Alt-UK

Music, Film, and Gaming

Archives for March 2005

Yellowcard – One For The Kids

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I have really enjoyed what I have heard of the bands ‘Ocean Avenue’ album and was really looking forward to listening to this CD. Obviously I was expecting that this CD would be a bit different, and inevitably not as good seeing as it was released four years ago – but this is just stupid. This album is devoid of any real excitement, and the vocals often sound really out of tune.

The power which comes across through the violins on the tracks from ‘Ocean Avenue’ really doesn’t come across here, and as a result listening to this CD is a far less enjoyable experience. As I have already mentioned, the vocals on this album often sound really terrible and are at a lot of times painfully out of tune. There are some moments of promise on display in this album, but just when you think it’s getting good the band go and spoil it and throw in another bum note.

This is a truly off putting album by the band and really not a good reflection of the band and where they are today. I really don’t know how the band got signed to a major on the basis of this release as it really is quite terrible. This album is really rather dull, lacklustre, monotonous, mundane and generic. There’s very little to be gained from this CD – if you were a fan of hit album ‘Ocean Avenue’ then I would advise you not to check out this earlier offering as it’s really not worth your time or money. I honestly won’t be listening to this album ever again.

Rating:
Review Star

The Outer Limits – One Final Patronising Kiss

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This latest EP from the band really is a nice, welcome surprise. It sees the band take on a much heavier approach than on the last CD – this really suits the band sounds, and gives the guitarist a real chance to show off his Metal influences with high energy, metallic riffs frequenting the EP.

There are five tracks on display this time around, and in these five tracks the band show that they are still a force to be reckoned with, and as I suspected in my last review the band have indeed matured, progressed and most certainly improved since they recorded the last demo CD back in January 2004. Tracks one through four are a fine portrayal of the bands heavy, fun, and fast music which never fails to put a smile on your face. On the basis of the last demo, I said that The Outer Limits were a Ska band – this can no longer be said of them really as although the horns are still present in the tracks, they are much more embedded, and help the band create a deep and highly exciting sound. The band have definitely taken the best bit about them – their heaviness, and transformed their sound to give every track this fast, heavy style which they do so well.

From this CD, I particularly like the second track on the CD, ‘Christ Was A Utilitarian.’ It has an awesome guitar solo opening, and this leads you into the main body of the track perfectly, and with significant style. Throughout this track, and indeed throughout the entire duration of the CD the female vocals sound excellent with their melodic and heartfelt, yet powerful style. These vocals work really well, and when the male vocals kick in every so often, the two styles work perfectly together and the vocals collaboration really does sound amazing. The guitar ability shown on this CD really is quite extraordinary; the guitarist in The Outer Limits is clearly very talented and most certainly has a bright future ahead of him. The bass lines in this CD also sound great, and the drums provide the perfect backbone for the band.

Where the band decided to end with a fast paced, heavier track on the last demo – on this EP the band go for an acoustic effort in the form of ‘Exit Pursued By A Glare.’ This is a catchy little tune, and brings the CD to a calm closure. It sounds absolutely amazing, with the male, female vocal collaboration again working perfectly and making way for another fine tune. Once again, the band manages to end their CD in great style and leaving you thirsty for more. Again, I really can’t wait for their next offering and will be eagerly awaiting the bands next CD, which I am sure will show great finesse, and pure musical brilliance.

Rating:
Review StarReview StarReview StarReview StarReview Half Star

Toy Heroes – 10pm

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This is the latest single from ex Unity Records Leicester based band Toy Heroes and consists of three fine tracks. This three piece have already recorded and released 2 albums, and having done so are now looking for further success with this amazing single.

Toy Heroes are a band with tremendous pop sensibilities, creating songs which exuberate sweet power and harmony. They have obviously put a lot of hard work into the creation of this single and as a result have come out with three tracks where not a single one lets the CD down – each and every one of these three tracks is great in its own way and show the bands fine ability to pen a great song, and shows off their amazing musicianship. Despite the fact that this band are only a three piece – they manage to cram in duel male and female vocals, guitar, keyboard, and bass synth – which is really quite impressive. The male and female vocals work really well – there’s an obvious chemistry between these two, and the fact that they are brother and sister obviously helps as they clearly know each others strengths and weaknesses and know how to bring out the best in each other. The two singers harmonise perfectly, making a vocal collaboration which is truly impeccable.

