Hank Jones – ‘Saturdays of
Thunder’ (Undecided Records)
In the fine tradition of Jethro Tull and Molly Hatchet,
there is no one in the band Hank Jones actually named that. Comparisons to
classic rock end there. This is some raw, raging eighties style hardcore with a
bit of a roots rock flavor in the guitar sound. Sort of like if Social
Distortion and Minor Threat had merged while on that “Another State of Mind”
tour. Maybe toss in a little Cro-Mags and D.R. I. for good measure, too. The
songwriting is decent, though hardly groundbreaking. For the most part the band
follows the standard punk rock formula, but they do it well. Strong vocals and
solid musicianship (nothing flashy, mind you) help elevate Hank Jones somewhat
above the pack. Above average lyrics, too. Not a punk rock classic, but
considering most of what passes for punk these days it’ll do. (Bob Ignizio)
Prepare
to be kicked in the ass by a hard rocking woman named Jerra and her band. They
sound like a loud version of Letters To Cleo, and quite similar to Veruca Salt.
But, that's a good thing since I haven't heard from either of those bands in
ages. First off, the package design for this is really cool. The graphic work is
totally cool and drew me in right away. Plus, I'm a sucker for pink. From songs
about guys ("Drama King") to songs about video games ("Game Boy"), Jerra spouts
her pipes with ease. She can sing with a snarl and attitude of Courtney Love,
but without all the heroin and shit. Her band rocks like the best of them, and
they sound very 90's alt rock, which to me, is a good thing, because I miss
that. Check this one out, it rocks. (Eddie Fleisher)
K-The-I??? – ‘Fair Weather Under
Surface Negative’ EP (Beyond Space Entertainment)
Boston,
MA's MC K-The-I??? is ready to blow. This record is sort of old now, but since
he's releasing a CD on Anticon, THE indie hip-hop label, I thought I'd give you
a quick primer on one of his past releases. His beats are out of this world.
Think DJ Shadow meets Pink Floyd meets old school. The production is sweet, and
the samples are even sweeter. But what completely rocks is K's voice. His flow
is unique, with a hint of B.I.G.,
but his rhymes are like poems, flowing and flowing. I've seen him live, and boy
does this guy work his ass off. He raps until he can't rap anymore. This EP is
phenomenal, so check it out. And be prepared - his Anticon shit will blow your
mind. (Eddie Fleisher)
Every once
in a while, a single is released that grabs you by the scruff of the neck and
doesn't let you go. Like it or not, the song will stick in your head and not
leave for days. If the rest of the music world is lucky enought to hear it,
then it becomes one of those songs that ubiquitous in the culture and can define
an artist for years to come. "Bring Me To Life" by Evanescence did that in the
US, and "Nemo" by Nightwish did likewise in Europe. "Elegy", the first single
from Leaves' Eyes' forthcoming ‘Vinland Saga’ album, is next in this vaunted
category. This song grabs you and doesn't let go, and it WILL haunt your
dreams. I am so seriously blown away by this single I can't believe it. I
mean, I'm usually such an album snob that I shun singles as attempts by "the
corporate masters" to trivialize great music. And yet, with the domestic
release of ‘Vinland Saga’ months away, this extended single is a gift from the
Gods. It has completely captured me. The MCD consists of single and album
versions of "Elegy", a demo of another song from ‘Vinland Saga’ ("Solemn Sea"),
and three non-album bonus tracks ("Senses Captured", "A Winter's Poem", and "Mot
Fjerne Land"). This is great to listen to, and yet drives me mad. Not only is
Elegy mind-blowing, but the non-album bonus tracks are far superior to most
bands' singles. And if these are the songs that weren’t good enough to make the
album, then...wow. The rest of ‘Vinland Saga’ may just live up to the hype.
The Heathen Hippy gives this single five awestruck stars. (Taliesin Govannon)
In the fine tradition of Jethro Tull and Molly Hatchet,
there is no one in the band Hank Jones actually named that. Comparisons to
classic rock end there. This is some raw, raging eighties style hardcore with a
bit of a roots rock flavor in the guitar sound. Sort of like if Social
Distortion and Minor Threat had merged while on that “Another State of Mind”
tour. Maybe toss in a little Cro-Mags and D.R. I. for good measure, too. The
songwriting is decent, though hardly groundbreaking. For the most part the band
follows the standard punk rock formula, but they do it well. Strong vocals and
solid musicianship (nothing flashy, mind you) help elevate Hank Jones somewhat
above the pack. Above average lyrics, too. Not a punk rock classic, but
considering most of what passes for punk these days it’ll do. (Bob Ignizio)
Prepare
to be kicked in the ass by a hard rocking woman named Jerra and her band. They
sound like a loud version of Letters To Cleo, and quite similar to Veruca Salt.
But, that's a good thing since I haven't heard from either of those bands in
ages. First off, the package design for this is really cool. The graphic work is
totally cool and drew me in right away. Plus, I'm a sucker for pink. From songs
about guys ("Drama King") to songs about video games ("Game Boy"), Jerra spouts
her pipes with ease. She can sing with a snarl and attitude of Courtney Love,
but without all the heroin and shit. Her band rocks like the best of them, and
they sound very 90's alt rock, which to me, is a good thing, because I miss
that. Check this one out, it rocks. (Eddie Fleisher)
Boston,
MA's MC K-The-I??? is ready to blow. This record is sort of old now, but since
he's releasing a CD on Anticon, THE indie hip-hop label, I thought I'd give you
a quick primer on one of his past releases. His beats are out of this world.
Think DJ Shadow meets Pink Floyd meets old school. The production is sweet, and
the samples are even sweeter. But what completely rocks is K's voice. His flow
is unique, with a hint of B.I.G.,