The Speeds: Sing It Loud

The Speeds
Sing It Loud
Kool Kat Musik [2006]





Can you really go wrong with a UK influenced power pop band from Pitt, PA.? I didn’t think so. On their debut album Sing It Loud, The Speeds rip through ten songs of stick-in-your-head; hook filled tracks with a pinch of punk attitude leaving the listener satisfied and wanting more. The Speeds handle each track with care and pack them full of energy that you cannot help yourself from tapping your toes. Lead singer J. Vega’s voice is very comparable to Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander, which is about as close to the perfect power pop sound you can get. Sing It Loud is a quick fun romp that has all of the ingredients for a band to get a break – I believe The Speeds are hungry and ready for dinner.

Key Tracks: "Ask Me If I Care", "Fall On The Floor", "Everywhere I Go"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Superdrag
Cheap Trick
Supergrass

The Speeds MySpace
Kool Kat Musik

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

Bridges And Powerlines: Bridges And Powerlines EP

Bridges And Powerlines
Bridges And Powerlines EP
Self Released [2006]







The debut EP release from Bridges And Powerlines contains 5 songs of indie rock that will definitely hold your interest. They have described their sound as “Interpol meets Spoon in a dark alley”. I would agree that it is a fair description. Lead vocalist Andrew Wood is the focal point on each track and puts his voice out there, sounding a bit distressed but very controlled, complemented by harmonizing backing vocals. Each track is very instrumentally tight, with interesting guitar interchanges, strong drumbeats and a very simple keyboard in the background. Overall, the tracks fall into a similar range and lay a solid path for Bridges And Powerlines’s debut album while leaving room for expansion.

Key Tracks: "Carmen", "Mumbles", "All In"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Spoon
Interpol
The Stills

• Buy at eMusic

Download "Carmen" (MP3)

Official Bridges And Powerlines Website
Bridges And Powerlines MySpace

-Reviewed by Conrad Rocksted

Goldenboy: Underneath The Radio

Goldenboy
Underneath The Radio
Eenie Meenie Records [2006]








Goldenboy aka Shon Sullivan and childhood friend and musical co-conspirator Bryan Bos (drums and back up vocals) have lit up the singer/songwriter flame in this relaxing indie pop nugget they call Underneath The Radio. The album is filled with quiet layered vocals that create the perfect soundtrack for these cooler September days. Sullivan’s voice is a flawless combination of an acoustic Morrissey, Neil Finn and Stuart Murdoch pressed with a little Elliott Smith. To help out on the album Goldenboy have a long list of special guests that include Neil Finn, Lisa Germano, Sebastian Steinberg, Scott McPherson, Matt Sharp, David J. Carpenter and Phil Jordan. With such included talent and the late great Elliott Smith naming the group, Underneath The Radio is a no risk buy and a refreshing listen.

Key Tracks: "Summer Of The Evening", "Motorbike", "End Of Forever"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Elliott Smith
Luna
Belle & Sebastian

Official Goldenboy Website
Goldenboy MySpace
Eenie Meenie Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Audioslave: Revelations

Audioslave
Revelations
Sony Records [2006]





Audioslave has been setup to fail since day one. Take two highly successful bands, merge the components after a breakup, and form a new band, which could be considered a supergroup. This is always a recipe for scrutiny. There will always be comparisons back to Soundgarden and Rage because that is what we critics do – you compare the past to the present. Good news for Audioslave is Revelations is now there third album since 2002. Personally, I have always been hoping for Audioslave to “bring the rock” for a while now based on their previous bands and current status. Unfortunately, Revelations never hits that peak. Most tracks are radio friendly and upper mid tempo paced which plays to Cornell’s strength but leaves the Rage boys strumming their instruments. You must also wonder how much work and effort really went into Revelations when Out Of Exile [2005] just was released a little over a year ago and no tour is planned to support this album. If you are fan of Audioslave’s previous albums then this will still please your ear because the formula remains the same. “Original Fire” is fun to crank along with several other memorable tracks but too many tracks will soon be forgotten when you take the album out of the player. Here is hoping that if there is a next outing the sound and rage will follow.

