An Honest Year: Everything Man (Review)

I'm back with an old favourite, this is An Honest Year with their new single Everything Man. The five piece Alt-poppers hail from Philadelphia and have been one of scenes bands to see since their formation in 2012.

This is Everything Man.

Straight away there's a great vibe to the song, foot tapping or head bobbing. It's a song I can so easily imagine being played live, the whole crowd jumping to the beat and singing the lyrics at the tops of their voices.
I've listened to a lot of bands in my time and it's rare to find one with such quality, the production is amazing. everything mixed together very well, it's in perfect harmony as they say.
Matt has a strong voice, he stands out and I know everything he's singing, his voice also quite sweet, he really makes me want to sing along.
The lyrics are a bit of soft spot for me personally, I've always loved stories of the best friends falling in love or in other words a girl not seeing the her Everything Man has been standing right beside her the whole time. The lyrics themselves will get stuck in your head, I'll be singing them for hours!
It is poppy and it isn't, it's not cheesy like pop can be but it's got that infections beat and hook that has you singing along but at the same time you've got these fantastic guitars, drums and bass that gives it gives it that something more. It's not pop-punk, or pop-rock nope this is purely An Honest Year.  

I did a review of Liar & a Thief and going back to compare them, there is a difference, Liar & a Thief has more of a rocky feel, the lyrics are more repetitive and it's just really nice to have a band who grow and change. Everything Man is different from An Honest Year's previous work but my god it's good!

Listen to Everything Man here

Check out An Honest Year on Facebook here

Also check out my review of Liar & a Thief here


  

Forging the Truth: Warriors (Review)

Today I have a band from Manorville in the state of New York. This is 5 piece Hard Rock/Metalcore/Metal Hardcose band Forging the Truth.

Forming two years ago in 2012 and after going through their far share of troubles and line up changes they're taking the Long Island scene by storm.

This is their song Warriors.

Before I even listened to the song, I was reading the description on YouTube and I learnt the song is dedicated to anyone who has/is suffer depression, self harm, suicidal thoughts. That the whole song was inspired by fans of the band telling them of their experiences and how the band has helped them. I love the whole idea of writing a song to the fans in this way, it's something I've not seen done many times before.

A faster piano starts the song before soon being joined by the drums, at first the song reminds me of Bring Me The Horizons Can You Feel My Heart. As it has that same mix of heavier guitar riffs played to a softer piano.
Musically the song covers all bases, drums have a great focus and I can always hear them, bass line has be tapping along at all times sometimes without even noticing I'm doing it and the guitar solo is just heaven! Vocally it's also very good, Andrew has a great range from strong, clear vocals to start to a heavier almost scream at the end.
My favourite aspect of the song are the lyrics. Lyrically this song's amazing, as I said previously inspired by stories from fans.Warriors is about being warriors against the pain, against everything standing in your way
The scars on your skin are kisses from angels
The pain wasn't enough to pull you from this hell
You've been kicked when you were down
You have screamed, but made no sound
And still you stand so tall
We can stand together, and call ourselves warriors

Altogether I think it's a really great song! If I had a check list of everything I was looking for in a song I could tick them all off here. I can't wait to hear more from Forging the Truth, and maybe one day they'll make it across the Atlantic! 

Listen to Warriors here

Check out Forging the Truths Facebook here 

Mark Stone and the Dirty Country Band: Self titled EP (Review)

Today I have Mark Stone and the Dirty Country Band, a band based in Texas USA. A country/rock band, describing their music as “A Honky Tonk Bar Brawl Between the Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Alice in Chains Would Sound Like. Turning Southern Rock to 11 one gig at a time.” 

This is their self titled EP

 Whiskey Talkin'
I would say more of the rock with some blues guitar than a country song, unlike what I think of as a classic rock song it's not as fast and upbeat. With the blues style guitars it gives another feel about the song, and the actual riffs are amazing. There's also a familiarity to them, something that after a long time and listening to a lot of sounds I found the familiarity in Bon Jovi. It's not the whole song I found the similarity just the catchy guitar riffs. There's a great vocal range though out the song, more than I was expecting to be honest. In the rare times I've listened to this style of music I'd found the vocals can often be lacking, but Mark's voice is really good, making the lyrics clear and stand out against the music its self. Lyrics is this a story of a man in love with the alcohol or not? I find it hard to tell. Over all I enjoyed the song, it wasn't something I got bored of as I had it on repeat but I wouldn't have called it country by any means.

