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January 22, 2009

REVIEW : This Is Luke - There Is Hope

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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

REVIEW : A Hope For Home - The Everlasting Man

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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 →

REVIEW : Andrew Hedlin - Downstairs

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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 →

REVIEW : Eleventyseven - Galactic Conquest

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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 →

REVIEW : House of Heroes - The End Is Not the End

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Artist: House of Heroes Album: The End Is Not the End Label: Gotee Release Date: September 23, 2008 Review by: Michael Mayer III Tracklisting:
  1. Intro
  2. If
  3. Lose Control
  4. Leave You Now
  5. Dangerous
  6. In the Valley of the Dying Sun
  7. Code Name: Raven
  8. By Your Side
  9. Journey Into Space (Part One)
  10. Sooner or Later
  11. Baby’s a Red
  12. Drown
  13. Faces
  14. Voices
  15. Field of Daggers
Sometimes a song that’s as addicting as your favorite food comes along and floors you. For me, that’s garlic bread, and even if I thought I wasn’t hungry, just smelling it or hearing the name (or writing about it, ugh) will get my stomach growling.… Continued →

INTERVIEW : And Then There Were None

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Scott, IVM: Give me a rundown of who’s-who in the band. Sean plays guitar and loves backing up our trailer. Matt M plays synth and is very talented at acquiring free food. Nick plays guitar and is 17 years old. Ryan plays drums and can harmonize any melody. I sing and I am obsessed with programming music. What’s the history of the band. How did everybody meet. Sean and I met in elementary school through ccd at our church. We started making music in middle school solely because we thought it would be cool to start a band.… Continued →

January 20, 2009

REVIEW : The Glorious Unseen - Cries Of The Broken

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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 →

REVIEW : Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vol. 3 & 4

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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 →

REVIEW : Fireflight - Unbreakable

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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 →

INTERVIEW : The Glorious Unseen

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Stephen, IVM: Interview with Ben from The Glorious Unseen Hey Ben, can you give me a short introduction from everyone in the band? RYAN STUBBS IS OUR LEAD GUITARIST, HE USED TO PLAY IN SOME HARDCORE BANDS IN OHIO. I MET HIM WHEN HE MOVED TO NASHVILLE TO GO TO BELMONT. JON TODRYK PLAYS DRUMS, I MET HIM AT A PARTY IN NASHVILLE SHORTLY AFTER HE MOVED HERE. I TOLD HIM I WOULD INTRODUCE HIM TO A GIRL IF HE WOULD MAKE ME A SANDWICH. JOW BURGER PLAYS BASS, HE ALSO PLAYS IN A HARDCORE BAND CALLED MANKIND.… Continued →

January 19, 2009

REVIEW : Writer - Blood Drops

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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 →

REVIEW : Concert Review: Fireflight, Abandon, and Seven Layer Soul

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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 →

INTERVIEW : The Record Kid

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Give me a who’s-who of the band. My name is Jeff and I’m the lead singer, Tucker is lead guitar and vocals, Joe plays guitar, Todd is keys and vocals, Kyle is drums, and we are operating with a fill in bassist at the moment… we have a good idea as to who will fill the spot permanently but it isn’t official yet! What’s the back-story of the band. How did everybody meet. We were all friends first. We know each other from playing in local bands.… Continued →

January 18, 2009

INTERVIEW : A Current Affair

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Scott, IVM: Introductions. Give me a who’s-who of the band. Jordan is our vocalist and he plays keys. Josh and James play guitar. Nick plays drums, he’s the new guy. I’m Joey and I play bass. What’s the back-story of the band. How did everybody meet. General bio type of stuff. This is a long one here haha. I went to high school with Josh, and I joined the band with him and a couple other guys. After high school we needed a guitar player and I knew James from junior high and we had played with his band a couple times.… Continued →

January 17, 2009

REVIEW : Farewell Flight - Sound. Color. Motion.

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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 →

REVIEW : Becoming The Archetype - Dichotomy

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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 →

REVIEW : Army Of Me - Citizen

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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

REVIEW : Before Their Eyes - The Dawn of My Death

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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 →

REVIEW : Jesse Sprinkle - Surrounded By Lights

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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

REVIEW : Berea - Empty Vessels (EP)

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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 →

REVIEW : Wrench In The Works - Lost Art Of Heaping Coal

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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 →

REVIEW : The Rekoning - The Road Less Traveled

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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

REVIEW : Secret & Whisper - The Great White Whale

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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 →

REVIEW : Erika Soto - Wonderfully Made

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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 →

REVIEW : xDeathstarx - The Triumph

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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 →

REVIEW : Hope For The Dying - Hope For The Dying

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Band: Hope For The Dying Title: Hope For The Dying Label: Strike First Release Date: 11/25/08 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. City Of Corpses 02. A Beautiful Day For Vengeance 03. Into Darkness We Ride 04. Our Fallen Comrades 05. Where We Are Going We Don’t Need Roads 06. Would The Angels Say 07. In Loving Memory When I heard that the folks at Facedown were finally reviving the dormant Strike First Records I was excited to see what new talent they would pick up. The initial announcements were all familiar names and most of them positive for me.… Continued →

REVIEW : Yours for Mine - Dear Children

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Artist: Yours for Mine Album: Dear Children Label: Blood & Ink Records Release Date: January 13, 2009 Reviewer: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. We Need You Here 2. Absence Is Elegance 3. My Tomorrow 4. The Angry End 5. Native Tongue 6. What Happened to Us? 7. Bling Crosby 8. Dear Children 9. Call Me Distant 10. The Instrumental Every time I hear that gurgly scream, I picture Jimbo, the tallest of the three school bullies on The Simpsons. With this in mind, seeing him screaming the words into a microphone, it makes listening to Yours for Mine different than other melodic metalcore bands.… Continued →

January 13, 2009

REVIEW : The Apprentice - (S/T)

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Artist: The Apprentice Album: The Apprentice Label: Future Destination Records Release Date: August 15, 2008 Reviewer: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Lessons in Letting Your Guard Down 2. Riverside 3. Disease 4. Gray Day in Louisville 5. Tracks 6. This Road 7. Lullaby 8. In the City 9. Adeline 10. Love Deferred This self-titled album, the forth release from The Apprentice on Future Destination Records, contains many things I expected and many things I didn’t. Most of the songs, such as “Disease,” are built on the mellow coffeeshop singer/songwriter sound that has been the constant foundation from The Apprentice from its beginning.… Continued →

January 10, 2009

REVIEW : Philmont - Oh Snap EP

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Normally when you see a charging rhino, you wanna get out of the way. In the case of our blue and purple friend on the cover of this album, however, you will want to keep a safe but interested distance. Or at least I will. Fans of Eleventyseven, Cute Is What We Aim For, and Relient K will rush in close and give that rhino a hug, embracing the catchy pop-punk sound of Philmont, but for now it’s something I will admire from afar. Once my favorite genre, I lost interested when Hawk Nelson became the poster-boy, a band that started out without a lot of skill and later on just became boring.… Continued →

REVIEW : Abandon - Abandon EP

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While this label’s name might not have made much sense at certain points over the past 20 years of Forefront Records existence, Abandon is the type of band that helps this company truly be at the forefront of today’s music. Long time readers of IVM know that I have a big problem with the majority of CCM out there, calling it boring, generic, behind-the-times, cheesy, too safe, narrowly-focused, etc. I’ve torn apart Building 429, had little to say about the mediocrity of Mainstay and Everyday Sunday, and been disappointed by even the great David Crowder Band, one of the most innovative worship artists of our day.… Continued →

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