The Contact - Canvas Tears
A review for my vote for best new album of 2009: The Contact's "Canvas Tears"
Reviews
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January 28, 2009
Nailpoint - Falling to Pieces
A Review Of Nailpoint's "Falling To Pieces"
Hopeless Passion - Everything You Ever Wanted
Band: Hopeless Passion
Album: Everything You Ever Wanted
Label: None
Reviewed by: Tyler Hess
Coming from what seems to be a musical hotbed lately in Fresno, CA, Hopeless Passion brings us what mostly amounts to a very rough cut of mostly pop-punk stylings, but with some twists that glean from hip hop and rock. This is a project that just screams “hey, we did this ourselves!” They are a two man show, with the percussion being done on the instrument that we call a computer, which leads to very simple beats and vocals that rarely (at least until the last four songs or so) go outside of a small, simple, basic pop-punk box.… Continued →
Harmony - Chapter II : Aftermath
Harmony is a metal band hailing from Sweden. This is a review of their latest CD, Chapter II: Aftermath.
January 27, 2009
twentyfour64 - Know Me
I’m really sorry I’m just writing this now and in such a hurry, but I just got out of P.E. and my heart is pumping really fast and I want to bust this out before lunch is over and I have to go back to Spanish class for another boring laser disc movie. Wait, this isn’t the mid to late 90’s and I’m not still in high school?
Yours for Mine - Dear Children
Here's my take on the exciting debut album by Yours for Mine. It's anything but status quo as far as genres go so read on to find out why. Come on, don't be afraid!
January 26, 2009
Julian Drive - My Coming Day
Julian Drive – My Coming Day
In a world where Baskin-Robbins has 31 flavors (and then some?), Julian Drive has found its perfect ice cream flavored musical niche. After all, vanilla is technically a flavor. In fact, it has a huge market appeal. There are tons of people out there with out any real higher sense of developed taste buds, but they still like ice cream. What I’m getting at here is that Julian Drive definitely has a broad market appeal and will probably find a good amount of success.… Continued →
Theocracy - Mirror Of Souls
Album: Mirror of Souls
Label: Ulterium Records
Reviewer: Stephen M
When Brandon asked me to review Theocracy I was sceptical, and for good reason too. Theocracy is a band in a genre I have yet to discover. Epic, melodic Power Metal with occasional progressive flourishes is what Theocracy is classified as. I have never really listened to any metal bands before, like Dragonforce, which I am told are similar, so this “metal” sound is new to me and in some ways redefines it for me. Normally what I call progressive metal music sounds like Becoming The Archetype.… Continued →
January 25, 2009
Fiction Family - Fiction Family
Artist: Fiction Family
Album: Fiction Family
Label: ATO Records/ Credential Recordings
Release Date: January 20, 2009
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. When She’s Near
2. Out of Order
3. Not Sure
4. Betrayal
5. Elements Combined
6. War in My Blood
7. Throw It Away
8. Closer than You Think
9. Please Don’t Call It Love
10. Mostly Prove Me Wrong
11. We Ride
12. Look for My Baby
Jon Foreman is a busy guy. His main band, Switchfoot, has been seeing significant mainstream rock success since they released “The Beautiful Letdown” in 2005.… Continued →
January 22, 2009
This Is Luke - There Is Hope
Band: This is Luke
Album: There is Hope
Label: None
Reviewed by: Tyler Hess
While listening to this album, I had to do one very important thing: Check myself before I wreck Myself. When approached about reviewing this 7 song EP, I was told that the guys had come up with a new worship album. Not only did this surprise me because I had some strange thought that they were a pop punk band (or something close to that), but it also baffled when I first heard the album.… Continued →
January 21, 2009
A Hope For Home - The Everlasting Man
Artist: A Hope For Home
Album: The Everlasting Man
Label: Strike First Records
Reviewer: Stephen M
01. The Covenant (2:11)
02. Iniquity: An Offering (3:53)
03. Affliction: The Witness, The Advocate (4:31)
04. Infidelity: Kingdom’s End (3:15)
05. The Exile (2:33)
06. Babylon: The Insatiable Thirst (6:08)
07. Absolution: Of Flight And Failure (6:28)
08. Masada: The Spiral Staircase (6:13)
09. Restoration: The Return From Exile (6:50)
10. Redemption: A Grief Observed (5:27)
11. The Thousand Years (1:18)
I had no idea what to expect with the newest CD from A Hope For Home entitled The Everlasting Man, but what I found surprised me.… Continued →
Andrew Hedlin - Downstairs
Artist: Andrew Hedlin
Album: Downstairs
Label: None (released independently)
Release Date: August 23, 2008
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. What’s a Song?
