15 Releases That Have Been Neglected For One Reason Or Another...And Thoughts On All Of Them Posted by Corey Schmidt / August 5, 2007 This weekend has been slow on the news front, so here is a giant feature to hold y'all over.
THE VELOCET - A Quick And Dirty Guide To War (Eyeball) - This record is full of very strong post-punk songs driven by familiar angular riffs and jagged rhythms. At times THE VELOCET reminds me of the short-lived CONTROLLING THE FAMOUS and at others they could sound like any of the latest bands NME is hyping. Hell, I'll even go out on a limb and say that the second track, "O Concertina," is like listening to a Brit-pop version of HOT ROD CIRCUIT, although THE VELOCET hails from Brooklyn. Not entirely memorable but they've got something going on that's at least worth a listen. Recommended tune: "Coronation."
TELEPHONE - Automatic (Cobra Music) - Because they have the worst band name for Google search results, TELEPHONE's big promo stamp is that it boasts an ex-member of THE DANDY WARHOLS. Cool? The songs on Automatic contain hooks but they're ultra depressing...if you can make sense of that. A majority of the songs feature some kind of rough post-punk background and a repeated barrage of synth lines, ultimately making for a sort of new-wave rock vibe. Definitely short on flare, Automatic feels like it's been on automatic repeat for hours after just a few minutes.
STRATA - The End Of The World (Wind-Up) - For whatever reason, I always thought STRATA was one of those annoying top 40 alternative radio bands in the vein of LOST PROPHETS, FINGER ELEVEN, etc, etc. If The End Of The World is any indication, I was terribly wrong. While the growing number of bands playing music like that of MUSE (or would it be RADIOHEAD in that case?) has created an extremely packed genre, STRATA's take on slightly progressive, melodic rock isn't half bad. While I would say they're stuck in the same boat as LOVEDRUG at this point, there are a few songs on the record that wildly impress. Recommended tune: "Cocaine" in which STRATA seems to have taken a few cues from labelmates THE EXIT.
EMPIRE! EMPIRE! (I WAS A LONELY ESTATE) - When The Sea Becomes A Giant (Self-Released) - With EMPIRE! EMPIRE! (I WAS A LONELY ESTATE) only having four "top friends" on MySpace, it's no surprise LOOK MEXICO makes the list. If that band is leading the newest surge of bands doing emo the right way, EMPIRE! EMPIRE! is a humble follower. Overlooking the incredibly silly band name, this Michigan-based band has a very simple, old-fashioned emo foundation set in place on Giant. While the vocal performance, songwriting, and production all prove EMPIRE! EMPIRE! could still be out-done by numerous other local outfits, they've got a chance to make it further, that's for sure. Recommended track: "You Have To Believe..."
YOUR BLACK STAR - Beasts (Hawthorne Street) - First of all, the drumming on Beasts is fantastic. From the thrilling beginning of "Fight" to the middle interlude of "See The Trap," YOUR BLACK STAR's drummer holds his own. Mixed with winding riffs, thudding basslines, and low vocals, YOUR BLACK STAR develops a sort of British indie rock sound, only they're from the US and their songs are less polished and much longer than what you'd typically hear from a band of that nature. It's hard to say if YOUR BLACK STAR could make an impact with the mainstream, but Beasts is strong enough to warrant some attention. Recommended track: "Fight."
BOTCH - American Nervoso (Re-Issue) (Hyrda Head) - Remixed, remastered, and reissued with five bonus songs, American Nervoso was the first milestone record for BOTCH (followed later by We Are The Romans). If you're ten years late to the part, don't fret...so was I. Thankfully, Hydra Head has been reissuing the band's releases the past few years, and while the bonus content to American Nervoso is questionable (a few demo versions of already-existing songs and an "extended" song), there's no doubt its re-issue will further the band's legacy.
A SHORELINE DREAM - Coastal (Latenight Weeknight) - Aside from the opening track and bits and pieces of the remaining three songs, most of Coastal is dreamy, vocal-less indie rock. Judging solely from the album cover, one would expect this near-instrumental band to construct some beautiful arrangements. This is half-true. Sure there are some moments where A SHORELINE DREAM truly inspires but others are simply noisy waste. Recommended tune: "Ukraine," if not only because the vocals keep it afloat.
ROANOKE - Roanoke (Self-Released) - ROANOKE play twisty-turny alternative rock with elements of hardcore, metal, and prog-rock thrown into the mix. Although the band's songs all hover 'round the four-minute mark, they play out more like an eight-minute COHEED AND CAMBRIA song. The screaming in "Gestation" doesn't work nor do some of the heavier moments found in the same song, but as "Plot Synopsis" shows, ROANOKE has the talent necessary to write some catchy and genuine alternative rock songs one day.
