Reviews

Dashboard Confessional – Dusk and Summer

July 24, 2006 by Rich Leave a Comment

Dashboard Confessional was originally a basis for Chris Carrabba to release acoustic solo releases as a side project away from his main band of the time, Further Seems Forever. Dashboard Confessional have come a long way since then, with a million selling album under their belts in the form of ‘A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar’, however there are moments on this album where the band actually sound like a continuation of the aforementioned Further Seems Forever. It could quite fairly be argued that this was the point at which Carrabba sold out, and that ‘The Swiss Army Romance’ is the album which embodies the true spirit of Dashboard Confessional – something that I would be inclined to agree with. Having said this, ‘Dusk and Summer’ is not a bad album, and with it’s bitter sweet pop harmonies – it is actually a competent offering which will no doubt get used for countless teen romance films over the coming months.

This is a decent album in that there are ten tracks on display here that could easily be released as singles to critical acclaim, along with one bonus track in the form of Spiderman 2’s ‘Vindicated’ which has already achieved this. I feel that the albums centrepiece ‘So Long, So Long’ is probably one of the finest moments on the album – a collaboration with Counting Crows singer Adam Duritz which is an incredible piano led track that really works well in it’s place at the centre of the album. It is a great collaboration where much time and effort has obviously gone into this track in order to make it the best it possibly could be. If it wasn’t for the amazing ‘Slow Decay’ then I no doubt would have been saying that ‘So Long, So Long’ was the bands finest moment on this CD, however ‘Slow Decay’ would definitely win this award. This is probably the most angst you’ll ever find on a Dashboard record, with the band really tearing through this one and making it a stand out track for me.

The band will release the album’s opener ‘Don’t Wait’ as the first single on August 21st – something which should see the band achieve success over these shores. This is a strong track which is simple yet extremely effective. It’s one of those deja vous tracks where the first time you hear it, you’ll feel like you’ve already heard it before. I think it is this that makes this track so strong as it’s instantly recognisable and should make a good single. If it doesn’t do well, then it will merely serve to prove the fact that whatever Dashboard Confessional does, over here they will remain virtually unnoticed.

Although you will stop playing this album and forget most of what you’ve heard almost instantaneously – for what it’s worth, this is not a bad album. If you want an album that you can sit back and relax to, then this is the ticket. Sure, the originality isn’t exactly groundbreaking and the lyrics aren’t exactly genius – but this Dashboard Confessional release definitely deserves a place in your CD collection. It probably won’t ever become your favourite album, but you’re bound to find yourself giving it a spin from time to time. Once you get past the fact that this album is targeted at 14 year old girls, you’ll probably find yourself quite enjoying this album.

Label: Vagrant
Release Date: 10th July 2006

Rating:

Rich

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

Underoath – Define The Great Line

July 24, 2006 by Rich Leave a Comment

In 2004 the band rose to fame with their ‘They’re Only Chasing Safety’ album which sold more than 350 000 copies. Underoath are now back after a 2 year wait with this new album ‘Define The Great Line’ with which the band have a great stab at success in the metalcore genre, a genre they started off in with their first two albums ‘Act of Depression’ and ‘Cries of the Past’ before moving onto the melody, scream, repeat formula of the ‘They’re Only Chasing Safety’ release. I feel that this was a wise move for the band as I feel that this is a genre that they do a lot better, and so in returning to their roots as such (doing it better, mind) the band are definitely onto a winner. The band makes strong use of their double bass pedal with this release, producing a heavy album that should go down well with many of those that listen to it.

This album is full of great tracks that are not only heavy, but also well written and effective meaning that this is a strong release that the band is bound to be pleased with. Whereas with previous releases the band have penned tracks that have been overly preachy, the band here remain obviously Christian – however do so in a far more subtle fashion that although shows that they are proud of their religion, does not seem this time round like they are trying to convert the listener. Underoath definitely seem to have matured with this release, and right from the word go with track ‘In Regard To Myself’, the band are showing great promise and proving to be a band well worthy of your full attention. When the album begins, from the way it starts you just know that any second the band are going to kick into action and have returned to their metalcore roots. I don’t know what it is exactly, but the opening is reminiscent of so many metalcore albums out there that you just know what your ears are about to be treated with. This is probably one of my favourites on the album and kicks it off perfectly, preparing you nicely for the rest of the album.

