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.

Lost Ocean – Lost Ocean

By Leave a Comment

Lost Ocean Lost Ocean

Artist: Lost Ocean
Album: Self Titled
Label: Credential Recordings
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: February 20th, 2007

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

I heard an EP from this piano based band â┚¬Ã…”Lost Oceanâ┚¬? a few months ago, and it was not bad, a little bit bland but it had potential. I got sent the bandâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s debut full length and it turned out to be a longer version of an already lacking EP.

The vocals are one of the best things about this record, although they arenâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t very unique in the sense that for several songs I swore I was listening to a Ben Folds record. The record and the band give off this vibe that they want to be a pop rock band yet the songs never quite get there. The single and by far the best song off the record, â┚¬Ã…”Just Glideâ┚¬?, was also coincidently the best song off the previous EP â┚¬Ã…”Night to lifeâ┚¬?.

A couple other notable songs on the record are â┚¬Ã…”You areâ┚¬? and â┚¬Ã…”Muteâ┚¬? which are able to hold their own, but just barely. I wanted to like this band and this record but it just has not happened yet. Thing is I donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t dislike the album; it just has nothing pulling you back to listen to it over and over again.

This is one of those bands which has a lot of potential, yet something needs to be tweaked in order to bring it out of them. The album is up for streaming on the bands site, and I recommend doing that before purchasing it.

Tracklisting
1. Believe
2. Still Life
3. Just Glide
4. You Are
5. Mute
6. Dreams
7. Everything Is
8. Trust
9. Lights
10. Vast

Relient K – Five Score and Seven Years Ago

By 11 Comments

Relient K Five Score and Seven Years Ago

Artist: Relient K
Album: Five Score and Seven Years Ago
Label: Capitol Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: March 6th, 2007

Overall: 7.9
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 9.0

â┚¬Ã…”Five score and seven years agoâ┚¬? is Relient Kâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s new album which is the follow up to the major label debut â┚¬Ã…”mmhmmâ┚¬?. I applaud them for giving this album an actual name instead of just a sound that made you feel ridiculous when said out loud. I was very excited to hear this record because Relient K has always put out quality music, and the same still applies with the new record. The staple of this band has and continues to be the ability to blend the comical and serious sides of life into a beautifully crafted song.

The first song â┚¬Ã…”Plead the fifthâ┚¬? is more of an intro to the record, but it definitely shows off the guyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s ability to write a catchy melody. â┚¬Ã…”Come right out and say Itâ┚¬? is the next song which is familiar Relient K territory and touches on the subject of wanting to hear the truth instead of a pretty lie to spare someoneâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s feelings. â┚¬Ã…”Must have done something rightâ┚¬?, which is the first single, has been out for awhile and is a good song, but seems to sound better in the context of the other songs on â┚¬Ã…”Five Scoreâ┚¬Ã‚¦Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬?. Speaking of the single, my guess is that â┚¬Ã…”Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m taking you with meâ┚¬? will end up being one at some point with its instantly catchy chorus.

â┚¬Ã…”Deathbedâ┚¬?, which is the album closer, comes in at a whopping 11:05 minutes long. The song is told from a first person perspective of someone dying from cancer. The song starts off soft and slow but doesnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t stay that way long, adding a range of different instruments along the journey. The song also includes a guest vocalist which sounds like Switchfoot lead singer â┚¬Ã…”Jonathan Foremanâ┚¬?.

Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll take the advice from the song â┚¬Ã…”Come right out and say itâ┚¬? and just tell it like it is for this record. This is an album which you will need to put in some time to fully enjoy. I found this album very forgettable the first couple times I listened to it, but it has grown on me. There are a couple of weaker songs scattered on the album but overall a good listen.
I just wasted your time with this review. Buy the record and youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll know what I mean.

