Flabbergaster - A Place for Music

Hope For The Dying- Dissimulation

I love albums that take initiative to tell a story or serve an agenda, don't you? With their newest release, "Dissimulation," Hope For The Dying takes you on an adventure of the imagination and soul that will leave you dissimilar after the last note has been hit.

Formed in 2006, the goal for Hope For The Dying has always been to bring something new and different to the world of music. This album meets that attempt and grabs your attention right away. The album artwork paints a picture of what you are going to experience right off the bat, as it portrays a theme of darkness and light, suggesting the two will clash at some point before separating like water and oil.

HFTD gives metal listeners a combination of heavy lead riffs, menacing vocals, complete with an orchestra playing in the background, which runs non-stop throughout the entire album  to make the album a continuous story. It almost feels as if you are watching a period-piece movie, such as Gladiator or Braveheart, where the tension and emotion builds-following the emotion and engaging you for the next scene-which in this case contains a fresh burst of metal in your face! 

Give it a listen.

Check out Hope For the Dying on Facebook. 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/hopeforthedyingband

 

 

Burning the Midnight Oil with AS THEY SLEEP

Let's face it: there's good metal, and there's bad metal.  Some it is the product of hard work and labor, while the rest is performed by amateur musicians who just learned how to play in drop c tuning and are still mastering the palm-muting technique. Just because a band is heavy, doesn't mean they are good! Detroit, MI's own AS THEY SLEEP have been students of metal since 2003 and have refined themselves throughout the process! While sifting through lineup changes, they have found their dignity and expertise in jamming out brash-aggressive death metal, with fierce metal techniques and vocals that give a hostile roar. Their first album, Blacken the Sun, was released on Luxor Records and got the attention of Solid State Records (a subsidiary of Tooth and Nail Records) in late 2009-the band appeared on the label’s roster early the following year. 

While ATS's music is well thought out and deliberate, so is the meaning behind the band name, which suggests the best way to succeed is to work hard to achieve your goals instead of letting them surpass you. Vocalist, Aaron Bridgewater is a confrontational lyricist who knows how to get his point across. His word usage is well educated and his growling vocals demand their attention...not to mention he's a tough guy by default! In late 2010 ATS released their debut album on Solid State, Dynasty, which focuses on the idea of empires, that have risen and fallen throughout history.  It ranges from Ancient Egypt(Bedlam at the Nile) to America's current predicament(To the Republic). The band mentions that they have always wanted to do an album theme, which I believe gives a record meaning and makes it fun to follow! Whether or not they will do another theme in the future is up in the air, but at this point ATS has proven that they can captivate an audience with good material and an unforgettable live performance. If they are in your area, check them out!

 
Photos courtesy of As They Sleep's Facebook fan page.

August Burns Red - Leveler album review

Fourth albums are always a bit shaky for a band, especially when the anticipation is high because the last three releases have done so well. First, they are stoked that they have made it this far, and second, they want to break new ground to continue the journey. August Burns Red can admit to such feelings. It is no secret that this band has done well over the last few years and plans to drop off now are nowhere in sight.

You can tell ABR is trying to re-define themselves on Leveler, although they aren't toning it down one bit. They experiment a tad-bit with other techniques (such as the island fever jam on Internal Cannon) and the album artwork is a little different then their previous releases. The cover looks like a scene from a Beavis and Butt-head episode-suggesting the boys got ahold of a fork lift and leveled Tom Anderson's house (Heh-heh, that was cool, Beavis). Leveler's opening track, "Empire" is a real thrust of heavy metal and makes quite an introduction. There is a huge 808 bass-drop within the first 0:15 of the song followed by several cool riffs that compel you to leave the song on repeat or rewind your favorite parts....just make sure you watch the road if you are driving! "Poor Millionaire," and "Boys of Fall," are fun little jams also. Last, vocalist Jake Luhrs is back on board with his creative life-motivating lyrics that have sustained his fans attention since he made his debut in 2007 with "Messengers." 

I think it's safe to say that August Burns Red will be around for a little while longer, and that fans still buy records when they believe in a band so heavily. Leveler sold over 25,000 copies its first week on the shelves, causing chaotic elation for the staff at Tooth and Nail records, as they had not seen such numbers on the charts in a long time! The band was stoked about it as well. It goes without saying that they have worked hard for their success and they are grateful to be where they are.

Welcome to Flabbergaster!

Thank you for visiting Flabbergaster Music.

Follow me on Twitter! Follow @chrisflab

*Also, if you band needs a logo or any design work done, I can offer you a good quality product for a low fee. Email me at the e-mail address above.*

Icon For Hire-Scripted album review

As long as I have had any involvement with music, it has always brought me joy to see an artist succeed. The first glimpse I got of Decatur, IL's Icon For Hire, I was in a huge car-pile up line awaiting admission to Cornerstone Festival and decided to get out and go make some friends for the next week since it it would be an hour till the gates opened. Vocalist, Ariel's bright pink hair caught my eye. I bought their demo for $5 and blasted it in my car stereo for all to hear.

