with orchestra-sounding synth noises, which does not lose its effect throughout the entire song. During parts, this same song slows down to a quiet tiptoe. Also making its first appearance, â┚¬Ã…”Anchor and Hopeâ┚¬? does not leave the same kind of impact. Using the same hook and chorus with little variation, it strikes me as repetitious. Its redeeming quality is a short-lived electronic breakdown halfway through, which showcases producer Matt Squireâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s skill. Track five on the CD, â┚¬Ã…”O Brother,â┚¬? obliterates any exhaustion I felt during the previous song with a perfectly arranged bridge and chorus honoring soldiers of war, before cleverly shifting into a beautiful choir at the end.

Then something interesting happens. Some real maturity is shown with the story behind â┚¬Ã…”Island City,â┚¬? which acts like a slow intermission, and the following song, â┚¬Ã…”Metropolis.â┚¬? A connection between them is suggested by the reflective, piano-based outro of â┚¬Ã…”Island Cityâ┚¬? that makes a seamless transition into the more driven â┚¬Ã…”Metropolisâ┚¬? and gets repeated again at its conclusion. Unfolding a story in back-to-back songs, these gems might have given Wall of People a new facet, except that theyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve been heard before on The Red Shift.

With the criticism they could have expected, youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢d have thought Monty Are I would have chosen one of their new songs to be their first single, but they did not. I would pick them apart for this, but for the fact that â┚¬Ã…”In This Legacyâ┚¬? is so damn good. The single has a similar tempo to â┚¬Ã…”Between the Sheets,â┚¬? however it makes use of a wider range of sounds and the vocals are even more powerful. If you only hear one song by Monty Are I, let this be the one.

Improving the value of the CD are three newly christened songs at the end. Yet the question remains for those who own The Red Shift: Is having five new songs worth paying for a full-length? While the answer needs ultimately to be decided by you, I will say that Wall of People is truly a significant album, cohesive from start to finish, and the freshly recorded tracks are just as masterfully done as the old six.

Track List:
1. Between the Sheets
2. Castle Bound
3. Dublin Waltz
4. Anchor and Hope
5. O Brother
6. Island City
7. Metropolis
8. In This Legacy
9. Just in Time
10. Tie Off Your Veins
11. Only the Weak

Hellogoodbye – Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!

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hellogoodbye

Artist: Hellogoodbye
Album: Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
Label: Drive-Thru
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 8, 2006

Overall: 7.8
Music: 7.6
Lyrics: 7.3
Production: 7.9

Waiting and patience are just a few of the things hellogoodbye fans had to go through these past three years. The band originally put out a free EP in 2004 and have been touring / writing new material ever since. It is only now that we can finally get a full collection of songs from the band. Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! is the title of the bands debut full-length as they continue their fun and catchy sound while mixing in some more dance beats and melodies.

Bringing in the album is “All Your Love” where we hear a familiar dance/rock beat that we have come too know from the band. The vocals are done well but the addition of electronic effects actually drag the song on giving it almost to much of a dance feel. If you want even more of a dance song then “Here (In Your Arms)” is the song for you. Filled with full electronics and hardly any guitar/bass parts this doesn’t seem like the type of song that should be on this album but they had to do at least one with a full electronic feel. After the first two tracks I was happy to hear “All Time Lows” which actually sounds like a hellogoodbye track. Well done keyboards and an actual guitar part give the song a nice lift up to the standards we all expected from this album. “Stuck To You” continues with the full band sound this time giving us a funky intro and dance along guitar parts throughout the song. “Oh, It Is Love” brings the tempo of the album down on this mellow acoustic track. The lyrics sound strangely familiar but it’s probably because they are so easy to catch onto and sing. Now for “Baby, It’s Fact” you can take “Oh, It Is Love” speed it up and you have almost the same song. “Figures A And B (Means You And Me)” is a good showcase of the full band playing and doing what they do best.

When I first took a listen to this album I was pleased by its variety and different styles. After listening more I could tell what tracks were going to stand out and what ones felt weak, but that’s the case with almost every album. Overall it’s great to finally hear some more music from hellogoodbye and this album should please previous fans with its catchy choruses and electronic beats.

