The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 300

Finally able to listen to this weeks rec! Wanted to hear this anyway as I'm a fan of the band.

 

Never heard of Conditions, but the others are in my top. I guess this is another band I need to add to my must listen list?

 

Conditions? Yes!

 

Count me in for this!

I should be caught up with my reviews in the next couple of hours :)

 

Illuminati sounds a lot like Saosin.

 

YES. Check out Flourescent Light. Great album

 

That’s a band I compared them to when I reviewed their album too

 

What era are we talking?

 

S/T aka Cove.

 

Well now I NEED to hear this.

 

Angus & Julia Stone
Snow
2017



This session I was paired with @Mary V and she recommended me Angus & Julia Stone's album Snow. I was completely unfamiliar with them prior to this session, so I did a bit of online research like I usually do. I discovered that they are an Australian folk rock/indie pop group fronted by siblings Angus and Julia Stone (Julia is currently 34 and Angus is currently 32 if you care about that kind of thing). I also discovered that Snow was their fourth full-length album and based on the peak chart positions as seen on Wikipedia, it appears that they're quite successful in Australia.

The album begins with the title track Snow which is also one of the two singles that were released for this album. It invokes the call and response technique in the verses and it makes for a really enjoyable experience. Both Angus and Julia have strong vocals. The music itself is really mellow and relaxing. This was one of my favorite songs on the album. Next up is Oakwood which is more uptempo and just solid indie alternative rock. Both Stones had vocals in this track, but it wasn't the same call and response style as Snow employed. Chateau was next up and it was another catchy alt-rock song. This song was the second single that was released for this album and from what I can tell, it's one of their most successful singles to date. It's a strong song, but it wasn't one of the main standouts on the album for me.

The next two tracks, Cellar Door and Sleep Alone, were both really enjoyable songs. Sleep Alone was more subdued and I liked the piano a lot as I think it really added to the atmosphere of the song. Make It Out Alive is a song that I didn't care for much at first, but after repeated listens it has become one of my favorites on the album. The vocals in the verses are primarily spoken, and while they're still not my favorite, the chorus is really good and catchy and more than makes up for the verses.

I'm sure that the seventh track on the album Who Do You Think You Are is probably a fan favorite and a song that would be a key part of their live show. It's the longest song on the album at nearly seven minutes, but it probably fell somewhere in the middle of the album for me in terms of favorite songs. Don't get me wrong - it's a good song, but it's probably a bit unnecessary that it's as long as it is. The following track Nothing Else is another standout on the album for me. It's probably the quietest song on the album, but I really enjoyed it and I thought that the lyrics were really enjoyable too:

There's nothing else to do here but kiss under the stars
I like you just the way you are
There's nothing else to do here but fall into your arms
I like you just the way you are

My House Your House is another pleasant, slower tempo track and Bloodhound is a fine song, although not much stood out to me on it. I didn't think that a single track on this album was a bad song, but there were a couple songs that I didn't really connect with much. On repeated listens, it's certainly possible that tracks that I hadn't previously connected to would become highlights for me! As I mentioned above, that's what happened with the song Make It Out Alive. The second to last song on the album is Baudelaire. It's another calm, relaxing track. I don't have too much to say about that track except that I thought it was kind of neat how it contained the lyric "your house my house" which is really similar to the song two tracks before it. That doesn't necessarily mean anything, but I still thought it was neat!

Finally, the last track Sylvester Stallone is a really great song to end on. It's another song that uses the call and response technique (in addition to the opening track Snow) and I really like how the album was bookended with songs of this same style. I have a feeling that was done intentionally, but if not I suppose it's quite a coincidence!

Thank you for recommending this to me @Mary V! it's highly unlikely that I would have checked this out on my own, but I'm glad I did check it out!

I think that most fans of the folk rock/indie pop/indie rock/alternative rock genres would fine something they like here.

My favorite songs on the album were Snow, Oakwood, Make It Out Alive, Nothing Else, and Sylvester Stallone. Give those a listen if you're on the fence after reading this write-up!

 

Hey kids! Here is my review for this week!
I traded with @Larry David last week.
I saw this record on his list and had to give it a listen!
This is my second time reviewing a record ever so again, Bear with me!

Third Eye Blind// Out Of The Vein
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


When I think about Third Eye Blind, I am immediately transported to my teenage years of staying home from school and watching music videos on MTV. For me, this band represents the sound of the late 90's northern California, hippie culture. This band does not receive enough credit for how talented they are as songwriters and musicians. Third Eye Blind has a signature sound that sets them very much apart from a lot the bands that we’re up and coming at the time that Out Of The Vein was released. One thing i'll say is that they tend to get lumped into Mainstream radio bullshit rock music and it’s a damn shame! Out Of The Vein was released in 2003 and it specifically builds on the sound that they started really developing in 1997 with their self-titled record.

