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Birthday Boys – Bad Blood

July 19, 2009 By Max Specht Leave a Comment

Artist: Birthday Boys
Album: Bad Blood
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: Official Site
Release Date: July 7th, 2009

Overall: 8.5
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 9.0

It is odd to imagine any band beginning their album with a haunting chain gang chorus introduction, it is perhaps a concept lost on many bands in the scene nowadays. But for the Birthday Boys and their latest album Bad Blood, it is an idea that works and fits their sound to a T.

The aforementioned song is the introduction track “Making Room For Grace” on Bad Blood. Grandoise vocals, punchy delivery, and gritty guitar work exemplify their appeal to all different kinds of listeners, making this track a great start for anybody looking to find their next favorite band.

Painted all over Bad Blood are many different shades of a band. Whether it be showing off their screamo chops in “The Drug”, or their pop-punk-ish charm of standout track “Let It Die” which echoes the statement “I can’t wait to get in your head”, until it becomes a reality for the listener. Although someone could jump to conclusions and say that the Birthday Boys don’t know who they are just yet while bouncing through genres, it just as easily shows their versatility and ability to stay the same band while seamlessly searching through sounds and hitting hard each time.

The time when the Birthday Boys really shine is when they slow it down a bit as well though, songs like “Baby Come Home” – while the title implies a bad Buckcherry b-side – is a song that remains on the somber side of the scale, while still rocking just as much as heavier tracks like “Vigorous Fiction”. Also the final track “Barfight”, which is easily one of the best tracks to end on, seeing as how it ends on the same haunting note the album began with. Chilling lyrics and a haunting melody that drifts through until the final echoes of the track bring the album to a close.

Bad Blood is an album that is rough, gritty, while being a great time. Birthday Boys bring with them a very candid honesty that makes them a joy to listen to. Knowing when to rock and when to slow it down is very important in music, and it seems as though this band has the ability to know how to pace themselves.

Taking Back Sunday – New Again

June 28, 2009 By Max Specht 1 Comment

Artist: Taking Back Sunday
Album: New Again
Label: Warner Bros./Victory Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: June 2nd, 2009

Overall: 10.0
Music: 10.0
Lyrics: 10.0
Production: 10.0

Taking Back Sunday have been through a lot since their release of Louder Now: they have lost a great guitarist/co-vocalist in Fred Mascherino, on top of the luke warm reception from fans and critics alike to their major label debut (the previously mentioned Louder Now). Now with a new guitarist and a fresh batch of tunes, Taking Back Sunday are back to prove that they are better then ever and ready to become the mainstream heavy hitters they deserve to be with their new record New Again.

The album gets right on track with the title track “New Again”, which opens with a catchy bass groove and leaps into a powerfully catchy chorus that echos the sentiment “I am/Ready to be new again”, and from the confidence in vocalist Adam Lazzara’s voice it seems that it is a very sincere statement by the band.

The entire album is filled with different leaps and bounds in influence and song styles that make it feel like Taking Back Sunday aren’t afraid to step outside the “emo” boundaries that critics have laid out for them. Whether the evidence is found in the U2 influenced, arena rock melodies of “Where My Mouth Is” and “Capital M-E”. Or the aggressive tendencies of songs like “Lonely, Lonely” (notice the snarl in Lazzara’s voice at times) or “Carpathia” that leave any indication that their songs fit into the stereotype of the “whiny emo band vocals” in the dust.

It might be hard for older fans to accept who Taking Back Sunday are becoming, a band that is fully prepared for the limelight and aren’t afraid to grow up and become more mature with their musicianship (See: “Summer, Man”). There is something very charming and respectful to be found in seeing a band moving on from what they know to discover who they are becoming.

Maybe that’s why it seems all to appropriate that “Everything Must Go” acts as the final track on the album, it sums up everything Taking Back Sunday are leaving behind to become better at what they do. Whether it be in the guise of a relationship, it feels as though it is an ode to who they were and proving that they aren’t afraid to move on. And for that, I applaud Taking Back Sunday for being able to take chances in order to become better, New Again is a great summer album and shouldn’t be leaving anyone’s musical rotation any time soon.