Track Listing:
1. All Of Your Love
2. Here (In Your Arms)
3. All Time Lows
4. Stuck To You
5. Homewrecker
6. Oh, It Is Love
7. Baby, Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s Fact
8. Figures A And B (Means You And Me)
9. I Saw It On Your Keyboard
10. Touchdown Turnaround (Donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t Give Up On Me)
11. Two Weeks In Hawaii

The Classic Crime – Albatross

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The Classic Crime

Artist: The Classic Crime
Album: Albatross
Label: Tooth & Nail
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 23, 2006

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

The Pacific Northwest has given birth to bands that are rich with creativity and never forgotten throughout the years (such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and etc). The Classic Crime is the next big thing to come from this region of the United States. Signing to Tooth and Nail Records, the band seems to fit in with their unique sound and positive/hopeful lyrics. The Classic Crimeâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s debut record “Albatross” was a hit in the first week amongst fans and is still going strong. The songs are constructed of riveting guitars, pounding drums, catchy vocals, upbeat chorus, and hopeful lyrics. Every song on the record can become the anthem, the soundtrack to your life. Whether you are going through a breakup, or struggling with an identity crisis, each song serves as metaphorical backdrop to your situation. There is a connection created between the band and the fans, and that is something that is rare to see in the music industry these days.

The first song on the record, entitled “The Fight” is one of the best songs in the record. It starts off with a repetitive drum beat with is joined in by the guitar works of Justin Duque and Robbie Negrin. The song is catchy and will leave you humming it for days. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s different, itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s cheerful, and it proves that The Classic Crime is a band to keep your eye on.

There is a wide range of styles of songs on “Albatross”. Some songs are fast paced, some songs are slow and poppy, other songs are just so amazingly written that they will leave you listening to the record over and over again.

One of the aspects that stands out the most from The Classic Crime is Matt MacDonaldâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s vocals. You could strip away the music from each song and just leave the vocals and still manage to have a great song. He doesnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t just sing, his voice is harmonized and has itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s own catchy beat to it.

Overall, this is a great record that will still sound unique even if youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve listen to it twenty times. The Classic Crime will breath hope into your life and ease the hearts of those that think that every band sounds alike. The Classic Crime is something sincere, something positive, and something that you will grow to love from the minute “Albatross” is started.

Track Listing:
1. The Fight
2. Flight Of Kings
3. Who Needs Air
4. Blisters And Coffee
5. The Coldest Heart
6. All The Memories
7. Say The Word
8. I Know The Feeling
9. Warrior Poet
10. Bitter Uprising
11. We All Look Elsewhere
12. Headlights

Lucky Boys Confusion – How to Get out Alive

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LuckyBoysConfusion

Artist: Lucky Boys Confusion
Album: How to Get out Alive
Label: Townstyle
Purchase:
Release Date: June 13, 2006

Overall: 8.2
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 9.0

Chicagoans Lucky Boys Confusion have chosen the standard rock route with their latest release, a five-song EP called How to Get out Alive. The boys made a name for themselves, landing a major record deal to put out their second full-length, Commitment. Despite how committed the guys were, they proved a bit unlucky when Atlantic bought out Warner and bid the boys farewell. So they started from the bottom again, turning out this EP on their own label. Considering this fact, production is astounding. “Cigarettes” has the catchy riffs (including some synth) and cute lyrics that make a great pop song, but has more complexities than “Hey Driver”, the band’s closest thing to a big hit from their last album. Overall, however, its disappointing to see that the band has shed one of its most recognizable traits on this album: their ska influences. Though often making their way only into songs subtly such as the “hey hey hey” chants on “Hey Driver”, the Lucky Boys sound has always incorporated some ska. Hopefully the guys bring back the twotone upbeats on their full-length due out sometime next year.

Tracklisting:
1. The Struggle (Getting out Alive)
2. Cigarettes
3. When Bad News Gets Worse
4. Like Rats From A Sinking Ship
5. Anything, Anything

Park – Building a Better ______

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Park

Artist: Park
Album: Building a Better _____
Label: Lobster
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: July 25, 2006

Overall: 8.3
Music: 7.9
Lyrics: 8.9
Production: 7.9

I’ve been a fan of Park’s dark pop since I got my hands on their 2001 release, No Signal. But as the tracks of this album cycled through and I hit those from their first full-length on my iTunes, it was hard to tell that the albums had changed. I only realized that Building a Better ______ had ended because I knew the words to the first track of No Signal and therefore knew that it was no longer just the deja entendu feeling but rather that I’d experienced at the start of the new disc. So? Yes, the band has a signature sound, and I happen to quite enjoy it. On the surface this makes it difficult to see that they’ve built a better Park and a better album. But on a second listen, you can hear the band’s more precise and deliberate timing and can tell that they’ve opted for a mellower sound. The layering of guitar riffs and rhythms is one of the band’s most interesting contributions to the powerchord-driven emo genre; powerchords have their place in contemporary pop and rock music, and these guys make use of them but do not rely on them. Lyrics are another strongpoint; though they convey typical emo angst, they do so with a poetry that is, for the most part, not trite.

