Our mailbox literally explodes monthly with music from musicians looking to get coverage. Unfortunately, we don’t have space to feature them all, and we know that indie folk are poor (trust us, we know), so we created this page to rescue some press kits from the trash. Familiarize yourselves with some of the bands that we hear from, and if you like them, let them know we sent you.
Send us your things to:
Redefine Magazine
PO Box 95219
Seattle, WA 98145-2219
Put it to Attn: Reviews (if you would like it reviewed, regardless of whether we think it's good or bad) or Attn: Features (if you would like to be featured only if we LOVE your music).
I See You Through The Glass
Hand of Hope Records
- When Christian metal dudes who are pushing thirty and married with kids write songs like, “If The Bet Is Love, I Fold” and “Love Is A Blister,” it can come across as more than a little disingenuous. I mean, does he really believe this shit, or is he just trying to market his music to teenagers?
(POSITIVES)
+ Gods is the new project of Jesse Smith, founding drummer of the Christian metal-core band Zao, which means Gods probably already has a built-in following.
+ Some of the songs on this disc are at once pummeling and infectious, which can be a difficult thing to achieve. I can definitely see a few of these tracks becoming modern rock radio staples. For a drummer, Mr. Smith has a vocal range that many singers can only dream of.
(LIKE IT)
People who can’t enough of bands like Finch or Glassjaw, or Christians looking for bands who share their faith.
- JOHN GILLANDERS.
Surgery
Mute Records
- Some might find some of the songs to be redundant and not too exciting. The album lacks some energy.
- The name The Warlocks would seem to indicate some sort of horrifying Goth-Metal band. You can all breathe a sigh of relief because nothing is further from the truth.
(POSITIVES)
+ Hypnotic sounds come at you from every direction. What else could anyone expect from a seven piece band? There is some really cool layering work going on in this record.
+ This is a good album to mellow out to. It’s quirky and eclectic with the power to make some smile gleefully and some weep into their Cheerios. This music makes me want to sit in a comfy couch and reflect on all things that are my life.
(LIKE IT)
Those who are into peaceful yet slightly dark, artsy rock. Some of these songs remind me of old Flaming Lips stuff. If you decide to check it out, I’ll be sure to save you a seat on my couch.
- JIM RUSHING.
Shine In Reverse
Independent
- It is really hard to pin this double album down into a genre. So let me just say that it is McDaeth and a guitar. The songs sound like they were written about five minutes before he hit the record button. I get the idea, but these song just come out way too sloppy.
- There’s no way I can sit and listen through this entire double album through one sitting. To use a song title from Shine In Reverse, I’m just “Not Drunk Enough.”
(POSITIVES)
+ I don’t get it. But after reading the liner notes to Shine in Reverse (check them out at http://www.mcdaeth.com/linerNotes.html), I’m sure that he doesn’t care that I don’t get it. And that I can admire: the ability just to belt it out and let it fly and not care what anyone thinks about it.
(LIKE IT)
Those who can understand his artistic statement to play on raw emotion and let the music be exactly what it is.
- GARON H. OVERLEY.
Ghost Stories
Vexed Verse Records
- The band’s influences may lie on solid bands like the Smiths, My Bloody Valentine, and Joy Division, but perhaps they rely too much on previous influences and do not work enough on crafting something that is their own.
- The Catholic Comb’s press release describes them as a, “catchy, exciting new flavor of bubble gum Goth that’s hard to ignore.” As tantalizing as that description sounds (and by tantalizing, I mean ridiculous), I think I’ll pass.
(POSITIVES)
+ Vocalist Adam Stoiber’s accent -- although hard to pinpoint the origin of -- is a staple of the music that aids in setting The Catholic Comb apart from similar bands.
+ Repeat listens prove that although the album offers little that’s new, it ushers forward a familiarity that makes listening to their music comforting at times.
(LIKE IT)
Fans of vocalists with accents and music that won’t strain your mind.
- VIVIAN HUA.
Old Skars and Upstarts
Disaster Records
- Despite the diversity, there’s not too much that sets this punk rock compilation apart from similar compilations.
- In the attempt to be “punk rock,” the inside CD cover has the line, “Punk rock is life & death.” Good thing punk rock doesn’t rely on catchy slogans for its survival.
(POSITIVES)
+ Punk rock compilations always provide a good array of punk rock, proving to those who say all punk rock sounds the same that there is some diversity in the genre.
+ Disaster Records brings together musicians from around the country such as The Epoxies, River Boat Gamblers, Civet, and more, resulting in a compilation with thirty short, pummeling tracks -- the way punk rock should be.
(LIKE IT)
Those who are not well-acquainted with punk rock and those who are easily bored by the lack of diversity in even the best of punk rockers.
- VIVIAN HUA.
