The Indie Review

By Sean Duregger
March 7, 2008

Artist: Driving East
Album: The Future of the Free World Is Riding On This One
Label: The Militia Group
Rating:

I had never heard of the term Powerpop until Fall Out Boy came on the scene. Fusing the attitude of Punk Rock, Pop Punk, Rock, Pop and (gasp!) good vocals was a fresh idea back in 2003. Unfortunately, this led to market saturation and tons of bands that took on the Powerpop label. Which leads us to Driving East and their new album, The Future of the Free World is Riding On This One out on The Militia Group.

It’s not that this is a BAD record. There’s solid production, the band can play & Barrett Mullins can sing. But, we’ve heard all this before and in most cases we’ve heard it done better. I’m not going to be all doom and gloom, this is a marketable record and I’m positive it will and has sold a ton of records. There are plenty of people who will eat this up. With that said, though, I don’t think there is much that stands out to make this a memorable record.

Driving East have released a slightly above average album with The Future of the Free World is Riding On This One and with The Militia Group’s back catalog of great bands, I was expecting more. In my opinion, Driving East’s The Future of the Free World is Riding On This One is predictable Powerpop that doesn’t contribute anything new to the table.

Stand Out Tracks:

“Baby (just a little bit)”

“Backseat”

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The Indie Review
By Sean Duregger
February 27, 2008

Artist: Ride Your Bike
Album: Bad News From the Bar
Label: Deep Elm Records

Rating:

On rare occasions, an album sneaks up on you like a crazed ninja and knocks you over the head with crazy musical nunchucks. Ride Your Bike’s Bad News From the Bar is the musical ninja I speak of. I knew nothing at all going into reviewing this album. All I knew was a smidgen of a song I had heard online. By the time I was through with my first listen, I knew I had just listened to something special.

Ride Your Bike is a project headed up by Mike Getches, who penned an imaginary screenplay to provide the back drop for Bad News From the Bar. This method of writing takes the listener through the album in a natural and involving way. We come to know characters and get wrapped up a story that could play itself out on screen. Bad News From the Bar follows two childhood friends, Elliot and Lillian, as they grow apart during a time of war.

Once you realize that this album is actually the companion to a well thought out story, you really invest in the songs and lyrics. This is an album that warrants numerous re-visits, but each song can be enjoyed on it’s own merit. This is an album that flows from song to song exceptionally well, with numerous indie pop hooks and sing along choruses. I really like the diversity Deep Elm Records has been showing in 2007, and am looking forward to see what happens in 2008.

With Bad News From the Bar, Ride Your Bike have given us a complex and diverse album that goes down easy. It is an album that gets better with each listen and will be stuck in your CD player or iPod for weeks, if not months.

Stand Out Tracks:

“Sticks and Stones”

“This Car is Hot as Hell”

“Sense of Things”

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The Indie Review
By Sean Duregger
February 14, 2008

Artist: Alive in Wild Paint
Album: Ceilings

Rating:

Alive in Wild Paint’s debut, Ceilings, brings together members of Goodbye Tomorrow and short lived Terminal (Other members of Terminal formed Oh, Sleeper), and is a much anticipated debut produced by Mark Trombino (most notably known for producing Jimmy Eat World’s masterpiece, Clarity). There has been a lot of anticipation and hype for Ceilings. Does it deliver? Hell yes. But, it will take a little patience on your part.

First of all, I wasn’t expecting such a laid back album. Maybe that’s an unfair expectation, but because of this expectation, the first listen was a bit rough for me. I was waiting for it to kick in, and by the 7th track (Sleep With Your Soul In) we do get a little dose of rock. But, this is not a rock album. So, drop that from your expectations and let Ceilings sink in. (Although if your familiar with Terminal and Goodbye Tomorrow, this is a natural progression.)

