The Nu-Metal Crown/Curse
Papa Roach are perhaps the most accurate embodiment of the nu-metal genre; where it’s been, where it is now and where it will soon be. The band violently exploded on to the modern rock radar with their super glossy mega-hit “Last Resort” which clearly set a new standard for the term “overplayed.” But as the tastes of their now world-wide fan base were starting to slowly shift away from the hip-hop influenced rock music, Papa Roach tried to stray away from the self-loathing rap on their second album, lovehatetragedy, with somewhat fleeting success. But some strategies for achieving success never change. Indeed, Papa Roach’s newest album, Getting Away With Murder, oozes an overly produced, radio-friendly sound. Read more…
By Taylor Whipple Posted in Reviews
Mardull
Mardo is a band that likes to have fun. While other bands now-a-days are trying hard to mimic that characteristic 1970’s style garage rock sound, Mardo are that sound. Indeed, brothers Aron and Robbie Mardo embody the 1970’s – in style, sound and attitude. But like the 70’s, Mardo’s self titled release fluctuates between the good, catchy and most of all fun rock style, to the muddy, mundane and completely forgettable. Read more…
By Taylor Whipple Posted in Reviews
Rock For The Ages
When one thinks of Corrosion of Conformity and the no-frills rock legacy they’ve created for themselves, a certain degree of respect demands to be given. Indeed, ever since the band shifted from playing politically-charged hardcore, many turbulent changes in the band’s direction and lineup have followed. COC settled on a steady lineup and straight-laced rock sound in 1994 with Mike Dean (bass), Woody Weatherman (guitar), Pepper Keenan (guitar/vocals) and Reed Mullen (drums). But this new album finds Mullen replaced with Stanton Moore (Galactic). Given their age and truckloads of experience, it’s no surprise that COC still know how to put together a progressive and interesting rock album with In The Arms of God. Read more…
By Taylor Whipple Posted in Reviews
Homme & Friends Strike Again
Is it something in the desert air? Or is it the desert sun that radiates with musical originality? Nevertheless, Josh Homme and friends have coined a steadily progressive and innovative style of rock, making Queens of the Stone Age one of the most respected bands in music today. But like many famous rock bands before them, they quickly realized that the road to success isn’t as smooth as one might think. Take for instance the ever-revolving lineup of band members, most notably the recent departure of co-founding bassist Nick Oliveri. But this is Homme’s show now, who masterminded past successful projects like the Eagles of Death Metal and the indie-favorite Desert Sessions’ series. Now Homme manages to build upon their past successes with Lullabies to Paralyze. Read more…
By Taylor Whipple Posted in Reviews
Ride the War Within
Occasionally the tides come to wash away what’s become stale and stagnant on the shores of rock music. In this case, it’s the backwards-cap-wearing wanna-be’s spewing mediocre hip-hop over even more mediocre rock music that is thankfully going the way of the Dodo. So just like fashion, music and everything else in current pop-culture, it’s time to welcome back the 80’s. In this case, it’s the brutally fast rock sound that Metallica helped cultivate – back when they still had hair. Leading the charge of this reinvented sound is Shadows Fall, with their fourth release The War Within.
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By Taylor Whipple Posted in Reviews Shadows Fall
Come And Get It
Uncompromising brutality and harrowing screams combined with the tenacity of a circus gone terribly, terribly sinister. Welcome to the twisted, methodical carnival that encompasses the music of American Head Charge. No, you won’t find any nu-metal rapping on The Feeding, nor will you find long, technical guitar solos from a band trying to be as “metal” as possible; just straight-for-the-jugular hard rock. Read more…
By Taylor Whipple Posted in Reviews
No Long List Of Side Effects Here….
Chances of getting your music recognized when you don’t play what’s popular? Not good. Chances if you’re from Los Angeles? Even tougher. Medical Necessities, the newest album from alt-underground sensations They Walk In Line, sluggishly medicates the listener in to a deepened state of musical satisfaction, like a hypnotist still learning his trade. Read more…
By Taylor Whipple Posted in Reviews
It’s Probably On The Radio Right Now…
Contrived, derivative and perhaps a bit too formulaic at times. These are just a few adjectives to describe Crossfade’s self-titled major label debut. Simplistic, crunchy and for the most part basic guitar chords mixed with all too common lyrics compose a majority of the musical backdrop from which the Crossfade is now famous for. But all elitist standards and nuances aside, this album is damn catchy. Read more…
By Taylor Whipple Posted in Reviews
They Are Not Alone
Turn on your local alternative rock radio station and you’ll hear it – appropriately titled “mainstream rock,” they are the hoards of bands that have had their original sounds polished up and glazed over in an effort to garner interest from those who might otherwise think that rock music is “scary.” Breaking Benjamin have neatly placed themselves along the frontlines of the mainstream rock formula that the music industry insists upon. We Are Not Alone unashamedly garners influence from other past popular alt-rock groups, with an added emphasis on the Smashing Pumpkins hard-yet-poignant sound, thanks in part to some help from Billy Corgan himself, on guitar. Read more…
By Taylor Whipple Posted in Reviews
Crimes Against Mainstream Rock
Eclectic. Bizarre. Just plain strange. Such are various phrases that come to mind when listening the Seattle-based punk-influenced rockers, The Blood Brothers. Honing in on an amalgamation of diverse styles of rock combined with their constantly entertaining dual high-pitched vocalists, the Blood Brothers put their foot into the industry’s door with their 2003 sleeper hit Burn Piano Island, Burn. Two years and constant national touring later, The Blood Brothers crank the bizarre-o-meter up a few notches with Crimes. Read more…
By Taylor Whipple Posted in Reviews
