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CD Reviews

	Artist: Your Majesty Album: The Glory Brutally honest lyrics backed by a aural explosion of brilliant song writing! Your Majesty delivers a memorable and epic perfomance on this 5 song EP. Featuring David and Joe formally of Driving By Braille and joined by Sam and Josh, Your Majesty is definitely a band worth keeping an eye on. Their live performances are just as memorable as this EP www.myspace.com/theyourmajesty
	Artist: My Compatriots Album: Waiting For Monuments to Pass... Reviewed By: Sam Westre Refreshing and honest songwriting would describe My Compatriots. Get comfortable in your seat and listen. Starting in early 2006, My Compatriots had grown from a simple home recording project to a full breathing vibrant entity. Recently releasing their debut album called "Waiting for Monuments to Pass" My Compatriots sound reflects a variety of notable influences while still establishing originality. Jonathan Caro and company deliver to you an unforgetable album filled with brilliant guitar work and lyrics that are sung read right out of Jon's personal journal. Featuring members of Stairwell, Plankeye, Fanmail and Slow Coming Day, My Compatriots are less fixaded on following the latest musical trends but focused on writing great music they enjoy listening too and whoever else digs it. This is a lineup of seasoned musicians with a fresh new perspective and inspiration, My Compatriots is ready and eager to share their music to the world with utmost sincerity and passion. www.myspace.com/mycompatriots
	Artist: Sleepercar Album: West Texas Label: Doghouse Records Release Date: April 22nd, 2008 Reviewed By: Kevin Earnest With a writing process of over four years, comes the album “West Texas” from ex keys/guitar player of At The Drive-In’s Jim Ward. This album will grab a hold of the listener with its welcoming country sounds of the pedal steel, dirty tele sounds, and the well placed vocal patters. Ranging in influences from Springsteen, Tom Petty, and the Old 97’s, “West Texas” can proudly stand on its own two feet as a very well crafted album. I must admit I was very impressed by the way the album creates an empathetic ear to what is a very soulful and honest album. “West Texas” hits stores April 22nd on Doghouse Records. Buy it and prepared to be delightfully surprised. www.myspace.com/sleepercarwesttexas
	Artist: Alive In Wild Paint Album: Ceilings Label: Equal Vision Records Release Date: March 18th 2008 Reviewed By: Kevin Earnest Alive and well from the Mojave Desert, Alive in Wild Paint is making a great debut with their album “Ceilings.” Produced by Mark Trombino (Jimmy Eat World, Mineral, Rilo Kiley), “Ceilings” will make for another notch in that belt full of great albums from great artists. I have to hand it to vocalist Travis Bryant whose perfect pitch vocals compliment the impressive musicianship of this twelve track album. Ambient swells, a solid rhythm section, and great vocals…you gotta be kidding me right!?! This doesn’t happen too often so make it out to record store on March 18th. http://www.myspace.com/aliveinwildpaint
	Artist: Say No More Album What You Thought You Knew Label: Drive-Thru Records Time to be spontaneous! Take a long drive, don’t worry where you’re going and pop in Say No More’s second full length “What You Thought You Knew.” If you want to talk about poppy sing alone anthems, then you my friend will love tracks “For Drew,” “Love and Let Love,” and “Lone Oak Corral.” If you find this album on repeat and stuck in your head don’t worry, that just means you’re normal. This album sparks the type of carefree mentality that will find people singing along out of key, windows down, and full blast. http://www.myspace.com/saynomore
	Artist: Steel Train Album: Trampoline Label: Drive-Thru Records Finally something that sounds different! Steel Train sounds like a group of musical all-stars as each instrument (and there are plenty) serves a very meaningful purpose. The album may have 12 tracks, but as you near the end you’ll be begging for more. From a lyrical standpoint, Jack Antonoff drops off more than a few good lines in every song, the track “Kill Monsters In The Rain” being my personal favorite. “Firecracker” may be the song you’ll find yourself singing all day with its countless hooks that leave you with the a similar vibe of great bands like Modest Mouse and the Beatle’s Sgt. Peppers record. One of the many things I enjoyed about this album is that it instantly gives you that comport of familiarity but yet remains its own sound. Well done guys. http://www.myspace.com/steeltrain
