Unsigned The Magazine

The Innocent Bystanders - Review

Unsigned The Magazine — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:59:54 -0000

Self Titled - The Innocent Bystanders
By: Mut Asheru

I do believe I have stepped into a “teen summer vacation” movie. You know those films that sport fresh faced kids coming into the fullness of adult-hood as they learn the art of loving and having fun all in a 120 time span. This CD isn’t that long but it does bring to mind the fun and freshness of youth and summer vacations. The album sports great studio production. I enjoyed the fact that it was simple lyrically but contains great orchestral type arrangements that keep things interesting. The Innocent Bystanders is a cohesive and professional debut. One enjoyable ass experience. There’s no way these dudes will be “Under Wraps” for long.

{Editor’s Note: Under Wraps is one of the stand out tracks on the disc by the way. Skeeta’s very clever}

At the End of the World - Review

Unsigned The Magazine — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:55:51 -0000

Self Titled - At the End of the World
By: Corbyn Bricie

Crap this is great. Seriously. At the End of the World by the rock band of the same name is some serious stuff. The first track ‘Attrition’ is what my insides sound like when I have to buy gas. This EP is poetically dark and full of rich thickness and shows just how a band with a powerful live show (I’m guessing) can fully translate that energy on disc. For the best part each track hits hard with a perfect mixture of drums, guitar and vocals. At times the vocals sit like a ten ton weight on the senses. ‘No Salvation’ could have used a little more variety in the vocals. While they are well done, they seem to be in one key the entire song where the only reprieve is the occasional guttural yell. I look forward to seeing what they come up with next.

Marqseven Review

Unsigned The Magazine — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:50:21 -0000

Synchronicity - Marqseven
By: Carolina Jones

Marqseven’s “Synchronicity” is a gentle ripple in a jazzy ocean. The opening track ‘U’ is a simplistic guitar acoustic ode to someone named Shay which leads to her equally simplistic yet totally beautiful cover of Cyndi Lauper’s ‘True Colors’. I was afraid that every track would be as equally sparse but low and behold tracks ‘In Love with U’ and ‘Gods and Goddesses’ showcased more of Marqseven’s vocal range and had more instrumental accompaniment that served to bring out a more robust picture of the person behind the cool and reserved vocal persona. I feel oh so elegant after listening to this EP.

Vanden Review

Unsigned The Magazine — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:48:09 -0000

Victims - Vanden
By: Ric Hickey

From this writer’s standpoint, there is little to recommend about “Victims”, the new 6-song EP from Australia’s Vanden. Their music is best categorized as Hard Rock, and this is some pretty driving stuff. Great drumming especially. But Vanden’s songwriting skills leave a lot to be desired. Out of the six tunes contained herein, there’s not even one I’d consider worthy of mention as catchy or possessing of any kind of hook. The band has a good sense of dynamics; the performances are tight and strong and there are some decent arrangements, but nothing unexpected here.

Singer James Brown’s full-throated and confident vocal performances and a handful mildly interesting guitar riffs unfortunately only add up to a half a dozen tunes of unexceptional, run-of-the-mill stuff. On the plus side we do hear proof once again that a great drummer can elevate an otherwise mediocre band to another level. Kudos to drummer Dave Hunter. But Vanden is just another C-average Rock band and this EP contains nothing we haven’t heard a thousand times before. Presenting one generic mid-tempo, hookless rocker after another, I really can’t picture this EP generating much excitement for the band. I wish I could say I see great things in Vanden’s future, but their most recent release doesn’t look at all like a step towards the big time. I’m afraid this sort of thing would have sounded dated even ten years ago.

Review: John Tinger

Unsigned The Magazine — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:58:03 -0000

Everything Coincidental - John Tinger
By: Mut Asheru

John Tinger has gone from a rock musician to an acoustic ambient mood enhancer. His album "Everything Coincidental" is soothing and quietly stimulating. The tendency with most ambient acoustical efforts is to become dull thorough fare that doesn't audibly enhance and is easily forgettable. Here Tinger sets himself apart from the pack. Only 5 tracks in and I feel ready to conquer the world (or at least myself).

