 | MIDWEST RUMBLINGS |  |
MONTHLY COLUMNMIDWEST RUMBLINGS: Local Demo Reviews by Rachel Komar
Well, that’s it…summer is officially over. Now that we’re all back in school and/or real jobs, etc, I know it is going to be a lot harder to check out local music; however, you must remember one thing…there is ALWAYS time for local music! So please... Midwest BEAT is filled with local bands from cover to cover. I encourage you to check out as many as possible. Who knows…you might stumble across the Chicagoland Area’s next big thing!! I’d like to start this month with solo artist, Matt Hoffer. His new, self-titled, demo contains one live track, two acoustic, and one full band. This is a great collection of Hoffer’s music because it gives the listener a little taste of everything. Hoffer has some of the most original music I’ve heard in a long time. The lyrics are very intriguing and the vocals are almost sedating. Matt Hoffer is an all around compelling songwriter.
www.matthofferk.com • 4 Stars
The next artist this month is a band called, The Waiting Game. This group may be new, but each member has a lot of experience in the scene, and it shows in their very impressive, three-song, self-titled demo. The vocals/harmonies and melodies really stuck out to me. Every song on this cd is well written and could easily be a radio hit. I think The Waiting Game is definitely one of the best new local bands.
www.thewiatinggame.net • 3 Stars Next up is The Renaissance, who shocked me with their abundant power contained in their self-titled two-song demo, a taste of their recently released EP. The vocals are outstanding and the drumming is very fitting to the music. When listening to this CD, I could tell this band was very much influenced by many other current bands, yet I wouldn’t go as far as calling The Renaissance unoriginal.
www.therenaissancerock.com • 3 Stars Another band this month is called Best Defense. They are very new, but progressing extremely well. In their four-track, self-titled demo, the vocals have a very modern style, and the music itself is simply fun to listen to. Each song contains a passion, which is especially felt in the drumming. This band is doing great so far, and I can’t wait to hear more from them.
www.bestdefenserock.com • 3 Stars
I’d like to end this month with one of the top local bands to date. Reforma’s four-song, self-titled demo, is a great new sample of their many should-be hits. The vocals are sweet yet powerful, and each song has a certain intensity that can only be described by listening to this CD. The guitar and bass work is amazing, the drumming is extremely exceptional, and the electronics truly bring Reforma its originality. If you haven’t heard of Reforma yet, trust me, you will!
www.reformaband.com • 4 Stars
Thanks you for reading. Keep sending your demos my way! Midwest Rumblings c/o Midwest BEAT P.O. Box 9069 • Highland, IN 46322 Email Rachel at: Rachel@MidwestBeat.com
| ||
Web Design By: All Rights Reserved © Hungry Mind Design2003 | ||