Third Class - Cold Morning Light/Cold Morning Rain
Veteran Youngstown power pop band Third Class is back with just what you'd expect from this long running Y-town band, full force pop rock with an edgy indie rock feel. The first track "Cold Morning Light" has a great feel with perfectly toned, clean guitars and great radio-ready vocals that sound just as good as anything being played on the radio today. The song stay consistently poppy throughout the its entirety without really having any sort of kick in. The song keeps building and just when you think its gonna kick, it just continues on. The lyrics are great, very sing-songy and storytelling, which is lacking in today's mainstream music. The second song "Cold Morning Rain" seems almost like a reprise of the original song, something that you may remember from listening to your parents' old LP's. The song is carried by a synthesizer with very little other instrumentation, with a slight strumming of an acoustic guitar, and a very subtle bass to accompany the acoustic. And just like the first track, the lyrics are very storytelling, which seems to be a trademark of the band. This double-single release seems like a great teaser for the band's upcoming full length album, "Hymns From Some Small Town."
Veteran Youngstown power pop band Third Class is back with just what you'd expect from this long running Y-town band, full force pop rock with an edgy indie rock feel. The first track "Cold Morning Light" has a great feel with perfectly toned, clean guitars and great radio-ready vocals that sound just as good as anything being played on the radio today. The song stay consistently poppy throughout the its entirety without really having any sort of kick in. The song keeps building and just when you think its gonna kick, it just continues on. The lyrics are great, very sing-songy and storytelling, which is lacking in today's mainstream music. The second song "Cold Morning Rain" seems almost like a reprise of the original song, something that you may remember from listening to your parents' old LP's. The song is carried by a synthesizer with very little other instrumentation, with a slight strumming of an acoustic guitar, and a very subtle bass to accompany the acoustic. And just like the first track, the lyrics are very storytelling, which seems to be a trademark of the band. This double-single release seems like a great teaser for the band's upcoming full length album, "Hymns From Some Small Town."
Feedback - Mia Lotta
Its no surprise that in the 90's rap and hard rock had such a beautiful marriage; they were both real and serious and about hardships that most anyone could relate to their own life. However, the 20's brought on a rocky divorce, but what brought upon that rap and rock divorce was that both genres began to drift off into a direction where they were more commercialized, and more of a party sort of music. Solon based rapper Feedback is part of the hip hop revolution that is helping the genre shift back towards more reality based song content and bringing hip hop out of the clubs and back to the streets. On Feedback's debut mixtape, he tells a story of his journey through high school, While, you may think that some kid who is just fresh out of high school, telling is story about it may be boring, its not. Remember that everyone's high school experience is incredibly different. Feedback's story deals with not fitting in with the in crowds, troubles at home, and going back and forth on dropping out to pursue his dreams of become a rap star. This fresh faced, young rapper may not have the greatest flows in the hip hop game, but he's got some of the realest. I look forward to seeing what this young talent has in store for the future.
Its no surprise that in the 90's rap and hard rock had such a beautiful marriage; they were both real and serious and about hardships that most anyone could relate to their own life. However, the 20's brought on a rocky divorce, but what brought upon that rap and rock divorce was that both genres began to drift off into a direction where they were more commercialized, and more of a party sort of music. Solon based rapper Feedback is part of the hip hop revolution that is helping the genre shift back towards more reality based song content and bringing hip hop out of the clubs and back to the streets. On Feedback's debut mixtape, he tells a story of his journey through high school, While, you may think that some kid who is just fresh out of high school, telling is story about it may be boring, its not. Remember that everyone's high school experience is incredibly different. Feedback's story deals with not fitting in with the in crowds, troubles at home, and going back and forth on dropping out to pursue his dreams of become a rap star. This fresh faced, young rapper may not have the greatest flows in the hip hop game, but he's got some of the realest. I look forward to seeing what this young talent has in store for the future.
The Days Before Empires - Live From Jupiter Studios
With punk rock seemingly drifting off in recent years, and favoring more romantic, and more emotional sort of content, The Days Before Empires are a breath of fresh air. In the beginning, punk was about taking rock back to its roots of stripped down, fast paced rock and roll, and The Days Before Empires embody that principle to the very core. This live album was recorded during a performance at Jupiter Studios in Salem, Ohio and features Chris Byerly of Amnesty For Astronauts and includes three bonus tracks from The Raw Alternative radio show. If you like balls out, full on, in your face punk rock mixed with rockabilly, without crossing that line into psychobilly then The Days Before Empires are a great listen. And a live album is really the only way to capture the true essence of this band and who they are. The high energy presence that the band encompasses could not be done justice in a studio setting, although I do look forward to a full length studio release from these guys, but I still have to say that this is really the ONLY way to be introduced to this band. A definite hit for the band is the song "Neon Lights."
