With summer in full swing, and finally some decent summertime blockbusters in theaters, there is plenty of growth and inspiration to be found within a variety of art mediums. Some art is realistic and thought provoking, some is cartoony and corny, and some should be left in the alley for the stray cats to pee on.
Straight Line Stitch
"When Skies Wash Ashore”
www.myspace.com/straightlinestitch
Style (hardcore / pop)
Blend one part hardcore, one part pop vocals, and one part commercial lyrics, shake well and pour over ice and you've got Straight Line Stitch. Although this sounds like I might be slamming the band, because frankly pop and commercial don't mix well with hardcore, I mean it as a compliment. The music is well written and produced and I feel the songs "What You Can Do To Me" and "Seneca Tragedy" are radio ready, and coincidentally are the bands more poppish songs. The music has what I’d expect in a hardcore sound: distinctive driving rhythm with character and aggression, crunchy guitars played with some meat on the bone, solid quick-tempo drums, and of course the nail through the foot mid-high range screaming. Adding another dimension, and creating separation from other bands’ playing this style of music, sort of like what the band In This Moment did, Straight Line Stitch is fronted by an attractive female singer who can actually sing. And although over 90% of the population at metal shows are male, and honestly aren't looking to hook up at the end of the show, a band fronted by an attractive female singer helps bring more females to the live show. Plus a female singer provides eye candy for guys who dig watching hot female musicians on stage unleashing the beast between head bangs.
Rating 3
Infernophonic
"Spark it Up"
www.myspace.com/infernophonic
Style (Rock)
A very strong rhythmic sound pulses through each song on this CD. Grabbing my attention immediately are the vocal chops possessed by the band ’s female singer, Elaine Tuttle. Her voice is soulful, powerful, filled with spirit and lots of confidence with every note she belts out. Truly one of the stronger female voices I’ve heard lately. Not to be overlooked, the musicianship of the entire CD is rock solid. The songs are well written and the production is top notch without being overly polished. The issue I have though, which is something I’ve experienced listening to many CD’s for that matter, but more so with such well written and produced CD’s, is the exclusion of the hit song. I’ve played through this CD almost half a dozen times, which is a sign I truly like what I hear, but the more I listen the more I feel like I'm digging in a rock quarry hoping that if I hit the rock hard enough it'll produce a precious stone. Maybe I'm just too deaf to hear the hit. In any case, if you’re into powerful female voices check out Infernophonic because Tuttle has the chops and won't disappoint.
Rating 3
Hellbound Glory
"Scumbag Country"
www.hellboundglory.com
Style (Country)
A guilty pleasure of mine is perusing the plethora of country music on the radio dial when I’m on long road trips. Something about being on a lonely long stretch of nowhere highway staring out at featureless desert, endless blue skies and asphalt, that brings out the best in outlaw country. But what I’ve found in Hellbound Glory's CD is a selection of songs I’ll dig playing at home. The subject matter is the typical shit stoppin’ stuff – drinking, drugs, women, hard living, hell raising, poor choices, and a good ol’ middle finger salute to Tennessee country music. All the songs are delivered in a quick up-tempo non-twangy style that'll get your fingers and toes tappin’. I’m completely in love with the song "Get Your Shit and Go" which needs no explanation. Because this CD plays so well my gut instinct tells me this band’s live show will be electrifyingly rowdy, and one hell of a good time.
Rating 4 ½ (Hidden Gem)
The Dead-End Kidz
"Unfinished Business"
www.myspace.com/dekmusic
Style (Rock)
List ening to this reminds me of those garage bands I’ve seen at small clubs in Maryland back in the 80’s. Hey what a surprise these guys are from the East Coast (NY). A couple things come to the forefront immediately. First off the music has a grungy groove that with a little fine tweaking could send these songs to a completely new level. The second is the production, which isn’t bad, but with a little more work in the mid and bottom end (definitely need more thunder in the drums) would really fatten up the songs nicely. The third, and here’s where trouble resides, is related to the singer. To be fair, the dude can’t sing. Unfortunately there are no song titles on the CD I received but whatever the title is for song number 8 it’s the golden goose example of the singer’s inability. That scream in the middle is so far off, as was the entire song, but that one moment on recorded tape is proof positive for this band to go another direction. And why should a band with some potential be responsible for keeping around dead weight?
Rating 1 ½ (will go higher with a new singer with ability)
Keep of Kalessin
"Kolossus"
www.myspace.com/keepofkalessin
Style (Black Metal)
Here’s another black/death metal band from faraway Norway that’s watched a few too many Viking movies and thinks before one goes into battle, because sometimes the mentality before going on stage feels like going into battle, there’s a calming somber sound of harps and angelic voices in the background. I’ve honestly lost count how many CD’s from this genre I’ve heard that start in this same fashion. Either go dance around in the tulips Dorothy or get your ass in the game! As for the songs, I seriously question the use of a kick drum (or the rest of the drum kit for that matter) when all it sounds like is a pedal hooked up to a jackhammer set on hyper cyclone speed in a high pitch with no balls. Shouldn't a kick drum provide a thundering base that after awhile breaks apart your insides? Hearing this has me wondering if new classes have been created at Drummer Institute revolving around such groundbreaking technique. Adding to the technical achievement of the drumming are the spectacular anthemish grandiose sounding guitars and barking dog in need of a lozenger vocals, that aside from not setting the stage on fire, are at least useful for getting the barflies into the street after last call. The band’s bio states Keep of Kalessin is one of Norway’s best kept underground secrets. Given the weakness of these songs it’s safe to say they’ll not see the light of day with this disk.
Rating ½ (here Kitty, Kitty)
