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.

All Time Low – So Wrong, It’s Right

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All Time Low

Artist: All Time Low
Album: So Wrong, It’s Right
Label: Hopeless Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: September 25, 2007

Overall: 7.5
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 8.5

Over the past few years, a handful of justifiable pop/rock bands have emerged from the scene with smoothed out melodies and rehashed musical crescendos. Although the Maryland quartet All Time Low may fall under this class, they simply do it better. So Wrong, It’s Right, the group’s highly-anticipated follow up to their Put Up Or Shup Up EP, is a collection of twelve infectious, foot-tapping anthems. Regardless of the fact that no one will confuse this album as something innovative, All Time Low does cash in on a scene that has continued to modernize pop music.

The album begins with a fast paced track entitled “This Is How We Do” which easily sets the pace for their Hopeless Records debut. “Let It Roll”, a potential future single, follows with contagious melodies and amounts to a luster of teen attitude, which also plays favorite to the group’s single “Six Feet Under The Stars”. “Six Feet” can be acclaimed as one of the strongest put-together songs on the album; the lyrics are well written and the chorus is strongly versed by frontman Alex Gaskarth. Other standout tracks on the album include: “Holly (Would You Turn Me On?)”, “Dear Maria, Count Me In”, and “Stay Awake (Dreams Only Last For A Night)”.

All in all, So Wrong, It’s Right is a vigorous batch of pop/rock songs produced by the household name Matt Squire (also accredited, Paul Leavitt). I’m sure that this album will denote some criticism for its generic sound, and it does lose some value because of this, but this is the album All Time Low was content in making. I think it’s safe to say, however, that these lovable goofballs have a bright future ahead of themselves, and I’m buying in.

Track Listing:
1. This Is How We Do
2. Let It Roll
3. Six Feet Under The Stars
4. Holly (Would You Turn Me On?)
5. The Beach
6. Dear Maria, Count Me In
7. Shameless
8. Remembering Sunday
9. Vegas
10. Stay Awake (Dreams Only Last For A Night)
11. Come One, Come All
12. Poppin’ Champagne

John Ralston – Sorry Vampire

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Sorry Vampire

Artist: John Ralston
Album: Sorry Vampire
Label: Vagrant
Purchase: Interpunk
Release Date: October 2nd, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 8.0

Upon first hearing Ralston’s debut entitled, Needle Bed, I found the record to be impactuful yet rather sparse and almost hollow at times. His follow up, Sorry Vampire sits on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. This intensely layered and meticulously crafted record is truly something to behold. The somber, swaying, gloomy melodies lend the perfect audio-backdrop for the commonly gray fall weather. Each track is its own intricate and developed work of art. I find it hard to imagine how Ralston will follow this up or how these songs will be preformed live. I look forward to finding out those answers in the not too distant future. This is truly a record that requires a good pair of headphones and an open mind.

Recommend if you like: Wilco, Dashboard Confessional, Kevin Devine, The New Amsterdams

Track Listing
1. Fragile
2. The Only Evidence
3. When I Was a Bandage
4. I Guess I Wasted My Summer Now 5
5. Lessons I & II
6. A Small Clearing
7. Ghetto Tested
8. Beautiful Disarmed
9. No One Loves You Like I Do
10. Second Hand Lovers
11. Haven’t Missed You All My Life
12. Where You Used to Sleep

Jimmy Eat World – Chase This Light

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Jimmy Eat World

Artist: Jimmy Eat World
Album: Chase This Light
Label: Interscope
Purchase: Interpunk
Release Date: October 16, 2007

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

Anyone who knows the history of Jimmy Eat World knows that the band has had their up and down moments with record labels, writers block, and many other things. The bands popularity can be traced all the way back to their first album, but the band is mostly known for their fan favorite Clarity and chart topper Bleed America. With each new album over the years, Jimmy Eat World has fine tuned and perfected their sound creating a new feeling with each one of their releases. Bleed America was filled with emotional and catchy radio ready tunes, while Futures came after a run in with writers block and a fallout with their long time producer Mark Trombino. This lead to a darker time for Jimmy Eat World as they weren’t promoted by their label and failed to sell the numbers like they did with Bleed America. After Futures came a short EP titled Stay On My Side Tonight where the band continued their darker and emotionally deep side. With the band well refreshed after taking some time off and recording their sixth album in their own studio, they are back with a solid new album, Chase This Light.

