Monday, May 17, 2010

17 May 10

Hey, blogspot readers, the test audience, Vyolet and Sunday, are back again with two new CD suggestions for your listening pleasure. This review features Welcome To Ashley's Beyond The Pale and The Corey Booth Project's Colloidal Sliver & Vinegar.

Welcome To Ashley
www.welcometoashley.com
www.myspace.com/welcometoashley


Beyond The Pale

This latest CD by local rockers, Welcome To Ashley, impressed this tough audience that's jammed with an alternative/pop rock sound. They liked how this band didn't overwhelm them into "one box rock" genre within WTA's nine-track album. Sunday says "...it wasn't boring..." Both had fun listening to the wide variety of rock styles - for example Tracks 3, These Dreams of Mine, and 7, Light of Love, had this classic (early 50s) rock-n-roll sound but with a modern twist off the guitars. Track 2, Destination, received the most airplay due to its rockin' gritty guitar riffs.

WTA's songs, if shuffled in a certain order (except for Track 9 - End of the Line), will tell a story about being in a relationship. Yet the last song of this CD proves not all stories will have a "they lived happily ever after" scenario. Vyolet liked this one the most since it clearly expressed the pain and heartache of what was part of the singer's life was now gone. They enjoyed Track 5, Get Back to You, for its unbelievable tall tale of what it took to get back to this woman. He made the excuses sound so sincere despite leaving room for doubt about his incredibly complicated tale. Monday morning lovers (SouthSide and the test audience aren't one of them) will adore the chipper I Love Monday Mornings song (Track 6) which should be played with Thursday Afternoon (Track 8). Thursday Afternoon will remind a few fans of The Cure's Friday I'm In Love song.

SouthSide recommends joining her at the Darkroom on May 28 when Welcome To Ashley will be rockin' the stage live.


The Corey Booth Project
www.myspace.com/coreyjbooth
www.reverbnation.com/thecoreyboothproject


Colloidal Silver & Vinegar

Here's another CD which impressed the test audience (to SouthSide's surprise since they're mostly hardcore rock daughters). They liked Corey's homegrown sounds of Americana/alternative rock that sometimes incorporated a little country or California sound. According to them, the five-track EP popped with rockin' music thus making it very difficult in choosing which song was their favorite. Vyolet suggests listening to Track 1, Moonshine, and Track 3, When I'm Sober, for the way Corey's raspy voice had this tone of sincerity ...plus the alternative tempo kept her groovin' to the rhythm. She says "...they should be on the radio..." Meanwhile Sunday enjoyed Track 2, Let The Sun Go Down, for being a rock version of a lullaby ...it had comforting words within the lyrics. Track 5, All I Want Is You, was SouthSide's personal favorite for how the words honestly came from the heart. During this song, Corey's voice truly shines ...it's full of tenderness and sincerity especially when he say "...all I want is you..." Now what woman wouldn't turn down that emotional plea. Check out Corey's web sites for dates where he's performing next live on stage.


Until then, support the local scene,
SouthSide

Friday, May 7, 2010

07 May 10

Hey, blogspot readers, the Test Audience (daughters Vyolet and Sunday) was hard at work this week previewing new CDs joining SouthSide's collection. This review features music by Model Stranger, Peelander-Z, lemondrop and The Branded. Sadly you will not find any mention of Welcome To Ashley's CD in this review since the copy received was a sneak peek of their latest album for SouthSide to enjoy. After previewing it, the test audience highly recommends snagging a copy when it's officially released later in the summer.


Music of Christian Larsen
www.christianlarsenmusic.com
www.myspace.com/chrislarsenofficial

Push The River - sample song

This was simply a tiny sampler of how extraordinary this artist's music was after recently reviewing his live performance at the Elbo Room. You may notice there aren't any true lyrics within his instrumental pieces. That's because the instruments (i.e. piano/keyboard) creatively replace the need for human voice to convey Christian's thoughts and mood. Plus it would totally ruin the ambient vibe felt from the rockin' sound. Yet listen carefully and you'll find the notes/chords are actually speaking a fiery passionate tone especially in this song. The programmed beats and electric guitar riffs add a bit of sharpness to the ambient sound as it flips and twists into many directions all at once. Musically as well as spiritually Christian's tiny sampler does leave you wanting more of his music. You can find the review of his Elbo Room set at http://southsideonthetown.blogspot.com/ titled 02 May 10.


