Music Review - Geron Hoy

Geron Hoy is a man who spent 13 years searching for the right chords and words to put together and call an album. That album, Soldier is now here, and it is a pleasant bit of folky indie-country-pop.

As far as production goes, this album is well constructed. The vocals are present and in the front, making the story telling nature of Hoy's voice in the songs. Guitars are nicely overlaid without running over each other like impatient school boys trying to get to the one girl who might give them the time of day. Instead, the guitars are mates, coalescing instead of converging. The drums are somewhat simple and mechanical, but that can be forgiven, as it would sound empty without any percussion at all. The bass lines remain simple as well, but this is nice as it does not steal away from the sound of the guitars and vocals, were the focus should be for this sort of music.

Hoy has experienced loss. This is clearly emoted in every song, but no more than on "Time Don't You Take It Away", a song so radio ready, it will be a prom theme or movie soundtrack single in no time. Other big take aways are the title-track and "Around You, I'm Me", both pleasant and a little less deliberate than some of the other tracks.

To me, the only drawback was the first track, "Lady Crow". Perhaps it was intended misdirection, or perhaps it was just bad placement, but this track was weaker than the others and probably wasn't well-placed in the number one slot.

Other than that, a wonderful album of loss and lament, the idea of staying positive in light of the worst.

Where to find it:

• BandCamp
• geronhoy.com

RIYL: Counting Crows, The Wallflowers, Jakob Dylan

Music Review - Rejouissance

Hardcore is not dead...

Furthermore, Post-Hardcore is not dead. In fact, both are alive an well in a shiny little place called Syracuse, NY, in the form of five lads who call themselves Rejouissance. I was recently lucky enough to play a show with these guys at a fine little gallery called Badlands and I can say firmly, while their EP, D-Hard Sessions is a great listen, the live show is much more fantastic. For now, though, we'll look at the EP.

Rejouissance features 3 guitar players, one bassist, and a drummer. The 3 guitars gives the songs on this EP an interesting sound. They are at times at war with each other, still holding to the main line but moving in different directions, other times they are so tight and in sync it's as if they have discovered the ultimate chorus pedal. Always, one of the guitars is holding down the main line and keeping things flowing seamlessly with the driving bass lines. The drums (while a little quiet on the recording) are driving and really nail down the ground work for the intensity of each tune.

The standout track of the three is "State of Arrest", and it stands out for one big reason: a well-executed, half-time, classic hardcore breakdown. It makes the song nostalgic and modern all at once. The other two tracks, "Stutterer" and "Hollow Tower" also shine in their own ways, but "State of Arrest" was the grabber here.

The only negative here is that there are only 3 songs. Let's hope there is a full length in the near future.

Where to find them:

• MySpace
• lastFM
• Syracuse, NY

RIYL: Snapcase, Braid, Alexisonfire

Music Review - Noise & Rhythm - 1848

Noises & Rhythm started as a three-piece band, but has since become the solo project of Ryan Schumann. The sound itself is similar to the low-fi sounds of the mid to late 70's, mixed with some influence from the post-new wave era. 1848 is a collection of the work Ryan has completed, with the assistance of a revolving set of musicians, over the last six months.

"Tongue in cheek" are the first words that come to mind when considering the lyrics of Noises & Rhythm. "Let's Go to England" stands out as having that feel of watching someone or something else being insulted facetiously, but being in on the joke. It isn't the cruel kind of call out either, it's more a shared deprecation. On other songs, such as "Occupy Oscar", shots are taken at current events and society in general, showing Schumann is more than one-dimensional.

Instrumentation on this album seems to range a bit. The vocals are always well done, the keyboards and bass hold up their end as well. Guitars (with the exception of "Eat Our Oranges") seem a bit basic and not as strong when compared to other instruments. The drums and percussion hold-up but just as a simple back beat. This isn't much of an issue as the music is pop and has a rhythm of dancing, making the need for percussion less a necessity to emphasize the movement of the music and more relegated to being a supporting actor.

A very fun listen!

Where to find them:

• Noise & Rhythm site has the album as choose your own price. Always a way to give a talented group or individual a leg up!
• The album is now available on iTunes
• On Spotify in February

RIYL: The Kinks, Beck, Nick Lowe

Music Review - American Stories

American Stories is not the expected output of Buffalo, NY's punk and indie rock heavies Tim Nixon and Jesse Rejewski (Sleepy Sparrows, Dr. Dirty Sanchez), but that said, it is a pleasant sort of unexpected. Their new release, Prelude shows diverse song writing mixed mith lyrics of life and loss.

If we were to follow the liner notes on this, American Stories is "americana", but this label misses a lot of what their music actually has to offer. There are still elements of punk rock and just the hint of the Emocore songs of the late 90's and early 2000's. The songs are well crafted melodies put to the words of a musician observing his own life from an outside perspective.

This album was recorded with a good deal of care towards striking a balance between guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. The sound itself is blended excellently, and the songs leave a listener yearning for something a little bit better than their day to day, humdrum life.

There is some americana on this album, next to the more punk-esque songs, with tracks like "War Profiteers" and "Day Jobs and Sunsets". Standing next to these country tinted songs though are stand outs "Halfmast", "Forgetting the Clock", and "Happy New Years". These are nice combinations of the upbeat melody juxtaposed with lyrics of loss without redemption (hey...just like real life).

When all is said and done, we need to hope Tim and Jesse will continue to put more American Stories out soon.

