Category: Band of the Week

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Looking Glass Wars

Former band of the week singer Alex Bondarev of A Moment’s Worth passed along Looking Glass Wars‘ MySpace page, telling me he thought I’d enjoy what I heard. He couldn’t have been more right! The New York natives’ most recent release, A Place in a Parlor contains tracks that touch upon the varied musical influences of the band’s members, including rockabilly, surf, and alt-country, while still maintaining the dark pop-rock sound of their debut album. Do I have you intrigued yet?

“Is This Really Poison” encompasses that punk rock feel, but mid song the tempo unexpectedly changes bringing more of an anthemic, atmospheric feel to the track. Not many bands can make this work, but Looking Glass Wars succeed remarkably. In fact, all the songs featured on their MySpace page have this same result. The listener never knows what to expect and is often pleasantly surprised.

Another unique track, “3AM” starts slower than the previous. With soft and eerie vocals at first, frontman Brendan Rivera quickly crescendos into a scream amidst fitting heavy percussion and bass accompaniment. Eventually the song fades out with soft piano and bell features. While the listener assumes this is the song’s eminent end, he is fooled once again as the music picks up, enticing the listener to pay more attention.

While “Oh What A Party It Will Be” is self explanatory with it’s title, “Addicted To Your Touch” follows suit with high energy and solid electric guitar riffs. Heavy bass and percussion beats make up the backbone of the track, never faltering.

Having garnered a spot on AbsolutePunk.net’s 2008 “Absolute 100,” Looking Glass Wars show no sign of slowing down. For their music and tour dates, be sure to check the band out on MySpace. What do you think?

Recommended: For fans of The Killers, Panic at the Disco, The Gaslight Anthem, early Yellowcard.

Photo Credit: Joel Sneak

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: A Moment’s Worth

My friend and fellow blogger Monica Perry (you can read her blog of commentary and criticism on television, film, and music here) introduced me to Bronx, New York-based band A Moment’s Worth last week, thinking I’d like what I heard. Boy was she right. Playing a mix of pop punk, the band blends gritty guitar with infectious vocals.

Combining fitting emotion throughout each track, AMW’s sing along choruses recall early Yellowcard and The Ataris. With lyrics, “You know I used to be that guy who’d stay up with you all night/And the next day write a song to save his friends/And we used to live our lives in our cars and Friday nights/But today it gets so easy to forget” throughout track “Zero. Four. One.” nostalgia of high school and endless summer days abound.

Song after song, each track gets catchier the more listened to. A Moment’s Worth is one of those bands that gets stuck in your head, but you really don’t mind.

If their sing along anthems are any testament to this band, AMW is well on their way. Switching gears from previous tracks, “Unsound” encompasses fast guitar with more angst-filled lyrics while “Catalina” is a slower ballad, reminiscent to that of a fairytale love song with it’s beautiful and poetic metaphors.

While it’s easy to picture A Moment’s Worth headlining festivals like Bamboozle and Warped Tour in a few years, my bet’s on this band. What do you think? Listen to 10 tracks on MySpace and see for yourself.

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Shirock

With their soaring guitar textures and catchy vocal harmonies, at times comparable to that of U2’s Bono, Shirock are well on their way to taking over the music scene with their debut release, Everything Burns. A solid release of well produced tracks and moving lyrics, the band’s press release states, “Shirock makes music that capitalizes on the transformative power of rock & roll and its ability to move and inspire people,” and I couldn’t agree more.

While their pop-rock sound is arena friendly, it’s the message behind the music that leaves the biggest impact. The intro to the title track of their album includes a moving monologue that states, “People today are trying to define themselves by what they get out of life; what they wear, how they look, how much stuff they have, what kind of car they drive. I’ve done a lot of funerals and never yet have they eulogized the person for any of that kind of stuff . . . It’s all about relationships. Were they kind? Were they generous? Do they help others? . . . The people you touch are your real legacy. You’re not defined by what you take from this world . . . You’re defined by how you impact other people. It’s been said there are only two ways to live. You can either love things and use people or you can love people and use things.”

The Nashville-based quintet is doing a lot more than making music. Partnering with local charities working to solve homelessness and poverty, Shirock have created a non-profit organization called Everything Burns. Recently, all the proceeds from their February tour dates went to local charities.

Straight off showcases at Austin, Texas’ annual South By Southwest music festival, frontman Chuck Shirock has talked about the songs on the album, stating: “They’re our lives, our relationships, our friendships within the band. They’re our pursuit of trying to figure out life; who we are, who God is, and how it all makes sense. It’s all of that put to music.”

Having their music featured on MTV’s “The Hills” and NBC’s “ER,” Shirock are making a name for themselves. With their touching lyrics and ongoing charity work, Shirock is setting a precedent to all emerging bands in the music industry and continues to branch themselves apart from the crowd.

For more on Shirock be sure to visit them on MySpace and their Web site and catch a show when they’re in town!

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Bell X1

Being that Tuesday is St. Patrick’s Day I only find it fitting to feature an Irish band as this week’s band of the week. Bell X1 have just released their album, Blue Lights On the Runway and have been receiving some impressive reviews.

Each song on their fourth release stands out on it’s own, whether it’s opening track, “The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella” with it’s catchy musical accompaniment or The Doors-esque song and current radio hit “The Great Defector.”

Named after the first aircraft to break the sound barrier, flown in 1947 by Chuck Yeager, Bell X1 have toured with many well-known musicians including Bon Jovi and Elliot Smith. Their last album graced No. 1 on Ireland’s pop charts and their latest release is bound to do the same.

Six-minute track “How Your Heart Is Wired” showcases much emotion throughout the band’s lyrics and the slow percussion beat only helps get the story across effectively to the listener. I’m not usually a huge electronica/experimental fan, but this track works for Bell X1.

Bell X1 is currently touring and promoting Blue Lights On the Runway so be sure to visit them on MySpace and catch a show if you like what you hear.

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Jeremy Ezell and The Well Reds

I received a message via Jeremy Ezell on Twitter with a link to his band’s MySpace page so I gave them a listen and liked what I heard. “Tragedy” came on first. With an eerie guitar intro leading up to Ezell’s slow singing, I was intrigued and had to keep listening. The suspense grew well into the first minute and a half of the song with assistance provided by light percussion before the chorus entered and the music climaxed to a crescendo. Impressive.

Ezell’s voice is familiar. His yearning is transferable to the listener, whether it’s his aching in “Feeling Love” or frustration throughout “Tragedy.” Jeremy Ezell and The Well Reds possess catchy choruses and infectious melodies, keeping the listener begging for more.

Ballad “Feeling Love” is relatable to many. Beginning with soft piano, Ezell sings, “Dreams don’t turn out quite the way I want them to/Thoughts of you keep running through my mind/You’re here tonight, you’re here most of the time/Am I feeling, feeling love?/And is this feeling really love?/Am I feeling love tonight/Or am I just falling again?” The listener can feel the heartache and longing in his voice and accompanying music.

While “Forever Is A Breath” has that stadium friendly feel, “Believe In What You’ve Never Known” is a straight up rock song with soaring guitar textures and emotion-filled lyrics.

For Jeremy Ezell and The Well Reds, a relatively new band based in Atlanta, Georgia, one thing is certain, after a listen you’re bound to have many of the lyrics stuck in your head and that’s the mere hope of every band today.

Be sure to visit Jeremy Ezell and The Well Reds on MySpace and catch a show if you’re in town.

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: The Jim Ivins Band

I received an email a while back from frontman Jim Ivins of the Jim Ivins Band, telling me about their recently released EP, Back To Reality. Produced by Ace Enders (formerly of The Early November), the band has opened for a few musicians I’ve covered, including The Ataris and Sparky’s Flaw. So, I decided to give them a listen and liked what I heard.

The songs on Back To Reality are well-produced tracks both musically and lyrically. Begging references to The Ataris, Yellowcard and even New Found Glory, the Jim Ivins Band’s mix of pop-rock and emo-punk pulls the listener in. In fact, while listening I felt as if I was taking a trip down memory lane vividly picturing myself waiting in line to get front row at a Good Charlotte or New Found Glory concert.

When checking out their MySpace, one hears the progress from older and guitar heavy songs to the band’s latest release. First song off the EP, “The Chance” is a stand-up track that tells the story of unrequited love. With catchy choruses and light, soft vocals that recall fellow pop-punk band Yellowcard (whatever happened to them anyway?) and early New Found Glory, the Jim Ivins Band are well on their way.

