Local CD Reviews
Issue 203 / November 2005 More from this Issue
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Agree or disagree, check it out
By Cindi Robinson
The Rubes
Mutiny to a Revolution
Recorded by Matt Dixon
The Rubes = The Rolling Stones + The White Stripes + The Strokes
This could be really good. For starts, they should take out the obvious rip off's of everything that is famous from the 70's and develop their own sound. Then, do a professional recording. Sloppy playing and tones that are all over the place drown what possibilities they had at blowing my clothes off. They've got good basics but no originality. The album could use more range as well. From one song to the next, they are quite monotonous and winy. The Rubes are definitely a mutiny of THE revolution, not an addition too.
The Annuals
Repondez
Recorded by Jay Henderson and The Annuals
The Annuals = The Connells + Cat Stevens + Cub Country + Indigo Girls
Soulful and sweet, The Annuals create a soft alt-country heart-felt emotional vibe. Drifting with layers of mandolin, harmonica, bitchin' upright bass, and humble female backup vocals, they're rollin' with a basic rock foundation that really kicks ass. Noteworthy are the great singing and songwriting. Sonically, the drum and bass tones sound delicious in the tracking, but seem dumbed-down in the mix. This recording definitely concentrates on the guitar varieties and vocals; not so much on the full soul effect. Regardless, it's a nice lazy-afternoon disc.
Thunderfist
Live at Burt's
Recorded by Andy Patterson
ECG Records
Thunderfist = Black Flag w/ Rollins
I love dick. This band is full of dick. Therefore, I love this record. "My dick is a foot ... smoke it like a bong." Oh yeah, I will. Especially in the form of mid-80s pumping punk. Thunderfist will fuck you, fuck your beer, and then fuck your mom. It's fun for everyone. They're perfect for a Burt's recording but it sounds more like a KISS recording. Meaning, this sounds "really" good for a live Burt's recording. It is 20 minutes of pure punk: raw, fast, raunchy punk. Wish I could smoke a dick but I'll smoke while rockin' out to these dicks instead. Cheers!
The Handsome
Promo CD
Recorded by Christopher Stearman and Dane Hansen
The Handsome = Pixies + The Cars + Weezer
A perfect band for the back-to-school soundtrack of The O.C., full of lovelorn and Beach Boys-ish summer fun. They carry a heavy Weezer influence, with good singing and a pretty good recording. I don't like the guitar distortion, though; it sounds too much like cheap metal riffin' for such a fun, pop-rockin' group. They're good, but they could be tighter. Their approach is a little footloose and fancy-free. It's a bit of alright.
GAZA
Homeless Urine Sessions
Recorded by Andy Patterson
GAZA = GAZA
Love it! Love it, love it, love it, love it! This is the most recent three-song release of GAZA and I love it! One of the heaviest rockin' and riffin' gruff-havoc rock bands ever. Screw whether they're from Salt Lake, I think they're one of the best bands ever. Thankfully, they miss the common emo-voiced breakdowns, and they're chockfull of solid, throat-throbbing assaults of smutty, full-range monster vocals. Of course, they're backed by a tight, iron-clad attack. It's flawless. Not to mention a guest vocal addition from Trevor Sternad of the Black Dahlia Murder on track two that mixes right in. It's awesome!
AODL
Redbox
Recorded by Jeff Shell
AODL = noise
All I can say is that this is an hour-and-a-half of solid noise. If you can sit and listen to electronic, metallic noise, then cool. If not, sample these guys for the next introspective metal mood moment. Good sounds, but not a good chillin' record.
Kohabit
Self-titled
Recorded: Kevin from Day Two
Kohabit = At the Gates + Kill Switch Engage + Unearth
They could have been straight off of Headbangers Ball, because Kohabit sounds like the next Victory band. Loaded with current speed metal "juga juga," they fit in perfectly with the hardcore madhouse. The intro to this promo release is drastically misleading. I thought I'd be bumping to some new Fisch Loops, only to be thwarted by mainstream vocals, typical emotional singing, and basic pit moments. Sad to say, the recording doesn't give these guys justice; it's super thin. What could have been thick and heavy has been recorded weak. I think this band is just as good as what's out there right now, and I hope they do a real record.
