EastScene » indie

Polar Bear Club – Chasing Hamburg Album Review

Brennan Schnell — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:44:49 +0000

Here we find ourselves, nearly a decade into the 21^st century. A century that’s seen the rise/fall/rise of dozens of bands and artists, a basketball-playing black president, and Pete Wentz’s…stuff. The popularity of hardcore throwdowns and synth-doused solos has grown immensely, while the pop-rock, punk driven songs of our youth slowly shrivel up and blow away. Year after year, bands that were once unique slowly morph, change their style to fit what they believe to be the “popular” sound; it’s the reason fans constantly crave new music, a chance to break out of the bland and predictable mainstream music scene.

Rochester/Syracuse NY’s Polar Bear Club seems to have found the solution: bring back punk rock, indie style. Prepared to have your mind blown? Let’s continue.

If you’re at all familiar with what a Polar Bear Club is (if you’re not, read this Seinfeld script , or this Wikipedia page and become enlightened), you’ll realize the American punk-rock quintet really live up to their name. Only, instead of jumping into ice-cold bodies of water in the middle of winter, the band uses a combination of indie-inspired themes and home-style, timeless punk rock roots to produce what can only be described as a refreshingly new and exciting style collection.Their newest album, titled Chasing Hamburg, testifies to the musical innovation captured in ten mind-altering tracks.

The album’s opening track entitled “See The Wind” is a vocally charged anthem captained by lead singer Jimmy Stadt, who grasps this otherwise alternative-rock track and single handedly brings it to a completely different, punk-rock level. Add the punchy guitars courtesy of Nate Morris and Chris Browne (insert crappy Rihanna joke here), and the heart-pounding bass-and-drum combo of Eric “Goose” Henning and Emmett Menke (respectively), and you’re blessed with a track that reminds us just how much we’ve missed punk rock.

Possibly the greatest selling point of a band like Polar Bear Club is their ability to keep the songs fresh and unique, while at the same time embracing the very elements that made the punk-rock revolution so influential. I mean, let’s be honest for a second. Take a trip back to the mid-1990s to the punk scene, and listen to any two genuinely punk bands. It’s not hard to hear the obvious similarities, whether it be the sound of the guitars, the drumming patterns, or the lyrics about government suppression. Fast forward to Chasing Hamburg, where the diversity of each song is so prevalent that it leaves the listener clinging to each song, and anticipating the next one. Their track titled “Light of Local Eyes”, for example, displays their ability to execute a flawlessly perfected alternative rock style of song, without it sounding out of place.

When you’re lucky enough to run across a band like Polar Bear Club, don’t take it for granted. This sort of music is a beacon of hope for the state of popular music today. Support a great band by picking up Chasing Hamburg here.

Polar Bear Club is:

Jimmy Stadt – vocals
Chris Browne – guitar
Erik “Goose” Henning – bass
Nate Morris – guitar
Emmett Menke – drums

Rating: 9/10

Best Tracks? “See The Wind”, “Boxes”, “Take Me To The Town”, “Light Of Local Eyes”, “The Old Fisher Burial Ground”

Buy or Download? If you don’t buy this album, you’re supporting global warming. Pick it up as soon as humanly possible and support an incredibly talented band.

Cale Parks’ “To Swift Mars EP” – Album Review

Brennan Schnell — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:03:30 +0000

Before I write an album review, I usually spend a few days listening to the tracks, finding the pleasing traits and further understand the band or artist as a single being. A key part of a band’s appeal is their ability to be recognized by listeners, the whole idea of “hey, that sounds like (insert band here).” Which begs the question, how does one describe such a dynamic, clever and innovative musical force from Brooklyn, NY, known to the general public as Cale Parks?

Imagine, if you will, a musical buffet, with hot tables stretching as far as your eye can see. You grab your plate and head down the row, taking a little bit of this and a touch of that, slowly making your way throughout a plethora of artists. In the case of Cale Parks, however, your plate might as well be a freaking wheelbarrow. The influences behind the artist, as well as the album, are enough to boggle the mind and enrapture the soul.

Here’s the kicker:

Cale Parks is the band.

The name for the band is actually the name of drummer, percussionist, pianist, and vibraphonist, best known for his contributions to American indie-rock band Aloha http://www.myspace.com/aloha. The recently released EP, titled To Swift Mars, is a virtual symphony of musical genius and magnificent artistry, strung together with precision and obvious experience. The greatest aspect of this album is that it genuinely appeals to nearly every listener of indie rock. From bands like The Most Serene Republic and Department of Eagles, to recognizable facets of everyday life, like Nintendo (you know those sequences in games like Donkey Kong 64, whenever you’re on an island or have to swim underwater? It’s in here!), To Swift Mars encourages listeners to hear what they choose to hear, all the while refusing to compromise its artistic integrity.