This record starts out with a bang! The first song is titled Faster, which begins with a really cool guitar part that has some sort slicer effect on it. By the time it reaches the chorus, you want to crank the volume up as loud as it can go! Seriously, The chorus on this song is soooo good! I found myself pushing repeat on this song over and over cause it is so catchy! The next thing you know, you are now listening to the second song called Blinded. Once again, It grabs your attention with this really cool atmospheric guitar riff. Jenkins pushes the envelope and really makes the song take flight with his over the top vocals that you can’t help but try to sing along with. This record is chucked full of amazing songs that all could be considered "singles" for this record. I read that they had a hard time recording this record because they we're under a lot of pressure to release something as good as their two previous records. After listening to the entire record a few times, I feel that it shows that they we're a bit frustrated with the pressure. I don't think the band will ever be able to top their 1997 debut album, but this one comes pretty damn close! The overall sound of Out Of The Vein is very developed for 3EB and right in the Vein of what you would expect from the band (No Pun Intended)

One of the many things I love about this record is that it just doesn’t let up from the moment you press play. This record is chucked full of fast paced, heavy hitting, alternative rock songs that 3EB is very famous for. I would love to hear what the groups influences are as far as bands that they all grew up listening to. I’ve always described 3EB as an interesting blend of alt-rock laced a side of hip-hop influence. Stephen Jenkins always finds the most interesting rhythms to pack his lyrics into and it works really well. A good example of this is on the song Wake For Young Souls. He always does it in a way that you want to Google the song lyrics so you can try and understand what he is talking about. I think that is why I’ve always been attracted to 3EB overall sound. They keep it very interesting while never overdoing it. 3EB has always had this razor edge with their sound that is awesome and powerful in so many ways.

When you listen to this record you get hit with the feeling that the things that Jenkins is talking about are very real. He always has a way being so honest with the listener to the point of making you blush sometimes(read his lyrics at your own risk.) One common theme on all on 3EB's records are the insane situations he seems to find himself in day to day. He talks about some of the craziest shit on all of his records. He also has a way of writing things in a way that make the listener interpret different song meanings. I always interpret someone who is constantly trying to get clean and be better, but is also surrounded by friends in a sex, drugs, and rock and roll, party culture. Lyrically speaking, he seems to be the type of person who acts on impulse, living strictly in moments of time, Good and bad. I’d love to actually sit down and have a cup of coffee with Stephen Jenkins someday, and maybe discuss some of the awesome songs he wrote. He reminds me of a modern day Jim Morrison, continually pushing the boundary of what a more successful mainstream band can do and say with music. The lyrical content on this record is top notch and worth reading along to!

Overall, I really do like this record. It has all the things that made 3EB famous. I feel that this band can do no wrong when it comes down to each record they have made. This band has had so much influence on me as a musician. Their guitar work is always top notch and interesting. The band went thru a member line up on this record and Tony Fredianelli is responsible for most of the guitar sounds you hear on Out Of The Vein. I’d give this record a solid 8 out of 10. I plan to pick this one up on vinyl. Check it out! Let me know what you think.



My favorite songs on this record are Faster, Blinded, Forget Myself, My Hit And Run, and Self Righteous

 

I just can't believe you liked "Self Righteous" One of the only 3eb songs I don't like in their entire discography.

 

HAHA! Whys that?!?!

 

The lyrics are fine, but musically it doesn't grab me at all and I feel like the girl featured is a terrible singer

 

Also, someday I'm gonna learn how to upload album artwork properly.

 

Great review, that’s awesome you liked it so much! Very good read. You seem to really have a grasp oN this

I look forward to the APC one you have on your to do list as well :)

 

Hey folks, sorry for the self-promotion but I thought I would say something in this thread since I'm pretty active here for those who haven't seen me mention it elsewhere on the site. I have an EP coming out tomorrow called Direction and it's the first original music I've released since 2015. The songs are pretty diverse, so hopefully if you're willing to give it a shot you will find something you like. Here's the single, and I'll step down off the soapbox.

 

It sounds great! I look forward to hearing the whole thing tomorrow!

 

Thanks Nate! Much much appreciated

 

LIMBS - 'Father's Son' (2018, UNFD Records)

My first recommendation from @Nate_Johnson the debut album from the Tampa based quintet. 11 tracks of Metalcore very reminiscent of late 00's Norma Jean and Underoath, which isn't surprising considering they heavily cite Norma Jean as influences and for the pre-producton for this album they worked with Tim McTague of Underoath. I found it very difficult to listen to the entire album in a single sitting as there wasn't that that much variation between songs, they all followed fairly similar formulas that suffer in sequence due lack of distinct or memorable melodies. The performances and the production (handled by Beau Barchell of Saosin fame) are well executed and are of the same standard as the acts that they source from, however for me the songwriting is not memorable or diverse enough. As debut albums goes it's a good start and the band clearly are adept musicians, so hopefully the band improve on what is only hinted on this album on further releases.

RIYL: Norma Jean ('Redeemer' - 'Meridional'), Underoath ('DGTL' - 'LitSoS'), Every Time I Die (The Big Dirty)

Recommend Songs: 'Father's Son', 'Weep', 'Sacrament' and 'Tangled Hands'

 

JUST A REMINDER:

Next week is an off week for everyone to get caught up on their reviews. SO IF YOU ARE BEHIND IN YOUR REVIEWS THIS IS YOUE CHANCE.

There is still a bonus round. DM ME IF YOU WANT IN ON THAT, PAIRINGS MADE TOMORROW

so far I only have:
@anonimito
@ugman_2000
@bachna84
@Patterns in Traffic
@Nate_Johnson
@disambigujason
@Night_Sky

And myself.

 

Hi

 

oh YEAH! Forgot all about that one! I'll get it solidified!

 

You never clarified if you wanted in iirc lol