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
Author: 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
The Tossers [Agony]
The Tossers – Agony (c) 2007 Victory Records Just in time to be almost two weeks late for St. Paddy's Day, I submit for you The Tossers' new cd Agony. I assure you this, listening to it is anything but. Chicago's Tossers craft a fine blend of traditional Irish Folk Music w/ all the punk rock intensity that anyone could need in a rowdy rollicking drinkin' band. Don't however mistake The Tossers for just another inebriated group of Pogues wannabes. They brandish a musical fire all their own with depth and sincerity and, frankly, a bit more clarity than the aforementioned. If you're one of the teaming faceless downtrodden masses urning for some musical uplifting, go ahead slap on this CD and toss back a pint or 12 with The Tossers. My personal favorite is Track 7: Siobban – Enjoy!–Jerry Actually
Bayside [The Walking Wounded]
Bayside – The Walking Wounded (c) 2007 Victory RecordsBayside, glorious Bayside, home of the greatest band ever, The Zack Attack. Friends Forever!! Hells yeah, that’s what I’m talking about. Oh, wait a second this isn’t about a band from Bayside High, this is about the band called Bayside. I reviewed a Bayside release a long time ago. I don’t recall much about it other than that I wasn’t exactly thrilled. I have good news to report. I didn’t immediately chuck this CD out the window. Though it isn’t what I like, per se, It doesn’t entirely incur my wrath. It is melodic. The music is tight with clever progressions and the vocals aren’t screaming bloody freakin’ murder at every change up. Those good points aside, it still seems a little milk toast. I prefer a little more edge on things. buy hey maybe that’s just me. I think if you like My Chemical Romance, you are probably a shoe in to be a Bayside fan.–Jerry Actually
Nekromantix [Life is a Grave and I Dig it]
Nekromantix Life is a Grave and I Dig it 2007 Hellcat Records Back from a brief reprieve in the concealing ether, Nekromantix return with their third Hellcat release, “Life is a Grave and I Dig it”. Upon the first glance of the hovering disembodied heads and the coffin-shaped logo one can�t but anticipate the 50’s style horror shock waiting to burst out. Originally formed in Copenhagen, Denmark way back in 1998 and relocated to the black heart of Los Angeles, California, the reigning ghouls of psychobilly have once again emerged from their collective coffins to deliver 13 tracks of soul stirringly eerie rock and roll. “Life is a Grave and I Dig it” was well rehearsed before recording and captured with few retakes. Because of the recording style, the live quality and urgency of the CD shines through and helps to reveal the essence of a Nekro performance. Fans past and present ought to be able to appreciate that even through a myriad of releases Nekromantix remain fresh, (like a freshly dug grave) while staying true to form. For those out there who may be new to psychobilly, Think Stray Cats join up with The Misfits to form an inhuman all corpse super group (but oddly in this case a three piece super group). For those of you who are already familiar, “Life is a Grave and I Dig it” does not disappoint. Favorite tracks include: Track 3 – the title track, Track 5 Rot in Hell and Track 12 Panic at the Morgue. From here to the afterlife, Nekromantix full on rock!–Jerry Actually
Saliva [Blood Stained Love Story]
Saliva – Blood Stained Love Story (c) 2007 Island/Def Jam Let me sum this up in the beginning, Saliva: Not the worst band you’ll hear on the radio. That being said, you will hear this all over the radio. If that is your bag, well, run with it. From the band that brought you the video game super hit “Click Click Boom” Saliva is back with a brand new release, “Blood Stained Love Story”. Fusing hip hop lyrical flow and mello metal riffs and song structure that reminds me oddly of King’s X, “Blood Stained Love Story” really isn’t such a bad release for something so palatable and public ready. While it doesn’t shine on being terribly aggressive, it also isn’t in your face with screamin’ jackass vocals. For that alone I give it some merit. Beyond that it is a largely mellow release filled with non-threatening easy listening NuMetal.–Jerry Actually
Take Action [Vol 6]
Various Artists – Take Action Vol. 6 (c) 2007 Hopeless Records Are you down for the cause? I sure am. I'm not a major fan of most of the artists on this two CD one DVD set, but hey, maybe you are, or maybe someone you know has these bands plastered all over the inside of their locker. If so, buy a copy of Take Action Vol. 6. With a suggested retail price of $7.98 buy a couple. The proceeds of this compilation go to benefit (I don't know what percent) The Youth America Hotline a teen suicide prevention line. The comp features tracks from popular outfits such as My Chemical Romance, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Taking Back Sunday, Murder by Death and many many more. Not only do you get a double disc set, you get a DVD too. Just because your's truly doesn't dig on this, doesn't mean you can't help out and get down with a good cause. As a bonus for me, I determined that I do, in fact, like Murder by Death, so there. –Jerry Actually
Comeback Kid [Broadcasting]
Comeback Kid – Broadcasting… (c) 2007 Victory Records Much like the cover of Comeback Kid's new Victory release, the world is being buried. It is being buried under a heaping pile of banality. I largely suspect the people at Billboard were high when they said this was "hardcore" and Kerrang is off of their collective rocker if they think this is "ABSOLUTELY F***ing AWESOME". This CD couldn't hold my interest if it was the flipping World Bank. Honestly, it isn't that the CD is especially bad. It is that it is specifically not especially good. It is that everything is becoming homogenized and sterilized and horror inspiringly insipid. Remember when rock was a threat and a rebellious show of force and not a packaged commodity? Yeah, me neither 'cause this has been going on way to damn long.–Jerry Actually
A Day To Remember
A Day To Remember – For Those Who Have Heart (c) 2007 Victory Records
Damn, I had hope. The cover looked intriguing. The band is costumed in a menacing prep school nature. I thought maybe, just maybe, that A Day To Remember might be hardcore. Turns out, yet again, that I was wrong.
“For Those Who Have Heart” offers up the same screamo sound as the majority of their label mates. Droning melodic vocals over metal riffs that break into uninspired growling vocals on, as far as I can tell, each and every song. Where is the originality? Doesn’t anyone know how to rock anymore? But hey, kudos, you have an album out.
Isn’t it great what you can do with a formula! Yep formulas sure are cool, but how about an equation for you: A Day To Remember = A Band To Forget.
–Jerry Actually