Instrumentally this band really are spot on – every element of the band works to give them depth that a lot of bands will fail to ever reach. The drumming on display on this single is absolutely amazing – it really is a force to be reckoned with and the drumming really compliments the music giving the tracks an awesome back beat. The way the guitars work with the keyboards is also incredible, and the way the vocals sit on top of all this perfectly is amazing.

Toy Heroes are clearly a band that will go far in this industry – I’m certain that they should be way bigger than are at the moment, as the talent displayed on this single is remarkable and really shows off the bands fine musicianship. This band would sound great on national radio and make many a person ask ‘Who is this band?!’ after being blown away by their blistering performance. This is definitely a band that you want to be checking out, and I urge you to do so sooner rather than later.

Rating:
Review StarReview StarReview StarReview Star

Dear Superstar – Submission Of Your Soul

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When this CD first came through the post I really didn’t know what I was going to make of them – the band are currently unsigned, yet in this press pack a photo of the band was supplied. I’m always a bit wary when this happens because it probably means that the band are taking themselves way too seriously and think they’re better than they really are having only played a few gigs. However, when I looked at and read through the press pack I discovered that this band have been together now for eight years and upon listening to the CD discovered that they really should be signed to some kind of major by now.

Dear Superstar play an energetic, and emotionally driven brand of Metal which is extremely exciting to listen to. The energy from the band really transpires through, and makes you feel highly excited as you listen to this fine CD. There are 5 tracks on display here, and not a single one of them will leave you disappointed. This band really do have a fine talent and it really shines through on this EP – the band have obviously put a lot of time and effort into it, and as a result they have created one of the finest CDs that I have heard in a long time. Opener ‘Sunset Suicide’ is a modern day classic with its driving guitars, fine bass lines, awesome drum work, and perfect vocals. It is well worth checking out – it kicks the CD off in style and really leaves you wanting more. Luckily, the excitement doesn’t stop here, and the band go on to play their way through another four tracks extremely well, never failing to put a smile on your face.

Dear Superstar are a band well worth looking out for in the future – I swear that before long this band will be huge. They played a date with The*GA*GA*s back in November so it looks like for this band, the revolution has already begun. If they’re not huge by the end of 2005 then there’s something seriously up with the music industry as this band have got it all – amazing guitars, genius lyrics, real heartfelt emotion, and killer, highly memorable choruses. There’s really no flawing this band, everything on display in this EP seems to be spot on – I really don’t know how the band are going to top this CD.

Rating:
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Atticus – Dragging The Lake III

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This is the third compilation CD brought out by Side One Dummy Records, and Mark Hoppus and Tom Delonge clothing label Atticus, and once again showcases some fine up and coming talent as well as some already established artists.

This CD includes Blink 182’s ‘Not Now’ which was previously only available online and I really love this track – it truly is a fine Blink track and shows the band at their best. It is full of energy, fun and the general excitement that I have come to expect of the band over the years. It’s a really cool track, well worth checking out if you’ve not yet heard it. Other highlights on this CD include Funeral For A Friend’s incredible ‘She Drove Me To Daytime Television,’ an acoustic track from pop punk legends MxPx in the form of ‘Grey Skies Turn Blue,’ and Mae’s ‘This Time Is The Last Time.’ I was particularly excited by the Mae track on display here – they really are a strong talent, but in the past I have somehow managed to miss out on them. My first experience of the band has clearly been a positive one, as this track really is amazing – some may call it Emo, but when I think of Emo – I think of bands such as Taking Back Sunday (who also happen to appear on this compilation) that are producing complete rubbish to try and earn scene points. Mae are clearly at the top of their game, and I can’t wait to see them on May the 2nd at Give It A Name 05 – I’m sure that they will be one of the highlights of the day. Another band playing Give It A Name featured here are Rise Against – an incredible Punk band that are well worth checking out.

There are 24 tracks on this CD, and only very few that aren’t worth listening (the Taking Back Sunday, Fall Out Boy, and Motion City Soundtrack songs spring to mind.) Other than that, this is a pretty amazing compilation CD and features a strong list of established bands such as Blink 182, Alexisonfire, MxPx, Funeral For A Friend, Piebald, and Death Cab For Cutie. It is a fine display of talent, and once again the clothing company have done well in putting out a strong compilation which will raise awareness of good bands to fans of such rubbish as Taking Back Sunday, and Brand New.

Rating:
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