Category: General

Chasing Victory [Fiends]

Chasing Victory – Fiends (c) 2007 Mono Vs. StereoIf you like your aggression light, turn on to Chasing Victory. Their new CD brings it mild and it just don’t quit. Neither good nor bad (like so many things I hear these days.) Mostly just mundane. They do , however, bring the occasional decent choral shout out on the title track and an odd synth sounding horn part earlier on. All the tracks seem pretty well groomed for radio takeover. Forced angst and breathy vocals over chucky riffs and a jangly bridge just don’t do it for me.–Jerry Actually

Rizorkestra [American Guitar]

Rizorkestra – American Guitar (c) 2007 Unstrictly Roots A while back, on a walk through the local art museum, I encountered an exhibit that grabbed my attention.  As I looked the content over, it began to seem over-processed and almost sterile.  Nested on the wall next to each piece, were statements from the artist typed out on little scraps of matting board.  I can't recall specific quotes but I remember one that read something to the effect of… “If Picasso were here in the 21st century, he would use a computer for his work too.” I was astonished. It seemed almost like a betrayal of human expression to me. I always believed the formula should be:Human thought process>Medium>Art – NOT – Human>Processor>Product.American Guitar is a nice break from the over-processed, over-produced shit  we hear everyday.  It is true, bluesy, folksie and unpretentious. While it provides no angst or punkiness, I would recommend taking a listen.  You may be surprised to learn that somewhere out there, people are still “paying respect to the roots”.–Krystal Tolle

The Higher [On Fire]

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

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 

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

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