The album opens with the bands first single “Big Casino,” you can hear the good spirit in this radio friendly rock track. The bands sound hasn’t changed much since Futures but you can hear happiness pour out of the guitars strum after strum. For the most part the band keeps things faster on this album with great tracks like “Let It Happen” and “Always Be” which could both follow as singles after “Big Casino.” “Carry You” sounds like a classic Jimmy song with emotional lyrics and a nice acoustic guitar mix. I found myself enjoying all of the tracks even after their first listen, something I could say I felt when first hearing Futures. “Electable (Give It Up)” is a fast fun track that can be compared to some of the bands older material like “Sweetness.” Coming in half way through the album is “Gotta Be Somebody’s Blues,” a slower track featuring strings and a soft drum beat. Its nothing stellar like “Here You Me” but that song was an instant classic for me. “Feeling Lucky” brings things back up to speed with its fast yet simple sound and lyrics about cutting a relationship short for its lack of any direction. “Here It Goes” has become one of my favorites on the album. The songs classic Jimmy guitar licks and catchy lyrics make it hit the ears with that passion that can only come from a longtime favorite like Jimmy Eat World. Wrapping up the album is “Dizzy” which emotionally and lyrically is one of the bands best writings yet to date.

My question about Jimmy Eat World over the years has remained at “How can one band pack so much emotion and feelings into each song and album after album?” This also leads me to the feeling that each album the band has released feels short, when something as good as a Jimmy Eat World album is released one can not help but want more. Chase This Light is a great addition to the bands catalog, adding more great tracks to rock out to and even more great tracks to sing and pour your emotions into.

Standout Tracks: “Big Casino”, “Let It Happen”, “Here It Goes”, “Dizzy”

Track Listing
1. Big Casino
2. Let It Happen
3. Always Be
4. Carry You
5. Electable (Give It Up)
6. Gotta Be Somebody’s Blues
7. Feeling Lucky
8. Here It Goes
9. Chase This Light
10. Firelight
11. Dizzy

Just Surrender – We’re in Like Sin

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We're in Like Sin

Artist: Just Surrender
Album: We’re in Like Sin
Label: Broken English
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 21st, 2007

Overall: 6.0
Music: 6.5
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 7.5

Ultimately sophomore releases have been known for falling short and not living up to the expectations created by the debut effort. As much as I hate to say it, this album is no different. We’re in Like Sin showcases a band trying to find themselves and come into their own sound. Stylistically the record encompasses a variety of genres, from gritty rock to polished pop. Despite the diversity, the album fails to standout from the pack or make much of a sonic splash. I’m not sure if the New York quartet spread themselves too thin or possibly rushed the writing process, I just can’t help but feel that they somehow missed the mark. However there are some highlights such as the single “Your Life and Mine” and the closer, “I’ll Be Here” shows much promise. Just Surrender is still one of the brighter spots in the current scene, and will no doubt continue to thrive.

Recommend if you like: Boys Night Out, The Classic Crime, pop-punk with an edge.

Track Listing
1. Body Language and Bad Habits
2. So Close/So Alive
3. If I Wanted to Cuddle I’d Buy a Teddy Bear
4. I Said It Before
5. Your Life and Mine
6. New Declaration
7. Payback
8. You’d Be In Great Shape If You Ran Like Your Mouth
9. We’re in Like Sin
10. Something That I’m Not
11. I’ll Be Here

The Fold – Secrets Keep You Sick

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Secrets Keep You Sick

Artist: The Fold
Album: Secrets Keep You Sick
Label: Tooth & Nail
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 22, 2007

Overall: 6.5
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 7.5

“Let’s get to the point, let’s get to this condition…” is the chant that sharply echoes over power chords as the record begins and from this point on there is no looking back. Secrets Keep You Sick essentially serves as a sonic journal for frontman, Daniel Castady to chronicle the last few years of his life. The melodies and power behind each song simply grab a hold of you, and can only be described as compelling. The record as a whole is very emotionally charged, however not in a miserable-heartrending way.

