NYS Music 20​11

Category: Album Reviews

  • LIFE IN YOUR WAY “Kingdoms” is inspirational, musically excellent

    LIFE IN YOUR WAY “Kingdoms” is inspirational, musically excellent

    I have to tell you, I was not familiar with the band Life In Your Way before being told to check them out by an associate. My views on faith and religion definitely vary quite highly to someone who may be considered a practicing Christian. As a matter of fact, I am quite ambivalent to the role of faith in the realm of music in general. So to say I was a skeptic before my first listens, would be a vast understatement. This highly energetic and devoutly spiritual metal band hailing from Hartford, CT., proved that my skepticism was all for not.

    The story behind the recording of this record is a great one indeed. After being on hiatus for close to three years, the band announced they would re-group and record a new album. Three days after launching  a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the album, Life In Your Way reached their goal of $12,500. In return, the band made the album free for download. This is very inspirational in itself, and has come to show the DIY success that can be achieved with today‘s self marketing process.

    “Kingdoms,” is a concept record broken down into three separate EP‘s, The Kingdom of Man, The Kingdom of Darkness, and the Kingdom of God. All of these different pieces have a profoundly unique message to convey without pushing the agenda of religion on you. The Kingdom of Man is rooted in themes about overcoming challenges in the face of adversity. We as listeners can all relate to the universal obstacles put in front of us, and this first EP drives that home. When singer Josh Kellam delivers a verse like “ Open my eyes to the truth behind this all. This is still breaking me down and I am powerless to change it,” I can relate. I am sure all of you can relate to this on some level as well. The second EP, The Kingdom of Darkness, is my favorite segment of the bunch. I was truly intrigued by all of the songs in this set, but blown away by Buried Idols. This cautionary tale of living life on the edge is accentuated by lyrics that howl with disdain. It is tough to not hear the urgency in “You’ve got yourself wrapped around this. It will dig your grave.” Even more chaos is invoked when Kellam asks, “Will the heart become so callused from self-deceit?” These are strong words of doubt that conflict with some one on a righteous path. The final installment of EP’s is The Kingdom of God. In this last segment of songs, self correction and “being saved,” is the topic of choice. Although I respect what has been laid down here, themes of salvation through a higher being are introduced. This is where the record got a tad uncomfortable for me. I can respect everyone’s opinion of faith, but just not in a preachy way. Luckily, the band does not come off as the type that aims to do this on any level. They are simply proclaiming what they believe to be the truth.

    “Kingdoms,” is a great set of songs that is sensational on a musical level. They are progressive, technically astounding, and diverse in harmonic excellence. Lyrically, these songs are universally inspirational regardless of your notions on religion. I strongly urge you to check out this disc with an open mind and heart!

    The Kingdom of Man
    01. Forever
    02. Blind in Retrospect
    03. Growth in Passion
    04. Forsaken Me

    The Kingdom of Darkness
    05. Ruler of the Air
    06. Take Notes
    07. Swarm
    08. Buried Idols

    The Kingdom of God
    09. Induction
    10. Who I Am
    11. Like a River
    12. The Healer
    13. The Ascension

    For more information on Life In Your Way:
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Life-in-Your-Way/191947100829132
    Website:http://www.lifeinyourway.net
    Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/LifeInYourWayCT

    You can download the digital “Kingdoms” for free here: http://comeandlive.com/kingdoms-life-in-your-way/
    You can also purchase the 3 disc set through Life In Your Way’s online store on Facebook.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMKFzKFClCE&w=420&h=315]