	Artist: Memphis May Fire Album: "Self-Titled" Label: TrustKill Records Reviewed by: Josh of Planes Crash Oh Yeah! Bring on the v-neck t-shirts, tight jeans, long hair, and the rock! Dallas Texas’s own Memphis May Fire is here to stay! Recently signing to the famous TrustKill Records, Memphis May Fire wasted no time to release their debut self’-titled EP which left me stunned. These 5 southern dudes deliver hard hitting boom in just about every track off their new EP. Singer Chase with a little help from guitarist Kellen does an amazing job keeping the singing and screaming together as one throughout the whole EP. But don’t forget about the rest of the band who also packs an amazing bunch straight to the gut. Overall, Memphis May Fire will put you on your knees. Watch out for these cowboys! Because their ride through the world of music doesn’t look like it’s going to stop anytime soon. They’re heading out on the Artery Foundations sponsored tour alongside Rise Record’s Before Their Eyes, Victory Record’s Four Letter Lie, and many more! Now jump on your horse and ride to your nearest record store to pick up MMF’s new EP! It’ll definitely make you wanna rock the cowboy boots as opposed to your slip-on vans. http://www.myspace.com/memphismayfire
	Artist: Oh The Blood Album: "The World Needs No Introduction" EP Label: Standby Records Reviewed by: Josh of Planes Crash Who wants to party? I know 6 very talented dudes in Kentucky that love to party. They go by the very odd but so perfect name Oh The Blood. Releasing their debut EP "The World Needs No Introduction" on the developing label Standby Records which is owned by singer of a popular Rise Records band called Before Their Eyes. Oh The Blood is a huge fist of entertainment and talent that thrusts into ones ears with tracks off of their EP like "Prophet" which hits you continuously and leaves you begging for more. You can also hear the absolute power and balls of Oh The Blood in the track "Counterparts" which left my neck sore from bobbing up and down to the beat the first time I heard it. All in all, this small band from Kentucky is about to blow up. According to their Myspace they plan on touring nonstop with their label mates and making themselves known all over the US. Watch out for the Oh The Blood take over kids because it’s coming fast. http://www.myspace.com/ohthebloodband
	Artist: We The Kings Album: "Self-Titled" Label: S-Curve Records Reviewed by: Josh of Planes Crash Are you ever driving down the road listening to your favorite radio station and you hear some random band and the rest of the day your humming the melody of a band you wish you knew the name of? Well! That band would definitely be the Florida four-some by the name of We the Kings. This ridiculously catchy, powerpop band’s self-titled album has really blown me away. Normally, I wouldn’t give a band like this the time of day but after randomly coming across their Myspace one day and rocking out to the second track and single of their new album titled "Skyway Avenue" over a period of 3 hours nonstop I was totally hooked. Lead vocalist and guitarist Travis does an amazing job of writing lyrics and melodies that will literally stay stuck in your brain for days. We the Kings has been and still is touring with the all that is catchy Cobra Starship which features members of the legendary Midtown. These 4 dudes are definitely the next best thing, so keep your eyes and ears open for them and buy their new record. Even a deaf person would thank you for buying the self-titled We the Kings album because these pretty boys not only make some amazing tunes but I definitely can’t say that they’re ugly dudes. :) http://www.mypsace.com/wethekings
	Artist: Paper Rival Album: Paper Rival EP Label: PFR/Gize Genre: Indie/Rock/Alternative Reviewed By: Kevin Earnest from An Eiffel Sky The drum taps a simple beat and the next thing you know you’ve listened to all five tracks of Paper Rival’s debut CD. Flawless vocals and tasteful guitar melodies sets this album apart from just about every artist in the indie genre. My only complaint is that THERE ARE ONLY FIVE TRACKS!!!!!! Just by the way this band spaces out their melodies and ads the perfect amount of layers to each track, you can tell they will have an outstanding longevity in an otherwise short lived industry. The two tracks that you absolutely must here are “Alabama” and “A Fox in the Garden” as the melodies are as infectious as the black plague some 400 years ago. I am patiently awaiting their full length debut titled “dialog,” but until then I guess I’ll have to listen to the self titled and “Thieves EP” over and over and over again. One more thing I would like to add; to the bag of douche that stole the 1970’s model Gibson Howard Roberts in tobacco sunburst guitar from the Paper Rival’s van in Chicago…you are a BASTARD! http://www.myspace.com/paperrival