The Legend of Tiny Ando Gyver
Independent
- For a hard rock band, Muudha are Innocuous with a capital I. There is no danger here at all. While listening to this disc, you kind of wonder whether they really even have a musical vision. It’s like all the songs were test-marketed to focus groups of 19-24 year-old college students, and anything out of the ordinary was intentionally removed.
(POSITIVES)
+ There are tons of tasty hard rock melodies here. The singer has a comfortably competent voice that carries these tunes.
+ The production’s pretty good and the guitar tones are sugary. Everything about this is meant to be infectious, like the clap.
(LIKE IT)
Those who have worn out their Hoobastank and LostProphets CDs and are looking for a new auditory fix that sounds a lot like those bands, but not quite as harsh.
- JOHN GILLANDERS.
Refraction Mirage
Independent
- This band’s songs are just too long. They hold onto riffs until they’re milked dry.
- This is a single serving band. One or maybe two songs at a time max, since the songs start to numb your brain after a while.
- Their use of repetition when it comes to their riffs could work, if there were vocals over the top of them. But since there isn’t, it just gets tiring.
(POSITIVES)
+ Despite a few tightness issues in the first few songs and a very thin bass tone most of the way throughout the album, it is apparent that this band knows how to wail. They may be a jam band, but they seem to have some varied influences. I could hear hints of Pink Floyd and a lot of Stevie Ray Vaughn and his band Double Trouble.
+ With a little more direction, some trimming to the songs, and maybe even some vocals, these guys would be much more pleasing to listen to.
(LIKE IT)
Fans of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Double Trouble, Pink Floyd, Tex Mex blues, or jam bands. Those who like studying instrumentals should give these guys a listen.
- JIM RUSHING.
Steve Northeast EP
Independent
- I have to keep reminding myself this... it’s okay that he looks like a Backstreet Boy... it’s okay that he looks like a Backstreet Boy...
- Tons of singer-songwriters probably put out music similar to this, albeit with less production work and flair. But in this market, it’s all about the distribution.
(POSITIVES)
+ Think Lifehouse but with a lot more energy (perhaps Lifehouse meets Matchbox 20) and you’ll have an idea of what the music of Steve Northeast is like. This is a positive or a negative depending on what your music tastes are, but for those who like that sort of thing, Steve does it well.
(LIKE IT)
Those who like the good ol’ singer-songwriter, or fans of Matchbox 20 and Lifehouse.
- ANTHONY NGUYEN.
Ruiner
Nitro Records
- More of the same. It’s angst-ridden hard rock meets speed punk. The songs are very similar for the most part, with only a few standouts.
- They use harmonized guitar riffs and solos more than anyone in the 80s. The tandem guitar thing is cool sometimes but makes them seem like one-trick ponies.
(POSITIVES)
+ They are on a legit label, and it shows. Their album is very well-produced and they are really tight as a band. They are on the same label as AFI, Offspring, Guttermouth, and Rufio, to name a few.
+ It’s not at all bad for what it is. I’d like to see these guys get more attention because they seem to have more actual talent then a lot of the bands out there living off of their image.
(LIKE IT)
People who are into the hard rock / punk rock mainstream.
- JIM RUSHING.
Stowaway
NFI Records
- Some of the shorter tracks end abruptly and feel incomplete. In fact, while the music has a good hunk of meat, all of it leaves something to be desired.
- This band sounds like they have the ability to innovate something or other, but this album falls short of what Pattern of Movement has the potential for.
(POSITIVES)
+ Nothing about this album is boring or predictable. You could probably listen to it over and over and still be amused by its randomness and variation.
+ Pattern is Movement aren’t afraid to try new things with their music by using varied songwriting structures and combining miscellaneous string and percussion instruments. There is no doubt that they have a unique sound that is difficult to pinpoint.
(LIKE IT)
Music listeners who are tired of the same old rhythm structures and are craving something that will keep them on their toes. Those who like rock that is created simply to satisfy the artists’ own creative desires and not everyone else’s.
- JOHN GILLANDERS.
The Messengers
Punkcore Records
- With the exception of a female vocalist, there is nothing new about this band. It’s the same standard “Fight authority, the government sucks, Mohawks and power chords,” punk that’s been around since before we all started to grow hair in places other than our heads.
(POSITIVES)
+ The fact that they are the same old punk that we all know and love is their saving grace. They are not a part of this, “My mom took away my X-Box and now I’m depressed” punk that we see today (e.g. Good Charlotte, Simple Plan etc.).
+ There is a hint of 50s rock flair in some of their music which I personally dig a lot.
(LIKE IT)
Those who are fans of punk until Blink 182 put out Enema Of The State and spawned what is now punk. Think early Green Day meets FenixTX meets 50s guitar rock.
- JIM RUSHING.