Key Tracks: "Original Fire", "Jewel Of The Summertime", "Sound Of A Gun"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Pearl Jam
Solo Chris Cornell

Official Audioslave Website
Audioslave MySpace
Sony Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

The Kooks: Inside In/Inside Out

The Kooks
Inside In/Inside Out
Astralwerks Records [2006]









The Kooks debut album Inside In/Inside Out is another rock entry from the UK. Recorded at Ray Davies studio, The Kooks take The Kinks style of music to heart. Strong guitar, drums and vocals sums up Inside In/Inside Out, which has already churned out five singles across seas. What makes The Kooks fresh is their resilience to be categorized into one genre. There is some funk, some power guitar, and a little fused reggae throughout the album. The pace changes quickly from song to song - sometimes they can imitate The Clash other times Maroon 5. The sporadic jumps can also be somewhat of a distraction at times and ultimately pull Inside In/ Inside Out down into the overall good rating vs. a great rating. The key is that The Kooks are a young multi-talented band and Inside In/Inside Out has many more positives and fun moments than negative. Next time around, I am sure The Kooks will focus on the style they are most comfortable with and knock it out of the park.

Key Tracks: "Soda Sofa", "She Moves In Her Own Way", "Eddie's Gun"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Kinks
Oasis
Supergrass

Official The Kooks Website
The Kooks MySpace
Astralwerks Records

-Reviewed by JT Burn

Kill Hannah: Until There's Nothing Left Of Us

Kill Hannah
Until There's Nothing Left Of Us
Atlantic/WEA Records [2006]







It is not the return of the Smashing Pumpkins but Kill Hannah has had Billy Corgan’s backing for some time now. He claims they are the future of Chicago’s modern rock scene. I don’t know about the future but Kill Hannah has created a very modern glam rock record for their sophomore major label release. They fit right in with the current crop of popular bands like Panic! At The Disco and Fall Out Boy but have more of that 90’s alt rock feel to them. I do think that Until There’s Nothing Left Of Us has several strong tracks but the rest of the album sounds like what is already on your local radio station. That is not always a bad thing but you never want to be the last one to the dance.

Key Tracks: "Lips Like Morphine", "Under The Milky Way", "Crazy Angel"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Killers
My Chemical Romance
The Smashing Pumpkins

Official Kill Hannah Website
Kill Hannah MySpace
Atlantic Records

-Reviewd by Aidan Rox

Soccer Team: "Volunteered" Civility & Professionalism

Soccer Team
"Volunteered" Civility & Professionalism
Dischord Records [2006]







Working for a historic record label like Dischord would give you a total inside track on the essence of punk, from bands like Fugazi to Minor Threat and even Jawbox. What? - Soccer Team are not punk? – Not even a little? So what are they you ask? Soccer Team is Ryan Nelson and Melissa Quinley. Ryan, an employee of Dischord Records, and formerly a band member in the Beauty Pill. Melissa is a former employee of Dischord. Their sound is completely lo-fi and the tracks were mostly recorded to 8-track tape and/or 4-track cassette. The album has everything that a good lo-fi record should have: catchy lyrics, short songs (14 in 35 minutes) and some vocal melody. The dueling guy gal thing works for Soccer Team and they make a great pair. "Volunteered" Civility & Professionalism is simple and that is what makes it a memorable listen that for sure will be pulled out again for a repeat listen or two.

Key Tracks: "So You Like It Vague, Huh?", "Head Outside", "Cavity Called Home"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Robert Pollard
The Shins
Beauty Pill

Soccer Team Info
Dischord Records

-Reviewed by Conrad Rocksted

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton: Knives Don’t Have Your Back

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton
Knives Don’t Have Your Back
Last Gang Records [2006]







You may not be familiar with Emily Haines but you may be familiar with the band she fronts, Metric. They have been tearing up the indie circuit over the last couple of years playing high-energy dance rock n roll. Over that time, Emily has written and recorded solo material that now is seeing the light of day on Knives Don’t Have Your Back. Taking a much different direction from Metric’s sound, Knives Don’t Have Your Back is a private and crafty collection of mellow, piano-driven tunes complimented by strings and horns. The subject matter is very personal, spanning the last 10 years of Emily’s life. She pays homage to childhood heroes, talks about a winter in Toronto, and mourning the sudden loss of her father. For many band lead singers, the solo album is always a departure from the group’s normal sound – Knives Don’t Have Your Back is no different. What is different, is that for Emily Haines, the departure fits and is very encouraging for future outputs, with Metric or without.

