NYS Music 20​17

Tag: album reviews

  • Hearing Aide: The Nice Ones “The Nice Ones”

    “If there’s one thing that can be said about the album, it is that it is brimming with emotion,” said guitarist Sam McGarrity. Boy, he wasn’t kidding. This emotional direction is a new concept for this group, but that doesn’t mean they still haven’t lost sight of their style. I only say this because as good as their first track sounds, it is very misleading in terms of the direction of the album. As for the rest of their work, it’s well orchestrated, produced perfectly and gives each member a chance to shine.  One of their most notable traits is their ability to build upon ideas while keeping things linear. With rock based bands, things can get a little repetitive. But The Nice Ones never get comfortable and can keep things interesting throughout the entirety of a track.

    “Siren Song” is a surprising first start for the group. They’ve released two albums prior to this one and none of them are styled in the way “Siren Song” is, but loyal fans can rest assured that they haven’t lost their roots. With delicate instrumentation and Patrick Surdam’s fragile voice, the song acts as prelude which attests to McGarrity’s claim of the collection being full of sentimentality.  

    “Know Better”  jumps right into their rock and roll style with the only similarity being Surdam’s voice. It’s a straightforward and completely contradictory song to the the prior track. It has a great instrumental hook in the chorus and, again, the group has done a stupendous job of building an arc worth waiting for. There’s plenty of highs and lows to keep thing interesting in an otherwise very rudimentary song.

    “Good Kids” is dance worthy, glowing with positive energy and is a track that would be a tremendous hit in a live setting. The guitar hook is an ear worm, in a good way.  And once again, they create an arc in their song that builds in a direction that a new listener would never expect. This is undoubtedly one of their key tracks.

    Don’t be fooled,  “Surfer Girl” is not what it seems. The tone switches back and forth several times and ends in a way that’s completely different than the intro in terms of instrumental and lyrical content. Surdam first speaks of a girl that he “thought of kissing” and ends the song talking about how he should have killed this girl when he had the chance. This one will be listed as another key track because of its contradictory style and, once again, the incredible rise and fall of emotion.

    What I’m loving most about the album is how their songs never finish the same way they start. The only similarity is the key, and even that’s arguable. “John Honre Burns!” is one of the most dynamic tracks on the album and has an incredibly misleading intro.  The only other time we hear the sultry riff of the intro is half way through the track when it repeats and that’s it. After the second verse, the feeling of rage grows exponentially until the end of the song when it comes crashing down.

    Lastly is “Burn it Down,” the most anxious and chaotic track on the album. It leaves a bit of a bitter taste in the listener’s mouth considering what the tone was at the start of the album. It’s fast, rambunctious, but oddly good. McGarrity said this was an emotional track and anger is the emotion that this album was missing. Well, listeners will sure get their fill of anger with this one. It just isn’t a track most groups would place at the end of an album. Looking past that, it’s well orchestrated and a fun listen. 

    Although the album is “brimming with emotion,” it is a little sporadic. This isn’t an album that people will listen to from beginning to end; it’s too all over the place. I encourage people to riffle through the album to find something they like because there really is something for everyone.

    Key Tracks: Siren Song, Good Kids, Burn it Down

  • Hearing Aide: Your Name Here ‘5 Weeks’

    This album by Your Name Here 5 Weeks is a true inspiration to aspiring artists and those currently running through the trials and tribulations of beginning adulthood. It’s a complicated time to be alive but it’s comforting to know that there’s a number of people in the same place in life. is a true inspiration to aspiring artists and those currently running through the trials and tribulations of beginning adulthood. It’s a complicated time to be alive but it’s comforting to know that there’s a number of people in the same place in life.

    This is a thoroughly impressive album from an orchestral and emotional stand point. It’s always moving forward, it’s unpredictable and it’s the result of years of blood, sweat and tears. Simply put, it’s like Ben Folds 5 in space. But that’s almost insulting to summarize it as such because of its complexity and deeper meaning that lies within the recordings.

    Before the analysis, listners need a bit of a history lesson about Garrett Eckl and the creation of his first album.

    Eckl, 21, is a student from Rochester NY  who studied computer science at Drexel University while juggling a job in NASA’s Goddard Flight Center. Eckl has always been a music lover and recently began to dabble in the art of music production. He began writing and recording a concept album out of his small, Washington D.C. apartment but his progress was limited by time and space (no pun intended).

