This week in music from KWLC
Date 9/25/2003 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & CultureAlbum: Page Avenue
Artist: Story of the Year
Lindsay Kimball
KWLC Staff
Goldfinger's front man, John Feldman, has a knack for finding bands with amazing talent, overflowing energy, and striking lyrics.
He did it first with The Used when he produced their album. Now he's done it again with the St. Louis rockers Story of the Year. John Feldman not only produced their album, but also gave them the chance to tour this summer with Goldfinger in support of their new album, Page Avenue.
Their debut album radiates catchy guitar riffs, dynamic vocals, and fierce intensity.
If SOTY doesn't catch your attention right away, it's because it sounds too similar to its predecessor, The Used. Give it a second chance though, and SOTY stands out with their tighter arrangements and a hint of pop.
The standout tracks that never get old include "Until the Day I Die," with its ear-catching opening, and the soft-ballad-turned-rock-masterpiece, "Anthem of Our Dying Day."
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Album: Team Boo
Artist: Mates of State
Zach Hawkins
KWLC Staff
Let's face it: there are very few bands that actually have their own "sound." That's not what they say, of course. Most bands will tell you that they've developed a new "sound" that is going to revolutionize the music world because no one has ever heard anything like it before. They are lying.
However, if you ever run into Kori Gardner and/or Jason Hammel-the husband and wife team that make up Mates of State-and they start talking about their "sound," you should listen to what they have to say.
I'm not claiming that they're revolutionary or anything, but Mates of State is one of the few bands that has succeeded in creating a sound that is all its own.
My friend Chad (another reviewer of music) once compared Mates of State to two kids squealing with delight in a sandbox.
Their sugary sweet harmonies soar over the simple-yet-powerful combination of a vintage Yamaha organ and drums with lines like, "I can't tell what kind of life I've led today / All that's known is what's debatable again," (from the song "Ha Ha"). I fell in love with their unique brand of lo-fi pop the first time I heard it. Three albums later, I'm still hooked.
Team Boo is another dose of Mates of State's addictively original music. It's extremely likeable. There isn't a bad song on the disc.
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Album: That Much Further West
Artist: Lucero
Sam Drong
KWLC Staff
According to Brian Venable, co-founder of Lucero, the reason for the band's conception was to create "a pretty country band that could play hardcore shows and piss off the punk rockers."
Five years and three albums later they by no means resemble a 'pretty country band,' but rather a beer-and-blues rock band capable of introspective writing and creating simple, yet effective guitar riffs.
Earlier albums from the group were much inspired by Tom Waits and Johnny Cash, but That Much Further West borrows musical ideas from Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, and Wilco to give them a fuller rock sound.
The lead singer's voice has an uncanny resemblance to Kurt Cobain, however, it doesn't seem to be a forced imitation of the Nirvana front man.
The blend between semi-growling vocals and hint of country ambiance make the album a worthwhile listen.
The almost entirely self-produced album, That Much Further West, has the potential to elevate the band into one of the forerunning spots of the quickly growing genre of alt-country.
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From left to right: Sam Drong, Lindsay Kimball, and Zach Hawkins of the KWLC staff.
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