Firebird - Double Diamond

 
 

Firebird’s last album Grand Union was one of my favorites of 2009 and I knew they would have a hard time topping it. Their new album Double Diamond is a very solid rock album but doesn’t quite match the intensity of the last one. Still, Firebird is one of the better rock bands out there and new material is always welcome and worthy of support.

Double Diamond starts off with “Soul Saviour,” one of the stronger songs on the album. Guitarist Bill Steer fires up a classic riff and the band comes in with a great cowbell driven groove. The first thing I noticed is that the production seems to be a bit more “modern” than in the past. Of course, in Firebird’s world “modern” means Paul Chapman era UFO and Chinatown by Thin Lizzy. As always the band is very tight and Bill’s guitar playing is outstanding. 

Mid-tempo songs like “Ruined” and “Bright Lights” are pretty commercial sounding. Too bad these won’t get any airplay because they could definitely appeal to a mainstream classic rock audience.  Faster ones like “”For Crying Out Loud” and “A Wing & A Prayer” will sound great in your car as you’re rocking down the highway. Overall, I think this album will sound better in a car than on a home stereo. The production is top notch and there’s plenty of variety so you won’t get bored on the road. It is, however, lacking barnburners like Grand Union’s “Blue Flame” or their storming version of Humble Pie’s “Four Day Creep.”

--Woody

www.myspace.com/firebirdblues

Ripple News - Katatonia Tour Dates Announced

KATATONIA ANNOUNCES SPECIAL 20TH ANNIVERSARY NORTH AMERICAN SHOWS
Headlining “Last Fair Day Gone Night 2011” performances scheduled for September and October

Katatonia has announced several special 20th anniversary North American shows in celebration of two decades of gloom and doom from the world-renowned progressive metal titan. The headlining “Last Fair Day Gone Night 2011” performances will take place in the United States and Canada while the band is in North America for the upcoming “Heritage Tour” with fellow Swedish heavyweight, Opeth. Full dates for “Last Fair Day Gone Night 2011” and the “Heritage Tour” can be seen below.

            Guitarist Anders Nyström issued the following statement in anticipation of the “Heritage Tour…”

            "Both you and we know that North America damn well deserves to see more of Katatonia, right? So how could we possibly resist heading back to the States this fall when Opeth are giving us the opportunity to be their special guests? It was just a matter of time before it had to happen again. Yes we toured together in the same formation ten years ago in Europe, and not only was that tour very well received by both bands’ fans, but we also shared a great ride together as long time friends. Some people have even been calling this bill their ‘dream line-up’, so it's only fair that the loyal fans in North America now get their piece of the cake too! So come out and see us on this great tour and remember we're playing headlining sideshows as well! Looking forward! Cheers!"

            Katatonia last toured North America in the fall of 2010, a headlining run on the “Night Over North America” tour, in support of its 2009 release, Night Is The New Day.

            Stay tuned for more information on Katatonia, “Last Fair Day Gone Night 2011” the “Heritage Tour”.




“Heritage Tour” dates 2011…
Sept. 16 - Ottawa, ON - Zaphod Beeblebrox*
Sept. 17 - Quebec City, QC - Agitee*
Sept. 18 - Montreal, QC - Foufounes*
Sept. 19 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
Sept. 20 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theater
Sept. 21 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
Sept. 22 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
Sept. 23 - Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero
Sept. 24 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall*
Sept. 25 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody’s*
Sept. 26 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
Sept. 27 - Louisville, KY - Expo Five
Sept. 28 - Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom
Sept. 29 - Charlotte, NC - Amos' Southend
Sept. 30 - Atlanta, GA - Center Stage
Oct. 01 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
Oct. 02 - New Orleans, LA - Hangar*
Oct. 03 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
Oct. 04 - Austin, TX - Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater
Oct. 05 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
Oct. 06 - Kansas City, MO - The Beaumont Club
Oct. 07 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
Oct. 08 - Winnipeg, MB - Burton Cummings
Oct. 09 - Regina, SK - The Exchange*
Oct. 10 - Edmonton, AB - Edmonton Events Centre
Oct. 11 - Calgary, AB - MacEwan Hall Ballroom
Oct. 13 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
Oct. 14 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory Concert House
Oct. 15 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo
Oct. 16 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
Oct. 18 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
Oct. 19 - Los Angeles, CA - Mayan Theatre
Oct. 20 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues
Oct. 21 - Pomona, CA - The Fox Theater
Oct. 22 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
Oct. 24 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
Oct. 25 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
Oct. 27 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
Oct. 28 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
Oct. 29 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall
Oct. 30 - Guelph, ON - Guelph Concert Theatre
Oct. 31 - Millvale, PA - Mr Smalls Theatre
Nov. 01 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live!

