Driven Far Off

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Hot Rod Circuit – The Underground is a Dying Breed

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Hot Rod Circuit The Underground is a Dying Breed

Artist: Hot Rod Circuit
Album: The Underground is a Dying Breed
Label: Immortal Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: March 20th, 2007

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

This will be the record that saves 2007 from completely being taken over by the Fall Out Boys of the world [you can quote me on that]. â┚¬Ã…”The underground is a dying breedâ┚¬? could not have been a better title for this album that shows Hot Rod Circuit has always stayed true to the music they believe in whether its popular in the mainstream or not.

The record has a raw production to it that makes you feel like its 1999 again but never once does the production take away from the songs or make you feel like its a bad recording. The drums hit hard during the chorus of â┚¬Ã…”Vampireâ┚¬? which has a subtle hook and a ton of replay value. Lyrically â┚¬Ã…”What we believe inâ┚¬? is the punk version of snow patrols â┚¬Ã…”Chasing carsâ┚¬? with the same vibe of needing to take advantage of the moment.â┚¬?U.S. Royaltyâ┚¬? starts off twangy but quickly jumps into the catchy rock that this band excels in. The singing on â┚¬Ã…”Cali’sâ┚¬? verses has an interesting feel to it, which takes most of the song to get used to.

Hot Rod Circuit returns to the days of â┚¬Ã…”Sorry about tomorrowâ┚¬? on their stellar new new record. My only grip with the album is that it’s over too fast. I urge everyone to race down to the store the day this comes out and pick it up, and roll down the windows as you drive down the freeway.

Track Listing
1. Stateside
2. Vampire
3. Battleship
4. What We Believe In
5. 45’s
6. Holding On To Nothing
7. US Royalty
8. Ventricle
9. Spit You Out
10. Cali
11. 6-8

A SANTA CAUSE II

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Immortal Records announces the release of A SANTA CAUSE II. Due out November 21, this compilation will be sold exclusively through MySpace. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to Cure Autism Now, an organization of parents, clinicians and scientists dedicated to accelerating the pace of scientific research to prevent, treat and cure autism–for individuals and families today, and for future generations.

Hot Rod Circuit Signs To Immortal Records

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Indie rockers Hot Rod Circuit have signed to Immortal Records, home of Scary Kids Scaring Kids, A Change of Pace, Brazil, Waking Ashland, and more. You can read a message from the band below.

â┚¬Ã…”Weâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re really excited to be part of the Immortal Records family. Theyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve got a great history and are considered one of the most artist-friendly labels out there today,â┚¬? says singer/guitarist Andy Jackson.

Hot Rod Circuit are currently recording their third album, and first for Immortal Records, in Montgomery, AL. The record will be self-produced and mixed by Tim Oâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢Heir (All American Rejects, The Starting Line, Say Anything).


â┚¬Ã…”Weâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re excited to be making the record we want to make,â┚¬? Jackson says. â┚¬Ã…”The new albumâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s going to definitely be a progression for the band. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll have that classic Hot Rod sound, a la Sorry About Tomorrow, but itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s gonna be a rocker. Several of the songs have a sort of Tom Petty influence.â┚¬?

In addition to Jackson, the band also features Casey Prestwood (guitar, pedal steel), Dan Duggins (drums), and Joe Ballaro (bass).

â┚¬Ã…”Weâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re looking for the new record to come out in March of 2007,â┚¬? Jackson says. â┚¬Ã…”We expect to have it finished by the end of November. From there, weâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll rest up and start a national tour in February.â┚¬?

A Change of Pace – Prepare The Masses

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A Change of Pace

Artist: A Change of Pace
Album: Prepare The Masses
Label: Immortal
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 15, 2006

Overall: 7.8
Music: 7.9
Lyrics: 6.2
Production: 8.5

A Change of Pace are back with their sophomore effort “Prepare The Masses” and If you recall the bands debut album “An Offer You Can’t Refuse” you probably will get another bag of mixed reviews thrown at you with this release.

The first thing fans will notice on this release is the lack of screaming and a catchy pop sound rather then heavier guitars. Tracks like “Prepare The Masses,” “I’m Alive,” and “Weekend Warriors” are mixed with pop covered guitar melodies and sing along lyrics, not a dramatic change from the bands last effort but they did take their writing ability up a notch. “Shoot From The Hip” opens with a chanting of “Whaoo’s” followed by a heavier guitar riff and even more “Whaoo’s.” The band incorporates plenty of sing along lyrics and melodies that get stuck in your head throughout the whole album but it comes down to you liking their new style or not. So what’s the best song on the album? It took me several listens to spread the tracks apart but the one track that sounds nothing like the others is “Safe And Sound In Phone Lines” the last track on the album. This track is slow yet the band pulls it off somehow. The track has the power to eat into your emotions with both its lyrics and melodies.

So with their new style, is A Change of Pace heading in the right direction? That is a question only you can answer as this album is another mixed bag. The band shows growth in their writing and overall their style hasn’t changed to much. I mean, they didn’t pull a Finch, so fans can still enjoy their music somewhat.

Track Listing
1. Prepare the Masses – Download MP3
2. How to Rape a Country
3. I’m Alive
4. Shoot From the Hip
5. Weekend Warriors
6. White Lines and Lipstick
7. A Song the World Can Sing Outloud
8. Take Care
9. War in Your Bedroom
10. I Wanna Be Your Rock & Roll
11. Recipe for Disaster
12. Safe and Sound In Phone Lines