29 Aug 10

Hey, blogspot readers, Summer 2010's definitely fading away fast. However before heading back to school and hitting the books, check out the following recommend CDs recently added to SouthSide's collection!


shall we?
The Grownup Noise
www.thegrownupnoise.com
www.myspace.com/thegrownupnoise

SouthSide described the live version of The Grownup Noise's performance as "damn good, feel happy, toe-tappin' music". The recorded version of this band is still the same way except you do hear the haunting tones of the cello (which was missed during their live show in Chicago). Yet, this reviewer had a fun, toe-tappin' time listening to the five-song EP filled with simplistic, story-telling lyrics. She highly recommends listening to track two - The Artist Type and track four - Outside to familiarize yourself with TGN's unique music and sound before listening to the other tracks. All are worthy of a listen but the two songs mentioned truly highlight Paul's (front man) vocal style.


Through the Mojowire
Midnight Spin
www.midnightspin.com
www.myspace.com/midnightspin

This two-track, promotional CD (found at Elbo Room) had SouthSide rockin' hard to the energy felt and heard. Both songs, Trigger Finger Itch and In The Air got her head banging to the twittering guitar riffs as well as the hardcore electric sound. Actually track two (In The Air) felt like a fist-pumping rock anthem - so this reviewer suggests cranking up the volume for this one. Fans can download the rest of the album off iTunes.


Rob Nicholas
Rob Nicholas
www.iamrobnicholas.com
www.myspace.com/robnicholasmusic

Recently seeing the acoustic side to this musician at the Elbo Room, SouthSide also enjoyed the amplified sife of Rob's five-track EP. The heartfelt lyrics and emotions heard during his acoustic set wasn't lost either on each song performed on the CD. Yet the full band backing him added more depth and sentiment into the songs. This reviewer was rocked by the organ sound in track one - Dare We Go (a soulful tone against the rock rhythm) and smooth Jazz with some funky Latin flavor in track four - In Hopes To Comprehend. She also recommends listening to track two - Searching, for its unique R&B/rock groove for this ballad.


In Between Reality and Insanity (2009)
Strong On The Surface (2010)
A Crush On Yesterday
www.myspace.com/acrushonyesterday

SouthSide had the extreme pleasure of reviewing this duo from Germany when they rocked a live performance at Elbo Room. She enjoyed both CDs of an alternative/acoustic mix with storytelling lyrics that felt so personal ...plus the lyrics are bogged down with complicated pieces of music. In the Between Reality and Insanity, this reviewer suggests listening to track four - Flashlights Follow Me, a poetic, imaged filled song with a calming tone heard inside the music ...it's almost like hearing a lullaby and track five - Two Days, a downtempo ballad compared to the lively energetic version reviewed at Elbo Room. Also she recommends the title track, Between Reality and Insanity (track six) which took a poetic/troubadour style in the lyrics behind the acoustic music ...very haunting. One particular noted, the song Writing Words In The Sand, appears on both CDs and SouthSide recommends giving this song a listen as well. Off Strong on the Surface, this reviewer suggests track two - Sinking Ships and Pale Seas, track three - Impatience and track four - Locked Up Inside.

We've Turned Into Monsters
Wally Dogger
www.wallydogger.com
www.myspace.com/wallydogger

With the title taken from a line in track ten, Alphabet Soup, SouthSide enjoyed the wit and humour heard within this band's lyrics. Fans will have something to snicker and giggle over especially track two, You Only Like Me When I'm Leaving (the live version of this song is funnier when coupled with Pauly's facial and body language) or track five, Jeans Day (the official "dress down" day song of the millennium. Or rally behind track six (Freedom Haters) while stalking your backyard for (Osamba) Bin Laden. There's one song in which SouthSide wishes was on the CD cleverly titled Bitchy. Yet it's not all humorous all of the time with Wally. This band does get serious like in track nine - Stop Giving A F*ck (whew lots of anger and frustration heard in the chorus). Also SouthSide recommends listening to track three - Tramp Stamp.


Seep
SoulFix
www.soulfix.com
www.myspace.com/soulfixrock

Alright, blogspot readers, bang your head to this CD! Feel the throbbing thundering grind of SoulFix's hardcore guitar sound ...shiver as Marlon's (front guy on guitar) voice rocks your ears with his falsetto that can suddenly turn into a battle cry especially in track one, Seep. SouthSide had weird chills while listening to track two, Happy ...it was more like a weird creep-kind of "happy" (a perfect theme song for Batman's Joker). Meanwhile in track three, Fed Up, blasted the stereo speakers with plenty of angst and frustration. This reviewer suggests also listening to track five, Weight, and track nine, Providence for a Lost Soul (both songs full of heartache and emotions within a downtempo style). Track six, Meaning of Life, became this reviewer's favorite song due to the band's going outside the "norm" (within Soul's hardcore sound) for something more calming and alternative.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide