Mark's Music

Say Anything – Say Anything

mark — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:07:21 +0000

By far their most mature, energetic, and pop sounding album yet, the self-titled release by Say Anything is an emo rock kick to the eardrum. The album is a much more consistent style, unlike their previous effort “In Defense of the Genre”, which frequently varied in style throughout the double album guest starring a plethora of talented musicians (including Chris Carrabbra, Hayley Williams, and Gerard Way, to name a few). “In Defense of the Genre” was more of a homage to a lot of other bands and genres that the band was into, as declared by frontman Max Bemis in numerous articles, whereas “Say Anything” is more of a showcase on what the band has built on their own. Despite being a more mature album, Bemis still continues to sing of young bohemian living, the error of pop culture thinking, while sprinkling the album with emo themes of love, hate and death. Bemis even finds time to hypocritically insult the Kings of Leon for “writing songs about girls while babies with guns are beheading their friends”. Barring Bemis’ somewhat erratic, confusing and bizarre lyrics at times, the aestetic nature of this album makes it definitely worth listening to. The majority of songs contained on this album are also overall very appealing to the ears, making for an easier listen than usual.

Songs To Listen To: Hate Everyone, Do Better, Eloise, Crush’d

Rating: 4 arbitrary points out of 5.

Social Code – Rock ‘N’ Roll

mark — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:42:46 +0000

Edmonton, Alberta’s Social Code released their third album September 1st, 2009. The album’s title, Rock ‘N’ Roll is quite justifying, as the once alternative sounding punkers have turned rock. Fans looking for another “A Year At the Movies” will be quite disappointed with the change in sound and direction. Although, this does not come as a complete shock as their second album, quite simply entitled “Social Code”, had subtle steps towards this direction. Definite influences on “Rock ‘N’ Roll’s” sound include the Rolling Stones and the Black Crowes. The album’s first single, “Satisfied”, is reminiscent of what the band once sounded like, with pop-punk riffs and upbeat vocals, while the rest of the record is more heavily rooted with rock and roll influences such as the Rolling Stones, the Black Crowes, and even Bon Jovi. “Fight For Love” is a rock song straight from the 80s with a serious Black Crowes sound. “Real Girl” sounds like a Bon Jovi reject, while if you close your eyes to the balladesque “I’m Not OK”, you can even hear singer Travis Nesbitt channeling his inner Bon Jovi. The biggest disappointment is the album’s title intro track, which is a slow droning mundance waste of space and time. I wouldn’t waste my time with this one.

Songs To Listen To: Satifsfied, Real Girl

Rating: 0 arbitrary points out of 5.

Alexisonfire – Old Crows/Young Cardinals

mark — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:51:34 +0000

Hailing from St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada, 5 piece post-hardcore/screamo artists Alexisonfire continue to depart from their original sound on this fourth studio effort. The original scream-sing combination of George Pettit and Dallas Green has somewhat deteriorated on this album, with George taking on more of a singing role (probably the albums biggest downfall) in an effort to shed their screamo designation. Dallas’ powerful melodic and harmonizing vocals however remain quite prominant, and more than makeup for the difference. Also, there are a number of drum beats that stand out on this album, allowing new drummer, Jordan Hastings, to show off his vast improvements since the last album. Stylistically, the album has a similar musical feel to their last release, Crisis, with the majority of songs having a straight up in your face rock groove. The songs “Sons of Privilege” and “Heading for the Sun” are prime examples of this. However, there are a few songs that the band took a few more liberties with, such as the slow grinding “The Northern” as well as the almost bluesy “Burial”. With the relatively weak first single entitled “Young Cardinals”, the rest of the album is a pleasant surprise of great musical talent demonstrating evolution.

