The Walter Eugenes by The Walter Eugenes
This is the first release by The Walter Eugenes – the self titled one that I originally purchased back in 1991 because I just assumed that Gene Eugene had something to do with it. I was wrong about that, but I immediately loved the music that I discovered. These guys released one other album (I think it was called Beautiful), but I have actually never even heard that one. However, I absolutely loved this release. The band was comprised of two guys: Walter Paul Robinette and Rick Eugene May. This 1991 release immediately made me think of parallels to The Cure and The Smiths. It’s got the British post punk feel, the breathy vocals, and lyrics that encompass topics from faith to love, loss, death, and even social awareness. If you can find this grab it – definitely a great release!
Shattered Pain ep by Shattered Pain
This ep came to our attention through a post on our Facebook wall (yes, we do pay attention). The three songs on their Reverbnation page are of the heavy alternative variety. There is a bit of a modern edge to the music, but not to the point that it sounds like a bland attempt to just follow trends. The grooves are heavy and catchy, the vocals range from smooth singing (male and female) to gruff growl/screams, and the solid rhythm section adds to the music instead of fading into the background. “Come To Me” is a slower ballad-ish song that adds some variety to the other two driving tracks. But as an aging rocker I am glad to say that I found something more modern that I like to listen to. Here is hoping for a full length from this group.
Circuit of Heaven by Human 2.7
Trance-influenced industrial? I am in no way an expert on either of those genres (I can’t really even claim to be a fan of trance), but I do love industrial and I like what I hear from Human 2.7. H2-7’s MySpace page says that they have been compared to Paul Oakenfold and Front 242. I can see that mixture in the music. Of course, I say they, but this is actually a solo project of Darkchilde. In a lot of ways, I would say that this release would fit in perfectly with many of the Flaming Fish releases. The lyrics are definitely Christian, but the tone is dark and electronic and not poppy or weak techno. I have been looking for some good electronic music to listen to, and this fits the bill. See the H2-7 CDBaby page.
World Media by Marc Plainguet
I was first introduced to Marc Plainguet through Facebook. I can’t remember how exactly but I’m sure we were getting into some type of political mischief via Brian Healy’s facebook page. Anyway, Marc is a super nice guy and I eventually realized that he had been involved in music some years ago. I wasn’t familiar with Marc’s music until the last couple of years, but it really is a good music and it is definitely a slice of independent music history. Marc has released around 14 or 15 records. Some have been under his name, a couple more as Gadget and he was also in a band prior to his solo output in the mid 80’s. A pioneer in the underground scene, I would describe his World Media release as a keyboard driven plunge into sound bites, sound structures, songs and a completely unique take on the world around him and the music that he creates. Listening to his music is a giant trip, its fun, engrossing, at times challenging, but it is always in a class by itself. This is the kind of music that all the hipster kids wish they could make these days!
Ransom (reissue) by Ransom
The second round of re-issues by Intense Millennium brought us the re-mastered re-issue of the classic debut by Ransom. When this album first came out in 1990, pop/glam metal ruled the airwaves and Ransom was immediately stuck in that genre in many people’s minds. Truthfully, though, Ransom was more of a straight ahead metal band with only two ballads that could be considered pop-metal. Their follow-up album (Soul Asylum) – my personal favorite of the two – would take them in a bluseier direction and further prove they were never trying to be glam. The 2011 re-issue finds the album completely re-mastered and sounding great. There are also four bonus tracks from earlier recordings. Most of these are demo quality, but it is better to have them at demo quality then to not have them at all. Overall, this album is considered a classic by many – if you are a fan of shred metal you should own this disc. The only complaint I have is the cover. It has this huge banner across the bottom right corner declaring how this is a 20th anniversary edition. It could have been designed better to flow with the original cover, but instead just looks like something slapped on at the last minute.
Heartbreak Town by The Stand
Yep, so this is where it all stated for Tony Valenziano and company. Heartbreak Town was one of those records that was a constant in my life from the time I bought it. Sometimes there are certain albums that just become a part of your life because they fit so well, they define us so well, and they allow us to understand things about ourselves that we didn’t see before. It’s like that for me anyway, and Heartbreak Town was one of those albums. It was a record full of rough and tumble tracks that I would describe as indie pop/rock… and it was fun. Valenziano’s great ability to write a catchy pop tune was matched by his ability to rough it up and give it an old school heartland feel. There are a couple of these discs floating around amazon at great prices, find one if you can.