Hardest Way
Shorter than the previous song Hardest Way it also slower, keeping it simple with the same small beat repeating it's self almost all the way through the song, apart from the end when the tempo speeds slightly. The more times I've listened to it the more it's grown on me, at first I kept expecting it to speed us as it hit a chorus but it didn't. The guitars have more a blues feel than previously giving a different feel than Whiskey Takin'. Mark's strong voice standing out, but it's not the type of song I'd find myself singing along too. It's more a song to listen to that to get involved with. Lyric wise I'm still loving them, the message of learning from mistakes the hardest way is a good one but I don't think they come across that well. As a song it just doesn't make a great impression on me.

Enjoy The Rise
Has more of a soft country feel, I found myself tapping my foot to the beat and swaying side to side. I like the softer, catchy feel of the song, I think it works with the touch of blues and strong vocals. I prefer the music here, I think the slightly softer stuff works for them and as much as I love rock it doesn't always come off. Lyrics this time I did like, an actual story of love and having someone to enjoy the rise of life with.

Rhonda
The music is back to more of a rock sounding but the lyrics have a country feel, and honestly I don't like it. The guitar riffs I still love, there's an obvious skill there and Mark's vocals never fail to be good. It's the lyrics mostly 'Rhonda you make my mind wander in the barn or the cornfield or a hayloft For two, the silo or anywhere when I'm with you' I just find them... cheesy? For people who've been in music for such a long time I'd expect better. All together musicly it's pretty good but the lyrics let it down. 

It's All Good
From what started as a very rock sounding EP with gone to the opposite and hit the country side. A happy, upbeat song and very different from previous tracks. I mean confuses my knowledge on country music isn't amazing but I find myself tapping my foot to it and getting into the beat. I feel that Mark's vocals fit the heavier songs better, his voice can be a little rough for a song like this. Lyrics again I find simple, and I didn't enjoy them. Also I think if you've ever watched Dukes Of Hazzard this could have been the theme tune! Musically this band is good but lyrics just don't match that. 

Drink All The Pain Away
I'm actually laughing at this song, am I meant to? I don't know, it's just hard to take this song seriously. There's a sadness to the lyrics but not the to the music, I do find that in country style music that the lyrics and music don't always fit. I feel like I'm repeating myself saying about the music, but with the added harmonica it's good. Again I feel like Mark's vocals don't fit the song as well as previously, and the lyrics I just laughed. 'My mama got hid my a train in the rain' to me that seems daft but as I said I don't now this gene well. A laugh yes, but a good song? I'm not sure. 

Altogether I'm not the sure how it really works, there's such a mix of things going on. Either be one or the other not all at once. 

Listen here

Check out Facebook here 

Varna: My Heart (Review)

Today I have a band from the lovely Los Angeles, this is 3 piece Pop-Rockers Varna.
This is My Heart a single from their debut release This Time It's Personal EP.

When I think of the typical Pop-Rock bands I think of bands like Taking Hayley, Stakeout, Keep The Change but Varna have diffidently put their own twist on it.
More rock than pop, the guitar's sound is fast played with amazing skill I can hear every drop and key change. Drums I never lose, I can always hear them they're no competing for attention but working beautifully along with the song. Again the skill level and production is fantastic. So far in just music terms this song is amazing, but then you add Tiana's vocals and it blow it out of the water. She's has an amazingly powerful voice, so loud, clear and with obvious emotion, I'd love to be able to sing along side her as the song plays but I could never compete with her range. Lyrics are just that little too deep to be what I think of as pop, but that still have that hook that has me singing along before I've heard the whole song through the first time. It talks of heartbreak it a very real sense, never having been in love I have no idea what heartbreak is like but this song made it seem real.