2. Comin’ Back
3. Subway
4. Marigold Street
5. Count on Me
6. Anchor Me
7. Winter Vacation
8. 40,000 Brothers
9. Sunlight
Hailing from Manitoba, Canada, singer-songwriter Andrew Hedlin seems to be a man of wide experiences. Acoustic songs like “Subway” and “Marigold Street” sound like the life of any of us, talking with old friends and dealing with stress, but “Comin’ Back” picks up the pace with a clean electric guitar and catchy chorus about traveling all over the world.… Continued →
Eleventyseven - Galactic Conquest
Band: Eleventyseven
Album: Galactic Conquest
Label: Sony BMG/Flicker Records
Reviewed by: Tyler Hess
If I have at any time over the past four months of writing reviews gained any scene points, street cred. or Dundee awards for anything I’ve written, I’m fully prepared for the chance that I’m going to get them all taken away right now.
Jumping on the bandwagon before it was way overcrowded, Eleventyseven busted out with their sophomore release by adding quite a bit of the now all too familiar electronica to their pop-punk act in quite a diversion, musically, from their first release “and the land of the fake believe”.… Continued →
House of Heroes - The End Is Not the End
Artist: House of Heroes
Album: The End Is Not the End
Label: Gotee
Release Date: September 23, 2008
Review by: Michael Mayer III
Tracklisting:
- Intro
- If
- Lose Control
- Leave You Now
- Dangerous
- In the Valley of the Dying Sun
- Code Name: Raven
- By Your Side
- Journey Into Space (Part One)
- Sooner or Later
- Baby’s a Red
- Drown
- Faces
- Voices
- Field of Daggers
January 20, 2009
The Glorious Unseen - Cries Of The Broken
Artist: The Glorious Unseen
Album: Cries of the Broken
Label: Tooth and Nail/Bec Recordings
Reviewer: Stephen M
My first time hearing about The Glorious Unseen was about eight months ago when I was doing my daily check of new music right here on IVM. From the first time I heard Ben’s voice I knew I was going to like them a lot.
I have been one of those kinds of guys who has listened to Hardcore/Metal music his whole life and have never been a big fan of worship music.… Continued →
Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vol. 3 & 4
Band: Thrice
Album: The Alchemy Index Vol. 3 & 4
Label: Vagrant Records
Reviewed by: Luke J
Fire, water, air, and earth; the elements of our planet, created by an amazingly unique God. I can think of nothing better to consume a bands time with. Thrice has done just that, they have created two astounding sets of music history. In late 2007 The Alchemy Index 1 & 2: Fire & Water came out and I immediately thought “that will definitely be in my top ten for the year!” … Continued →
Fireflight - Unbreakable
Band: Fireflight
Album: Unbreakable
Label: Sony BMG/Flicker
Review by: Tyler Hess
Having seen their show for the third time a couple days ago, it came to my attention that IVM had yet to take a closer look at the band’s second full length release. The first thing that I’d like to point out is that I hadn’t listened to the album in probably two or three months, yet on the morning of the show I mysteriously woke up and remembered the words to several of their songs, so if nothing else, these songs are certainly memorable, which is something I can’t say for probably half the albums I’ve reviewed on here.… Continued →
January 19, 2009
Writer - Blood Drops
Artist: Writer
Album: Blood Drops
Label: None (released independently)
Release Date: August 29, 2008
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. Matthew
2. Anymore
3. Don’t Wake the Sun
4. Try and Stop Me
5. Start a War
6. Where I Was
7. Blood Drops
I know I said this for their 7” a few months ago, but when you see an album is mixed and mastered by Jason Martin of Starflyer 59, you know to expect something good. It seems that everything this man touches turns to gold.… Continued →
Concert Review: Fireflight, Abandon, and Seven Layer Soul
Concert Review: Fireflight, Abandon, Seven Layer Soul
Review by: Tyler Hess
For more pictures, go here.