The first half of the album is upbeat and more immediate, where the second half seems to gradually drag and become less memorable. Nevertheless, Secrets encompasses a certain brand of stirring alt-rock; that deserves to be pushed to the forefront. The Fold is vastly underrated, and it’s a shame that they remain relatively unknown. Thus, it’s no secret that this band deserves some much needed recognition; everyone should give this band and album a chance.

Recommend if you like: Heartfelt and uplifting rock music.

Track Listing
1. Medicine
2. Younger Than Our Years
3. Your Secrets Keep You Sick
4. New Skeptic
5. Faster Still
6. Closer
7. Down in Doubt and Living Without
8. Hey Rebekah
9. Catastrophe!
10. Beside You Now
11. Revisited

Sum 41 – Underclass Hero

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Sum 41

Artist: Sum 41
Album: Underclass Hero
Label: Island Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: July 24th, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 7.0

Sum 41’s latest album, “Underclass Hero”, is “sound” proof that the quality of bands’ music doesn’t necessarily dwindle with passing years and changes in lineup. Following three well-received albums, “All Killer, No Filler” (2001), “Does This Look Infected?” (2002), and most recently, “Chuck” (2004), “Underclass Hero”, although perhaps not the most remarkable of Sum 41’s albums, certainly has its impressive elements. Former lead guitarist and backup vocalist Dave Baksh’s absence from this album, although somewhat noticeable in frontman Derek Whibley’s change in vocal style, hardly hinders its sound. In fact, the guitar throughout this album is especially notable, even without Baksh, Whibley producing loud, and passionate guitar riffs and meshing with Jocz’s aggressive drumming to create a generally hyper punk rock sound. Various portions of the album are, in fact, “All Killer, No Filler”-esque, while others display the more mature sound and lyrical content present in “Chuck”. This latest album has a loose political concept, some songs attacking the concept of government and elitism, and supporting the “underclass”, while others convey different, more personal themes. “Underclass Hero” as a whole is a very diverse album. While the songs it includes are mostly raucous and enthusiastic, a few slower songs are enclosed, such as “Best of Me”, “So Long Goodbye”, and “Look At Me”. A certain amount of piano seems to be enclosed on various tracks of this album, something not often heard in Sum 41’s music. The most unique element of this album, however, is not the addition of piano, but the inclusion of a song entirely comprised of French words, titled “Ma Poubelle” (translating to “My Waste” in English). Although it would be difficult to analyze the lyrics displayed throughout “Ma Poubelle”, the lyrics presented in the English tracks on this album, although not completely groundbreaking or wholly conceptual, are insightful and opinionated, rather than whiny and sorrowful, something that seems to be a trend in the rock genre as of late. These songs could have been better organized, however. Overall, “Underclass Hero” is an appealing album in sound and message, although, the album could do with the exclusion of a few of its less prominent, more mediocre-sounding songs. Some mentionable tracks off of this album include “No Apologies”, “This is Goodbye”, and “Walking Disaster”.

