May 29 , 2008
Atreyu – Slow Burn ****1/2 (Album: Lead Sails Paper Anchor)
Review: I know most of you (even myself) pick certain bands to be your favorite(s)…but I can probably guarantee that if you were to make a Top 10 list of your favorites…Atreyu would be on there. The third single off of the new album, Lead Sails Paper Anchor, is called “Slow Burn” and every single so far has not been a disappointment. Atreyu is a band that has uniqueness that no one can copy…the singing and the guitars riffs are obviously something extremely awesome. The band is one of a kind and that is obviously good in the rock world…how can it not? There is really nothing else to say about the song, but there is more to say about the band. Eventually, Atreyu needs to come to the U.P. and rock us the hell out…that is the only reason why I haven’t made this song the song of the week…I have yet to see and/or hear them live in concert, and that is a big downer in my book. The newest album from Atreyu, as I mentioned earlier, is called “Lead Sails Paper Anchor” is in stores right now. If Atreyu is not in the Top 10 of your favorite bands, then I think there is something wrong with you my friend. This band should be known as a Top 10 band.
Myspace.com/atreyurock
Egypt Central – Taking You Down ***** (Album: Egypt Central)
Review: This band is not really known as a big band…but sometimes, big bands don’t get the entire spotlight, or do they? The newest single from Egypt Central is titled “Taking You Down” and this is song of the week inside New Music Thursday. Ever since I saw these guys live back a couple years at the U.P. State Fair…I have had all good hopes for them. The first two singles from the self-titled album have been awesome, but not it’s time to end the trilogy with all due respect. This song has scream-o written all over it. The guitar rocks, as well as the drum…and of course like every song, the chorus is the best! Egypt Central is another band that I would love to see live in concert again. Like I mentioned earlier, sometimes the big bands always sell the tickets to the concerts, but sometimes they never bring in the big crowds. Remember that. The self-titled album from Egypt Central is of course in stores right now. Just because you like the big band better, doesn’t mean you have to always diss on the smaller band. The Rule of thumb; don’t forget. J
Myspace.com/egyptcentral
Fair To Midland – Walls of Jericho ***1/2 (Album: Fables from a Mayfly)
Review: If you were to look in the Dictionary for the word “Weird”…Fair to Midland would probably show up. Fair to Midland’s newest single is titled “Walls of Jericho” and like I said…this has weird written all over it. Now, don’t get me wrong…”Dance of the Manatee” and “Tall Tales Taste like Sour Grapes” were both good songs, but this one doesn’t fit the band. The lead singer, Darroh Sudderth has a nice and good voice…but I think the band has dragged him down a little bit. This is something that I would listen to once and go “Oh, well…it sounds like an O-K song…” but then I hear it again…and I just quiver and wonder how they got a decent recording contract OR why they put this song on their album. Sometimes, bands know what they’re doing and sometimes they don’t. I think Fair to Midland is a decent band…but sometimes a song can somewhat drag you down and I hope this song doesn’t do that to them. The album “Fables from a Mayfly” is on the store shelves right now and also available online. If you’re into weird bands, then I would say knock yourself out…but if you’re not sure about this one…research it and then decide.
Myspace.com/fairtomidland
Stereoside – So Long ****1/2 (Album: So Long)
Review: New bands come and they go most of the time…but sometimes, a new band can clinch on as hard as a leech to your body. That’s when you know they’re good. This new band from Florida is called Stereoside and their newest single is titled “So Long” and the title speaks for itself. Now, the sound to this band is freakin’ phenomenal. I really don’t know how to describe it…you would have to listen to it. Like I said earlier…bands try to make it big by making a MySpace and making EVERYONE listen to it and hopefully someone or something will hear them and pick them up as an artist. I really want to know who did for Stereoside because they made a very good choice in music. Why isn’t this song the song of the week inside New Music Thursday? If I had to choose my answer…it would be that they are very, very new to me and I haven’t gotten a chance to hear ALL of Stereoside. I should do that. The new album from Stereoside is called “So Long” and of course, is in stores right now. Like I always say…if you’re looking for new music…this is your band.
Myspace.com/stereoside
Another Animal – Fade Away **** (Album: Another Animal)
Review: You would think that with not hearing another single from these guys that they would be a one-hit wonder…well, that isn’t true. Another Animal’s newest single from their self-titled album is titled “Fade Away” and how funny of a segue-way is that! This is a tricky song to most Another Animal fans…why? It’s definitely slowed down a lot, BUT that’s not always bad. I like how they’ve controlled the guitar in this song and the singing, I think, is the best part of it all. You know, this is like the whole Big Band/Small Band thing I was talking about earlier…it doesn’t matter if the band is always rockin’ hard or they slow down a couple times, that is never going to change their view in music…it only makes them better. Thank you Another Animal. The new self-titled album from the guys is available in stores and also online. The one-hit wonders have proven themselves again and have come back to show what they’re really about. Look for this song to hit big in the next couple months.
Myspace.com/anotheranimalxxx
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Do you know or have some new music you want me to play? You think you know an artist on the rise? E-mail me with your suggestions… theshock@up.net
NEVER STOP ROCKIN’…unless you have to!