Upon learning that my fiancé had scored us free tickets to this show, I was pretty stoked. Not because I am the biggest fan in the world, or even that I originally thought it was with Abandon Kansas, but because I love going to shows and I love not paying for stuff when I don’t have to. What I wasn’t completely stoked about was another concert at a church.… Continued →
January 17, 2009
Farewell Flight - Sound. Color. Motion.
Artist: Farewell Flight
Album: Sound. Color. Motion.
Label: Released Independently (but paid for by Mono Vs Stereo before they “folded”)
Release Date: August 19, 2008
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. Lullabye for Insomniacs
2. Widower
3. Over
4. Indianapolis
5. Phones
6. Sailors Mouth
7. Begin Again
8. America
9. Cruel
10. The Usual Vernacular
11. Slow
A soft, clear tenor wades over rolling acoustic guitars as “Lullabye for Insomniacs” begins. As the tempo picks up, so do the complexity of the instrumentation and the details of the lyrics, which relate the depression and bleakness found in looking to alcohol as a way to cope with relationship problems and loneliness.… Continued →
Becoming The Archetype - Dichotomy
Band: Becoming the Archetype
Album: Dichotomy
Label: Solid State Records
Review by: Stephen M
To begin, I would like to note that I do not claim to be an objective, professional music critic or anything of that sort. I am one who enjoys listening to music. Any reviews by me are merely my opinion on an album and are not intended to be taken as the product of a well-educated aficionado. I apologize for any out-of-hand generalizations or music prejudices. Any criticism and comments are welcome (and much needed).… Continued →
Army Of Me - Citizen
Artist: Army Of Me
Album: Citizen
Label: Doghouse America
Release Date: April 7, 2007
Reviewer: Scott L
Tracklist:
1. Perfect
2. Going Through Changes
3. Rise
4. Meet You At The Mouth
5. Still Believe In You
6. Thinking It Over
7. Better Run
8. How Long
9. Walking On
10. 2 Into 1
11. Saved Your Life
12. Back To Business
I realize that this review is a little late out of the gate… but you gotta know about these guys. You just gotta. Right from the get-go you know that this Washington, D.C.… Continued →
January 16, 2009
Before Their Eyes - The Dawn of My Death
Artist: Before Their Eyes
Album: The Dawn of My Death
Label: Rise Records
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Reviewer: Scott L
Tracklist:
1. Life Was All A Dream
2. Because 7 Ate 9
3. The Beast Within
4. So In Love
5. The Things We Stood Against
6. Dawn Of My Death
7. The Way We Operate
8. Their Throats Are Open Graves
9. New Kids In Town
10. The Me I Used To Be
This was an album that I was looking forward to. I had stumbled across Before Their Eyes’ self-titled debut online but while it was good enough to draw me back periodically to listen to samples, it just didn’t have what was needed for me to actually throw down some cash for it.… Continued →
Jesse Sprinkle - Surrounded By Lights
Artist: Jesse Sprinkle –
Album: Surrounded By Lights
Label: Blind Records
Reviewed by: Tyler Hess
I’m an idiot.
You all knew this, but sometimes I forget, because I’m an idiot.
