IndieUprising #46: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (425)

Music By: Good Riddance. The Gaslight Anthem. Things That Fly. A Skylit Drive. My Hero Is Me. Crash Coordinates. Joan of Arc. Furlough. The Morning Of. Scene in Stereo. Colors in the Air. Emerald Honor. Cranes & Crows.

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The Indie Review

By Sean Duregger
June 8, 2008

Artist: AKissForJersey
Album: Victims
Label: Tragic Hero Records
Rating:

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Tragic Hero Records recording artist, AKissForJersey have had a busy couple of years. First with the release of their debut album, Keep Your Head Above Water in August of 2006, then with the re-release of their debut with added acoustic tracks in late 2007. The re-release is an impressive feat for such a young band. While I wasn’t impressed with Keep Your Head Above Water as a whole, I did notice some promise in AKissForJersey’s potential. In 2008 we are rewarded with AKissForJersey’s sophomore release, Victims. An album that builds upon the memorable moments of their debut, but then goes above and beyond to become one of the best post-hardcore releases of 2008 so far.

Victims is an impressive release, not only because of how it builds and improves on Keep Your Head Above Water, but because it showcases one of the best rock voices I’ve heard in recent years. Zach’s vocals are so impressive, I’m willing to put him on my list next to Craig Owens and Anthony Green. Not many vocalists in today’s scene can showcase the range and distinct tone that Zach’s vocals bring to the table here. Also, Zach’s lyrics should be noted as well. They are bold, yet poetic and never come across as shallow or preachy. He really has a way with words and lays his faith in God out in the open in a completely intimate and honest fashion.

Musically, Victims is a more complete sounding album. Listening to the album straight through, you feel like you have been taken through a story, or an experience. Everything flows together very nicely. It doesn’t feel like a collection of songs were just through together. Halfway through the album is a nice interlude where a preacher is reading a passage from Matthew 7:14 - 7:27 set to some haunting, yet powerful music. This interlude is both powerful and thought provoking.

A gigantic step of from their debut, AKissForJersey have released one of the great rock albums of 2008. This is a band that is gaining momentum and is a band to watch. With the release of Victims, AKissForJersey have placed themselves firmly on the map. Things can only get better from here.

Stand Out Tracks:

“Devices”

“The Flood”

“A Tree and it’s Fruit”

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 IndieUprising #43: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (471)

Featured Band: AKissForJersey. Interview with Tyler Lucas (Bass).

Music By: Lukestar. Barcelona. A Midday Atlantic. Get Young. Planes Crash. AKissForJersey. Penguins Know Why. Search/Rescue. Easton Legacy. Running Red Lights. De La Hoya.

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The Indie Review

By Sean Duregger
June 1, 2008

Artist: Jason Yudoff
Album: Tragic Hero
Label: Scratched Vinyl

Rating:

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Let’s set the record straight. I’m not a huge fan of pop rock. You know, the guy “trying” to be rock and roll, but perfectly groomed and surrounded by supermodels. That’s just not the image nor the musical style I gravitate toward. That being said, I approached Jason Yudoff’s new album, Tragic Hero with upmost objectivity. It’s an easy album for a guy like to to write off after the first listen, but if you’re someone who likes things a little more “mainstream” sounding, Tragic Hero is a better choice than most of your choices. At least he doesn’t sound like Nickelback.

Jason Yudoff draws from influences such as funk, jazz and pop. His piano driven, sugar soaked pop songs have more meat on them than most of what I’ve heard from the genre. Lyrically, the album’s themes are the generic love songs you hear on radio or TV today. Nothing too deep, but relationships are something we all can connect with. This isn’t an album trying to be provocative or deep in any way. It’s goal is to reach the broadest audience possible, and I think it succeeds on that level.

There is an honesty to Jason’s songwriting that I see translating well to a live show. Each song has a piano driven backbone, and prove to be songs that can be stripped down and performed. Also, the Funk/Jazz element needs to be addressed. I think it’s the element that works the best and brings a freshness to each song. There is an underlying groove to some the up-tempo songs that can get your head bobbing no matter how cynical of a listener you may be.

Ultimately, Tragic Hero is a mixed bag. There are elements that were surprisingly good (the piano and funk elements), but there are also many cheesy cringe-inducing elements (some of the lyrics are unintentionally hysterical, check out Side By Side). Jason Yudoff is an artist worth checking out if your into the genre categories he fits in, but as a whole, Tragic Hero is a semi-solid effort with nothing really new or compelling being offered up.

