July Short Bits

Who Speaks For Planet Earth?
Artist: And Then There Were None 
©2009 Tooth & Nail Records
www.myspace.com/andthentherewerenone
Kicking off with electronica-infused keyboards is a nice change of pace for something on the Tooth & Nail roster. ATTWN are a good alt-pop band with enough hooks to fill a tackle box. Memorable tracks include "John Orr, The Arsonist", "Reinventing Robert Cohn", and "Thank The Watchmaker". They even do a cover of Richard Marx' "Right Here Waiting" for good measure. "Who Speaks For The Earth?" is an enjoyable disc. Judging by their touring calendar and myspace buzz, they are catching on. (thecannyshark)

Nothing More Than Light
Artist: Conspiracy of Thought
©2009 Independent
www.jointheconspiracy
I'm sure you have the phrase, "Never judge a book by its cover." Well, put this in the never-judge-a-supposed-metal-band-by-its-cover category too. The lead singer looks a distant cousin of Saviour Machine's Mark Clayton (very unique hairstyle). No comparison beyond that can be made to SM or the brooding-look-means-brooding-metal on this disc or their myspace page. Interweaving hard rock, Nu metal, rap rock and almost heavy blues, Conspiracy Of Thought has pieced together an interesting disc. It stands to reason that some bands attempt gimmickry to catch the public interest. Getting past the hair and the brooding appearance of the band, COT is a quality amusement ride. Their apparent push for radio single, "Nothing More Than Light", covered twice with radio mix, has all the hooks you could want. The feeling, however, after the ride is over leaves me somewhat empty. Maybe stylistically, COT is all over the map, but it's not all cohesive. It has its moments. Incorporating industrial flair throughout over the different styles does keep it interesting, but walking away creates memory loss.  (thecannyshark)

(Bluebird) (EP)
Artist: Randall Goodgame
©2008 Brite Entertainment
URL: www.randallgoodgame.com
 It is tough for a singer-songwriter to separate himself from the pack in the genre. “Bluebird” feels like nothing new is explored. The songs could easily fit in at an open mic at a local coffeehouse.  (thecannyshark)

3-Song EP
Artist: Icon For Hire
©2008 Independent
URL: www.myspace.com/iconforhire
Female fronted hard rock, much in the same vein as Flyleaf, Icon For Hire has an almost brooding capacity to their sound. Clichéd and typically formulaic, there is very little new ground covered. (thecannyshark)

Deserted Soul
Artist: In Grief
Label: Bombworks Records
Time: 7 tracks/47:18 minutes
Well, the band is named In Grief, they're on Bombworks, and there are only 7 songs (one a short intro) with a 47-minute playing time? That means one thing and one thing only: progressive death metal!  For those not in the know, progressive death metal combines the growling vocals and speed of death metal with the experimental keyboards and extended song structures common on progressive rock releases. With In Grief there is also a bit of clean singing thrown in, a la Opeth. This doesn't stray too far from the conventions of the genre musically. The band is more than competent. They craft some interesting, lengthy tunes that are consistently entertaining even if they are derivative of other artists. The lyrics are appropriately dark, but also spiritual and hopeful. They are also surprisingly articulate for a band whose second language is English.  I hope that the band branches out into more diverse territory with future records but overall this is a solid release, no surprises, just great progressive death metal.  (Noah Salo  http://shineisdead.wordpress.com )

I Didn’t Know That Led To This (EP)
Artist: Elliot Jack
Label: ©2009 Independent
URL: http://www.mysapce.com/elliotjack
Ambient texture loops intermingled with their characteristic sound, Elliot Jack has put together a shorter disc that appears a continuation of their previous effort, “Stay Away From Lonely Places.” Their intriguing style still has me hooked, but little new ground is covered. (thecannyshark)