Track listing
1. Plead the Fifth
2. Come Right Out and Say It
3. I Need You
4. The Best Thing
5. Forgiven
6. Must Have Done Something Right
7. Give
8. Devastation and Reform
9. I’m Taking You With Me
10. Faking My Own Suicide
11. Crayons Can Melt On Us For All I Care
12. Bite My Tongue
13. Up and Up
14. Deathbed

Dustin Kensrue – Please Come Home

By 3 Comments

Dustin Kensrue Please Come Home

Artist: Dustin Kensrue
Album: Please Come Home
Label: Equal Vision
Purchase: MerchNow
Release Date: January 23, 2007

Overall: 9.1
Music: 8.8
Lyrics: 9.5
Production: 9.0

Dustin Kensrue, mastermind and frontman of alternative rockers Thrice, has been embarking on many new endeavors recently. Between the birth of his first child, his position on the board of To Write Love On Her Arms, writing and recording a new record with Thrice, and playing countless solo shows, Dustin’s solo album may be subconsciously titled as a request of himself. Regardless, this eight song debut contains the passion and the power he exudes in Thrice, but in a stripped down, soft-serve setting.

Reminiscent of Johnny Cash meets Bruce Springstein mixed in with the expected honesty of Dustin’s writing, don’t think you’re getting an acoustic version of Thrice. This album is far removed from their sound. The country and blues tone is not normally something I take to, but for some reason, Dustin does it differently.

The songs are not groundbreaking, life changing, or perfect, but they’re easy to identify with, sing a long to, and love as though they were written for you. I strongly recommend this album, it just may be your gateway into a genre ignored by a lot of modern rock fans, and embraced by this modern rock icon.

Track Listing
1. I Knew You Before
2. Pistol
3. I Believe
4. Please Come Home
5. Blood & Wine
6. Consider The Ravens
7. Weary Saints
8. Blanket Of Ghosts

The Higher – On Fire

By 6 Comments

The Higher On Fire

Artist: The Higher
Album: On Fire
Label: Epitaph
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: March 6th, 2007

Overall: 7.5
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 10.0

On the verge of breaking up to then go on to put out what will probably be one of the most well produced, polished, radio friendly records of 2007. The Higher fit into an interesting place in the music spectrum. If I had to categorize â┚¬Ã…”On Fireâ┚¬?, it would get thrown into a pop punk section, and maybe thatâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s correct, yet the album raises the typical pop punk bar a couple of notches.

First thing is first, there are 2 songs they rerecorded, but the songs are so much better and flow so naturally that you might not even realize that they are older songs. There is actually a 3rd song â┚¬Ã…”Pace Yourselfâ┚¬? that is from their last record. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s been remixed by Patrick Stump (think FOB) and I still canâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t figure out why they included it on the disc because itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s flat out terrible. The song gets repetitive real fast and offers nothing to the record.

The thing â┚¬Ã…”On Fireâ┚¬? does well is try to give each song a unique feel. â┚¬Ã…”Insuranceâ┚¬? has a sort of salsa mixed with rock feel which is weird at first but strangely compelling. â┚¬Ã…”Can anyone really love youngâ┚¬? is a John Mayer reminiscent love song. And what album would be complete without a string/synth ballad like â┚¬Ã…”Our movie rulesâ┚¬? to close out the full album. This album rarely, if ever, repeats itself in terms of style and feel which is good because too often records are coming with the same song repeated 12 times.
The record reminds me of the catchiness of â┚¬Ã…”Cute is what we aim forâ┚¬? but without the embarrassment of saying you listen to â┚¬Ã…”Cute is what we aim forâ┚¬?. After everything is said and done â┚¬Ã…”On Fireâ┚¬? is definitely worth checking out and most people will probably agree itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s worth the ten bucks.

Tracklisting
01. Insurance?
02. Guts
03. Rock My Body
04. Weapons Wired
05. Histrionics
06. Movement
07. Can Anyone Really Love Young
08. Darkpop
09. DARE
10. 31 Floors
11. Our Movie Rules
12. Pace Yourself (Patrick Stump Remix)

Self Against City – Telling Secrets To Strangers

By 2 Comments

Self Against City

Artist: Self Against City
Album: Telling Secrets To Strangers
Label: Rushmore Records/Drive-Thru Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: January 9, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.2
Lyrics: 8.7
Production: 9.0

The record begins with the line “Lets take this all the way.” Two years after their release of their EP, Self Against City are back again and most definitely taking it all the way. Since the EP, Jonathan’s vocals have gotten stronger, there is more variation and the band has a much tighter sound. The result is the disgustingly catchy “Telling Secrets To Strangers.”

