The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 269

@SamLevi11 will be this week. I assigned it to him so he’s contractually obligated to lol

 

I may have already listened a little.

Review may take a week or two though, this is my last pairing for two weeks as I’m really busy. Definitely happening though.

 

Maybe...

 

PAGING ACTIVE CMCS MEMBERS:

@Mary V
@iCarly Rae Jepsen
@bachna84
@Kiana
@disambigujason
@broken22
@Micool1
@Larry David
@JRGComedy
@Patterns in Traffic
@nfdv2
@Nate_Johnson
@teebs41
@SaveTheEarth
@Colin Your Enthusiasm
@cshadows2887
@Davjs
@ugman_2000
@highfidelity203
@SamLevi11
@anonimito
@mad

I am pleased to announce that this coming session is the 25th session of the Chorus Music Club Society! This is a monumental achievement that this little club that @skurt and I dreamed up has come this far! 25 sessions, over 1000+ albums reviewed, and over 100 members counting active and benched.

In light of this, I am holding the

CMCS ANNIVERSARY CONTEST.

Here’s how to play:

Along with your reviews this week, write an (optional) essay about what you like about the Chorus Music Club society. Address these topics:

What do you like about CMCS? What has been your favorite part? What were your two favorite received recommendations to have reviewed? What were your two favorite reviews of ones you gave? What has been your favorite addition to the club (staff, release day reviews, concert reviews)?

Tag me in these posts. And this time for your hard work THERE IS A PRIZE. The top 5 essays will see their writers entered in a drawing for one of the following prizes:

$25 ITUNES gift card OR $25 Amazon gift card (winner’s choice)(gift card will be an e-gift card emailed to the winner).

Rules:

Essay must touch on all proposed subjects. There is no length requirement but it must hit on all areas.

Essay must be submitted by midnight CT on 05/18/2018

Drawing will take place 8 PM CT on 05/20/2018

Must be an active member of CMCS and have been active for the past two weeks.
____


Happy 25th session guys! Let’s have some fun :)

 

That Hopesfall record is amazing and my favorite from them.

Also, that Paper Rival record is excellent as well - they were too short lived as a band. Awesome recs @CSWAPPO

 

Update, this 20storiesfalling album is great on first listen. It’s like a perfect mix of the the Deep Elm emo bands of the past, with a whole slab of post hardcore in the mix for good measure. The Other Side of This, Amends and (We Are) the Fallen were particularly outstanding tracks.

This’ll definitely be on rotation in my playlists for a while.

 

When I reviewed it for their album thread, I was crying because of how impactful the lyrics are.

 

Check out Born With A Scorpions Touch ! That album is just a straight rock album for them

 

If you're a Type O Negative fan check out Calabrese's most recent album.

 

@SamLevi11 gave me

Lemuria - get better

This is a pop punk/alt rock record from 2008 that’s very enjoyable. Female fronted vocals with very personal lyrics. The songs are well crafted pop songs that go where you want them to go structurally.

3/5

I also saw they put out an album in December so I’ll def be checking that out as well!

 

Playing their new record be upscale production worked really well for this band. Love it.

 

Today I'm gonna get back and post the reviews I owe to some great music club pals

 

Next two reviews are gonna be a bit shorter but I'm a bit behind and it saves you all reading my normal wall of text, so here goes.

Nominee - Drag You Out

This recommendation is courtesy of @teebs41 and is a very fun pop punk EP from a new band. Coming from Austin, Texas, the band remind me of Knuckle Puck, early Neck Deep and the like. Opener "Weathered" actually reminded me of "No Good" by Knuckle Puck with how it started, before exploding into a more alt rock style track.

All of the songs are well crafted, and contain memorable hooks, and there isn't a single song I found myself wanting to skip. With seven tracks and under 25 minutes of run time, they don't overstay their welcome and I think that suits their faster, more aggressive pop punk style.

With a band so young I tend to look for potential as much as current quality and in that respect Nominee definitely excite me. Songs such as the stand out "White Water" show a potential for more interesting and complicated music, and I could see them successfully branching out into a more aggressive style of emo music, with a great chorus hook here of "But you didn't sign up to worry about me". It's a great song, and I had it in my head for days.

Overall I like this EP, and I'll 100% be making sure that I follow their progress. They suit the aggressive style but I'd like to see them gain more of a riff led dynamic at times, and utilise quieter moments for impact at others.

7.5/10

RIYL: Knuckle Puck, The Story So Far, Neck Deep
Recommended tracks: White Water, Retrospect

 

Sam they also just put out a track a few weeks ago that I think is their best song yet, so def check that out!!

 

Welcome back friend

 

Its time to knock out some reviews, what'd ya say? I have four albums to review, and I say its time I put them up.

First up, @Davjs

Staind- Self Titled

Staind is a band that needs no introduction, being one of the more well known names of their genre. I will admit in my early years of high school I had listened to a couple of their albums when I was beginning to experiment with rock music, and I quite liked them. Their guitarist also currently plays in the band Saint Asonia, which everyone knows I am a fan of. So this 2011 album was labeled as a resurgence for the band; and as soon as I dove in I was met with what is probable the heaviest sounding work I have ever heard from this band. Admittedly on first listen, the album was a bit off putting for me because of the difference in sound; this was a return to the heaviest songs the band had ever done and them amped it up a notch. There is also a lot of pain and anguish, a lot of distain and rage in these songs both musically and lyrically. The album borders on straight up metal in a lot of places, but retains that familiarity of Aaron Lewis and Staind, and thus with a couple more listens I began to really enjoy myself while listening.

'Eyes Wide Open' is a fantastic opening to this album, starting with these low rumbling drums before the grinding guitars kick in; and from there on out you are on a dark journey with this album. Lyrically, the themes are of the disenchanted, the anguish, the tortured moments in life. The band sells these lyrics well, and behind the roaring guitars and insane riffs the songs come into their own. These songs will get the blood pumping in no time. Both the opening song and the second track 'Not Again' show off these facts nicely; also including both melodically sung vocals as well as some outright enraged bellowing screams. There are glimpses of light in the darkness though; songs like 'Failing' scale it down a bit and will most definitely resonate with people looking for lyrics and music that is going to hit close to home. And the closing track 'Something To Remind You' doubly so, with that song being the only slow and soft song on the album; with it also containing the most passionately sung lyrics on the entire album and having soft plucked beautiful guitars to backdrop it. Songs like those are the light, while songs like 'The Bottom' and 'Now' are the most rapid fire, heavy and gritty bits of darkness in the album. There are some moments where the album tends to blend together a bit because of the reliance on the heavy riffs (Which is a reason I know Davjs loves this album); and the 'rapping' part in 'Wannabe' is still unlistenable to me after several listens to the album. This album has grit and bite to it though; and if you are a fan of alternative metal, or Staind's previous heavier works in general, this album is going to have you jumping into a mosh pit in no time.

There are very few faltering on the album aside from what I mentioned above. Possibly my favorite release by this band, I definitely can see myself returning to this album when I have some pent up rage to release. Just know when you dive into this album, the anger and malice is going to come out. I recommend it though and just like the insanely great and best song on the album 'Paper Wings' states during its aggressive chorus; dive in and "burn your paper wings and say goodbye." Stand out tracks for this album are: Eyes Wide Open, Not Again, Failing, The Bottom, Paper Wings, Something To Remind You

7.5/10

10 Years- Feed The Wolves


I had never listened to this band prior to this recommendation; and I will admit when I first hit play and I heard the opening track 'Shoot It Out', I was not looking forward to the rest of the album. I did not like the intro of this song, nor did I like the chorus of this track. But, I was not going to let that sway me from giving this Knoxville band a bit more of a chance. I am glad I came to that conclusion, because the rest of this album was better than the opening track. Look no further than the second track of 'The Wicked Ones' for this; much more refined than the precious song, it contains an anthemic and belting chorus, as well as verses that just instantly get you into the groove. Sonically these guys are in that same vein that Staind are with a dash of early Rise Against; which is why I was confused about the opening track because it sounds much more nu-metal, almost like Linkin Park in their heyday but not as good. Luckily, this was the only track on the album that I could not find something to like about and what I found after this was an album of a band shredding and firing with the big guns.

