The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 305

Only if I can give you equal running length worth of albums In return

 

It’s cool I don’t think there’s that many other albums that feel 5 years long.

 

Run time is 1 hour and 15 minute. So that’s pretty much two albums i could give you.



Or one Starset album lol

 

Starset is awesome! Take this trade @ugman_2000

 

This post makes me happy

 

Normally I like any and all uses of this gif but you shut your mouth larry

 

Oh no! We always agree mostly. This is a sad day

 

As a bonus, @anonimito and I traded a couple of albums, the first of which is:
Mae: Singularity (2007) Capitol Records

To those unfamiliar, Mae is a rock band from Norfolk, Virginia and have an extensive discography with their second album, The Everglow, receiving rave reviews. Singularity is their third full length and their first with a major label after releasing their first two on Tooth n' Nail records. Unlike their previous albums that incorporated dreamy indie rock, this album tends to stick to a more straightforward rock sound the references the 90 to early 2000's era bands that bring to mind Tonic and Third Eye Blind. Prior to the recording process, the band stated that they had been listening to and were inspired by bands such as Pearl Jam, Nirvana, U2, The Smashing Pumpkins and Rage Against the Machine. There are still few songs that harken back to their older sound but for the most part this is more straight up radio rock. It actually does work but there are definitely some missteps that caused this record to be a controversial one among their discography.

Lead singer, Dave Elkins, vocals are still as amazing as ever and I actually prefer the slower more dreamy rock sound as it allows him to truly shine. It seems that his vocal style is either hit or miss with most people and there really is not a gray area. The band is at the top of their game and can transition from a straight up rock song to their more stripped indie sound at the drop of a hat. The production is fantastic, but as I mentioned, there were some weird decisions made with this album.

The cool thing about this record is that it had a Pre-gap track that you could hear if you put it in your Walkman and pressed rewind past the first track. The only other album I knew about that did this was Less than Jake: Losing Streak, and it blew my mind at the time.

The album immediately opens with Brink of Disaster that has a synthesizer that sounds a lot like Motion City Soundtrack mixed with Mae's signature sound but with a bit of an edge. They continue this lighter rock sound into the next song, Crazy 8s. I really like how they slowly eased us into this new sound they are going with.

Sometimes I Can't Make It Alone is a mix of Anberlin and Tonic. I was half expecting to hear that Aaron Sprinkle had his hands on this song. It just has this swagger to it but it's so damn catchy. The solo at the two minute mark is fantastic and then the guitar takes on this sound where it's drenched in reverb. When they pull of these rock tracks well, it is great.

Just Let Go is a song that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy and reminds me of why I fell in love with Mae. It is one of my favorite songs on the album. This is track where Dave gets to shine and you see the full extent of his vocals.

On Top almost feels like a Jimmy Eat World song but it's another song that sticks close to home for the band at the same time. I love how the band has this ability to make you feel like everything is going to be okay and this is one of those songs.

Waiting is another song that really blasts the synths then transitions into something that channels rock music of the 90's. You will be bobby your head by the end. This is the first song to include jangly guitar tones that would fit right in today channeling shoe gaze.

Sic Semper Tyrannis is a song that reminded me a lot of Tonic, mixing beautiful melodies with a full on rock assault. It almost has a pop punk feel to it as well, but it works.

Release Me is another one of the more stripped down numbers and reminds me of their older albums and is another one of my favorites. I do like this more rock sound they are going with in this album but you can't deny how moved you were the first time you heard The Everglow.

Telescopes is a ROCKER and unfortunately is like oil and water against Dave's soft vocals and the two never seem to meet. It's like two people running next to each other but they are in two completely different races. My other complaint is how much they abuse the Motion City Soundtrack style synths. They don't seem to add anything to the overall sound and are a distraction.

Rocket is another rock track I never seemed to latch onto despite multiple listens. The same complaints I had for Telescopes plague this song as well, although I love the solo at the end.

Home brings us back to a more comfortable level and Dave's vocals are fantastic. I love the use of backup vocals and how they make them seem almost bigger and epic.

Reflections is technically the last song on the standard edition of the album and it is a perfect closer. It is a nice mix of all they have to offer on this album and showcases their talent brilliantly. It is by far the longest track at 6 minutes in length but never feels as though it is because of how beautiful it is.