Track Listing
1. Underclass Hero
2. Walking Disaster
3. Speak of the Devil
4. Dear Father
5. Count Your Last Blessings
6. French Song
7. Carnival of Sins
8. The Jester
9. With Me
10. Long
11. King of Contradiction
12. Best of Me
13. Confusion and Frustration in Modern Times
14. So Long Goodbye
15. Look At Me

We The Kings – We The Kings

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We The Kings

Artist: We The Kings
Album: We The Kings
Label: S-Curve
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: October 2, 2007

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

Virtually appearing out of thin air, We The Kings have sneaked onto the scene with their new self-titled album. The band is made up of long-time friends who sing about their life experiences and even their hometown. Going the way of bands such as The All-American Rejects and Boys Like Girls, We The Kings bring out their pop rock and coat it with a sweet layer of catchy sing along lyrics. On their first single “Skyway Avenue” the band showcases their catchy rock style with lyrics like “Cause If you jump I will jump too, we will fall together from the buildings ledge, never looking back at what we’ve done, we’ll say it was love, cause I would die for you on Skyway Avenue.” With songs like “Whoa” , “The Quiet” , and “All Again For You” We The Kings are sure to please pop rock fans of all kinds.

Recommend if you like: Boys Like Girls, The All-American Rejects, Cartel, songs to sing along to.

Track Listing
1. Secret Valentine
2. Skyway Avenue
3. Check Yes Juliet
4. Stay Young
5. Whoa
6. August Is Over
7. The Quiet
8. Don’t Speak Liar
9. Headlines Read Out…
10. All Again For You
11. This Is Our Town

Barely Blind – The Way We Operate

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Barely Blind

Artist: Barely Blind
Album: The Way We Operate
Label: TDR Records
Purchase: Interpunk
Release Date: August 28, 2007

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

Barely Blind’s The Way We Operate is full of pop punk goodness that instantly hits your ears with “Life On Wilson Street” and continues through on “The Way Out.” Dueling vocals, bouncy bass and all the catchy pop-punk guitar riffs your ears desire are included in this package. The Way We Operate was produced by Punchline’s Steve Soboslai, which couldn’t have been a better fit for this album.

Recommended if you like: Pop-Punk, Punchline, Home Grown.

Track Listing
1. Life On Wilson Street
2. Pariah
3. Crazy
4. Crowded Room
5. 97′ Called
6. The Way We Operate

Farewell – Isn’t This Suppose To Be Fun

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Farewell

Artist: Farewell
Album: Isn’t This Suppose To Be Fun
Label: Epitaph
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: September 25, 2007

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

Fun Rock
noun
A type of rock music that empowers the being of fun. A sound of enjoyment, amusement and pleasure: the fans were rocking out to their favorite fun rock band, Farwell. (Also see Farewell)

Farewell‘s Isn’t This Suppose To Be Fun can easily be described as the best fun rock album of the year. Thirteen tracks of synth filled rock and sing along lyrics couldn’t make your ears feel any better. Enjoy the fun!

Recommended if you like: Fun music, pop punk, synth rock, Motion City Soundtrack, Houston Calls.

Track Listing
1. Start It Up
2. Anchors Away
3. First One On The Blog
4. Stay Pretty
5. War
6. Sing, Baby
7. Eighty Eights
8. Zelda
9. September Brought The Fall
10. Cut You A New Smile
11. Hey Heather
12. Darling Darlene
13. Fed The Fire

The Secret Handshake – One Full Year

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One Full Year

Artist: The Secret Handshake
Album: One Full Year
Label: Triple Crown Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: September 25, 2007

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

Luis Dubuc, the mastermind behind The Secret Handshake has spent years toiling behind his Apple computer screen to create and perfect his sound. With the release of One Full Year he has proven that there truly can be substance behind the beats. The album is chalk full of enough drum machines, voice processors and synthesizers to create a bona fide dance party. However, I found that it’s Dubuc’s lyrical content that shines the brightest of all.

Recommended if you like: Fun electronic indie-pop, in the vein of PlayRadioPlay! and Hellogoodbye.

Track Listing
1. Too Young
2. Summer of ’98
3. Coastal Cities
4. Wanted You
5. Everyone Knows Everyone
6. Denton, TX
7. Midnight Movie
8. Game Girl
9. Pictures
10. Don’t Count on Me
11. I Lied About Everything
12. Make You Mine
13. Lately
14. Crosses Fingers