Valida’s Editorial Point: Too often within the emo genre, I hear lyrics that are transparent – instead of hearing the struggle faced by the artist in the situation he/she is describing, I hear the struggle faced by the artist when he/she was trying to scribble out his/her thoughts poetically. I can see the artist opening up the thesaurus looking for a new, obscure word for “leave” or “broken”. These lyrics, to me, have in the writing process lost the feeling that drove them out of the artist’s head in the first place.

Tracklisting:
1. The Trophy Wife
2. Mississippi Burning
3. Who Is Aliandra
4. Angels And Errors
5. A Message
6. Chica Chica
7. La Amoureux
8. Irukandji
9. Intro
10. Hide And Seek
(11.) A Message (Hidden Track)

Gym Class Heroes – As Cruel As School Children

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ascruelas

Artist: Gym Class Heroes
Album: As Cruel As School Children
Label: Decaydance / Fueled By Ramen
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: July 25, 2006

Overall: 9.7
Music: 9.7
Lyrics: 9.8
Production: 9.6

Easily the best act on Decaydance, Gym Class Heroes follow up 2005â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s â┚¬Ã…”The Papercut Chroniclesâ┚¬? with an album that shows what hip-hop has the potential to be today. â┚¬Ã…”As Cruel As School Childrenâ┚¬? serves up fourteen tracks of Travis McCoy spitting verses with more relevance than any modern day MC.

Donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t let the man fool you, though. While Schlep may wear his heart on his sleeve, heâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s anything but emo, though others may try to say different due to the bandâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s label associations. Touching on subjects like love seems to brand one with a stigma thatâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s become more and more derogatory as the millennium approaches the last stretch of its first decade.

Opening the album is the discâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s second single â┚¬Ã…”The Queen and I.â┚¬? From the first few notes of the song, you can tell that musically, the band has elevated to a level beyond that of their debut. â┚¬Ã…”Shoot Down the Starsâ┚¬? introduces us to something weâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll hear a lot more over the course of the album; Travis sings with a voice full of soul, proving heâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s more than just an MC, heâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s one of the most charismatic frontmen in a group poised to break through multiple genre barriers. On â┚¬Ã…”New Friend Request,â┚¬? McCoy references the Myspace generation with seriousness, but more humor as one whoâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s ever had a conversation with him would expect. One of my favorite lines of the album is also in the song, quipping, â┚¬Ã…”On a scale of one to awesome, Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m the shit!â┚¬? Heâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s quite the rival for Kanye West, eh? â┚¬Ã…”Clothes Offâ┚¬? featuring Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy could give us insight to what their own new album could sound like. â┚¬Ã…”Sloppy Love Jingle Pt. 1â┚¬? gives us some amazing spoken word parts that end up spread throughout the disc, and theyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re just as intriguing as the songs. From here on out, itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s song after song full of above average tracks that make this album a new hip-hop classic. Another couple of tracks that deserve recognition are â┚¬Ã…”7 Weeksâ┚¬? featuring William Beckett of theAcademyIsâ┚¬Ã‚¦ actually sounding happy to be making a cameo for once, and â┚¬Ã…”Scandalous Scholastics,â┚¬? a track paying tribute to hitting a homerun with a hot teacher. Solid gold.

Lyrically, musically, and passionately playing in a new class, it seems like the band has graduated from the gym to the music room. The one thing that stood out about this band from the beginning was the organic sound that stemmed from them actually playing instruments, rather than having electronic beats. Expanding on their sound this time, theyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve actually added effects and some other electronics to their parts, but it only makes them even more formidable as a group.

With the potential for a mainstream hit this year, Gym Class Heroes could help re-take hip-hop to a place without bling, bitchez, and hos. Please, give the world a Gym Class Heroes and Atmosphere tour. Theyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re doing it right.