[Read more…]

Switchfoot – Oh! Gravity

By 2 Comments

switchfoot.jpg

Artist: Switchfoot
Album: Oh! Gravity
Label: Columbia Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: December 26, 2006

Overall: 8.8
Music: 7.9
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 9.5

On the day after Christmas comes an album from a band practiced in giving: after their sixth studio album, Switchfoot has given listeners an earful of inspiration, or at the very least, a different perspective on life. Why Oh! Gravity was released after Christmas rather than the Tuesday before it or whether the album will sell enough copies to reach gold-plus status like their previous Nothing Is Sound did is unknown to me, but apparently front man Jon Foreman is not too worried about that (myCCM).

Oftentimes on Gravity Foreman-and-team â┚¬Ã…”deliberately went back to the first take and the rough draftâ┚¬? (CCM Magazine) for honestyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s sake. Having done so may have brought the quality of musicianship down a level, but honesty seems to be what Switchfoot was really striving for on this album. So if while enjoying some naturally appealing songs, you can also put up with more than one underdeveloped tune and a few awkward moments, youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll hear a bunch of wholesome messages about life and a bandâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s â┚¬Ã…”honestâ┚¬? approach to songwriting.

Oh! Gravity starts off strong with their latest single, the title track. This thought-provoking song about hatred and conflict is consistent with the sound Switchfoot established on their last two albums, and itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s an improvement from Nothing Is Soundâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s â┚¬Ã…”Stars,â┚¬? but is not as exceptional as The Beautiful Letdownâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s â┚¬Ã…”Meant to Live.â┚¬? However, there is another song on the album that could compete. Track four on Gravity has enough verve to stir anyone into a delightful dance. When Switchfoot plays â┚¬Ã…”Awakeningâ┚¬? live, you can bet everyone in the house will be moving or jumping. It would really be a disservice to the media and to listeners if itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s not picked as their next single.

To be quite frank, though, there are too many filler songs on the album to be enjoyed from beginning to end. â┚¬Ã…”Dirty Second Handsâ┚¬? drones on somewhat like the ticking of a clock, which youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve got to assume the band intended. Sure, its depressing mood matches that of the title, but the song would have more effectively changed the pace of the album if it were more to the liking of â┚¬Ã…”Dare You to Moveâ┚¬? from The Beautiful Letdown. Sorry to say but no songs on Gravity quite equal the emotional outpouring of that classic song. On the other hand, to Switchfootâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s credit they have been there, done that and now they are experimenting with a different stylistic approach.

The song â┚¬Ã…”Amateur Loversâ┚¬? has an interesting vibe. It features the sitar and sounds like The Clash meets The Beatles meets The Stones. As soon as Foremanâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s vocals kick in, the song quickly turns sour because they do not compliment the music well at all. In this song, as well as the next, â┚¬Ã…”Faust, Midas, and Myself,â┚¬? Foremanâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s voice is boring and repetitive and just about everything you donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t want to hear. In fact the lyrics in the latter are practically spoken rather than sung. This is truly a shame because his non-materialistic view in the song needs so badly to be heard.

Other less-than-stellar songs include â┚¬Ã…”Yesterdaysâ┚¬? and â┚¬Ã…”4:12.â┚¬? Other standout tracks on the record are â┚¬Ã…”American Dream,â┚¬? â┚¬Ã…”Circles,â┚¬? â┚¬Ã…”Head Over Healsâ┚¬? and â┚¬Ã…”Burn Out Bright.â┚¬? There are also a few mediocre tracks on Oh! Gravity that have both good and bad qualities. This record should probably have been reduced to an EP in order to eliminate deadwood songs, or at least Switchfoot ought to have refined them until they were complete. â┚¬Ã…”Honestyâ┚¬? is hardly ever associated with music â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ lyrics yes, but not music. If Switchfootâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s goal was to affect people with their honesty, perhaps they should have expressed their message through twelve perfected tracks.

