The Music Basement's SHORT REVIEWS 1: Alternative Press's 100 Bands You Need To Know PART 1!
Hey! I remember you guys!
Hello again readers! For those of you who have been keeping up with this blog, I promised a couple weeks ago reviews for little bands included in the annual article Alternative Press runs every year; 100 Bands You Need To Know. The article gives readers (including me) a plethora of alternative, rock, metal, and electronic bands to take a look at. So, I thought it would be fun to give mini-reviews of these bands who’s music I can get a hold of. I’ll do at least 5 mini-reviews an article. So...let’s begin shall we, with part 1!
Crossfaith - Zion
For Fans Of: Enter Shikari, Skrillex
Crossfaith is a band that hails all the way from Osaka, Japan that was recently signed to indie label Tragic Hero Records. The bands first material released in the states, Zion, definitely shows that the band mixes many ideas into their metal. Genres that you’ll find in Zion include metalcore, industrial metal, hardcore, and electronic. Honestly, it reminded me much Enter Shikari with the energy and amazing synth work the EP manages to create in every song. The band aren’t trying to be serious with the lyricism, just fun! Songs like “Jagerbomb” shows that they want you to dance, and mosh at the same time to their sound. It’s a short, and satisfying little EP that establishes Crossfaith as a band to look out for in the future. It might also be easier to look out for them since the band will be on all dates of Warped Tour this summer. The band is set to release their third (first in the states) full length in May.
FINAL GRADE: A-
CHOICE CUT: “Jagerbomb”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT4env-Tw2o
Class - Stereo Typical - EP
For Fans Of: Skrillex, Bassnectar, Attack, Attack!
Class is the electronic side project of former Attack Attack!, and current Beartooth singer Caleb Shomo. Now I know some people might be turned off by that, but Class’s first EP Stereo Typical does show some promise. Shomo, who also did all the synth work with AA! knows his way around a keyboard. The problem is he has to refrain from going into Skrillex mode and repeating bass drops and sound signatures like he does in most of the album. The song “Lucky Lucky Lou” doesn’t do any of the problems mentioned above, which leads me to believe that Class does have some promise. As it is though, Stereo Typical might come off as a Skrillex dubstep knock off to some, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on Class’s work because “Lucky Lucky Lou” is so damn good.
FINAL GRADE: C
CHOICE CUT: “Lucky Lucky Lou”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pGS0IeQoAw
Brothertiger - Golden Years
For Fans Of: MGMT, Daft Punk
So who likes MGMT? Because if you do, you just might enjoy Brothertiger! Hailing from Toledo, OH, Brothertiger’s creator, John Jagos, starting djing at parties at Ohio University where people loved his relaxed style of electronic music. He then decided to try to become an artist full time, and released his first album, Golden Years, in 2012. The album is solid synth and vocal work by Jagos, who wanted people to feel like they were human and animal while they were listening. The feel is definitely there, as Jagos’s lyricism hones into that idea. The main problem with Golden Years is that there doesn’t feel like there is much difference between songs. It’s only the lead single “Lovers” that has a truly distinct feel. The album is still some very solid work, and Brothertiger could become big in the electronic scene if he takes some risks and makes a hell of an album in the future.
FINAL GRADE: C+
CHOICE CUT: “Lovers”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRwX-kMUfEg
Young Guns - Bones
For Fans Of: Twin Atlantic, Foo Fighters
There is usually one rock album I’m recommended a year from a band that I have never heard of that usually blows me away with how good it is. Bones is that album. The second from the England rockers, Bones is an album that looks at the style of The Foo Fighters and The Killers and somehow manages to mix them into an amazing rock album that should be getting the band some major attention. The lyricism is standard, but the crafting and musicianship of the songs is what really sticks out. Each member is very talented, and all it is going to take is for the right person to notice them, and I could imagine them breaking big.
FINAL GRADE: B+
CHOICE CUT: “Dearly Departed”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx1Vtc0Mj0o
Walk Off The Earth - R.E.V.O. - EP
For Fans Of: Mumford & Sons, Goyte
Funny thing about Walk Off The Earth, you might have already heard of their work. The band did a cover of Goyte’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” that has gained 142 million hits on Youtube, and a celebrity fan in Ellen DeGeneres. Hopefully, Ellen has them back on the show soon, because R.E.V.O. is an awesome indie folk album that is catchy and creative. I’m always a sucker for switching vocals between a guy and a girl and Walk Off The Earth vocalist Sarah Blackwood, Ryan Marshall, and Joel Cassady switch off perfectly within songs. The lyricism is catchy and fun, and is perfect to play on a nice summer night next to the warm bonfire with friends. R.E.V.O. is nothing flashy, it’s just simple and effective. The band has released their first debut album, again called R.E.V.O., which I am now excited to listen too and review!
FINAL GRADE: A+
CHOICE CUT: “Gang of Rhythm”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHvl6z56zGc
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