Band: Secret And Whisper Title: Great While Whale Label: Tooth & Nail Review By: JoshIVM
Tracklisting:
01. Blonde Monster
02. You Are Familiar
03. Vanishings
04. XOXOXO
05. The Actress
06. Spider Besider
07. Looming Moon
08. Attacker
09. Anchors
10. Werewolves
11. Lovers
12. Great While Whale
You probably know the story by now. There was a band named Stutterfly who lost their vocalist. They replaced him with Charles Furney and due to how much his vocals affected their sound, they opted for a new moniker. So began Secret And Whisper. It certainly didn’t take long after that for T&N to scoop them up. They were last in a series of signings of bands from the Great White North but also the ones with the most potential for success. You also have undoubtedly heard the comments that this band is a complete rip-off of Saosin and Circa Survive. I think this is predominantly due to the fact that Charles’ vocals are similar to both Anthony Green’s and Cove Reber’s ranges and approach, but there are musical matches as well. However, while I due acknowledge the similarities, I wont go so far as to call them rip-offs. So that’s the back story if you want it.
For a band in this genre keep the music upbeat and surprisingly heavy on the majority of the album. Normally if a band is going to keep it heavy they will throw in some screams and I’m glad this band didn’t. The opener, “Blonde Monster” is a great build-up track and begins to introduce you to Furney’s range, before jumping full on into “You Are Familiar“. This track is a perfect track to introduce people to the band. Through the song it shows the various sounds the band provides throughout the rest of the disc. “XOXOXO” is the single, which is a driving, heavy track with a killer chorus! This band really knows how to write great songs, as it was hard for me to find any weak tracks on this album. The band also slows things down on tracks like “The Actress” and “Werewolves” which focus more directly on Furney’s vocals than the music.
Overall Rating: I have played this album straight through numerous times and have yet to get sick of it. If they are a “rip-off” as people claim, they are a mighty good one. In fact, I’d say that Secret & Whisper has released a better album than the band people claim they copy. This album was by far the most enjoyable out of T&N’s new crop of debuts lately. Great White Whale has provided with me with every I wanted in an album like this and will definitely be heard emanating from my speakers for some time to come! (9/10)
Standout Tracks: “XOXOXO”, “You Are Familiar”, “Werewolves”
Band: Kingston Falls Title: Armada On Mercury Label: Facedown Records Review By: JoshIVM
Tracklisting:
01. The Christening
02. Armada On Mercury
03. Too Hot For Cold Feet
04. On Contentment
05. The Great Divide
06. Freakin’ eXtreme!
07. The Illusionist’s Dream
08. Songs & Fables
09. Curse of Might
10. Dry Skin (Moz Def)
11. Sand Castle Karma
12. Too Bad About Your Situation
Kingston Falls in the past few years have lost a vocalist and been bumped on to Facedown from its imprint Strike First. Their debut on Facedown and first with Nate Lambright Dale, their new vocalist leading the way, recently released. I had previously reviewed their last album and ranked pretty low because of the mix between vocalist and band, so I was hoping for a change there. Sadly, I could probably just write the same review because it is my complaint once again.
After the short intro, which I did like, the vocals were an immediately noticeable issue for me. The opening guitar lick was cool and then came this raspy scream. It sounded like someone who’d been on the road and their voice was shot. The singing during the chorus was great but again didn’t fit with the screams. This is pretty much how I felt about most tracks until I reached “Freakin’ eXtreme!“. This was the band’s first single and I think a mistake to release. It really got me excited for this album which turned out to sound nothing like this song. It is the odd man out here. Sadly, I wish the album sounded more like this. I’m assuming that the vocals here were also done by Nate and I see no reason they couldn’t have done this throughout the album. If all of the songs on the album were like this it would have received a 9 of 10 or higher guaranteed. I think there are plenty of parts throughout the album as it is that this punk metal style could have been utilized. Some examples are upbeat tracks like “Curse of Might” and “Too Bad About Your Situation“. Much of the singing on the album would fit a more punk oriented album as well. But enough of my hopes, you’ll have to decide for yourself on this one.
Overall Rating: They are better all around since releasing Crescendo Of Sirens, but I still cannot get into them. They just keep picking the wrong vocalists. Neither of the vocalists were bad, but with the sound they are pursuing it just doesn’t work for me. Some of the music here is awesome but I can’t enjoy it with the vocals. This band could be so much better if they wanted to and I think “Freakin’ eXtreme!” and other portions of songs show that. My opinion, switch the screams for yells and do more singing to go with the punk/metal/hardcore approach. (6.5/10)
Standout Tracks: “Freakin’ eXtreme!”, “Too Bad About Your Situation”, “On Contentment”
A few friends came into town this past weekend so that we all could hit up the Stronger Than Hell Tour in Allentown, PA. It is quite amazing how all the details came together because these friends are limited to Saturday shows which never seem to work out. Oddly enough for once things did work out and all of them could go, so we met up on Saturday afternoon and drove just a bit over 2 hours to what hopefully would be an extremely enjoyable show.