	Artist: Karling Abbeygate Album: Self Titled Label: Dionysus Records Genre: Country/Rockabilly Reviewed By: Jen K. Karling Abbeygate is, to say the very least, unabashedly country – and that is saying something. In a genre which these days seems to be moving closer to pop than it’s Tennessee roots would care to acknowledge, Karling offers a reminder of what country music is all about. Calling to mind legends such as Patsy Cline and Wanda Jackson, this self-titled album offers no apologies, but rather a drink and those heartfelt, sympathetic lyrics which keep us coming back to this indispensable form of music. http://www.myspace.com/karlingabbeygate
	Artist: The Secret Handshake Album: One Full Year Label: USA - Triple Crown \| UK - 679 \| Japan - Bad News Records Genre: Indie / Electronica Multitalented Luis Dubuc has topped himself at the age 23 with The Secret Handshake full length “One Full Year.” Poppy is an understatement when trying to describe the sound of this well crafted album, so I will have to go with “wicked awesome!” “Too Young,” and “Pictures” are must hear tracks as they bounce from synth to keys with undeniably catchy “sing along” melodies. Every track is more than capable of becoming a hit, so do yourself a favor and see him live now, otherwise you’ll be stuck with the lawn seats next year with me in the front saying “I told you so bitches!!!” http://www.myspace.com/thesecrethandshake
	Artist: THE GRAND ARCHIVES Album: Self Titled (OUT FEB. 19) Genre: Rock Reviewed By: Cindy Neal You're sitting in a cafe in small town America with a cup of coffee waiting for the storm to pass. Suddenly Seattle Washington's The Grand Archives starts playing over the jukebox and now you're feeling like you're in the ending scene of a movie. The Grand Archives self titled release is full of catchy feel good hooks that make for a great listen. Reminisent of The Beatles later albums such as Abby Road and Let It Be, The Grand Archives use dreamy melodies that will have you floating in an aural bliss. Their Self Titled debut album hits stores Feb 19. The Grand Archives will be hitting the road that same day, starting at the Sonic Boom in Seatle Washington and continuing on across the country on their way to SXSW. Do yourself and favor and check this band out! http://www.myspace.com/grandarchives
	Artist: BRITISH SEA POWER Album: Do You Like Rock Music? Genre: Indie / Alternative / Pop Reviewed By: Eli Roberts Third time is the charm when it comes to the UK’s British Sea Power’s third release “Do you Like Rock Music?” A simple question I might ask is “what’s not to like?” Especially when all the elements have been provided into 12 great tracks. Pixies, Arcade Fire, and Modest Mouse come to mind when hearing this album, and that certainly is not a knock when thinking of how influential those artists have been. British Sea Power will be on the road promoting the new album along with dates at SXSW, so go check em’ out!!!!! http://www.myspace.com/britishseapower
	Artist: CITY AND COLOUR Album: Bring Me Your Love Genre: Acoustic / Rock / Folk Reviewed By: Eli Roberts Going under the name “City and Colour,”Alexisonfire’s guitarist/vocalist Dallas Green has brought even more to the table with his sophomore release “Bring Me Your Love.” Without a trace of distorted guitars and gut wrenching screams, reminiscing in sounds of Jeff Buckley, and Rufus Wainwright, this album could not be any cleaner. From the dreamy vibe of “What Makes a Man,” to the sheer honesty of “Sensible Heart,” this album paints a perfect picture of what a great artist Dallas Green has become. http://www.myspace.com/dallasgreen
	FOO FIGHTERS - Echos, Silence, Patience and Grace RCA RECORDS http://www.myspace.com/foofighters Reviewed by: Scott Silletta (Orange Crush Studio/My Compatriots) You ever play this game with your friends? Choose your super group...singer, guitarist, drummer, bassist...You know who you want? I always have the problem that i want Dave Grohl as singer guitarist and drummer. Anyways, since 1995 Dave Grohl has continued to show all of us how rock and roll is done. After years of billboard hits and grammy awards, the Foo Fighters once again can't go wrong. Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace is a great album. From the first moment The Pretender starts you know that this album kicks ass! I really can't say enough about how great this album is. So many great songs... I listen to it from begining to end over and over. As a producer / engineer i hope bands progress from album to album (or at least they should). The Foo Fighters do that every time. This is the 2008 grammy nominated album of the year...Please do yourself a favor and BUY...Not Steal this album.
	CHRIS MERRITT - Hello Little Captain UNSIGNED http://www.myspace.com/chrismerritt Reviewed by: Eli Roberts One of the best albums I have had the chance to listen to in 2007 bar far has been Chris Merritt’s debut release “Hello Little Captain.” Raging in influences from Ben Folds Five to jamiroquai, this album has been perfectly crafted to remain heavily in your ipod’s rotation. The vocal work and battle harmonies (all done in his apartment) holds Merritt two steps in front of nearly every unsigned solo artist out there, not to mention the occasional 8-bit effect and phenomenal piano playing that compliments his vocals so tastefully. Lyrically, he has created a style that is humorous, heart felt, and beyond all…very witty. His passion for music bleeds through the entire album, and if you have a chance to see him live, it is just as impressionable. The tracks I would recommend are “Always On My Mind,” “Tower Of Sand,” “Dance Karate,” and “Time Bomb.” You can purchase the album on itunes or go directly to his site www.chrismerrittmusic.com or www.myspace.com/chrismerritt.
	THE BRAVERY- The Sun And The Moon ISLAND DEF JAM http://www.myspace.com/thebravery To put an album on repeat twelve times throughout the duration of one day may seem a little extreme, but chances are you haven’t heard The Bravery’s sophomore album “The Sun and The Moon.” Produced and Mixed by Brendan O’Brien (Rage Against The Machine, Neil Young), this album offers 11 tracks (12 if you count the intro) that paint the perfect picture of what a great album should be. From their hit “Believe,” that offers great lyrical lines such as “we do our time like pennies in a jar, but what are we saving for?” to adding a stringed quartet to the perfect ending of the album “The Ocean,” this album offers an array of moods that blend perfectly to make for what is their best work to date.
	SCENE OF ACTION - (Self Titled E.P.) POPSMEAR RECORDS http://www.myspace.com/sceneofaction Hailing from San Francisco California, Scene of Action is a very powerful three piece rock band that to put it simply…must be heard. After listening to their self titled debut EP, I heard many influences ranging from Muse to Fugazi, but perfectly maintaining a sound that remains completely their own. If you don’t mind a song stuck in your head from now until the second coming, I recommend “Unbelievable.” That track has every element of a well crafted hit mixed with amazing vocals. In a time where music has become an over exaggerated attempt for attention, myspace friends,and the soul has been ripped out of the art of its own creativity, Scene of Action has kept me from being fully disappointed.
	DANGER RADIO - PUNCH YOUR LIGHTS OUT EP PHOTO FINISH RECORDS http://www.myspace.com/dangerradio REVIEWED BY: Sam Westre Danger Radio's latest release "Punch Your Lights Out" hits stores Jan 29. The best way to describe this EP would be Danceable Pop Songs. The lead single "Party Foul" is drenched in classic funk, with beats that will have you digging through your dads closet for his old leisure suit. Meanwhile, the title track "Punch Your Lights Out" sounds like it came straight outta Disco Stu's Stevie Wonder collection. If I was any older I'd be having flashbacks of doing the hustle in a trashy New York City Disco Tech while wiping coke off the rim of my nose. Danger Radio's EP serves up 5 songs full of ear candy and grooves that will have your fat ass sweatin off those pounds. This is a fun album to listen to and perfect for your next house party. Can't wait for their full length to come out! Besure to check them out on the Pac Sun Tour with The Audition and Envy On The Coast.