    -Erik Jensen

  • ONE LAST SHOT “What are you worth” EP is clever and tastefully wielded

    ONE LAST SHOT “What are you worth” EP is clever and tastefully wielded

    One can only hope that all those with the pleasure of hearing One Last Shot E.P. “What Are You Worth” (summer 2011) will have a formidable palette for punk and hardcore bands spanning all the way from the mid-eighties until today. These guys seem to have made it their mission to cleverly pull undertones from several influential bands spanning the era. This Syracuse, NY four-piece serves up raw, unrelenting vocals that set a sinister and almost sarcastic feel reminiscent of Daryl Palumbo circa early Glassjaw, though they tend to stay within an apparent “safe range” in pitch. Much of the dynamic lost by this, however, is compensated by a tastefully wielded modern high range scream, adding to a handful of climactic song endings and scathing transitions. The E.P. seems lyrically astute and addresses a fair span relevant topics for modern punk; from politics and interpersonal relationships to social disparity and violence in youth culture on the track “Homecoming Homicide”, arguably the most memorable and ferocious track on the record, followed by the infectious “Calling All Creeps”.

    The guitar work stays within the “book 1, page 1” 3-4 chord realm of generic punk, though they maintain a delightfully dark and brooding tonal aura in the vein of late-nineties New England Hardcore such as Blood For Blood, with a nostalgic tinge of So.-Cal. Punk. The drum parts are appropriate but wildly predictable at times, and something is definitely left to be desired tonally, a common qualm I often have with more straight-forward punk/rock/blankcore bands. A few generic hardcore breakdowns offer a change up from the steady-rolling punk feel that dominates the five songs, though they stick out as being a bit out of place and played out in their phrasing.

    While One Last Shot have crafted a clever batch of solid songs with “What Are You Worth”, ultimately they will have to spend a considerable amount of time crafting their technical abilities and investing in adequate equipment if they hope to compete in the national D.I.Y. punk circuit of today.

    Track listing:
    1. Very Much Alive
    2. Homecoming Homicide
    3. The Real Scarecrow
    4. Calling All Creeps
    5. Broken Dolls

    For more information on One Last Shot:
    http://www.facebook.com/onelastshot

    -Chris Parmelee

  • Around The World and Back “Big Beat” is intoxicating and magnetically hypnotic

    Around The World and Back “Big Beat” is intoxicating and magnetically hypnotic

    Every now and then, I am sent a CD that is highly recommended by my peers. In many cases, I have to truly dig in to find the greatness that I am being alerted to. 75% of the time, expectations fall short! With that being said,  I was given the CD, “Big Beat,” by Around The World and Back. This album is one that had me floored. The unprecedented songwriting abilities of this Albany, NY, band are poignant in screaming aloud, “Sign us, we are the real deal.”

    “Big Beat,” is the kind of record that many national acts aim to make, but fall flat on their face. The band succeeds in an effortless vision to take influences that are stapled to their sleeve, and turn them into something that is highly refreshing and reminiscent. In other statements about the band’s sound, reviewers have contrasted the guitar ambience of ATWAB to that of early U2. While this is absolutely true and impossible to refute, I hear sounds of grandiosity that easily point to other bands that could be of great influence. Pearl Jam, Coldplay, and most notably My Morning Jacket could easily be some of those who are admired here.

    The guitar sound on this record is incendiary in it’s approach. On tracks such as Slave and Underneath The Sun, the axe work of Bryan Shortell and Marco Testa is intoxicating and magnetically hypnotic. Equally as impressive is the vocal prowess of this band. Once again, the duties of singing are handled by both Shortell and Testa. The melodic and harmonic intricacies that the band are shooting for, are head and shoulders among some of their friends in the musical community. Other great tracks that are worth multiple listens immediately, include Old Man, Rehab, and Words In My Head.

    Simply stated, it is impossible for me to believe that this band is not receiving regular airplay on national radio. It is only a matter of time before they are given the opportunity to soar on the national level. Around The World and Back is a highly sophisticated song writing machine that is in the Waiting Room of bands needing the big break. I am not happy that they are waiting for that break! I have a feeling many of you will feel the same way after your first listen.

    Track Listing:

    Old Man
    Alone
    Slave
    Underneath The Sun
    Lie To Your Mother
    Words In My Head
    Overexpose
    Eighteen
    Rehab
    Long Verse

    For more information on Around The World and Back visit them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AroundtheWorldandBack

    -Erik Jensen

  • Mastodon’s “The Hunter” is refined; spectacular.