The band remain strong throughout the three quarter hour run time of the CD and show that they are back and better than ever. It’s tracks like ‘Ever So Inviting’ and ‘Moving for the Sake of Motion’ where the band really seem to do it for me. Particularly with ‘Moving for the Sake of Motion’ – a track that starts off promisingly with some great double bass work and continues into a strong track that is possibly the heaviest you will ever hear the band. The vocal work here is extremely strong, with some fine guitar riffs that compliment the double bass drumming and perfectly finish off this fine track. With ‘Define The Great Line’, the band really are breaking barriers and bursting into new territories of heaviness as a band, making a strong name for themselves with this release and showing that they haven’t lost their knack for writing strong metalcore full of crushing power and utmost energy.

In this album the band are unpredictable and you never quite know where the band are going to go next. I think this is what make this such an intriguing album as you listen on, wondering where you will next be taken making this an extremely exciting listen which is aural gold. There are the epic adventures of ‘Casting Such A Thin Shadow’ and closing track ‘To Whom It May Concern’ as well as shorter displays such as those of the crashing ‘Everyone Looks So Good From Here’ and the relaxed ‘Salmarnir’, however no matter how long or short the tracks happen to be there is one thing that is always sure; the band will never fail to impress and there will never a dull moment be. With this latest offering from the Christian metallers, entertainment is always guaranteed as is great style and flair, and ample musical intelligence.

It is not every day that you come across an album as strong as this, and with this album the band really does show just how great they can be when they really put their minds to it and get down to it. This may well be one of the albums of 2006, as at just over half way through the calendar, it is definitely a contender. When bands revisit a genre they have done in the past, they tend not to do it as well and it is often argued that they should have stuck to what they were doing before they revisited their past, however this is definitely not the case with Underoath as they have more than adequately shown that they are just as vital to the genre, if not more than they were in the past.

Label: EMI
Release Date: 19th June 2006

Rating:

Rich

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

Adequate Seven – Here On Earth

July 21, 2006 by Rich Leave a Comment

Adequate Seven are a band that use to often get misplaced in the bracket of ‘Skacore’, however their sound has always been far more than this in truth and bridges the divide between Funk and Hardcore, fusing the two in order to produce their own unique brand of music. I feel the band have always been at their best when they show off their more Hardcore side, however the band do this less on their second album ‘Here On Earth’ in favour of exploring their funkier nature.

The album kicks off with last years catchy single ‘Splitting Up’ which was released to critical acclaim last August, gaining the band extensive Radio 1 airplay. I feel that this is probably one of the strongest tracks on the album as it is extremely catchy, showing the bands ability to pen a catchy song that will get stuck in your head for months to come. From here the band move on to track ‘Head Up High’ which some of you may have heard on the bands My Space account – it is another catchy track with a powerful chorus, with the horn section here being used perfectly and really complimenting the bands sound. From here the band move on to ‘Now It’s Time’, and it really feels as if the band have put the albums catchy tracks first in order to forefront them from the rest of the album. From these three catchy tracks the band move through a number of tracks ranging from the hard edged all out hardcore sound of old which is present on ‘King Leopold’s Ghost’ to the funk dual male and female vocal led ‘Like It Or Not.’

Much like they did with ‘No Space’ on the ‘Songs of Innocence and Experience’ album, the band have chosen to re-record ‘Gotta Stay Focussed’ for this album. It’s a fairly decent song, and had you not heard the original version you’d probably say that it was one of, if not the strongest track on the album, however I feel that in re-recording it, the band have lost some of the edge that it had originally, and by changing the emphasis have given this one a different feel about it. At first I was horrified by what the band had done with this one, however after repeated listens the track has grown on me, although I still prefer the original version and feel that this one lacks the bite of the original.

There are some great tracks on display here, with the hard edged ‘King Leopold’s Ghost’ really having a lasting effect on me. I can’t get this one out of my head – it really is an amazing track. Adequate Seven are a band that never ceases to amaze me, and what with the gang vocals on display here, fiery guitars, strong drum beats, and killer choruses – this track does nothing but further my love of the band. Another of my favourites on this album has to be the epic closer ‘Pimpin’ The Funk Draining The Blood’ which rounds the CD off nicely and really ends the album on a high leaving you craving for more.

All in all this is a pretty decent return from the band, and had it not been for my high expectations of this album then I probably would have been more impressed by it. I’ve always been a massive fan of the band, but I feel that where the band truly comes alive is on the gigging circuit. They never fail to impress live and are always full of energy, even on the not so hard hitting of their tracks they always seem to be raw and brimming with energy and exuberance. If you’ve never heard this band before then check this album out – it’s well worth your time as it’s a good offering of Funk, Punk, and Hardcore – blending them all to form the end product which is ‘Here On Earth.’

