The Junior Varsity – Cinematographic

The Junior Varsity – Cinematographic

Grade – A

Written By – Brock

Date – June 2007

I need a soundtrack for summer, for long road trips, plane rides, and hanging out under the hot sun. The Junior Varsity could not have put this out a more perfect time. Unclouding the skies, and bringing the beach under your feet, Cinematographic kicks off the summer on a high note and gives other bands in their genre a run for their money.

This is one of the hardest records to make. The dreaded sophomore album. Where handfuls of other bands fall of the radar, the Junior Varsity take it up a notch. They make a record that will give them, hopefully, lots more radio play, and Internet buzz, and does not fall in the pit of one hit wonders. “I Went Blind” really kicks off the CD, with quite the interesting chorus and some quality riffs. “Wunderdrug” is the perfect driving, song. If you want to take it easy, and just drive looking at the scenery, this steady paced, song is for you. “St Louis” takes you on a wild roller coaster ride, with the intertwining guitars, and the very upbeat circus feel. The title track, “Cinematographic” is a wild upbeat song, which really defines the band’s new unique sound.

The band has a very unique new sound, that really gives the CD a second listen if not a third or fourth. I was quite a big fan of the first CD though, and had quite high expectations for this CD, and the California Upbeat sound, mixed in with the mystery and powerful lyrics captivated me, for endless listens. The big difference between this and “Wide Eyed” is the lyrics are much more though out, the vocals have become tremendously better, the guitars are much bigger, and the production is fantastic. Everything is intertwined and sounds fantastic. A great sophomore CD, that avoids the disastrous sophomore slump, and a great summer CD, with songs to keep you singing on your next road trip.

All Out War – Assassins in the House Of God

All Out War: Assassins in the House Of God

Grade: B+

Written By: Brock

Date: June 2007

Even Shakespeare has joined the Hardcore Punk bandwagon. The new controversial CD from All Out War has come out, and mother lock up your daughters, this shit is about to get ugly.

Screams upon huge, ear splitting guitar riffs, over marching drums define All Out War. This is the sound you hear on the battlefield shortly before you are mutilated on enemy lines. The lyrics deal with religion, politics and society, and rocks harder then the last Iron Maiden record. If these guys were on street corners, they would be kicking your ass in break dancing tournaments, by pulling out windmills after windmills, and then kicking your mother in her baby maker. These guys don’t give a shit about the scene, and put any genre they want into this. A sound that is very similar to Slayer, but with more to say. Where other bands pretend to be politically informed, and bullshit there was through songs, these guys dwell deep and actually have some input, on whats right and wrong. Each song deals with a new topic, and makes other band in the scene look like pussies.

Fans have waited four years for this record, and the wait was definetly worth it. Though its not groundbreaking, its filled with some smart lyrics, and is filled with break neck speed guitar playing.

Comeback Kid – Broadcasting…

Comback Kid: Broadcasting…

Grade: A+

Written By: Brock

Date: June 2007

Comeback Kid come back swinging on their new album, “Broadcasting…” and do they ever pack a punch. Fast and fericous enough to knock out “king of the ring”, Mike Tyson, and still have stamina for more. A pure 30 minute adrenaline rush, that will make you headbang till your head falls off, or close to it.

Comeback Kid’s follow up to “Wake The Dead” with a brand new singer. Keeping the same name, and getting a new singer, has been a very common thing now adays, including other bands in the gener like From Autumn To Ashes and From First To Last. I think this was a bold move, and I really like the vocals of Andrew Neufeld. The band takes their hardcord punk sound, and really raises the bar with all kinds of chants, intertwining crunch guitars, and steady fast drum beats. A song like, Broadcasting… has a very steady build up, a fist pumping chorus, and an epic finale, with the guitars winding down faster and faster, and finishing with a bang. Which then is built right up again in the next song, Hailing On Me, which shows off alot of their new vocal talent, and less instruments.  Each song was definetly made intentionally for some huge mosh’s and the death defying circle pit.  With a few very good singles of their last CD’s which brought them a step further in the mainstream, this cd lights a rocket up under their asses, and sents them straight to the spotlight.  Comeback kid have definetly become the new face of hardcore punk for 2007.

The Tossers-Agony

The Tossers-Agony

Grade-C+

Written by-Princess Brock

Article-May 2007

Lets get drunk, party and mosh, until we fall down. The Tossers are out with their seventh CD which full of some great pub songs. These celtic punks from the burbs of Chicago come out with their arms swinging, and the beer constantly flowing throughout the cd. Just by their name, which means, “To Masturbate” you know your in for a fun ride, and your fifty minutes will not be wasted though you might get a little bored.
I am not a big fan of the whole Celtic ho-down punk scene, but this CD sticks to me like the gum on your shoe. Where other bands in the genre keep it simple, The Tossers are building on simple traditional celtic rock and experimenting with tons of new bells and whistles but falling just a tad short. Key tracks, that really stand out, and get you up and tipping your glass are, “The Sheep In The Boots”, “Pub And Culture”, and, “The Nut House” Somewhere along the lines though midway through the CD, like a bad movie, the ending can not live up to the beginning. The songs slow down, the bar is winding down, and there is nothing left to say, but they keep going. It’s a shame really, but hey grab some drinks, get your freinds and have a great poker night, with this CD in the background, your sure to have a blast.

1997-…a better view of the rising moon

1997:…a better view of the rising moon

Grade: A

Written By: Princess Brock

Date:May 2007

1997 was year of the Ox, Bill Clinton had started his second year in service as President of the United States Of America, and the beginning of the hit tv show, South park. 1997 must have been a happy time for the band of the same name though. From their very cheery front cover, into the linear notes, dwelling into the lyrics, and hundreds of different sounds that go along with each song. They sound like a young original Plus 44, with the dance able songs, and their cheery songs with the deep dark lyrics.

A children’s toy chest has opened, and the toys have come alive, inside among the Transformers, the Tickle Me Elmos and the keyboards, live the members of 1997.  Traveling on rainbows with black unicrons flying behind.  The ever so happy premise, is filled with a long winding road to the gates of hell.  Inside that Tickle Me Elmo is a switchblade, and each keyboard has a brush of anthrax. The beautiful Kerri Mack’s lovely vocals intertwine with a pop punk prince named, Kevin Thomas. A Mr.Caleb Pepe adding depth to the lyrics and well as rocking out on ukulele and drums.  Not to mention a one of a kind Nick Coleman helping on drums and percussion, not but not least Alan  Goffi adding a sprinkle of bass, some guitar, and vocals here and there.  Quite the odd mix of young talented kids, who have something to be proud of.

As the cd progresses, these chidlren are faced with all kinds of dillemas, mostly including heart breaks, and teenage angst, but not that cheesy song writing like other artists in the genre that make you want to cringe, they make you want to dance, and scream out your problems along with them.   Each song bursts new ground, and makes for a very enjoyable listen that will stay on repeat for quite a time.

All twelve tracks are done to their finest.  Their is nothing that needs to be changed, these young kids should be very proud of their work, and hopefully will gain some glamarous exposure from this.  Heres hoping 1997 can live up to this.

A Day To Remember-For Those Who Have Heart

A Day To Remember: For Those Who Have Heart

Grade: A

Article Written By: Princess Brock

Date: May 2007

A Day To Remember, no not an awful sequel to, “A Walk To Remember” or a companion CD, Mandy Moore would have a heart attack if she heard this. These boys are just asking you give them a chance, with their catchy pop punk hooks and hardcore screaming. They classify themselves as “Pop-Mosh”, I agree with that one hundred percent. Each song not ground breaking but quite enjoyable to listen to, and not to mention jump around with.

