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Laying Down the Foundation of Norma Jean | Posted March-28-2013
While Norma Jean's debut album laid the groundwork for what they were about, this album solidifies it. Even though the controlled chaos is more toned down here, the band still manages to deliver a brutal, yet odd sound with a bit of melodic work thrown in. This album also loses the live raw quality in favor of a more produced effort, which I'm fine with. O God, The Aftermath takes steps to differentiate Norma Jean from former lead Josh Scogin's The Chariot in honing the chaos while still delivering a unique sound and they do a pretty good job of it.
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Norma Jean Debuts With Gusto | Posted March-28-2013
Norma Jean's debut album sets the groundwork for what the band would offer us in the then future. Corey's signature scream, the odd syncopation with the instruments, and the brutal sound that would carry them through the Solid State years. This album also seems to be influential in the way it was recorded. The band decided here to record the album live and without the use of computers, something the band The Chariot would later do for their debut album. Recording this way makes the album feel raw and unique. This album is a great and unique way to get your band's name out there.
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While the Members Stay the Same, the Sound is Wildly Different | Posted March-25-2013
This album showcases a very different Hawk Nelson. After Jason Dunn left, guitarist Jon Stiengard stepped up to fill the void. This version of the band is a very poppy, radio-friendly band now and I feel like it's going to take some time to get used to this new direction. While most of the songs on this album sound like standard pop rock radio fare, there are some songs that have that old Hawk Nelson punk style to them. On a positive side, Jon's vocals are supurb and feel like a natural continuation for the band.
While Made may showcase a different Hawk Nelson and have most songs sound standard for radio rock, there are enough elements I liked to make this album worth a listen.
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After a Somber 2012, Heath McNease Starts 2013 On A Lighter Note | Posted March-25-2013
Heath McNease had a very busy 2012. He released an acoustic EP and 2 full-length albums. All of these releases showcased the more serious side of his music so it was well deserved that his first release of the new year (at least that's what I'm assuming if he does indeed release more albums during the year,) be a mixtape that doesn't take its lyrics seriously at all. And it's a fun listen. Heath proves that he can rap with the best of them as he manages to take beats of rap songs he probably grew up on and matched the flow with his own lyrics perfectly.
If you're looking for the lighter side of Heath McNease, this mixtape is right for you. Plus, it's free on his bandcamp page so you have no excuse to get it.
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Great Showcase of Falling Up's Softer Worshipful Side | Posted March-25-2013
While the previous album in Falling Up's Machine De Ella project, Hours, explore the more rock-heavy side of the band, Midnight On Earthship explores the more softer side. This album makes a good companion piece with the more softer songs found on their previous album, Your Sparkling Death Cometh. More sonic and space-ish sounds dominate the musicscape as well as lots of acoustic guitar. Jessy Ribordy's lyrics are also beautiful to hear as this album is more worshipful lyrically while mixed in with his signature poetry. And just like with Hours, Midnight on Earthship has a stronger second half musically and memorably.
Midnight on Earthship does a great job in showcasing the band's softer side while being its own unique thing.
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A Truly Unique Album | Posted March-25-2013
Falling Up took a unique approach in releasing this album and it's partner album Midnight on Earthship. They released one song from each album every other week (along with a chapter in the audiobook that goes along with this album, also titled Hours.) until the entire album was done. And what a project this turned out to be. I won't be looking at the audiobook portion of this album but know that this album is a concept album that adds more to the overall story that is told through the audiobook. (I also don't want to reveal the big surprise that connects everything together.) Know that this album is mostly rock-driven with big guitar and drum parts and lead singer Jessy Ribordy screaming out lyrics at points. The band does incorporate sonic elements that add more to the sci-fi/space theme that runs throughout the album. Jessy's lyrics are as cryptic, poetic, and more beautiful as ever. I found the back half of the album to be stronger than the first half mostly due to the way the band released the songs. It's actually a pretty good progression to hear as the band gets more and more confident in there ability to craft some genuinely great and memorable songs.
Hours could be considered a return to form for Falling Up. It manages to blend the indie space sounds that were the main focus of the previous 2 albums with the hard rock sound that made the band known to us. Beautiful lyrics and expertly crafted sounds makes this one of the best Falling Up albums yet.
(Also, you really should listen to the audiobook as it tells a great story that may make past Falling Up related things more clearer. I don't want to say anymore than that.)
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It Could Have Been Great | Posted February-16-2013
12 Stones latest album, Beneath the Scars, has a great hard rock sound that has been tuned and refined over the years. While this sound does yeild some great rock songs on the album, it just feels a bit boring and a tad generic. What's good about the album is that the lyrics are really straight-forward and can get dark during some songs. This is done to service the overall message of the album and it's done really well. The main problem with the album overall is the pacing. After the high octane opening the rest of the album falls into a pattern of ballad song and rock song until the conclusion. By doing this, it made the album kind of a bore to listen too. I like where the guys in the band are coming from and the straight up rock songs are really good, but the pacing of this album killed the excitement for me and made what could have been an above average rock album into just an average one.
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5 Years Later and Still Bringing the Rock. | Posted February-07-2013
It's been 5 years since the guys in Spoken has released a new album and the wait has been excruciating. Thankfully, the new album makes up for the long wait by letting the fans know that they haven't lost their touch. The band's hard heavy rock sound has remained entact and their songwriting ability remains solid. Vocalist MAtt Baird's screaming voice makes this album feel complete and it's only gotten better with age.
After everything Spoken has been through, this album marks the end of the 5 year journey and manages to keep everything the fans know and love about the band.
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Worth Your Time and Money But Not the Band's Best Effort | Posted February-07-2013
After making three incredible albums Red's new one, Release the Panic feels more stripped down and more radio-friendly sound wise. The hard rock they are known for is still there but it isn't as prevailent as it was on their previous albums. The lyrics remain solid as always and there are a few good songs on it. Release the Panic is not the best album Red has made, but for it's flaws, it's generally a good album that is worth your time and money.
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A Journey of Growth | Posted January-28-2013
Wavorly may be gone but the music they created will live on. This compilation of songs perfectly encapsulate the band's journey over time. The album is presented in reverse chronology starting out with the very last song they recorded and ends with a demo back when they were still known as Freshmen15. Something Like Fiction is a compilation album that celebrates the life of Wavorly and takes the listener on a journey of the band's life and ever changing styles.
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