Stand Out Tracks:

“Good Enough”

“Get Up”

“You Should Be My Girl”

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The Indie Review
By Sean Duregger
August 9, 2007

Band: [Yearling]

Album: The View From Here

Label: Tragic Hero Records

Rating:

Tragic Hero Records has been know for it’s heavier acts (AKissForJersey, A Skylit Drive, Deathblow) but Yearling is one of the few bands on the label that can be labeled Pop-Rock, Indie-Pop or whatever.

Yearling’s debut release, The View From Here is definately an extremely accessible album. Produced by lead singer/guitarist Sid Menon (formerly of the much-heavier Glass Casket), The View From Here is an impressive feat. I can’t believe this wasn’t recorded at a “professional” studio by some high caliber producer. This is a gorgeous sounding album.

To compliment the pristine sound, The View From Here is also memorable album from start to finish. Each song compliments one another while not beig repetitive. Every song on here is a gem and can hold up as a single.

So, Yearling has put together all the ingredients for a great radio friendly pop rock album: catchy melodies, great hooks, uplifting sing-along choruses. And, to be honest, I haven’t heard a record that has invited me to sing along in my car for a very long time. So, for now, I’ll be that guy at the stoplight singing to myself. If you see me, don’t make fun of me, I’m just listening to Yearling.

Stand Out Tracks:

“Kaleidoscope”

“Holiday”

“Slowdance”

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 IndieUprising #16: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (658)

Featured Band: Red Fox Grey Fox. Interview with Pete Miller.

Music By: The Soft Drugs. Sounds Under Radio. We Are the Arsenal. Peterman. The Sound of Animals Fighting. Red Fox Grey Fox. This Century. Faster Than Fashion. Yearling.

Last week’s poll results:

#1 Tonight Tonight (47%, 78 Votes)
#2 Brailen (31%, 51 Votes)
#3 Medicated Kisses (16%, 27 Votes)
#4 500 Miles to Memphis (2%, 4 Votes)
#5 Permanent Me (2%, 3 Votes)
#6 Small Arms Dealer (1%, 2 Votes)
#7 Plus/Minus (1%, 1 Votes)
#8 The Mag Seven (0%, 0 Votes)
#9 Olympia (0%, 0 Votes)
#10 Get Him Eat Him (0%, 0 Votes)
#11 Latterman (0%, 0 Votes)

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The Indie Review
By Sean Duregger
July 21, 2007

Band: A Kiss for Jersey

Album: Keep Your Head Above the Water

Label: Tragic Hero Records
Rating:

North Carolina’s A Kiss For Jersey has been stomping around the East Coast since 2004. Their debut release Keep Your Head Above The Water was released by Tragic Hero Records with gorgeous packaging and strong production values, but it’s the content that left me a little lacking.

Don’t get me wrong, there are moments on the album that shine, Zach’s vocals are some of the best I’ve heard. Their is talent in much of the musicianship and songwriting. My problem with this album was mainly the generic Hardcore element that has been injected into the music. There is such potential in A Kiss For Jersey’s songwriting, but when it comes to the breakdowns and the screaming, it is standard Hardcore/Screamo fare. There is one song where the Hardcore element works, Leave That Man Be is one of the strongest tracks on the album, and is an example of a great blend between the genres. Keep Your Head Above The Water is an above-average effort, but only a few songs actually stood out and made me want to hear them again.

I really hope A Kiss For Jersey is here to stay, I do see some major potential. I’ll be looking forward to how they approach their next album. Unfortunately, Keep Your Head Above Water barely rose above the generic Screamo/Hardcore sound and didn’t really cover as much new ground as I had hoped they would. There are sprinklings of genious among this almost forgettable album.

Stand out Tracks:

“Leave That Man Be”

“Real Men will be Found with their face flat on the ground”

“A Leave of Absence” (instrumental)

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 IndieUprising #9: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (367)

Music by: Panima. Stab the Matador. Midnight Dance Craze. Until April. Kiss Kiss. Red Light Green Light. The Mockingbird Nightmare. Saboteur. Bedlight For Blue Eyes. Hopesfall. Burns Out Bright. David Bazan. Yearling.

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 IndieUprising #7: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (369)

Temecula Music Fest! Interviews with Panima, Fletch and Drysdale

Music By: Victory at Last, Sounds Like Violence, Panima, Fightstar, We Are the Fury, Fletch, Track A Tiger, Matt and Isom, Divide the Day, A Kiss For Jersey, Drysdale and Tokyo Rose.

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