Flabbergaster - A Place for Music

The Overseer- We Search, We Dig

The Overseer are the newest edition to the SolidState family! They are emerging quickly with their debut release We Search, We Dig.

We Search, We Dig cuts to the chase quickly with the opening track, Secrets. It hits the ground running, and QUICK! For the past few months leading up to the albums release date Secrets occupied Spotify as a teaser song. It was catchy enough to be an attention getter and slowly allure curious-potential fans into their gravitational pull.

The Overseer is heavy, strong-minded, and their guitar riffs are even a bit eerie at certain moments. Their vocals are brutal screams clashed with spine-chilling chants and wails--which creates a different atmosphere that metal seldom accomplishes. Metal is so redundant these days because its so easy to scream into a microphone and then add a breakdown, that it has become extremely difficult for me to get excited about new bands. The thing I enjoy the most about We Search, We Dig, is that the music isn't one-dimensional like the majority of hardcore is seemingly coming to. 

The track list consists of one-word titles--conveying the simplicity of the album. The album title comes from the second track, Dredge, where the lyricist talks about earnestly seeking something more than just our mundane, A to B lives. This band has spiritual roots, apparently.  The Overseers debut single, Amend, is very melodramatic and has an alluring music video that has been a real eyebrow raiser since its release. 

Make sure you pick up a copy of We Search, We Dig if they are in your area this summer, catch a show (Solid State Records). 

 

This Place is a Zoo!

Let me preface this by saying that these guys are a lot of fun...hence the band name, "This Place is a Zoo!"

Since their formation in 2007, TPIAZ has always wanted to be unique in their sound (instead of adding to the list of generic bands within their genre that have nothing new to bring to the table) and are deliberate in their method of delivery.  Over the past 4 years, they have maintained a steady growth within the Palmdale/Southern California music scene and have no plans to call it a day anytime soon.

The proof is in the pudding, and the name says it all. Their music creates a party atmosphere-filled with chaotic verses that transition into unpredictable breakdowns and interrupted techno dance beats to keep your feet moving. On ocassion, a few fast finger tapping riffs will sneak in for a second, but dismiss themselves as quickly as they came in. There is a variation of singing, screaming and growling and it leaves the music without a dull moment to spare.

TPIAZ recently released their first full length album called, "A Good Time." The albums opening track, "Boys Club," begins with a nifty rock-a-billy guitar riff but thrusts a fresh burst of hardcore party rock into your ear drums! Tracks like "Altered," and "Pyromaniacs Wet Dream," are circle pit friendly songs thats will make their live show a night to remember. Let's face it, even if an album sounds great and the music is well composed, a band's live show is where it is at, and a lot goes down when these boys hit the stage...as it should! Be sure to check these guys out on Amazon, Spotify, and Media Fire, and if you like, buy their album! You won't be bored with it.

If you're into hardcore party thrash metal and are looking for something out of the ordinary, I recommend you check out A Good Time by This Place is a Zoo! If you catch them live in Palmdale or while they are out on tour, jump in the pit and have a good time (just don't hurt anyone)!

Click here to listen to the album on Media Fire

Click here to visit TPIAZ on Band Camp!

Blink 182- Neighborhoods album reveiw

By this point in their career, Blink 182 has proven they cannot be molded or bargained with. They come and go as they please, experiment with new sounds, and have retained a good following throughout the years-even after going their seperate ways to work on other projects (Box Car Racer, +44, Angels&Airwaves).

Right off the bat, my admiration for Neighborhoods is their style-which still strikes a note of familiarity while the color and tone of their music has changed. It still has that yearning/energetic, feel to it, but the pace has decreased a little and the guitar distortion is very echoey. Tom Delong's playful pop-punk guitar riffs (like the intro to Natives) are still part of the writing process and Mark Hoppus's charming voice still makes a significant contribution. After a long hiatus, they have picked up where they left off on their self titled release, where they continue their experiment with retro guitar sound effects and scratchy bass riffs.

The only downside (which may also be a sign of maturity) is that they have dropped their goofy act that got them immediate attention when the band rose to fame in 1999 with the release of their videos, "What's My Age Again," and "All The Small Things," which had MTV viewers everywhere laughing hysterically. Their lyrics are no longer silly and perverted and take on a more serious tone.

A few attention grabbing tracks to listen to are, "Ghosts on the Dancefloor," "Snake Charmer," and "Natives." Getting to mid-album, you will receive a two part song (one being instrumental) called "Heart's All Gone," where you get a small taste of old school Blink 182 material (for those who are just tuning in and missed their Dude Ranch/Chesire Cat days). 

Give it a listen.

Album cover taken from Google Images.

Forsake It All - It All Stems From Me!

Starting a band is always rough at first. You have your practice schedules to mash with, there's picking a name and picking a style...and learning how to play together-instead of against each other, and there's getting your first few songs down tight.

Formed in January of 2010, Forsake It All is a Spirit-filled hardcore band and their agenda from day one has been to minister to those who prefer hardcore music over contemporary Christian rock-and there are plenty around who do! Funny as it is, the original plan for FIA was to be an alternative jam band. However, things changed when drummer Nic Valesey asked vocalist Ian Ware to audition (thinking he was a bass player at the time). Ian showed up to practice with a mic and a small practice amp, and Nic asked him where his bass was. The rest is history. God showed up among their behalf and they are jamming some metal, instead. FIA recently released a 7 song ep titled, "It All Stems From Me." While the recording does come across a bit rough, it is a strong first ep. The vocals resemble old school Haste The Day material and the guitar work is cunning and brave. "Leeches On Aile Four," and "Fix The Gallows," are great tracks to jam out to.  Click the link below to give it a listen.

Check out the album on iTunes!

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.

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.