I also forgot that I promised to tell you all about someone you probably kind of sort of know about anyway, one way or another, even if you didn’t know it. His resume is legit. Spending years behind the drum kits of bands like Poor Old Lu, Dead Poetic and Demon Hunter, Jesse Sprinkle has also now come out with a couple solo records, the latest being “Surrounded By Lights”.… Continued →
January 15, 2009
Berea - Empty Vessels (EP)
Artist: Berea
Album: Empty Vessels (ep)
Label: None
Reviewer: Tyler Hess
With a name like Berea (which one can only assume was taken from the Bereans mentioned in Acts, known for being faithful to checking Paul and Silas’ message against Scripture to make sure the gospel was true) and lyrics that make the writer sound like he’d just been through a semester or two at a seminary or Bible college (I’ve been there, this is from experience, not a knock or a diss), you’d expect maybe some Contemporary Christian Music or some nice acoustic congregational worship music.… Continued →
Wrench In The Works - Lost Art Of Heaping Coal
Band: Wrench In The Works
Title: Lost Art Of Heaping Coal
Label: Facedown
Release Date: 08/19/08
Review By: JoshIVM
Tracklisting:
01. Dust Over Time Test
02. Tonight Is War
03. Our Time
04. Brokenness
05. One Foot Out Of Hell
06. Pale Fire
07. Death Letter
08. Loaded Gun
09. Faith As A Virus
10. Lost Art Of Heaping Coal
I first brought this band to your attention back in March ’06 and then reviewed their last album “Prodigal Transmission” in August ’06. The album got a fair rating but definitely had plenty of room for improvements.… Continued →
The Rekoning - The Road Less Traveled
Band: The Rekoning
Title: The Road Less Traveled
Label: Strike First
Release Date: 01/06/09
Review By: JoshIVM
Tracklisting:
01. Intro
02. I Believe
03. Road Less Traveled
04. Take Me Away
05. Necessary Violence
06. Paved With Gold
07. Lifetime Away
08. Say What You Will
09. Home Again
10. Anchor
11. Prison Break
12. Constituents
13. Sheep’s Clothing
14. Ain’t Seen Nothing
The Rekoning seemingly came out of nowhere to sign with Strike First. I would bet most people were unfamiliar with this 3 piece from Riverside, CA.… Continued →
January 14, 2009
Secret & Whisper - The Great White Whale
Artist: Secret & Whisper
Album: The Great White Whale
Label: Tooth & Nail Records
Buy It: Amazon/Amazon MP3
Reviewer: The Headless Horseman
1. Blonde Monster
2. You Are Familiar
3. Vanishings
4. XOXOXO
5. The Actress
6. Spider Besider
7. Looming Moon
8. Attacker
9. Anchors
10. Werewolves
11. Lovers
12. Great White Whale
There once was a band. They managed to put out a first release (an admirable feat in its own right). They got some notice, turned some heads, and started to gain some momentum.… Continued →
Erika Soto - Wonderfully Made
Artist: Erika Soto
Album: Wonderfully Made
Label: None (released independently)
Release Date: April 2, 2008
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. Wonderfully
2. Streetlights & Roads
3. 1,000 Goodbyes
4. Sustained
5. Home
6. Worth
If anyone from Sparrow Records (maybe even those working on SixStepRecords) reads this site, pay close attention to Erika Soto, as she could easily be your next worthwhile signee. Big words, I know, but I stand by them. Now let me tell you why. Because this Californian indie-folk singer-songwriter was able to work with low-budget production and still create lush soundscapes that smoothly blend an acoustic guitar base with layered strings of sweeping electric guitar riffs.… Continued →
xDeathstarx - The Triumph
Band: xDeathstarx
Title: The Triumph
Label: Facedown
Release Date: 11/25/08
Review By: JoshIVM
Tracklisting:
01. Seven
02. Represent
03. Scars
04. Die To Remain
05. True Believer
06. Bullet
07. Suffocate Faster
08. Walk Away
09. The Triumph
10. Red Asphalt
I have to start this off by saying xDeathstarx’s 2007 debut on Facedown, titled “We Are The Threat“, has been one of my favorite discs from the label in recent years. It’s been played on a regular basis since I received the disc.… Continued →