Peelander-Z
www.peelander-z.com
www.myspace.com/peelanderz

P-Pop High School

The test audience say you don't have to be an avid fan of J-Pop to enjoy Peelander-Z's CD. It's an eclectic sound of punk/garage music containing a witty mix of Japanese and English lyrics within the songs. They liked the funny titles such as So Many Mike (everyone's name is Mike), Learn Japanese (learning Peelander-Z style) and Duct Tape (they really love that silvery stuff). Vyolet has dedicated Track 4 - Handsome to every narcissistic member of any social networking site you may know. Also Track 2 - Let's Go! Karaoke Party! is a cool song to jumpstart any party towards a rockin' good time. SouthSide recommends listening to all 15 tracks of this CD. Vyolet also says "...Peelander-Z's unlike any other J-Pop band..." she has heard before adding "...they take their J-Pop-ness into a different dimension by pumping some fun into it..." It's recommended seeing the band live on stage for the wild comic/anime antics like SouthSide just did last month at Reggie's Rock Club. Read all about Peelander-Z's Chicago show at http://southsideonthetown.blogspot.com/ titled 28 Apr 10.


lemondrop
www.myspace.com/lemondroprock

Marilyn Dream

Though the first track - Sink Or Swim explodes with a rockin' bang of electric guitar riffs pulsing inside your ear, the test audience enjoyed the instrumental and simple lyrics ...since that's all the song needed. The title track - Marilyn Dream had a dirtier hard guitar rock sound coupled with raspy vocals which pumped some sexiness into the lyrics. They liked the keyboard rhythms balancing the edginess to the song's electric riffs. However, they did not like the rest of the CD beyond Track 4 - One Last Mile because it sounded more like a movie soundtrack for a Jason Statham action flick (with bar fights, car chases and/or the sexy hot chick sizing up the hero/villain) than a rock CD. Vyolet says "...it's good music but not really spectacular with an eye-popping rock sound..." SouthSide wonders if that's good enough to spare it from being a drink coaster at her next party. You decide, blogspot readers.


Model Stranger
www.modelstranger.com
www.myspace.com/modelstranger

Dreams & Bones

Upon changing their name from Reverie to Model Stanger, this popular local band also changed its rock sound to fit the new incarnation but spared their hit song (and Vyolet's favorite) Monster from the change. The first thing the test audience noticed was there's no similarity to the old band name. They loved how Stephen's voice projects more emotions in the songs (most about relationships/love gone wrong). The new music does retain the energetic momentum despite feeling and hearing its pain and heartache within the alternative sound. They enjoyed Model's guitar riffs that had them moving to the rockin' rhythm for example in Track 3 - Turn Of The Century. Tracks 5 - Carousel and 8 - What You Are Looking For are two fine examples of the emotional power heard from Stephen's voice. Both clearly demonstrates his vulnerable yet tender side in a downtempo pace. Vyolet says "...this CD's different from their last one [under the old band name] ...certainly broke away from their teenage angst mode..." In other words, she likes it. Read SouthSide's review of Model Stranger's CD release show at http://southsideonthetown.blogspot.com/ titled 24 Apr 10.


Shinobi Ninja
www.shinobininja.com
www.myspace.com/shinobininjamusic

Brooklyn To Babylon: The Videogame EP

The test audience (like the Peelander-Z CD) had lots of fun with this one as well. They enjoyed the rockin' fusion of hiphop/old school/ rock with pops with lots of energy and sound in each song. They recommend listening to Track 2 - Rock Hood as a good start to introduce yourself to Shinobi's feel and vibe. It also has a cool rhythm to kick off any party to life. They loved the sharp electric guitar riffs rockin' the song alongside the hiphop groove. Vyolet says "...it reminds her of the early Gorillaz sound..." They also liked Track 3 - Stop! for it's abrupt stops throughout the song until taking the ears into a long instrumental of electric psychedelia of funky riffs and rhythms. It totally had SouthSide fooled into thinking she was listening a different track on the EP before it returned back to its original tempo. Track 5 - Brainstorm was dubbed as the ninja song by Sunday since it had a bit of J-Pop/Asian influence in the rock sound with a mix of old school DJ mixmaster scratching. Vyolet say "...awesome ...[Shinobi Ninja] makes you want to dance..."


