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.

Sherwood – A Different Light

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Sherwood

Artist: Sherwood
Album: A Different Light
Label: Myspace Records
Purchase: Flipside Industries
Release Date: March 13, 2007

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

Sherwood is a band that simply made a huge music career lately with the online music scene. This album is going to take them from online listeners to a whole new audience. All the songs are just pop-gems dying to be ate up by the mainsteam radio crowd. It’s been a while since I have listened to such a full sounded pop cd such as this. I am very impressed with the album production. Everything is so clean and the guitars are very crisp with the distortion and clean levels. Not to mention the pounding kick drum and bass that drives the rhythm for all the songs. One of the things I love most about Sherwood’s music is the style and feel. They are a pop band that gives off a very happy vibe, unlike most of the depressing emotional pop songs of bands popular in this indie internet scene.

The album kicks off with their single “Song In My Head”, which starts off as a slow song but kick in with the keys and turns into an upbeat pop rock song. The next few tracks have the similar style, which are upbeat and filled with catchy melodic choruses. Then there is “Home”, which slows it down with a hard punching emotional chorus. Then the cd changes up with songs like “Alley Cat” with a lot of key-created drumbeats and soft vocals. For those of you who are familiar with the bands “Summer EP” released on Absolutepunk.net last summer, you will notice three songs from it like “Middle Of The Night”, “The Only Song”, and the softer closing album track “I’m Asking Her To Stay”.

Overall this band has really manage to impress me more than I thought they could. If you are into classic pop rock songs this is definitely the album for you. Even if you aren’t still give it a try, because it just might convert you to a new style of music. This is definitely going down for my nominations of Top Ten albums of the year. Sherwood is a fun rock band that will not only inspire future bands of this genre, but also change the face of indie music all together.

Standout Tracks
“For The Longest Time”, “Middle Of The Night”, “Song In My Head”, “The Only Song”

Tracklisting
1. Song In My Head
2. The Best In Me
3. Middle Of The Night
4. For The Longest Time
5. Home
6. Alley Cat
7. Give Up!
8. Never Ready To Leave
9. The Only Song
10. Alive
11. The Simple Life
12. A Different Light
13. I’m Asking Her To Stay

Daphne Loves Derby – Good Night, Witness Light

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daphne loves derby good night witness light

Artist: Daphne Loves Derby
Album: Good Night, Witness Light
Label: Outlook
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: March 23rd, 2007

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

If you have ever been a fan of Daphne Loves Derby or thought you might ever want to be then “Good Night, Witness Light”, the latest full length from the band, is for you. The second full length release under the Outlook Music label blends together everything that made this band big in the indie scene and everything it takes to become accessible with the mainstream crowd.

Catchy choruses along with hooks scattered throughout the verses are a common thing on “Good Night, Witness Light”. I can appreciate a band that can bust out an acoustic guitar on several songs and not have it define their sound. “Cue The Sun!” is a mellow example of this which eventually builds to a harmonica appearance. A couple of the poppier songs include “Hello, Color Red”, “Miniature Christmas Tree” and “Stranger, You and I” which I feel give the album the feeling that Daphne Loves Derby haven’t forgotten their roots.

While “Marching Band Intro” and “That’s Our Hero Shot” sound really cool with the use of different instruments they do feel like the odd songs out on the record. My guess is the diversity will be a welcome change though. “Good Night, Witness Light” is a Christmas/New Year’s record in disguise, with more than a couple songs mentioning one of the two.

All in all a great record that would be a welcome to any collection with its songs that couple fit any type of mood. I was not a huge fan of “On The Strength of All Convicted” but this latest record sure has won me back.

Tracklisting
1. Are Two Chords Enough, Dear?
2. Stranger, You and I
3. Iron In The Backseat
4. No One Is Convinced
5. Marching Band Intro
6. That’s Our Hero Shot
7. To Struggle With Light
8. Cue The Sun
9. Miniature Christmas Tree
10. Love and Mercy
11. Hello Color Red
12. The Best Part About It Honey
13. How’s It Going To End?

