Review: Calico System - The Duplicated Memory

artist: calico system album: the duplicated memory label: eulogy recordings released: 2003 by: rob tatum The whole concept of throwing genres into a blender can definitely produce some interesting sounding bands. Calico System certainly fits that scenario. At times the band sounds like a poppy, radio-friendly monster and then tears into a heavy, melodic assault. The band exhibits some similarities to a heavier Boys Night Out, or older Keepsake, but Calico System is a much better listen then both of those. The first time I listened to The Duplicated Memory, I wasn’t sure what to think. Vocalist Mark Owens exhibits a vast range of both singing and screaming. I initially thought that the band must have two singers, but that is not the case. Musically the band creates power and melody, but doesn’t over emphasize anything. The musicianship is amazing. The drumming and bass-playing, which at times are overlooked, make a huge impact on this album. The guitar work is very solid, especially changing from the poppy parts to the heavy ones. Mark’s lyrics are very heartfelt and focus primarily on love gone wrong. At first, I would have called The Duplicated Memory just average, but with each listen I have realized how amazing this album really is. Calico System has created a very enjoyable release and I encourage anyone who is a fan of melodic hardcore to give this a listen (at least a couple of times). It may not be genre defining, but it shows that a band can successfully interweave genres without sounding manufactured or overproduced. favorite song: "girl named vegas" rating: 89%/100% listen to calico system

Review: Thursday - War All The Time

artist: thursday album: war all the time label: island records released: 9/16/03 by: eduardo moutinho To say that I eagerly anticipated Thursday’s new album, War All the Time, would be a gross understatement. I’ve been salivating over this release like a famished coyote needing to eat to survive. The two teaser tracks, along with a live track I heard Thursday play at their last show in Boulder, fueled my hunger even more. So when the stores opened on Tuesday, September 16th, 2003, I ran and snatched a copy of the record for myself. My coyote spirit found a carcass to indulge upon. I don’t mean to go out on a limb here, but let me just say, this may be the best album I have ever heard. Period. Yes, I speak blasphemous words against hopesfall and the lot, but I stand by the words firmly. This album is fucking wicked. And yes, I also realize that I just compromised my journalistic integrity by (gasp) writing out an expletive in a piece of writing. Eh, Rolling Stone editors aren’t the only ones allowed to do it. Why is this album so good you ask? Well, I’ll tell you. Firstly, this is one of those albums I have talked about earlier, where every single track is spectacular. You can play this record from start to finish without ever having to skip around. Each track tells its own story, with exceptional lyrics and equally fantastic musicality. You will come away with at least eight or nine “favorite songs” having trouble picking out what is truly best. In the end, it hits you like a bag of lead: the whole damn thing is incredible. Like Poison the Well, Glassjaw, and Thrice, this is Thursday’s debut release on a major record label. While this may not sit well with many folks, there is absolutely no reason to fret. The sound that Thursday shaped into one of the most emulated new forms of rock is present and elevated to infinitely new levels of sonic mastery and majesty in War All the Time. The charmingly raw sound is still the foundation, and the band builds upon their layered melodies and vocal structures throughout the record. Some tracks are complex and engaging, while others stripped-down and simple. In the end, everything comes together into a beautiful compilation. The instrumentation on this record is amazing. The guitars, bass, and drums are simply sensational. Songs like “Asleep in the Chapel,” “Marches and Maneuvers,” “Signals over the Air,” “Between Rupture and Rapture,” and “Steps Ascending” have wondrous melodies, one layered on top of the other, forming organized chaos. I found myself listening to these tracks repeatedly, sometimes listening to the same track many times over. They’re so impressive. The guitarists are making a statement, with their constant breaks, changes, and use of different sounds and techniques. I’ve never heard such effective, albeit subtle, usage of harmonics. The bass is integral in the transitions, which really shows how tight these guys are. Drums are exceptional, as they have always been. I’m amazed, just plain amazed. Vocals are really well done, and extremely emotional, which is expected from Thursday. As I said before, the lyrics are wonderful. The writing is so clever and profound. Just listening to “For the Workforce Drowning” is enough proof of how clever Geoff Rickly really is. I think his vocals round out the rawness of the music perfectly. He sings as if he’s pouring his soul out to the listener. And if you’ve seen him live, you know that is exactly what he is doing. The backup vocals done by the members are even more evident than they were in Full Collapse. Each individual scream is distinctive and gives even more character to the music. There really is no need to further elaborate on the vocals here, as their proficiency is a given. I’ve mentioned some tracks already, yet I’ve left a few out. This album is indeed a complete work. Thursday tried to make this release more intimate, and it shows with tracks like “This Song Brought to You by a Falling Bomb,” which is a somber piano and voice number. The title track, “War All the Time” is pure emotion. There are slower, more vulnerable-sounding, tracks here, and it’s a welcomed addition as it adds balance and variety to the songs altogether. I guess you can say that this is a sign of maturity on the part of Thursday. I’m not going to end this review by writing a huge conclusion commanding you to buy this release and to devote the next few months of your life to it. I think what I have written so far speaks for itself. What I will say though, is that this release is special. I was hoping for something comparable to Full Collapse, and what I got completely surpassed it. This band is untouchable. favorite song: "steps ascending" and "between rupture and rapture" (tie) rating: 100%/100% listen to thursday

Review: The Kinison - Self-Titled EP

artist: the kinison album: self-titled EP label: fearless records released: 2003 by: rob tatum Up and coming bands are always a fun listen for someone that gets tired of listening to the same music over and over. Combining elements of post hardcore, screamo, and even pop, The Kinison dabs a little from a variety of genres. Certain aspects of the music remind me a lot of another Fearless band, At the Drive-In, but unfortunately for The Kinison, there’s only one At the Drive-In. As I mentioned above, there are aspects of the music that are striking similar to other bands, but at the same time, the band does manage to establish a solid sound. Each of the five songs has its own feel which keeps the EP from running together. A number of the songs are quite poppy and the screaming seems a little out of place, but at other times, it fits perfectly. I can tell from this EP that once this band can find itself a niche, they should be something to reckon with. The vocals are at times eerily reminiscent of Cedric (ATDI), but the screams do enough to offset it. My only complaint is that the singing/screaming combo is starting to become overdone, and it seems like every day that there is a new post hardcore band attempting the same thing. That of course is no fault of The Kinison, but by the time the band really begins to establish themselves, their sound may have been overplayed. However, for the time being, this EP is a good start for the band. favorite song: "the way i used to be" rating: 78%/100% listen to the kinison

Review: Crestfallen - Self-Titled EP

artist: crestfallen album: self-titled EP label: robotic empire released: 2003 by: rob tatum I can honestly say that there are better ways to cram eight songs into under fifteen minutes, but never the less, Crestfallen’s new EP can help redefine fast-paced hardcore. Taking heavy influences from grind and punk, this new EP is far less melodic than their prior material. They haven’t strayed entirely away from melody, but there is much less emphasis on it. Crestfallen is known for fast hardcore with some melody, but with this new release, they have begun to break down any labels. There are a ton of blast beats and what seem like hurried songs. I really hope this isn’t the direction the band continues to take. The Minor Threat and Cramps covers really don’t do anything to add to the album. Vocally, their lead singer spends no time trying to sing, and spends the majority of the songs screaming incoherently. The lyrics are rather pathetic and really don’t do anything for me. This is EP is flat out disappointing. The band’s previous full length was absolutely amazing, but this EP struggles to entertain me. The musicianship and ability to make quality songs is still there, but the band clearly hasn’t reached their potential. favorite song: "rogue rodeo" rating: 72%/100% listen to crestfallen