FDF Volume 4 Issue 375 - Amusement Parks on Fire - Road Eyes

Album – Road Eyes
Artist – Amusement Parks on Fire
Key Players – Gavin Poole – bass.  Michael Feerick – guitar, vocals. Joe Hardy – keyboards and guitar. Daniel Knowles –guitar. Peter Dale - Drums
Produced by – Michael Patterson

Release Date – September 2010

Overview – Hailing from Nottingham England and now based in the US the band was originally just a one man project of Feericks that began in 2004.   After some time the band was formed and touring took place.  Up to this point, the heavily shoe gazed infused band and released three albums.  This is the bands third release.

FDF Comments (aka “the Songs”) –  The nine track, 46 minute album opens with the title track “Road Eyes” which has some heavy guitar bass and drums but soaring and swirling vocals, that immediately set the tone of the record. “Flashlight Planetarium” features a guest spot from Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups and it’s easy to see the mutual admiration as the bands are nearly identical in their sound.  The big guitars, the solid vocal work, it’s an early stand out.  “Inside Out” starts a little quieter, with acoustic guitars and some minimalistic playing. After two verses the keyboards and drums bring up the volume but Feerick has found his comfort level in the vocals.  The production on the record is solid as you can hear all the layers on “Raphael” another track that showcases the soaring, yet somehow at the same time, subdued vocals.  Towards the end as it builds there is some really high female vocals (I think) and the band crashes it down to conclusion.  The rumble of the drums welcomes “Echo Park//Infinite Delay” another track that Siliversun Pickup fans would gravitate towards.  Even early Smashing Pumpkins fans would find this track compelling, “Wave of The Future” is similar.  The next track, “So Naturally” is just a solo acoustic track for the first verse.  Feerick is not pushing too hard, just having a quiet moment until he’s had enough and its an avalanche of guitars bass and drums.  The payoff is solid and it rolls quickly in to “Water From the Sun” another swirling, big guitar track.  The album concludes with “Inspects the Evil Side”

Where are they now? - Feerick has a second project, a duo, called Young Light that was formed in 2012.  The band appears to still be active as well.

FDF Overall Take/Was it Worth Dusting Off? – I can honestly say I have no idea what lead me to buy the cd in the first place.  Might have been a link to Sigur Ros or something at the time (they recorded at one of their studios).  It is a pretty safe listen.  Nothing got me to shoot out of my seat saying “wow I’ve missed this”.  The band is solid, and as noted it “sounds” really well produced.  Perhaps seeing them live would spark a renewed interest (hint, hint).  If you like the Silversun Pickups, you’ll like this record.

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Disclaimer – I am just a music fan. Feel free to comment about something that may be written incorrectly about the band/members etc. I strive to have a fun and enjoyable site. This site used to post mp3s but ran in to many issues. The audio clips provided are usually from YouTube. No copy write infringement is intended. Please alert me if something should be pulled. Finally, support the artist featured, or your favorite artist by purchasing their music, seeing their shows if possible and saying hi. They need your support.

FDF Volume 4 Issue 374 - Coheed and Cambria - Second Stage Turbine Blade

Album – The Second Stage Turbine Blade
Artist – Coheed and Cambria
Key Players – Claudio Sanchez – vocals and rhythm guitar.  Joshua Eppard – drums, piano.   Michael Todd – bass, vocals. Travis Stever – lead guitar.
Produced by – Coheed and Cambria with Michael Birnbaum and Chris Bittner

Release Date – March 5, 2002

Overview – This is the debut album from the New York band Coheed and Cambria.

FDF Comments (aka “the Songs”) – The album is 10 tracks just about 55 minutes in length.  It begins with the short (53 seconds) “Second Stage Turbine Blade”.  Sort of a warble piano interlude that seaways right in to “Time Consumer”.  The guitars are light with the bass and drums kept simple and after a little bit the full band comes in.  Sanchez has a high/nasal voice that some might find a little off putting, but his range is wide and the band takes the track to a prog rock infused interlude.  “Devil in Jersey City” was the track that found radio play from the start.  Eppard lays a pretty tight back line while Todd follows along to keep the track on point allowing Sanchez and Stever to layer their guitars over it. “Everything Evil” finds the band falling in even tighter as Eppard seems to really set the tone and the chorus is a rowdy sing along.  Simple guitar and bass open “Delirium Trigger” and then after a few bars it hits a little harder, and by the conclusion they are going hard.  An almost funky guitar riff kicks off “Hearshot Kid Disaster” and as the bass and drums come in Sanchez gives it a good hearty scream and the riffs pour down and that rolls right on in to  “33”.  This track showcases Eppard.  “Junesong Provision”and “Neverender” continue with the overall vibe of the record.  The record concludes with “God Send Conspirator”.  Another track that really does the band justice, showcasing the vocals to instrumentation.  A solid album closer.  Adding to the albums length is some silence before an acoustic strummed spacey track finds its way to your ears after the 7/8 minute mark.

Where are they now? – The band is still recording and touring.  Eppard left the band in 2006 but returned in 2011. Todd left the band for about a year in 2006 and then left permanently in 2011 after a drug arrest.  Sanchez and Stever have remained with the band continuously.  The band is just wrapping up/currently (depending on when you read this) tour for “Good Apollo I'm burning star IV part 1, fear through the eyes of madness”

FDF Overall Take/Was it Worth Dusting Off? – Coheed is an interesting band for me.  Mostly because I seem to buy all their records as soon as they come out, enjoy them but then shelve them.  Its an odd relationship.  When I do go back I am reminded as to why I like them. The big and progressive rock sound.  They can be a challenge for some to listen to, but if you get it..you get it.  I need to not be away for so long.

Links, find out more, follow them, buy

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Disclaimer – I am just a music fan. Feel free to comment about something that may be written incorrectly about the band/members etc. I strive to have a fun and enjoyable site. This site used to post mp3s but ran in to many issues. The audio clips provided are usually from YouTube. No copy write infringement is intended. Please alert me if something should be pulled. Finally, support the artist featured, or your favorite artist by purchasing their music, seeing their shows if possible and saying hi. They need your support.

FDF Volume 4 Issue 373 - Swervedriver - Mezcal Head

Album – Mezcal Head
Artist – Swervedriver
Key Players – Adam Franklin – vocals, rhythm and lead guitar, bass, Jimmy Hartridge –guitar and bass, Jez Hindmarsh - drums
Produced By – Alan Moulder and Swervedriver.

Release Date – August 5, 1993

Overview – This is the second album released by Oxford England based band Swervedriver.

FDF Comments (aka “the songs) –  The 11 tracks span over 60 minutes and “For Seeking Heat” leads it off.  The track slowly builds over the first 30 seconds and then it opens up.  It’s a heavy track, with the bass being really heavy.  The vocals begin and the guitars swirl underneath. There is a psychedelic feel but the speed and volume of that might confuse the listener.  “Duel” was a big single from this record and it has a clear pop feel to it.  Very radio friendly with big guitars and choruses.  This track still is outstanding all these years later.  “Blowin Cool” comes right in with simulated waves crashing meets jet taking off sound effects.  What is interesting is the cd player (yes I know) sits on track time 0:00 for some time before the track really starts, with a nice punchy bass and then swirling vocals.  Another fine example of what had people so excited for them early on.  The chorus on this track especially.  We slow it down some on “MM Abduction”, so you’d think until the first verse is done then it all breaks loose with crushing guitars bass and drums.  The same is true for “Last Train to Satansville” which unloads for a good 2:30.  “Harry & Maggie” is an urgent song continuing with the vibe the band has set forth. “A Change is Gonna Come” showcases the bands ability to layer sounds.  The guitars either ring or crunch over the 4/4 drum tempo.  The band shows about as mellow as it gets on “Girl on a Motorbike” and that is really not “that” mellow.  You still get the urgent chorus and big guitars, but the verses are not as rushed.  “Duress” is an ambitious track as it runs over 8 minutes long.  The bass line solid and holds it down as the guitars seem to compliment.  One rings out slow passages while the second has more of a wah wah/distortion sound and that builds to vocals after three minutes.  What stands out to these ears is the simplicity (and rock solid) bass line.  “You Find it Everywhere” is another solid track.  The album closes with the 11 minute opus “Never Lose that Felling/Never Learn”.  The saxophone is an interesting touch and the track just pulls you in as the whole track is just sensory overload.  Kudos to Stewart Dace on sax.

