This is a solo album from
ex-Electric Hellfire Club guitarist G.W. Miner. And by solo album, I mean solo
album – G.W. did everything himself, playing all the instruments, writing all
the music and lyrics, and producing the whole affair. All I can say after
listening to the results is that next time, maybe he ought to ask for a little
assistance. In particular, the bass lines are some of the worst I’ve ever
heard. The vocals aren’t much better, and the lyrics are an amazing mix of
cheesiness and pretension. I hate to dog on an album, which is why I usually
give the stuff I don’t like to somebody else on staff to review so it at least
has a chance at finding a sympathetic ear. In this case, however, I couldn’t in
good conscience subject any of my staff (who all work for free) to such cruel
abuse. If you’re a fan of G.W.’s previous group, you really should steer clear
of this. There isn’t a trace of EFC’s electronic goth sound. Instead, this
sounds to me like sub-Kingdom Come Led Zeppelin pastiche. To give credit where
it’s due, G.W.’s guitar playing is good, and the drumming is acceptable. Maybe
if he had a few other musicians around him to say, “Hey dude, this song needs
some work before we record it,” things could have been improved. As it stands,
I don’t think I’ve heard a rock album I’ve hated more than ‘Burning Doves’ in a
long time. (Bob Ignizio)
Ex-Jacknife
Powerbombs’ guitarist Jeff aka MGM Grand started this series of online
compilations in an effort to help Cleveland rock bands get more exposure. So
far it’s been a rousing success, with people from all over the world sharing and
downloading the songs via file sharing services like KaZaa! and Soulseek. I’m
not going to go into too much detail here, but overall these two collections
make for a nice introduction to several of NE Ohio’s best bands. Yeah, there
are a few tracks on each volume I could probably live without, but for the most
part the level of quality is consistently high. While this started out as a
punk thing, ‘CAIF’ wound up including bands from all flavors of loud and
aggressive rock. Don’t run out to your favorite area record store to get this
one, get with the 21st century! Download the tracks at
http://www.cleveland-aintitfun.com or search for them on your
favorite file sharing program. Lots of bands interviewed on Utter Trash are
represented here, including Abdullah, The Antisocialists, Femsickliver, The
Jackknife Powerbombs, Lords of the Highway, and The Uppertanks. If you’ve never
been out to see a local band because you don’t know what they sound like, here’s
your chance to hear a track each from over 30 of them. Want your band on the
next edition? Just send a CD with your best track to: Jeff; 157 Fair Street;
Berea,OH 44017.
Arty-Farty punk
from New York that's better than you think! There are times when the buzz on an
act can work in reverse. You just don't want to hear or see the act because you
are tired of hearing about it. That's the way I felt about The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
and their album, ‘Fever To Tell’. I couldn't look one way or another without
seeing their faces or hearing the hype. Then I got to see the video for the
Yeahs single, "Maps" and I was genuinely intrigued. The YYYs are a trio out of
New York by way of Oberlin, Ohio with just vocals, guitar and drums. Singer
Karen O, guitarist Nick Zinner and drummer Brian Chase manage to crank out
plenty of noisy goodness without the need of a bass player. Karen has a really
sultry way of growling out songs that is a bit reminiscent of P.J. Harvey, and
the songs are short enough to make you want more without having you feel
cheated. There is a definite New York sound to this album, with little bits of
Sonic Youth, Television and the like seeping through at times. Whether I like
it or not, I have to become part of the media machine and increase the hype on
this band and album. Check out The Yeah Yeah Yeah's ‘Fever To Tell’. (Mr. Lee)
This is a solo album from
ex-Electric Hellfire Club guitarist G.W. Miner. And by solo album, I mean solo
album – G.W. did everything himself, playing all the instruments, writing all
the music and lyrics, and producing the whole affair. All I can say after
listening to the results is that next time, maybe he ought to ask for a little
assistance. In particular, the bass lines are some of the worst I’ve ever
heard. The vocals aren’t much better, and the lyrics are an amazing mix of
cheesiness and pretension. I hate to dog on an album, which is why I usually
give the stuff I don’t like to somebody else on staff to review so it at least
has a chance at finding a sympathetic ear. In this case, however, I couldn’t in
good conscience subject any of my staff (who all work for free) to such cruel
abuse. If you’re a fan of G.W.’s previous group, you really should steer clear
of this. There isn’t a trace of EFC’s electronic goth sound. Instead, this
sounds to me like sub-Kingdom Come Led Zeppelin pastiche. To give credit where
it’s due, G.W.’s guitar playing is good, and the drumming is acceptable. Maybe
if he had a few other musicians around him to say, “Hey dude, this song needs
some work before we record it,” things could have been improved. As it stands,
I don’t think I’ve heard a rock album I’ve hated more than ‘Burning Doves’ in a
long time. (Bob Ignizio)
Ex-Jacknife
Powerbombs’ guitarist Jeff aka MGM Grand started this series of online
compilations in an effort to help Cleveland rock bands get more exposure. So
far it’s been a rousing success, with people from all over the world sharing and
downloading the songs via file sharing services like KaZaa! and Soulseek. I’m
not going to go into too much detail here, but overall these two collections
make for a nice introduction to several of NE Ohio’s best bands. Yeah, there
are a few tracks on each volume I could probably live without, but for the most
part the level of quality is consistently high. While this started out as a
punk thing, ‘CAIF’ wound up including bands from all flavors of loud and
aggressive rock. Don’t run out to your favorite area record store to get this
one, get with the 21st century! Download the tracks at
Arty-Farty punk
from New York that's better than you think! There are times when the buzz on an
act can work in reverse. You just don't want to hear or see the act because you
are tired of hearing about it. That's the way I felt about The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
and their album, ‘Fever To Tell’. I couldn't look one way or another without
seeing their faces or hearing the hype. Then I got to see the video for the
Yeahs single, "Maps" and I was genuinely intrigued. The YYYs are a trio out of
New York by way of Oberlin, Ohio with just vocals, guitar and drums. Singer
Karen O, guitarist Nick Zinner and drummer Brian Chase manage to crank out
plenty of noisy goodness without the need of a bass player. Karen has a really
sultry way of growling out songs that is a bit reminiscent of P.J. Harvey, and
the songs are short enough to make you want more without having you feel
cheated. There is a definite New York sound to this album, with little bits of
Sonic Youth, Television and the like seeping through at times. Whether I like
it or not, I have to become part of the media machine and increase the hype on
this band and album. Check out The Yeah Yeah Yeah's ‘Fever To Tell’. (Mr. Lee)