Released: 19th June 2006
Label: Breaking World Records

Rating:

Rich

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

Fall Out Boy – A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More “Touch Me”

July 15, 2006 by Rich Leave a Comment

It seems the band are running out of steam a bit, with this new single only entering the UK single charts at number 38 – the record label will not be happy. In all honesty this is not a bad single, it just doesn’t really have the drive that previous singles ‘Sugar We’re Goin’ Down’, and ‘Dance, Dance’ had. It is not as powerful as these tracks, and coupled with this the video I feel is not as good as the previous two were. These two factors will have led to it’s low chart entry, and the record label exclusives will be kicking themselves about the single that they have chosen to release which I feel is a bad decision on behalf of the label as there are far better tracks that they could have chosen to release.

On the live stage this track belts out of the sound system and is a powerful track, however I do not feel that this is reproduced on record, and while not a bad track – it is not Fall Out Boy at their finest and is not a fair representation of their fine talent to pen a fantastic pop song. Fall Out Boy have some great songs to their name, however this is not one of them and although it is not unpleasant to listen to, it has no real lasting impact, and is definitely not one of the album tracks that you will find stuck in your head for weeks.

Released: 19th June 2006
Label: B-Unique

Rating:

Rich

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

The Automatic – Not Accepted Anywhere

July 15, 2006 by Rich Leave a Comment

It’s been hard to avoid this young Cardiff based band in recent months regardless of whether or not you like them. Most notably has been the fact that everywhere you go, someone seems to be singing along to ‘Monster’, usually changing the theme of the song. Just yesterday in fact there was a young lad that looked about 11 or 12, and as someone approached he sang ‘What’s that coming over the hill, is it a homosexual?’ Not the best fitting word change I’ve heard, but still – it seemed to impress his mates. It is clear that this track is getting stuck in the heads of people both young and old, and all I can say about the album is; there’s more of that where that came from, with the album jam packed full of catchy tracks where any of the twelve tracks on the display here could easily be released as a single.

The album kicks off with the fiery ‘That’s What She Said’, with the band quickly getting into their stride and showing what they are capable of. From here we begin to move through a few familiar tracks such as ‘Raoul’, ‘Recover’, and the aforementioned ‘Monster’ which have all been released as singles. I have a feeling that ‘Recover’ may be re-released at some stage, much like label mates Kaiser Chiefs did with ‘Oh My God’, as it is probably one of the strongest, if not the strongest track on the album, however when it was first released the band did not have the notoriety that they currently have. It would make sense to re-release this single as I’m sure it would do well, however whether it will be or not is yet to be seen.

The band makes their thoughts known about the current state of commercial music in this album, stating on catchy track ‘You Shout You Shout You Shout You Shout’ that there is ‘so much trash on the radio today.’ In this one they also make reference to the Panic! At The Disco album ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’, and in many respects it can be seen that the band are much like them in that they are also having great success with an extremely catchy debut album. Another thing these bands have in common is that they are both synth heavy, and it can be seen that this is definitely the sound of 2006; to forefront a synth in your music. Some may argue that the band have been handed it all on a plate, however I’m sure that the band would disagree with this and argue that they’ve worked hard for what they have achieved.

There are many great tracks on this album, aside from the obvious single releases, and the aforementioned ‘You Shout You Shout You Shout You Shout’, other tracks that automatically spring to mind are ‘Seriously…I Hate You Guys’, ‘Team Drama’, and epic album closer ‘Rats’. What is most notable about this band is that there isn’t a single track on this album that doesn’t have an astonishing chorus. I feel that the choruses are often the driving point of this band, with the immaculate vocal styling of Rob coupling with the screams of keyboardist Pennie providing a perfect contrast and working brilliantly throughout the album. The band are extremely catchy, with the synths, screams, and lead vocals creating a perfect blend when placed alongside the booming bass lines, fiery guitar riffs, and powerful drum beats.

The Automatic are not always instant, for instance the first few times I heard ‘Raoul’ I really didn’t see what anyone saw in it, however with repeated listens it really began to grow on me and became one of my most heavily played songs for a while. Once you get used to the bands quirky style, which can range from disco-punk to Indie, and then onto pop-punk seemingly at the flick of a switch with flashes of Screamo added into the mix every so often, you really begin to enjoy their music and admire ‘Not Accepted Anywhere’ for the range of genres it manages to cover in its 40 minutes. It is clear that The Automatic have varied influences, ranging from the likes of At The Drive-In and Refused, to Radiohead and Blur.