Track List:
1. Oh! Gravity
2. American Dream
3. Dirty Second Hands
4. Awakening
5. Circles
6. Amateur Lovers
7. Faust, Midas, and Myself
8. Head Over Heels (In This Life)
9. Yesterdays
10. Burn Out Bright
11. 4:12
12. Let Your Love Be Strong

+44 – When Your Heart Stops Beating

By 2 Comments

Plus 44

Artist: +44
Album: When Your Heart Stops Beating
Label: Interscope
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: November 13, 2006

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

Ex Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker set out to make something new with +44 but is that what they ended up with? The band we originally set to be an electronic act but they took a different road when Carol Heller left the band and added guitarists Shane Gallagher and Craig Fairbaugh to finish the lineup.

Beginning the album is the upbeat track “Lycanthrope” which resembles a Blink 182 sound and “Baby Come On” also rings of Blink 182 bass lines and lyrics. One could almost believe that this album is the next Blink 182 album with the first three tracks. The first single “When Your Heart Stops Beating” is filled with bouncing bass and synths. Its after this point that the album takes a bit of a turn and the songs start releasing a lot of emotion with lyrics that you know are towards ex Blink 182 guitarist Tom Delong. “155” is another track that has some electronic backings giving the song a nice beat while “Lillian” is lead by an acoustic track and sing along lyrics. The dark lyrics and emotional music come on out “Weatherman” and “No it Isn’t.” The songs are overall good and have their upbeat parts yet are depressing at times, but I’m sure thats what Mark was feeling about the whole Blink 182 fallout. “Make You Smile” includes some lyrics from Heller for what is one of the most electronic sounding songs on the album, think The Postal Service with some added Female vocals. The album finishes out with “Chapter 13” which has a simple but pleasurable feel to it.

I liked hearing Mark’s voice again as well as his bass style and Travis’s drumming. +44’s debut is the closest thing to Blink 182 but I would have been sad if this was the next Blink 182 album. Mark, Tom, and Travis had something special and we will probably never hear that combination again. If you enjoyed Blink 182 and if you felt like Angels & Airwaves didn’t quite please you be sure to give +44 a spin for something different.

Track Listing
1. Lycanthrope
2. Baby Come On
3. When Your Heart Stops Beating
4. Little Death
5. 155
6. Lillian
7. Cliffdiving
8. Interlude
9. Weatherman
10. No, It Isn’t
11. Make You Smile
12. Chapter 13

Future Of Forestry – Twilight

By 3 Comments

Future Of Forestry Twilight

Artist: Future Of Forestry
Album: Twilight
Label: Credential Recordings
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: January 23rd, 2007

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

If all of the releases of 2007 are as good as Future Of Forestryâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s Debut album â┚¬Ã…”Twilightâ┚¬? then 2007 will be an amazing year for music. This band has huge things ahead of them and â┚¬Ã…”Twilightâ┚¬? is just the first step. This is the band to keep an eye and ear on this year.

The album opens with two songs, â┚¬Ã…”Open Wideâ┚¬? and â┚¬Ã…”All I wantâ┚¬? that were also on the bands first EP, both of which are mellower in the verses but have soaring indie rock choruses. These two songs also seem to be fan favorites from the EP.

The next song is the albumâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s title track â┚¬Ã…”Twilightâ┚¬?. The song starts off slow but continually builds the whole time adding instruments and backing vocals gradually. Around minute three you realize that the song has captured you with its engulfing melody. The song then begins to gently let you down with its â┚¬Ã…”da da daâ┚¬Ã‚¦Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬? (Youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll understand when you hear it). The song â┚¬Ã…”You and Iâ┚¬? is easily one of the more radio friendly tracks the album has. The melody and hook begin the moment Ericâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s vocals start and the song just takes off from there.

Eric Owyoungâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s vocals on this record are what make it stand out and shine like it does. Causal, strong, laid back vocals reminiscent to those of Switchfoot yet with distinct originality. The album has the powerful guitars and drums that it needs to propel the songs like it does. Yet there are just as many ambient sounds on the record that give you the intimate feel that a lot of records leave out.

Go buy this album, bring it home, or listen to it on the car ride home. Please forget what Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve said in this review though. Neither the band nor the album need my hype, let this album prove its self to you, because it will.

