Monday, October 22, 2012

Review: All These Noises: Volume 1 from The Musical Junkie


Big thanks to The Musical Junkie for writing this track-by-track review of All These Noises. 

"Review: All These Noises: Volume 1. (Compilation)

This compilation is really unique in so many ways. It was released in September 18 on Star Beat Music. It stars 20 bands from the New Jersey scene and it strings from genre to genre. From the heavy dancing rhythm to straight out punk and it is an excellent and exciting collection. Here is a track by track review: 

1. Bern & the Brights - War & Game

It starts with an infectious guitar intro. The groove in this song is shows that in fact music is still alive and kicking. The vocal melody is extremely catchy, as well as the bass line which stands out throughout the song. This track reminds of a long drive in a bright day. If the hook doesn’t get you moving there’s something wrong with you. 

2. Melissa & Paul - Oh My
This is purely noise rock. Lands in the ballpark of early Black Keys and 60’s Garage Rock. The instrumentation consists of a cacophonic guitar and pounding drums. This track is great in so many levels. This is definitely a band worth checking out. This song not only rocks it will also give you the sensation to mosh. (Favorite Track)

3. Those Mockingbirds - Coast to Coast 
This song is a raw rock explosion. The keyboards and occasional feedback mixes well with the vocal melody. It has a really dark vibe to it. The chorus is addictive and memorable, as well as the hook and build up. Loving the sharp sound coming out of the guitar. You must check this track out.

4. Black Wine – Flatland 
This track has a Pixies inspired sound. It fast paced, so it’s going to take you for a crazy ride. The fuzzy tone of the bass makes the track sound gritty and dirty. The bright guitar solo part is an excellent addition. The effects in the vocals are magnificent. This is a time capsule of 90’s rock. There’s even an awesome bass solo which won’t let you down. The groove of the drums and bass will get you into headbanging frenzy. (Favorite Track)

5. Atlas - Stung by A Dead Bee 

It begins with a distinctive reverb guitar reminisce the early works of Staind. It has its instants where it explodes then suddenly goes back into a dark tone. The drums are wonderful and have a Led Zeppelin quality to it. The voice reminds one of the Human Abstract in the “Midheaven” era. This song sounds catastrophic but in a beautiful way. The hook has a sense of hopelessness. The ending of this song is really loud. 

6. Plastiq Passion - I Can't Wait 

The guitar has a spacey sound. This song has an addictive “Joy Division” style. The vocals echo the pop punk era of the late nineties. It’s a really calm track, but it’s packed with such electricity. An excellent example is during the chanting part. 

7. Boxed Wine – Molly 

This song screams into the bonds of Interpol and Vampire Weekend. The vocals are pure magic which are swirling with the guitar that is just clinging away. This is a perfect to listen to when you are driving in a city darken by night. The fuzzy guitar solo makes this song even more astonishing. (Favorite Track)

8. Future of the Party - Place to Hide 

This song reminds of the fictional band “The Clash at Demonhead’’ from the Scott Pilgrim movie especially in the vocals and rhythm. The guitar tone and playing is really brilliant. My favorite part is the vocal melody; it’s really emotional and passionate. This music will make you dance or at least makes you believe you are in a ballroom of the damned.

9. Boy Things – Equations 

The guitar and synthesizer add intensity to the vocal melody. The voice sounds so unique and fits so well in the track. The drums are bright and flashy, and they are thumping all over the place. It’s a perfect garage folk rock song. (Favorite Track)

10. Shayfer James - Weight of the World 

It has madness and maniacally spinning in the piano intro. This song is a bouncy bar song about the realities of the world. It almost sounds like you’re listening to a movie tune from an alternate universe of the 1920’s. When it starts playing, you will be dancing like a lunatic without any control. (Favorite Track)

11. Auto Defiance - Heart Attack 

Driven by an excellent guitar sound, this track will delight your ears. The bass and drums sound amazing resembling a starry night. The singer’s voice is drench in passion. The structure is well put. Again, the guitar sound is in the realms of 80’s indie rock. The chorus is enchanting and very catchy. The noisy guitar solo gives it a great favor. 

12. Their Planes Will Block Out The Sun - Teflon Kids 

This band land in the worlds of Interpol and Arcade Fire and makes it their own. The rhythm section gives the track a wondrous vibe. If you are running away from the world you will be listening to something like this. It has so many colors from bitter to sweet and back again. (Favorite Track)

13. La Fin Absolute du Monde - Leave me in Detroit 

The album gently slips into an electronic phase. There’s so much going on in this song. The vocals appear sinister and captivating. They are spine chilling, especially during the hook. The synthesizers are layered so brilliantly. It gives the music a misty quality. It gets a bit messy at time, but in a way that makes sense.

14. Oh! My Blackbird – Maudlin 

The music on this song is purely Beatles inspired during the “Rubber Soul” era. It reminds me so much of the song “If I Needed Someone” from that album. This could possibly come from the flowery days of the 1960’s through a time machine. It’s really well written. The vocal melody sounds so amazing. The changes are the kinds that give you goosebumps. It’s energetic, fun, and beautiful. (Favorite Track)

15. Sleepless Saints - Meditate On It 

This song is surf garage rock, especially in the rhythms the guitar and drums. You would hear a song like this if you were searching for a meaning of life in a beach. Its Beach Boys meets the Strokes. The voice is attention grabbing. The solo just pushes the song into a whole another level.

16. Foreverinmotion - Pulling Away 

It has bright guitar chords throughout the song. The orchestral backing section adds an adventurous feeling. The vocals are sentimental, passionate, and full of hope. This style is usually found in bands like City and Colour. The music is luminous, wonderful, and captivating. This is a good to listen to when you are lost in emotions. 

17. Brook Pridemore - Oh, E! 
Here’s another track for the lovers of noisy fun folk rock. The strumming in the intro is laminated and fresh sounding. The fuzzy guitar just lifts the song into a higher region. The drumming is stumbling away and pretty much takes full control. The music simply exciting, it’s the kind that you could hear in coming out of a garage or basement somewhere in the world. The vocals are witty and entertain. It’s a perfect song to sing along when you are alone in your home. (Favorite Track)

18. The Swaggerin' Growlers - All I Want 

The introduction of the bass signifies that it’s going to be a fast pace punk song. You could influences of the Pogues and the Dubliners in this song. The accordion is dancing all over the music. The tremble of the bass gives it a whole new flavor. The drums are hard hitting. The voice is raspy and in your face. This is song for moshing and bouncing up and down. It’s really noisy old fashion punk. Almost as if it’s a 17th century type of punk.

19. Doug Ratner & the Watchmen - Bomb in the Backseat

The tone of the guitar and rhythm of the drums show an obvious influence of the likes of Social Distortion. The chorus is fetching as a way that after listening to the song you will be singing it. The buildup mid ending with the spoken word and distorted guitar is really electrifying and well sounding. This song has excellent story telling lyrics about the planning of igniting a bomb which makes it really enjoyable to listen to.

20. Denise Barbarita & the Morning Papers – Suckers 

The collection of these noises end on a very heavy note. The guitar tone echoes the early tunes of Jerry Cantrell. The singer voice is so dirty and sexy which blends well with the grittiness of the guitar. The bass line is outstanding as well as the guitar solo. This song is meant to be played loud. (Favorite Track)

This was an enjoyable listen. It gets me quite jealous that the music scene here in my side of the states isn’t as expanding as this. This review was time consuming but it was well worth it. I hope all of you who read it will enjoy this. Check out these bands. Each one of them deserves as much attention as they can get. You could download this compilation for free on their bandcamp."

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