With punk rock seemingly drifting off in recent years, and favoring more romantic, and more emotional sort of content, The Days Before Empires are a breath of fresh air. In the beginning, punk was about taking rock back to its roots of stripped down, fast paced rock and roll, and The Days Before Empires embody that principle to the very core. This live album was recorded during a performance at Jupiter Studios in Salem, Ohio and features Chris Byerly of Amnesty For Astronauts and includes three bonus tracks from The Raw Alternative radio show. If you like balls out, full on, in your face punk rock mixed with rockabilly, without crossing that line into psychobilly then The Days Before Empires are a great listen. And a live album is really the only way to capture the true essence of this band and who they are. The high energy presence that the band encompasses could not be done justice in a studio setting, although I do look forward to a full length studio release from these guys, but I still have to say that this is really the ONLY way to be introduced to this band. A definite hit for the band is the song "Neon Lights."
Mushroomhead - The Righteous & The Butterfly
With the release of each new Mushroomhead record you may ask yourself, "how are they gonna get more extreme with this one?" Well it seems as though they may have outdone themselves yet again. Before the making of this new album the band was faced with the difficult task of giving the boot to longtime second vocalist Waylon Reavis, in favor of bringing back founding vocalist, J Mann...but they decided not to make that decision, instead, they just simply brought back J Mann. That's right, along with the addition of water drums to their already large, symphonic sound, Mushroomhead now has three vocalists to round out their lineup. You may be thinking to yourself that all of this added sound may just end up being a free-for-all clusterfuck of different things going on and you'll be unable to keep up with it...think again. With The Righteous & The Butterfly, Mushroomhead have taken an entirely different approach to the recent additions, and making for more of a heavy metal symphony mixed with a three man choral arrangement, consisting of rapping, screams, growls, and clean vocals. While a lot of the music may be heavier than what we've heard from the band in the past, there are still melodic elements, symphonic arrangements, and some heartfelt moments. Apparently, the culmination of all the things that seem to be going on with this album, shows that Mushroomhead have done something right because this became their first top 20 album, landing the #20 spot on Billboard, the same week that the Black Keys (from Akron,) landed the #1 spot. With this newest effort from the band, Mushroomhead proves without a doubt that even twenty years into their career, and a constantly shifting lineup, that there really is no end in sight and that they don't plan on slowing down their momentum anytime soon. The album's lead single "Qwerty" is definite proof of that. The album also features a great guest spot from fellow Cleveland band UnSaid Fate's frontwoman Jackie LaPonza.
With the release of each new Mushroomhead record you may ask yourself, "how are they gonna get more extreme with this one?" Well it seems as though they may have outdone themselves yet again. Before the making of this new album the band was faced with the difficult task of giving the boot to longtime second vocalist Waylon Reavis, in favor of bringing back founding vocalist, J Mann...but they decided not to make that decision, instead, they just simply brought back J Mann. That's right, along with the addition of water drums to their already large, symphonic sound, Mushroomhead now has three vocalists to round out their lineup. You may be thinking to yourself that all of this added sound may just end up being a free-for-all clusterfuck of different things going on and you'll be unable to keep up with it...think again. With The Righteous & The Butterfly, Mushroomhead have taken an entirely different approach to the recent additions, and making for more of a heavy metal symphony mixed with a three man choral arrangement, consisting of rapping, screams, growls, and clean vocals. While a lot of the music may be heavier than what we've heard from the band in the past, there are still melodic elements, symphonic arrangements, and some heartfelt moments. Apparently, the culmination of all the things that seem to be going on with this album, shows that Mushroomhead have done something right because this became their first top 20 album, landing the #20 spot on Billboard, the same week that the Black Keys (from Akron,) landed the #1 spot. With this newest effort from the band, Mushroomhead proves without a doubt that even twenty years into their career, and a constantly shifting lineup, that there really is no end in sight and that they don't plan on slowing down their momentum anytime soon. The album's lead single "Qwerty" is definite proof of that. The album also features a great guest spot from fellow Cleveland band UnSaid Fate's frontwoman Jackie LaPonza.
Atlas - Uncharted EP
Cleveland based Atlas is a melodic post-hardcore band that aims to please with their debut release Uncharted EP. Atlas takes pop sensibility and mixes it with a hard rock flavor to take you on an intense trip, While most bands in this particular genre go with screaming verses and a catchy hook with clean vocals for the chorus, Atlas seems to steer clear of all of that, using a more eclectic mix of clean and unclean vocals, making for more of an emotionally driven release.
Cleveland based Atlas is a melodic post-hardcore band that aims to please with their debut release Uncharted EP. Atlas takes pop sensibility and mixes it with a hard rock flavor to take you on an intense trip, While most bands in this particular genre go with screaming verses and a catchy hook with clean vocals for the chorus, Atlas seems to steer clear of all of that, using a more eclectic mix of clean and unclean vocals, making for more of an emotionally driven release.