Key Tracks: "Our Hell", "Doctor Blind", "The Maid Needs A Maid"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Cat Power
Tori Amos
Beth Orton

Official Emily Haines Website
Emily Haines MySpace
Last Gang Records

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

Ben Kweller: Ben Kweller

Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller
ATO Records [2006]









I wish that Ben Kweller’s new self-titled album had released during summer time because it is the perfect sunny power pop album to roll the windows down and crank up the volume. It is his fourth full-length (all by the age of 25) and by far the most balanced sounding. On his last album, On My Way [2004], Ben took some criticism for sounding too old and being too serious. This album fixes that problem and sounds just like a twenty something artist, singing catchy track after catchy track. There is a bit for everyone on Ben Kweller, some rockers like the final track “This Is War”, some ballads such as “Thirteen” and plenty of harmonizing sing-alongs like "Run" that will draw you back for multiple listens and stay in your head for days. [Candidate for the Blazing Top 25 of 2006]

Key Tracks: "Run", "Sundress", "Penny On The Train Track"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Ben Folds
Ben Lee
Fountains Of Wayne

Official Ben Kweller Website
Ben Kweller MySpace
ATO Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Wooden Wand And The Sky High Band: Second Attention

Wooden Wand And The Sky High Band
Second Attention
Kill Rock Stars Records [2006]







Wooden Wand and The Sky High Band plays spiritual music for the indie rocker. Second Attention takes a very experimental religious approach to folk music with no recurrent message. Kicking off an album with a track titled “Crucifixion, Pt. II” might make you think this is a Mel Gibson squeal to Passion, but the reality is, Second Attention is a very entertaining indie-folk record. Long known for his experimental and psychedelic records, Wooden Wand (aka James Toth) has released over eight albums in two years. Second Attention is the most focused and listener friendly of the bunch. His style has always been free-floating poetry that bounces to different subjects very quickly. Second Attention is no different, except for the common religious words that pop up, like Lucifer, Madonna, God and so on. This is where the theme ends and we are left with very interesting lyrics and quality musicianship. The album has great rhythm and rhyme but does not stay on topic enough to understand any message. Wooden Wand and The Sky High Band can be compared to the modern day evangelist – not sure what denomination, not sure where they worship and not sure what the bottom line or end theme is, but the substance of music makes me believe – not sure what, but I believe!

Key Tracks: "Sweet Xiao Li", “Crucifixion, Pt II”, "Madonna"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Robyn Hitchcock
Iron & Wine
Six Organs Of Admittance

Official Wooden Wand And The Sky High Band Website
Wooden Wand And The Sky High Band MySpace
Kill Rock Stars

-Reviewed by JT Burn

The Purrs: The Purrs

The Purrs
The Purrs
Sarathan Records [2006]









The Purrs have a unique style mix on their self-titled Sarathan debut. They are one part rock & roll, one part shoegazer, and one part British invasion all stirred with musical hooks and Seattle swagger. The Purrs album is actually a collection of re-mastered, self-released favorites containing two songs from their second EP No Particular Bar, No Particular Town [2004] and 7 of 13 selections from their album The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of [2005]. The nine tracks have great pace and transition smoothly, never once letting the listener drift off into space. The Purrs are more comparable to the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club than Swervedriver and even though several tracks pass the six-minute mark the infusion of rocked out guitar, drum and bass create a new sub-genre of shoegaze we will just call rockgaze. The Purrs will keep you entertained for repeat listens and definitely will translate into a great live show.

Key Tracks: "She's Gone", "Loose Talk", "Connect The Dots"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Luna
The Rolling Stones
The Jesus And Mary Chain

Official The Purrs Website
The Purrs MySpace
Sarathan Records

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

Apollo Up!: Chariots Of Fire

Apollo Up!
Chariots Of Fire
Theory 8 Records [2006]







Short, concise, direct, in your face, forceful, rock, roll, punk, garage, and just plain good. All of the previous are descriptive terms that can be used when referring to Apollo Up!’s second release Chariots Of Fire. It is 38 minutes of raw energy packed into ten tracks just waiting to detonate. You would not expect a post-rock thing like Chariots coming out of Nashville but Apollo Up! is very much rock and very much catchy. It does not take long for you to start singing along with each track. What I like best about Apollo Up!, is that lead singer Jay Leo Phillips has a powerful young Elvis Costello voice that creates an yesteryear punk/new wave vibe throughout Chariots Of Fire while still remaining fresh with the energy and instruments. So, I recommend grabbing this and make sure you introduce Apollo Up! to your friends – I guarantee it will be a hit!