Where are they now?  The band was active until 1998 then took some time off.  In 2008 they re-formed with the intent to tour and are still at it.  The band released a new album in 2014 and it 2017 they will be touring the US again playing this album (Mezcal Head) as well as “Raise” in full.

FDF Overall Take/Was it Worth Dusting Off? I am not sure I ever could say I was a big fan of the band at the time.  I am not sure why or what was holding my interest.  The new album I bought the day it came out though and it had me go back as I had a few others.  Probably at the time I just saw it a bit of a tedious listen, who knows.  My loss for losing the time, but something to be excited about all over again!

Links, find out more, follow em, and buy

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Disclaimer – I am just a music fan. Feel free to comment about something that may be written incorrectly about the band/members etc. I strive to have a fun and enjoyable site. This site used to post mp3s but ran in to many issues. The audio clips provided are usually from YouTube. No copy write infringement is intended. Please alert me if something should be pulled. Finally, support the artist featured, or your favorite artist by purchasing their music, seeing their shows if possible and saying hi. They need your support.

FDF Volume 4 Issue 372 - God Is An Astronaut - The End of the Beginning

Album – The End of the Beginning
Artist – God is An Astronaut
Key Players –  Torsten Kinsella – guitars, keyboards, vocals and programming.  Niels Kinsella – bass guitar, guitars, keyboards.
Produced By – God is An Astronaut

Release Date –  2002

Overview – This is the debut album from the Irish band.  The album title is taken from a Churchill speech and the bands unique name from the film “Nightbreed”.  The twin brothers wrote and produced the record and would remain largely a duo until almost 2010.

FDF Comments (aka “the songs) – The 11 track 47 minute album opens with “The End of the Beginning”.  The guitar has a haunting swirl to it and the bass rises with it and it falls into a simple back beat.  For just a duo there is a lot going on, and you know a lot of it is sequenced/programmed.  Still the band find a way to keep it interesting and flowing.  On most post rock records you look for diversity across tracks, but still want things to be the same.  Its an odd mix.  The music pulls you in and wants you to pay attention.  Sometimes the changes are subtle, others more explosive.  “From Dust to the Beyond” follows the trend of the first track as does “Ascend to Oblivion”.  “Coda” seems to pick up the pace a little more and feel a little “heavier” yet still holds a mood.  Although there is piano/keyboards throughout “Remembrance” seems to have it most pushed to the front.  The guitar uses some ebow and then keyboards layer to that.  “Point Pleasant” has a nice bass line over the robotic drum beat and towards the end get a little more frantic, something that these ears have been waiting for. “Fall from the Stars” keeps up the more up tempo feel from the previous track with a little more buzz on the guitar and punchier bass work.  This would be the first track I’d personally play for someone off the record.  The ending is what makes it all worth it. “Twighlight” rolls in to “Coma” which is a quick track (1:16) and feels more of a segue in to “Route 666”.  “Route” has some buzzy keyboards and the bass work is solid.  The click track drum is the norm for the record but the urgency seems to lift a bit more off this track.  “Lost Symphony” is the final track on the album and once again piano is the dominant instrument on the track.

Where are they Now? – The band is still active.  They released Helios/Erebus in 2015 and continue to tour as a four piece.

FDF Overall Take/Was it Worth Dustin Off? – As noted this is the first record form the band.  In later years they have gotten to be more guitar based and a little “heavier”.  I tend to like their heavier stuff.  This won’t get a party started, but something you could put on in the background and not drive people off.  For my preference I’d go with some of the more recent records.

Links, find out more, follow em, and buy

Official Site
Facebook
Twitter
GIAA on Wiki
Buy it!

Disclaimer – I am just a music fan. Feel free to comment about something that may be written incorrectly about the band/members etc. I strive to have a fun and enjoyable site. This site used to post mp3s but ran in to many issues. The audio clips provided are usually from YouTube. No copy write infringement is intended. Please alert me if something should be pulled. Finally, support the artist featured, or your favorite artist by purchasing their music, seeing their shows if possible and saying hi. They need your support.