Last Transmission II is the bonus song on the album and is a stripped down, dreamy track that you just lose yourself in. it is another long track but it goes by so fast you want to hit repeat. I love the bands ability to just capture your attention and take you on a journey.

Novocaine is a bonus track and feels like a B-side. It has this weird almost side show/circus like rhythm to it and then transitions into a 90's grunge song. It's almost like trying to mix pop punk with Nirvana. I am sure you could imagine what it would sound like.

This is a fantastic album in the bands discography and I recommend it to anyone and I am sure you can find something to love about it. There are a few missteps but they can be forgiven because the overall album makes up for it.

Favorite Songs:
On Top
Just Let Go
Release Me
Home
Reflections

RIYL: Tonic, Third Eye Blind,

Recommended

 

Awesome review! I'm glad you ended up enjoying it!

I do get a strong Tonic/Jimmy Eat World feel from Mae sometimes, too! You also seem to enjoy most of my favorites - nice!

 

Creeper: Eternity, In Your Arms

Once again, I found myself listening to an album I would have never thought to try out before the CMCS. @Bad Frequencies described it as "glam horror rock" which is pretty far outside my wheelhouse. Let's see how this goes!

I was really impressed with the instrumentation, especially the guitars and drums! There was also a good amount of really nice piano, too, and some strings here and there.

To no one's surprise, I don't have a feel for the lyrics yet, but I do suspect that this is a concept album. I enjoyed the vocals a lot more than I expected to - the male vocalist reminds me of Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)! Also, the melodies were really catchy!

No major critiques here! I will say that I'd need to be in a certain mood to want to hear this album, though. I let it play a few times in a row while working on some mundane tasks, and it made the time fly by, which was great!

"Black Rain" opens the album with a lovely piano part, with a spoken-word introduction by a female vocalist. After less than an minute, the guitars and drums come in with a vengence! I'm reminded by AFI in a lot of these songs, and this one is no exception. I also really picked up the Simon Le Bon sound to the male vocals in this song. The drums are really awesome here, too! "Poison Pens" is another high-octane track that channels AFI. There are some gang vocals here, and the energy in this track can be overwhelming if you're not ready for it! Around the middle of the track, there's a much, much calmer bridge, and then the previous tempo returns. "Suzanne" feels really "theatrical" (Why am I thinking of Meatloaf when I hear this?) to me - it's at this point that I first picked up on this being a concept album. In any event, this track was quite catchy! "Hiding With Boys" is another fast track, but the vocals are calmer. The piano shines (even though it's a background instrument) during the chorus. Speaking of the chorus, the melody reminds me of something, but I just cannot pin it down. "Misery" is a much slower track, with stripped-down guitars and really vulnerable-sounding vocals. This song is a big standout for me, probably tied for my top favorite. I heard a bit of Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World) in the vocals here and there in this song (and the style of the song reminded me of JEW as well), which was unexpected and quite awesome! That's probably a big reason why I enjoy this song so much. The song does pick up a bit at the end, introducing some powerful drums and guitars. "Down Below" is a faster track, and some of the melodies remind me of Unifier, which I really enjoyed! There's a really chill bridge toward the middle of the song (it does build before returning to the chorus), with some cool piano and softer vocals. "Room 309" is a really fast-paced track, which really reminds me of AFI. The guitars toward the middle of the track remind me of Bush a bit, too. There are some female backing vocals toward the end of the track, which was a nice touch. "Crickets" is another stripped-down acoustic track, but this time the female vocalist is the star of the show. Along with "Misery," this is my top favorite on the album. There were even some strings on this song! The melodies are so pretty. "Darling" is another fast-paced track. The guitars and melodies are really great! "Winona Forever" keeps up the pace (the vocals are so fast in the verses!) and is another AFI-esque track. The guitars and melodies are once again really cool, and the piano returns again in the background, which is awesome. The bridge is one of my favorite parts of the album - I love the layered vocals (it reminds me of "Illuminate"-era Lydia a bit). "I Choose to Live" is a very fitting closer for the album. It opens with some piano and quiet, vulnerable-sounding vocals. There are even some strings!

