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Leftmore - Dog Catcher

Here is a simple record that has a lot of heart. The more I listen to this album, the more I like it! 

While attending the cd release show for Dog Catcher at The Blacksheep in Colorado Springs, I was handed my copy of this album. I was pleasantly bewildered to be handed a bracelet instead of a compact disk (like my generation was used to but slowly becoming irrelevant). This bracelet was a flash drive with all the music, artwork, and media for the new album. Innovation wasn't a moment too soon.

Joe Ziegler, Leftmore, doesn't wait on anyone. He takes his own initiative and creates his own opportunities. He books and supports his own tours. He's personable, funny, and keeps his audience engaged. His acoustic act is playful, full of heart, and serious at the same time. His lyrics are catchy enough to remember, and he always has a way of putting things into perspective.

Dog Catcher is an acoustic album. It's charming, serious, and a little confrontational all rolled into one. Fans of Death Cab For Cutie and old school Dashboard Confessional will sport a wide a grin. The Charts, The Marks, The Farce opens Dogcatcher and lyrics like, "The doctor always said I had a big heart, I never knew exactly what he meant. I like to think of it as all a good thing, that I had space for all my friends," demands the listener to stop and listen, begging the question: what will he say next? Golden Thread is sing-a-long-able although the lyrics, "A fractured heart's the fraction parts all makin' us a whole," are a bit of a tongue twister. It was written to commemorate a friend Ziegler lost while writing material for his next release--he had the inspiration for the song as he drove home from his funeral. Words I Deserve has a touch of Johnny Cash's style added to it and below this article, there is a video for it.

If you're into simple, but meaningful acoustic music, give Dog Catcher a listen. Click here to check it out on iTunes. 

 

 

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Penny Black

Fit For A King joins the Solid State Family-Debut Album, Early 2013!

Fit For A King joins the Solid State Family-Debut Album, Early 2013!

The underground hardcore scene just recieved a vigorous surge of melodramitic heaviness.

Baritone bands have been steadily re-emergent for a while now. Here is one that seems passionate and promising.

If you ask Ryan Kirby where his life is currently, he might respond with, "I am blessed and excited for what God has in store for us." Recently signed to Solid State records, Kirby is the lead vocalist for Fit For A King, from Tyler, TX. Their self-released debut album 'Descendants' was successful enough that it caught the attention of Solid State Records(August Burns Red, Under0ath). With influences ranging from As I Lay Dying to White Chapel, these guys are earning their place on the roster amongst them.

On a support tour, Fit For A King may only occupy the stage for 20 to 25 minutes but it will be short, to the point, and chaotic (it's also common courtesy when setting out for the first time with another band, hint, hint...). Their show packs a lot of punch and time will tell what else it will do. Their Solid State debut hasn't even hit the shelves yet, and they are already embarking on some remarkable tours with notable bands!

While FFAK would like their forthcoming album to be a sign of their musical progress, it also sends a valuable message to its listener about life, trials, and redemption. Solid State has always been known for releasing meaningful albums into the mainstream music scene--providing a positive message to young people. This album has a deliberate message for anyone seeking newness of life and freedom from past mistakes. According to Kirby, the overall message is, "We can either destroy our lives or create something beautiful. Regardless of how much we have derailed our lives, we can always get back on track with God's help." 

In the meantime, check out Descendants. It's heavy, filled with crushing baritone chords and metalcore riffs, harsh screams, and high-to-low ranging vocals. The guitar riffs cross between brutal and aromatic--like a shot of fragrance in a smoke filled room (The Faint, The Desolate is an example). A few tracks worth mentioning are: Ancient waters, Buried, and The Architect. Be sure to catch them on tour with Impending Doom in January of 2013!

In the meantime, click below to view their video "Ancient Waters."

 

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Penny Black

For nostalgic Further Seems Forever fans who were left unfulfilled...your moment of clarity has arrived like a late birthday card via snail mail!

After disbanding in 2006, Further Seems Forever left a huge void in the music industry and are back by popular demand!