    Mastodon’s “The Hunter” is refined; spectacular.

    Gotta give love to the Rochester boys gone big time! Brann Dailor and Bill Kelliher were in one of the finest bands in the history of the Upstate metal music scene, Lethargy. In the 90’s, that band along with their peers in Big Hair, Bughouse, Hate Machine, and Cheese, created quite a stir in Upstate and beyond. Most of these bands were prog-like in nature, heavy in sound, and as creative as anything being punched out on the national music scene. It is to no one’s surprise that someone would have to blow up on the national scene in this talented group of artists. Bill and Brann’s time in Lethargy ended in 1999. This was followed by relocation to Atlanta, and Mastodon was born! The rest is history as this sludgy prog rock juggernaut has been recognized as one of the best of it’s time. The accolades include a grammy nomination for Colony of Birchmen off their ridiculously sick album, Blood Mountain.

    Fast forward to 2011! After the release of their four previous albums which had a flair for jammed out progressions and conceptualized themes, the band decided to focus their attention on a different plan of attack. Gone are the 13 minute epics that would jam out into the galaxy. As a matter of fact, nothing here goes over the 6 minute mark. It does not mean the band has lost it’s knack for intensely complicated and intense arrangement, it is just in a smaller package. It is not so much a new direction as it is a refining of the song writing process in general. Obviously being a skeptic as I am, I was afraid that this album would not be able to stand up to the best in their catalog. Silly me! This album has helped me refine my approach on passing judgement on something before it is even heard.

    The tracks here are killer. Black Tongue starts off this album with a bang, and is followed by the melodic chorus of Curl of The Burl, which may just be the best rock track of the year, period! Other great tracks include Blasteroid, Spectrelight, and the The Hunter!

    If you feel like the gruff edges have been shined off the sound of Mastodon, you are quite correct. The unusual grouping of Mike Elizondo with this band has resulted in a focus on overall musicianship and song structuring. For those not familiar with Elizondo, he has produced an awful lot of hip hop acts including Eminem and 50 Cent. You will get none of that here though! You get less sludge and more melodic blasts of heaviness. A quite spectacular result overall.

    At the end of this year, you will see this album on many critic’s top 10 lists. Quite simply, it is that good!

    Mastadon The Hunter Track listing:

    Black Tongue
    Curl Of The Burl
    Blasteroid
    Stargasm
    Octopus Has No Friends
    All The Heavy Lifting
    The Hunter
    Dry BoneValley
    Thickening
    Creature Lives
    Spectrelight
    Bedazzled Fingernails
    The Sparrow

    This album is available on Itunes, as well as through the bands website.

    -Erik Jensen

  • A Super Gnarly Christmas: Volume II sure to get your nog flowing

    A Super Gnarly Christmas: Volume II sure to get your nog flowing

    Like supporting local artists in Upstate NY? Dig Christmas music with a twist? Need a stocking stuffer for someone who does? Here ya go.

    “A Super Gnarly Christmas: Volume Two” was slated to hit local shelves on Black Friday. Offering 22 tracks by 22 artists. Alongside  6 commercials by Arison Cain, Rob LaVine, and Adam Hunt, which make up the “DemonDS” tracks. All of which are from the Upstate area, the comp seeks to give area listeners a wide variety of holiday inspired original music, as well as a handful of cleverly re-imagined cover tunes.

    Though you may want to give it a serious listen for content before playing it at grandma’s house.

    As Corey Putney (the idea guy behind Super Gnarly’s resurrection) puts it “The album is dirty, fun, festive, offensive, and beautiful. It’s a blend of each and every genre in a way that just makes sense, and I hope that everyone enjoys listening to it as much as all of us had making it.”

    In keeping with the holiday spirit, one can always expect a wide variety of Christmas music compilations to flood the market, agonizingly hoping to move each and every unit prior to Christmas eve so remaining copies don’t go into the local $1 bin at the gas station on the 26th.

