The InBetween
by
Scarlet White Black or white. Hot and cold. Good and evil. Dead or Alive. Extremes on continuums. And in-between? An infinite series of points on the scale. Something that seems to define Scarlet White....
If the internet era has bequeathed artists anything, it is the ability to find and grow an audience, and from there attract notice from the music industry. The independent musical landscape is...
I Get Knocked Down... I Get Up Again | Posted October-29-2007
Ever had one of those days? What about one of those years? You know, the one where everything that can go wrong, does? It's been like that for four piece band Fono. A string of circumstances, including a fire that destroyed their studio and the master recordings of their almost complete follow-up EP, caused a lengthy delay between their critically acclaimed debut goesaroundcomesaround and Too Broken To Break, their full-length sophomore release. But trying times didn't stop the "Billboard's World Indie Series" finalist, Heatseeker and Kerrang Magazine's "Best Unsigned Band" modern rock band.
Fono returns to the music scene with their second full-length, and third domestic studio release after a (very busy) three years. Too Broken To Break continues the band's penchant for delivering powerful, drivingly tempoed music melded with intelligent lyrics that tackles head-on, an increasingly empty and self-absorbed world.
The band's sound continues to dabble with the Brit-rock influence of goesaroundcomesaround but has matured to a more sophisticated rock vibe alá The Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy and, at times even Unforgettable Fire era U2. Fono's sound is radio ready but remains distinct from the crowded marketplace. Layered, vigorous guitar work and drums that swell and crescendo with lead singer Del Currie's emotive vocals drench every song.
Fono's sound is evocative of Smashing Pumpkins, The Fold, InterpolThe Myriad, Over It and The Classic Crime. If these bands fit your taste, do yourself a favor and head on over to Fono's website (http://www.fono.net) and download Too Broken To Breakfree! That's right, the band is giving away their latest album! You've got nothing to lose. And then if you like it, buy it and support this extremely talented band.
12 Stones, Wind-Up Records' 4 piece hard rock band, returns to the music scene with their third studio release in 5 years. Anthem for the Underdog picks up where the band left off from their brief touring hiatus, delivering more of their straight forward hard rock sans extraneous frills or contrived vocals. 12 Stones doesn't attempt to innovate, instead they focus on creating and playing some of the catchiest, crunchiest, rock music.
One caveat about this album: 12 Stones' lyrics continue to be bleakly frank, addressing brokenness, betrayal and emotional pain. This time around though, the snarling, angry tenor of the previous two albums is tempered by more of a tone of righteous indignation. Hope, healing and redemption make an appearance in the title track, the gracious concession of "It Was You" and the defiant "The Dark Day;" even the forlorn "World So Cold" offers a glimmer of hope in the midst of a grim examination of our out of control world.
To put it plain and simple: the guys of 12 Stones know how to rock! Fans of Creed, Skillet, Kutless, Fuel, Decyfer Down and Crossfade; this album is for you!
Altarmotive is an independent band "discovered by" and signed to Fusebox frontman Billy Buchanan's Vision 1st Label. What We Have Inside Us, is a genuinely enjoyable modern rock album. The music is original and engaging, if a little thin on the production side; and the lyrics are backed by an undeniable Christian perspective.
This five piece outfit makes deft use of lead and rhythm guitars to compose layers of sleek sound interspersed with lingering melodies. The bass and drums found a driving background without being overwrought. The band never ventures far from their chosen sound, but vary things enough to effectively set the appropriate mood and tone to each song.
Songs range from motivating anthems to encouraging mid-tempo pop rock, swelling, melodic ballads to vertically-oriented modern praise alá Sonicflood and the aforementioned Fusebox. Ezra Jurado's vocals could use a little production polish on the slower cuts, but when stacked and subtly processed, they are moodily atmospheric. Overall, the members of Altarmotive fashion a slightly edgy, yet appealing commercial sound. In fact, one of their songs appeared on the CW's teen drama One Tree Hill.
Fans of Tracing Days, Over Ashes, Rush of Fools, the My Chemical Romance and Switchfoot should consider purchasing the band's independent project and ponder purchasing their up-coming national release.