Tracklisting
1. Open Wide
2. All I Want
3. Twilight
4. Speak To Me Gently
5. Thinking of You
6. Sunrising
7. Sacred Place
8. You And I
9. Sanctitatis
10. If You Find Her
11. Gazing
12. Stay Beside Me

Stellar Kart – We Can’t Stand Sitting Down

By 3 Comments

Stellar Kart We Can't Stand Sitting Down

Artist: Stellar Kart
Album: We Can’t Stand Sitting Down
Label: Word Entertainment
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: July 25th, 2006

Overall: 6.9
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.0

How many times have you been sitting around thinking, I wish there was a new pop punk band/record I could listen to? My guess is that not too many people are raising their hands, and well, who can blame you. Stellar Kart has already released one fairly solid (although pretty straight forward) record, and to follow it up they released a little bit better second one.

With nothing against the band, or the genre, this release is just average. In the same way Simple Plan or Good Charlotte at one point may have grabbed some of your listening time, so Stellar Kart now takes the stage. â┚¬Ã…”Always Waitingâ┚¬? Sounds very familiar, think Blink-182, in the verses, and almost moves away from it in the choruses yet there is always this little voice saying â┚¬Ã…”I think Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve heard this beforeâ┚¬?. Not all the tracks are as familiar though, with some of the better ones being â┚¬Ã…”Angels In Chorusâ┚¬?, â┚¬Ã…”Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m Pretty Goodâ┚¬?, and â┚¬Ã…”Activateâ┚¬?.

The vocals are very solid and easy to listen to. The guitars are strong and in your face when they need to be, and the drums are spot on every time. Production is top notch and completes the pretty pop punk package very well.

Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve said it before, but I do think that this band is a good listen. Whether you they are guilty pleasure for you, or youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve been a fan for years, I think most people will find something they like about this record. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s average and overdone, yet it is just done so well.

Tracklisting

1. Procrastinating
2. Activate
3. Me And Jesus
4. Lose Control
5. Hold On
6. Always Waiting
7. Only Wanted
8. Finding Out
9. Wishes And Dreams
10. I’m Pretty Good
11. I Wanna Live
12. Angels In Chorus

Dave Barnes – Roxy Theatre – 11/29/06

By Leave a Comment

Dave Barnes Dave Barnes
November 29, 2006
The Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, CA

You might know of Dave Barnes, an independent musician out of Nashville, TN for more reasons than just his recorded music. It might be from his production of his friend and fellow musician Matt Wertz’s records, or from co-writing songs by Bebo Norman, Bethany Dillon, Marc Broussard and Micah Dalton. Regardless, if it’s not from his live show then you definitely need to enlighten yourself.

The first time I was fortunate enough to see Dave perform was last June and I was completely taken back. Touring in support of his third release, Chasing Mississippi, Dave has honed his live show to near perfection. This time around he brought along a bassist and a drummer and has again exceeded my expectations.

With a mix of songs dating back to 2001’s Three Then Four EP, Dave played with an open ended set time and the crowd stayed all the way through. One of the things that makes his live show so entertaining would be the comedy in-between songs. Dave told a three to five minute story for every two songs he played and I wonder why he didn’t pursue a career in stand-up. Further proving my thought that ‘awkward is the new sarcastic’- he confessed his desire to one day end a show as a figure skater ends a perfect performance. Check out some photos I have posted on our photos page for proof!

Beyond the incredible band, comedy and guitar work, the most impressive aspect of his live show is his voice. At times it was the only thing present, letting his acoustic guitar fade to a light strum, or even diminish completely. He hit every note of every song he does on his albums and it showcased even more emotion than a recording could convey. Mid-set, the band took a break and Dave played two definite fan favorites, ‘On A Night Like This’ and ‘Nothin Fancy,’ both causing a formidable stillness in the crowd. While he’s no Sinatra, Dave brings a new flavor to love songs, and I think the formula is simple. He’s honest in every single word he sings.

Something incredible that Dave shared with the audience was his involvement in the Mocha Club. The Mocha Club is an organization that helps with some of the many problems currently in Africa. To join, it costs $7 a month and 90% of your money goes directly to funding the projects. In Kenya, $7 can feed 9 orphans 3 meals a day, that fact alone prompted me to want to be involved. It’s something I’m very passionate about, and I suggest you at least take a look at.

All in all, this was one of the best performances I’ve seen all year. His humor and his talent are present from beginning to end. There’s no question in my mind that I’ll definitely be in attendance the next time Dave is in town.

Thanks to Dryve Managment and Dave Barnes for letting me attend this show!