Key Tracks: “Walking The Plank”, “No Song”, “Cut Up”

Bands With Similar Fire:
Elvis Costello
Rocket From The Crypt
Ted Leo / Pharmacists

Official Apollo Up! Website
Apollo Up! MySpace
Theory 8 Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

The Static Age: Blank Screens

The Static Age
Blank Screens
ReIgnition Recordings [2006]







You can never turn away a good post punk band. The Static Age has already opened for bands like Hot Hot Heat and Interpol. They have also been compared to pioneers such as The Cure, Gang of Four and The Police. With high expectations and very big shoes to fill, Blank Screens has a very driven atmospheric sound to each track that holds up to the billing. Vocalist Andrew Paley has one of those voices that just melts and layers within the music. His vocals are always present but they battle back and forth with the music constructing perfect transitions and balance. Now you add keyboard melodies, forceful bass lines and steady backbeat drums and you have The Static Age. At 38 minutes, Blank Screens does not mess around and hits you like a strong wave on the beach – it does not knock you down but completely surrounds you.

Key Tracks: "Cherry Red", "SkyScrapers", "Blank Screens"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Knapsack
Psychedelic Furs
Interpol

Official The Static Age Website
The Static Age MySpace
ReIgnition Recordings

-Reviewed by Conrad Rockstead

The Oohlas: Best Stop Pop

The Oohlas
Best Stop Pop
Stolen Transmission Records [2006]







The Oohlas play straight up indie guy-gal vocal power pop, reminiscent of the 90’s alternative heyday. This style could be from the influence of bandmate, ex-Everclear drummer Greg Eklund who sings and plays guitar along with brother Mark and vocalist Olivia Stone. The Oohlas have been playing music around southern California all of 2005. During that time they never connected to any major label a&r person so they signed with independent friends Stolen Transmission and decided to produce and record Best Stop Pop own their own. This commitment shows throughout the album. You can tell that the band has great chemistry and each song has a personal touch - not one track is a throwaway. The Oohlas do not break any new ground on Best Stop Pop but have released a genuine, great sounding and enjoyable album that will catch on more and more with each listen.

Key Tracks: "Gone", "Small Parts", "Tripped"

Bands With Similar Fire:
That Dog
Veruca Salt
The Raconteurs

Official The Oohlas Website
The Oohlas MySpace
Stolen Transmission Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly: The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly
The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager
Atlantic Records [2006]




There is always something special when you come across an artist self-produced album and it just grabs you. That is the case with 20-year-old singer-songwriter Sam Duckworth – aka Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Sam has successfully mixed an old school form of folk melodies with electronic elements in the background to form his debut The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager. Mostly recorded in his Britain bedroom, Chronicles is very upbeat and has a smart sense of humor included with several track titles. The album is really at its best on the tracks that hold back the instrumentation and focus on Sam’s voice. They have a very personal touch and highlight his 20-year-old mindset, which brings a fresh sense of innocence and perspective on our world. Anymore that is truly hard to find.

Key Tracks: "The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager (Part One)", "I-Spy", "Call Me Ishmael"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Dashboard Confessional
Geggy Tah
Ben Lee

Official Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly Website
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly MySpace

-Reviewd by JT Burn

The Basement: Illicit Hugs And Playground Thugs

The Basement
Illicit Hugs And Playground Thugs
Deltasonic Records [2006]




The Basement represents the story of so many bands that have tried and tried but never got their record released. The Basement have been working on Illicit Hugs And Playground Thugs for four years now building a solid fan base and playing continuous circuits of live shows. The product of their hard work is a very pleasing album filled with a mix of folk and rock. No surprises here - just simple instruments, solid song writing and husky vocals that flow consistently throughout the album. The topics addressed in the songs are a bit depressing like death and how summer used to be great but John Mullin’s vocals are upbeat and confident that makes the listener still feel ok. I believe that Illicit Hugs And Playground Thugs sets the foundation for The Basement to produce album number two much quicker – and that is a good thing for us fans.

Key Tracks: "I Just Caught A Face", "Summertime", "It Won't Be Long"

Bands With Similar Fire:
I Am Kloot
Richard Thompson
Billy Bragg

The Basement MySpace
Deltasonic Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

The Drams: Jubilee Drive

The Drams
Jubilee Drive
New West Records




Three-fifths of The Drams were formerly in Slobberbone, which was one of the better alt-country bands never to reach a larger audience. The Drams do not stray far from the alt-country course with Jubilee Drive but how they differentiate from Brent Best’s previous band Slobberbone, is the pure cohesiveness. The Drams have high energy, harmonizing vocals, and tight instrumentation. You can just tell that when you see them live it will sound as good as or better than the album. With each listen, you find yourself going back for more pure country fried rock n roll. This is a long album at close to 70 minutes, which most albums lose their interest by the end but I did not find Jubilee Drive lose my interest once. If you are into bands like Wilco, Eagles or Drive-By Truckers be sure to pick up The Drams – you will not be disappointed.