Verdict: 9/10

Favorite tracks: Black Rain, Suzanne, Hiding With Boys, Misery, Down Below, Room 309, Crickets, Winona Forever, I Choose to Live (yes, more than half of the album)

Reminds me of: AFI, Jimmy Eat World, Unifier


(Thanks for sharing another cool album, @Bad Frequencies!)

 

Excellent write up! I’m glad you liked it, and as usual mostly the same favorites. You hit the nail on the head with this one

 

Taking Back Sunday: Hapiness Is...

This is my second Taking Back Sunday album, since @Bad Frequencies also had me listen to "Tidal Wave" (which I really enjoyed) a few weeks ago. I was pretty excited to continue my TBS journey!

Just like last time, the instrumentation was fantastic - the drums were great, and I especially enjoyed the guitars. Strings were also utilized from time to time, and were gorgeous!

As usual, I haven't yet picked up the lyrics. Just like last time, I really enjoyed the vocals and melodies. I heard some resemblance to Bono (U2) and Dustin Kensrue (Thrice) this time around.

No critiques here!

The album opens with a short instrumental (there were some quiet vocals in the background, though) track called "Preface," which has some beautiful strings. It's atmospheric and sets the stage really well for the rest of the album. "Flicker, Fade" picks up the pace right away with some big guitars and drums. It slows down when the vocals come in, and this track has a bit of a folk feel to it at times. I really loved the guitars here - they remind me of Thrice at times. There were even some strings toward the end of the song. "Stood a Chance" has fantastic bass and rhythm guitars. Oh, and drums, too! It's really peppy and catchy! The bridge (about halfway through) really slows things down before the pace picks back up for the chorus. "All the Way" is a slower track with some really powerful drums and bass. This song is stellar and is probably my top favorite on the album! I hear a lot of similarities to Thrice, here. "Beat Up Car" picks right back up with some huge drums and guitars! This is one of the catchiest choruses on the album, and it reminds me of 90s rock for some reason. Very cool! "It Takes More" has a really cool groove to it. It's one of the slower track on this album, and the melody in the chorus is gorgeous. It also has a really pretty bridge. They really let loose on the final chorus (after the bridge), before the song closes with some distortion. "They Don't Have Any Friends" is a real rocker! It's also incredibly catchy - it should have been a single! I just love the guitars! "Better Homes and Gardens" reminds me of Collective Soul for some reason. The drums and guitars are really awesome, and the melodies are (once again) extremely catchy. "Like You Do" is another fast-paced track with some fantastic rhythm guitars. The riffs and the end were great! "We Were Younger Then" starts out pretty quietly and then builds, with huge drums (and later, guitars). It has a bit of a folk feel to it at times, and is very catchy. About halfway through the song, it slows and quiets down for the bridge, which has such beautiful melodies (the bridge is probably my favorite moment on the album). "Nothing at All" closes out this amazing album with a beautiful, quiet ballad. It's simple, but that's part of its charm. The strings from the first track return here, and they are stunning!

Verdict: 10/10

Favorite tracks: all of them!

Reminds me of: Thrice, U2, Collective Soul


(Thanks for sharing yet another fantastic TBS album, @Bad Frequencies!)

 

(This was a bonus trade, so this review is a bit more informal than usual.)



Timecop1983: Night Drive

@Nate_Johnson had already told me what to expect with this one, so I was very excited to listen to it - and with good reason, since I love it a lot! I listened to it about 10 times in a row one day - that's how good it is!

I'm a sucker for 80s-esque electronic albums, so this was completely in my wheelhouse. I loved the instrumental tracks just as much as those with vocals (I really couldn't knock any of these out of "favorites" contention), but my top track does have vocals. The lyrics (yes, I've gotten a fairly good understanding of most of them by now, believe it or not!), the instrumentation (awesome synths and drums!), and the vocals by all the different vocalists were all fantastic! No critiques!

The opener, "Static," is my top track. It hooked me right away and has yet to get old. I love rain sounds in music, and these synths are probably the best on the album, but I just really love the vocals here. His vocals remind me of Sleeping Wolf. "On the Run" is a cool instrumental track, and "Back to You" has vocals with some moderate "vocoder" distortion, which I tend to enjoy. I'm reminded of Phil Collins, here. "Cruise" is another instrumental track, and it really reminds me of Sleeping Wolf, musically. "Neon Lights" has vocals that remind me of Andrew McMahon at times, which was really cool. The music reminds me of Neon Trees a bit, which is a funny coincidence, with the track name. "Afterglow" is one of my favorite instrumentals. "Too Late" is the track with the most "80s feel" for me, vocally and melodically. It's really cool - the guitars are really impressive, too. "Skylines" had a way of getting stuck in my head (quite the feat for an instrumental track!). "Tokyo" has a lot of (what I call) "warm" synth sounds, which I always enjoy. Very nice! The vocals remind me of Ellie Goulding. "Nightfall" is my top favorite instrumental. "It Was Only a Dream" is an awesome (and fitting) closer to the album, bringing us right back to the rain sounds from "Static."

Verdict: 10/10

Favorite tracks: all of them!

Reminds me of: 80s awesomeness, Mackintosh Braun, Sleeping Wolf, Andrew McMahon, Ellie Goulding


(Thanks for introducing me to this awesome album/artist, Nate! I just wish there was vinyl, lol.)

 

Nice reviews @anonimito I’m happy to see that Creeper album is still doing the rounds in here

Glad you enjoyed both Creeper and TBS, I love that TBS album, it rejuvenated my love for that band when it came out.

I’ll have to check out that Timehop album it sounds interesting and something I’d probably dig.

 

(This was another bonus trade, so this review is also bit more informal than usual.)

Heavy Things: Glimpse

@Nate_Johnson also told me what to expect with this one, so I was once again very excited to listen to it! Also, this is another Ohio band, which is pretty cool. I just can't get over how catchy this album is!

This album combines a 90s rock sound with some pop-punk elements, so it's definitely in my wheelhouse! The melodies were fantastic. I had half of the songs stuck in my head after only one listen to the album. In addition, the instrumentation was really impressive - especially the guitars and drums. The vocals were wonderful - his voice/vocal style reminds me of Jason Vena (Acceptance) and Kevin Jordan (This Wild Life) in a way. No critiques!

"Lately" opens the album with some atmospheric effects, a lovely guitar part, and echoed vocals. It's really soothing, and already the 90s influences are shining through. "Missing Out" picks up the pace quite a bit with a pop-punk track. I really hear the Vena/Jordan similarities in the vocals here. And talk about a catchy chorus - wow! (Bonus points for the lyrics mentioning snow. ) "Gone Again" has more of a 90s feel to it than the previous track, but it retains the pop-punk elements. Once again, it's very catchy - I love the bass line! "Vices" has fantastic guitars and yet another really catchy chorus. I was also really impressed with the drumming here. "Last Night" begins with drums and a cool bass line. This track really reminds me of Watashi Wa/Lakes/Eager Seas a lot - very cool! The guitar solo on the bridge was a big highlight and reminded me of Tonic! Next, the title track begins with a 90s-esque guitar part that develops into pop-punk style vocals and rhythm guitars. The bass line is also fantastic, and this track is exceptionally catchy overall. "Feeding Flowers" is very synth-heavy with a touch of vocoder-like effects on the vocals. It's a pretty relaxed track, and I really love the use of effects here, though I figure some people may find them a bit off-putting. After a perfect transition, "Worn Out" begins with a similar sound that develops into a faster, pop-punk style track with some stellar guitar and drum work. Yet again, this is another really catchy track! "Wasting Time" has more of a straightforward pop-punk feel to it, with another incredibly infectious chorus. And talk about awesome guitars - wow! "Tangent" begins with distortion (which is the way the previous track ended), and has an undeniable 90s feel to it, musically. The vocals maintain the pop-punk style and catchiness and, well, I just love this song! It's my favorite on the album by far (and I love all of the tracks on this album)! I just can't get over how well the 90s and pop-punk elements work together here. "Low Lives" closes out the album with some fast (and impressive) drumming and guitars that have a bit of a country/folk feel to them in places. I really enjoy the guitar riff toward the end of the song - it's a fitting end to an excellent album!

Verdict: 10/10

Favorite tracks: all of them!

Reminds me of: Acceptance, This Wild Life, Watashi Wa/Lakes/Eager Seas, Tonic, 90s rock


(Thanks for introducing me to another fantastic album/artist, Nate!)

 

Loooooove this band. God, I love this band. Just so you are all clear, I love this band.

Also the EP's are just as good. VCR, Black Mass and Allergies for instance are all bangers.

