Reviews
Current Reviews.....
This is my new section entitled "Reviews".....in this area of my website, I will review all aspects of Art... be it a Book...Music ... Or a painting, or whatever is in front of me at the time. What you will not see on this page is bashing of one's creations...these are just my opinions.
*****'s-Swank
****'s-Deserves a Listen
***'s-Decent
**'s- Needs Work
*- Wammy
Northern Liberties- Philadelphia, Pa (***** 's and then some!)
I have been a "Northern Liberties" fan from the door....well at least, since I saw them play back in 2005,when the band was promoting their album "Erode and disappear"...let me just say no one can describe the type of music they play. "To do so is Murder." says Justin Duerr the singer/voice of NL . Even Though they are a three peice band and they don't employ the "normal" collaboration within the the bands intruments, with Kevins enchanting rhythms and Justins swirling Vocals from another dimension mixed with Marcs Metronome timing on the traps, Northern Liberties makes for a Celestial experience to say the least. With their newest album "Ghost mind Electricity" they they've teamed up with Don Zientara, Owner/Operator of "Inner Ear" Studio.If the name sounds familiar that's because he's been responsible for the recording of such bands as The Bad Brains, Half Japanese, Fugazi, Lungfish, Minor Threat, Bob Mould, The promise Ring, and many others. With "Ghost mind Electricity", It really sounds like the "Northern Liberties" have found their sound and have Grown so much as a band...I can't wait to see what lies ahead for these guys!!! NL are one of the best Indie bands in the Industry! .......Reviewed by Ikarus
Album-"Ghost Mind Electricity" 2007
(Label-BADMASTER/Worldeater)
Scum of the Earth- Los Angeles,Ca (**1/2 's)
If this band sounds at all familiar that's because they are the leftovers from Rob Zombie's band. The line-up consists of Riggs who appeared in the Zombie video for "Return of the Phantom Stranger" as well as Clay Others, one of Riggs old friends and former Powerman 5000 guitarist Mike Tempesta, drummer John Dolmayan, from there " Scum of the Earth" was formed. Though I can't really say they're a bad band."Scum of the Earth" is Definitley something I myself wouldn't listen to. However for all of those Zombie fans, S.O.T.E. is probably a blessing, Since it basically sounds just like Zombie. I mean when you use the same voice effects and keyboard loops as well as the same Machined type beats there's not much of a difference! I was never really a fan persea, of "White Zombie" or "Rob Zombie" but, I did Respect what they did and stood for...THEY WERE DIFFERENT!..There really wasn't anything out there like them. Now with S.O.T.E. following in the same tracks it's getting a little REDUNDANT..so to speak. However the music sounds good, they're tight and they have chemistry.....Reviewed by Ikarus
Album-"Blah,Blah,Blah Love songs for the new Millennium"
(Label- Eclipse) 2007
Faded Paper Figures- Irvine, Ca (***** 's!)
These guys caught me off guard! I was on myspace when I got a friend request...It read "Faded Paper Figures" would like to be added as one of your friends...So like all bands that send requests I gave it a listen. Let's just say " I was hooked!" from the first song!!..I really don't listen to alot of Electro style music, but my collection does have the likes of "God lives underwater","Rapture" and " the Faint"...But, when it comes to this style of music I am very picky...."faded Paper Figures" however have just the right mixture...with songs like "B-Film", "Polaroid Solution", "Fell off my name" and "The persuaded" you'll be lucky if you can get their beats and words out of your head. People have compared them to the likes of "The Postal Service" myself..I have never listened to them...Besides I think I'm gonna stick with "Faded Paper Figures" I have to say "I Love" these guys!! Some of you might know them by a different name "Machine Discourse", All I have to say is they can change their name a million times, as long as they don't change the way they sound... I mean they are Raw, but at the same time molded...they use Ironic lyrics and thought provoking themes...and their beats are simple yet as a whole they're as complex as anything... I hope these guys are around for a long time!...Reviewed by Ikarus
(Unsigned)
Deadboy and the Elephantmen- Houma, La (***** 's!)
Where to start??...First of all I am a HUGE fan of Dax Riggs...the first time I heard "Acid Bath", (one of his earlier bands) I was mesmerized! Anything Daxx has been a part of is beautiful. He can go from really Hard swamp metal that sounds like he's employed a band of demons to playing the piano, sounding like a young Darker Jim Morrison. Daxx always mixes things up and never sounds the same. His new band "Deadboy and the Elephantmen" with Tessie Brunet (vocals, Drums)Rikki Rhodes (guitar, piano, bass instrument); Shane Herbert (guitar); Aaron Thomas (euphonium); Bear (tuba); John Perry (bass instrument); Rob Cournoyer, Lucas Broussard (drums) has alot of blues influences as well as plain old rock -n- roll then throw some punk and glam in the mix and you've got the right formula. Daxx doesn't seem like he's slowing down anytime soon with gigs ranging from Lallapalooza to small venues and clubs, (D.B.A.T.E.M) are .sure to gain even more notoriety. "We are night sky", with songs like "Stop I'm already dead" and "No rainbow" you're put in Daxx's signature trance....while he drenches you with Bluesy songs of "Raining skulls" and "Climbing spirits." This album is truely amazing in itself, you really can't catagorize it...(D.B.A.T.E.M) is music in it's truest form!...Reviewed by Ikarus
Album- "We are night sky."
Label- (Fat Possum / RSK/Arvato Services.)
