Our mailbox explodes every month with music from musicians looking to get coverage. Unfortunately, we don’t have space to feature them all (not all of them are worthy of being featured anyway). This page was created to save all of those poor press kits from being wasted, and more importantly, so that you can familiarize yourself with the many bands that we hear from.
In this issue, we give a write-up to the following bands: Black Horse, Feist, Giles, Noise Tank, Saving Daylight, Romak And The Space Pirates, and Viia.
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).
BLACK HORSE - Independent - Seattle, WA
(NEGATIVES)
- A number of their guitar solos feel like they should be going somewhere, but never quite make it.
- Their music needs just a bit more diversity, which is harder since they’re two people with a drum machine... but it has been done before. Multiple times.
(POSITIVES)
+ You can smell their confidence from here. Regardless of whether or not you think they know what they’re doing, at least they’re sure they know. And that, darlings, is one of the major keys to success.
(LIKE IT)
Those who enjoy the grungy music of the bar and pool hall scenes.
(DISLIKE IT)
Most people will probably be rather apathetic.
DEAR JOHNNY - Tribute Album - Hairball 8 Records
(NEGATIVES)
- As with all tribute compilations, some of the covers do Johnny much justice, and some do very little, if at all.
(POSITIVES)
+ A portion of proceeds from this album’s sales go towards Johnny Cash’s favorite charity, SOS Children’s Villages.
+ If variety is the spice of life, this album could be used to marinate a mean steak.
(LIKE IT)
Those who believe that even the music of the greats is open to interpretation.
(DISLIKE IT)
The type of people who think music of deceased idols is untouchable, and those who absolutely abhor cover songs.
FEIST - LET IT DIE - Independent - Whittier, CA
(NEGATIVES)
- Upon first glance, Feist seems to stand for feisty, since the album cover has a woman smirking and looking off in a distance apathetically as a guy kisses her. But in reality, feisty seems to be as far-removed a descriptive adjective as possible.
- Aren’t songwriters supposed to be more passionate? Maybe we’re just missing it.
(POSITIVES)
+ The minimalistic nature of Feist’s music makes the listener want to either: a) watch rain fall down window panes or b) do nothing but make love.
+ There are a few stellar tracks like “Let It Die” and “One Evening,” a song that almost sounds like it was conceived in the 80s.
(LIKE IT)
Those who like simple, mellow music that wallows and drowns in minor keys. She’s like Norah Jones, but with less soul and more French influences.
(DISLIKE IT)
Those who hate the French and individuals who are easily bored, because this album is not exactly the most bang you can get for your buck.
GILES - Giles - Victory Records - Raleigh, NC
(NEGATIVES)
- It’s absurd when a CD is only a half-hour long, but in this case, nine tracks equate to barely over twenty minutes...
- ... Probably because it is only tolerable in small doses.
- It may be reminscent of industrial, gabber, drum n’ bass, or some other existing subgenre, but... it’s not, and that may be frustrating for some.
(POSITIVES)
+ The beats are hypnotic. You’ll find it hard to keep from bobbing your head all day long.
+ All of the music is done by Thomas Giles Rogers, Jr., frontman for Between the Buried and Me. You have to give the guy credit for even being able to come up with music like this.
+ It came out on Victory Records. What the fuck? Random.
+ If you’re looking for unique music, you got it right here.
(LIKE IT)
Those who have interest in industrial rock or gabber and hardcore electronica may very well be interested in this.
(DISLIKE IT)
Many, especially those who are expecting something metal, hardcore, or typically Victory Records-esque, given Giles’ track record.
NOISE TANK - Glee Ad Nauseam And How It All Works Out - Focus Media - Destroit, MI
(NEGATIVES)
- Maybe it’s because this album is a collaboration of seven independent musicians, but four tracks is not nearly enough.
(POSITIVES)
+ They may claim that their music is so happy you’ll vomit rainbows, but this is not quite the case. Nevertheless, you should be pleased.
+ There is still much collaborative potential that has yet to be explored.
(LIKE IT)
Fans of quirky, cute things and fans of electro-pop goodness. Hell, even the EP artwork is cute, and our package even came with some candy (rock-hard as it may have been).
(DISLIKE IT)
People who have no patience for music with electronic sounds (although you’d better get used to it, cause it isn’t going away), or those who think that The Postal Service is God (aka a force not to be reckoned with).
SAVING DAYLIGHT - SAVING DAYLIGHT EP - Independent - Whittier, CA
(NEGATIVES)
- You know all of those little pseudo-punk garage bands that are popping up left and right? Well, Saving Daylight is one of those, and while they are not bad, they really are just another one of those bands.
(POSITIVES)
+ They do have some songs that show the band’s potential, especially “The Disgust of Change” and parts of “Trampled Petals.”
+ There are some pretty cool instrumentals that, at some points, are unfortunately dumbed down by vocalist James McMasters’ mediocre vocals.
(LIKE IT)
Probably about an eighth of the Warped Tour-going crowd would at least somewhat enjoy this band. With bands like this, it essentially does just come down to having the right connections and the dedication to put themselves out there.
(DISLIKE IT)
The other seven-eighths of the Warped Tour-going crowd, who probably exercise a bit more discretion regarding the bands they listen to.
ROMAK AND THE SPACE PIRATES - The Long Walk EP - Independent - Orange County, CA
(NEGATIVES)
- They love synths, and at times their synths sound like they come straight off of a keyboard: a brain-hemmorhaging experience for some.
- Because they’re only in high school, they obviously have a lot to learn... but at least they’re off to a decent start.
(POSITIVES)
+ They’re quirky, and they’re pirates.
+ Their music may not be the most complex on the planet, but offers a refreshing change of pace from track to track.
+ You won’t hear of many bands that sound like this (much less look like this) because jazz and swing aren’t exactly the influences of every band down the block nowadays.
(LIKE IT)
People who like pirates, and people who like bands who know how to be themselves. (What’s with these quirky musicians sending us candy? The folks from Focus Media sent us rock hard candy, and the Romaks sent us breath mint samples...)
(DISLIKE IT)
People who readily write them off because of their image (think of something like Orgy, but perhaps a little less glam), and people who absolutely despise synths.
VIIA - Independent
(NEGATIVES)
- Viia probably won’t be the next big hit, but given the right direction, their music should be strong enough to stand on its own.
(POSITIVES)
+ Vocalist Jody Quine has a voice which radiates with femininity, and is one of the strongest assets to this band.
+ Ambient sounds are used to create peaceful, laid-back music that will leave you in a better mood.
(LIKE IT)
Anyone who likes melodic rock that just sounds “pleasant” (probably older audiences in general).
(DISLIKE IT)
Few would probably outright dislike this kind of music, although some may no doubt find that it is not quite their taste.