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Written by Sierra Christman
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My first exposure to Authority Zero was when they released their debut album in 2002, A Passage In Time. Hitting the airwaves right at the height of the pop punk trend, their reggae, punk tracks “Over Seasons” and “One More Minute” quickly shot the Arizona group into shining moments of popularity, but after that, I’m sorry to say I lost track of them. Their newest album, Stories of Survival, out on Suburban Noize Records, has definitely brought them back into the limelight.
Though a very politically motivated album, Authority Zero delivers their message with a spoonful of sugar – the smooth reggae punk rhythms that were present in the band’s earlier albums. Stories of Survival is composed of tracks that echo the title message, that in the wake of a recessed economy, political turmoil and forefront of social change, people continue to survive. Perhaps one of the most poignant tracks in conjunction with current affairs is “Big Bad World”, which highlights economic struggles of the blue-collar class and “the pump war”. With other songs like “The Remedy” professing that “We are living/It’s an evolution/We are singing/Searching for solution/We are hearing/Songs of revolution/But swimming right up stream”, you’d think that you’d be in for another typical punk lecture about environmentalism and anarchy, but Stories of Survival is more of a message of hope and optimism. “They wanna bitch and moan to break your spirit/What you goin’ through? /Set up on the side your daily problems/So what you thinkin’ you’re going to do? /Take it upon yourself…”
Twelve tracks of upbeat music that will not only make you dance but make you think, as well, Stories of Survival brings a lot to listeners who may have since forgotten that pop punk can be an awesome thing. And if you’re like me and only had a couple Authority Zero tracks for reference, after these Stories, you’re sure to pay attention.
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Written by Sierra Christman
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For their first full-length album, Carney definitely knows what they’re doing. Mr. Green: Volume 1 out on Interscope Records is a short but explosive collection of tracks that vacillate between mellow and dreamy, like title track “Mr. Green”, and sexy, dirty upbeat rock ballads like the nearly 8 minute closer, “Testify”. The opening song and single from the album, “Love Me Chase Me” is definitely one of the album’s strongest tracks, rife with catchy hooks, swervy bass and a pulsing drum beat that’ll get the rhythm flowing through your veins.
Typically, I’m not used to seeing albums this strong come out first time around – it’s fair to say that a lot of bands don’t find their sound or reach their musical potential until at least their sophomore albums, if not later. Carney has gelled into a mature sound right off the bat for such young musicians, so it’s easy to understand why the album seems composed and well-produced, yet still edgy and new.
Though hailed for their live performances, Carney is not only able to bring energy to the stage, but you can feel it from track to track. I could go on and on about this album, about how you can listen to it from start to finish without skipping a track, about how you can listen to it regardless of your mood and find it fitting, about how, even though it was just released, I’m already eagerly anticipating their next album, but rather than drown you all in my effusive praise and sudden love for this band, I merely – humbly – advise you to go pick up this album and see what I’m talking about. Better yet, pick it up at one of their shows this tour and experience them live for the full effect.
We’ve got our eyes on you, Carney.
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Written by Richard Castañeda
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You know those time capsules some high school classes make to unbury in X amount of years to remember the good ol’ days? Guitarist Ben Moody, formerly of Evanescence, seems to have done that with his latest project, We Are The Fallen.
The band name takes a jab at Evanescence’s 2003 debut, Fallen. Moody lives up to his name by releasing this album. Apparently seven years hasn’t been enough time for him to let go of the past. Don’t get me wrong though; there are definite highlights to this debut. The guitars sound tight and the production value is top notch.
We Are The Fallen features Carly Smithson, a former “American Idol” contestant. Her voice is remarkable and it’s easy to see why Moody would want her to front the band. They’re rounded out with former Evanescence members, John LeCompt and Rocky Gray and studio bassist, Marty O’Brien.
At times, Tear The World Down sounds like it could be a cinematic score on songs like “Sleep Well, My Angel” and the outro to “Bury Me Alive”. The lyrics to “Bury Me Alive” sound a little too dramatic: “Make me feel this love we used to hold / All I see is black and cold / As I try to pull you down to the ground, the ground!”
Smithson screams at the end. I haven’t heard anyone that depressed since I listened to Staind for the first time.
Moody has stated in the press before that he’s wanted to go back to 2003 and start his vision anew, but as any artist will tell you: art is all about moving forward and not looking back. That’s why many of the greats like Led Zeppelin or Soundgarden are still relevant today: they didn’t do the same album twice. They avoided repetition. They changed their game.
Aside from the lack of originality, We Are The Fa
llen put out a decent album. Hopefully their second album will qualm Moody’s obsession with the past and show the world a better vision of what’s really in his head.
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Written by Richard Castañeda
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Night Train, a follow up of sorts to 2008’s Perfect Symmetry, is Keane’s latest addition to their poppy-piano driven repertoire. The songs came together during their Perfect Symmetry Tour in 2008. The title is an homage to their favorite method of transportation between gigs on that tour.
The eight-track EP features collaborations with Somali-Canadian rapper K’Naan on two tracks. The rapper with a name that’s easier to spell than pronounce guests on lead single, “Stop For a Minute,” a great tune that displays K’Naan’s vocal range. He, at times, sounds like Chris Martin from Coldplay. That might just be me though.
“Looking Back,” is the second track with K’Naan. Yes, that is the Rocky triumph music you hear playing in the background. K’Naan even acknowledges it in his rap, “Am I the only one trying to fight off an army of memories dressed up all trying to harm me? I feel cocky running up the steps like Rocky.”
Keane follows up the collaborations with Japanese MC, Tigarah on “Ishin Denshin (You’ve Got to Help Yourself).”
The original song, “You’ve Got to Help Yourself” was done by late 70’s Japanese electropop band, Yellow Magic Orchestra and Ishin Denshin, is the Japanese concept of unspoken implication. The poppy-electronic number meanders through English and Japanese.
"That song pretty much exemplifies the way we did the record," explains Tim Rice-Oxley on the official Keane website. "I worked on the original idea on a plane, Richard [Hughes] recorded the drums in DC, Tom [Chaplin] did his vocals in Copenhagen, Tigarah did hers in LA and we finished it off on the tour bus. And I'm hugely pleased with the end result."
The variety on this EP is incredible. “Your Love” sounds like a throwback 80’s single, but sounds really fresh. By “My Shadow,” I wondered if my iPod battery died. I couldn’t believe the music was already over. It left me wanting more. That’s no exaggeration, but then again, it’s an EP, so I’ll just have to wait until the next album. |
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