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Don’t think that Pop Evil's debut Lipstick In The Mirror was especially good. Really liked their style filled with great riffs, but the song material was a bit uneven.
War Of Angels that came out in 2010, however, a complete shake-up in which the songs are clearly sharper and production signed Johnny K is nothing but very fitting. Think that they found a very good balance with tougher and more radio custom tracks this time where I think the slightly more arena custom "Purple" and "Monster You Made" stands out.
Normally albums start properly and then fell slightly at the end. War Of Angels begin quite weak, with the two metal smelling "Last Man Standing" and "Epitaph" which I think is the weakest tracks on the plate actually. But after that, we get one we very nice hard rock album that is worth checking out for sure!
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Has been a huge fan of Lovers and Liars since their debut album, Before and After the Awakening. With their emotional and piano-based Modern Rock they’re a band that stands out really and is one of the best in this genre definitely.
The band got signed to Universal Republic in 2010, but unfortunately do not think they are there any longer. Very, VERY bad since it is an album that I longed for a long time after the very nice taster Permanent Relapse from 2011.
Saboteur is a new Ep where we have three amazing tracks, of course. Do not know if it's tracks from Universal time or if they're brand new, but it is clear that the band continues to deliver the highest quality. The opening track "Permanent Scar" is one of the best tracks the band released, but the other "My Tomorrow" and "Let Me Let You Go" is more or less equally well.
Unfortunately, this is "just" released digitally, but really hope that the band will be a full-length album later this year with more material!
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A very exciting band's Australian ME. With its theatrical sound like Queen meets Mika, they have all the elements that go really far. There is also a clear Indie wire in their sound so that they also feel sufficiently alternative for the more fastidious music fans.
However, Even The Odd Ones Out is no album you will love the first listen because it is relatively complex. But after a handful of listens, tracks like "Hoo Haa", "Like A Fox" and "Working Life" will sit and you will not want to tear yourself away from this charming and well-made albums.
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A band that I have followed for several years is Swedish Smash Into Pieces. You could already hear on their early demos that they were a band out of the ordinary with strong melodies and an international sound.
Their debut Unbreakable, released on April 10th honors all expectations and is a very good modern rock album, perhaps the best released from Sweden. With a sound that is a mix of Breaking Benjamin and Sixx: AM it is big and powerful, but still really melodic and well produced. Tracks like "Colder", "Heroes" and "Rockstar" is of the highest caliber and where Chris shows what a awesome singer he is. The calmer "Here To Stay" and "Come Along" shows a different side of the band, but Smash Into Pieces still delivers with the highest class!
One of 2013's best albums to date and an album you must have if you are a fan of the mighty Modern Rock.
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Risen from the ashes of Swedish band MERCURY FANG, we find: MISTH! This debut CD is easily one of the top 10 albums of the year in my humble opinion. And I know it’s only early May 2013 when I say this… MISTH recruited Maria Rådsten (from pop/symphonic act ONE MORE TIME) as their singer, and the result is nothing but splendid. Music-wise it’s all about melodic hard rock with lots of progressive parts; at times with a neoclassical vibe, too.
Bands I think of when listening to MISTH are for example THRESHOLD, VANDEN PLAS, STORMWIND and occasionally DREAM THEATER or even YNGWIE MALMSTEEN. If you’re in a hurry I recommend you listen to “Life’s arena” – an epic song that has and says it all. Anything from heavy riffing guitars, wide symphonic keyboards, a mystical spice, a rather weird solo in the middle – all, added by a great chorus. Fans of DIO will probably love “Sending down an angel”. Also check up the lovely verse in “Something better change” with its soft background and picking guitar chords.
Maria Rådsten can handle any type of singing. One moment she has a fragile and yet solid, warm voice – the next she’s bombastic and biting. Let’s not forget the guys in the band, because these are very good players and arrangers. The album is produced by Jocke Skoog (Clawfinger), who’s done a great work. Hats off for MISTH since they’re better than most bands in the progressive hard rock genres. |
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In the past year or so, Green River Oridinace has set the bar quite high for themselves. It seemed as though the band had finally found their true sound, embracing their folk/country roots while still keeping true to the catchy pop/rock material their fans have grown to love over the years. The result was one of 2012's most spectacular albums, "Under Fire". So it's no surprise that when i heard they were releasing a new EP, i had a feeling it was going to be something special and that we would continue to see the evolution of a truly impressive band.
And i couldn't have been more right.
On the forthcoming "Chasing Down The Wind", the Texas based band proves just how far honest songwriting and out-of-this-world musicianship can take you. Continuing down the path they began on with "Under Fire", "Chasing Down The Wind" continues to explore the country tinged folk-rock sound that the band has so expertly mastered over the years. Acoustic guitars, banjos, and a heapful of mandolin are prominent throughout, and never has the band sounded so at home and crisp. Always organic sounding and never forced, all 7 tracks have something to offer to even the casual fan.From the masterfully written hooks on "It Ain't Love" to the absolutely gorgeous harmonies in "She Is In The Air", this EP shows you what happens when superb musicians come together with one sole purpose - to make good, honest music. The band even continues to explore new territory on the closing track "Fool For You" with an exceptional brass feature, which sparks the question : What CAN'T these guys do?