One By One
ArtisT: Language Room
©2009 Independent
www.languageroom.net
www.myspace.com/languageroom
Intelligent, indie-alternative, much like Radiohead and Dinosaur Jr., Language Room assaults your senses like a steamroller. There is everything to like about this disc: smart melodies, strong vocals, good modern hooks, instrumentation that fills out a song, and stellar production. A fluid disc from start to finish, standout  tracks include “In Lines,” “Run Out of Road,” “I Want to Scream," and “Matter of Time.” If not for their late addition to Cornerstone 2009’s schedule on the Reignite Stage, there would be more time for this band to filter into my veins. Solid effort.  (thecannyshark)
 

Return To Struggleville  /Not Waving, Drowning
Artist: Listener
both©2009 Independent
URL: www.listenerproject.com
Spoken word projects usually pass under my radar due to mild comparisons to hip-hop. Listener does an entire spoken word release with “Not Waving, Drowning” and using subtle acoustic and samples on “Return To Struggleville”. The intelligent lyrics set this apart from even the mildest forms of pop-oriented rap music. These are mildly entertaining and clever, at points, but I’m not sure either has much staying power. Just OK doesn’t cut it. (thecannyshark)

In the Twinkle of an Eye
Artist: Rev21
Slingshot Records
rev21.org
Brothers Rick and Tim Hammond head up this foursome that brings scripture and encouragement on a solid rock platform.  Don't let the DIY bulletin-board cover deter you from giving them a listen. Underneath the cover is a professionally produced series of songs that take a few risks yet deliver solid, sing-along authentic inspiration. (Linda LaFianza)

Like a Shadow, Without Hope
Artist: Somewhere Familiar
©2009 Independent
URL:www.myspace.com/somewherefamiliarmusic
Written like a program guide to some local theater with personal letters inserted, Somewhere Familiar has created a middle of the road acoustic based effort that left me wanting. Mediocre coffeehouse sentiment aside, the closest comparison is My Friend Stephanie, except more raw and definitely more indie. Apart from the spoken word pieces, this is more forgettable than not.  (thecannyshark)

Puddin’ (EP)
Artist: Soul Patches and the Second Bananas
©2009 Independent
Http://www.myspace.com/patchesandthesecondbananas
DIY quirky acoustic comedy with unique percussion, Soul Patches and the Second Bananas are easy to breathe in. If it’s possible to say, this plays like an acoustic emo thing, but somewhat reserved. Standout tracks are “Unmotivational Speaker”, the short “Jet”, the slightly retro sounding “”Digital Revolution” and the tongue-in-cheek “Cheese”. Good indie stuff.    (thecannyshark)

Theoretically, Yes. Honestly, No
Artist: The Southern Sea
©2009 Old House Records
http://www.thesouthernsea.com
When a disc begins with banjo picking over predominantly acoustic instrumentation, my interest is piqued. The Southern Sea delicately handcrafts their music with nuance in mind. Somewhat of a mix of Mercury Rev, Sufjan Stevens, and Death Cab For Cutie, these guys play this soft hybrid of looping, Midwest acoustic/electric with a carefree spirit. Toes are bound to be tapping when you take this for a spin on a country drive.  The entire thing is seamless and fluid. Strong tracks include “These Things Always End Badly”, “Quarks Passing Through A Hypochondriac”, “Trucks Are Roller-Skates”, and “I Bought A Used Camera From A Website”. I am extremely impressed with the quality of this disc, the mixing done by T.W. Walsh (Pedro The Lion). Lazy afternoons have never felt so good.  (thecannyshark)

Don’t Panic! (We Are In Control)
Artist: Undying Allegiance
©2009 Independent
http://www.myspace.com/undyingallegiance
Hard hitting, melodic alt-rock with a modern punk spirit smashing down the competition describes UA. Melding together emo-like vocals with a predictable modern rock formula should work. I honestly couldn’t figure out the first few times listening why this didn’t sit well with me. All too often, the lead vocalist hammers out a melody that refuses to rest on a tonal center, even for a second. At times, intonation is even suspect. 
I really tried to wrap my head around this disc, but with predictable formulas and a vocalist who prefers a melody line that trails or drops off, I am more annoyed than amused. (thecannyshark)