Now that I had my first listen over and done with, I had to immediately listen a second time. Alive in Wild Paint have created an album of such intricacy that, like a good movie, needs to be appreciated over numerous visits. This is not made for fast consumption. Alive in Wild Paint’s four members (frontman Travis Bryant, guitarist Matt Grabe, bassist David Roat, and drummer Austin Wilson) have taken the time and care to create numerous layers to each song and to this album. Travis Bryant’s vocal are delicate and soothing, nothing is strained or rushed. Each song takes it’s time and envelopes the listener in beautiful intricate melodies that, if given the right amount of time, will mold themselves permanently into your skull.

While not an immediately accessible album, Ceilings is an album that you need to take your time with. I’m not sure if today’s mainstream culture has the patience for Alive in Wild Paint. We live in such a fast-food society when it comes to our entertainment, that I fear people may not get this album right away. I really hope I’m wrong, because Alive in Wild Paint’s debut is a moving and brilliant piece of work.

Stand Out Tracks:

“Ceilings”
“Sleep With Your Soul In”
“Cold Spell”

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RED LEADER RECORDS CMJ Showcase
——————————————————-
* Oct 20 @ Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, New York, NY 10012
* featuring Polar Bear Club, Dear Tonight, The New Dress, Nakatomi Plaza, Scream Hello and Fire When Ready

Red Leader Records Showcase
October 20 @ Bowery Poetry Club - 5:30pm

A ridiculously amazing showcase for Red Leader featuring some of the label’s most amazing bands.

Polar Bear Club - 9:20pm
Nakatomi Plaza - 8:40pm
Dear Tonight - 8:00pm
Scream Hello - 7:30pm
The New Dress - 6:40pm
Fire When Ready - 6:00pm

$10 or Free with CMJ badge

LOOK MEXICO Show
——————————————————-
* Oct 18 @ Puck Building - Day Stage, 295 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012, 12pm
* with Wild Light, Eagle*Seagull

The Look Mexico kids will also be playing tomorrow, October 18th on the Day Stage at the Puck Building. High Noon. Be there.

Look Mexico are at the beginning of yet another tour (it never stops, really) in support of This Is Animal Music which finds the band traveling up and down the East Coast. They’ll eventually end up at FEST 6 in Gainesville and you can expect more Nov / Dec dates with Chase Pagan!

Look Mexico TOUR
——————————————————-
OCT 18 - New York @ CMJ / Day Stage - Puck Building
OCT 19 - Greenwood, DE @ The Wood Stage
OCT 21 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Blend w/ Mowgli
OCT 22 - Roanoke, VA @ Martin’s w/ The Wading Girl
OCT 23 - Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn w/ Georgie James, Le Loup
OCT 24 - Tallahassee, FL @ The Beta Bar w/ Summerbirds in the Cellar
OCT 26 - Orlando, FL @ The Back Booth w/ Summerbirds in the Cellar
OCT 27 - Gainesville, FL @ FEST 6 / Market Street Pub w/ Bridge and Tunnel, Fake Problems, Gaslight Anthem, Lumuria
NOV 02 - Merritt Island, FL @ Pizza Di Rock w/ One Small Step For Landmines

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 IndieUprising #23: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1333)

Featured Band: One Small Step for Landmines. Interview with Kevin.

Music By: Ashcroft. No Trigger. Vaya. Bridge and Tunnel. The Heroes of Valhalla. Hopewell. Parade the Day. One Small Step for Landmines. Sunday Night Scene. Mourningstar. Sounds Under Radio.

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ATTICA! ATTICA! is the music of Aaron Scott, singer of MARATHON and DE LA HOYA. A!A!’s debut full length record, entitled Dead Skin/Dried Blood is available now at Interpunk or at Smartpunk.

ATTICA! ATTICA! will be a featured band sometime in the next few weeks, look for an interview with Aaron on that show as well.

Related links:
Attica! Attica! on Purevolume
Chris Antal
Marathon (Aaron’s old band)
De La Hoya (Aaron’s old old band)

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 IndieUprising #21: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1270)

Featured Band: We Are the Arsenal. Interview with Ryan, Alan, Peter and Kristopher.

Music By: Medicated Kisses. After the Tragedy.A Silent Fiction. The Bride Wore Black. Alaska and Me. Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer. We Are the Arsenal. Attica! Attica!. Rediscover.

Click below to read the Show Notes:

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