Dance or Die EP

Band: Family Force 5

Album: Dance or Die EP

Genre: Rap-Metal

Rating: 9/10

Family Force 5's latest record was definitely my favorite (even though it only had three songs)! They stayed true to their unique style and yet managed to produce some totally new tracks. As a whole the EP featured more synthesizer than actual instruments as opposed to Business Up Front/ Party in the Back, but it still sounds great.

This album was a smash success in my opinion. The tracks weren't overdone, they had a perfect blend of techno dance music and heavy rock. I recommend this EP to anyone who was wondering, "Hey! When's Family Force 5 finally gonna put out some new songs?!" I recommend you buy this EP. Also look out for the new FF5 album with the same title as the EP.

Cuckoo! (single)

Band: Neon Horse

Song: "Cuckoo!"

Album: Neon Horse

Genre: Indie Rock

Rating: 8/10

I enjoyed the song "Cuckoo!" by Neon Horse. It has a very electronic, rough sound that is unique. The opening to "Cuckoo!" actually reminded me of the opening to the song "Black Mirror" by Arcade Fire. I also liked how the mood of the song changes from the introduction to the actual body of the song itself.

I recommend that you download "Cuckoo!" if you like music that takes a break from your average pop/punk or alt/rock song. I also reccommend "Cuckoo!" if you enjoy the music of Arcade Fire.

Conquering the Fear of Flight

Band: Wavorly

Album: Conquering the Fear of Flight

Genre: Rock

Rating: 7/10

I enjoyed Conquering the Fear of Flight by Wavorly. The album has some pretty good tracks on it. One of my favorite tracks in particular was "Madmen." It has a pretty hard, driving tempo, which matches the fast guitar chords. I also liked the track "Praise and Adore (Some Live Without It)" because it was a standout from the rest of the rockish (excluding "Summer Song") album. It actually reminded me, somewhat, of Leeland.

I liked Wavorly's album and thought that it matches up some good guitar riffs with vocals that are almost like those of mewithoutyou, except a bit on the softer side. I recommend this album to you if you want to hear somthing a little different from the generic pop/rock genre offerings. Another feature of the album I liked was the soft introduction and outro because I thought it was a departure from the norm.

We're Back!!!

Hey!
Due to my busy life lately, I haven't been able to post many reviews . . . but now that the summer is coming, I will be able to post much more fequently! Keep a look out for new artists and albums appearing on Griffin's Music Reviews!

Thanks!
Griff

Intermission to the Moon

Band: A Dream Too Late

Album: Intermission to the Moon

Genre: Experimental/Alternative

Rating: 8/10

I loved A Dream Too Late's debut album Intermission to the Moon. I thought that the amount of synthesizer usage was well balanced with the usage of real instruments, so the sound wasn't too artificial. My favorite track off of the album was "14th and Knott" because it was very catchy. As a whole I thought the album could have used more guitar, not that the guitar wasn't used enough, it just could have been more pronounced.

I think that Intermission to the Moon is definitely worth the download. I would compare the overal musical elements to Peter Bjorn. I thought that the vocals in the introduction to "14th and Knott" was similar to the voice of John Lennon, but throughout the rest of the album, he is not really mirrored.

For the Love of the Game

Band: Pillar
Song: "For the Love of the Game"
Album: For the Love of the Game
Genre: Rock
Rating: 7/10

I thought that For The Love Of The Game had a decent sound to it. The opening riff was pretty catchy, but the rest of the song was too plain , in my opinion. I liked the guitar on all the Pillar albums so that didn't let me down, fortunately. I don't know how the rest of the album is, but I think this track was pretty good.

I recommend "For the Love of the Game" to anyone who liked The Reckoning and, in particular, the opening track "Everything." I also recommend this song to you if you like a harder rock than other bands such as Reliant K.

The Ringing Bell

Artist: Derek Webb

Album: The Ringing Bell

Genre: Folk/Pop

Rating: 8/10

I liked Derek Webb's newest album, mostly because it mirrored the sound of The Beatles closely. My favorite track off of the album was "Capitol Hill," a song that Derek Webb wrote because of the upcoming 2008 presidential election. I also like Derek Webb's almost indie sound and his catchy songs.

I would recommend this album highly if you are a Beatles fan. However, I would not recommend his music to younger audiences, as it deals with cultural and worldly problems . . . basically it is out there and not at all "sugar coated" like some happy Christian worship music.