I absolutely loved My Heart, and if Varna ever fancy touring England I'll be there as this sounds like it would one hell of a live track!

Listen to My Heart here

Check out Varna's Facebook here 

Blameshift: Secrets (Review)

Long Island, New York is where female fronted alternative rocks Blameshift are from. They've been busy the past few years building up quite a fan base and earning the title 'The hardest working band in the biz'

This is their single Secrets off their album of the same name.
 I know I've said this before but hey I'll say it again. Every female fronted band these days gets compared to Paramore, The Pretty Reckless, We The In Crowd and so on but always try not to that. Blameshift are their own band not just a copy of another.
Secrets starts slowly, showing off Jenny's voice from the get go. She has a unique voice that's both powerful when the song hits the drop of the chorus and soft in slow beginning of the song. There's a build before the chorus, its starts getting faster the guitar coming more into it that BAM the hook hits. Something I love about Blameshift is that you've got the variety of Tim on backing vocals so you get a nice mix between him and Jenny. If I wasn't typing this why listening to this song you can bet I'd be up jumping about and head banging. It's very well produced, when the guitars switch from the slower into to the fast, catchy riffs that is the the rest of the song they lose nothing of their quality. From about the second time I heard Secrets I've been singing along, it's one of those songs that makes you want to sing the chorus at top of your lungs.
I wouldn't go a far as to say the lyrics make it a dark song, it's a real powerful rock song of love and secrets.
Blameshift have created one powerful, catchy, fast paced rock song that I won't be forgetting in a hurry, they've currently made an impact and they're a band that make themselves heard.

If this is the single off Secrets then listening to the album is diffidently next on my agenda!

Listen to Secrets here

Check out Blameshift's Facebook here

Jocelyn: Miss America (Review)

I can't seem to get out of America lately! As I'm back to Iwoa with 4 piece pop/rock band Jocelyn.
This is their new song Miss America.
I love a good piece of classic pop rock and this is a brilliant example. It's in the same style as Jocelyn older work, which is currently not a bad thing as they've build up quite a fan base with their catchy pop rock.
The guitar riffs, are upbeat, catchy and clear! I really like being able to follow the riffs and changes all the way through the song. I love the guitars so much that I'm having trouble tearing myself away to focus on the other parts of the song. The vocals are really good, I was singing along before the song was over for the first time. They're upbeat, I like how I can hear Alex's ascent as he sings and clear, if you know me you'll know I find clear vocals important and these are perfect I can hear every pitch change. The lyrics are what I'd expect from this kind of song "She's my Miss America, the one that got away, I was too good for her, now she's too good for me." But good all the same.
I only had one problem with the song, having on repeat for so long I got a little bored. A song can be great the first few times but after a few more it can get repetitive, a good song summer song all the same though.
Miss America is a great song and exactly what I'd expect from Jocelyn, so it's not the most original but that doesn't make it bad as I love the song for what it is.

Great band, great song be sure to listen! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG3vLwAOjAU&feature=youtu.be

Check out Jocelyn facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreJocelyn?fref=ts

Em xxx

Clear Skies: #OurOwnEscape (Review)

I'm in America again! This time Springfield, Mo with 2 piece pop, rock band Clear Skies.
This is their third single #OurOwnEscape
Clear Skies is that sweet pop rock that you fall in love with the catchy lyrics, fast guitars, upbeat drums and clear, clean vocals. The way the songs slows for the lyrics 'We could make our own escape, just you and me, leave our cares behind, all I need is in your eyes' is brilliant, sometimes with this genre I find songs can be a bit shallow and repetitive but Clear Skies have got the perfect balance of poppy and that something more meaningful. The vocals have that sweet aspect about them were they get in your head and you're singing along before you know it! The guitars have I feel a slight Fall Out Boy feel about them which I love and just the way they keep the rocky feel going through out the song. That feel good song you listen to when you're feeling down, that song you really loudly because you can't get it out of your head, that song that makes you dance. All those things are #OurOwnEscape, it's a fantastic piece of pop rock that I can't stop listening to!  

That lovely little twist on the classic pop rock has got my singing this song as loud as I can without annoying next door!