Track Listing
1. 1st Period: The Queen And I
2. 2nd Period: Shoot Down The Stars
3. 3rd Period: New Friend Request
4. 4th Period: Clothes Off!
5. Lunch: Sloppy Love Jingle
6. 6th Period: Viva La White Girl
7. 7th Period: 7 Weeks
8. 8th Period: It’s OK, But Just This Once!
9. Study Hall: Sloppy Love Jingle Part 2
10. 10th Period: Biters Block
11. Yearbook Club: Boys In Bands
12. 12th Period: Scandalous Scholastics
13. 13th Period: On My Own Time (Write On!)
14. Detention: Sloppy Love Jingle Part 3

Boys Like Girls – Boys Like Girls

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Boys Like Girls

Artist: Boys Like Girls
Album: Boys Like Girls
Label: Red Ink / Columbia
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 22, 2006

Overall: 9.3
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 9.2
Production: 9.5

Every year, one band tends to stick out to me more than others. Last year, it was Paramore. This year, it’s Boston’s Boys Like Girls. If pure, hook-filled, melodic, pop music is your thing, then BLG’s self-titled debut is right up your alley.

I can’t stress enough how every track on this album has the potential to be a hit single.
From the opening three songs “The Great Escape,” “Five Minutes to Midnight,” and the first single “Hero/Heroine,” this album screams “next big thing.” The rest of the disc is hook after hook of sugarcoated goodness. Following the tradition of The Academy Is…, Paramore, theAudition, and Hit the Lights, Boys Like Girls are my new favorite sing a long band.

Martin’s voice has a ridiculously varied range. It’s showcased on every song on the album. John, Paul, and Bryan back him up, bringing on some of the best music I’ve heard in this genre since every high school kid with a guitar listened to one pop-punk song and said, “I can do that.”

Lyrically, the songs tackle issues like taking on life head-on, relationships, and making the best of things. If you’re ever feeling down, this album will help perk up your attitude.

This is the Matt Squire production I knew and loved. That other album must have been a fluke.

With a great live show, and an excellent debut under their belts, Boys Like Girls are standing on the edge of being this year’s Panic! or Fall Out Boy, practically begging for mainstream success. If you’re not too much of a snob to admit you like ridiculously poppy music, pick this album up.

Track Listing
1. The Great Escape
2. Five Minutes To Midnight
3. Hero/Heroine
4. On Top Of The World
5. Thunder
6. Me, You, And My Medication
7. Up Against A Wall
8. Dance Hall Drug
9. Learning To Fall
10. Heels Over Head
11. Broken Man
12. Holiday

Brand New – Fight Off Your Demons (The Demos)

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Brand NewԚ 

Artist: Brand New
Album: Fight Off Your Demons (Demos)
Label: N/A
Purchase: N/A
Release Date: N/A (Surfaced Jan. 06)

Overall: 9.3
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 9.5
Production: Because these are demos, I’ve chosen not to review the production value

FYI:

The ‘album’ I am reviewing is the collection of nine demos that Brand New leaked onto the internet in January, entitled ‘Fight Off Your Demons’. There is much speculation surrounding the demos, including which ones will be included on the new album. You can’t purchase these demos, but they are available for download all over the internet, so you can probably just google it.

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In some of his most lyrically poignant songs to date, lead singer Jesse Lacey seems to take on a few personas as we travel through the nine demos. I’m going to critique each song individually:

Untitled 1 – This is my very favourite demo so far. The opening lyric is absolutely beautiful (Well I wrote your name & burned it/To see the colour of the flame/Well it burned out the whole spectrum/As if you were everything/Mine just burned gold/A normal flame/I am not anything), and the rest of the lyrics don’t disappoint. The music is acoustic & understated, but very complimentary to the soft vocals. The overall tone is poignantly dismayed, and very fitting. The song comes across as very bittersweet, from start to finish when the song closes with “Something dies when you grow older/But you do the best you can/I am glad/I am glad…/You found a good man.”

Untitled 2 – This demo is probably the one that most surprised me. I am well aware of Lacey’s fondness of Morrissey & The Smiths (just listen to Mix Tape, and you’ll know for yourself), but at first listen, I was sort of confused. Was I listening to Brand New, or was I listening to Brand New covering The Smiths? Everything from the intricate lyrics (She was just seventeen/Pious & pretty with a deadly disease/And the weight of the world on her prosthetic shoulder), to the somewhat Morrissey-esque emulated British accent that Lacey sings with, to the anthemic chorus (And so three cheers for my morose & grieving pals/And now let’s hear it for the tears that I’ve welled up/We’ve come too far to have to give it all up now/We live lives that are rich & blessed/And we’ll burn for how we’ve transgressed) just reeks of The Smiths. It’s not neccessarily a bad thing – The Smiths are one of my favourite bands – but there comes a point when emulation becomes creepy. Luckily Brand New are just outside of the grey area on this track (which, consequently, will grow on you – I can’t stop listening).

