Category Reviews

Great Things Coming From Cicero

By Christopher Lepore, Staff Writer

Cicero’s Brennen Monk recorded two songs on Monday and these are the definition of DIY.  The songs were recorded with a Rock Band microphone.  Despite the low quality, this shows tremendous enthusiasm from a band that does not get the respect they deserve.  Both tracks are worth listening to.  I have a high respect for these guys and I really think they are on the path to something amazing!  Go show them some love and download their tunes at https://ciceroband.bandcamp.com/ and like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ciceroband

Album Review #7: Disgraceland- The Orwells

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By Ben Buchnat, Director of Social Media Operations/Staff Writer

Chicago area band, the Orwells are barely out of high school but manage to create a well-crafted rock album that has been an addicting listen since its release. The Orwells formed in 2009 in Elmhurst, a town only a few miles away from where I live right now. They signed there first record deal in 2011 and already have a album and two previous ep’s out before Disgraceland. However, I consider this to be their introduction to mainstream music, considering that all they are really known for right now is a fantastic performance on David Lettermen. Hopefully that changes because it is really a fantastic album. Possibly my favorite of the year so far (along with Transgender Dysphoria Blues and Happiness Is). The first thing I really like about the album is the tone it sets up. It feels like the Midwest, but it shows off the dark side of the well-off suburbs the band calls home. Songs about love and adventures after-school are mixed with deeply dark and serious matters like the current political climate and disturbing violence. This is a tone that I think might bother some but in my opinion is something refreshing and unlike anything I’ve heard recently. The lyric content, while sometimes gory and frightening, is also very catchy. I found that the choruses of a couple songs could not get out of my head since I first heard them. That is something that all albums should shoot for.

However, I think the best part about the album is the song structure and the instrumentation. It takes influences from garage rock, classic rock, and even a little punk to create a sound that sounds old but also new at the same time. It builds on the pre-established while maintaining what made so influences so great to begin with. The guitars just sound so interesting and some of the bass lines in the songs are some of the catchiest I’ve heard. The drums compliment the other instruments nicely, and Mario Cuomo’s vocal delivery is spot on. The songs are not too long or too short. The album has a nice flow to it and it makes it a great listen cover to cover.

The album does have its problems though. The pacing of the lyrics go really dark at the end. Like really dark. So listener beware. That is really the only complaint I can think of. Overall this album is almost perfect.

This is the catchiest album I’ve heard this year

4.75 out of 5

Check out The Orwells on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/theorwellsband

Album Review #6: Pain Waves- Zap Dragon & The Attack

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By Christopher Lepore, Staff Writer

Florida band Zap Dragon & The Attack released their album ,”Pain Waves”, on February 16th and I decided to review it and let you guys know about them.

This album is one of the most unique piece’s of work I have heard in a while.  It opens with the song Sicko and it’s first lines are: “I’ve got teeth like broken ships, I didn’t say, no somebody else did.  I’ve got eyes like Jesus Christ.  Well, what white people think Jesus looks like.”  I immediately loved it.  They are so much fun to listen to.  Their vocals is not great, but it doesn’t have to be!  The lead singer, David, makes it work.  The band reminds me a lot of The White Stripes and Against Me!.  They seem to have a lot of fun playing, which is impressive.  They only have 350 likes on Facebook, and I bring that up because of how discouraging life can get.  These guys have produced something amazing, but have no recognition for it.  All twelve songs on this album are something great.  My favorite track is Spanish Grammar.  The song is such a fun song to sing.  Every lyric rolls off the tongue and you don’t have to be good to have fun singing it.

Well, well, well, ain’t this the best album you’ve heard in a while?  Go check them out now!  I give this album 4.5/5 stars.  I will leave all the links you need below.  Tell em’ we sent ya!

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/zapdragon/info

http://ZapDragon.bandcamp.com

 

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Album Review #5: Colorchange- Thieves

 

 

By Christopher Lepore, Staff WriterImage

Thieves’ Colorchange is an EP that drops June 3rd, but Loose Lips Press got an early taste of the Texas pop-punk band’s new music.

 

Thieves opens their EP with the fast paced and sad song  “Smoke Signals”.  A song about moving on.  It is a terrific song to open up the EP, because it gives us an awesome look at what we are getting into.  An EP excellent lyrics, vocals and music.  After Smoke Signals comes their single Colorchange.  This is a fun song that I picture in that indie movie everyone likes.  The song “Compass” follows and that is a slight step down.  I am not hating on it, but I would love to see how it sounds acoustically.  Following “Compass” comes my favorite, “Tunnel Vision”.  This is a perfect song for most of the teen youth today.  If you are a fan of The Wonder Years music, you will love this album.  It relates to people who have trouble getting through tough times.  It explains to us that everything will eventually end, but we cannot dwell on sadness.  Ending the album is the song “Weight”.

 

I give this EP a 4/5.  This was well produced by Beau Burchell (Bayside, From First To Last, The Bled, Name Taken, The Bronx, Moose Blood) if you are a fan of The Wonder Years, this is a band to check out.  These guys are going far!

Check out their lyric video to the song “Weight”- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpf36pkVLxM&app=desktop

 

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