Thankfully the crowd wasn’t huge! The last time I attended a show here it was for Underoath and when I arrived the line was all the way around the city block. I hate being packed like sardines into a small club so it was nice that it wasn’t a sell out. Due to my planning, and a pizza place across the street to waste time, once inside it only took a few minutes before Advent took the stage. I had been looking forward to seeing these guys despite the fact that I didn’t enjoy their album as much I had hoped to. They delivered pretty much exactly what I expected but the crowd was not into it. The hardcore kids were the extreme minority at this show and it showed. Just a few kids were attempting to dance. I felt bad for the band because hardcore bands feed off of the crowd. Regardless of the lack of crowd participation they put on a quick but solid set.
The Famine took the stage next and flew through a good portion of their recently released debut, The Raven and the Reaping. They were tight and easily the heaviest band of the night. The crowd began to stir a bit more during their set and the band did their best to encourage movement. As their set continued the crowd did begin to get into them more. I was very impressed with the band’s show. Nothing too crazy or out of the norm. No dancing around or jumping or anything of that sort. Just flat out, knock down metal.
Oh, Sleeper were the band that really got the show started. It’s safe to say they gained a good number of fans. They were all quite lively and the crowd responded well. As with the other young bands that opened this tour they played a good portion of their debut on Solid State. I didn’t expect this band to be as good as they were but I definitely will be seeing them again. This is a band I’d highly recommend seeing live if you get the chance. Definitely an up-and-comer on the label!
Many people were probably in attendance because of Living Sacrifice. It certainly was the seller for me, although I probably would have attended regardless. This wasn’t my first time catching them live as I’d seen them anywhere from 3-5 times before (hard to remember how many Cornerstone sets). They played a great mix of tracks from all their Solid State releases. Highlights were “Enthroned“, “In Christ“, and “Symbiotic“. I was hoping to hear one of the new tracks live and also to hear “Reject” once again but unfortunately that didn’t happen this time around. They were as fun to watch as I remember years back and I’m really excited for their upcoming full length due out in early 2009!
This was my first time seeing Demon Hunter. I can’t say I’m terribly familiar with all of their material but I knew them enough to like them. After watching their set it made me wish I knew all the lyrics. They were by far the surprise of the night for me! The band was extremely tight (although the music isn’t terribly intricate) and the vocals were dead on. They played quite a few songs from the new album and most of the favorites from the past ones as well. The crowd really surprised me here as well. Most of them knew the lyrics and were singing along. They often carried the songs as the mic was held over them. I didn’t realize that DH had so many dedicated fans up here but apparently they do. If I wasn’t a fan already this show would have won me over. It’s too bad they don’t tour because they definitely could get on some bigger tours and gain fans.
Overall it was a great night and one of the better shows I’ve been to in years. If you can check out this tour before it ends I recommend you do.
I doubt many if any people know about this, but Tooth and Nail and Fuel magazine have come together to offer a free digital sampler for all to download. Just go to www.toothandnail.com/fuelsampler and you can download a full zip file with new songs from The Classic Crime, The Becoming, Sever Your Ties, Capital Lights, and tons of other Tooth and Nail / Solid State bands. Check it out.
I got this press email from someone I believe works at Forefront Records. Apparently they have signed a band called Abandon (Not to be confused with Abandon Kansas). The band will release their digital ep through the label on July 22nd. Their song “Providence” goes to Christian Rock Radio August. “All Because of You” goes for adds at CHR in August as well. Check them out on myspace here.
Check out the new album cover for My Epic’s album “I Am Undone” right here. They also have a new song on myspace that you all need to listen to. My Epic “I Am Undone” hits stores on August 5th through Facedown/Dreamt Music.
This Beautiful Republic just posted the song No Turning Back to their myspace site. This is their first rock radio single from their new album Perceptions. Read a description about the meaning behind the song below.
You know them, you love them, and starting this Saturday (for 2 weeks) you can immerse yourself in all the pictures, blogs and music from The Rubyz that you can handle on Radio Disney’s Incubator page. Realistically this is huge for these girls. The Radio Disney website gets 40 million hits a month and they’re poised to become one of the next big tween groups.
Future Destination Records has posted a new blog that reveals a new summer compilation featuring artist like The Apprentice, The Comeback Tour, Standing Small, and many more. Click here to check out the blog for yourself.
It appears that Tyler has once again succeeded in eating the forums and has therefore shut down our beloved system. I’m kidding Tyler. Seriously though, something tragic has happened and we are unfortunately without our beloved forums. I could try to get it fixed but it’s going to take a few days before I can get a hold of our host (He is a hard guy to get a hold of). Maybe Nate if you’re reading this, you have a clue what’s going on? So I apologize for our lack of the forums today, hopefully they’ll be back on in the next few days. For now, just comment here
Death Metal band Sympathy have posted up a new track to their myspace site for your to check out. For more info on the band’s name and a little bio check out this page. (bandsonfire.com)
I am going home for the day and I may not be on later so I thought i’d leave you with this. I am thinking about getting rid of the store and getting a BigCartel.com one. So essentially our store address would be indievisionmusic.bigcartel.com What do you think? I wouldn’t do it until I had tshirts made. I know this is the worst time to buy hoodies cause we’re in the thick of summer, but would any of you be willing to buy one? How many of are for sure going to buy one of our tshirts? Please comment below if you plan to order one from us. I’ll probably make some stickers with the new logo as well and give those out free with orders as well. I need honest comments so please let me know what you think and whether you’d buy some of our merch. Later.