 

Cheers to @Nate_Johnson for the rec!

Chvrches - Love is Dead

I've been a fan of CHVRCHES since their inception, pretty much. Their debut, The Bones of What We Believe catapulted them to UK stardom on the back of songs like The Mother We Share, Recover and Gun. Mixing poppy electronics with incredible vocals and a clear reverence for early 2000's pop-punk bands, the band made interesting pop music and in front woman Lauren Mayberry they had a bonefide star, who was outspoken and charismatic.

Their second album, Every Open Eye, continued this rise and was in my eyes a definite improvement. Not a single song felt like filler, and they were all packed with catchy melodies and soaring vocals.

Now comes their third album, and after a wave of lukewarm reviews I was unsure what to expect. Pushing play, I immediately was greeting with the similar CHVRCHES sound, as Graffiti starts the record off brilliantly. This song had everything I would want from a CHVRCHES song, and has some touching lyrics about a faded love and reminiscing about what could have been, as Lauren sings "We wrote our names along the bathroom walls, graffitiing our hearts across the stalls. I've been waitin' for my whole life to grow old and now we never will."

It's kind of a shame however, that the best song is the opener, as it goes slowly downhill from there. There are other good tracks littered through the album howwever. Forever had some memorable vocal melodies, and Graves picked up the pace in a way that made for a very pleasant change. My Enemy also features vocals from one of the male backing singers, and is a cool idea as he and Lauren share vocal duties, however I would have liked more trade off between the vocals.

Despite this, most of the album just feels very bland. Lead single Get Out is particularly annoying, with an incredibly redundant and repetitive chorus and this is something that continues throughout the record. Never Say Die is an enjoyable song ruined by an incredibly boring chorus with annoyingly reptitive melodies, followed by Miracle which legitimately has a dubstep-style chorus. In 2018.

Honestly, this album never once held my attention much beyond the ballad Really Gone, and I think that's a massive shame. I've always enjoyed the band though, and will still check out their next record, and even if they leave in just three or four of these in the live sets long term they will still be able to ride the wave of this album.

RIYL: New Order, 80's stuff, damn good vocals

Recommended tracks: Graffiti, Graves, Forever

6.5/10

 

I agree on a lot of points but it does get better with time. With that being said, I think it is the weakest in their discography. My standout tracks are Wonderland and Deliverance. Also, the male vocalist in My Enemy is the singer of the National. Great review with some very valid criticisms.

 

Had no idea it was the dude from The National, that is very cool.

Hoping it grows on me but it just hasn't so far.

 

I’m really glad you liked it, I thought you might. I know you spoke about him, but their lead guitarist is a beast. It was so cool to see them in a live setting and watch him shred.

 

No worries. That song and Really Gone are my least favorite on the album.

God’s Plan actually has male vocals as well and it’s one of the keyboardists.

 

Great review as always! I’m glad you loved the album, I was really impressed with this one when it came out, and it’s a nice bridge between their old sound and what they’d do on Tidal Wave

 

Alright guys, this week my bud @Nate_Johnson gave me a pretty sweet album !

Heavy Things: Glimpse

I honestly have never heard of these guys before so I wasn't sure what to expect. The first actual song on the album called " Missing Out " is kind of a throwback jam dating back to the early 2000 emo era, it gives me such a Hot Rod Circuit vibe and he sounds like Andy Jackson ! That's not a bad thing at all, it's a pretty catchy tune with some cool elements. " Gone Again " more on the poppy side with fantastic lyrics. The song reminds me a bit of All Time Low but more mature, the guitar tone and the bass are tasty on this one. Up next is " Vices " and in this song it gives me some more Hot Rod Circuit vibes but also some HH vibes as well today. " Vices " will get stuck in your head quickly, the chorus is just super catchy ! After giving this album a couple spins I think this is something I would listen to on a hot summer night with the windows down enjoying the night. I think my favorite song on this album is easily " Last Night " because the band just sounds so locked in and everything from the playing to the guitar solo and the lyrics really stick out in this tune. The production is so crisp, clean and loud ! This album gives you the expiereince of what it would be like seeing them in a live setting. These guys have chops, I hope to hear more from them.

For fans of: Hot Rod Circuit, Hawthorne Heights

 

Great review! Wow, two amazing reviews for an incredible album.