Review Rundown 140 Or Less: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Interpol, Killola, Destruction of a Rose, Valencia, etc.
File Under: Scream-y Metalcore
Better Left Unsaid – “Only the Dead to Witness” (Static Age): Mostly blueprint yet tightly focused guitar driven metal. “Witness” doesn’t have many shortcomings, but the deathcore stuff is superfluous. (www.myspace.com/blumusic)
Grade: B
Go Download: ‘Entheos’
File Under: Deep, Overwrought Female Fronted Indie
Peggy Sue – “Fossils and Other Phantoms” (Yep Roc): A plodding darkness fuels “Fossils;” a fiery, yet vocally driven, minimalist effort akin to something of a sirens song. Think Kate Nash. (www.peggywho.com)
Grade: B+
Go Download: ‘Read It In the Paper’
File Under: Post-Hardcore
Conditions – “Fluorescent Youth” (Good Fight Music): Traditional post-hardcore full of angular riffing, soaring, melodically backed hooks & Saosin-like vocals that add a grand feel to the CD. (www.myspace.com/conditionsband)
Grade: C+
Go Download: ‘The End of Progression’
File Under: Hard Rock Band Finding their Identity
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – “The Hell or High Water” EP (Self-Released): 7 songs of their best work – proof they don’t need labels (listen up Virgin). Heavy, aggressive & honest ala 2006’s “Don’t You Fake It.” (www.myspace.com/redjumpsuit)
Grade: A
Go Download: ‘Choke’
File Under: Brooding, Moody Indie Pop Rock
Interpol – “Interpol” (Matador/Soft Limit): Semi-epic & dramatic, yet subdued & dull, “Interpol” comes off far too restrained for its own good. Good, yes, but where’s the adventure? (www.interpolnyc.com)
Grade: C+
Go Download: ‘Memory Serves’
File Under: Upbeat Hipster Rock
Killola – “Let’s Get Associated” (Our Records): Hipster new wave rock that emulates theSTART & Roxy Epoxy & the Rebound w/less goth. Singer Lisa Rieffel is for real & shouldn’t be missed. (www.killola.com)
Grade: A
Go Download: ‘1-2-3-4’
File Under: Metalcore
Destruction of a Rose – “American Hell” (BlkHeart Group): DOAR is a shining beacon for metalcore, which may not be a four-letter word anymore. The maligned genre may have just found their savior. (www.myspace.com/destructionofarose)
Grade: A
Go Download: ‘Soundtrack to Your Nightmare’
File Under: Hard Rock Goodness
One-Eyed Doll – “Break” (Unsigned): Vengeful, poetic & theatrical, “Break” is the best album Lennon never wrote. Singer Kimberly Freeman will please the masses for sure. (http://www.oneeyeddoll.com/)
Grade: B+
Go Download: ‘See Jane Run’
File Under: Guitar Blues
Devon Allman’s Honeytribe – “Space Age Blues” (Provogue): Smooth guitar driven blues laced w/enough 6-string talent to please the most refined elitists. Perhaps enjoyed best over an adult cocktail. (www.myspace.com/honeytribe)
Grade: B-
Go Download: ‘Salvation’
File Under: Powerpop with Quirky Tangents
Valencia – “Dancing With a Ghost” (I Surrender): When “Dancing” is good, its truly good (‘Spinning Out’), but when its bad, its pretty bad (‘Friday Night’). The record is too inconsistent. (www.myspace.com/valencia)
Grade: C+
Go Download: ‘Losing Sleep’
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