LoLa Ray – What It Feels Like EP

When this CD came through and I saw that the band were releasing this CD on Good Charlotte’s label ‘DC Flag Records’ I was expecting it to be an over produced piece of rubbish to be honest. However, I though I’d give the CD a chance and listen to it a few times before deciding whether or not I liked it. On first listen I was proven to be wrong about it being over produced and rubbish as it is actually quite a good CD, and the more times I listened to it the more I began to like it.

There are 4 tracks on display here on this fine EP – four tracks which will later be appearing on their album which is yet to be released in the UK. The band is definitely very different to the people that run their label – Good Charlotte, and in my opinion are a far superior band to the aforementioned. They combine tremendous pop sensibilities with superb guitar riffs in order to create songs that are truly unforgettable. I love the bands vocals – on every song they shine through and really make way for an exciting and fulfilling listen. Track 3 on this EP, ‘Slave’ really is a classic – it has one of the most amazing and truly unforgettable choruses I have ever heard in my life, it really is that good. In fact, every track on this EP has a super chorus that you won’t be forgetting in a hurry. This band certainly seems to have a great knack for song writing and as a result every track on display here has come out sounding perfect. The striking thing about LoLa Ray is that despite all being from Orange County, there is a truly British element to their sound. I think this is what makes them so special as they’re not like a lot of American bands – they have a truly original and exciting sound that many fail to capture.

Benji Madden made the statement “I just can’t imagine anyone hearing it and not wanting to put it out – it’s that good.” For once, I actually agree with the guy here as this really is a fine EP, and if it is anything to go by then the album is sure to be a stormer. If this band don’t get huge then there’s something seriously up with the world as they are clearly a great band with a lot of talent and a fine skill for penning great tunes.

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The Explosion – Here I Am

Underground US Punk band The Explosion have been tipped to make it big over here in 2005 – and with their major label album debut ‘Black Tape’ fast approaching, and support slots with the likes of the Ordinary Boys, New Found Glory, and Good Charlotte, it is surely going to happen.

“Here I Am” is the first single to be taken from their new album and is to be released on the 14th of March. This is a perfect breakthrough track really – it has great pop sensibilities, a fast and furious pace, a highly memorable chorus, and strong guitar riffs. This track is sure to make everyone go wild at their gigs when the band plays here over the next couple of months. It really is a high energy song and it’s absolutely impossible not to sing along to the chorus. If you’ve seen the video for this track on the music channels then you’ll already know of this track and its immense excellence. I swear that if this track doesn’t get into the top 10, let alone the top 40 then there’s something seriously wrong with people because this really is one of the finest Pop Punk tracks I have heard for a long time – it has everything you could possibly wish for in a Pop Punk track, from the unforgettable chorus and high energy, right down to the skateboard video.

I really can’t get enough of this song – if this track is anything to by then their album is sure to be a classic. This band are long overdue their shot at fame so lets hope that 2005 will be the year that everyone starts worshipping the ground that The Explosion walk on. ‘Black Tape’ will be released on March 28th so make sure you pre-order your copy now because after people get a load of this single it’s sure to sell out pretty quick I reckon!

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Stunted Giants – Just A Coincidence

When this CD came through my door I really didn’t know what I was going to make of them. I try not to make any prejudice judgements before I listen to bands but sometimes it can be hard! I saw the word ‘emocore’ and automatically assumed the worst as this is a term I have come to associate with generic sound alike lacklustre bands singing about how much it hurts them that they broke up with their girlfriends. Luckily I was wrong in thinking that Stunted Giants were one of these bands, and when I read on in the biography I noticed that the band said that they all bring different influences to the band, and over time have gradually progressed into their own unique brand of rock music. This is definitely a fair description as the band doesn’t really fit into or follow any particular genre conventions – they just play their own brand of music and play it well.

When you listen to this CD it feels more like you’re listening to a gig than a CD – the band have a tremendous raw feel about them and this rawness gives them that extra bite that a lot of bands seem to be lacking. Their rawness definitely puts them at a vantage point as Stunted Giants possess a quality that a lot of bands don’t have but would love to have. You can tell that this band put on an electric live performance and are well suited to the live circuit. In these three tracks the drums will capture you with their heavy, hard edged punch, the guitars will have you gripped, the bass lines will put a huge smile on your face, and the vocals will please you more than you could ever have imagined. Obviously the band have not yet perfected their game as they are still young and have only made three CD’s prior to this so are yet to fully establish their niche but they are definitely well on their way.

Stunted giants really are an exciting young band, and although they have some improving to do until they are at the top of their game they are definitely getting there and with this CD show that they are a talented band worthy of your attention. This band deserve a lot of recognition even at this stage – in three years they have clearly developed and refined their sound and they are now heading towards perfection with it. I am sure that before long this band will be able to produce a CD that will place them at the top of their genre and gain them the fan base that they deserve.

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Seethe – A New Beginning

Since I last heard Seethe, the band have acquired a new bassists and in doing so they have developed a more powerful and heavier element to their ever developing style of Heavy Metal. I have said it before and I will say it again – Seethe are most definitely a talented group of musicians and this release sees them grow and develop in leaps and bounds, producing a CD which far surpasses any expectations I had of it before I listened.

When I put this into the player it all started coming flooding back to me – the demon drum beats, awesome guitar solos, and superb vocals. Only this time, there was much more strength to the bass lines making way for a much more pleasurable listen. Although this band were never bad, it is surprising to see how much they have developed since the split CD with Cerberus and progressed as musicians. This time around the band have produced a much more intelligent, intellectually inspiring CD which has been cleverly written and put together with great care, with a consideration of how the tracks would flow on from one another and make a decent EP. Seethe’s brand of Heavy Metal is just so good – with the scene in the state that it is at the moment with so many pretenders, it is great to see bands still sticking to their guns and playing what they know and love which is true, unadulterated Heavy Metal.

This CD was recorded and produced by the legendary Iain Weatherall – this would explain the sheer quality of this EP in part, but the dominant factor in determining the excellence of this EP is clearly the sheer greatness of this band. Each and every musician in this band clearly knows their stuff and know their instruments well. There is not a single element of this band which is letting them down in any shape or form – they seem to have really got it sorted and as a result this is one of the best Heavy Metal CDs that I have heard for a long time. Hopefully there will be plenty more to come from this band in the future – if they stay together then there is definitely a bright future ahead of them.

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