Notable Songs: Old Crows, Sons of Privilege, Emerald Street

Rating: 3 arbitrary points out of 5

A Day To Remember – Homesick

mark — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:50:39 +0000

This post-hardcore band from Ocala, Florida have put forth a serious ass-kicking effort on their third studio album “Homesick”. The lyrical content of the album seemingly focuses on homesickness while on the road, as well as the trials, tribulations, and subsequent success that the band has encompassed while touring in the past year. The lyrics may not be the momumental, emotional epic some may look for, but they do have a definite uplifting quality showing hope for the future. Jeremy McKinnon brings the band’s lyrics alive with intermittently harsh, angry grunts along with unique, harmonizing, pop-punk choruses. In between a number of songs feature anthemic gang vocals loud enough to rock a stadium or two. Meanwhile, the album’s instrumentation rings with elements of pop-punk, hardcore, and almost melodic metalcore. Neil Westfall and Tom Denney tear threw the air with powerful guitar riffs, played over the thunderous drum pounding and bass thrashing of Alex Shellnutt and Josh Woodard. To round out the album, there are a number of special guest vocalists. These include Mike Hranica, of The Devil Wears Prada, on “I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?”, Vincent Bennett, of The Acacia Strain, on “Welcome to the Family”, and the most notable appearance of the beautiful Sierra Kusterbeck, of VersaEmerge, on “If It Means A Lot To You”. “Homesick” is a definite continuation of where ADTR left off after “For Those Who Have Heart”, and is definitely a great addition to anyone’s post-hardcore collection!

Notable Songs: The Downfall of Us All, Have Faith In Me, If It Means A Lot To You

Rating: 5 arbitrary points out of 5

Better Than Ezra – Paper Empire

mark — Sat, 23 May 2009 19:12:22 +0000

Alternative trio Better Than Ezra are back at it again, releasing their ninth studio album “Paper Empire” May 12th, 2009. After 20 years of being a band, Better Than Ezra still rock just the same. “Paper Empire” is filled with catchy hooks, great melodies, sincere and fun lyrics, and overall great songs! The album undoubtedly showcases the bands talents and overall great song writing capabilities. Better Than Ezra really show their musical diversity with songs ranging from the straight up pop tune “All In”, to the stand strong anthemic “Hell No”, the almost gospel inspired “Loveless”, more traditional balad-esque type songs like “Hey Love”, to the fast paced club rocking tune “Nightclubbing” that can’t help but make you feel like shaking your money maker! Between these varied styles of song, BTE still manage to fit the standard alt-pop single “Absolutely Still” into the mix. From start to finish “Paper Empire” is a nonstop joyride of musical talent that everyone should take at least once!

Notable Songs: Nightclubbing, Just One Day, Absolutely Still
Rating: 4 arbitrary points out of 5

Metric – Fantasies

mark — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:27:51 +0000

Canadian indie rockers Metric release their fourth studio album, “Fantasies”, April 7th, 2009. Though the album sounds to be the most polished piece of work the band has produced, they remain loyal to their indie rock roots, keeping in tune with their original sound. “Fantasies” contains a repertoire of indie rock songs that typically describe Metric’s style on every album they produce:
1)new wave hook-filled singles such as “Help I’m Alive” and “Gimme Sympathy”, synonymous to tunes like “Dead Disco” and “Monster Hospital”
2)slow droning filler like “Twilight Galaxy” much like the “Calculation Theme” and “Ending Start”
3)loud and absent feeling indie rock like “Stadium Love”, reminiscent of most of their other work.
To a fan of Metric or an Indie Rock lover in general, “Fantasies” is a great addition to their collection. To anyone else, Metric may always just be merely the singles they release on the radio.

Notable Songs: Help I’m Alive, Sick Muse, Gold Guns Girls
Rating: 3 arbitrary points out of 5

Silversun Pickups – Swoon

mark — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:34:31 +0000

After releasing their mega-indie anthem “Lazy Eye”, of their freshmen release “Carnavas”, on both Guitar Hero:world Tour, and Rock Band 2, indie rockers Silversun Pickups make a powerful and successful sophomore effort with the album “Swoon”. Released on April 15th, 2009, the album has many depths to it’s darkness. Vocalist/Guitarist Brian Aubert demonstrates quite a range of music and emotion with raw guitar playing over intermittently sung lyrics in a nasally voice and raging screams, while Nikki Monninger sets the mood with her thunderous efforts on the bass. Right from the in-your-face indie jam “There’s No Secrets This Year”, to the catchy first single “Panic Switch”, through quiet and steady paced songs like “Growing Old is Getting Old” and “Draining”, to just outright loud tunes like “Sort Of”, you are taken on a subpop indie journey that can only be described as a melded incarnation of the Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth. This album is a testament of how a band goes from opening small club venues of crowds no bigger than what can be counted on your hands to huge festivals such as Lollapalooza and Coachella.

Notable songs: There’s No Secrets This Year, Growing Old is Getting Old, Catch and Release
Rating: 4 arbitrary points out of 5

Introduction

mark — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:48:45 +0000

Hey

This is going to be an area for me to post randomly about up and coming bands, bands of the now, and old school bands from the past. I hope to create some conversation, evoke some old memories, and hopefully expose you to some new music that you like! I will do concert reviews and updates, album reviews, and whatever fun things I can think of.

Let the music move you,

Mark