16 Apr 10

More CDs rockin' SouthSide's stereo system these days...


The Locals
www.localsrock.com
www.myspace.com/localsrockchicago

"Sound It Out"

Off this band's upcoming CD, Salt, SouthSide snagged a free copy of The Locals' single - Sound It Out. This song was merely a tiny teaser of what you might hear in the new album. This reviewer enjoyed their rock/alternative sound and the vocal emotion heard from the lyrics. The Locals will be performing live at the Elbo Room on April 30 along with Cyclesomething, The PowWows and Earth Program - looks to be a rockin' show. Doors open at 8p and first band hits the stage around 9p.


Absinthe & The Dirty Floors
www.thedirtyfloors.com
www.myspace.com/absinthethedirtyfloors

Side One

SouthSide highly suggests reading her latest review of Absinthe & The Dirty Floors' Elbo Room performance on http://southsideonthetown.blogspot.com/. While there Saturday night, she snagged a copy of this band's four-song EP titled Side One. Fans will like how Track 1, Identify, instantly grabs your attention with its rockin' alternative/psychedelic sound. That catchy tune will definitely keep you dancing straight into Track 2, Desert. It has a little trippy pop beat off the keyboard rhythms which adds a certain ambient sensation to the music. This reviewer also liked the guitar-keyboard jam session as the song draws to a close. Track 3, Black Ice, took both rhythms and music to a slow downtempo pace while Jess' vocals gave off a haunting lullaby effect on the lyrics. The piano/keyboards truly set the tone and feel for this one. The CD concludes with a rockin' number titled, The Way I Am, featuring vibrant guitar riffs and drum beat in this fast paced song. The instrumental does have a brief moment in which the tempo slows down before returning to its original rhythm. SouthSide highly recommends adding this EP to your collection or visit them online to find where they're rockin' the stage again.


WTII Sunday Showcases
4 Year Anniversary Sampler

This 17-song compilation highlights some of the best tracks by the bands that have rocked the stage during a WTII Sunday Showcase in 2008 to recently. Once a month at the Darkroom, this showcase features the "darker" side of music i.e. Goth, Industrial, Vampire etc, usually not heard at other venues around town. SouthSide enjoyed groovin' to a wide range of remixes and demos by Dies Mali, Comasoft, AM Psych and Drug Honkey - to simply name a few. The test audience especially recommends listening to The Dark Clan's Real Vampires Don't Sparkle (Track 2) saying it definitely pokes fun at the Twilight groupies. SouthSide felt a little nostalgic while hearing a popular 80s song as Side Project's One Night In West Town (Track 17). One might think they're going dementedly insane when listening to Incekt's My Mind Plays Tricks On Me (Track 10) hardcore industrial vibe. This reviewer also suggests dancing to the rockin' song Pixels by Aimonia (Track 13) and Drowning Season's Angel Of The Odd (Track 15). If you ever happen to be attending a show at the Darkroom, ask if they still have copies of this CD.


Diafanes
www.diafanes.com.br
www.myspace.com/diafanes

See Through
Obviously Clear

SouthSide highly recommends reading her recent review of this hot and spicy Brazilian band, Diafanes. Currently they're on a short US tour rockin' the stage at selected cities. However if you can't attend one of their shows, this reviewer suggests snagging both copies of their latest CDs, See Through and Obviously Clear. She suggests beginning with the See Through CD to get your ears familiarized to the Brazilian rock sound especially Track 2, Love In. This band's guitar riffs/chords can go really lightning fast or slow to a sultry rhythmic beat. This is all done passionately to explode your listening pleasure with fiery rockin' music. And don't get put off by Lorena's soft chanteuse-like vocals. This singer/songwriter adds the right amount of spice and Portuguese flavor to Diafanes' lyrics in each song. If you listen very carefully, you'll hear more than just a Brazilian sound intricately woven in their music. In one song, there might be a touch of Spanish Flamenco (from castanets) or bossa nova to samba ...and other world influences in between. This unique combination gives their music the energetic spark which set the stage ablaze with sound during a live Diafanes' performance.

After listening to both CDs, this reviewer had a hard time choosing which songs you should listen. However she recommends Track 9, Wars, (off the See Through CD) for its meaningful yet political message to the American government (as well as people). If you're able to get your hands on a copy of this CD, read the lyrics posted in the liner notes while listening to this song. You just might see how we're truly perceived as Americans through a foreigner's eyes - it's an eye-opening experience, blogspot readers. Off the Obviously Clear CD, SouthSide enjoyed Track 2, A New Melody for its calming rock/alternative sound with Lorena's vocals adding some fire and passion to the lyrics. Also listen to the title track (5 - Obviously Clear), a prime example of the Diafanes' combining world musical influences (Asian) with their Brazilian rock sound. Plus Lorena will surprise you with her grasp of Japanese within the lyrics at the middle of the song. One more thing about both CDs, this reviewer highly suggests admiring the extraordinary cover art that's seen throughout the liner notes and on the CDs themselves.

Visit the Diafanes online for information on how to obtain their CDs and when they're rockin' the stage next.


Until next time, support your local music scene,
SouthSide