'Now Is The Time (Ravenous)' is a great third track and follow up to The Wicked Ones, and does well to keep the fire and energy from that song going. The verses have a bit more of a somber sound to them, while the chorus is insanely catchy, has a great hook to it and exemplifies some great power guitar shreds. I also like the bridge, with this speak/sing sort of bridge leading up into the song just exploding. This song is also followed by the power ballad 'One More Day' (No not the shitty Spider-Man comic), which has a much more of a somber sound to the band in their verses and laid back guitars; before this thumping drum slams rhythmically to the verses where the guitars pick up and the powerful chorus kicks in. This song is probably my favorite on the album, and exemplifies everything I like about this album. 'Dead In The Water' is also a song I need to mention, as that rolling intro it has leading in to an almost haunting verses complete with gang chanting in the background of each line before the insane chorus is just sublime. When these guys go full in with a chorus its insane; look no further than 'Fix Me', the most ear work and hooking of the choruses on this album. The string infused emotional ballad of 'Don't Fight It' also has this strength, and was an insane highlight of the album for me. Some albums with this type of sound can blend together (See my Staind review above), but this album sounds well fleshed and flows really well. Each song has a purpose, each song is memorable in its own right ( I suppose even the opening track). 'Waking Up The Ghost' has the most rhythm and groove to the verses, along with the most anthemic chorus on the album that I would love to be chanting along to at a show. I checked out the deluxe version of this album, and it contains some great bonuses as well. These guys have great vocals, pleasing in both sung and yelled vocals. Instrumentally these guys go the full scope from strummed acoustic strings, to plucked chords, to shredding crunches; along with thunderous drums to lace them.

This is a good album. If you like bands like Chevelle, Staind, and the like with a dash of Rise Against that this album will satisfy your craving. The original version of this album only spans 41 minutes long, so it sits right in that area of a full album that isn't too long nor too short. 10/11 tracks isn't a bad track record at all; especially when the other 10 songs on the album have so much fire and grit to them. Stand out tracks are: The Wicked Ones, Now Is The Time (Ravenous), One More Day, Fix Me, Dead In The Water, Don't Fight It, Waking Up The Ghost, I Blame You

8/10

Next up, @Patterns in Traffic

Wakefield- Which Side Are You On?

I was sold on this album as soon as I heard the opening track. It had everything I could want from this sound, 'Without You (Which Side Are You On?)' contained passionate vocals, fun lyrics, a bit of an aggressive side to it, and great instrumentals. Having never listened to this band, I was instantly sold and looking forward to listening to the rest of this album. What followed was an album of alternative pop anthems, bright sounds, and silliness. This album was released in 2005, but it seems that jumping into it all these years later is just as smooth of a transition. This band incorporates pop, rock, and a bunch of other genres into something bright in the Modern pop rock genre of the time. There are elements worked into the songs such as pianos, synths, rap verses, and more. Some of it works, some of it doesn't. But I was pleased with my listen of this album.

'Take Off' is what I wanted to hear going forward. This second track on the album is bright and sunny, with great guitar riffs worked through the song and some gentle piano keys in the background. Vocally, the singer of this band actually kind of reminds me of Cobra Starship's vocalist; but a bit more emo centric. This song is pop punk but sugar coated in pop choruses. This did seem to continue into the lead single from the album 'C'mon Baby', which I actually really liked in the verses and choruses. This song was something straight out of an American Pie movie, with these fast pop verses, and then this slowed down, dismantled chorus that really works. I might have went to call this song my favorite on the album, except for the rap verse that suddenly jumps into the song near the end. It feels disjointed within this sound, and it sort of takes me out of the song. Which is a shame, because the chorus is actually damn good and something that I could have seen being played frequently on the radio. Where this band shines is on songs such as 'Only One'. Bright sounding guitars, a hooking chorus and catchy verses. If you are looking for deep, emotion invoking lyrics than this album isn't what you are looking for. If you are looking for a good summer album to drive around with the windows down, this one fits that bill...mostly. Songs like 'Asleep On Broken Teeth' kind of show the more 'aggressive' side of this band, and are a bit more out there than the sugary pop songs on the rest of this album. They still work though, and are something you can find yourself singing along with. There are a couple songs like that; but then you run into a very poppy song like 'Girl With A Beat' which is just a 180 degree turn back to the bright and sugar coated pop rock. Sometimes it can get a little dumb, but its a fun kind of dumb. 'After School Special' which Butch Walker helped produce, is probably the best song on the album; the most pop punk of the songs, with a catchy chorus, and a nifty xylophone in the background of the thumping guitars.

