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MIDWEST RUMBLINGS |
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MONTHLY COLUMN by David Allen Buco
Welcome to the year-end edition of Midwest Rumblings, which is
packed with six new local band reviews and my picks for “Top 10 Midwest
Bands For 2002.”
Being on my list of
what I consider to be some of the most important local talent I’ve
reviewed in 2002 (Rumblings and CD Spins) may not be a Grammy or some
other glitzy award, but I hope it makes those of you who love good music
of any genre try out these CDs. Some are available now, some will be soon.
Look for these bands and call local radio stations to request they play
their music. So, here they are in
order from 10 to 1... Drum roll please! 10) CLIP: Full length CD – Life Without
Blinking – Electronic Pop. 9) NEON BLACK: 3-song demo CD – Hard Rock.
8) SCARLET
LIFE: Full length CD – Sugar, Spice, Saccharin & Cyanide – Electronica
and so much more. 7) TURNER-JOY: Full Length CD – Cigarettes and
Serevent – Alt/Pop. 6) NEOTRIBE: EP – Nothing – Hip- Hop, Hard Ass Modern Metal. 5) TRACER
X: 4-song demo CD – Metal with both an old and new sound. 4) GRAVEL BONE: Full length CD – Thunder
Gospel – Hard Core, Hip Hop. 3) SOUR DELUXE: 3-song demo CD chock full of
sophisticated Alt/Pop. 2) AMERICAN MOTHERLOAD: 3 song demo CD –
Hard-Edged Groove Rock with a strong bluesy feel. 1) ROCK STAR CLUB: Full length CD – Shut Up
And Work It – Raw rock ‘n’ roll (See this issue’s CD Spins). BANDS DESERVING Honorable Mentions Are: XSeed AKA Lights Over Bridgeport Closed World and Parade Of Fools.
Now...let’s get started with the final Midwest Rumblings reviews
of 2002... First up is what I
consider to be the “most improved” band I’ve reviewed this year.
Ditchwater with their 5 song EP, The Stupendous Yappi.
Back with a much
needed new lead vocalist, Mike Meadows, the Ditchwater band retains the
power of their previous effort only with a much more urgent sound.
Mike’s voice is strong and gravely, even sensitive at times. This is not
the only change the band has undergone. Since the addition of
Meadows, the band plays with a new found confidence-emotive hard rock
‘n’ roll. Vast improvement. Band reached its potential much quicker
than I would have ever guessed. MY GRADE: A Next up is FACELESS with a three song
sampler. This is extremely
hard metal with influences like Pantera, Korn and Disturbed.
A bit disjointed in
the arrangement department, Faceless, is nevertheless a band with very
strong potential. I love the dual lead vocals – strong, angry,tight. This ain’t hip-hop
metal, but rather more like metal that happens to incorporate rap into the
mix at times. Production and musicianship are well done. I look forward to
their next submission. MY GRADE: C+ Our next rumbler is
TRACER X with a ripping 4 song sampler. This is 21st Century
metal that carries on in the proud tradition of Judas Priest and iron
Maiden.
What can I say...
This is a stunning CD of finely-crafted sophisticated metal with
rolling and thunderous rhythms, searing lead guitar, and flawless vocals
from John P.S. Yeager. Plainly put, this is among the best local metal releases of 2002. These guys need to get heard in a really bad way. People need to know that “real metal” is still alive and well in the heartland. MY GRADE: A+
Next is ONE STEP
BEHIND with a four song demo CD. Influences
ranging from Korn and Taproot to Rage are evident throughout this kickin’
CD.
The production and
musicianship are extremely tight as are the vocals. Top notch arrangements
and songwriting cap off this highly intense CD. One Step Behind is
planning a 7 song EP any time now – I eagerly await! MY GRADE: A- BLACKOUT is next with
a four song demo CD. Wannabe
white-guy rock rap-metal – ala Linkin Park – only not quite as good. Musically, Blackout is
pretty damn good, with above average musicianship and tight production.
The problem here are the lyrics and vocals. I just don’t buy it. Cheezy
arrangements and even campier vocals simply do not make it for me.
Until I hear more, I
will reserve my final opinion, but until then the grade below is the best
I can offer. MY GRADE: D Next is GRAPE SODA with a three song demo. Some cool influences
here including Black Crows, Sidewinders and even R.E.M.’s harder side at
times. Fantastic vocals, fine
musicianship and production, this is a band whose tasty original music
just screams for attention. An important local band whose time may have
come to shine nationwide. At least in this writer’s humble opinion. MY GRADE: A+ Contact
David Alan Buco at:
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