Exorcising Ghosts by John Piccari
This is a great album that completely exceeded my expectations… and after repeated listening I’m still impressed with how well done this release is. If you read the interview with John in this issue you know that he has played with Theo Obrastoff and Dead Artist Syndrome. He definitely has the skills musically and this release shows the diversity that he brings to the table. The album varies in tempo and pace, yet holds together really well. It sounds like Piccari is relaxed and enjoying himself. The subject matter revolves around Christ, but Piccari brings a diverse range of emotion to the table. There is the longing, the need for intimacy, the desire to purge ourselves clean, questioning, learning, leaning and loving… and ultimately it is a great response and commentary to the ever evolving nature of our relationship to our Creator. This is an album full of hope, loss, questions and answers. It is a fun foray into a heavier pop rock sound that reminds me of what I love about independent music and the artists that create with a depth and an understanding. Also… I LOVE the artwork!“Strip away the layers that mean nothing to you, Hold me in the glow of your face, Teach me to forget the uselessness I’ve learned, Lead me back to your heart, Exorcizing Ghosts Exorcizing Ghosts”.
Replay by The Stand
This was the last record from The Stand. Recorded almost 10 years ago in 2002, this disc was definitely a more polished sound for the band as they had grown and progressed through the years. There is still the definitive Stand sound; this release is just fuller, richer and maybe even a bit poppier than prior records. There is an abundance of melodic background vocals and harmonizing that gives this a real vintage feel and focus. Anyone who is a fan of The Rembrandts will really enjoy this disc. Plenty of hooks, harmonizing and jangly guitar work; it’s a road trip record on a sunny day.
The Story Of Our Lives by The Violet Burning
There is so much to say about this latest offering from The Violet burning… where to begin? First let me say that this is a huge release, three discs with 34 songs in total, a full color 80 page booklet complete with the lyrics and some brilliant artwork and photographs. The packaging alone is great. I was really surprised at how nice the box was – and the concept behind the artwork is great. Because this is titled The Story of Our Lives, the box comes as a fold out that resembles a book.
To try and review briefly would be a difficult thing. Also, it would be much more fun for you, the reader, to get more of an inside view into what is going on with this album. The three parts make a triptych concept that is challenging at times, emotionally driven, diverse and exhilaratingly beautiful in idea and execution. The influences here are broad; I would say this is the ‘heaviest’ album that they have ever put out. Layered guitar work, layered vocals and tons of ambiences grace these discs in abundance. I can hear everything from early Smashing Pumpkins to Black Sabbath and then back again from Pink Floyd to The Cure on here. There is a diverse sound that is grand, and the music tells as much of the story as the lyrics. The music is the perfect vehicle here for the concept.
This is a must have for any fan of The Violet Burning. What I am planning to do is cover this much more in depth in the upcoming issue as well as on my blog. It’s too big to cover here, but check this one out and buy one now… everyone is recommending this one: from Ojo Taylor to Derri Daugherty to Brian Healy.
[2011 Independent | Purchase: thevioletburning.com]ambient tracks for film: one by eymard
This is the latest project from Rick McDonough – who has his talented hands in many pots at this point. He also fronts Hidden From Blackout, is a member of While Rome is Burning, Paravell and one of the two members of Struck Last May (the other member being Michael Knott). I’m not sure where the name eymard originates from, although there is the Apostle of the Eucharist whose name is Saint Peter Julian Eymard. I’m not sure if there is a connection there, but it is interesting nonetheless. This project is a keyboard based ambient project and it creates a unique atmosphere that seems to actually transcend regular ambient projects. The sounds are sharp and crisp, but heavily layered in with a warm and rich tone that speaks in colors and textures, in tones and vibration. The music vacillates from dense and brooding to sparse and isolated. The expression here is multi-dimensional and the emotion is thick. This album is a journey, a fluid passage of sonic energy that shines.