Secondhand Dreaming, the debut from Tooth & Nail band Ruth is a veritable smorgasbord of American Rock. That being said, the album is a satisfying pop/rock project drawing from a miscellany of styles with some fun stylistic experimentation. Harmonica, strings and pedal steel guitar all make appearances somewhere within the musical tapestry of this CD. The variety between tracks works because of the consistency of Dustin Ruth's layered vocals and Randy Torres and Nicholas Wiiikka's guitar work.
Ruth's sound is characterized by skillful production, solid musicianship, and buoyant energy. As usual, production guru Aaron Sprinkle uses his deft touch and brings out the subtle individuality and nuanced essence of this four-piece, modern rock band. He lends his vocal and instrumental talents to "Cross the Line" and "Standing Still." Former Superdrag frontman John Davis makes a guest appearance on "Here to N.Y."
If you are a fan of Telecast, Everyday Sunday, PFR and/or Nevertheless, snap out of your reverie and give Ruth's debut a try.
Everyday Sunday is one of those bands that is easily overlooked. They're not heavily promoted by their label; they aren't in your face flashy; but boy do they make exuberant, catchy music. Wake Up, Wake Up, their latest release is no exception. This Buckeye State foursome continue to produce some of the best hook-laden, post-punk flavored rock that stands shoulder to shoulder with veteran band Relient K.
Wake Up, Wake Up, the band's third release, continues to build upon the sound they established in their previous two releases: fun, up-tempo, rock music characterized by contagious melodies and lyrics that leave an indelible mark on the memory. If you load your mp3 player with the music of Nevertheless, Run Kid Run, Stellar Kart and the like, what are you waiting for? "Wake up" and sample Everyday Sunday's latest.
In a Christianity Today interview, the frontman of Tree63 expressed the sentiment that the band wants to be known as a rock n' roll band (as opposed to a modern praise and worship group). It's a shame really, because in light of the evidence presented in I Stand For You, Tree63 demonstrates a keen ability to lead worship! I'm not a big fan of live albums and do not listen to a great deal of "canned" worship music. That being said, when something exhibits genuineness, it catches my attention. I believe there are only a handful of worship leaders and teams (cf. Passion, Paul Baloche, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech), whose God-given ability able to create a living, breathing worship experience, can be captured by a recording and can, in turn, allow its listener to become a part of that worship experience.
The worship captured on I Stand For You is vivid and real, segueing almost seamlessly between the high-energy "live" tracks to the band's new material. The live tracks exude a passion and energy only a step removed from the actual, live worship experience itself, while the band creates a space for the listener to enter into private worship with their vocals and music on the other tracks. Yup, it's a shame that Tree63's only wants to be a rock band.
Inpop's, Foolish Things, is "just five guys following Jesus and making music." We could leave it at that but the members of Foolish Things have a genuine artistic synergy simply because they have their priorities straight and persist in the right attitude. Though the members of Foolish Things may see themselves as weak and foolish (cf. I Corinthians 1:27), and their music as "preachy," they should be forgiven their diffidence. Encouraging, radio-friendly, hook-filled pop/rock that brings to mind such bands and artists as Jeremy Camp, Storyside:b, The Turning and labelmates Tree 63 is nothing to apologize for.
With musical influences ranging from 80's southern rock bands .38 Special and Bad Company, to 90's pop-rockers Extreme and Hootie & the Blowfish, to contemporary rock groups like Big Dismal and Seven Places, newcomers Sevenglory create some great rock n' roll. For the most part, this four-piece band keeps it simple: acoustic and electric guitars, basic drum kit and solid bass lines. Several songs make use of keyboards for fill but it's sparse and understated. The disc's closing track, "Ever Be Enough", is a beautiful piano ballad that showcases Fred Butson's vocals. Sevenglory doesn't try to re-invent the wheel, but focus on creating good, solid rock n' roll: music and lyrics that are engaging, likable and just the side of polished to have some rawness.
My review copy's insert included lyrics but didn't include any sort of credits. That's not really an issue, but it would be nice to give credit where it's due. Sevenglory isn't shy about where they stand- they are a Christian band. The songs of Over the Rooftops range from yearning, alternative worship to anthemic declarations of faith. Aching but hope-tinged expression of doubts to reassuring promises of God's faithfulness. Their music encompasses all of these facets without resorting to trite word pictures and clichéd phrasing.