This album is a fun listen if you want to zone out while driving and just listen to some silly fun. It tip toes into lines of bands like Simple Plan and Cute Is What We Aim For, but with a Waterparks pop angle to them. Unlike a band like Simple Plan though, these songs are fun in numerous places and its a quick listen. I have heard some people bash this album before I listened to it, and I can see why, and while yes it is silly in some places its just a good pop rock album. This one has its faults, but its still good. Stand out tracks are: Without You (Which Side Are You On), Take Off, C'mon Baby, Only One, Clean 1145, Asleep On Broken Teeth, After School Special.

7/10

Muse- Absolution

Here we are guys, one of the big ones. Muse is a band many people know of, and one that I am familiar with as well having listened to a couple of their previous albums in the past. I was never huge on them, but I liked what I heard, and the one time I saw them live they blew the other bands out of the water. This album sees them turning into a more anthemic almost space rock like sound, becoming much more grand sonically. As soon as the intro fades into 'Apocalypse Please', you are treated to a wide array of sounds; grand athemic singing, haunting chanting in the background, rapid fire synths and pianos, light drumming and powerful vocals; this song almost feels 'epic' or like a rock opera in its scope. The whole album tends to have this feeling; and it clocks in at 51 minutes rivaling some of the longer albums I know of. It never feels that long though, and it has this grandiose feeling to it that seems like a collision of Radiohead and a rock opera.

The vocals on this album are brilliant and top notch. Just look to the verses of 'Time Is Running Out' for an example of that. Its this powerful and haunting soft tone, before things just build on themselves and explode into my favorite chorus on the entire album that I could not help but have stuck in my head; "Bury it, I won't let you bury it, I won't let you smother it, I won't let you murder it. Our time is running out, And our time is running out. You can't push it underground. We can't stop it screaming out." signaling this powerful emotional trauma; the vocals and the instrumentals in this chorus are just top notch and something I found myself returning to constantly. Songs like 'Stockholm Syndrome' showcase some radiant guitar riffs, while 'Sing For Absolution' have a bite with their haunting vocals and almost restraint to them before the full band kicks in and hook you in. There are some interesting choices in some of these songs, such as revolving and focusing on the vocals paired with the drums, the powerful keystrokes of the piano ringing into the guitars, and just very layered and well performed tracks. There are quite a few power ballads on the album as well, about four IIRC, which you might have thought would be overkill but Muse pulls it off in a way where they work perfectly within their places on the track listing. Its hard to pinpoint exact moments on this album to talk about, because the album works as this rock opera opus on a whole. Its a futuristic rock sound that sounds something fierce and powerful, and it has a presence that commands your attention while you listen. The album has so many layers and moods going on that you are best served listening to the album in one sitting.

I highly recommend this high point of an album. It has a presence, an energy, of a great rock opera. The songs are insanely structured with many nuances that headphones serve well to be used on these songs. The lyrics are fantastic, the emotions are all over the place in the best way possible. The album is just a grand opus in general, and one that I enjoyed every moment of. Stand out tracks are: Apocalypse Please, Time Is Running Out, Sing For Absolution, Stockholm Syndrome, Hysteria, Blackout, Butterflies And Hurricanes, Ruled By Secrecy, Fury.

9/10

 

Missed two weeks, but Kiana and I are swapping a pair of albums this week so right back in it.

 

Nice reviews! I wil always have a soft spot for 10 Years as they scratch the same spot as Tool and Chevelle for me.

 

Very late getting to a recommendation by @disambigujason:

TTNG - 13.0.0.0.0
I really enjoy this. The tap-heavy guitar thing can get old in some bands' hands, but TTNG use it in the way I'd expect Mike Kinsella to if he'd come around a little later: good decoration of quality songs. None of the tracks jumped out to me particularly on first go, but I like the emo vocals. I also appreciate the attempts to change the pace with different arrangements and sounds, even if most of the album is in the same tempo and mood. Not sure what it says about me that my favorite song on first go was "Pygmy Polygamy" though.

 

Gonna repost this now that the weekend is over! Read and play, active members!

 

Dude! Thank you! Yeah, Paper Rival was such a good band! I wish that they had a little longer life as a band!

 

Thank you so much! Seriously so cool of you to check that out!

 

I did this weekend actually! I like it. It may be Lajon's best vocal performance on an album so far. I enjoyed it more than Black Out the Sun but of course this doesn't touch Animosity, Alpha or Cold Day Memory. You get a listen yet?

 

It has made my top 10 of the year so far