The Friday Night Boys – Off The Deep End

June 9, 2009 By Max Specht 3 Comments

Artist: The Friday Night Boys
Album: Off The Deep End
Label: Fueled By Ramen/The Party Scene/Photo Finish Records
Purchase: Fueled By Ramen Webstore
Release Date: June 9th, 2009

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

Pop-punk is a genre where it’s to easy to get written off and compared to another band, and to hard to stand on your own. This leads us to The Friday Night Boy’s debut album on Fueled By Ramen Records entitled Off The Deep End. This title is all to appropriate for what The Friday Night Boys are doing, they have already dived into a genre that is so filled with no-name, flavor of the week bands and positioned themselves at the fore-front of the genre.

Off The Deep End starts off strong with the track “Permanent Heartbreak”, this is the perfect track to start the album off with as it features everything The Friday Night Boys are good at doing: anecdotal lyrics, catchy rhythms, and an incredibly powerful chorus that begs to be screamed at concerts nationwide. It’s a recipe for success and one that the boys have spent no time perfecting in their own unique way (See: “Hollow”’s guitar riff and “Molly Makeout”’s chorus) with electronic beats and an impressive vocal showing from singer Andrew Goldstein.

At each and every turn of the record there is more reason to fall in love with the sound shown. Whether it be the quaking bass of “Suicide Sunday”, or the blistering electronic beats of “How I Met Your Mother”, each and every track brings its own hook or special something that makes it different from the other tracks and solidifies the ability to dance around the genre every which way.

Even when they slow things down like in the song “Finding Me Out” and “Can’t Take That Away”, and “The First Time” it’s all to obvious that the boys themselves hold with them a certain charm that makes them accessible to mostly everyone. Even though the occasional shameless plucking of heart strings is something you may have to hear, it’s all apart of the grand package.

While it might be easy for critics and haters alike to write off the Friday Night Boys as just another one of those bands that are here today, gone tomorrow. It is very plain to see that they have a lot to bring to the table as far as music is concerned, they are keen artists with a knack for catchy riffs, melodies and hooks galore. It will be beyond interesting to see where they take there music from here, seeing just how deep they can go.

Dreams of University – Morning Rearrangement

June 3, 2009 By Chloe 24 Comments

Artist: Dreams of University
Album: Morning Rearrangement
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: CD Baby
Release Date: April 7th, 2009

Overall: 8.0
Music: 7
Lyrics: 6.5
Production: 8.5

Morning Rearrangement is fun. I was hesitant at first, as Dreams of University’s sound greatly resembles that of Fall Out Boy, but after listening to the choruses of “6:45” and “Drop Down”, I was excitedly refreshed. Each upbeat song seems to have a surprise hook within its first minute in the form of pace changes and lyrical alterations.

While it will undoubtedly evoke some dance moves from you, the EP will not tap on your heartstrings nor inspire you with deep, metaphorical lyrics. Vocals alone, Zimmerman (lead vocalist) lacks the range that would have surely boosted the EP an extra level, and he often rushes through a set, seeming to speak whimsically rather than truly sing. The lyrics alone are shallow and also hold little power, but they are thankfully void of the annoying repetition that many new bands implement in their lyrics. However, whatever Morning Rearrangement may lack, it makes up for it with its instrumentals, and there is no denying that this combined arrangement works incredibly well to produce an overall solid beginning for the upcoming band.

With its completely catchy chorus and guitar riffs, “Lily Love” stands out as my favorite track, urging you to dance around the room singing along with friends. “Drop Down” begins with a softer side of Zimmerman’s vocals that is greatly lacked yet desired on the EP, and momentarily offers a needed reprieve. Once again, the chorus will draw you in and keep you listening to the rest of the EP. The final track, “This Quiet Boy”, offers smooth guitar backings near the end of the song that really adds a final punch on the EP’s end.

Morning Rearrangement has the rare ability that enables listeners to find in it at least one favorable quality, regardless of the vast music paths they may follow. However, one may wonder if this easy likeability factor is attributed to the album’s often generic sound. Regardless, Morning Rearrangement makes for a fantastic summer soundtrack, and don’t be surprised when you are humming a chorus to yourself later.

