COBRA STARSHIP
CD: VIVA LA COBRA
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
RATING: 4
Cobra Starship’s new album, Viva La Cobra, follow up to the album While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets will continue to grab Cobra fan’s attention. The album carries much of the same sound and dancing feel as their debut album. However, many of the beats were a little simpler and did not carry much of the synthesized sound. Gabe Saporta, lead vocals, was able to demonstrate a new sound in his voice using new and different harmonies as well as pitches than what may normally be expected from him. The album opens with a powerful first track, “The City Is At War,” but does not carry out the catching sound cover to cover as their first album accomplished. The band's different sounds work very well together giving that club like feel. Overall, it is a decent sophomore album considering the challenge of living up the their first one. Fans will be please to see the return of Travis of Gym Glass Heroes on guest vocal duties.
Fans would also enjoy:
Men, Women and Children
Love You Long Time
J. HOLIDAY
CD: BACK OF MY LAC
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
RATING: 1
Why this R&B disc was submitted to a rock site for review I have not figured out yet, and while this genre is not our forte, this disc is bad for this genre. It is pre-fab producer work all the way with extremely repetitive beats that quickly become annoying and utilizing every possible R&B cliche of drugs, alcohol, fancy cars and sex with little talent to present it. The ostensible "hit" being pushed, titled "Bed" sounds like a take-off of R.Kelly, and who really wants to follow in those shoes? There are so many better choices if you want to listen to this genre, and nothing to recommend this disc.
HURT
CD: VOL.II
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
RATING: 3
During a time when many rock records have become incredibly polished and sometimes over-produced, this disc comes on the scene as a raw, loose counterpoint. Much of the disc evokes the feel of a live recording, almost as if they'd captured rehearsals and not really messed with it much. The disc is a bit uneven but does hold two tracks with commercial potential "Talking to God" and "Thank You For Listening". This disc will appeal to fans of Three Days Grace and Finger 11.
LINKIN PARK
CD: MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
RATING: 5
There is one significant thing you can always expect from Linkin Park, and that is any album they release will be among the best of the year, and this is no exception. Is it different - yes. Is it more commercial - yes. Is that a bad thing - no, far from it. This is a band that is not afraid to change, to grow up, let their work grow with them, and give their fans credit for having the intelligence to come along for the ride. Chester Bennington is one of the greatest voices in rock music today, as is well evidenced on this disc, but Mike Shinoda makes a serious stab at stealing Chester's thunder with completely brilliant vocal contributions on this disc. Co-produced by Rick Rubin this disc is poised to take Linkin Park from successful band to superstardom - and it really couldn't happen to nicer guys. "Bleed it Out" and "Hands Held High" are two tracks to look out for though as with all Linkin Park records this one deserves to be listened to in its entirety, in order, repeatedly.
OF FATE AND CHANCE
CD: A LIAR'S MONOLOGUE
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
RATING: 4
This is one of those discs that makes you wonder "Why the heck do they not have a label deal yet?" While they fit quite well into the "Warped Tour" set, they have sufficiently unique songwriting and delivery to stand out from the crowd. Somebody needs to pick these guys up as a tour opener and get them in front of more people. The instrumental opener was a good choice in that it grabs the listeners attention to such a degree that you are only hoping what follows will be half that cool...and it more than delivers with a pretty tight, cohesive collection of modern rock songs...several of which seem radio worthy, especially 'Photo Not Graphing'. You'll find yourself obsessed with the awesome job done by their drummer, Jon Fleck, who keeps this song set from feeling too emo by putting some power behind it. And Sean Massaro may just be one of the best vocalists you've never heard of...something that is well on it's way to changing with this disc.
FIRE ROCKET RED
CD: CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (TO BE RELEASED IN JAPAN 5/8/07)
RATING: 5
This disc is a reminder of why to OC is such a hot-bed of amazing pop-punk bands. This entire disc just makes you want to dance. Frontman Brent Tebbets has a stunningly good voice and an arresting presence both on disc and live. The interaction between Tebbets and lead guitarist Chris Martinez is brilliant. This disc is as flawless a pop-punk record as has ever been issued. It does what so many pop-punk records fail to do - capture the fun and vibrancy of the live performance on a studio disc. This disc offers up numerous radio friendly tracks that have recently caught the attention of LA radio powerhouse KROQ. With some radio airplay, good press, and domestic distribution, somebody could turn this band into the next Fall Out Boy. With pending release of this disc in Japan this band is poised to be the next big thing. Cuz the world is ready to do "the thing" (listen to the disc and you'll get it).
THE ACADEMY IS...
