The Starting Line – Direction

I often browse through absolutepunk for updates on punk or indie artists. I really love their reviews section. After browsing through, I set about finding the albums online. One of these bands turned out to be The Starting Line. I knew of this band beforehand, but never really was a huge fan. In fact, I had listened to their major label debut (Based on a True Story) a few times and wasn’t much compelled.

However, based on this newest positive review, I gave their latest album (Direction) a listen. I was hooked immediately. It caught me off guard with all its catchiness. The songs have a poppy or even sing-along feel. Everything feels heartfelt too. As if you can relate to what vocalist (Kenny Vasoli) is really going through. But beyond all of this – it feels like summer music. For me, summer music is something that you can blast from your car stereo with the sun shining down – and feel great. Direction easily accomplishes this.

Most of the songs are about love and relationships and though that can be superficial – it’s nice to have carefree listening from time to time. Now, there are a few tracks that bog down the disc but there are also enough gems to keep me coming back for more…and more. The title track “Direction” kicks things off right and is later followed by my favourite track on the album “Are You Alone.”

As I was sifting through Wikipedia, I found that The Starting Line have decided to call it quits after this LP. I’m a tad disappointed to say the least. It frustrates me when bands finally reach their peak (at least in my opinion) only to disband shortly over. Regardless, we have this jewel to savour for a bit. This disc may not be anything too groundbreaking but - for me - it’s gonna be banging from my speakers this coming summer.

I’ll leave you with a little snippet from an interview with Kenny regarding Direction:

The album reflects Starting Line's personal and musical evolution during its turbulent last few years."Just about every song is about finding direction in music and in life," said Vasoli, adding that real-life issues are the inspiration for his lyrics."I always try to think about what's going on in my life, what's been troubling me, what makes me happy, and then I try to put it in a way where people can interpret it in their own way," he said.

The Starting Line official site

The Starting Line MySpace page

Nell – Separation Anxiety

I’ve liked Nell for some time now. They’re a Korean band that sings hauntingly good indie rock songs. I was first introduced to them through my girlfriend (who happens to be Korean). I wasn’t totally sold on them at first…but Kim Jong-wan’s (lead vocalist) voice carried so well there really wasn’t any resisting them. The first album I heard was Let It Rain which is great but a little too ‘cookie cutter’ for me. This was followed by Healing Process which is actually two discs and I loved this set all the more. It seemed more creative, more powerful and even more unforgettable.

Then, in 2008, Nell released Separation Anxiety and I was amazed still further. Here in Korea, their first single “기억을 걷는 시간” has taken off big time – being played everywhere – convenience stores, restaurants, and clothing shops. It’s quite a mellow tune but completely catchy. Apparently, Nell have been criticized for becoming too mainstream as some feel the song is too poppy – as though they’ve lost their indie edginess. I would tend to disagree. While that particular track is more appealing to the masses, the rest of the album is rather experimental.

In fact, that is what has drawn me to this album again and again. The first half of the disc is somewhat straight-laced – but beautiful none-the-less. The later half, however, is quite epic and very much interplanetary. The tracks become longer and grandiose. I find myself entranced in the melodies and vocal wavering. Now, as much as it’s beautiful – it’s awfully sad. Right from the album title you should be able to see that this project isn’t going to be all smiles and sunshine. Nell might be criticized from borrowing too much from their British brothers (Radiohead, Placebo, Muse) but what they use – they use incredibly well.

In reality, Nell acknowledges their musical influences and has been known to cover these same bands live. For me though, this album breaks new ground. It sounds as fresh and original as anything I’ve heard. I also think the English content is higher on Separation Anxiety. Maybe that’s why I like it so much. Regardless, I have a feeling that some of these songs will stick with me for a long time. On a side note, their name Nell actually comes for a 1994 movie titled Nell starring Jodie Foster. Seems appropriate. I learned this on Wikipedia.



기억을 걷는 시간

Until then..