Workout Music
www.myspace.com/workoutmusicband
www.facebook.com/workoutmusic

The test audience enjoyed the quick one minute opening track uniquely titled - Wallet Keys Beer ...it definitely zips by fast as soon as you press play. Think of Workout's CD as your rockin' way to shed unwanted pounds (without really know you are) while listening to this local band's songs. Though the core sound has a 80s pop vibe, you'll also hear some pseudo disco and punk/garage as well as guitar rock in there too. The goal of this music is to make you sweat to the fun songs like Ain't My Jeans and Work It Out (dubbed as the workout song of the entire CD). This song is better heard live with their bubble machine running in sync and is one of SouthSide's favorite songs. You actually may not want to Don't Stop Now to Workout's music after feeling its groovin' vibe upon finishing the CD. The test audience loved the Ain't My Jeans remix featuring Ca$h Davis and Mr E on the hiphop/lyrical rap sound. They say "...this song deserves radio airplay..." Also read SouthSide's recent review of Workout Music's Elbo Room performance at http://southsideonthetown.blogspot.com/ titled 01 May 10.


My Pet Dragon
www.mypetdragon.net

Lover In Hiding

SouthSide would like to first thank August Forte for allowing the test audience to preview this CD. They enjoyed the subtle ambient opening which instantly leads straight into the title track - Lover In Hiding. The alternative sound incorporates a pleasing blend of rock and programmed beats which didn't overpower the vocals. Both music and voice naturally fit together as well as complimenting each other. After hearing the first two tracks of Lover In Hiding, skip to Track 5 for the instrumental version. The test audience loved its energetic contemporary sound of alternative/rock sound and without the lyrics, they loved the flowing vibe felt from the speakers. Lots of rhythms and melodies to keep you dancing to the beat. SouthSide plans to add this song to her wedding reception music list. Also they suggest listening to Track 4 - New Nation for the way Todd Michaelsen's voice shines while the incredible music takes a break for a moment. The simplicity of the guitar was a good move to accompany the vulnerability found in his voice. And check out Track 3 - Between Us for its India influence within the music that takes the sound into a new dimension. This world rhythm adds sultry flavor and substance to the groove which had SouthSide dancing to the pulse of the song. Expect to find this song used as her first dance choice for her wedding happening soon. She's also looking forward to seeing My Pet Dragon performing live on stage for an exclusive SouthSide On The Town review.


The Branded
www.thebrandedmusic.com
www.myspace.com/thebrandedmusic

No Mercy

SouthSide recently interviewed as well as reviewed The Branded's debut on the local stage. This week, the test audience took a closer look at this band's No Mercy CD. Immediately they noticed that the intensive hardcore rock sound was nothing like former bands A Birdsong Valentine and From The Broken. This was a completely different rock band with its wham-BAM-please-may-I-have-another guitar riffs by Mike (on electric) and Shen (on bass). They liked the fact there's more of Brian's natural voice on the lyrics instead of his infamous gut-busting screamo despite missing it from the CD. Yes, he's actually singing, blogspot readers. They say "...could clearly hear the angst and frustration projected from his vocals as well as harmonizing nicely with Mike and Shen..." during certain songs. They recommend Track 6 - First Move to acquaint yourself to The Branded's rockin' guitar sound and Brian's non-screamo voice. SouthSide says this song's better heard live while accompanied with random video images on The Branded TVs. Plus they love Track 8 - Drug Pizza for its crazy and weird guitar riffs and wacky lyrics which sometimes make no sense. It's a stoner's version to "magic" brownies as you listen to this song. And carefully look for them receording the lyrics at the beginning too. The line "Did someone order a pizza" always gets huge laughs. Vyolet totally recommends listening to this song and is sworn to secrecy as what "I got a 5" is referencing at the close of this track. Read SouthSide's interview on The Branded at http://southsideinterviews.blogspot.com/ and read their debut on the Elbo Room stage http://southsideonthetown.blogspot.com/.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide