(c) 2003 Victory Records
[rating:4.5/5]
Between the Buried and Me has struck me to be one of the most intriguing bands that I have come across. This five piece band out of NC has shown a refreshing side of the “metalcore” scene. They express their diversity in many ways throughout the entire album that can send you on an emotional rollercoaster. “Lost Perfection” starts you off with countless mathematically sequenced rhythms leave you begging for more. From Clutch to Six Feet Under riffs you never lose interest on what the band is revealing to you. From there you get about half way into the album and it takes a heart felt anthem feeling with some ambient guitar tones, completely different from what the album began with. Lead singer Tommy Rogers continues to show his varied singing attributes throughout the clean softer part of the album. You get an abrupt awakening when “Ad a dglgmut” opens up, and the album continues its precise placement of speedy “riffery” to the end. This CD has not left my stereo yet….
Fulcrum
I’ve said it previously. I’ll say it again. Chris Murray is a genius. Raw the new full length CD from Chris Murray will be out in late October and damn is it worth it. Venice Shoreline Chris proves to the world that all the high tech equipment that you can muster isn’t what it takes to make a great album. With softly understated brilliance and a depth of soul to overcome the most lo-fi of recording means, Raw shines in a way I didn’t know was possible.Tracks 1-13 were recorded on a portable cassette recorder and track 14, a live version of Rock Steady, was recorded with a portable DAT. Despite the audible differences in the recording means, the disc comes across impressively, as if Chris were playing right in front of you in your garage or basement.This time around Chris Murray has quite a few guest musicians, including some from The Specials Hepcat and Go Jimmy Go. The special guests only lend to my belief that Chris Murray is one of the greatest singer/song writers of the last decade. Give your musical horizon some expansion and get Raw.www.chrismurray.net
I first heard of Chris Murray, AKA Venice Shoreline Chris about 6 years ago. forgive me for not being aware of King Apparatus… But none the less I was at a show in Lawrence Kansas at the Grenada, with a lineup of Venice Shoreline Chris, Less than Jake and Skavoovie and the Epitones. Chris Murray impressed the hell out of me with his "Campfire Ska" and on top of his opening set he played keyboards for Skavoovie. Damn, what a show. I was quite pleased when I learned that Chris was going to put a new acoustic album out, and it does not disappoint. I think the true brilliance of Chris Murray is exemplified in this album. from cleverly constructed lyrics to rich melodies. This CD is a perfect companion on a rainy Portland day. You can listen to track 3 "California Time" and feel the sun shine in. I gave this disc a 5, which I rarely if ever will do. But when you combine the excellent singing and song writing with the fact that it is all done on a four track, the points really stack up in it's favor. Go get this disk!! 