Most days in Highschool aren’t ones to remember. Maybe your first show or first kiss, but most things you would love to forget. A Day To Remember, have sure made a day to remember maybe even a few years. This band shows great potential, and just by listening to the first track, “Fast Forward To 2012″ they make the sweat drip from your straightened greasy black hair in the mosh pit. Kick your feet out, and throw your in hands in the air, and get ready for, ” The Plot To Bomb The Panhandle” It not only features the most thorough lyrics on the record, it bring the “Pop-Mosh” better then your garage band could ever do. Followed by the deadly virus, “Monument” this song will enter your earlobe and sit there, giving you the feeling to sing it all day. Each song has its ups and down, it even throws in some piano ballads. The CD, may not be the next best thing, or even a hot seller, but they are just doing what they want, and playing how they like. They are not pushing for something they are not. All they want to do is make your tight pants rip and your eyeliner run down your face. And they succeeded, and for that i give them three hearts up.

A great effort from a great new band, that I would love to hear more of, especially some acoustic stuff like their song, “The Price We Pay” Keep on bringing the “Pop-Mosh”!

Bayside -The Walking Wounded

Bayside: The Walking Wounded

Grade: B+

May 2007

Review by: Princess Brock

Bayside is back and what AP calls, “One of the most anticipated CD’s of 2007″.  They are shaking their haunting past and have placed their acoustic guitars back in their stands.  They are back to their pop punk start with a much more mature sound and it only took a bad accident and five drummers for them to make their best CD.  From the title track, “The Walking Wounded” opening up with an accordion, transitioning into a full blast punk attack into, including a piano finale, with Anthony Raneri singing his heart out.   Bayside most remind me of Spinal Tap, not in sound but their back story.  The ever changing drummers, and the bad luck. Bad luck aside, this CD is a jackpot.  Each song different then the last but blends beautifully into each other.  Raneri’s voice is such an interesting one, and really brings me into the record.  He wouldn’t win Canadian Idol anytime soon, he could maybe scrape past the first round, but his voice has allot of tone to it.  It is ever changing on the record and each song he shows a few different voice transitions.  Their first single, “Duality” is I think one of their weakest songs on the CD.  I believe they picked it to be safe on the radio, but it really doesn’t show who they are, and what they are capable of.  The lyrics are also very plain on the song compared to other such songs as, “Head On A Plate” and “I And I”  They write the kind of lyrics that will appear all of Myspace forums and Nexopia pages. Though they are making a great sound, that is quite different from others and especially from themselves, they end up sounding allot like Panic! at the Disco with their piano interludes and circus sounds.  There’s a time and place for them and they don’tbelong on the record.  Here’s hoping for some acoustic covers.

Why choose Bayside, I’d pick them for their smart catchy lyrics, their often original sound, and overall great songs.  I would definitely check out, “Landing Feet First” my favorite track opening up with a palm muted intro into some hand clapping.  I’m also a sucker for Raneri’s voice.  It is very unique and drives the CD right into Hollywood baby.

Sick Puppies

Sick Puppies – Dressed Up As Life

Grade A

Date- April 2007

Written By – Princess Brock

Sick Puppies, if it was not for The Free Hugs video, we posted a few days ago, I would have never checked out this band. Mainly because there name, and I had not heard anything about them. It’s a good thing, I spend to much time on the internet (Brock would like to clarify he use’s it for work not for P0rn) or i would have missed a stellar CD.

Sick Puppies are a band is hard to classify. Each song brings something new to the table and flips it upside down halfway through the song. Its like a blind person winning a poker game. They throw in some metal screams, alongside acoustic sing-along adult freindly songs. Not to mention some pop punk songs, and straight up rock songs that bring the mosh. I skipped right to track six on my first lesson, “All The Same”. The song featured in the video, pretty much their claim to fame. It was then followed by, “Too Many Words” It came to me that this record is very polished and their singer, Shimon Moore, has a very unique voice, that can really sing. It came as a suprise to me that these guys are Australian. They sure aren’t no Jet, and I mean that in the good way. This is the CD, I have been waiting for. A band that isn’t afraid to mix it up and not stick to the formula. They experiment the whole cd, without it sounding like a jumble mess. Each song stands out individually. The only thing weak are the lyrics. Not exactly the most clever lines i’ve ever heard,

” And I tried every drug I find
Except maybe heroin and cyanide
But there’s a reason
I just can’t afford them yet”

But who says Lyrics have to be the selling point, look at Avril Lavigne.

A great CD, and were hoping to get a review of their upcoming show. I’m very excited, being as i have no idea what to expect. Quite a great CD, I would definetly reccomend Sick Puppies.

A Night In Georgia

A Night In Georgia

By Princess Brock

Date- April 2007

Grade- A-

A Night In Georgia, sure Georgia is a state, but I’m pretty sure thats not what it means. If you don’t get the sexual humor there, you might want to put back in your Simple Plan CD, because these guys are more hardcore then dinosaurs on acid.

A Night In Georgia, hail from Surrey and Langley. And before you make a surrey joke, give the a CD chance. ANIG as listed on their myspace a Screamo/Afro-beat/Healing and Easy Listening group. Unless I missed something theres not much afro-beat or easy listening but there sure is a hell of alot screaming. Not to mention some amazing guitar work, killer solos, and tight drums, but the key ingredient to A Night In Georgia is the screaming. Right off the bat, Jesse (vocalist) screams better then most vocalists out there. Long nights in the closet have obvisouly prepared him for this record. On the first spin, the sound is not uncommon to other bands in the genre, the whole RAWR, that makes your mom go, “What the fuck are you listening to, are those words. Though over time it becomes much more apparent there is alot of depth to the record. The guitarists (Cody and Tyler) boost the cd to a new level. The amps are at 11, and together they are a power team. Solos so dangerous and loud, they could kill dragons. Your little screamo band, in your basement can’t compete. A major flaw in the CD, though is the lack of chorus, which could drag out the songs, to add for more sound to listen to. Being merely an EP, there is alot of room for growth. Consitent touring will help them out alot, and make them more stand out. Check them out!

A Night In Georgia

For Fans of: Fall of Troy

Alexisonfire

Leathermouth

Asteria

Grade: A
Article By: Brock
Date: February 11th, 2007
Dictionary definition of Asteria- Asteria was the sixth Amazon killed by Heracles when he came for Hippolyte’s girdle. The Amazons (of whom Hippolyte was queen) knew that Heracles was invincible but fought him anyway. My definition- A post hardcore band mixed with 5 kids who know how to dress and oh, make some pretty catchy music.

I suggest Slip Into Something More Comfortable, some tight jeans, a t-shirt and some gelled hair. Asteria will bring the music and you’ll bring the mosh. The opening track, “Drink Life To The Lees” starts out with a haunting radio frequency buzz, the same kind of creepiness you would expect to find at a cemetery at night. Each song has that hardcore underlay to it, with sing along lyrics overtop, some screaming, loud drums, and fancy guitar solos mixed in with beeps and boops of a keyboard. Track three, “A Lesson In Charades” is a metaphoric song, about love in the lyrics of playing charades. It is my favourite song on the album, and one of the best written songs on the record. “The Taste The Touch” has a keyboard part halfway through, which reminds me of the oomplaloompas dancing in Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. I’ll use the word Corkiest thing I’ve ever heard to describe it. I don’t even think that’s a real word but it is the only word comes to mind when I listen to the song. “Teen angst problems” and “We all deal with” are beautifully sang, unlike other bands in the genre who love to whine them and make it sound like their lives are so very hard, aka Simple Plan. This band is most like Brand New, Your favourite Weapon era, and Postal Service. Asteria even mixes in some theatrical elements like Panic! At the Disco, they are not striving to be original. They just want to play music they like. People say we have to much of this music, but at least it uses metaphorical writing and topics people can relate to. 2007 is hopefully the year for Asteria to break through.

Post Hardcore/Emo doesn’t give the band justice, I refer to them as Nintendo-core, it makes more sense. Slip into your nearest CD shop and pick up Asteria’s new album.