House Of Fools – Live And Learn

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House Of Fools

Artist: House Of Fools
Album: Live And Learn
Label: Drive-Thru RecordsPurchase: West Aspen Merch
Release Date: March 6, 2007

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

Throughout the years, Drive-Thru Records has come out with several bands, and many have had a major influence on the indie pop punk scene. Now it is time for the DTR fanbase to come face to face with a new style of DTR music. The trend has started with Steel Train, An Angle, and now the latest is House Of Fools. Imagine a band that can combine a sensible sound of Bob Dylan, The Eagles, and some more contemporary bands like The Format. With a sensationable sound of Southern sensibilities they show that they are a band that can play catchy laid back indie rock songs. This would describe House Of Fools. They first released their self-titled EP back last October on Drive-Thru Records, and now with this newly released album “Live and Learn” House Of Fools will go down in the record books.

The album starts off with one of my favorite tracks “It Could Be Easy”. This is one of the more catchy upbeat songs on the album. Other new songs such as “Kiss The Haze”, “Go Down”, and “Coke & Smoke” are great new songs by the band that just blew me away. They include a few old songs from their EP released back last October like “My Life Before Today”, “Better Part Of Me”, and “Live And Learn”. “Better Part Of Me” is one of the best songs on the album. It is the kind of music I could listen to outside on a sunny afternoon just relaxing to. “Live and Learn” plays out as slow emotional track to finish off the album with. I honestly could sit here and tell you about each individual song, but really it’s pointless because they are all good. I recommend everyone to get this album and just listen to it from start to finish to get the real feel for the album. Trust me listen to the cd even if there are some songs that do not click with you right away, because they will eventually.

In today’s music industry many of the most brillant and musically talented bands often become overlooked. This is much due to the artistic style and complex guitar progressions that just do not click with most mainstream music listeners. House Of Fools is a band that not many people know about right now, but will hopefully not be overlooked in the near future like others of similar style. They have produced one of the greatest easy listening and most original albums I’ve heard in a long time, and I can’t wait to see more from this band. “Live and Learn” is an album that will quite possible change the face of indie music and even more put Drive Thru Records back on the map. It is no wonder why AP has named House Of Fools in “the 100 bands you need to know in 2007”.

Standout Tracks
“Kiss The Haze”, “Better Part Of Me”, “My Life Before Today”, “It Could Be Easy”, “Go Down”

TrackListing
1. Introduction
2. It Could Be Easy
3. Until It’s Over
4. My Life Before Today
5. Kiss The Haze
6. Me & Everyone I Know
7. What Are We Supposed To Do
8. Go Down
9. Better Part Of Me
10. Interested
11. Pour Me Out
12. I Heard A Rumor
13. Coke & Smoke
14. Live & Learn

Foreverinmotion – The Beautiful Unknown

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Foreverinmotion

Artist: Foreverinmotion
Album: The Beautiful Unknown
Label: One Eleven Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 8, 2007

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

Behind the graceful Foreverinmotion tunes streaming out of my speakers is just one man, Brendon Thomas. Somewhere in the vicinity of three years ago, I was captivated by Foreverinmotion’s self-titled full-length; I wrote of it, “The music is slow yet powerful, ordered yet emotional, peaceful yet full of energy. Lyrically, each song brings more amazement. This is the kind of stuff that you sit down and wish you could write. Chock full of beautiful metaphors, Brendon uses the English language in a way that brings words to life.”

Three-some years later, I’ve experienced a great deal in life and my music tastes have changed substantially. Brendon’s music, however, still strikes a chord with me. Why? The songs on The Beautiful Unknown somehow capture this beauty of the unknown through masterfully pieced together guitar (acoustic and to a lesser extent electric), vocals, piano, and various other recordings. The quoted materials from Hurricane Katrina at the start of “Avalanche,” for instance, set me up perfectly to shiver every time I listen to the song. After set-up is of course the action: Brendon’s music and voice suddenly and powerfully take control of the song and also of my mind and body. Stylistically, Brendon’s varied rock, folk, and of course, singer-songwriter influences are noticeable in the refreshing mixture of songs on the album.

The album displays its lyrical greatness on so many levels: significance, proximity, intelligence, playfulness. When I heard “Flight 268” I was moved to a state of teary-eyedness because I felt like the song was written specifically for and directly to me as I’ve been struggling with the issue in question for some time now, namely opening up to people despite living such a transient life. “And the King Would Say,” on the other hand, is clearly speaking of a much more prominent figure, delivering a political statement. Foreverinmotion exemplifies the possibilities of what is categorized as “emo(tional) music” — that is to say, the album is a musical delight, plain and simple.

Tracklisting:
1. Magic
2. Hot Air Balloon
3. Goodnight
4. The Clothes We Walk In
5. Flight 268
6. The Rain
7. Open Eyes and the Boundless Sky
8. And The King Would Say
9. Avalanche
10. Turn and Chase the Wind
11. Talu
12. Lonely

P.S. I took a listen to the 2004 album, and while good, I must say firstly that I can really tell my musical taste has changed and secondly that The Beautiful Unknown is leaps and bounds better.

Sick Puppies – Dressed Up As Life

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Sick Puppies

Artist: Sick Puppies
Album: Dressed Up As Life
Label: Virgin Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: April 3, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 8.0

Trying to review an album for a band called Sick Puppies is a lot harder than one would think. It took me a while just to get over the band’s ridiculous name to try and enjoy their album. As much as I tried to head into this session of music listening of being open minded, my mind quickly closed as the cd played. Although being from Austrailia, the band resembles many of our famous North American rock bands Creed and Nickelback mixed with the trashiness of Puddle of Mudd. Throughout most of the album, very few songs really caught my attention. I found myself even hating a few of the songs. In all fairness, even with the bands cheesy grunge rock style there are some good rockin’ guitar parts.Like most of the bands they resemble, the lyrics are definitely quite cheesy and trashy. Don’t get me wrong there are some good songs on this album, like “World” and “Pitiful”. Other than those two songs I didn’t seem to find many songs catchy or worth spending my time listening to. For all of you who do like the slower songs, there are a few slower ballads “What Are You Looking For” and “Too Many Words”. Then there are some songs like “Asshole Father”, which I found so awful I wanted to break the cd. This band definitely has the talent, it’s just not talent I feel like wasting my time listening too. If would recommend this album to fans of Creed, Nickelback, Puddle Of Mudd, or any other cheesy band of that genre. But don’t get me completely wrong, I love all kinds of music, it’s just that I believe that this album could have had some better songs on it. An album needs more than just two or three catchy songs to be considered more than decent, and decent is exactly how to describe Sick Puppies.

The Only Standout Tracks
“World”, “Pitiful”, and “What Are You Looking For?”

Tracklisting
1. My World
2. Pitiful
3. Cancer
4. What Are You Looking For?
5. Deliverance
6. All The Same
7. Too Many Words
8. Howard’s Tale
9. Asshole Father
10. Issues
11. Anywhere But Here
12. The Bottom

Waking Ashland – The Well

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Waking Ashland - the Well

Artist: Waking Ashland
Album: The Well
Label: Immortal Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 17, 2007

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

Waking Ashland have had a flurry of releases in the past few years, with their debut EP I Am for You in 2004, their first full-length Composure in 2005, Telescopes EP in 2006, and now their sophomore LP the Well in 2007. I was a big fan of their brand of powerpop on I Am for You, and while there was a clear shift to a mellower musical style by the time Telescopes was released, the band still delivered songs that glistened with pop spirit. The Well provides more variety of sound than any of the band’s previous releases. On the whole, the Well is less reminiscent of Ben Folds than Telescopes, signifying the band has taken a step in the right creative direction, because, let’s face it, it ain’t easy to live up to comparisons drawn to one of the fathers of the piano pop-rock sub-genre. Honing a unique sound is always a step in the right creative direction.

Of course, the vocal similarities between Folds and Waking Ashland singer Jonathan Jones make it hard to avoid all comparisons, particularly on such numbers as “Mark Like Mine.” The Ben Folds-esque song is one of the highlights of the album, which I suppose is saying the band has some heavy lifting ahead of them yet in establishing their own flavor of piano rock. On the other hand, the unexpected guitar outro on Foldsy album-opener “Salt Like Jam” underscores the band’s creativity. Of note is the band’s experimentation with more minor tonalities; surprisingly and pleasingly, the band maintains its signature pop energy through these darker tunes. Unfortunately, despite the nice mixture of songs, they are for the most part flat and unmemorable with no lyrics nor melodies sticking with the listener, thereby failing to be a “good” pop album.