By Cindi Robinson
The Rubes
Mutiny to a Revolution
Recorded by Matt Dixon
The Rubes = The Rolling Stones + The White Stripes + The Strokes
This could be really good. For starts, they should take out the obvious rip off's of everything that is famous from the 70's and develop their own sound. Then, do a professional recording. Sloppy playing and tones that are all over the place drown what possibilities they had at blowing my clothes off. They've got good basics but no originality. The album could use more range as well. From one song to the next, they are quite monotonous and winy. The Rubes are definitely a mutiny of THE revolution, not an addition too.
The AnnualsRepondez
Recorded by Jay Henderson and The Annuals
The Annuals = The Connells + Cat Stevens + Cub Country + Indigo Girls
Soulful and sweet, The Annuals create a soft alt-country heart-felt emotional vibe. Drifting with layers of mandolin, harmonica, bitchin' upright bass, and humble female backup vocals, they're rollin' with a basic rock foundation that really kicks ass. Noteworthy are the great singing and songwriting. Sonically, the drum and bass tones sound delicious in the tracking, but seem dumbed-down in the mix. This recording definitely concentrates on the guitar varieties and vocals; not so much on the full soul effect. Regardless, it's a nice lazy-afternoon disc.
Thunderfist
Live at Burt's
Recorded by Andy Patterson
ECG Records
Thunderfist = Black Flag w/ Rollins
I love dick. This band is full of dick. Therefore, I love this record. "My dick is a foot ... smoke it like a bong." Oh yeah, I will. Especially in the form of mid-80s pumping punk. Thunderfist will fuck you, fuck your beer, and then fuck your mom. It's fun for everyone. They're perfect for a Burt's recording but it sounds more like a KISS recording. Meaning, this sounds "really" good for a live Burt's recording. It is 20 minutes of pure punk: raw, fast, raunchy punk. Wish I could smoke a dick but I'll smoke while rockin' out to these dicks instead. Cheers!
The Handsome
Promo CD
Recorded by Christopher Stearman and Dane Hansen
The Handsome = Pixies + The Cars + Weezer
A perfect band for the back-to-school soundtrack of The O.C., full of lovelorn and Beach Boys-ish summer fun. They carry a heavy Weezer influence, with good singing and a pretty good recording. I don't like the guitar distortion, though; it sounds too much like cheap metal riffin' for such a fun, pop-rockin' group. They're good, but they could be tighter. Their approach is a little footloose and fancy-free. It's a bit of alright.
GAZA
Homeless Urine Sessions
Recorded by Andy Patterson
GAZA = GAZA
Love it! Love it, love it, love it, love it! This is the most recent three-song release of GAZA and I love it! One of the heaviest rockin' and riffin' gruff-havoc rock bands ever. Screw whether they're from Salt Lake, I think they're one of the best bands ever. Thankfully, they miss the common emo-voiced breakdowns, and they're chockfull of solid, throat-throbbing assaults of smutty, full-range monster vocals. Of course, they're backed by a tight, iron-clad attack. It's flawless. Not to mention a guest vocal addition from Trevor Sternad of the Black Dahlia Murder on track two that mixes right in. It's awesome!
AODL
Redbox
Recorded by Jeff Shell
AODL = noise
All I can say is that this is an hour-and-a-half of solid noise. If you can sit and listen to electronic, metallic noise, then cool. If not, sample these guys for the next introspective metal mood moment. Good sounds, but not a good chillin' record.
Kohabit
Self-titled
Recorded: Kevin from Day Two
Kohabit = At the Gates + Kill Switch Engage + Unearth
They could have been straight off of Headbangers Ball, because Kohabit sounds like the next Victory band. Loaded with current speed metal "juga juga," they fit in perfectly with the hardcore madhouse. The intro to this promo release is drastically misleading. I thought I'd be bumping to some new Fisch Loops, only to be thwarted by mainstream vocals, typical emotional singing, and basic pit moments. Sad to say, the recording doesn't give these guys justice; it's super thin. What could have been thick and heavy has been recorded weak. I think this band is just as good as what's out there right now, and I hope they do a real record.
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