Review Rundown: Rammstein, the New Heathers, Oh, Sleeper, Chase Long Beach, Weezer
The Review Rundown this time out will feature brief looks
at new releases from Drink Up Buttercup and the Dead Formats, as well as takes
on new discs from Rammstein, the New Heathers, Oh, Sleeper, Chase Long Beach
and Weezer.
File Under: Spastic punk-core
Who Gives a Tweet? (Reviews 140 characters or less) - The
Dead Formats – The Dead Formats
(Visible Noise): Equal parts Every Time I Die and Amen with a bit of the
Refused’s rock here and there. Kudos to these UK-sters on this unrestrained
debut. (www.myspace.com/thedeadformats)
Grade: B
Go Download: ‘Again And Again’
File Under: German Metal Ready for Combat
Rammstein – Liebe
Ist Fur Alle Da (Universal Records): There is enough churning riffing and
synth laden melody to keep the pace dizzying, a stranglehold on which Rammstein
does not let up. Expect the same German belligerence and militant stomps that
this band has paid their bills with the past decade, characteristics of the band
that have gotten better with Liebe Ist
Fur Alle Da. This disc isn’t quite perfect since Rammstein still manage to
toss in a couple of head-scratchers here and there (“B********,” “Pussy”). “Pussy”
might be the most off the mark the band has ever been, even though it is funny.
“Fruhling in Paris” is an endearing offering from a band that doesn’t often sound
vulnerable, but the band is quick to get back to what brought them to the dance
– marching, electro-infused metal charges like “Wiener Blut” and “Liebe Ist Fur
Alle Da.” This record should be solid proof that Rammstein is back with a
vengeance, perhaps better than ever, but if not, just go ahead and skip to “Mehr.”
That should just about do the trick. (www.rammstein.de)
Grade: A
Go Download: “Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da”
File Under: Unheralded Indie Pop
The New Heathers – The
Fuel, the Fire, the Spark (Redbird Records): For those that may not be
aware, the New Heathers are an offshoot of the band Ludo. Well, the word
offshoot might be undercutting it a bit. Hell the New Heathers are Ludo, minus
frontman Andrew Volpe. Their new singer sounds similar though, so the band
doesn’t lose too much there. Obviously the comparisons to Ludo are there. Tim
Ferrell, Tim Convy and Matt Palermo even said before this EP was released that
it was going to sound like them. There is that venerable Ludo quirk throughout the Fuel, the Fire, the Spark, with an
underlying quiet cool that leads to the record sounding collectively endearing.
While this may not be as hilarious lyrically as Ludo fans may be used to, it is
still something they should own. All comparisons aside, this EP stands on its
own two feet. It doesn’t need to name drop. It is haughty without sounding
over-confident and varies its pace from time to time. (www.myspace.com/thenewheathers)
Grade: A
Go Download: “Santa Rosa”
File Under: 60’s era trippy noise pop
Who Gives a Tweet? (Reviews 140 characters or less) - Drink
Up Buttercup – Even Think EP (Yep Roc
Records): 3 song EP from DIY noise popsters who still think it’s the 60’s. Judging
by this, their Even Think album, out
2010, should be pretty rad. (www.myspace.com/drinkupbuttercupband)
Grade: B
Go Download: “Even Think”
File Under: Tired and True Metalcore
Oh, Sleeper – Son
of the Mourning (Solid State): While the conversation about Oh, Sleeper as
a band could be all over the place, the conversation about their latest record
begins and ends with lead singer Micah Kinard. His vocal prowess pulls this
record together, and it’s his wizardry with a microphone that keeps this disc
entertaining. Even though Oh, Sleeper are playing some tested and approved
metalcore, a sound that often gets bagged on, they aren’t out to reinvent the
wheel so to speak. With Son of the
Mourning, they are looking to incite mosh pits, maybe some dance pits and
just flat out kick some ass – something this record accomplishes in less than
ten minutes. See openers “Son of the Mourning” and “the New Breed” for audio proof.
There is a lot of Every Time I Die and Underoath in their sound, but there is
some tempered moments of Thrice as well. Those tuning into “In All Honesty,” that
is not Thrice’s Dustin Kensrue you’re hearing. As Cities Burn’s Cody Bonnette
is just a dead ringer for him on this track. Come for songs like “World Without
a Sun,” but stay for songs like “Reveries of Flight.” (www.myspace.com/ohsleeper)
Grade: C+
Go Download: “World Without a Sun”
File Under: Newbie Ska with a Bright Future
Chase Long Beach – Gravity
Is What You Make It (Victory Records): This record is 11 tracks of tightly
played ska with hints of old school nods to No Doubt and Sublime and new school
looks similar to Less Than Jake. Its boasts slick production and killer hooks,
not to mention superb vocals from Karen Roberts. A female fronted ska band is a
great idea on paper and the translation to wax is flawless, and it doesn’t hurt
that she tends to come off as a young Gwen Stefani here and there. This record
is light and fun through and through and the band tosses in an instrumental (“The
Beginning”) and a hidden (oops – there goes the secret) acoustic track.
Everything seems to work for Chase Long Beach on Gravity Is What You Make It. Above all else this record shows
promise. Hell, it’s been said to death, but maybe ska isn’t dead after all. (www.www.myspace.com/chaselongbeach)
Grade: B
Go Download: “A Diamond Bullet to the Brain”
File Under: Weezer
Weezer – Ratitude (DGC/Interscope):
Sure, to some Weezer fans the idea of the band bringing in a troupe of Indian
singers and teaming with Lil’ Wayne is daunting, but those fans should rest
assured that these boys still know what they’re doing, steadily proving that
idea throughout their latest, Ratitude.
They have caught all sorts of flack for not only the afore mentioned
quandaries, but also the name of the record, as well as the dog on the albums
cover art. Listen – it all works. “Can’t Stop Partying,” featuring Lil’ Wayne,
is one of the better songs the band has written lately, not to mention on the
albums better hooks, and Ratitude
overall has all the eccentric foibles and quirky idiosyncrasies the band has
used throughout their career. Ratitiude
is a natural evolution for Weezer, and whether you choose to accept it or not,
the guys haven’t changed. This is a good Weezer record, so just deal with it.
Do yourself a solid and give it a chance. (www.weezer.com)
Grade: A
Go Download: “Can’t Stop Partying”
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