Track Listing
1. 6:45
2. Drop Down
3. Lily Love
4. Yellow Sunglasses
5. This Quiet Boy

Mandy K – Mandy K

May 5, 2009 By Max Specht 2 Comments

Artist: Mandy K
Album: Mandy K
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: Mandy K Webstore
Release Date: April 14th, 2009

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

“I’ve got my mind set/and i’ve been preparing” are the first lines to ring out on Mandy K’s latest self-titled EP, and no lines are more appropriate for the rest of the EP to be influenced by. With an album already under their belt, Mandy K have a lot to work with already in the way of re-working old songs, as well as introducing new ones for fans of the band. Their self-titled EP is a good mix of both that will introduce new fans to Mandy K and have them hooked at first listen.

The opening track “Plans” is bursting at the seams with hope and promise for the rest of the EP, as hints of bands like Motion City Soundtrack are ever present in the form of synths (most notably in the intro). Coupled with hook-filled lyrics and an enjoyable melody, “Plans” is a great start to this EP.

A common trend amongst most EP’s being released is the token “acoustic song” that showcases the heartwarming sentiments of said band, and how well they can wield an acoustic guitar. Mandy K does not escape this generalization with the song “Sunflower”. While on their previous album, they re-created it with higher production value for this EP, and the result is nothing short of charming and heart-warming (The chorus of “I Love You’s” helps a great deal). This song proves to be a step above most other acoustic songs as it retains a youthful and summery vibe that makes it an enjoyable listen (the full band ending helps boost the energy and sing-a-long quality of the song).

The rest of the EP showcases Mandy K’s ability to create all different kinds of definitions for the word “catchy”. The piano intro to “Come Back To Bed” adds a classic feel to it that is necessary to allow the track to stand on its own. “Are You From Tennessee? Cause You’re the Only Ten I See” shows the bands ability to let loose a little more and “rock out”. Another dimension to the EP is the “singer-scorned” effect of “Save Your Excuses”, which shows their ability to take their lyricism a bit more cynically to get back at someone, while still making it as catchy as possible.

Mandy K are obviously a band that have accomplished a fair amount in their time together, and as this EP as evidence shall remain on people’s radars as a band about ready to break through to people in a big way.

The Silent Years – Let Go

April 27, 2009 By Max Specht 1 Comment

Artist: The Silent Years
Album: Let Go
Label: SideCho Records
Purchase: iTunes, Amazon, Amie Street
Release Date: July 14th, 2009

Overall: 8.5
Music: 9.o
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0

Sometimes when we listen to music we learn to let go, let go of our previous conceptions of what we like and what we choose to listen to on a daily basis. In doing this can we evolve our musical standards and learn to listen to things all across the board. This leads us to The Silent Year’s newest EP, Let Go.

“Taking Drugs at the Amusement Park” is the first track to lead off Let Go, with a fuzzy bass intro and pounding drums this song might mean pure ecstasy for any indie lover, but as the song progresses it is learned that they are just as much about pop as they are indie (especially taking into consideration the “da-da-da”-like breakdown).

This brings us to the aforementioned point, that sometimes we need to let go of what we think a band should sound like. Sometimes it is hard to border indie and pop at the same time, because it is such a niche (indie) compared with the ability to access any kind of listener (pop). This is something that The Silent Years have done very well for themselves. Songs such as “Vampires Bite The Hands That Feed Them” is pure indie gold (horns and all), while “Madame Shocking” is a song that shows single potential with a rising string intro evolving into a fun drum beat with charming effects throughout.

Let Go is a wonderful taste of what the band is all about, that they can be just as good at being fun and catchy, while being instrumentally sound and ambient as your favorite indie band. In the end it is hard to resist the catchiness of songs like “TV>BJ”, or the six minute long finale “Claw Marks” with it’s spastic movement between sounds leaves the listener spellbound and wanting more after the last note fades away with the white noise.

A very tastefully constructed EP have made The Silent Years a band to keep paying attention to in the future as they polish their ability to create tunes that will not only appeal to everyone around them, but also allow them to retain artistic credibility in the most critical of circles. Above all else Let Go features fun, vibrant, sing-along songs that will have the entire audience singing along.