The band’s sound is reminiscent to many emo band beginnings with those wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve type lyrics (see “Stages of Your Life”). However, the versatility is what branches them out and distinguishes the Jim Ivins Band from inhabiting just one genre of music. An example is “Two Hours Two Days Two Weeks,” which demonstrates more of a punk attitude than heard on previous tracks.

“Two O’clock Wake Up Call” is another must listen with solid guitar accompaniment and sing-along choruses while “Stages of Your Life” is a ballad that begins with soft vocals and guitar strumming.

Originally a solo project, Ivins recorded his debut full-length album in 2007. Soon after the band came together with the goal to make “catchy, accessible music with honest lyrics that are easily relatable.” And they’re doing just that.

Hard to place into one genre, the Jim Ivins Band is a promising Virginia-based band who have a bright future on the music scene. Just listening to the growth on their two EP’s is impressive. I’m excited to see what’s in store for them.

What do you think? Give them a listen on MySpace and let me know!

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: The Weepies

In the past few weeks many friends and co-workers have been mentioning The Weepies to me, asking if I’m familiar with their music, which I wasn’t until today. A relaxed vibe, the band has an undeniably laid-back acoustic feel. My favorite song is the title track off their second and most recent album, Hideaway. A bit soporific at times, their music is the type that makes listeners sit back and forget their problems. An escape from everyday life is something every musician can only hope for.

And, their music must be highly regarded since publicity has been phenomenal for the band as of late. From their music being featured in President Barack Obama’s election ads to having a guest spot on hit television show, “Dirty Sexy Money” husband and wife indie-folk pop duo Deb Talan and Steve Tannen are doing well for themselves.

Perhaps what stands out most for the listener is their unique and unexpected harmonies.

“We want to make music that comes from that place where tears come from. Tears for joy, tears for sorrow. It’s where we write from and where we hope to connect with other people who listen to our music,” said Deb Talan in an ABC interview.

Be sure to check The Weepies out on MySpace, and if their music sounds familiar, below are a few reasons why:

-Deb Talan and Steve Tannen’s music appeared in more than a dozen TV shows, as well as several major motion pictures
-Their iTunes sales topped the folk charts in eight countries
-Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol nominated them for a Short List Music Prize
-Mandy Moore asked them to write with her and sing on her album
-They were invited to open for the Indigo Girls and invited onto the Hotel Café Tour
-They played the Oxegen Festival in Ireland, the Hurricane Festival in Germany, and T in the Park in Scotland
-JCPenney and Old Navy used their tunes as the theme songs for their major holiday TV campaigns

Watch the clip from “Dirty Sexy Money” below to hear The Weepies’ featured song “Somebody Loved.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDUBEbwnJqk]

Listen to “Hideaway” below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIn37vzO-6g]

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Antiqcool

I recently received an email suggesting a track by UK-based band Antiqcool that I might like. Naturally, I gave it a listen. Extremely catchy, “Already Late” caught me off guard. The track recalls Sting’s vocals while the accompanying music and harmonics brings about comparisons to early Coldplay (see guitar centric songs like Coldplay’s “Yellow” and at times slower track “The Scientist”). Other reviewers have even suggested Crosby, Stills & Nash. Either way, there is something seemingly classic and intriguing behind Antiqcool.

Solid, both musically and lyrically, Antiqcool’s melodies and light guitar strumming begs the listener to hit the repeat button. “Already Late,” is just one example of a song that gets stuck in your head long after the last note is played. Click here to listen to the track for yourself! (If that link doesn’t work for you try it on GarageBand here.)

The music featured on Antiqcool’s MySpace page is extremely versatile. “Yesterday’s Gone” is more of a ballad showcasing great emotion throughout the song (a bit airy which begs a Beach Boys vibe to me) while “Full Metal Jacket” is another catchy, yet unexpectedly edgier track.

What’s curious about Antiqcool is that the band, or rather the concept of what is known as Antiqcool, is a mysterious collective pool of artists who write, record and occasionally perform together. There is no set songwriter or musician. Their MySpace states, “Sometimes I work alone as a singer songwriter, other times I get together with friends and collaborate. Making music that we enjoy playing and other people want to hear is all we try to do. I like to think of the Internet as a sounding board to get songs heard and listen to the feedback. It helps to generate an overall picture of what is working and what needs to be fixed.”