Key Tracks: "Hummalong", "Unhinged", "Fireflies"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Golden Smog
Slobberbone
The Old 97's

Official The Drams Website
The Drams MySpace
New West Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

White Whale: WWI

White Whale
WWI
Merge Records [2006]








If you mix past members of Butterglory and The Get Up Kids what kind of music would you expect? You get White Whale silly. White Whale is the new band of Matt Suggs [Butterglory], Rob Pope [The Get Up Kids], and members of Thee Higher Burning Fire. Their debut record WWI is definitely a hybrid of the member’s previous bands. It is more rocked out than any Butterglory record and not as soaring as The Get Up Kids, which leaves you with a quality progressive rock record that retains a classic rock sound. WWI has everything you want in an indie release - smart lyrics, solid instrumentation, and well thought out tracks that create a very listenable and enjoyable record. White Whale has that special indie quality that succeeds in doing something different but yet sounding so familiar. WWI gets better with each playback and you will find yourself coming back for more.

Key Tracks: "The Admiral", "What's an Ocean For?", "Nine Good Fingers"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Arcade Fire
The Kinks
Band Of Horses

Official White Whale Website
White Whale MySpace
Merge Records

-Reviewed by Conrad Rocksted

Razorlight: Razorlight

Razorlight
Razorlight
Universal/Vertigo Records [2006]







Razorlight are another Brit band that America just does not get. Their albums contain an English swagger that makes them cool but not popular. They had a million copy selling debut Up All Night [2004] that did not have great success over here. Now they had to cancel some dates of an all-important US tour due to the debacle with Keane’s lead singer problems. Like any other band in this situation, eventually we will catch on if the music is good. For Razorlight’s self-titled second album, I would say that they have given themselves another chance at greater success. Razorlight has a more mature established feel losing some of their debut’s spunky energy but really making a transition album that will broaden their audience. The first single “In The Morning” is very bouncy and will stick in your head all day. It represents the new Razorlight sound that is comparable to a laid-back Strokes album. Johnny Borrell’s vocals are very smooth and never reach a breaking point while still getting his point across, leaving the listener satisfied. Razorlight may still not break big in the States but their UK following is strong enough that with the right combination of timing, luck and talent, we may still hear from Razorlight yet.

Key Tracks: "In The Morning", "I Can’t Stop This Feeling I’ve Got", "Hold On"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Strokes
Keane
Blur

Official Razorlight Website
Razorlight MySpace
Universal Records
Buy @ The Filter Store

-Reviewed by JT Burn

Happy Labor Day!

Here are 5 albums sure to heat the Labor Day holiday up. See you tomorrow for more reviews!

TV On The Radio
Return To Cookie Mountain
Interscope Records [2006]









Easy Star All*Stars
Radiodread
EasyStar Records [2006]









Heartless Bastards
All This Time
Fat Possum Records [2006]









Snow Patrol
Eyes Open
A&M Records [2006]

The Twilight Singers

Powder Burns
One Little Indian [2006]

Easy Star All*Stars: Radiodread

Easy Star All*Stars
Radiodread
EasyStar Records [2006]





I can see this pitch now:

Artist: I want to cover Radiohead “OK Computer” songs using a reggae style.
Label: Do you think covering a classic Radiohead album reggae style is a good idea?
Artist: Yes – I think it will be da bomb!
Label: I agree it will be a bomb!
Artist: Come on – I had success with Dub Side Of The Moon [2003]
Label: But that was Floyd – Their fans will buy anything.
Artist: Fine – I will release it on my own Easy Star label.
Label: Good luck.

In all seriousness, I really thought Radiodread would suck. Not just a little but a lot. Weirdly enough, Radiodread is very entertaining. It has a nice collection of contributing artists like Toots & The Maytals, Citizen Cope and The Meditations. The music you already know so you anticipate how the artist arranges the music to fit their style or how they give each song a different sound or feel. Turns out OK Computer, is a fun reggae album and sounds great blaring from the stereo on some of these last summer nights. Radiodread does fall onto the novelty side of things for repeat listens but I guarantee you toss this thing on at your next party and people will pay attention. What that says – not sure but it is worth checking out.

Key Tracks: "Let Down" feat Toots & The Maytals, "Karma Police" feat Citizen Cope, "Exit Music (For A Film)" feat Sugar Minnot

Bands With Similar Fire:
Reggae Willie Nelson
Reggae Sinead O'Connor
Reggae Thom Yorke

Official Easy Star All*Stars Website
Easy Star All*Stars MySpace
EasyStarRecords

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox