........................
Frodus - And We Washed Our Weapons in the Sea (Fueled by Ramen) - drew deboyOn the whole, I am quite the unemotional person. Few things in life elicit an emotional response from me, and music usually fails to get much more than applause from my ears, with few exceptions. "A Mind of Her Own" by Pedro the Lion is one of these exceptions. Every time I hear David Bazan sing, "Hey where do you think you're going? Don't you walk away from me!" my neck tingles. By now, you're probably wondering where all of this fits in with the new Frodus album. Until I received a copy of the new Frodus record, one of my favorite albums of all time had been their last disc, Conglomerate International, their only release on Tooth and Nail. All of the screaming vocals, wailing guitars, creative bass lines, and varied drum rhythms combined to form a great and memorable record. I always wondered what had happened between the release of Conglomerate International and the subsequent break with Tooth and Nail, as well as the eventual demise of Frodus itself. The new album, And We Washed Our Weapons in the Sea, was recorded in 1999. A track from the album was placed on the compilation Songs From the Penalty Box, Vol. 3, a Tooth and Nail release. After this, the relationship with Tooth and Nail apparently decayed, and the new album was never to be released on the label. However, many record stores list the new album as a Tooth and Nail release, though the album has not yet hit stores (save in LP vinyl form). Plans to release the new album on a different label were destroyed after the label folded. Finally, growing close to two years after the album was recorded, Fueled By Ramen agreed to release the final manifesto of Frodus. So, needless to say, it was with much anticipation that I slipped the new album into my tape player. After one listen, I was blown away. The first aspect of this record that stuck out at me was the quality of the production. While Conglomerate International was well-produced, it was obvious that And We Washed... was of a much higher quality. Every scream, bass line, drumbeat, and effect was clear, even considering that I was listening on merely a secondhand recorded-over tape. The vocals are more than exceptional on this album, and lead vocalist Shelby Cinca incorporates intense shouting, tortured screaming, a normal singing voice (not heard on Conglomerate International), as well as distant, ethereal, whisper-like vocals. Yes, there is actual singing on this album for those who can't stand the screaming, both of which are some of the best segments of the album. After listening to a Frodus album from 1994, I found that lead vocalist Cinca has taken six years to perfect his scream. Had this new album been the first since the 1994 effort, the six years would have been more than worth the wait. There is nothing worse than ruining the surprise of a new album, which is why I won't go through most of the songs on And We Washed…. The second track, "The Earth Isn't Humming" is something totally unlike the last effort from Frodus. Impassioned vocals and great guitar work (as usual) are found here, and the only tracks that are not graced by the presence of impassioned vocals are the instrumentals. I find that emotion is very much alive within this album. Every track on this record elicits some type of emotional response, ranging from mystification, to anger, and to responses that I couldn't find a name for. Suffice it to say that And We Washed Our Weapons in the Sea is more than an album. It is an event, a happening. Make sure you don't miss it.
The Deal - Yesterday, Today, & Forever (Facedown) - drew deboyThe Deal is a band forged of old-school, gang vocal punk, with a few "oi's" thrown in for good measure. The first track is not really a track, more of an emotional confession of an unnamed man. The music begins with song two, "Rise Up", which uses some of the first Old English I've heard in a punk song. The energy in the first several tracks is apparent and catchy, but by the time I reached the end of the cd, it was beginning to sound repetitive. The lyrics are honestly Christian, and speak mainly of taking a stand against the "other side". All in all, this album is another version of punk that fails to break any new ground.
Cave-in - Jupiter (hydrahead records) - luke tobias*****
Today, we open our eyes to a new Cave-in. Gone are the days of out of control metal riffage and guttural screams. I really wondered when this came out if Cave-In fans would be open-minded enough to accept a new face for this almost legendary band. This new record is likely to appeal more to fans of bands like Radiohead and Rush as opposed to bands like Coalesce or Converge. However, I see all of those kids finding something of merit here as well. Whatever way you look at it, you've got to respect this band for having the balls to do a complete 180 musically and do it competently. As soon as I put this CD in my player, I knew it was a winner. Everything about this record is top of the line. Stephen Brodskys thoughtful lyrics coupled with Adam McGraths guitars create a seamless soundscape that, in my opinion, will revolutionize the way you look at heavy music. And while this definitely falls under the category of "heavy" I think that anyone with half a brain and an interest in amazing music, will appreciate this. This is definitely the best record of 2000.
Agoraphobic nosebleed/converge - The Poacher Diaries (relapse records) - luke tobias
****
Okay. Let me just start by saying that this is an awesome record all around. The artwork on this is amazing. The cover and tray artwork were created by Derek Hess who, if you aren't familiar, is pretty much a god for stuff like this. Very graphic and very what I would think agoraphobic nosebleed and converge would appreciate. Hence, it being the cover and whatnot. But then there's more. Push the play button and you'll hear some of the fastest grind you'll ever hear. Jay Randall is a master at programming a drum machine and he shows his talent here quite well. We get nine tracks of pure grinding insanity from this Northern Virginia murder machine. If you've never heard Agoraphobic Nosebleed, you're probably living under a rock. This is easily some of the best grind I've ever heard and easily the best that's out right now along with Scott Hulls (guitarist) other band Pig Destroyer. Now on to the Converge tracks. To be honest, when I first heard this record, I was a little disappointed with these songs. I felt like the recording could have been twenty times better and that the songs were kind of a cop out on Converges part as far as good songwriting goes. But, after giving it a fair amount of listens, I concede that this is actually very good. While there are a couple of tracks that I don't particularly care for, Converge makes up for it with blisteringly fast and heavy tracks like "Locust Reign" and with the anthemic "My Great Devastator." I expect a lot out of Converge. And while I still think the recording could have been twenty times as good on this recording, they're definitely growing up to be an amazing metal band.
Grade - The Embarrassing Beginning (victory records) - luke tobias***1/2
Depending on when you started listening to Grade, you may or may not appreciate this new record which, actually, isn't new at all. This is a re-release of this Canadian bands first record along with some rare and unreleased tracks. For the most part, the first half of the record is metalcore that reminds me of 1997. They approach the style well but, I'm glad that they decided to "mature" a little bit. The second half of the record is what people who caught them when they released Separate The Magnets or Under the Radar on Victory would probably be more apt to listening to. Sometimes soft and sometimes piercing, these songs show a definite progression from the bands hardcore days. I really like the cover of Van Halen's "Panama" on here. Besides the fact that if you already are a fan of Grade you probably have all of these recordings save for the unreleased songs, this is a good record. Like I said, I could have done without the moshy metal-core beginning but, I guess that's why they called it The Embarrassing Beginning.
As the sun sets - Every Individual Voice Is Dead In The Silence (moment of clarity
records) - luke tobias***
Despite the star rating, this is actually a really good record. I mean, it's consistent. The recording quality here is very good and the songs are written well. This record is basically just off the wall. Lots of screamy high pitched vocals and lots of double picking. I've read a lot of reviews saying that this was technical metal and all of this other shit. While I wouldn't necessarily call it technical, it's very good. The only problem I have with it, and this is what takes two stars away, is that the songs just seem to bleed into one another and it's hard to tell the difference between them. If I started the record on song six and then it just skipped to song one, I'd have no idea they were out of order. I mean, it doesn't make this a bad record and I'm sure that with some experience these guys are going to destroy the scene. But, for now, I wish they'd change things up a bit. I guess you can get this from Undecided Records now as they've re-released it. The original is now out of print.
Earth Crisis - Last of The Sane (Victory Records) - luke tobias
Well, this is Earth Crisis and you pretty much know what to expect from them if you're reading this zine I'd assume. This is a collection of tracks from compilations, some demos, and other assorted goodies. It's your basic hardcore record for the most part but there are some standout tracks. They really cover a lot of ground with this record material wise. The fifth track, a cover of the Dead Kennedy's "Holiday In Cambodia" is easily the best track here. They definitely do the song justice as far as I'm concerned and it's really really catchy, as is the original which I'm sure you're aware of. They also cover the Rolling Stones, "Paint It Black" which is very good. I don't really care for the rest of the tracks so much because they're basically demo versions of songs from other records. The only saving grace is that "Gomorrah's Season Ends" is one of my all time favorite hardcore songs and hearing a different version is kind of cool. Chances are, if you like this band, you'll like this a lot. If you aren't so into them, check out the DK cover and the Rolling Stones cover and give it back to the friend you borrowed it from.
Immolation - Close To A World Below (Metal Blade Records) - luke tobiasIf you're into death metal at all you probably know who Immolation is. I'd say they're probably one of the best death metal bands in existence right up there with Cannibal Corpse, Nile, Carcass, and Cryptopsy. This is their newest offering and I've got to say that it slays thoroughly. This is eight tracks of crushing, technical, blasphemous death metal. If you're conscious of lyrical content and you lean towards the Christ centered system of beliefs, I'm pretty sure this will offend you. Every song is basically an anthem of hate towards Christianity. Musically, it's super talented, never-get-old death metal that I could listen to for hours on end if I didn't get sick of death metal altogether. I'd say, buy this before you buy most other things. It's great.
New York City Takeover vol. 1 and 2 - Comp. (Victory Records) - luke tobias
Okay well, this is live hardcore. If you've been to a hardcore show, you know that this means sing-a-longs and lots of mosh. So, that's what this is. Live tracks from New York City featuring All Out War, Reach The Sky, Grey Area, Skarhead, Buried Alive, and River City Rebels. The first disc came out January 23 and the second comes out on February 20 apparently. Not really my cup of tea.
Eiffel - Audible Narcotic (Undecided Records) - luke tobiasThis is some really good screamy emo. Not like this spazzy concoction that's usually called "screamo" which is so popular lately. This is dreamy, well played rock and roll with some cracked out scream parts. The lyrics are kind of abstract with some of them dealing with personal girlie stuff, I'm assuming, that most emo is notorious for and then other things that I have no idea what he's talking about. Another perk about this is the layout. Now, it's a digipak which, I know, is a pain in the ass to put in your cd holders but, it's really clean and well put together save for gratuitous spelling errors in the lyrics. Besides that, it's really good. Undecided has been putting out some great stuff as of late and this is just further proof that this young label knows what they're doing.
Coldplay - Parachutes (Parlophonic (or whatever...some crazy label)) - luke tobiasAlright people. Say whatever you want. I listened to this and I love it. This is basically like, really really really well written rock and roll. The guys voice reminds me of Dave Matthews and the music is just really well crafted. I heard a story about this band that they played a show and afterwards Liam Gallagher of Oasis came up to them and told them that their song "Yellow" is the sole reason he started writing music again after an apparently extended sabbatical or something. Regardless, this is great. Standout tracks: Sparks, Yellow, We Never Change.
Placebo - Without You I'm Nothing (Virgin Records) - luke tobiasYet another radio record. You probably heard the track "Every You Every Me" from this record on the soundtrack to the movie Cruel Intentions. This is really just rock and roll with some synthesizers and loops. But, it's very addicting. Has a very European sound if you ask me. I'm not really familiar with this style of music so I don't know what to compare it to. All I know is that it's good and that if you like interesting music devoid of any link with the hardcore/metal scene, it might do you well to pick this up. The lyrics are thought provoking as well. Buy it.
Zao - Self-titled (Solid State Records) - joseph christopherWith years of success mixed with turmoil behind them, Pennsylvanian metal kings Zao have done it again. Prepare to add another weapon to your arsenal of Zao albums -- the new record merely entitled "Zao". But don't expect anything you've heard in the past from these monsters of death-thrash-metal-whatever-core. Equip your CD player with this disc and you will notice several immediate differences in the sound and musicality. The first track, "Five Year Winter", which is about a girl who misled lead singer Dan Weyandt, begins with only Scott Melinger's distinct clean guitar. The song then explodes into what promises to foreshadow the BIG sound of the tracks to follow. But wait a second... something sounds different. Are those electronic drums? Drummer and only remaining founding member of Zao, Jesse Smith, decided to try something new on this record. Roland V-Drums. The cymbals were real, but the drums and hi-hat were all electronic. He really wanted to take his electronic set with him on tour, but most venues usually have poor sound systems that couldn't accomodate them, according to Jesse. Once you are accustomed to the sound of the drums on this record, you may notice the guitar parts are written mainly for one guitar, as opposed to the dynamic dual-guitar driven songs of the past. Since the departure of the irreplacable Russ Cogdell, Scott Melinger has been given his chance to prove what an excellent guitarist he is. Just listen to that guitar break in the first track -- metal never dies. Dan Weyandt was also given the chance to experiment. His vocal stylings on the new record are more diverse than have been in the past. One second he will be using his signature vampire scream, and the next he will be digging deep with a death metal voice. Who knew he had that kind of range? And what about track 9 (the dreams that don't come true). People always come up to me and ask "Is that singing I hear?" Yes. Personally, I love tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10. They are quality songs with excellent lyrical content and incredible music. Conversely, I hate 2, 4, and 6. Track 2 is an instrumental that is really just Jesse showing off his new drumset. Track 4 is a Deftones-style song that has no tempo changes or anything special. Track 6 is Zao saying "we can write a song with no screaming, too." But that's just me talking, of course. Overall, the new record is very good. Not their best work in my opinion, but it's worth checking out.
<< previous | table of contents | next >>