The Higher – On Fire (c) 2007 EpitaphWell on its way to being the crappiest act I’ve heard this year, I submit to you The Higher. I saw my way through about five tracks of this mind dissolving drivel before I had to pull the plug. On Fire is as lame as it is pretentious. Epitaph declares them to be “Frontrunners of a new subgenre” Maybe this is true if they in the “Lame” sub-genre of the “Crap” genre. They are just another pansy dance-rock Hot Topic hair band. I think The Higher might be what you’d get if Silverchair screwed ABBA. The Higher is lame. On Fire is lame. If you like it, then you too, are lame.–Jerry Actually
Month: April 2007
Anthem for Odyssey [Come Blister the Sea]
Anthem for Odyssey – Come Blister the Sea (c) 2007 Purewicked Publishing I am oddly at a loss as to what, precisely, to say in regards to Anthem for Odyssey. They are pretty and haunting, ethereal yet substantial. It is the moment where sleep and dreams collide. Come Blister the Sea, by length, is a five track 18 minute EP. So by punk rock standards, a double album. Though some of the songs clock in at over four minutes, they move lithely enough to not leave you bored, yet the continuity of the arrangements is fluid enough that it doesn't create a rift. Sonically, Anthem for Odyssey, is what I would akin to eastern euro dreampop, reminiscent of The Rentals or perhaps a softer version of Salt. This is a great CD for the musically adventurous. In all likelihood I wouldn't have picked this one out for myself, but I find myself listening to it over and over again like the siren's song of a different odyssey. Enjoy, but beware the trap, as it all to quickly draws to an end.–Jerry Actually
1997 [A Better View of the Rising Moon]
1997 – A Better View of the Rising Moon (c) 2007 Victory Records1997, Victory’s new Chicago based emo five-piece, seem bound and determined to be part of tomorrow’s easy listening classics. Maybe you’ll see a couple of their songs roll by on a Time Life retrospective of the future. “A Better View of the Rising Moon” offers 13 tracks of what may as well be adult contemporary. Sadly it reminds me a lot of what happened to Smashing Pumpkins when they lost their initial edge. It is completely radio friendly and accessible to the teaming masses. In fact I bet your mom would love this CD … Hey, Mother’s Day is coming up. I have an idea.–Jerry Actually
The Said [Divisadero]
The Said – Divisadero (c) 2007 Fathom One I'm not entirely sure what to make of The Said. They hail from Davis, CA and are very indie/alternative. Divisadero marks their fourth release for Fathom One Records and nowadays they are split between Davis and DC. Kind of an odd way to run things as a band, but I guess stranger things have happened. Divisadero seems like an alright disc for the type of music that it is. It really isn't for me though. I'm thinking Bauhaus mixed with Lou Reed and old REM with an occasional hand from Dylan. It is mellow and spatial; totally college rock. Take it for what it's worth. If you are into college/indie/alt rock, check out The Said.–Jerry Actually
All Out War [Assassins in the House of God]
All Out War – Assassins in the House of God (c) 2007 Victory Records There have been words bandied about to describe the sound of All Out War, words like: brutal and the most brutal and totally brutal and brutal hardcore. My friends, these words are true.� “Assassins in the House of God”, The brand sparkin’ new disc from All Out War is a gutsy thrashcore assault to senses and an affront to any other band that can’t or wont do it like this. With out delving to deeply into the lyrical content of the disc, there are 11 tracks of aggro metal hardcore decrying evil in the name of religion. It is certainly an oft-covered topic, but based on the state of the world today, a timely one still. All Out War packs the dark metal intensity of Slayer or later Testament and delivers it with hardcore bombast like Sick of It All or Blood for Blood. Basically what I’m saying is that All Out War kicks ass on hardcore metal without having to rely on vocal styles ripped off from Napalm Death.–Jerry Actually