This is one of those albums that has that ineffable quality- something you can't quite put your finger on that marks it as something special. It's a shame this band doesn't have the backing of a major label behind them to get the word out. But hey, they've got me! Fans of DecembeRadio, The Afters, Day of Fire, Kutless (especially Strong Tower) and Third Day should give Over the Rooftops a listen- you won't be disappointed!
They were "discovered" by the multiple Grammy winning band Third Day. Impressed by their demo, lead singer Mac Powell signed them as the first artist to Third Day's new production company, Consuming Fire Productions; calling lead singer Shawn Lewis "hands down the most talented guy I know". Their national debut is the inaugural release for RKT Music- launching Michael W. Smith's Rocketown Records' long planned modern rock imprint. Quite a few "firsts" for a fledgling band to shoulder. Do they pull it off? A resounding heck yeah!
Hyper Static Union is a four-piece modern rock band hailing from Camas, Washington. Getting their start as a garage band, they've been honing their craft since 1998... and it shows. The band's influences range from R&B/Soul and Classic Rock to Gospel and Modern Rock. They deftly meld and sculpt these styles to create a uniquely blended sound, without forsaking engaging, yet buoyant lyrics.
The CD opens with two Lenny Kravitz influenced tracks featuring stacked vocals and thick, fuzzy guitar riffs layered over deep, funk-fortified rhythms. Lifegiver doesn't lose momentum through the next eight tracks, flowing between retro-inspired modern rock and soulful pop-rock- emphasis on the rock. A generous dose of strong harmonies, contagious grooves and appealing melodies abound throughout. On many cuts, Lewis's vocals are evocative of Marc Martel (downhere) and Kevin Max.
Quoting from the band's bio, frontman Shawn Lewis says, "Ultimately we are about the craft of songwriting, and occasionally we are able to incorporate all things funk and rock into a sensible, three-and-a-half minute package laced with a passionate melody. We feel inclined to produce music that requires people to 'tune-in' mentally and spiritually. We want the audience to consider certain things about their salvation, the state of the world, their hearts and their relationships."
Lifegiver delivers a polished and thoroughly original debut that is full of fun, funk-flavored rock music. Hyper Static Union should appeal to fans of creative bands in the vein of Earthsuit / Mute Math, Starflyer 59, Cross Culture and, if you remember them, Imagine This. My recommendation, "Keep your eyes on this band and Buy This Disc!"
"Red (r?d), n.- one of three primary colors. Any of a number of similar colors at the lowest frequencies of light discernible by the human eye. Often used to indicate danger or emergency. In Christianity, red represents fire and thus symbolizes the presence of God."
Essential Records has entered the hard rock scene with a vengeance. Newcomers Red ignite awesome, melodic hard rock on their debut album. This five-piece band throws down with electric guitars, raucous drum kit and solid bass work. Lead singer Michael Barnes demonstrates an expansive and expressive vocal ability, equally able to deliver fervent screams as he is wringing a wide spectrum of emotion out of the band's other material. End of Silence, puts me in mind of Pillar's Fireproof and Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory.
But before you think that these guys are a pedal-to-the-metal, siren-flashing one speed band, let me assure you, they can, in fact, tone it down a notch or three and still generate heat with an impressive ballad ("Pieces") and several crescendo building songs "tindered" by piano, acoustic guitar, string section and keyboard ("Lost" and "Break Me Down").
The songs of End of Silence express a gamut of emotions. The current single, "Breathe Into Me," is the impassioned lament of a god-hungry individual. "Let Go" shows off Red's ability to switch tempos and delivery mid song. The two-part "Already Over" (tracks 3 and 11) serves as a prime example of the two ends of the musical and style spectrum that the band pulls off with equal alacrity.
This is one hot album- it smolders with passion, burns with zeal and blazes with intensity. It's smokin'! Listen up fans of Emery, Kutless, P.O.D., Pillar and Demon Hunter. Go out and get End of Silence and crank up the volume- rock out and then do it again! In a crowded marketplace, Red's End of Silence deserves your attention.
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