Untitled 3 – This song starts off sounding a little more like Brand New, though the lyrics seem very forced for the first few lines (So the air’s getting colder/And the news keeps us scared/I still wrestle this summer from the bones of our tired, blistered hands), as though Lacey couldn’t think of anything to open the song, but then they ease into a smooth eloquent flow, yet again. The chorus of the song is catchy, but redundant. A few key lines in this track add great dimension to the lyrics, and it’s anti-war sentiment (‘I’ll be dead before you put a gun in my brother’s hand’).

Untitled 4 – Opens with a very 80s synth vibe, I had no idea what to expect from this track. It has a definite influence from The Smiths, but not overwhelmingly so like Untitled 2. Once the chorus kicks in, you want to sing along. It’s a very up-beat, and happy song, which is rare for Brand New, so it’s a very welcome change of pace. The lyrics are great (I’m happy to admit that maybe I am a little depressed/Cause I’m missing you to death), and Lacey’s vocals are appropriately understated. Just the use of the word posthumously is reminiscent of Morrissey’s style in some ways, and the Van Gogh anecdote is a great touch.

Untitled 5 – This demo starts off very interestingly with an almost celtic sound. As it progresses, it has a great development. The lyrics are seemingly unique and unlike anything else Brand New has done. My favourite part of this song is by far the chorus in which Lacey sings ‘Maybe we will tear you up/Take what you love/ And burn it down/Burn it down/What you swear to build/We swear to come/And burn it down/Burn it down’. Not only the lyrics, but the distinction of the vocal is moving.

Untitled 6 – The song begins with a simple acoustic guitar line, before a beautiful opening vocal comes in: ‘Well I lost my taste for the company of airports & cars/We flew through the year & avoided the dust & the rock’. It’s striking and fitting to the music. This song is again unlike any other that Brand New has released. The vocal layering in the chorus is striking, especially for a demo, and is seemingly very well composed. The music, overall, is haunting and will stick with you long after you finish listening to the song.

Untitled 7 – This song starts off with a very 80s pop sound. The piano is simple, yet striking. The lyrics are great: ‘Well take it easy/Tigers in the cage/Pacing on our pads, and waiting/For the time to come in reverie./Our lazy bones ache for our dowry./Canâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t hold on to the thrill./So I hope you find your will to follow through./What weâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve invented, I am now ending./Hold on to who you love./We are tryinâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ to blow like dust since we were young./ What weâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve invented, I am now ending.’ Though the piano is very repetitive, it is not annoyingly poignant.Untitled 8 – This song revels in its simplicity and sad lyrics. The general lyrical message is hard to grasp, though. Several vignettes lend to a general lyrical theme, but fail to come together in a culmination. I can’t say the song is bad, though – I can’t say any Brand New song is bad as of yet.

Untitled 9 – The final demo track is one of my favourite. A lyric very appropriate to Jesse Lacey is ‘Please pose my skeletal remains./Give them a working pen/And I will live forever.’ Overall, the song is demure and understated but most definitely worth a listen.
Overall, these demos are beyond the realm of what I thought Brand New was capable of achieving on their third release. If the final recording (speculated to include only one or two of these demos) is anywhere near the creative level of these demos, it’s sure to be one of the best albums released in 2006 (or 2007 should delays continue). It’s a much anticipated album (due out on Interscope), and I can’t imagine it will disappoint.

Nights Like These – The Faithless

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Nights Like These

Artist: Nights Like These
Album: The Faithless
Label: Victory Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 13, 2006

Overall: 4.0
Music: 4.5
Lyrics: 4.0
Production: 4.0

Just another â┚¬Ã…”hardâ┚¬? band thrown into the Victory Records melting pot. Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m not a big fan of this CD at all. The longest itself being around 5:05 while the other songs range from a little over a minute to three minutes they donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t give you enough time between to let the wax melt out of your ears. One song meshes directly into the other leaving you there either hearing the same thing or being thrown completely for a loop. The breakdowns are about the only thing that leave you satisfied and the fact that there is no high pitch screaming or screeching.â┚¬Ã…”We Were Meant To Ruinâ┚¬? and the back of melody music was a nice touch. If youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re a fan of heavy and deep growling throughout an entire CD. As much as I dislike the CD, I have a feeling these guys will be maturing within the next few years and will hopefully add a bit of diversity to the next CD.

Track Listing
1. Storming Valhalla
2. Head Of Medusa
3. Destroy The Stairs
4. Scavenger’s Daughter
5. Memento Mori
6. Ghost Town Rituals
7. Symphony For the Plague
8. Bury The Messenger
9. We Were Meant For Ruin
10. Eternal Tempest
11. Let The Waters Overtake Us