TEE-M
“Earthiotic... Songs From A One Room Palace”
www.tee-m.com
Can’t get into this CD. Tee-M is a singer / songwriter, and a respected one at that, but the songs on this CD need help. Man overboard throw out a life preserver. Singer / songwriter music is typically well constructed songs written with lots of emotion both lyrically and musically but unfortunately this CD lacks those qualities. To be quite frank the lyrics are cheesy and the music just lays there. I’m not a fan of the Beatles, and I’m not comparing Tee-M to the Beatles, but listening to this CD brought back all the emotions of how I feel about the Beatles music - soft, unemotional, monotone. Not fair to Tee-M but it’s funny how one sound will trigger a response from something completely different.
Rating 1
In This Moment
“Prayers”
www.myspace.com/inthismoment
The first thing that grabbed me about this 3 song CD sampler the instant I hit play is the guitars. A rarity lately in the metal sound. In my ears I could detect a Randy Rhodes influence. Now I may be off base but that’s what hit me. From the first note this CD takes off and I’m a huge fan of music (any genre) that takes off and doesn’t stop till the tank is empty. And might I say rippin’ guitar solo in “Daddy’s Falling Angel”. The next impression is with the female singer - Maria Brink. I can say this as someone who’s photographed a few female bands and / or bands fronted by females, every single one of these bands I’ve seen kicks ass. This girl can deliver a well placed scream like no ones business and yet bring it back and give it that sultry female voice that drives some of us guys crazy.
Rating 3 (only because I only got a 3 song sampler and want to hear more to make a true judgement)
The Cringe
“Tipping Point”
www.thecringeband.com
What the heck are you guys thinking putting this out? Do you even want people to buy your CD? I’m not trying to pick on you but you leave me no choice given this is your second studio release. Bands everywhere listen to me closely. Starting your CD with a slow song that’s based on lyrics primarily, delivered in the same 3 word count as George Bush delivers his speeches, accompanied with the same lame ass rhythem is NEVER, I repeat NEVER, a good idea. Then the next song comes on and it’s got an upbeat punkish influence. I’m thinking OK, now we’re moving. Then the next songs start playing and all I can think about is how much this CD sounds like a poorly written Brian Adams song, over and over again. I have never heard a CD with more songs on it where every chorus was written and delivered virtually almost the same. I honestly had to check to see that I my CD player wasn’t stuck on the same song. If you wanted feedback you got it. Don’t go to press with this CD. Instead dive into the punkish influence more, ditch the heavily written lyrical pieces and puts some groove into your sound. Thankfully I have a full bottle of tequila because I’m sure gonna need it to wash this down.
Rating 1+ (barkeep, can I get another shot)
Fu Manchu
“We Must Obey”
www.fu-manchu.com
The 10th record offering from this group, and though I’m not familiar with their previous work, this CD has my attention. I hear some Black Sabbath influence in the guitars rhythms, and old school heavy metal sound, mixed with some progressive drums and bass, but not too progressive to draw attention away from the meat and potatoes of their sound, accompanied by a solid throated singer in Scott Hill. Even though this is a heavy metal CD the vibe I’m feelin’ is one of a dimly red light lit room, the music decimals kickin’ just right, some velvet paintings on the wall, and go-go dancers in cages. It’s a strong sound that keeps the head moving with a steady groove and I’m diggin’ it. This may be one of those bands that makes a good sounding CD that gets your attention but it’s the live show that seals the deal.
Rating 3+
The Agency
“Turn”
www.theagencyrock.com
This ones a little funky in my ears. If I was going to try and classify the style of music for a record store I’d guess alternative rock. Not because they’re sound is alternative rock, or maybe it is, but I just couldn’t classify them as a rock band. The music has bits of alternative rock musically combined with heavy vocal harmonies. Vocal duties are shared between Mike Marsh, who sounds a little like Jon Bon Jovi, and Chris Drueke, who has a Beatlish sounding voice. And it’s this duality / similarities that I’m just not digging. Production value speaking it’s produced quite well and not too overly polished sounding. But I simply am not onboard with this CD.
Rating 2
Mower
“Not For You”
www.mowermusic.com
www.myspace.com/mower
Heavy metal with style is how I would describe this CD. Vocalist Brian Sheerin has a powerful full body voice, delivering vocals with purpose and clarity. Unlike many of his contemporaries who choose to growl scream incoherent vocals, Brian delivers his vocals with manly aggression in a coherent manner and structure. The music behind Brian’s vocals is strong, powerful, well arranged and gives the sound personality which separates it from the current heavy metal style. When you listen to a heavy metal CD you typically get one style with one pacing. This CD however constantly changes gears. One minute you’re cruising by to check out the hunnies on the corner, the next minute your accelerating to highway speed.
Rating 3
Asono
“Asono”
www.asonoband.com
www.myspace.com/asono
Alternative / Indie style rock is how I would describe this offering from Asono. This is the style of music played at the alternative clubs in Los Angeles like King King or Spaceland, and I can actually see these guys playing to decent size crowds. The CD has a good enough sound to get your attention but there’s enough attitude and style under the music and leads me to ponder their live show goes off, which in my book is the way it should be. Vocalist Jonny Ross stands out the most with his unique sounding voice but the music doesn’t just sit there. The music is presented and performed with plenty of emotion, mostly in the drums and rhythm guitar in my opinion, with some well arranged guitar solos. A CD I won’t toss out.
Rating 2+
Blinded Black
“Under the Sunrise”
www.blindedblack.net
www.myspace.com/blindedblack
Trying to be biased with this CD but I find it tough with a hard rock / metal influenced band that uses a synthesizer. If your playing techno / industrial / underground style music then keyboards make sense. However with this CD I feel the synthesizer is killing the crunchy, hard rockin’ sound of the guitars. Why bother having two guitar players at that point. In the song “Can You Hear Me Now”, couldn’t help but think about the cell phone commercial with that one, and “A Perfect Murder” the keyboards draw so much attention to themselves, with no reason to have them in the songs anyway because the guitar playing carries both quite well, that it absolutely kills the songs. Accompanying the synthesizers is the medium to higher pitched vocals of Jeff Nizick, which fits the use of keyboard infused music just fine, but the vocals pallette and keyboards just don’t fit well with the rockin’ guitar sound. Their sound is simply too cliche and quite frankly yesterday’s news.
Rating 1+
Greg Stephens
I Don’t Know
www.gregstephensmusic.com
Greg’s sound is a little bit country, a little bit folk, and a little bit singer / songwriter. And the way Greg has arranged and presented this mix is excellent. Some songs have the slide guitar prevailing, and who doesn’t dig the smooth sound of a cool slide guitar, with others being acoustic guitar based. The one thing all the songs have in common is Greg’s thoughtful, truthful, and emotional lyrics. His vocal style is a medium slow meandering crawl that resonates in your ears and disperses smoothly like a drop of water in a calm shallow pool. This is the kind of music you could put on with the lights down low and your girl next to you, with the only thing that matters next is what’s for breakfast in the morning.
Rating 3+