N.B. special thanks to Scott Howard for letting me know about these guys

Where to find them:

• BandCamp

At the moment it's pay what you want...which makes it only fair to pay at least something.

RIYL: Sledding with Tigers, Paul Westerberg, Sinners, Repent!

Top 5 of 2011

Another year has gone (or nearly). This list is in no order, it's just the albums I've most enjoyed this year. I haven't reviewed all of them here, but I would have liked to if I got the jump and the music came to me early enough (hear that, musicians? Get me your stuff!!).

This was a great album for a great cause. A combination of folks you wouldn't expect to perform together and, as an added bonus, Neil Gaiman sings!

Donald Glover used this EP to come out in a big way as one of the most talented MCs the rap game currently has to offer while at the same time taking a shot at the game itself.

I tried not to like this album. I was afraid all the hype surrounding it would lead me to disappointment. Well...in short, it didn't. The album is brilliant and I thank Josh of Sinners Repent for showing me the error in my arrogance.

Young the Giant was a surprise that seemingly crept slowly up. Call it a come from behind victory. A great album of lament and life day-to-day.

The metal album of the year goes to Mastodon. Well played, technically salient, and their first non-concept album to boot.

Hopefully, 2012 will have even more to offer. Happy New Year!

Music Review - Sledding with Tigers/KIDS Split

This review is for a split release, therefore "Have Fun, High-Five and Stuff" will be a split review. For the first half: Sledding with Tigers!

SWT is nothing if not prolific. The great part about finding them so early on is having the chance to really see them evolve. When I first heard SWT, I was reminded me of a talented young man striving to get his punk images of his own life out on an acoustic guitar. But now, they've become more than that.

What we find now is much more reigned in acoustic guitar sound playing rhythmically and melodiously with a voice that has grown stronger and more sure of itself. Additionally, we hear the return of, and more prevalence of, violin, the inclusion of a banjo, and some nice texturing with an ambient electric guitar. The instrumentation is well balanced and well played, simple without being easy. It could be said these tunes are less punk and moving in a bluegrassy direction, easily seen on "Southbound!!! Northbound!!! Partybound!!! Dead", which also sneaks in some Charlie Brown-type whimsy.

The main stand out here is "Pizza Party! 1, 2, 3!!!". Here is a song that says, "we're growing up, and we're not 100% sure we're ready for that". The emotions of day to day life and the overwhelming feeling which can be felt is conveyed in such a way it becomes easy to remember being twenty-something all over again. With "They Sure Are Going All Out For Labor Day This Year, Aren't They?" we see a return to the poppier/punkier style we've come to know from SWT and it's reassuring to know, yeah, they still got "it".

RIYL: Greg Graffin, Paul Westerberg, Conor Oberst

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Part 2 of this review is, conversely, for a band I'd never heard before. Rumor has it these two bands are close and play quite a bit together. It's easy to see why when listening to the "second side" of this split.

With a full band (guitare, keys, drums, bass), KIDS has a slightly different sound, a mixture of mid-90's meets mid-50's feel. Dual (but not dueling) singers makes for a nice change of pace from song to song. The male and female vocal intertwine in a nice echo of each other that isn't simply call and response, but a conversation between two good singers. This is especially obvious on the cover, "Do you wanna dance?", which is really a re-interpretation of the song than a cover, strictly speaking.

With straightforward lyrics, KIDS seems to be striving to have a good night out. The songs are upbeat and the toil of the day-to-day is left behind. Songs such as "Monkeys" really pull out this feeling subtly whereas the final track, "Where have all the dancers gone?" Really point out that no one wants the party to end.

Tanya Donelly, She and Him, Coyote Shivers

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Where to find them:

• BandCamp
• Mediafire

This album is pay as much as you want, but that's all the more reason to pay $10 or so. Support independent music!

Music Review - Florence + the Machine

Florence + the Machine caught quite a few people by surprise. Whether it was during the vapid, worthless film lucky enough to have a song on the the soundtrack (Twilight), or when the sonic assault of the song "Dog Days Are Over" hit the airwaves, Florence + the Machine made a it clear that a rich, powerful voice and some less-than-usual instrumentation could combine for some very good music.

On their first album, Lungs, FTM (for brevity) were all over the musical map. With near-punk songs like "Kiss with a Fist" to soul throw-backs like "You've Got the Love" to goth-esque songs like "My Boy Builds Coffins", the album was best labeled as eclectic. This is less apparent on their follow-up, Ceremonials, where find a more matured Florence and a more robust Machine

Bringing in more traditional rock elements has not hurt this album in the slightest. Florence Welch's voice is still the main focus, but focus is a key word. Where Lungs was a few of Flo's favorite things, Ceremonials is a more honed experienced. The songs still vary from quiet and subtle to rocking and raucous, but seem to move in a similar vein.

Standouts are the nearly religious "What the Water Gave Me", a romp with power and overtones of self-redemption, "Never Let Me Go", a slower, softer tune seemingly about a love affair with the sea, and "Leave My Body" which has a strange gypsy/Celtic feel to it. The entire album is permeated with veiled religiousness and darker marks or a life of the experienced seeking redemption, from society or a lover or a god is left up to the listener to make a final decision.

Many critics worried the sophomore effort from FTM would be less charismatic or moving as they found Lungs to be. Fortunately, Ceremonials comes to us firing on all cylinders showing us a singer in her prime.

Where can it be found:

• iTunes
• The Flotique
• Amazon

RIYL: Siouxsie and the Banshees, Kate Bush, Tori Amos