Listen to it yourself and this is one of the best lyric videos I've ever seen! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUe_Zw-4Qt0&feature=youtu.be

Check out Clear Skies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearSkiesMo?fref=ts

Em xxx

An Honest Year: Liar & A Thief (Review)

Another American band today this time in the lovely sunny Florida! An Honest Year are an 5 piece pop rockers with an alternative twist.
Their song Liar & A Thief.
It's not very often I hear a song for the first time and straight away start rocking out to it but listening to this, I couldn't sit still. The very first guitar riffs have me tapping me fingers on the keyboard and by the end of the song I want to get up and dance...I can always hear the drums which is great as sometimes I find they get a little lost. Man these guitarist are good, the riffs are sweet catchy and the tempo change in the middle is brilliant.  The vocals are clear, strong and had me singing along, you can hear the Blink 182 influence in the lyrics 'She's a lair and a thief she'll tell you what you want and what you want, she'll  chew you up and spit you out' are my favourite lyrics in the song. The song slows down for those lyrics before going back to it's fast tempo, someone people might find the lyrics a bit repetitive towards the end but I think because the lyrics themselves are good it doesn't matter if they're repeated a few times.  It's a really catchy song and I couldn't resist putting it on repeat!
I'd suggest this band to anyone who likes pop punk as well as I'm reminded slightly of the old Fall Out Boy in the song.  
I reviewed a fair few songs and yes they are times when I don't want to have a listen to the song again but here I'm going to have trouble taking it off repeat.

Have a listen to Lair & A Thief: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv5-Jy2uubo
Check out An Honest Years Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anhonestyear?fref=ts

Em xxx

Sweet Ascent: Wish Me Luck (Review)

Sweet Ascent, American 4 piece pop punk band with breakdowns!
Their single Wish Me Luck.
I love pop punk so this is the perfect song for me. It's fast, catchy, with great guitar riffs that keep me moving, drums have steady beat through out, the lyrics and vocals are brilliant; the vocals are clean, clear and just make me want to sing along. The unclean vocals don't last for long, they're not really my favorite thing but these are good, I can hear what's being sung which it better than some unclean vocals.  The lyrics are about chasing your dreams and saying wish me luck as I go, which I really like as it's telling more of a story. When I think of pop puck bands I think of bands like All Time Low and Fall Out Boy but Sweet Ascent have put their own twist on it so they sound different, and that keeps you listening.

A great song, and a great band for any pop punk lover!

Listen and even free download of Wish Me Luck: https://www.facebook.com/SweetAscent/app_178091127385

Check out Sweet Ascent's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetAscent
Sweet Ascent are also releasing a new EP soon! I'll have more on that, when they do!

Em xxx

Breach The Summit: Family (Review)

Breach The Summit are a 3 piece Indie pop band Irvine USA! Formed in 2009 the band have been playing lots of shows all over the place from there home town Irvine to Los Angeles!
This is their EP Family.

We Were Running,
catchy and upbeat guitar riffs that I can't help tapping me foot to from the first few seconds. Olen voice is bright and clear so it really stands out, I love his voice I want to sing along with him.The lyrics make me think of summer, just being silly free and running. Though they're not the deepest lyrics I've ever heard but I really like them as they're happy, light and really work for the song. I shall be singing this all Summer (If we ever get any) as it's one of those songs that gets stuck in your head and doesn't leave :)

A Little Bit,
has a rocker guitar riff to start and still as catchy! Olden's voice is sweet, upbeat and someone who can really sing, I'm picky about singers if I can't hear what they're singing I don't like it, if they fight the guitars and drums I don't like it but here the vocals fit perfectly with everything and I love it. The lyrics are really good, dam theses guys can write as well as everything else. Seriously since playing this song I can't stop my foot and fingers tapping it's just that good :)

Take Me Back (For what it's worth)
 I love how all Breach The Summit songs sound that little bit different. This one is the rockist of the lot so far, but the lyrics still have a poppy feel to them.The guitar riffs in this song are great Jacob has some skills! I really love the drums steady beat that runs through the whole song. Again Olden's voice is fantastic, really these guys can't seem to stop getting better...