The Secret Handshake – My Name Up In Lights

April 17, 2009 By Max Specht Leave a Comment

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Artist: The Secret Handshake
Album: My Name Up In Lights
Label: Triple Crown Records
Purchase: Triple Crown Merch Store
Release Date: April 21tst, 2009

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.o
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.5

Luis Dubuc’s The Secret Handshake have been hard at work since the release of his debut, One Full Year. Amidst a whole lot of touring and gaining new fans each and every day, The Secret Handshake have made themselves known as a band with a lot of credit for being high energy on the road, but with only one full album under your belt you can only do so much. Now with a fresh sophomore album, My Name Up In Lights is an album set to take The Secret Handshake to higher levels then ever before.

The opening track “All For You” sets up the album at a fun, fast paced adventure into figuring out what you can accomplish with the rest of your life. the guitar splashes in the opening track really help to show what Luis has learned since he started out, adding more musical diversity and rock-appeal to songs.

While guitars can be fun, it’s hard to fight the catchiness of a well placed piano hook in songs like “Nothing To Change That” and “Saturday”. Which are both fun songs with piano parts that will have you youtube-ing all night finding out how to play them.

While Luis still remains within the whole hipster/scene vibe of his tunes, he is also able to switch up styles and still remain relevant to the rest of his album. Tracks like “Hey Girl” and “Make Up Your Mind” which rock with a certain swagger compliments of unique drum and bass parts that give the tracks a certain poise about them that make them unique from their contemporaries.

It’s all to apparent that The Secret Handshake has achieved a certain maturity through My Name Up In Lights. While some songs remember what has happened before (see: “TGIF”) and what could be (see: “Last Song”), there has obviously been some growing up in between One Full Year and this new release. There’s nothing better then seeing an artist you’ve enjoyed since the beginning mature as a musician and find their own place in the scene, it’s hard to deny that My Name Up In Lights has separated The Secret Handshake from a lot of other bands who have electronic beats and instruments, because experience breeds talent, and it’s something this album proves to be true.

Holiday Parade – Tickets & Passports

March 31, 2009 By Max Specht 4 Comments

Artist: Holiday Parade
Album: Tickets & Passports
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: Holiday Parade Webstore
Release Date: April 7th, 2009

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

Listening back, it’s all to apparent hearing an album from a band that has achieved great heights that they have been bred for success. Whether it be Fall Out Boy’s Take This To Your Grave or Plain White T’s All That We Needed, it’s understandable how bands like these have become so popular; clever songwriting, catchy instrumentation brought them to these heights of musical superstardom. Now as we listen to music in the scene now it’s hard to hear albums that feel classic like the aforementioned, but the latest release from Holiday Parade has made that a little bit less of a sparkle in music’s eyes with their latest release, Tickets & Passports.

The album starts right off with three very strong tracks. The sentimental piano and lyrics of “Getaway” starts the album off just right with light guitars and a steady pace which sets the tone for the rest of the release. The next track is pure pop-punk gold with the song “Turn It Up” which cast reflections of summer and fun will make this fast-paced track the soundtrack to your upcoming summer. Finishing off this trio is “Where Did I Go” which is a very ska influenced track with a fun acoustic guitar beginning and light lyrics.

Something intriguing about Holiday Parade is their focus on piano, while a lot of “piano-rock” bands would be billed as emotional and incredibly solemn at times (ex. Augustana, Something Corporate). Holiday Parade take a very light tone with their use of the piano, having a lot of fun with it. Songs like “Time For Me” and “Forever” have a fun pace and make for a head-bobbing, toe-tapping journey through charm.

Just as the first three tracks of Tickets & Passports were strong indeed, the concluding three are just as strong (if not more). “Look Out Below (This Love)” is a song tailor-made for radio and girl’s hearts everywhere (the use of whistling and acoustic guitar definitely help). The next track “Southern Skies” definitely allows a more somber side of Holiday Parade to show (something lesser found in the beginning of the release), with its rising chorus and reliant lyrics make this song the soundtrack to many a relationship. Finally the title track “Tickets & Passports” is an appropriate piano ballad send-off to the album, casting the swirling piano with strings and a rousing chorus of “Na Na Na’s” makes this song memorable and heartfelt.