The opening track entitled “Eyes Won’t Shut” is ultimately the voice for the rest of the album, an electronica-meets-ambience song that encompasses the essence of Parks himself: cool, reserved, collected, and musically well-developed. The 6 song EP is jam-packed with musical prowess and confidence, while maintaining a serene, calm demeanor. The closing track “We Can Feel It” is a tribute to what indie music should strive to be. A masterfully composed piece, combining the organic feels of piano and drum with the digitally powered synthesizer.

To say that the future for Parks is bright is a massive understatement. There is no doubt that the music featured on To Swift Parks has mass appeal, while at the same time maintaining a sound that is true to its roots.

Best Tracks? “Eyes Won’t Shut”, “Knight Conversation”, “Crystal Air”, “We Can Feel It”

Buy or Download? …Are you kidding me? Did you not read this review?! A great addition to any music collection; pick it up here.

8.5/10

Joshua Fumo

As Cities Burn into Oblivion

Bernarda Gospic — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:06:17 +0000

Sigh. After releasing a critically acclaimed album in April, Hell or High Water, progressive-indie outfit As Cities Burn have called it quits. Here is what they wrote in their MySpace About section:

As Cities Burn has broken up. We are happily moving on after 6 good years. Our lives and our wives have called us in different directions. Thanks to anyone who has come out to a show, had words to say, or bought a cd to help us fill the tank.

Born Ruffians – Red, Yellow & Blue CD Review

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:21:13 +0000

Hopefully I’m not the only fan of slightly strange vocal styles. If you enjoy the strange than you’ll love Born Ruffians. Their debut album, Red, Yellow & Blue was released recently and I’ve fallen in love. Luke Lalonde’s vocals are slightly nasal and a bit higher pitched than what I expect from a male singer. The rapid fire execution of the vocals provide a very punchy record. The lyrics are of a melancholy, but hopeful nature and are easily identifiable by anyone in their early to mid-twenties. Themes of feeling lost and unsure about where one will go in life run rampant on the record.

Red, Yellow & Blue is an amazing album to pick up if you’re looking for something a little left of center, but close enough that you don’t have to hide the album when your friends come over.

Born Ruffians are signed to Warp Records and you may find their music at bornruffians.com.

Beach House – Devotions CD Review

admin — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:31:55 +0000

Angelic harmonies, dreamy drum sequences and tingling triangles create the peaceful ambiance of Beach House’s album, Devotion. When I first heard Beach House, I was a little less than impressed. I was going through a very literal phase in the music I was listening to and saw no place for poetic murmurings sung beautifully over perfectly crafted arrangements. I wanted raw emotion, not a lazy day at the beach!

In the past few months, my mood and tastes have shifted more toward the melodic and Beach House delivers melody on a golden platter. Every time I listen to Devotion, I feel at ease. If you are looking for an introspective and lyric heavy album, Devotion may not be the answer. If you want to be taken into dreamland and hear a woman succeed at using her own voice as a true instrument, then Devotion is an album you should pick up.

Beach House are on Carpark Records and you may find their music at beachhousemusic.net.

A Very Colbert Xmas

admin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:05:22 +0000

The lineup for Stephen Colbert’s Xmas special is looking pretty good. Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne (”Stacy’s Mom”) has been enlisted to write all the songs. Not only does that guarantee some funny and punchy lyrics, but with Elvis Costello, Feist, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith and John Legend laying down vocals for this very special Christmas, the show promises to deliver.

The Christmas special will be broadcast on November 23rd at 10p ET/PT.

via CCInsider

Ladyhawke CD Review

admin — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:38:12 +0000

Ladyhawke has the indie music blog circuit all a-buzz over her upcoming October 14th release of Paris is Burning EP, which will have remixes by Cut Copy, Fred Falke and Van She Tech. Ladyhawke whose real name is Pip Brown hails from Australia and is just one of many new “it” synthpop bands. With all this buzz surrounding the girl, I decided to take a listen to a few cuts of hers. Instead of hearing a new voice in the sea of synth that I love so much, my ears were burdened with another dose of derivative noise. Ladyhawke’s vocals are crisp, but add very little to the music. She could just as well be reading from the phone book for all I care. The beats and melodies are of the same stock fair you would find at your average discotheque. She provides a good backdrop to a night on the town but doesn’t add any special flavor or zing. There is no distinct voice in Ladyhawke’s work, merely a rehash of the same old “Peaches wannabe” sound we hear in synthpop all the time lately. Although her music seems very danceable, there’s nothing terribly ear-catching that will keep you coming back for more.

Ladyhawke is signed to Modular/Island Records and you may find her music at ladyhawkemusic.com. Her eponymous debut album is scheduled for release Stateside in November.

Upcoming Tour Dates::

October 14^th – New York City – Modular Party @ Santo’s Party House (w/ Bumblebeez & Van She Tech)

October 15^th – Chicago – Modular Party @ av-erie (w/ Bumblebeez)