Hey everyone. Well I figured I'd throw my two cents in here for the first time and put out a band suggestion for you. Now obviously music is my passion...otherwise I wouldn't be writing in a review blog with a heavy emphasis on music. And I'm going to be putting a lot of lesser-known music on this thing. I figure anyone can ask anyone and find out what the new Fall Out Boy record sounds like, but not too many people know about some of the bands I have in my cd case. So I might sound all indie stuck up but that's not my point haha. I figure I'll share these gems of awesome with you so you can decide whether or not I'm crazy and pick up an album you might love.
Well the first review goes out to a small band called Reeve Oliver. I found out about this band when I went to my first Yellowcard show in 2004 or 2005. They opened up the set and I was immediately hooked and picked up the CD right then and there. Good thing too. These guys are a small band hailing from San Diego, CA and have put out two CDs with multiple EPs.
The first impression you'll get of their self titled album is that they know how to write catchy indie pop songs. Wow I just melded two completely different genres. Anyway. A lot of the songs have a surface of just very bright and melodic which makes for a great album to listen to during a nice spring morning. Another thing you'll notice is that these guys have fun. And that makes all the difference. They don't take themselves too seriously and aren;t afraid to laugh at themselves. This leads to honesty in the little quirks and also comes through in the lyrics. Now don't get me wrong, Sean is not the next Jesse Lacey or anything but it's not a record riddled with cliches. This isn't an album telling you to revolt. It's not trying to get you active in any political movement. It's just a normal record telling short vignettes of the life of an average person. And that's all they are. Average people pulling together to make music for us to enjoy. Guys who work at friggin SeaWorld. You can't get more average than that.
I said that the first impression is catchy songs, and that's very true. But as you delve deeper and give the music a proper listen you'll notice the intricacies inside. There's nothing fancy, but it shows a solid foundation of actual music rather than three guys throwing down some power chords to make some money. The album has a nice blend of happy and upbeat with the more melancholy and brooding sounds, as well as a mix of acoustic and electric guitars. And they actually pull it off well.
Stand out tracks: Yer Motion, I Want Burns, Young and Dumb, Until Someone Loves You
My rating system is out of ten, not nine, but here goes:
Music: 8/10 A nice blend of melodies and subtle nuances
Vocals: 9.5/10 Man do you hear the range he hits sometimes? It's nice. He has his unique sound in being completely normal. No effects, no whining, just sounds like a normal guy with a great voice. And that's rare these days. He also knows that the voice isn't just a way to get the words across, but uses it as an instrument bringing a nice texture to the songs.
Accessibility: 10/10 I think that's the word used for how easy it is to listen to. I'm not sure. Anyway that's how I'm using it. There's no training needed to listen to this record. You don't need to know music. You don't need to be able to hear weird sounds. It's just a very straightforward album.
Overall: 8/10 Now that rating might not make any sense. So let me explain. If you're looking for something different or something you haven't heard before, this might not be the place to turn. But if you're looking for wonderfully crafted rock songs, this band deserves a look. It's nothing cliche or overdone, but in the end it's a rock band having fun while making friggin great music.
Oh yeah if you're interested they released the second album by themselves. It can be found for 7.99 on their myspace page. I'll definitely be buying it. And also listen to the music and watch the video on the page. And definitely enjoy.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sweetest Fruit Ever
The other day I decided I needed a new cd. Not just getting stuff from itunes, but a real actual cd. That I can pack in a box and copy on other people's computers and hold and everything. After almost 2 hours of time combing the selections of Gray Whale Records, I found it: Wild Sweet Orange. The Album art looked a little familiar, but I wasn't quite sure. Anyway. It said it was on sale, so I bought it, as well as some more nag champa (which, sadly, my roommate doesn't like. I can't wait until I have a car. then i can just listen to music and read with some nice incense blowing. but i digress.
My first reaction to the cd was nervousness. I mean the first thing to come out of the speakers are the words "I saw ten dead dogs on the side of the road." But I actually had nothing to fear. because "We Have Cause To Be Uneasy" is a musical transcendence. Lately I've been looking for something a little more mellow, melancholy, and emotional. This album brought that and more. Each song is musically flowing, smoothly blending acoustics, electrics and vocals like three streams coming together to form a river. I also love how each song has just a little bit of discordance. Not enough to upset you, or cause visible discomfort, but just enough edge your drifting.