Tracklisting:
1. “Salt Lake Jam” — 4:50
2. “Handful of Names” — 3:39
3. “Your Intentions” — 2:58
4. “Diamonds In the Hillside” — 3:55
5. “Change” — 3:11
6. “Sinking Is Swimming” — 2:33
7. “Mark Like Mine” — 4:08
8. “Let It Ring” — 3:30
9. “Looking Alive” — 3:47
10. “Drought of 2001″ — 3:52
11. “Money” — 4:02
12. “Take Me With You” — 2:52

No Way Jose- Rice, Beans & Rock ‘N Roll

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No Way Jose

Artist: No Way Jose
Album: Rice, Beans & Rock ‘N Roll
Label: Pee Shy Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: 2007

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

It took a while for No Way Jose to get this album in the mail, but all things set aside this album is actually good. No Way Jose, hailing from Southern California is comprised of three members who create a sound of “Spanglish Punk”. They have created a 7-song disc entirely new and different to me, but yet their sound is still familiar to some of the bands I listen to.

A little while ago, I had wanted to start listening to some “Spanglish Punk” bands but just never got around to it until now and I’m glad that they are the one to introduce me to this style of music. One of my favorite songs from “Rice, Beans and Rock ‘N Roll” is Motherfucker. Yeah I know, the title may seem a little bit harsh, but don’t judge a song by its title. The song just has the “yeah, ok, whatever, leave me alone” type of vibe, not only that but you can hear their Spanish influence in it. I can see people hearing this song and singing along to it proudly in the privacy of their own space. In their album, you can also tell these seven songs represent them and the pride they get in creating their style of music with making no compromises and following no one voices but their own. With songs like “Stripper”, which has a Spanglish version, “Wanna Be” and “Martha” you get to hear their own mix of Southern California punk and Tex-Mex. While listening to this CD in my Ipod I often create a playlist so I can listen to their CD with one of Catch 22 CDs, just to give you a perspective on how they sound. Oh, and they were selected to play on last years Hot Topic Kevin Says stage at Vans Warped Tour so you know they have to be good.

Tracklisting
1. Wanna Be
2. Don’t Worry
3. Marta
4. Te Extrano
5. Stripper
6. Stripper (Spanglish)
7. Motherfucker

Inspector Owl – Life Finds a Way

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Inspector Owl - Life Finds a Way

Artist: Inspector Owl
Album: Life Finds a Way
Label: Third World Industries
Purchase: Inspector Owl Store
Release Date: March 27, 2007

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

What do you expect from new music — that is, a first listen to a band recommended to you by a friend or acquaintance? I expect it to be good, certainly, but I also want it to be new. If they sound just like the six Cure albums I’ve got, I’ll probably enjoy it, but won’t listen to it much in the future because, hey, I’ve already got my beloved Cure. When I get my hands on something different and refreshing I’m far more excited. Inspector Owl is just that; it was recommended to me as a “dancey indie-rock band” playing an eclectic style of music with the styles of the Faint, Polyphonic Spree, and They Might Be Giants thrown in the mix.

Sounded good to me, and after listening to the EP Life Finds a Way a few times through, it still sounds good. The opener right away caught my attention with the String Quartet (famous for their cover albums) style violin – that is, cleanly played traditional-rock parts (transposed from parts) on the violin. The band’s signature dance synth is foregrounded on “Save Me” while the darker “Sharks That Feed on Dreams” is matched by more charged lyrics. The Modest Mousey popping guitar rhythms which kick off “The Gentleman’s Duel” are coupled nicely with some intro horns, but not as well with the belted, Thom-Yorke-esque vocals. Heavy synth beats and a cute little riff set the potential for “Clever Girl” from the get-go, but again, the vocals flop what could have been a massive pop hit. The band slows it down with “Fisticuffs,” which unfortunately despite some soothing “ooh’s” and a interesting bridge, is not the most memorable closer. Overall, I’m quite pleased to have learned of this band and will continue to listen to them in the future. I will most likely remain disappointed, however, in the weak lyrics and vocals.

