Tagged: rd111009

MayOrWest We, The End Self-Released [2009] Fire Drill Review: New Jersey four piece MayOrWest play a very straightforward hard edged alternative rock on their debut full length We, The End that stands out with its tight song structures and soaring power choruses. The band has been tweaking their sound since its 2005 inception, as it shows here with a cohesiveness that sounds like it came from a more seasoned act. [...]

Thee American Revolution Buddha Electrostorm Garden Gate Records [2009] Fire Drill Review: I am sure that probably have not heard of Thee American Revolution but they are the psych-rock side project from Elephant 6 president and Apples In Stereo frontman Robert Schneider. The group is basically a much more gritty version of Apples with fuzzed out guitars, sharp and banging drums and a very garage like energy and delivery. The songs on Buddha [...]

The Bravery Stir The Blood Island Records [2009] Fire Note Says: Band still struggling a bit with identity. Album Review: The Bravery's third LP, Stir The Blood is not nearly as bad as some critics might have you think but it does lack a certain amount of musical passion to completely pull of the brooding new wave output the band presents. There is not necessarily a stand [...]

World's Greatest Ghosts No Magic Lucky Madison Records [2009] Fire Note Says: Check out what's new in Portland? Album Review: World's Greatest Ghosts is one of Portland's best kept secrets that should get some light shined on them with their catchy full length debut No Magic . The five member group has a cohesion that extends beyond being in a band as two of them are brothers, one [...]

The Minor Leagues This Story Is Old, I Know, But It Goes On Datawaslost Records [2009] Fire Drill Review: Cincinnati band The Minor Leagues, bring seven different members together as their lineup offers up multitudes of talent and sufficiently covers all of the musical bases. This collective effort comes across immediately on This Story Is Old, I Know, But It Goes On , as it is the bands fifth record and really starts to exhibit [...]

Dashboard Confessional Alter The Ending Universal Music Group [2009] Fire Note Says: Just not up to expectations. Album Review: There are some groups that I might be excited to hear that power popper gods Butch Walker and Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne) are given producer credits but Dashboard Confessional is absolutely not one of them. When Chris Carrabba busted onto the scene in 2001 with his acoustic heartaches on [...]

Switchfoot Hello Hurricane Atlantic Records [2009] Fire Drill Review: On Hello Hurricane , Switchfoot sound completely comfortable and well settled into their own rock sound, which actually combines U2 like anthems and Coldplay type rock structures to truly create one of their most unique and non-formula following records to date. This is driven by straight ahead rockers that have teeth and catchy soaring choruses that are memorable. Hello Hurricane represents the [...]

Hurricane Bells Tonight Is The Ghost Vagrant Records [2009] Fire Note Says: This is one Hurricane to stick around for! Album Review: Hurricane Bells is the new project from Longwave singer/guitarist Steve Schiltz. You may already know the name as they recently had an exclusive song included on the soon to be huge New Moon: Twilight Series Soundtrack and it apparently is one of the first songs [...]

Snow Patrol Up To Now Fiction/A&M Records [2009] (2 CD Set) Fire Drill Review: With fifteen years and five albums, Snow Patrol , have much more material then many know about, as this new 2 disc compilation, Up To Now not only captures the hits but also features rarities, covers songs and three new tracks. This will be an eye opener for many [...]

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Live Vagrant Records [2009] (CD/2 DVD Set) Fire Drill Review: This release will fall into the category of fans only but if you are a BRMC fan then this CD/DVD collection is a must. The first DVD features over two hours of live concert footage from three sold out shows in Berlin, Dublin and Glasgow, while the second bonus DVD supplies you with ninety minutes of behind-the-scenes footage plus the making of the 'Weapon [...]

Echo And The Bunnymen The Fountain Ocean Rain Records [2009] Fire Note Says: Echo plays it safe with mixed results. Album Review: The Fountain will not be hailed as the next great classic from Echo And The Bunnymen, but overall it will please their large legion of fans with its care free attitude and Brit pop melodies. The record is their fifth since the bands reunion [...]

Lissie Why You Runnin' [EP] Fat Possum Records [2009] Fire Drill Review: Lissie Maurus (stagename Lissie) has a pure soulful voice that will instantly make you take notice from the first line in the spirited upbeat opener "Little Lovin". Her debut EP Why You Runnin' highlights her vocal talent, as it is haunting yet warm when she presents an excellent cover of Hank Williams Sr. "Wedding Bells" and on her [...]

The Cribs Ignore The Ignorant Warner Bros. Records [2009] Fire Note Says: Band still trying to break out in the US! Album Review: The Cribs are highly touted and well followed in their UK homeland and on the groups fourth album Ignore The Ignorant , they have brought more fire power in with the addition of guitarist Johnny Marr (Smiths, Modest Mouse). This help brings a sense of [...]

Caroline Herring Golden Apples Of The Sun Signature Sounds [2009] Fire Drill Review: Caroline Herring plays a simple type of folk music that captures your interest with her striking vocals and intimate song arrangements. On her fourth album, Golden Apples Of The Sun she not only dazzles you with her solid originals but performs perfectly on her interpretation of Joni Mitchell's "Cactus Tree", bluegrass staple "Long Black Veil", and the blues classic [...]