‘Not Accepted Anywhere’ entered the official UK album charts at number 3, a testament to the bands current popularity. They prove to me with this album that they deserve all the success that they are achieving at the moment as it is a great album especially with it being their debut. It is not often that a band releases such an exciting debut, and when their young age is taken into account, with the fact that they are still quintessentially still teenagers, this achievement just seems even greater. I feel that with age this is a band that we will see blossom, releasing a number of albums in the process – hopefully they wont just be another flash in the pan throwaway rock band that we see so many of in this day and age.

Released: 19th June 2006
Label: B-Unique

Rating:

Rich

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

KoRn – Coming Undone

June 9, 2006 by Rich Leave a Comment

Just like when I heard the last single ‘Twisted Transistor,’ I didn’t quite know what to make of this single. I really wasn’t sure whether I liked it or hated it, however once again I have listened to it a number of times and it has really grown on me. I think the fact that this has been the case with these two singles shows that as an album, ‘See You On The Other Side’ is an album which takes time to get into, but once you do – you just cant get enough of it. It has been over six months since the band released the first single, but the wait has been worth it as once again the band has pulled it out of the bag.

The guitar work here is extremely heavy, powering away throughout the duration of the song and I think that this is what I had a problem getting into. It takes a while for the guitar line to truly sink in, but once it does you just can’t get enough of it. ‘Coming Undone’ is one of those tracks that you can put on repeat and never tire of, no matter how many times you crank it out. The disorientating guitars, fine drum beat and superb vocal styling of Jonathan Davis make sure that ‘Coming Undone’ is a KoRn track which is not to be forgotten. It is an extremely convincing slab of contemporary heavy music that will no doubt but a smile on your face with its awesome grittiness and lasting impression.

This single accurately portrays just why this band have managed to shift 25 million albums worldwide to date – they are a band that aren’t afraid to reinvent themselves, and when they do, the result is always positive. When the Nu-Metal scene that KoRn were at the forefront of became stale, the band unlike some of their contemporaries (the ill-fated Limp Bizkit for example) saw it as a chance to move on to pastures new, and really redefine themselves, showing that they are still a band worthy of your attention.

Released: 12th June 2006
Label: Virgin

Rating:

Rich

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

The Fallout Trust – When We Are Gone

June 9, 2006 by Rich Leave a Comment

I have avoided listening to this band for some time now, always assuming that they would be some kind of bland Indie band that the UK seems to be full of at the moment. In actual fact, this is actually a pretty good single, and is a fine slab of Indie Rock from the East London sextet. The band have toured with the likes of Tom Vek and Clor, and it is clear that the band earnt these support slots rather than being handed them on a plate by their label as they are a decent band and fully deserved these gigs.

When this single first kicks off, you wonder what the band are going to present you with for the rest of the single as it is a disorientating electronic sounding beat which soon kicks into the Indie Rock anthem which is becomes. This is the albums signature track and shows great promise from the band with some fine vocals, and a great backbeat which takes you through the record. This single is a re-release as it was originally released in June 2005, and it is clear as day why they have decided to re-release it a year after its original release – the band are now bigger than they were back then, and this is a single just too good to let it go to waste.

Released: 5th June 2006
Label: At Large Recordings/EMI

Rating:

Rich

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

Dear Superstar – Confessions Of A Twisted Mind

June 7, 2006 by Rich Leave a Comment

I first heard this band just over a year ago when I heard their ‘Submission Of Your Soul’ EP, and was extremely impressed with what the band had to offer. By some stroke of a miracle, the band are still unsigned, and so have self produced and financed this album, once again showing their intense talent and keen ear for a brilliant rock song. These self confessed sleaze rockers have here written an album that has all the intensity of the live setting captured on CD.

There are so many great tracks on display here, right from anthemic opener ‘Sunset Strip Suicide,’ to the colossal closer of ‘Little Devil.’ The band have your full attention from the offset, and as the album progresses seem to gather momentum and really come into their stride. By the time ‘Confessions Of A Twisted Mind’ kicks in, the band are really coming into their own and have carved out a perfect little niche for themselves. The opening riffs to this storming little number are epic and really show Dear Superstar to be an impressive band more than worthy of your time. They crash through this track with great vocal styling and awesome guitar licks that Motley Crue would be proud of.