Their MySpace description continues: “If you like well crafted songs with intricate guitar arrangements and vocal harmonies you’ve come to the right place,” and I couldn’t agree more. While the “Sounds Like” category describes Antiqcool as, “The Police arrest Fleetwood Mac defended by Crosby Stills and Nash in Simon and Garfunkel’s Crowded House,” I think it may be best if you check them out for yourself and come up with your own conclusion.

Give Antiqcool a listen on their GarageBand profile: here or MySpace. I’d love to hear what you think.

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Status Green

I first stumbled upon Status Green a few months ago when they performed for MTV’s Battle of the Bands contest where five bands competed to open up for the Rock Band Live Tour. During their introduction to the crowd, their sound was said to be inspired by music from the 1960s. However, when listening closely it’s hard to put Status Green into one specific genre as their sound varies from that arena enticing rock feel of fellow Jersey natives Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi to a bit of a swing era vibe.

Status Green successfully blends catchy pop melodies with more of a rock sound featuring impeccable guitar interludes throughout many of their songs. “Juggling Knives” is a perfect example. At points it recalls the fun vibe of Fountains of Wayne’s “Stacy’s Mom” but rocks much harder. It’s one of those songs you can easily imagine fans dancing along to at their shows as frontman Lou Montesano sings, “And now your nights have turned into your misty mornings/Yeah you got some money and I guess you’re doing alright/Don’t ignore all your instincts for once and say no/No big deal, it’s your only life.”

What’s great about Status Green is each song sounds completely different from the previous. While “Juggling Knives” can be easily heard on mainstream radio, “Firebomb” has that classic swing vibe to it. Another danceable track, the band sure knows how to switch up their sound successfully without ever going over the top.

“Heaven I Think” is ballad-like at first with softer vocals, showcasing Status Green’s more serious side. The track’s pace picks up soon enough, once again demonstrating their versatility. I know Jersey boys when I see them and you can’t deny their home state pride with none other than their song, aptly titled “Holland Tunnel.”

Definitely one of the best sounds I’ve heard all year, it’s not a complete surprise that they won a tri state listener poll on station 95.5 WPLJ to open for Bon Jovi. I’m pretty sure you’ll hear a lot more from Status Green in the near future. But until then, do yourself a favor and check them out on MySpace and catch a show when they’re in the area. They have a few New York and New Jersey gigs coming up so visit their MySpace for more info.

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: The Gaslight Anthem

It’s one of those moments you never imagine happening. You open up Rolling Stone and see someone’s band you know being featured within the pages of the magazine. So surreal. That’s what happened to me last week when I was flipping through the October 2nd issue of Rolling Stone. I turned to the “Breaking” section and did a double take. Low and behold, there was Benny from Targum (the former night pro manager of Rutgers University’s daily newspaper, The Daily Targum).

It’s funny, actually, from the countless hours I spent night editing during my four years working at the newspaper, I knew he was in a band, but didn’t know the name of it or that he played the drums. But, I couldn’t be happier turning the page and reading the raving review of their latest album, The ’59 Sound. This is what Rolling Stone contributing editor, Christian Hoard had to say about the album:

“The ’59 Sound [is] the New Jersey quartet’s excellent second album, a collection of tuneful, passionately sung stories about working-class folks and young romance . . . Though the Gaslight Anthem are signed to the SoCal punk label SideOneDummy and they regularly open for mohawked acts, their sound is only sort of punk: It’s more like a supercharged version of early Bruce records or a no-frills take on the Replacements.”

Many reviews have been comparing the Jersey-based band to fellow Jersey native, Bruce Springsteen. While I definitely hear the influence of The Boss, there’s something more. Their music is catchy and you can listen to each story within every song while rocking out to the solid drum beat and guitar accompaniment. Like Hoard wrote, it has that punk feel to it, but also a mix of that classic Springsteen sound. In fact, it’s hard to pin the Gaslight Anthem down to one genre, which for a band is often a good thing. Watch their video below for “The ’59 Sound” and see for yourself.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOBb13yDnzo]

If you like what you heard, be sure to check them out on MySpace and let me know what you think!
For more of the Rolling Stone feature and video on the Gaslight Anthem, click here.