One of my favorite from the album is the song Sour Milk. I might just be a sucker for female vocals, but this is where the discomfort really gets you with the drone of the organ as they sing of broken homes and dreams.
I've always been one for strong lyrics more than just the music (which is why i like bob dylan, there is one man who can't sing) and Preston Lovinggood commands respect for the voice he gives. He doesn't just tell his own story (as in Aretha's Gold, a beautiful story about lovers) but what so many our age want to say: What the fuck have you done with the world? Not as much as what's happening with the social situation (although that feeling is there) but what the individual is wondering and feeling.
From his site Lovinggood tells us that he gets his inspiration from the rot of the suburbs. "I think I'll always be haunted by the suburbs. I'll always be writing for those people, not only out of compassion, but out of anger and frustration and wanting to be noticed and appreciated by the people that I felt never appreciated me."
I've always wanted to write an album that caught how I felt about growing up in the suburbs of Denver. My life was fine. I didn't have a ton of problems, but I watched so many around me suffer silently, seemingly perfect, but behind the doors problems overwhelm everything. As I listen to each song I see in my mind memories that I've never lived, but they make it seem so real. and there aren't any cliches. at all
Music: 9/9 amazing balance of instruments, mostly acoustic with just enough of the other half to keep it pushing. and the discordance (listen to it with headphones)
Vocals: 8/9 not a bit of whining in his voice. So different than most the artists I seem to come across today. in some spots it seems a little too soft, but that's alright
Lyrics: 9/9 with choruses talking to God to lines bringing you into the story as it paints the picture in your mind
Listenability: 6/9 this definitely isn't for everyone. Only those who are ok with being a litte uncomfortable, without being able to explain why.
Appearance 6/9 where did these guys come from? i can't decide if their whole look adds to or takes away from the situation
Overall: 8.5/9
Buy this album. It's worth it. I promise (or I can get a copy for you if you want...)
My first reaction to the cd was nervousness. I mean the first thing to come out of the speakers are the words "I saw ten dead dogs on the side of the road." But I actually had nothing to fear. because "We Have Cause To Be Uneasy" is a musical transcendence. Lately I've been looking for something a little more mellow, melancholy, and emotional. This album brought that and more. Each song is musically flowing, smoothly blending acoustics, electrics and vocals like three streams coming together to form a river. I also love how each song has just a little bit of discordance. Not enough to upset you, or cause visible discomfort, but just enough edge your drifting.
One of my favorite from the album is the song Sour Milk. I might just be a sucker for female vocals, but this is where the discomfort really gets you with the drone of the organ as they sing of broken homes and dreams.
I've always been one for strong lyrics more than just the music (which is why i like bob dylan, there is one man who can't sing) and Preston Lovinggood commands respect for the voice he gives. He doesn't just tell his own story (as in Aretha's Gold, a beautiful story about lovers) but what so many our age want to say: What the fuck have you done with the world? Not as much as what's happening with the social situation (although that feeling is there) but what the individual is wondering and feeling.
From his site Lovinggood tells us that he gets his inspiration from the rot of the suburbs. "I think I'll always be haunted by the suburbs. I'll always be writing for those people, not only out of compassion, but out of anger and frustration and wanting to be noticed and appreciated by the people that I felt never appreciated me."
I've always wanted to write an album that caught how I felt about growing up in the suburbs of Denver. My life was fine. I didn't have a ton of problems, but I watched so many around me suffer silently, seemingly perfect, but behind the doors problems overwhelm everything. As I listen to each song I see in my mind memories that I've never lived, but they make it seem so real. and there aren't any cliches. at all
Music: 9/9 amazing balance of instruments, mostly acoustic with just enough of the other half to keep it pushing. and the discordance (listen to it with headphones)
Vocals: 8/9 not a bit of whining in his voice. So different than most the artists I seem to come across today. in some spots it seems a little too soft, but that's alright
Lyrics: 9/9 with choruses talking to God to lines bringing you into the story as it paints the picture in your mind
Listenability: 6/9 this definitely isn't for everyone. Only those who are ok with being a litte uncomfortable, without being able to explain why.
Appearance 6/9 where did these guys come from? i can't decide if their whole look adds to or takes away from the situation
Overall: 8.5/9
Buy this album. It's worth it. I promise (or I can get a copy for you if you want...)
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