	OH SLEEPER - WHEN I AM GOD SOLID STATE RECORDS http://www.myspace.com/ohsleeper REVIEW BY: Josh from Planes Crash Coming from the great state of Texas, the quickly formed in less than a year metal/rock band Oh, Sleeper just recently blew my mind completely with their debut full length, "When I Am God". With members coming from the recently dismantled easy listening rock band "Terminal" it was a huge step for them as well as a huge suprise for me hearing some beefy and gloomy guitar work, colossal struture of song, and awesome choice of words in the lyrics come from members of "Terminal" who was also amazing but a whole different ball game. In my favorite track on the album, "Charlatan's Host", the topic of forgiveness is asked for and talked about. Though the topic is a pretty broad, singer Micah Kinard definately makes the lyrics and melodies of the song all his own. After listening to this song as well as the rest of the record constantly, I've come to find that Kinard as well as the rest of Oh, Sleeper is not only bring amazing music to the table but their also bringing thought to their listeners as well. Their lyrics as well as their music can make you literally stop the song, read the lyrics, and play the song again and again just to take in what is being said as well as what is being played by the rest of the booming sounding band. It's absoluetly amazing. According to their Myspace, Oh, Sleeper will pretty much be on the road all year and from the looks of their videos online, they look like a definate good time to watch. "When I Am God" is by far one of the best records I've heard in the year 2007. If you haven't taken at least 1 minute of your time to check out this band then consider yourself to be someone who's ears should be given back to God because you obviously don't know how to use them. :)
	AVENGED SEVENFOLD - SELF TITLED WARNER BROS. / HOPELESS RECORDS Picking up where they left off on their previous release "EVIL CITY", A7X's latest self titled album proves these boys aren't just amazing songwriters but also talented producers. Having produced the entire album themselves, A7X released 10 solid metal songs full of catchy hooks and breaks downs that'll have you head banging and singing along at first listen. 1 track that caught me off gaurd and quickly became a favorite of mine was "A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN" which reminded me of a demented disney soundtrack. If you havent picked up this album, I highly recommend you go and get it right now!
	A WILHELM SCREAM - CAREER SUICIDE NITRO RECORDS Holy crap this cd completly kicked my ass!!! 13 songs of high energy punk rock with enough catchy sing alongs that you'll lose your voice by the time this cd is over! What more could you ask for? I'll definitly be catching these guys live next time they're in town!
	SCHOOLYARD HEROES - ABOMINATIONS STOLEN TRANSMISSION The girl your mom warned you about that you can't quite get enough of. That's how I've felt about this cd. I recieved Seattle based SCHOOLYARD HEROES latest release ABOMINATIONS and I haven't put the cd down since! This album restored my faith in girl fronted rock. Theres plenty of stand out tracks on here! The guitar work is creative yet somewhat dark sounding but I loved every second of this album! 11 tracks of evil clowns jumping out to steal your soul!
	THE EXPENDABLES - SELF TITLED STOOPID RECORDS This was the first time I had ever heard of this band. It took me a couple listens for the cd to grow on me. Now I can't get enough of it. I dig this cd and here's why. Its one of those CDs you pop in when you're BBQing, kicking back and having a few beers with friends on a Sunday afternoon. The CD starts out very punk sounding, which turned me off to it at first, but after a few songs the cd mellowed out. If you're like me and never heard of THE EXPENDABLES, think Sublime and 311. Definitly worth checking out.
	PORTUGAL THE MAN - CHURCH MOUTH FEARLESS RECORDS LED ZEPPLIN and THE MARS VOLTA make babies and you get PORTUGAL THE MAN. Great cd with great song writing. This is one of those albums that gives you hope that there are still very creative bands out there.
	THE SPILL CANVAS - DENIAL FEELS SO GOOD SIRE / ONE ELEVEN RECORDS This EP features a remix of STAPLEGUNNED amongst four other songs. This album is a good little teaser before their full length hit. CATCH THE WIND is the track that stood out and made the EP for me. "We try so hard not to die / somtimes we forget to appreciate life". This is a great song and finishes up this EP.
	ALESANA - ON FRAIL WINGS OF VANITY AND WAX FEARLESS RECORDS I first cought this band at WARPED TOUR 2007 and was completly blown away, so I was pretty excited when this CD came in. This ain't your typical screamo CD that you've probably come to expect. This CD roars with intensity! Tracks like AMBROSIA, THE LAST THREE LETTERS, and THE CONVERSATION IS OVER really round this cd out. I can't wait to see what ALESANA does next and see them live again.