Baroque Monody - Empress III/Emperor IV
Baroque Monody is the the latest band to lead Youngstown's post-punk revival movement and they prove on their debut album that they mean business, blending together melodies that reminiscent of the Cure and Echo and the Bunnymen and punk rock prowess that reflects the many eras of Afi's career. Lead by a songwriting team made up of lead vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist Jenny Rose and guitarist Rick Polo; Baroque Monody brings to you a history lesson of the post-punk movement from the early days of Joy Division to the free-for-all that the movement has become in recent years. The one thing the genre has been lacking in its entire history was soaring hard rock and a female fronted fantasy ride, and this band brings together best of those worlds, along with the classic feel that the genre presented in its early days. But the level that Baroque Monody hits doesn't stop there, Rose and Polo take the listen on a journey through their twisted minds with a concept, where most concept albums tend to lose the listener the further they delve into it, the Empress/Emperor series draws you in closer with every second you listen, and it leaves you craving more. Rounding out the line up on this album are Idle Shades' bassist Angelo Scordo and drummer Anthony Rapone; giving the record a pop punk feel without losing the underground credibility that the band has embraced since the beginning. A definite standout track is "Empress II: The Empress and the Nightmare of Eden," look for that track to heat things up in the near future.
Baroque Monody is the the latest band to lead Youngstown's post-punk revival movement and they prove on their debut album that they mean business, blending together melodies that reminiscent of the Cure and Echo and the Bunnymen and punk rock prowess that reflects the many eras of Afi's career. Lead by a songwriting team made up of lead vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist Jenny Rose and guitarist Rick Polo; Baroque Monody brings to you a history lesson of the post-punk movement from the early days of Joy Division to the free-for-all that the movement has become in recent years. The one thing the genre has been lacking in its entire history was soaring hard rock and a female fronted fantasy ride, and this band brings together best of those worlds, along with the classic feel that the genre presented in its early days. But the level that Baroque Monody hits doesn't stop there, Rose and Polo take the listen on a journey through their twisted minds with a concept, where most concept albums tend to lose the listener the further they delve into it, the Empress/Emperor series draws you in closer with every second you listen, and it leaves you craving more. Rounding out the line up on this album are Idle Shades' bassist Angelo Scordo and drummer Anthony Rapone; giving the record a pop punk feel without losing the underground credibility that the band has embraced since the beginning. A definite standout track is "Empress II: The Empress and the Nightmare of Eden," look for that track to heat things up in the near future.
Fred Whitacre Jr. - The Stars May Be Hollow
This record is what happens when a legendary local drummer and high school English teacher, locks himself up in his home studio for a year, pumping out a new track once a week for the entirety of that year, mixing his cornucopia of various influences and choosing the best tracks from the year long sessions to put together a record. For some, this solo record is long overdue, but for those who know Whitacre, this album is right on time. Fred is a perfectionist, taking his time to create the write songs, with the right atmosphere, and this album is a fine example of all things Fred. For those of you who don't know, here's a brief history lesson on Mr. Whitacre; he's a high school English teacher, who is most known in the local music realm for his stompcore/death metal band Kitchen Knife Conspiracy who rose to local fame in the late 90's, and despite several lineup changes, have remained a consistent driving force in the local music scene, and landing an induction into the Local Music Hall of Fame with the class of 2013; Whitacre is also known as the drummer of the power pop/punk rock/old school rock 'n' roll supergroup, White Cadillac, fronted by local legend and music journalist B.J. Lisko. Whitacre takes what he has done with those two bands, adds together his own personal influences of oldies, classic rock, 90's alt, power metal, and even pop; and he has made something so boldly different. Fred even brings together his craft as an English teacher to write lyrics that are reminiscent of the late Ritchie James Edwards of Manic Street Preachers fame, a mixture of personal experience and classic literature. And despite the fact that Kitchen Knife Conspiracy recently wrapped up recording of their upcoming comeback album, I wouldn't count Fred out as a solo artist just yet, I see more releases from him in the coming years.
This record is what happens when a legendary local drummer and high school English teacher, locks himself up in his home studio for a year, pumping out a new track once a week for the entirety of that year, mixing his cornucopia of various influences and choosing the best tracks from the year long sessions to put together a record. For some, this solo record is long overdue, but for those who know Whitacre, this album is right on time. Fred is a perfectionist, taking his time to create the write songs, with the right atmosphere, and this album is a fine example of all things Fred. For those of you who don't know, here's a brief history lesson on Mr. Whitacre; he's a high school English teacher, who is most known in the local music realm for his stompcore/death metal band Kitchen Knife Conspiracy who rose to local fame in the late 90's, and despite several lineup changes, have remained a consistent driving force in the local music scene, and landing an induction into the Local Music Hall of Fame with the class of 2013; Whitacre is also known as the drummer of the power pop/punk rock/old school rock 'n' roll supergroup, White Cadillac, fronted by local legend and music journalist B.J. Lisko. Whitacre takes what he has done with those two bands, adds together his own personal influences of oldies, classic rock, 90's alt, power metal, and even pop; and he has made something so boldly different. Fred even brings together his craft as an English teacher to write lyrics that are reminiscent of the late Ritchie James Edwards of Manic Street Preachers fame, a mixture of personal experience and classic literature. And despite the fact that Kitchen Knife Conspiracy recently wrapped up recording of their upcoming comeback album, I wouldn't count Fred out as a solo artist just yet, I see more releases from him in the coming years.