Since then they have signed to Tooth and Nail Record's and on August 23rd, released their debut album, "Scripted." I was pleasantly surprised to see two of the songs from their demo (both refined) appear on their debut LP. They are, "Off With Her Head," and "Only a Memory," which is a song attributed to anyone who has suffered through sexual abuse and decided to be strong about it and create new memories instead of choosing the victom mentality-reverting to the past. The album opens with a 0:29 overture and then blasts into the proceeding track, "Theater," which sets a tone for the rest of the album. "Make a Move" seems to be the best candidate for an upcoming single as the lyrics are catchy and stays in your head, compelling you to hum to yourself.

While Scripted doesn't bring anything dramatically new to the table, it is a strong first album for IFH. It's well written, it flows nicely, and they have nowhere to go but up. Listeners of Linkin Park, Flyleaf, and RED will be engaged quickly. The band mentioned in an interview with Tooth and Nail that they started their group to make a difference in their community, and in themselves-not to add to the long list of washed up rock stars. Before getting recognition, they had a DIY attitude and toured throughout the midwest to make a name for themselves. Now with some leverage, they just may get their wish.

Pick up a copy today or check it out on Spotify or iTunes.

Featured Band of the Week: HEY, BASTARD!

Let me begin by saying there are very few bands out there with 100% raw factor i.e., in your face rock 'n roll! Among those few is Terre Haute, Indiana's HEY, BASTARD. These 4 guys offer a fresh burst of party rock and rage to their audience, and are not about to apologize for it, either. They understand that people go to live shows because they want to be entertained, and HB knows how to thrust their audience into an unforgettable oblivion.

Because great things don't just happen by themsevles without the necessary legwork involved, HB keeps pretty busy. They have been on the road since 2006 and are relentless in their pursuit to make their mark as musicians and entertainers. It goes without saying that they are not calm in their deliverance. The music is urgent, the vocals are hostile with riverting guitar riffs, and the drums are aggressive. Their guitarist, William Wayne, uses all Orange gear and has been on the company's artist roster for 2 years. Despite the trials and tribulations of being on the road and paying their dues, they are starting to see some reward for their effort, as they recently had the opportunity to play in front of 4500 people, which is a real treat for every aspiring musician. Hopefully the chances of that happening again in the future will snowball! Party on, Wayne!

Be sure to download their single, "Southern Discomfort," on iTunes and if they are in your area on their upcoming tour, be sure to catch them.

SAFE & SOUND APPAREL PRESENTS: THE CLIT TOUR U.S. W/ WILSON AND HEY, BASTARD!
-----
September 8th - Lansing, MI @ Mac's Bar
September 9th - Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room
September 10th - Indianapolis, IN @ The Dojo
September 11th - Columbus, OH @ Skully's Music Diner
September 12th - Cleveland, OH @ Pirate's Cove (Inside Peabody's)
September 13th - Dayton, OH @ House Show
September 14th - Nashville, Tennessee @ The Muse

http://heybastard.com

We Came As Romans - To Plant a Seed

 

 

Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys

Ever notice that some albums seem to put you in a good mood against your will? After 2 years since their last release (The Open Door EP) the Bellingham, WA based quartet, Death Cab for Cutie, is back with Codes and Keys- which contains 11 more playful/bouncy tracks to amuse their fans with. While these guys may not be known for their cool lead guitar riffs, they are known for making an environment fun and enjoyable, and even a bit artsy! Its very rare that to see small-time folk groups win Grammy Awards when they would have been content with playing in pubs and coffeshops just because they enjoy it!

The track names are catchy (such as Stay Young; Go Dancing, and Home is a Fire), and the songs are witty and sing-along-able; after a few listens, they seem to stick with you. The albums opening track begins with a little keyboard ditty followed by singer/guitarist Ben Gibbard's melancholic-folky voice. Fans of Coldplay will sport a grin to the album-title track, "Codes and Keys," and angst driven girls who are bitter against their boyfriends who won't listen will chant along to "Some Boys," and  "Portable Television" is a real head-bopper and would be ideal for singing in a crowded pub environment with everyone raising their pint glasses in the air-loving life. The rest of the album I will leave up to you to check out for yourself.

Feel free to leave a comment or two. :)

Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part II

I have one question before I begin: are the Beastie Boys ever going to get old? They have been an entertainment to the hip-hop (and punk) industry for nearly 30 years now and are still keeping up with the times and the genres. They're music is still hip, fun to dance to, and the creativity flows well. Bottom line: they're still cool! Following their 2009 release, "Hot Sauce Comittee," the New York trio now has a follow up album, "Hot Sauce Committee Part Two."  The album artwork is simple but still lures your attention, hearkening old nintendo fans to their days of one-dimenshional pixel animation.