-Paul

N*E*R*D – Seeing Sounds

It’s time for a break from rock music – and time for Seeing Sounds. N*E*R*D are back with a modern day classic…at least in my mind. These guys profess to be ‘genre-less’ and for the most part – it’s unique. Yet, they’re really dealing with a hip-hop base and building on that. Anyway, the album absolutely blew me away the first time I put it on. I’m not usually too blown away with hip-hip influenced music. This album is different.

Right from the first track which starts with a spoken intro and builds into a pounding bass line – the drama comes fast and heavy. Their first single Everyone Nose (All the Girls Standing in Line for the Bathroom) flows in after that – only building on the energy and originality. Windows, the next track, slows things down a bit – but that’s not to say the LP is not innovative and interesting. It surges from start to finish with surprises left and right.

I mildly liked N*E*R*D before (mainly because my girlfriend was fanatical about them) but this album easily tops the cake. In my opinion, it’s better than their debut In Search Of… and their next Fly or Die. I’m sure some people would disagree but in terms of flowability this disc is simply the best. In Search Of… has more of a rock feel and Fly or Die comes with a little more of R&B touch. I’d say Seeing Sounds has enough of both.

I think it’s time for a bit of explaining. N*E*R*D consists of three members: Pharell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley. Pharell and Chad are also part of a producing team called The Neptunes who have worked with most of today’s top artists. Pharrell has also put out a solo rap project (which I bought and thoroughly loved).

What does N*E*R*D stand for you might ask? Pharrell explains: N.E.R.D stands for No-one Ever Really Dies. The Neptunes are who we are and N.E.R.D is what we do. It's our life. N.E.R.D is just a basic belief, man. People's energies are made of their souls. When you die, that energy may disperse but it isn't destroyed.

Lastly, a bit of explanation of the album title: Shay further elaborated on the album title, saying it was inspired by the neurological phenomenon synesthesia, which combines two senses. They were fascinated after learning about it while watching the Discovery Channel. "It's a mixture of senses that may cause a person to experience colorful hearing, auditory smell," he explained. "For example, you might see something, and it might trigger a song. You might hear something, and it might trigger a taste in your mouth. When we created this album, it was the music we envisioned while creating it. We decided it would be the appropriate title for the album."
[From Wikipedia]

Interesting stuff to be sure. If you want something new and exciting – this is the place to start!

Website

Myspace

Until then!

-Paul

Weezer – Red Album

Weezer are a great band. This is a fact. I’ve been a Weezer time for some time now – ever since that infamous Blue Album released back in 1994. Some Weezer fans may not like the contemporary Weezer but I’ve only got love for what they put out. This newest album is no exception. It is, just like the Blue and Green Album, self-titled. However, because of that well-known background – it has been dubbed the Red Album. I’m not gonna complain.

The Red Album is a bit different than their previous releases though. There are Weezer-esque moments embedded but because of greater band member involvement in the creative process of the album – it sounds separate from their previous works. Easily the most noticeable change is different lead vocals. Rivers Cuomo has been their go-to guy throughout their career but this album has several other band members taking a turn sharing the mike.

Now, it doesn’t sound bad by any stretch – it just sounds different. In my mind, I’d almost like to see the songs sung by different vocalists on a separate disc. Maybe it’s just that I’ve gotten so accustomed to Rivers’ voice that anything else sounds out of place. Actually, the first five or six tracks have Rivers singing lead but the second half is divided up. I’d say it loses its flow and Weezer-ness at that point.

That said, the album is great. It’s such a fun album to pop in. I love the instant catchiness and playability of it. The lyrics are hilarious – totally a feel-good album. It’s hard to resist a song called “Everybody Get Dangerous.” Weezer will always be coolest geeks rocking out. They inspire me. The video for their first single “Pork and Beans” is very funny as well. Check that out here.



Website

MySpace

YouTube

Until then..

-Paul