Despite some minor mishaps, both Matt Vincent and Alex Correia hold their own with their earnest, genuine delivery of emotionally riveting music, stripping their musicianship to its bare bones to display their talent in its purest form.
Disclaimer: Whenever, If Ever is a love/hate record. If you “get it,†you will be completely floored by its use of vast atmospheric textures and timbres, as well as its nostalgia factor. If you don’t, it will be a whiny, fragmented, enigmatic record that will be a struggle to listen to.
Forever Halloween digs deep to unearth some serious human truths – and sounds appropriately mature doing so. The album boasts worldliness in comparison to The Maine’s earlier catalogue, and it’s evident from the authenticity of the collection how effectively the members have channeled their experience of growing up into their work.
The Wonder Years’ third full-length The Greatest Generation proves once and for all that the band’s significance goes far beyond their infectious sound and tattoo-ready lyrics. The third in a trilogy, the album is made up of thirteen of the strongest and most meaningful songs the band has ever written, cementing them as one of the most important acts of this decade.
With its catchy guitar riffs, fast and hard drum fills, and simple vocal harmonies, Count To Four’s Between Two Cities is a record that begs to be listened to on a hot summer night, with the windows down and the stereo loud.
If a listener ever found himself or herself in need of an album to narrate their life story at the point where they’re staring up at the sky asking the big questions of life, Satellite’s Calling Birds may be the one.
With a traditionally-rooted sound, varied instrumentals, and fired-up vocals amplifying the soul of this much-loved genre, the Dropkick Murphys have a sound all their own. But as inspiring and avant-garde as this variation of simple American punk is, it is safe to say that this band has played all of their cards.
Lost in a never-ending cacophony of American-inspired guitar squeals, hammering drum beats, and amped-up vocals, the third release from the Swedish-based Her Bright Skies is an angsty young adult power piece whose volume is fit for an arena but whose calamitous structure and predictable composition should be left in the garage.
Please Remain Calm stands as an anthem for a lost generation. In a time of questions and heartache, Hostage Calm rises to the occasion to capture the story of the youth in a dwindling nation.
Jason Mraz’s latest effort is another wonderful addition to his discography, perfect for those cloudless summer days when nothing can go wrong.