Yes, you read that right. Family Force 5 have signed with Tooth & Nail and will be releasing their debut Dance Or Die on August 19th. I read this the other day and decided against posting until I could verify it and then my friend Tobe from BandsonFire told me about the trailer T&N put up here. What do you guys think of this?
August Burns Red will be on a 6 week headlining tour this Fall in the U.S. with A Skylit Drive, Sky Eats Airplane, Greeley Estates, and This or the Apocalypse in tow. Then they head into Europe once again for awhile. Dates can be found at the link.
There will be 3 versions of the new Underoath album. There will be a regular version, a special edition, and a deluxe edition according to their distribution. More details should come soon.
Album: My Grandfather, the Cubist
Artist: Joy Electric
Label: Tooth & Nail Records
Release Date: May 27, 2008
Review by: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. Victorian Intuition/ Father Winter Replies
2. Rudimentary Animation
3. Draw for Me, M.C. Escher
4. Four Gone Pierre (Or What Electricity Made)
5. The First Time I Loved Her It Was Here
6. I Recall the Telephone Booth
7. On Being Principally Utopian
8. Whether by Horse, or Horseless
9. Only Copernicus
10. Prelude to Cubism
11. My Grandfather, the Cubist
12. Cubism Interlude
I must admit, I am a sadly late passenger of the Joy Electric railroad. Today I browsing a local used CD vendor and came across a copy of Old Wives Tales from 1996 and thought, man, this guy’s been around forever. I wonder what he sounded like back then, towards the beginning. I mean, I heard “Monosynth” (repeatedly) on that one BEC sampler and I saw some videos on those old T&N tapes, but I never actually had a whole record until the recent Hello, Mannequin. So my review of this record is more from the stance of a music fan in 2008 than of a longtime friend of JE.
And the reason this is sad is because I have trouble getting into a lot of this disc. From what I can tell, I probably would have liked his stuff from the 90s better. Which is a little strange for me to say, because from what I can tell, almost all of his material sounds the same. I mean, I like this album. I really do. My Grandfather, the Cubist is full of smart melodies and even features some further electronic experimentation on tracks like “Draw for Me, M.C. Escher.” The problem is that it sits in my collection as an occasional guilty pleasure. As I listen right now, “Four Gone Pierre” is sounding great through my speakers, but on previous spins, I’ve been tired of this style by the end of the album and wanting to change it to something else. It’s good; it’s just not something I can listen to for very long. Again, the dark minimalist sound of “The First Time I Loved Her It Was Here” is a beautiful thing in my ears, one of my favorite JE songs of all time, but overall the music is just a little too close to those Sonic the Hedgehog games that dominated my childhood. And Ronnie Martin’s vocal approach isn’t what it used to be either. He seems to have forgotten his higher, crisper singing voice and gone for a deeper almost whiny sound (a la Brand New, Bright Eyes, etc) that doesn’t really fit. For an example of what I’m talking about, listen to the chorus of “Whether by Horse, or Horseless” or the verses of “I Recall the Telephone Booth.”
My advice for Ronnie is to go back to the happier, poppier sound that his music had before the Legacy series. I can definitely appreciate the artsy, darker side of Joy Electric that has been prominent of late, but his songwriting is really at its most enjoyable when it is more accessible, such as the old “Lift Up Your Hearts” or even “Children of the Lord.” But as it stands, My Grandfather, the Cubist was another worthwhile effort. A few rough points here and there, but on the whole, it really is a good musical offering. “Only Copernicus” is especially good, with the upbeat chorus and the weird bleeping experimentation. Overall though, I was just hoping for a more substantial directive development.
Oh, and by the way Ron, that Christmas album was sweet. I’m looking forward to the next one that I hear is currently in the works. Also, while I have you on the line, did I ever tell you that “Cubism Interlude” presents an interesting aspect of your work because it is straight instrumental, therefore not constrained by the verse-chorus approach? Perhaps you should make an instrumental record as well. That, my friend, I would also look forward to!
I am going to be at cornerstone this year and I will hopefully have a re-cap up of the festival for all you guys. As well I am going to be doing a few interviews. I have already confirmed For Today and Ocean Is Theory. Post in the comment section some questions you guys would like me to ask.
Quick and the Dead, after almost 6 months of waiting, are finally on Itunes. Click this link here to access the album directly. Remember, there is a bonus track exclusive to Itunes only and you can certainly just buy the song by itself.
War of Ages have unveiled their new song “Through the Flames” on myspace right now! Go listen. “Arise and Conquer” hits stores July 22nd on Facedown Records. The band also has a brand spanking new myspace layout that looks amazing!