I found myself picking up the CD and looking at the tracklisting so that I could make sure I knew which track I was listening to. I also actually took the time to add those illustrious stars to his track rating in iTunes. It also become one of those discs that friends and family bet not touch or ask to borrow. Hell naw…this sweet, soul edifying album is mine. The only thing I don't like about the album is the pre-historic looking fish on the album artwork. It scares me. But seriously, if you want to connect with your center "Everything Conicidental" is an excellent place to start."

4 Signatures

Review: I Am The Heat

Unsigned The Magazine — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:56:42 -0000

The Future Doesn't Need Us - I Am The Heat
By: T. Mathenia

I Am The Heat’s EP “The Future Doesn’t Need Us” seems to be un-mixed and accidental. The album sounds like a bunch of high-school kids playing at being a band after school but good enough to pull off winning talent shows and being excepted by their peers as the “gonna make it” band.

But after a couple listens, I’m convinced the innocent lo-fi production and barely there vocals are on purpose! Hey guys…is this on purpose?!? I have to know because I like it. The one dimensional sound provides just the right amount of flatness to convince you of I Am The Heat’s sincerity and a promise of great things to come. By the time the second track ‘Your Monsters’ queues up and finishes you may as well forget it. You’re hooked. You’re dancing. You’re adding their songs to your iPod. And if you’re the editor of Unsigned The Magazine, you’re thinking of featuring them.

{Editor’s Note – Yup, I wanna feature them}

3½ Signatures

Review: Before Dawn

Unsigned The Magazine — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:55:11 -0000

Drowning - Before Dawn
By: T. Mathenia

Before Dawn an Austin, TX based duo has delivered an complexingly simple New Wave album called Drowning. Rob Houle and Kate Arpke have created an album is full of rich layers. There’s the New Wave feel which rests firmly in electro beats that are driving and hypnotic. Rob Houle’s voice is a murky blend of emotional tremble and fierce seriousness that is reminiscent Adam Ant. The keyword here is reminiscent as Houle’s voice has more soaring range to it. Like another male/female duo Mr. Gnome, it’s hard to believe that its just two people creating such a thick and robust yet perky sound.

Where ‘Lover’ has a definite electro feel to it, ‘Score’ is more rock influenced. The guitar riffs on ‘Drowning’ are strong and catchy while Kate and Rob’s vocals combine to lend an urgent feel to the tune that boils the blood and escalates the senses.

4 Signatures

Caveat Emptor -The Whirling Dervish

Unsigned The Magazine — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:26:39 -0000

Caveat Emptor -The Whirling Dervish

By: Corbyn Bricie

Can’t describe this one. And that’s a sure sign of dopeness. I don’t know what it is or how they do it but The Whirling Dervish have converted me to their brand of rock, er emo, er um punk....geeze I don’t know. Definitely socially driven in their song making the drums and guitars fuse together in a wall of song that comes at you in a hectic, aggressive and harmonious barrage of sounds that ebbs and swells in all the unexpected places that makes their music hard to define but for sure easy to fall for. All of this is punctuated by earnest vocals that exude an intangible energy.

Check out more reviews:
www.unsignedthemagazine.com/brandnew/theheat.html

Our Held Hope in Cadence - Review

Unsigned The Magazine — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:22:00 -0000

Our Held Hope in Cadence - Chris Prouty

By: T. Mathenia

Stop the press and whatever else you have going on. This album must find it’s way into a CD player near you. Canadian artist Chris Prouty has given the world something new and fantastic with “Our Held Hope in Cadence”. His light, airy voice is tucked neatly into folds of strong beats and imaginative lyrics. The vocal arrangements are simple being that Prouty’s voice probably can’t take too much strain but the arrangements are inspiring, catchy and really pretty fresh. I didn’t have to fast forward once through the entire album and that says alot. ‘Perfect’ is perfect.

{Editor's Note - All of us here agree.}

Check out some other reviews:
www.unsignedthemagazine.com/brandnew/theheat

Samson by Pictures of Then

Unsigned The Magazine — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:54:07 -0000