Category: Alternative (Page 77 of 155)

Two Cow Garage: Speaking in Cursive

November 21, 2008 /

“It was arrogant to think from the start / You were the only backyard Dylan / With a folksinger’s heart” sings Two Cow Garage’s Micah Schnabel in “Folksinger’s Heart.” And while even an aged Bob Dylan has more vocal heft than Schnabel, who consistently sports a rasp that sounds like he’s been yelling at the top of his lungs for hours on end, he and his Columbus, Ohio-based band do tend to write some compelling songs. The bare-bones heartland rock that marks the bulk of Speaking in Cursive, the band’s fourth album, even veers towards E Street Band territory via crashing guitar chords and Andy Schell’s tinkling keyboards on “Glass City,” one of bassist Shane Sweeney’s several turns at the lead vocal slot. Sweeney’s vocals are at their best during the quieter moments of “The Heart and the Crown,” where he again echoes Springsteen, this time in his folksy acoustic guise. This kind of vocal restraint is in short supply, but Speaking in Cursive is saved by brilliant contemplative moments like the disillusioned “Not Your Friends” and the vivid character sketch “Sadie Mae.” (Suburban Home 2008)

Two Cow Garage MySpace page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Country, Folk, Rock

Kyle Andrews: Real Blasty

November 14, 2008 /

Kyle Andrews spins a sound that’s decidedly left of center, a sonic surge marked by giddy melodies, techno-tinged rhythms and an effusive enthusiasm that freely tugs at the parameters. Recorded, produced and played almost entirely under his own aegis, Real Blasty, Andrews’ sophomore set, delivers on all its name implies, an all-out, go-for-broke, no-holds-barred slab of indie invention. Opening track “Sushi” ups the ante from the get-go, an ebullient shout-out that provides perfect incentive for a dalliance on the dance floor. That breathless, kinetic pace is sustained throughout, but it’s especially pervasive on songs like “Polar Bear,” “Tennessee Torture Dream” and “Put Your Hands Up,” the latter a standout by virtue of its elated call to arms. There are occasional moments of reflection as well – the appropriately dubbed “Take it to Heart” being the most notable – but overall, it’s Andrews’ insistent approach that leaves the most emphatic impression, a dizzying collision of rock, racket and weirdness. Next time around Andrews may want to consider reigning himself in, at least to allow his listeners to catch a collective breath. Suffice it to say, Real Blasty is positively explosive.

Kyle Andrews MySpace page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Dance, Electronica, Power Pop, Rock

The Happy Hollows: Imaginary EP

October 31, 2008 /

This quirky Pixies-esque trio from L.A.’s Silver Lake scene is definitely one to watch. Their magnetic personality is a combination of the Dischord-influenced D.C. rhythm section of bassist Charlie Mahoney and drummer Chris Hernandez, and the zany Bay area vibe of singer/guitarist/songwriter Sarah Negahdari. Imaginary improves upon the Happy Hollows’ quickly-recorded 2006 debut EP, Bunnies and Bombs, by bringing them much closer to capturing their live energy. Two songs in particular stand out for having become highlights of the band’s live sets – “Lieutenant,” with its unconventional structure, multiple parts and Eddie Van Halen-style guitar theatrics, makes the case for Negahdari as a rising new guitar hero. “Colors,” meanwhile, is remarkable for completely different reasons: it’s unbelievably simple, just a recitation of the names of – you guessed it – colors, by Negahdari and Mahoney over a repeating progression, with a giddy breakdown in the middle. It works even better live, watching Mahoney and Negahdari jumping and shouting the colors during the breakdown, and seeing Negahdari toss her tambourine before jumping back into the rhythm without missing a beat. But the energy, passion, and unfiltered fun of the band comes through on the whole of Imaginary loud and clear. Best of all – it costs next to nothing. (Heart 2008)

The Happy Hollows MySpace page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews

Social Code: He Said, She Said

October 31, 2008 /

There’s something that’s different from most power pop and Warped Tour fare when it comes to Canadian rock band Social Code. On the band’s debut US EP, He Said, She Said, Social Code sets itself apart from the pack a bit with a lot of guitar-driven energy and with Travis Nesbitt’s raspy vocal (think Hawthorne Heights and Fall Out Boy having a child). The title track is the kind of stuff that will give record labels and radio programmers a collective wet dream. But Social Code is just paying the bills with that and with the catchy but slightly grating “Beautiful.” That’s because the best tracks here are “Perfect Grave” and “The Shortest Line.” The former has a dark, melody-driven approach ala the Goo Goo Dolls, and could launch this band into superstardom if the right people hear it. Love it or hate it, this genre is still here to stay for a while, and Social Code is worth keeping your eyes and ears on. (LABEL: Fifth Season Music)

Social Code MySpace Page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Emo, Pop, Power Pop, Rock

Mr. Meeble: Never Trust the Chinese

October 31, 2008 /

Downtempo is a tricky sub-genre of electronic music. Everyone wants to be Massive Attack or the Orb and deliver the end-all-be-all of post-club chill out. But if you take it too chill and relaxing, then the next thing you know you’re Dirty Vegas, or even worse, easy listening or New Age. It’s a fine line. On their offensively-named debut Never Trust the Chinese, Mr. Meeble tread that line like a tightrope, showing signs of sedative brilliance before tripping and falling off into the safety net of “Days Go By” derivatives. It opens great, through; “Raindrops” is a pretty out-there cover of “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” that combines the ’70s cheese fest with occasional interludes of cut-up glitched vocals and an even more out-of-place rapping coda. It’s not exactly perfect, but it’s certainly unique. Other tracks, like the overly aggressive “A Ton Of Bricks” (apt name: it hits you like one) are jarring and obvious attempts for mainstream appeal that come off as soulless and empty.

All of Never Trust the Chinese is like this, going back and forth between the experimental and boring, the edgy and safe. This is a band of two minds, so much so that they even split up a song to demonstrate them both. “Everything Is Good (Part 1)” is an album highlight, a mostly instrumental sonic soundscape that engulfs you. But second part blows it all to hell by removing much of what made the first part so good and replacing them with dry, vapid and tone-deaf vocals. Never Trust the Chinese has all the trappings of a debut album by a band who has not yet found their sound. These guys need to throw a desire for a Top 40 fanbase to the wind and stick to the fringe, because they’ll definitely thrive there. (Absolute Motion 2008)

Mr. Meeble MySpace Page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Electronica

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