Family,
has a slower steady start that speeds up when it hits the chorus again this song sounds different to the others. Going from fast to slow, but keeping to the rock more this time.Vocals, lyrics, guitars, drums everything again is brilliant. Breach The Summit keep continuing to surprise me one fantastic song after another!

Outliers.
Is a softer song to start with Olden's vocals standing out perfectly against the guitar. Though I have to admit I don't like the chorus....The vocals go too high and I can't understand them anymore. The instrumental parts are brilliant, and I really notice the keyboard! I think over all this is the song I don't like as much but it's still a great song :)

This whole EP is amazing and I really love it, they're one of the best indie pop bands I've ever heard! Really well done to Breach The Summit :)

Listen to Family here: https://soundcloud.com/breachthesummit
Their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreachTheSummit?ref=ts&fref=ts

Em xxx

Today we're back in America, Rhode Island to be exact! Suburban Downfall are a 4 piece Pop/Punk band. I first heard them through Twitter.
Their song I'll Take One For The Team: There's no intro we got straight into full blown guitars, drums and vocals. I enjoyed jumping about to the guitars than singing along to the lyrics as they're not the ones that make you want to sing your heart out to but rock along side them. I think this is one of those songs that great recorded but is even better live.
If I Kiss You: Intro is a catchy guitar riff and I already know I'm gonna love this song. And I'm right, the guitar riffs are catchy and upbeat (Is it odd that just the guitar riffs made me smile?) They also remind me of Blink 182. Vocals have more of 'I want to sing along' compared to the last song, everything works together for this song and I really like it.
Coulda Been: I love at the beginning the guitars start in one ear (If you have headphones on) and when the drums come in they come in the other ear blending them both together. The guitar riffs, drums and bass just make me want to get up and jump around and I have to say I was remind of Bentley Park not in a bad way of course. It's hard to pick a favourite song out of these 3 but I think it's gotta be this one, the vocals strong, guitars memorable, drums fast, bass upbeat what more could you ark for?
1 awesome band, 3 awesome songs I'm happy :D and can't wait to hear more from them soon.
Listen: http://www.facebook.com/suburbandownfall/app_178091127385
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/suburbandownfall
Em xxx

     

Hey guys! We're in America today for 5 piece Pop Punk band Chasing Morgan. First heard this band through a friend.
Their EP Battlescars.
Life ATM: Fast guitar riffs starts when I already know will a energetic song that's going to make you want to dance. The vocals are good though they didn't make an huge expressen on me the first time but a after listening to the song a few time they've really grown on me. The vocals also do have a familiarity about them in fact Im reminded of Blink 182. The lyrics are catchy and I'm enjoying singing along!
Remembrance: The intro has something familiar about it and I cant help tapping my foot to it, I just love the whole song everything fits together so well, I can't fault this song at all! How can this band create so many songs I love?
Don't Tell Me Now: is even faster than the last song and the vocals come more out into there own. The fast paced drums and guitar riffs makes me want to jump up and down and the lyrics are catchy make me want to sing! Even though I haven't heard all of the EP yet this is definitely one of my favourite songs.
If Wonder Woman Had A Daughter (Loving the name btw) Another fast, catchy song, again I love the guitar riffs and catchy vocals! There's something about this bands fast, energetic style that makes it hard to stop listening.
Runaway Letter: imagine Green Day + Blink 182 + All Time Low in one song and you've got this song!! It's another great song, that I want jump about to and sing along. I'm running out of things I can say this EP this amazing.
Catalog Demise: At first the guitar riffs seems heavier and I think I could be for a slightly darker song, the vocals are quite light and energetic and but guitars and drums have a more rock feel about them, Again Chasing Morgan have created a song that I shall be singing along to a lot in the future. 

I love this bands original fast, energetic style it's going to be something I'll be listening to do for a long time!!!!
I'd love to see them live and when they come to the UK I'm so going :)

The whole EPs on Youtube but here's the link for Chasing Morgan's YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/user/ChasingmorganTV/videos
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chasingmorgan
Em xxx