Holiday Parade are a band that have a lot to offer, and this album is a great example of how music should be made nowadays, something more on the pop side of life that still holds together its artistic integrity. Not only should they gain a lot of fans through this album, they are all deserved as evidence by this album.

This Providence – Who Are You Now?

March 19, 2009 By Max Specht 1 Comment

Artist: This Providence
Album: Who Are You Now?
Label: Fueled By Ramen
Purchase: Fueled By Ramen Webstore
Release Date: March 17, 2009

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

Listening to This Providences debut and sophomore efforts (Our Worlds Divorce and their self-titled respectively) it’s hard to believe that they have not risen to the levels of stardom that their unique brand of pop and cocksure attitude would imply them to be at. Now as they prepare to release their third album, Who Are You Now? They are posed to finally break out of that “next big thing” category and propel themselves to the forefront of the music scene.

With the album opener “Sure As Hell” it’s already apparent that This Providence aren’t your average pop band, they have created a formula that allows them to try different things and still come off incredibly charming. “Sure As Hell” for instance begins with a drifting guitar over singer Dan Young’s solemn lyrics; not the most upbeat of beginnings but a great start none the less, showing off their artistic integrity before all else.

It’s obvious in this release that This Providence are trying their best to appeal to the widest audience possible (if it wasn’t apparent from their employment of hook maverick Matt Squire), there are many hits on Who Are You Now? From the first rocking single “Letdown” that uses clever lyrics and catchy guitars to drive it into an obvious single territory. Also songs like “That Girl’s A Trick” and “Selfish” possess the same formula of catchiness that with proper exposure could explode.

Something that This Providence have always used very well is the performance of their bassist. This new album is no exception as bass hooks run rampant, such as in tracks like “Waste Myself” and “Keeping On Without You” use the bass so prominently at times, rather then hiding it in the mix like a lot of bands do. It’s great to hear such appreciation for an instrument that is more often then not overlooked in the music scene nowadays.

Listening to Who Are You Now? it’s hard not to hear some of This Providence’s charm and cocky-while-charming attitude evaporating in comparison to there previous releases. It’s as if they aren’t a band that have had two albums prior to this, but rather a band just showing up on the scene and executing a great release while still feeling unsure of themselves. Although this doesn’t mean This Providence are playing it safe with the same formula, songs like the beautiful “Chasing The Wind” and the experimental “My Beautiful Rescue (Renovated)” show that they are still not afraid to pull off something different even with a different outlook.

If this album was to achieve a certain goal it would probably be to expose This Providence to as many people as possible, an album that has turned this little indie band that could, into a group of artists poised to become bigger then they could have ever hoped for. While this will cause a lot of fans to turn their backs on This Providence and their loss of “indie cred”. It will no doubt bring about new fans that will appreciare This Providence and who they are now.

The Boy And His Machine – Show Them What You’re Made Of

March 15, 2009 By Bryce Jacobson Leave a Comment

Artist: The Boy And His Machine
Album: Show Them What You’re Made Of
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: SmartPunk

Overall: 7.5
Music: 8
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 7.0

The Boy and His Machine, the pop-punk band that I wrote about over a year ago, are back with a new EP titled Show Them What You’re Made Of. This fun filled band are still packing it all with catchy lyrics, dance out rhythms, and the potential to be your favorite new band.

Opening the five song EP is “Hook, Line, & Sinker”, a song that captivates your ears with great riffs and sing a long lyrics. Ron’s vocals bring out the best in each song like “The Walls of Regret” which is my favorite on the EP. Although the band didn’t put out a full-length, this is a great continuation from their previous EP and it will surely help them get more recognition. If you are in the mood for a few good pop-punk songs, this is an EP for you.

Track Listing
1. Hook, Line, & Sinker
2. Coming Clean
3. Tonight We Ride
4. The Walls Of Regret
5. A Getaway At Best