Archive for the ‘Album Review’ Category
Album Review: Illusions
By Dream Cannon
By Paul Gibson | April 15th, 2011
{February 24, 2011}
Independent
Fans of Falling Up have 2 reasons to rejoice this year, one they are back together and in the studio working on a new album. The other reason is this band, Dream Cannon. Featuring Daniel Elder, who played guitars on the Falling Up album Fangs.
Dream Cannon’s latest, Illusions, oozes with the dreamy experimental rock that made up the more laid back side of Falling Up.
Even Elder’s vocal’s are reminiscent of Jessy Ribordy, of Falling Up who als
MORE »
Album Review: Mind The Gap
By Moses Uvere
By Paul Gibson | April 10th, 2011
{April 12, 2011}
Chaos Theory Music
Moses Uvere has more cred and talent than almost anyone else I know. Now his latest album shows off all that he is capable of. His last EP, The Heart Condition, was a free, but slightly disappointing effort that didn’t seem to measure up to his talent. Mind The Gap is bringing back the Uvere that I love, with a polish and hunger that I think will push him to the forefront of hip-hop and pop.
The intro track to the album helps set the tone with a electro inspired beat and witty rhymes that let you know that something epic is coming.
“Head Turner,” the first single, has a hard, but…
MORE »Album Review:
My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go
By FM Static
By Paul Gibson | April 9th, 2011
{April 5, 2011}
Tooth And Nail
Trevor McNevan is one of those guys that you just have to admire. He has so much going on with various artists performing on plenty of projects and writing and co-writing song after song. In the midst of all that he has 2 bands that are not only signed but chart almost with out fail.
The latest offering from his “side project” band FM Static is a big change from previous efforts, in more ways than one. My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go has more variety in theme and sound than any of their previous 3 efforts and yet every track still has that signature FM Static feel.
The title track opens with some great alterna-rock guitars, ala Hole, or Smashing Pumpkins, and the vocals have a mix of rhythmic delivery and harmonies that could be on a Beach Boys album. It is a less than normal mix of the three,…
MORE »Album Review: The Quota EP
By Eleventyseven
By Paul Gibson | April 3rd, 2011
{April 1, 2011}
Independent
I am convinced that Eleventyseven has to be a love it or hate it band for most people. Pop punk really doesn’t get any more sugary sweet than this, the punk element has been so downplayed, on this album especially, it almost merits just being called pop. Which isn’t altogether bad.
If you have been a fan for the band’s albums since Galactic Conquest, then you should enjoy this ep. It is full of the pop punk guitars, electronic accents, and high pitched harmonies that should make any jr. high, high school, or college girl swoon.
Eleventyseven has an interesting style, if you aren’t familiar with them, think back to popular songs by…
MORE »Album Review: The Mission Field
By Blessid Union Of Souls
By Mike Gibson | March 8th, 2011
{March 1, 2011}
Salvation Road
As some of you may have discovered by now, I measure music by how well it keeps me company. My latest
traveling companion was Blessid Union of Souls. The album, The Mission Field, provided the text of our rural
conversations.
As the flat fields of west Texas rolled by, “Miracles” met the standard for good driving music. The second track
caused me to pause due the change in vocal style. I thought that someone new had jumped in the car! It was
good, but a little…
Album Review: Ad Astra Per Aspera
By Abandon Kansas
By Paul Gibson | March 3rd, 2011
{March 7, 2011}
Gotee
Abandon Kansas have crafted another piece of indie rock gold with their newest album. Ad Astra Per Aspera, Latin for “through hardships to the stars,” is a fitting title for their debut full-length. The album deals with themes of getting through tough times whether in relationships or with God.
The We’re All Going Somewhere EP was a great introduction to the guys in the band, but this album gives you a more in-depth look into what Abandon Kansas is capable of, moody indie goodness.
The opening track and lead single, “Heaven Come My Way” picks up right where you might expect with a danceable drum beat, great bass line, and of course their signature…
MORE »Album Review: The Light Sides
By Hawk Nelson
By Paul Gibson | February 25th, 2011
[February 8, 2011]
Tooth And Nail
Hawk Nelson‘s latest release, Crazy Love also comes packaged with The Light Sides, an all acoustic album that re-imagines songs from all four of their previous albums. I think the true fun comes out of the fact that Crazy Love explores new territory for the band in heavier and more aggressive songs, while the Light Sides explores, well, the other end of the spectrum.
For the die-hard Hawk Nelson fan this should be an awesome bonus. For all the rest of you, this will still be pretty cool.
It opens up with a rather daring take on “California.” Stripped down to only vocals and delivered in an acapella glee club style it couldn’t be more different from the original, but yet it still has all the charm and more.
Some songs, in my opinion are even an improvement on the originals, like “Friend Like That,” no much is changed in the song except the obvious acoustic guitars, but I like this version better.
“Zero” has an almost classic…
MORE »Album Review: The House Always Wins
By Heath McNease
By Paul Gibson | February 23rd, 2011
{February 22, 2011}
7 Spin Records
I have had the hardest time getting a solid opinion on this album. I love Heath McNease, the hip-hop artist, because of his wit, sarcasm and satire. I even love McNease with his more singer song-writer side that he displayed on Welcome To The Gun Show. The House Always Wins is not a total departure from his previous signer-song writer stint on Shine or even from some of the songs on Gun Show, but yet it feels different.
I think the main change is that most of the songs take themselves more seriously. Kind of like having Will Ferrell playing a completely serious role in a movie, it’s just hard to get used to.
Now that I have qualified my opinion. I like the album; it has a Jason Mraz/Jack Johnson feel that is easy…
MORE »Album Review: This Is Me By Trini
By Paul Gibson | February 16th, 2011
{February 1, 2011}
Fadacy Music
Trini has her strengths; she has a great ability to flow and belt out a tune with a powerful voice. The production on this album has a cool edge to it with plenty of beats and synths giving it a fun feel with a hip-hop/pop/dance feel.
Overall this album feels like it is going after the same style that is currently being made popular by Ke$ha on pop radio everywhere with a splash of R&B. But replace the cheesy lyrics about drinking and partying with and replace them with…
MORE »Album Review: Times Have Changed EP#1
By After Edmund
By Paul Gibson | February 11th, 2011
{January 31, 2011}
Independent
After Edmund is one of those bands that seems to get great recognition from the industry people but not necessarily the success that bands hope will accompany it. This album, while short in length, 20 minutes, it is big on sound. With more of an electronic/futuristic flavor than their debut Hello and less of a disco flavor than Spaceships And Submarines, this album finds a great balance.
The first track and lead single off of The Times Have Changed, “Dance Like You’re From The Future,” has a futuristic vibe to it. I know, duh right? Think a missing track off of Dance Or Die by Family Force 5, with more rock and less urban undertones. Also, if you’re a fan, then you’ll notice this song also appeared on the Spaceships And Submarines album. This version has a fuller sound with an improved mix.
“Human Nature” has a heavier vibe than…
MORE »