    Some time passed and Eckl decided that his passion no longer lain in computer science and that completing this first EP was what he wanted most. He dropped out of Drexel, left NASA, moved back to Rochester and in one year’s time, finished the album. His seemingly rash decision yielded heckling from his friends but was countered by support from his family. His decision to move away is what helped inspire that album’s theme – appreciate what you have and don’t look back. From drum tracks to album art, Eckl did it all. He says it’s a concept album about a man who has five weeks left to live. Eckl asks people to give it a try and think to yourself, “think about what you would do if you only had five weeks to live. Would you be the same person or would you make drastic changes in your life?

    It’s obvious that Eckl is fiddling with a variety of styles here (that’s to be expected with an EP) but the album still holds a powerful story. “Fall Apart (Start Again)” and “Out Of Time”  are definitely his most impressive pieces of work. The lyrical content is a little somber, and that’s true throughout the album, but the first two songs counter those thought provoking lyrics with a a complex and upbeat tone. As said before, the sound is very reminiscent of Ben Folds in terms of his voice and some prominent piano sections. NYS Music brought this to Eckl’s attention and he said that although he is familiar with Folds, he was not an influence within Eckl’s music. Rather, the stylings of Breaking Benjamin, Green Day and Three Days Grace were the basis of his musical approach.

    Working down the track list, listeners will come to “Life on an Island” and will notice that Ben Folds style predominately on this  track. One of the most intriguing parts of the track is the beat, specifically as it starts off. It’s polyrhythmic, complex and immediately gets you moving. The song builds very well and is highlighted by one of the most moving guitar solos on the album.

    “Fade” pops up next and it’s where the album takes a sharp turn in terms of genre – It’s obvious there is much more of an electronic influence here. As mentioned before, Eckl recorded and produced the entire album so NYS Music asked him if there were any compositional influences he had. Eckl said that although it’s not something he follows closely, he believes subconsciously the score from the Netflix original series Stranger Things played a part in the composition of some of his songs – this is very apparent in this track. The song is docile most of the way through, but builds up to a drop that one may not expect to be followed by the previous tracks. Regardless, it’s very well made and it makes for a nice change of pace when listening to the album all the way through, which is how it should be enjoyed.

    Finally, the most melancholy recording plays through, “The Last Week.” It exclusively consists of a piano, strings/ violins and Eckl’s voice. It’s not a particularly thrilling song but is very  fitting considering the overall theme and the name of the track. It’s does have a build up which ends a little abruptly, but again, is fitting for the theme of  the album.

    All in all, this album may not tickle everyone’s fancy. This is undeniably a somber album, but it should be appreciated for it’s theme and production value. Listeners should be inspired by this album and spurred on to do the things they love. And although it may be crazy to drop a great education and job, pursuing your dreams and passions can result in creating something epic, just as Eckl has. The album is available on Spotify and Youtube, and you can follow Eckl and You’re Name Here on Facebook and Twitter.

    Key Tracks: Fall Apart ( Start Again), Out of Time, Life on an Island

    https://youtu.be/OGuDlHxaOZ8

  • Hearing Aide: St. Phillip’s Escalator ‘The Derelict Sound’

    Come on out to the garage, it’s hot in here. Rochester’s St. Phillip’s Escalator released its latest batch of psych-garage-blues rock on Record Store Day. The Derelict Sound, the band’s second full-length, is just that, an amalgam of the influences this power trio has cited since first forming as teenagers back in the early aughts.The band, guitarist/vocalist Ryan Moore, drummer Zachary Koch and bassist Noel Wilfeard, have been best friends since childhood and have been playing together as a unit just as long.

    The Derelict Sound is heavily rooted in the psychedelic sounds of the late ’60s garage bands. Many of the tracks wouldn’t be out of place on Lenny Kaye’s Nuggets compilation. Yet while there’s that trace of the past in the band’s sound, there’s a sense of looking forward as well. “New Age,” the lead single from Derelict signals just that in the band’s sound. It’s a swirling, not-quite-a-pop song that takes a step back from the band’s more frequent references of the Stooges, the Sonics and Blue Cheer.

    The album was recorded live at Temperamental Recording in Geneseo near Rochester. In an interview with NYS Music in March, Koch spoke about why they chose to record live, “It was not just a live record, but the bass, drums, and guitar, the core of it we played together because it’s the only way we could draw that energy. We tried before to record separately.” This is a band that thrives in a live environment. That is apparent when listening. The production feels live and gives the listener a great indication of what to expect in person.

    While the production value isn’t exactly what one would call “clean,” it is, after all, a garage rock album and it hits all the right spots. “Turn On, Get Out” opens with uptempo snare drumming reminiscent of Mudhoney. Koch’s beat drives this one and is one of the high points of the album. A Ron Asheton-style guitar solo kicks the frenzy up a notch before settling back in to Koch’s pocket.

    Influences are a-plenty throughout. Aside from the Stones, Stooges and Sonics references, there are times one can pick up shades of the Dickies’ “You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)” at the open of “Outside Mind.” The Escalator then brings you back down to Fun House-era Stooges dirge before kicking you over the rail into Dickies territory again. Koch is the driving force on this album. It is obvious that he is informed by such icons as Ginger Baker and Keith Moon.

    Ultimately, The Derelict Sound is a highly satisfying record that implores repeated listening. The band had a limited edition run of 300 copies printed in vinyl format. It is also available for download/streaming and on CD.

    Key Tracks: Turn On, Get Out, New Age, Outside Mind

    The Derelict Sound Tracklist:

    1. Sleepy Silver Train Haze
    2. Turn On, Get Out
    3. New Age
    4. Outside Mind
    5. Find My Way
    6. She’s Gone
    7. Turn the Blame
    8. Whiskey Woman Blues
    9. Undone
    10. All is Lost

  • Hearing Aide: String Cheese Incident ‘Believe’

    Those crazy kids from Colorado are it again. String Cheese Incident, one of the true pioneers of the modern jamband scene, has just released a feature length LP entitled Believe, their seventh studio produced LP and second with famed Talking Heads producer Jerry Harrison playing a prominent role.  Spawned from an intensive, full band writing session in Sedona, Arizona in 2014, the songs on this album range from simple and laid back to complex and intense, showing just how much of a range SCI can navigate through these days.

    Things pop instantly on the first and title track “Believe” with a quite funky, techno-ish groove that snakes in and out of some glossed up vocals led by guitarist/violinist/string wizard Michael Kang.  “Sweet Spot” gives Keith Moseley a chance to shine on vocals on a feel good, simple number featuring his always steady bass play. One of the jewels of this recording is “My One and Only” which masterfully mixes the band’s rhythmic cohesiveness and heartfelt lyrics over a bed of pleasant violin and acoustic guitar before abruptly transitioning into an Irish folk dance ending of sorts, reminiscent of something from Riverdance.  Along with vocal support supplied by Elephant Revival’s Bonnie Paine, it’s no surprise this song is in constant rotation on Sirius Satellite Radio’s Jam On channel.  “Get Tight” is another one of those classic SCI songs that’s beautiful in its simplicity and catchy as all get out. Although it is very similar in nature to “Sweet Spot,” both songs elicit a relaxing, summertime vibe that would seem to fit perfectly in a first set when played live.

    The following track, “Stop Drop Roll,” quickly changes things up and represents one of the true “dance” tracks on the album with evident elements of Daft Punk and Talking Heads (see: Harrison, Jerry).  This one seems to be heavily influenced by the rhythm section of Michael Travis (drums) and Jason Hann (percussion) which would make sense as they comprise EOTO, an established EDM act that is no stranger to late night festival sets.  “Flying” is really the only track that gives guitarist and founding member Bill Nershi a chance to take center stage and has a somber yet airy feel to it. “So Much Fun” gives keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth a turn on lead vocals and has so much of an 80s pop rock classic feel to it that you almost expect Huey Lewis to jump in and sing a few bars.  And perhaps no other track on Believe serves as a better example of the band’s current sound than the last one, “Beautiful.”  Already well established in the live setting, this song meshes String Cheese Incident’s signature sound texturing and heartfelt, joyous, lyrics all while being powered by an infectious electronica-type groove.

    Overall, this album does a nice job of keeping the listener engaged and mixing up different sounds and styles almost track to track.  It showcases the band’s musical chemistry that comes from decades of playing with one another and a simple yet heartfelt songwriting approach, serving as a great example of both the band’s history and their current sound.  This is a recommended purchase certainly for any SCI fan, but also for anyone who may be out of the loop and is curious what these rockers from the Rockies sound like today.

    Key Tracks: My One and Only, Beautiful