Just when you think things can’t get any better, the band crack into the awesome duo of songs ‘What You Want’ and ‘Submission.’ Just when things are coming to an end and you’re expecting the album to wind down a bit, the band continues to impress and blast through another impressive pair of tracks. Both of these tracks have a hefty bite and of course the trademark Dear Superstar killer chords. The band just never fails to impress, taking every opportunity possible to blast out another display of ballsy sleaze rock n roll gold. Lyrically and musically, this band really do have something special going on and that is as clear as day.

‘Confessions Of A Twisted Mind’ is a testament to just what you can achieve if you really put your mind to it. Despite being an unsigned band, Dear Superstar have managed to produce and release a brilliant album which will surely be adored by all those that get the opportunity to hear it. I am certain that with such an amazing album behind them, this band can go on to achieve great things in the not too distant future. If they have ambition and drive to match their song writing ability then they will definitely hit the big time by the end of 2006, I know I said this about 2005 but for some strange reason the band have yet to make it massive but surely their talent can not go unnoticed for yet another year.

Tracklist:

Sunset Strip Suicide
Freedom
And We Live
Days Of Yesterday
Confessions Of A Twisted Mind
Falling Apart
Break Up
What You Want
Submission
Little Devil

Rich

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

Babar Luck – Care In The Community

June 7, 2006 by Rich Leave a Comment

Former King Prawn bassist, turned solo artist Babar Luck has always been socially and politically aware, and shows this in abundance on his debut solo album ‘Care IN The Community.’ Blending a variety of styles, Luck manages to produce an extremely intricate album here which is both engaging and intelligent, with a real message behind it meaning that this album is not just all style and no substance. This album has real worth and will get you thinking without being overly preachy on the topics which it covers.

There’s not a single bad track on this album, every one with its own individual merits which make this album something extremely special. It has been a long time since I’ve heard an album of this sort of quality and although it’s unlikely to become my favourite album of all time, as far as albums of 2006 are concerned; it is certainly up there with the best. This album has had a lasting impression on me, and will surely be taking pride of place in my collection for the foreseeable future. There are some incredible songs on here such as the amazing opener ‘1 Luv,’ or the infectious ‘101 Spiritual.’ With so many great tracks on display it is hard to pick out a favourite really as each and every one of the twelve tracks on display here is a politically edged piece of socially aware mastery.

This is a great album from Babar Luck and is sure to be remembered as one of the best underground successes of the year. King Prawn ended their career with an album which was probably their worst lyrically, and with songs like ‘Smoke Some Shit’ promoting cannabis use, it was far from their political stylings of old, however with this solo album – Luck shows that he is still capable of writing tracks with political messages which provoke a cerebral response. Babar Luck is a strong solo artist and I expect that their will be plenty more to come from this man. Keep an eager eye out for him in the future as I’m sure that he’ll be popping up at a venue near you in the not too distant future.

Released: 15th March 2006
Label: Rebel Music Records

Rating:

Rich

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

The Automatic – Monster

June 6, 2006 by Rich Leave a Comment

This is the latest single from the Cambridge four piece that is The Automatic, and sees the band release another amazing single. Following on from the success of ‘Raoul,’ this is bound to do well and should find itself up near the top of the charts come Sunday. I think that this is the best single that the band have released thus far, and their album which is due out on the 12th is sure to be full of great tracks – I cant wait to hear it.

‘Monster’ is near on 4 minutes of pure disco-punk gold, as the band blast through another ballsy track that is sure to put a smile on your face. If you were a fan of ‘Raoul’ then you’re bound to love ‘Monster’ – it’s an absolutely amazing track, probably one of the best I have heard all year in fact. The lead vocals work perfectly with the shouted backing vocals and make way for a brilliant track of impeccable musicianship. I genuinely cant even begin to grasp the concept of anyone actually not enjoying this song as it is absolutely amazing, proving that the UK still has bands that can rock, and do it in style.

You’re unlikely to come across a more exciting UK band than The Automatic this year – this band are most certainly going places. Sure, ‘Not Accepted Anywhere’ might be the only album the band ever release, or the only album anyone’s ever going to be interested in, but as it stands The Automatic are quite rightly taking their place as one of the leading UK bands of the moment. Make sure you go out and by this single and make sure The Automatic get the Number 1 under their belts that they so deserve.

Released: 5th June 2006
Label: B-Unique

Rating:

Rich

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