"Make Some Noise" is a little retro in its beatbut gets your feet moving, even if you can't get up to dance at the moment. "Nonstop Disco Powerpack" is a fun little rap jam with a lot of echoey microphone feedback, and cool drumbeats. The album also features guest appearance from other artists. Nas appears on the track, "Too Many Rappers," and Santigold performs on "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win."

While the Beastie Boys are still entertaining and able to appeal to their audience, they're new material doesn't break any new ground, but that's ok, because they're the Beastie Boys and they earned their reputation a long time ago-and won't be going away anytime soon! One pro to their new material is that it is more upbeat than their 1998 release, "Hello Nasty," which seemed to ebb and flow quite a bit during its duration. These guys still know how to have fun with different noises and are playful in their delivery. Make you sure you grab a copy or check it out on Spotify.com or iTunes!

Feel free to leave a comment or two!

Listening to We Came As Romans...these guys have their best days ahead of them!!!

What Makes A "Good" Record?

Ever notice how much power and influence a record-let alone music, can have on shaping our lives? A good record can appeal to individual or a large, but where do they come from, and what are they made of? I recently asked that question to several friends and strangers to see if I could draw a central thread. Music varies from genre to genre, no doubt, but the answers I got were informative, and a bit entertaining. Here are a few:

 "If I can forget where I am for the duration of my first listen, then that's the sign of a good record."

"I'm not sure how to answer this question but vocals always make or break it for me."

"A good record takes me on a journey. It lures me in. Lyrics are also important to me. They have to speak to me."

The last answer I got what from a friend who produces records in his area. His answer was very long and detailed, but his last comment stated, "A good record has to be longer than 30 minutes."

Very rarely does a record come along that is able to appeal to a massive audience. The Joshua Tree by U2 and Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park are two great examples. They both broke new ground and are still doing well after the first decade(s) had passed both of their release dates. A record does not have to have immediate success to qualify as a good record either. On a subjective level, it can become a favorite over a period of time, even if we didn't like it at first. Personally, some of my favorite albums had to grow on me, but they took me on a journey and years later, are a snap shot to that period of my life. 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage by Cold resonated with me while it helped me through a very dark period of my life. 

While there are very few 'correct' answers to the question, "What makes a good record?" because of personal opinions and taste, I will try to narrow it down to the best of my ability. A good record:

1) Speaks to us on an emotional level.

2) Takes us out of our current reality.

3) Has more than one hit instead of a few good tracks with filler songs in between.

4) Has a steady flow between tracks and keeps the listener engaged.

5) Is at a decent time length (45 minutes or longer).

6) Allows the listener to dream.

7) Has phenomenal guitar work.

8) Has breathtaking vocals (which can override mediocre musicianship, but not vice versa).

9) Shows growth and potential in the artist, instead of the alternative.

10) Contains lyrics with depth.

 Feel free to leave a comment if you would like to add something.

The Color Morale - My Devil In Your Eyes

After touring extensively to promote their debut album, “We All Have Demons,” The Color Morale has returned with a heavier and more intense sound, continuing with their thus far spiritual battle themes, this time called, “My Devil in Your Eyes.” The cover art is riveting and the commencing fade-in riff is alluring.

While their first album was respectable, it was a bit one dimensional and redundant, yet still enjoyable to peak their fans interest with their sophomore release, which is undoubtedly heavier, and their music is thicker and faster than before, yet still recognizable. To achieve a better sound, the band has resorted to playing in drop C tuning instead of drop D (E standard); enabling themselves to compliment vocalist Garret Rapp’s versatile singing abilities, and empowering him to scream and growl more, while also being as melodic as he previous.

A few notable tracks are “Nerve Endings,” ”Human(s) Being),” “The Dying Hymn,” and “Walkers.”  The lyrics are emotional as before, yet a bit more aggressive, very self-disclosing, revealing thoughts about relationships, spiritual struggles, and living as an imperfect human being. Some of them are even catchy. Such as, “Keep your past in the past and focus on what you don’t framed,” “We are not useless, just used. I see something in you that I’ve been through,” and “We have always been face to face, but we have never seen eye to eye so take a good look in mine, it’s a window to a soul who knows not why.” Last, “I’ve got my father’s teeth and my mother’s bite marks.”  The lyrics are creative and true for many, on some level.

The album ends with a fuzzy-sounding soul lament called, “Fill; avoid.” The concluding lyrics exclaim, “You made me dust not dirt,” giving recognition to the divine engineering in all of us. While the road has been unfriendly to The Color Morale in the past, hopefully greater avenues will open up to them after this release forges its way through the traffic. They’re proven they can handle it.