Archives for October 17, 2004

Seether – Disclaimer II

October 17, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

When I received this CD and saw that they had associations with Amy Lee of Evanescence fame I immediately wrote them off as another corporate Rock band with not much talent. However after listening to the CD I soon realised that my presumption had not been correct and Seether are in fact a talented, innovative rock band. Although they are not the best band ever to have graced the earth I can see that the band do have talent and can understand why a major label would snap them up. They have a fair few radio friendly tunes but are by no means cheesy and manage to maintain their rock credibility throughout the duration of this CD.

There are 16 tracks on display here and every single one of them is exciting in its own individual way. Seether are living proof that you can succeed and sound good using power chords and are a fine example that great major label rock bands still exist. Even the final track, ‘Broken’ which is a duo with Amy Lee which I was dreading sounds surprisingly good. Her vocals work really well with the vocals of Seether singer Shaun Morgan and really do make way for an awesomely produced, melodic masterpiece. I never thought I would enjoy a track involving Amy Lee but I now see her in a whole new light and understand that she does have a talent and is actually a really good singer. Seether sound amazing – with their distorted guitars, strong drum beats, superb bass lines, and impeccable vocal style.

One of my favourite tracks on this CD is ‘Sold Me.’ This track really is a work of genius with its distorted guitars and generally excellently crafted tune. It is a cracking track and is a great way of getting rid of your anger and frustrations. Just stick this one on, sing along, and feel your problems leave you as you get lost in the slick sound of the music. This is definitely one of the highlights of the album for me with its all around heaviness and although it has stiff competition in opening track ‘Gasoline,’ it is probably my favourite.

Don’t be put off by the fact that the band have links with Evanescence like I was at first – check this band out, I am sure you will not be disappointed. Sure, there are a few tracks on the album that aren’t too great but for the majority of the CD the band sound absolutely amazing and completely flawless. If you are a fan of Heavy Rock/Metal then head out now and buy this album now – it really is a blinder and at over an hour long you certainly get your monies worth.

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Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

Mybe – Small Man Syndrome

October 17, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

I haven’t heard from this band in a long old while! They seem to have dropped their tag of being ‘Pop Punk Wankers’ since ‘The Shite Album’ and now refer to themselves as ‘the most entertaining bastards in pop’ – good stuff. They have definitely improved a lot since ‘The Shite Album’ and I think that this is an extremely exciting and entertaining album to listen to. It has amazing guitars, some super drumming, and the obligatory awesome vocal styling.

There are 12 tracks on display here showing that Mybe are still the comic geniuses they always have been and show no signs of growing out of their toilet humour! It’s the best way to be I reckon and the funny lyrics definitely add to the Mybe experience and make it that extra bit special. I have always liked what Mybe do and in this album I think that the band prove that they have what it takes to go far in the Punk scene. They are still pranksters and their songs go down a treat. One of my favourite tracks on this CD is ‘Ex Directory.’ This really is a classic song as not only does it have awesome lyrics but it also has great vocals to go with them and an excellently crafted instrumental side. It is a three and a half minute gem of a track – one that I will definitely be listening to more in the future. It is a catchy little number and I think that it would be a great breakthrough track for the band to release as a single. In fact, they could release any one of these track as a single and I think they would all do well – not a single one of these songs lets the album down in any way at all and as a whole the album is almost certainly verging on perfect.

’45 Minute Warning’ ends the album in style. It has an electric, excitement packed start and as the vocals kick in you know that it is going to be a track to remember. This is a 20 minute epic and is really funny to listen to. Although it starts off as a great song with the band showing tremendous style and passion for the music it is after the initial track finished that the amusement really begins. There is an awesome drum fill at about 11 or so minutes in with super skills Jez really putting his all into it. It really does sound great and after this we get the band talking about how shit pop stars are such as Britney Spears, Blazin Squad and Gareth Gates. Singing in the tune of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ we then hear the tune of ‘Fuck off ya Bastards.’ This is really funny and ends the album in the only way Mybe how – with humour! Mybe truly are the funniest band in Punk and you can’t help but smile while listening to this album. It really is a classic and I strongly suggest that you go out and buy this CD now.

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Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

The Scrub – Life’s torn the Tuna out and Left Me for a Bread Roll

October 17, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

Oh yes, finally The Scrub have recorded a new CD! The Scrub really do have a great talent and this is why they have been one of my favourite bands of the last few years. Their music is just so energetic, fun, and truly entertaining and rewarding. On display here are 4 great tracks from the superb Bristol Skacore band. Bristol has been a great place for music with even the almighty Five Knuckle hailing from there. In all honestly I believe that The Scrub are on a par with Five Knuckle as every single tune they ever make always seems to sound perfect just like Five Knuckle have the fine talent of.

This CD kicks off with the super Ska scorcher of ‘Fine Time.’ I was really impressed when I heard this track on the CD for the first time as when I had heard a demo of it a while back it was full of Ska clichés and just sounded a bit cheap – and I know that The Scrub are far more than a clichéd, sound alike Ska band. The song definitely sounds a lot better now they have been removed and is a classic Ska track I will surely be listening to for a long while yet. This track never seems to get old – no matter how many times you listen to it – it always sounds great with amazing lyrics, some great bass lines, superb guitar riffs, some classic horn lines, and deadly drum beats. This one definitely has an element of 2-tone in it and mixed with their hardcore, verging on metallic guitar skills it is a definite hit. Just when you think it is coming to an end it goes into a classy little instrumental before running through the chorus one last time. I really think that the band have chosen wisely for a track to kick the CD off as this one really sets the mood and gets you ready for some hardcore skanking.

This energy and excitement carries into the second track, ‘Storm Ahead’ and third track ‘Rhonda.’ These are both amazing songs in their own right however they are both completely different in sound yet still distinctly Ska. The bands talent is really shown in their ability to change style as if at the flick of a switch and come out smelling of roses. However, it is in final track ‘Unstuck?’ that the band truly shows off just how talented they are. This one is a slow paced Ska classic and again they show off their 2-tone influence and do it in style. ‘Unstuck?’ has a great vocal collaboration that really does go down a treat. It sounds awesome and rounds the CD off nicely. The pace has dropped, and you know the CD is coming to a close – it is quite a depressing stage on the CD as you want more but know that the EP is soon to finish. Just when you think the CD is no more and you have started to drift off, a nice little instrumental kicks in and wakes you up again. It has a laid back on a sunny beach feel to it and gives the EP a truly classic ending. It definitely leaves you wanting more so hopefully there will be a few more CDs to follow from this band as otherwise I will not be a very happy bunny!

If you are a fan of Ska or Skacore then make sure you check out The Scrub at some stage as they really are a talented little 6 piece and I believe that they are a band that are going far in this business. There is no reason why they shouldn’t go far as the talent is definitely there so if they put in the hard work then before long they can definitely see themselves at the forefront of the scene.

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Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.