    That being said, instead of dropping cash on yet another copy of “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” while secretly saying to yourself “Bitch shoulda ducked,” check out some local up and comers instead.

    The idea of a band whose name is Bruce Campbell, covering Latin Xmas classic “Feliz Navidad,” makes this listen practically mandatory. Load up the Boomstick and grab a copy while you can.

    Track listing:

    DEMONDS “GHOSTS ON FILM (INTRODUCTION)”
    BRUCE CAMPBELL “FELIZ NAVIDAD”
    LEO LEMAY “ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU”
    [YOURNAMEHERE] “BLUE CHRISTMAS”
    LANDSLIDE VICTORY “DECK THE HALLS”
    APACHE CHIEF “AN UPSTATE CHRISTMAS”
    DEMONDS “THE LAND OF MISFIT SEXTOYS”
    SHAWN VANBROCKLIN “SANTA BABY”
    WOOF NASTY “CAROL OF THE BELLS”
    AARON ADAIR “HAPPY CHRISTMAS (WAR IS OVER)
    BABY BLUE BIRD ”BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE”
    COREY PUTNEY “BABY PLEASE COME HOME”
    DEMONDS “WOMP & CIRCUMSTANCE”
    JESSE TAYLOR “I WON’T BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS”
    ADAM MCANULTY “YOU & ME”
    DAMIEN MORROW “HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS”
    SETH EGGLESTON “YULE SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT”
    FOLDING HOMES “HOLIDAZE”
    DEMONDS “BLACK MASS APPEAL”
    AFTER THE AVALANCHE “LAST CHRISTMAS”
    MATTY C BEATS “O HOLY NIGHT”
    DREW B CROHNS “AULD LANG SYNE”
    PRANCER & THE VIXENS “RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER”
    DEEP REST “WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES YOU’LL DO CHRISTMAS THINGS WITH CHRISTIANS AND YOUR COUSIN CHRISTIAN”
    DEMONDS “THE REASON FOR THE SEASON”
    JAZZTIME STARLIGHT CHRISTMAS ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLE “EVERYBODY SHAKE YOUR HANDS (IT’S TIME FOR CHRISTMAS)”
    DUSTIN NICHOLSON “TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS”
    DEMONDS “STREET NAMES (EPILOGUE)”

    For more information, and to keep up to date on release news visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Super-Gnarly-Christmas-Volume-Two

    -Greg Allis

  • Borderline Suicide

    Borderline Suicide

    Borderline Suicide

    Borderline Suicide – Many bands have wallowed in obscurity while having the talent to break out into the music business.  Bands have come and gone only leaving remnants of songs and albums in the past.  Too many times we have seen good bands die without proper recognition.  With the release of  “Gone Forever”  by Borderline Suicide in September 2011, we have yet another piece of evidence that incredible musicianship can be found on the outside of confines a label instills.  This album rips through your heart with thrashing guitars, emotional lyrics, and a sound all of its own.  Borderline Suicide has managed to put together an independent album that sets the standards high within the underground. As I listened to each track I was amazed to find out that this release was the first ever for this band from Fulton, New York.  Each song seems to take the listener on an emotional roller coaster starting with, Take It All the Way to Dead Alone.  Most songs on the album stay fresh with a multitude of tempo changes and dramatic breakdowns.  The production of the album could have been better with the backup vocals but overall was solid.  Each song featured harmonizing guitars and vocals that told a story of struggle and pain.  My favorite songs on the album are No One Can See the Light and Punch ‘Em.  Punch ‘Em features the tempo changes that build up to dramatic breakdowns in the song while No One Can See the Light keeps the energy flowing for the listener.  I would highly recommend this album to anyone who enjoys metal music!  The album is priced at $10 each and is available at Soundgarden in Syracuse and Bodified in Oswego, NY.  Albums are also available directly from the band itself on Facebook.

    -Rob Born