Penny Black is the first Further Seems Forever album to feature a previous vocalist. Chris Carrabba has returned to fill his original role after leaving to pursue Dashboard Confessional. The last time Carrabba sang with Further Seems Forever was on their debut album The Moon Is Down in 2001, and left to 'woo' young girls with his acoustic before the album hit the shelves. I could say they are back to their roots, but their music has gotten thicker, with a few similarities intact. It sounds as if they have dropped it a step to keep up with their genre, as no one seemingly plays in E flat tuning anymore. The rhythm is still breaking its way out 4/4 with its 'mathie tangents' and their guitar riffs still drift off from time to time to explore the rest of the song. 

Penny Black captures that yearning vibe that Further Seems Forever has mesmerized audiences with for the past decade. The album is uplifting, urging you to dream!

Penny Black's first single, So Cold wastes no time in announcing Further Seems Forever's presence and is recognizable to any FSF or Dashboard Confessional fan within an earshot of the tune. Rescue Trained would make you wonder if Carrabba is a young Bono at heart as he hits the ceiling holding his high notes. For some reason, I can't help but thinking that this album was influenced by the 80's decade, which had its strength and weaknesses.

It's good to have Further Seems Forever back and I am sure the staff at Rise Records are excited to deliver their encore.

 

 

Onward to Olympus - Indicator

Onward to Olympus releases their third Facedown release, "Indicator." These guys have always been heavy and have always worked hard on writing good music. Their first album was heavy and to the point, yet their last record, The War Within Us, seemingly felt seeker-sensitive, as it embarked on a venture seeking new horizons--this record is an 'indication' that Charlotte, North Carolina's Onward to Olympus have zeroed in on their style and have shown their path to maturity!

First, let me say that I am slowly losing interest in metal. It is so stagnant right now. However...I appreciate bands that can write a heavy album, yet still budge from their genre enough to allow their music to reach for the something else and be creative. Indicator has a way of captivating its listener's curiosity, and then surprising them.

Indicator has a short and slightly epic intro that leads into heavy metal-core action. Wolf's Jaw is Indicator's first single and even has a few radio friendly(can I say that?) parts the might even earn the band some well deserved media attention. With contributed vocals from their drummer during the chorus, I almost thought Tom DeLong had received a guest vocal invitation(I like Blink-182 and AVA, by the way--don't hate). Circles and Illusions has some jammy parts, Breakthrough offers a short 'break' before thrusting you into Division, which have some neat-and unpredictable, breakdowns to ensure a memorable live performance. 

Overall, a good record and a stepping stone for the band. Hopefully Indicator will score some bigger tours and better opportunities for Onward to Olympus. They can handle it. This album see's the departure of bassist Justin Allman, who left to pursue other goals and remains close friends with the band. Thanks Justin! You did your time well! 

 

War of Ages Return To Life with Album Number Five

War of Ages continues their quest to conquer mediocre Christianity by writing good-heavy music and filling the night with sweaty-energetic-circle pits! Needless to say, these guys are definitely not on cruise control. Their live shows are roudy and creates the perfect atmosphere for stage diving and circle pit action. Their music has become more polished with each album over the past 2-3 years but their song writing is still intact and you can always count of their guitar work to be aromatic with bionic finger movement. Nevertheless, War of Ages’ music is well written and certainly not garbage.

Return to Life is the follow up album to Eternal(2010), which turned a lot of heads while marking a turning point for War of Ages. Silent Night is the RTL's first single. Immortal is an album opener that grips you by the ears. Redeemer is listener friendly and the vocals are catchy enough to occupy your head for the rest of the day. M.E.B. is where the album takes a quick breather by throwing in an instrumental. Unite closes the album with a circle pit friendly jam!

To continue their on-going “War” theme, the album artwork is striking and brave! Return to Life is full of gang vocals, laments, and the clean vocal work accompanies the heavy screams by vocalist Leroy Hamp. No doubt, this band has earned their reputation in the Christian hardcore scene, and they have done it passionately, and fair!

Pick up a copy of Return to Life. Play it LOUD!