My other personal favorite, "Better Love" (reminiscent of "Under Fire" tracks "Love Laid Down" and even "Brother") has a fiery bridge that will surely spark thoughts of current folk-rockers Mumford & Sons. But the truth is that even with these comparisons, Green River Ordinance stands in a league of its own. It won't be long before their popularity explodes, and this EP is even further proof that it would be more than well deserved. |
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Thought actually not that this album would come out, actually. Los Angeles-based Satellite with Mitch Allen (Sr-71) and Steven McMorran (Trading Yesterday) released in 2010 the strong EP Ring The Bells, but then it became rather silent. The band made ​​occasional appearances in his hometown, but an album did not come out until March 2013 on Descendant Records / Sony Music Entertainment.
Musically follows this the same track as the Ep with a mix of Modern Rock, Brit Rock and Americana, this is done for the large arenas. Think they have found an great style that feels very classic and timeless, yet fresh and modern at the same time.
Of the six tracks that were on the EP was, all with the Calling Birds, which is understandable since they all were of great standard. The new tracks on the album are equally good, and in general this record is given to check out if you’re into bands like Snow Patrol, The Fray and why not say Augustana.
Great album!
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With their debut album 'Good Karma Café' (2008) Swedish twin-guitar rock combo The Plastic Pals stirred up a lot of interest and got plenty of praise in European garage rock and americana press and gained a substantial amount of airplay. For their new 2nd album 'Turn The Tide' the band decided to team up with American ex-pat Chris Cacavas (ex Green on Red, Giant Sand, Danny & Dusty) to record with him as producer in Germany – his new homeland since ten years.
I can't understand the hype though cause I think this is really really boring. The production with a lo-fi sort combined with a bunch of songs without any good melodies just want me to put another record in my CD-player and that is exactly what I will do now. Nah... Next one... |
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| You can't take away the fact that Andrew Strong sits on a good voice. But this record is nothing you need. A livealbum with fifteen covers that the original versions are much more interesting listening to. This sounds like a boring afterskiband with a good singer. I don't need that on a CD though... |
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| A.S is a new discovery for me and a really pleasant one... The album Exile mixed by Darrell Thorp (Radiohead, Switchfoot, Beck, Goo Goo Dolls) is a beautiful melancholic popalbum in the same vein as Cary Brothers but with a slightly darker edge on a few tracks. Nice discovery I recommend all you guys and girls whol like well produced thoughtful melancholic pianobased pop to check out. |
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| Floatstoneis a one man-project, written, played, produced by Brick de Bois. The album is a journey in the same landscape as Jack Johnson, John Martyn and Chris Whitley. Some songs on the album are really nice and that is when Brick just sits with his guitar and voice and deliver... Softer songs like "Birthday Present" and "Lucky Star". Songs where you can compare him to John Prine. Unfortunately there aren't enough of songs in that vein on the album. Still - worth checking out if you like the names just mentioned. |
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| It's quite hard to explain Arthur Lee Lands music... It's a mixture of styles... Americana, Alt-country mixed with The Hooters, Shawn Mullins and Bacon Brothers sort of sound. What's easier to explain is that the album is a nice album and that it is a pleasant ride of music all throught the album. The album takes you on a beautiful journey with Arthurs beautiful voice in the centre... I have listened to this album quite much recently and it grows for each listen. Just listen to second out "After The Eclipse" and the great "Good Enough" which sound like a really good Shawn Mullins-tune. And that is just two of the good songs you have to choose from... Recommended. |
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| Helldorado was formed in the spring of 2001 in Stavanger, Norway and plays music that could have been a soundtrack to a Tarantino-movie. Imagine Calexicos music combined with Nick Cave... For my personal taste it's not an album I would listen to much further on in my life, but still - I can hear the qualities in the music and that's why I write about it here at the site cause if you like the style of music I just describe - these guys sits on good qualities. |
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| Michael Sadler came back in Saga on this album that came out last year and we missed to write about it back then so I thought I should just give it a few lines as it is worth that if you missed it. Cause this album is definately a move in the right direction for the band. It's not a classic Saga-album but it's a really good Saga-album and that is enough to say that you should investigate your time in it if you havent already. The songs are good and the production is also nice. All the ingredients are there. Chrichtons guitarlicks, bombastic keyboardparts and Michael Sadler who sings really well. I must say that I was really positive surprised when I heard the album the first time. Now I have lived with the album for a bunch of months and it is still a dear friend in the stereo. |
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| This is a quite odd album to be released by the great re-issue-label Rock Candy. This Australian rock-outfit plays bluesy hardrock with New Wave-influences. And that doesn't give me much. Just boring guitar-riffs and Derek Oliver compare the band to AC/DC in his notes I wonder if we listens to the same album, cause I can't hear anything that is near Angus and his men. Just a tired rock-album. The most boring re-issue on Rock Candy. |
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