GUARDS OF METROPOLIS - Alligator (Slackertone) - Judging only by GUARDS OF METROPOLIS' promo photos, you'd think they were an aged version of SHINY TOY GUNS, but in fact, the GUARDS avoid all of the new-wave nonsense of the latter band. I guess you do get wiser as you get older. Anyway, Alligator is chock full of sometimes funky, sometimes rockin' pop-rock. I'm going to go ahead and make a prediction and say these guys will have a hard time breaking through much of anything as they're hugely indistinguishable, but hey, they wrote a song at Kiefer Sutherland's house!!!
JULIETTE & THE LICKS - Four On The Floor (The Militia Group) - The Militia Group releases an album that features actress Juliette Lewis on vocals and the FOO FIGHTERS/NIRVANA bandperson Dave Grohl on drums. Does that sound right? Oh well. THE LICKS' second album (the first released on Fiddler a few years back) is nothing short of completely solid, catchy rock n' roll. The band reminds me a lot of the short-lived PARIS, TEXAS only with Lewis providing the attitude on vocals. Superstar power and good songs aside, there is something about THE LICKS that has me thinking they'll have a hard time faring well with the overwhelming masses.
MELODY CLUB - At Your Service (The Saturday Team/Virgin) - MELODY CLUB's press release says it perfectly: "...12 tracks of danceable, punk-tinged new wave that's at once sophisticated and accessible to the unitiated." If that's your thing, I suppose you may find something to like in At Your Service. If you're anything like me, you'll be wishing these guys would have just kept their cheesy new-wave in Sweden where it came from.
POWERSPACE - The Kicks Of Passion (Fueled By Ramen) - While some have said POWERSPACE is even worse than CUTE IS WHAT WE AIM FOR, I have to beg to differ. The band is not as terrible at playing pop-rock music, but they're certainly just as cheesy. When POWESPACE's musicians kick out straight-forward pop-rock, the songs are not all that hard to swallow. Hell, even the vocalist is way better than that Shaant character. Where POWESPACE ultimately disappoints is in its never-ending ability to inject the saddest techno parts and synth notes into the songs on Kicks Of Passion. Because of this, POWERSPACE will continue to get written off as another sad product of the Fueled By Ramen empire when in actuality, they just need to streamline their songs a bit and improve lyrically.
AT THE THRONE OF JUDGMENT - The Arcanum Order (Rise) - AT THE THRONE OF JUDGMENT is easily the most talented band to ever grace the Rise Records roster. While they may not channel their combined talents into the most original of genres with The Arcanum Order, there is a certain degree of straight-up Swedish pummeling and technical shredding going on throughout the album's eleven tracks. And the best part is these guys all hover around nineteen years of age. Although it's a slightly draining release, there's no doubt The Arcanum Order could be the prelude to a promising career with a label like Metal Blade. Recommended song: "Horus Rises."
ALL TEETH AND KNUCKLES - Club Hits To Hit The Clubs With (Lujo) - Lujo Records must have some scouting department. They manage to find the craziest bands that are sometimes pretty good and sometimes really terrible (DRUGSTORE COWBOYS anyone?). Where ALL TEETH AND KNUCKLES fit in this mix after listening to Club Hits To Hit The Clubs With, I'm still not sure. Electro-techno-hip-hop or something like that, the album's title says it all. While a track like "The Real San Francisco" dominates with its gradual build and eventual break-out, others, such as "Fuck Your Jacket," are borderline annoying yet incredibly humorous. You'll need to hear this for yourself.
KIDS IN THE WAY - A Love Hate Masquerade (Flicker) - For those out of the know, KIDS IN THE WAY is one of the more popular bands on the Christian rock circuit. Their latest album, A Love Hate Masquerade, is a lot like their previous albums: loud, energetic, and full of well-written rock songs. In fact, a lot of the album reminds me of Step Outside Yourself-era OVER IT only with even bigger guitars. There's no hate to be thrown at KIDS IN THE WAY, they've always done it with class and respect. Recommended track: "The Innocence."
THE VELOCET - A Quick And Dirty Guide To War (Eyeball) - This record is full of very strong post-punk songs driven by familiar angular riffs and jagged rhythms. At times THE VELOCET reminds me of the short-lived 
BOTCH - American Nervoso (Re-Issue) (Hyrda Head) - Remixed, remastered, and reissued with five bonus songs, American Nervoso was the first milestone record for BOTCH (followed later by We Are The Romans). If you're ten years late to the part, don't fret...so was I. Thankfully, Hydra Head has been reissuing the band's releases the past few years, and while the bonus content to American Nervoso is questionable (a few demo versions of already-existing songs and an "extended" song), there's no doubt its re-issue will further the band's legacy. 
AT THE THRONE OF JUDGMENT - The Arcanum Order (Rise) - AT THE THRONE OF JUDGMENT is easily the most talented band to ever grace the Rise Records roster. While they may not channel their combined talents into the most original of genres with The Arcanum Order, there is a certain degree of straight-up Swedish pummeling and technical shredding going on throughout the album's eleven tracks. And the best part is these guys all hover around nineteen years of age. Although it's a slightly draining release, there's no doubt The Arcanum Order could be the prelude to a promising career with a label like Metal Blade. Recommended song: "Horus Rises."