Switchfoot at the Avalon – March 30th, 2007

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Switchfoot at the Avalon Theatre
March 30th, 2007
Hollywood, CA

The Foreman brothers, Jon and Tim, and good friend Chad Butler started the band Switchfoot in 1996 in San Diego. Now six albums and countless world tours later, the band has been nominated for a grammy, and won several Dove awards. With the release of Oh! Gravity, the band has begun to regain the commercial success that was somewhat lost with the harsh reception of their last album, Nothing Is Sound.

Performing at the Avalon Theatre, with the bill boasting only two acts and a $25 ticket, one would expect a good show from both artists. Unfortunately, I missed most of Copeland, but upon entering and hearing the poor mix and Aaron being under the weather, I wasn’t too disappointed with my miscalculation of time.

Switchfoot took the stage, now as a five-piece with additional musicians Jerome Fontamillas (keys) and Drew Shirley (guitar), the band dove straight into their blend of edgy pop-rock. Jon Foreman’s voice was at the best I’ve ever heard it. Pulling songs from as far back as Learning To Breathe, the band also featured a three-piece string section on certain songs.

It’s with great regret that two albums ago is when I last heard new music from Switchfoot that I truly loved. When I used to feel the same about The Beautiful Letdown, the live performance totally turned my perspective upside down and the album put itself in the same league as their prior work. In all honesty, Nothing Is Sound and Oh! Gravity just don’t cut it for me. With tracks like “Happy Is a Yuppy Word” and “American Dream,” while the lyrics are decent, the melodies and choruses border the land of outright obnoxious. Since I’m sure they appeal to some, I will choose to disregard these few songs from my opinion of the show as a whole.

As I said earlier, Jon Foreman has never sounded better than he did at this show. His stage presence incarcerated the audience’s attention as he ventured into the crowd and scaled the right balcony. I completely forgot there was still four others playing on the stage. However, it was the band as a whole that created such an appealing live show. Tim and Jerome’s background vocals filled up any empty space, and Drew’s guitar work allowed Jon to put down the guitar and focus primarily on his vocal work. Chad’s drumming was just as solid as it has always been. Switchfoot impressed me far more than I had ever imagined, and after two years without, they have again won my praise.

Photos by Michael Schneider

Weatherbox – American Art

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Artist: Weatherbox
Album: American Art
Label: Doghouse Records
Purchase: SmartPunk
Release Date: May 9th, 2007

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

Look, if you missed out on Weatherbox’s recently released EP The Clearing then you need to get your music priorities straight. It was, simply put, awesome! However, if you’ve been living under a rock and missed out on it, don’t lose too much sleep as three of the five tracks, from the EP, have made their way onto their debut full length due out this spring.

Ok, now that I’ve snapped a batch on those who slept on The Clearing, I can address those individuals, like myself, that have listened to the EP fifty times and are getting a little tired of the five tracks. Unfortunately I wish that the three tracks hadn’t made their way onto the full length, but that’s marketting; and to be completely honest, they are probably the three tracks I would have picked to carry over to American Art. Let’s just be thankful that the entire EP didn’t find it’s way to the full length.

So where do I begin; Ԛ the CD itself is a work of art. Lyrics are on point, guitars, drumming and vocals are excellent, if there was anything to be let down by, it would have to be the production level. Now, maybe it’s because my copy was an “advance” release and things could easily change from now to release date; but the production doesn’t take anything away from the stellar listening experience. Let it be known, my favorite track Snakes, Our Ground, which by the way can be streamed from their Myspace and Purevolume website, mixes great hooks and melodies that don’t disappoint… it has great lyrics about grass, wind, roots,
earth, fire, water, death, and going insane; without giving it outright away, it fills me with visuals of my
favorite Wednesday night show.

**Hint: Island Life for the TiVo generation.

American Art should be on everyone’s wish list, keep your eyes peeled in early May for it; You won’t be disappointed.

Myspace | Purevolume

Tracklisting

  1. Atoms Smash
  2. Armed to the Teeth
  3. The Clearing
  4. Wolftank, Doff Thy Name
  5. ________
  6. Moments Before The Smashing Of Future Ryan
  7. Snakes, Our Ground
  8. A Flock Of Weatherboxes
  9. I Worship Raw Beats
  10. The Dreams
  11. The Drugs
  12. Drop The Mike
  13. Trippin’ The Life Fantastic