I usually do these on Tuesdays upon the release of a band’s new album, but I am going to be completely honest and say that there is nothing coming out this week that excites me. Instead, I would like to preface three upcoming CD releases by three different bands and explain to all of you readers why I am looking forward to their new material.
On a side note- do album release dates even really matter anymore? It seems that everyone’s highly coveted new tunes are leaked on the internet weeks before their proposed released dates. I’m sure this is frustrating for the musicians, but it frustrates me as well. I often find that while discussing a recent release with my friends, they have already heard the album from start to finish over 100 times and no longer wish to talk about it. It’s old news to them. They are too busy out there on the interweb scavenging their next prospect. I can actually tell you all of this month’s leaked albums and how/where to find them… but I won’t.
So, here are three albums that I am excited to purchase, and my reasons for said excitement:
1) Oceana - Birth.Eater (To be released on Rise Records, 5/26/09)
The track titled, “The Family Disease” that the band posted to their myspace last month sold me on the album completely after the first 55 seconds. I must say that it was not at ALL what I was expecting from this experimental/post-hardcore band. I took interest in their album “The Tide” over a year ago and thoroughly enjoyed it upon first impression. However, as time went on and my iTunes shuffled away each day, I found myself subconciously skipping Oceana’s tracks in order to listen to something more enjoyable. There are still a couple songs (well, just two) that I listen to from time to time, but I must say that I find the old singer’s voice to be, with lack of a better word, unsatisfactory. The harmonies are forced, the guitars sound cheesy at times, and the melodies are just plain boring. I knew that Brennan, the new vocalist, would bring an entire new spectrum of talent to the band, but I was definitely not expecting this transformation in the overall sound. I am mostly intrigued, but definitely curious. I encourage you to visit their myspace page and have a listen to the first two songs in comparison to the others. You will notice more maturity and overall substance. The best way I can describe it is by saying that the new vocals plus all instruments combined has “depth” to it. Make sense? Just go see for yourself. More importantly, purchase this album when it comes out in a couple weeks.
http://www.myspace.com/oceanafl
2) Taking Back Sunday - New Again (To be released on Warner Bros. Records 6/2/09)
Let’s face it, we will never again hear TBS the way we did in their “Tell All Your Friends” days. It is sad, but true. In fact, with the many member changes the band has experienced since 2002, all of the albums have their own distinct quality. I will admit that as a whole, all of their music represents the band well. From album to album you do not lose sense of the underlying sound that fuels their albums. This is why I am absolutely excited to listen to the new CD and find out what else this Long Island-based band has up their sleeve. After listening to “Sink Into Me” on their myspace profile, I am reminded of quite a few tracks from “Where You Want To Be,” which still radiates from my macbook speakers on a regular basis. I like the fact that lead vocalist Adam Lazzara is keeping it real (I honestly couldn’t think of a better way to word that). This is American rock music with the upbeat and pop-punk sound that classifies this band in an untouchable category. And by that, I more literally mean that no other sound comes close. I have high hopes for this CD release. You should too!
http://www.myspace.com/takingbacksunday
3) A Skylit Drive - Adelphia (To be released on Fearless Records 6/9/09)
Something incredible happened to me while listening to A Skylit Drive’s new song, “Eva the Carrier” on their myspace profile after it was released a few weeks ago: I wasn’t disappointed! I hate to be cynical, but oftentimes I find that once I enjoy a band and an album so much, I am unsatisfied upon the arrival of their new material. I was almost positive that this would happen with A Skylit Drive. I figured they would try to make their music more marketable to the general public, and thus be forced to change their sound from the uniqueness that drew me in to listen to them. I cannot be 100 percent sure just by hearing one track, however, I can say that I am more thrilled now to hear the rest of the songs on their upcoming release. Jag’s voice is like nothing else I have ever heard. And I will say this: you either love the idea of high-pitched and belting vocals mixed with deep and raspy screams or you don’t. The same goes for icorporating pop-like drum beats with hardcore/metal-like breakdowns. Some people just can’t get on board, and that is fine. But if this is the type of music you crave, please pick up A Skylit Drive’s new album when it is released in June. If you don’t already have their previous album, that is worth it as well. Although I can admit I prefer their live performances to their studio music any day. I just wish I had more to say about the band itself. Jag sells me on them, hands down. And the vocals in this new song are no different. Sold.
http://www.myspace.com/askylitdrive
*If you want to complain/yell/curse/comment/praise/rant/say nice things in response to what I am writing about here, feel free to follow me on Twitter. I invite that kind of behavior.