CD: SANTI
RELEASE DATE: APRIL 3, 2007
RATING: 4.5
Stellar producer Butch Walker ups the ass-kicking quotient of what was already a great band. One of the attractions of their previous disc - Almost Here - is that they had a unique sound, in a sea of bands that too often sounded like imitators. On this disc they've retained that uniqueness, but molded it a bit to walk in the footsteps of Butch Walker's own musical career. Fans of Butch Walker and the Let's Go Out Tonight's will clearly see Butch's influences at work here, especially on Track 6 Bulls in Brooklyn. This is clearly a step forward, as they have safely escaped the 'sophomore slump' and produced a really good second effort. This disc has a great, driving beat, thanks in large part to the drumming skill of Andy "the butcher" Mrotek, and will have you doing some serious 'car dancing' as you make your way along. New guitarist, Michael Chislett, seems to fit seemlessly into the band. And Beckett, well what can you say about Beckett, that doesn't involve the word amazing?
MELEE
CD: DEVILS AND ANGELS
RELEASE DATE: APRIL 3, 2007
RATING: 4.5
This is a big shiny pop leaning rock album from producer extraordinaire Howard Benson, who brought you the last All-American Rejects record. If radio jumps on board this could very well be the soundtrack of summer this year. The disc is happy and hopeful, and just begs to be played loud in a top down convertible driving along PCH. There is an intriguing retro feel to some of the songs - reminiscent of Jackson Brown and ironically Hall and Oates at points (see the final track) - which should be just enough to turn on a slightly older audience and perhaps widen the band's demographic. Lots of great songs, including Built to Last, for which they made a very entertaining video, as well as the title track - Devils and Angels - which has such an engaging intro you will find yourself replaying the track over and over just for the opportunity to hear the intro section again. This is one of those records that literally seems to get better and better the more you play it. Currently finishing on tour with The Early November and about to head out again with Amber Pacific you owe yourself the opportunity to see this album performed live.****
****(recent HOB performance was the best show of the year so far)
FIORE
CD: LET'S MAKE THIS INSTINCTIVE
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
RATING: 3.5
This ep will be an interesting experience for any Saosin fans out there. You'll spend the first half of the disc thinking what a great opening act these guys would make for Saosin, and the second half of the disc wondering if this is some sort of secret Saosin project. Then you will turn to the liner notes, read that Beau Burchell of Saosin mixed and mastered the disc, and realize the stunning similarities maybe weren't an accident after all. Like the aforementioned Saosin, Fiore has stepped into the melodic post-hardore genre and confidently made it their own. This is a really solid disc that amply demonstrates the band's chops, and readiness to take on bigger things. The one thing this disc is lacking is a song that screams "radio ready single" - which for some listeners is a good thing, but for the success of the band may not be so good. While it would be nice to see them take a step further away from the Saosin sound on future efforts, this disc defines them as a band to watch on their way up the ladder of success.
PROPEL
CD: ANTIQUE SCARS
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
RATING: 3.5
This is an EP released in Dec 2006 by singer-songwriter Peter Kasen under the name Propel. While this disc is only demo length at 3 songs, it does give a window into the potential of this musician, currently based out of Venice, Ca and about to embark on his first European tour. Track three "Collapse and Fade" is the highlight of the disc and seems particularly suited to appeal to fans of The Shins and Death Cab for Cutie. Overall, this short disc is intriguing enough to make you wonder what Kasen could do given the opportunity and backing to record a full length disc. Definitely worth picking up.
FALL OUT BOY
CD: INFINITY ON HIGH
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
RATING: 4
For any of you who have written Fall Out Boy off as being a band for 12 year old girls - it's now time to give them another chance. Check out the new record - while it still sounds like them it's more polished and a bit more mature - although I think Pete's lyrics will always be very clearly Pete's lyrics, the production and arrangement have evolved. And Patrick has seriously never sounded better. The multiple producer decision could have been a disaster - but it flowed quite cohesively as an album. And you know, if Butch Walker is involved, that's pretty much a stamp of approval for something being right with this record. That dude is amazing. The first single, the bombastic "This Ain't A Scene It's An Arms Race", isn't even the best track on the disc, which would go to either Thriller (which diagrams and disects their place in the 'scene') or Hum Hallelujah (which is guaranteed to be stuck in your head for days after hearing it). Take a moment to ignore who they are, buy the disc(if you're that uncomfortable order it online or send someone to get if for you), and listen to it, not as a Fall Out Boy disc, but as one of the best albums to have come out this year so far.
RATING SCALE: 5=Don't call yourself a music fan unless you own this.
4=Excellent
3=Good
2=Fair
1=Poor