* Katatonia headlining “Last Fair Day Gone Night 2011” date

The Haunted Continents - The Loudest Year Ever

 

After a long and arduous journey I parked our van in front of the address the group had provided.   I’ll admit that the location was a little spooky, even in broad daylight.  We were a couple of miles outside of New York City proper, and there were only a few mid-size industrial buildings around to break up the landscape.  Additionally, the squat one story building my camera crew and I were parked in front of appeared to be the only one currently inhabited.  I honked the van’s horn to formally announce our presence.

Sure enough a door opened and two normal looking young men walked out to greet us.  Handshakes and introductions followed.  James A.M. Downes was the singer/guitar player, and Matt Cascella was the drummer.  Together they made up The Haunted Continents.  Perhaps sensing my unease, Mr. Downes clapped me on the shoulder and reassured me that no one present was in any physical danger whatsoever.  Unfortunately his statement did not truly lessen my concern, and I asked for clarification on what exactly was going to happen inside this building of theirs today.  He laughed, put a big smile on his face, and explained that my crew and I were here to document the latest of their ongoing séances.  With any luck he continued, we would also be able to record video of new music being written and performed.  That seemed pretty straightforward to me, so my crew and I followed the two young men into the building with cameras at the ready.

Leaving the bright afternoon sunshine behind, I found the dark interior of the building quite disorienting.  Once my eyes adjusted to the low light levels, I observed that the interior space had been fully transformed into one large practice/recording space, with vintage concert posters decorating the walls.  The musicians took their respective places, strapping on a guitar and sitting behind the drum kit, and signaled us to begin recording video.  Incense was lit and a few choice words were chanted in unison.  At this point Mr. Downes closed his eyes and appeared to go into a deep trance while Mr. Cascella continued calling on otherworldly entities.  No more than one minute later, Mr. Downes visibly shook, opened his eyes and looked around the room as if he was unsure where he was.  He looked down at the guitar, smiled, and lifted his gaze onto Mr. Cascella.

“Hey Matt!  How are you?”
“I’m fine Buddy.  How are you?”
“Well it’s good to be back here I can tell you.”  He looked to his right and saw me and my crew.  “Who’s this?”
“Buddy this is…”
“Hi.  My name is Penfold, and you are?”
“Buddy.  Buddy Holly.  Pleased to meet you.  Are you here to listen to me and Matt play some music?”
“Absolutely!”
“Great!  Hey Matt, I’ve been listening to those Weezer albums you showed me.  Man they’re great!”
“Yeah Buddy, I think so too.  I’m glad you like them so much.”
“You bet I do.  They’ve given me tons of song ideas!  Do you want to just play along with me as I run through some of them?”
“Sure.  That sounds good to me.”
“Great!  Here we go.”

Waveriders, waveriders, waveriders.  Boy oh boy do I have some music to tell you about today!  The Haunted Continents is the name of the band and their fantastic debut album, The Loudest Year Ever, is about to serenade your eardrums into a state of pure ecstasy.  As you might have guessed after reading the story above, The Haunted Continents is made up of the dynamic duo of guitarist/keyboard operator/vocalist James A.M. Downes and drummer Matt Cascella.  Originally from Old Saybrook, CT these two men can currently be found conquering New York City with their wickedly memorable tunes.  But why am I so excited about this band?  What do they sound like?  I’m glad you asked.

To borrow the groups own words, The Haunted Continents ‘mix 50s bop and soul with 90s alternative’.  They list Buddy Holly and Otis Redding as their two main influences besides Weezer.  Now I know what you’re telling yourselves waveriders.  You’re telling yourselves that you’ve heard plenty of modern rock acts that incorporate 50’s rock influences into their sound.  That is certainly true and I won’t bother arguing that point.  So what makes this group different?  I’ll tell you.  The Haunted Continents flip the script and compose songs like a 50’s era group who has been given the gifts of distortion and modern production.  It’s breathtaking!

The Loudest Year Ever is made up of ten songs.  Ten superb anthems dedicated to the fine art of the break-up.  There are ultra groovy heavy hitters.  There are mid-tempo wonders.  There are delicate ballads.  Anything you wish to discover can be found within this album.  Well, I take that last statement back.  If you were looking for some throw away songs or other musical filler, you’ve come to the wrong place.  This album is a lean, mean, bop and soul machine!  While all ten songs are great, there are a few that really jump out at me.  Opener “2nd Avenue Blues” really establishes that the listener is in for something different and wonderful.  “Cure For The Blues” lays some driving guitar strumming over top of another distorted guitar line and hand clap accompaniment.  This song makes me happy…end of story.  “She’s My Only One” sounds so wholesome throughout that I simply can’t resist its charms.  I dare you to try waveriders.  No, scratch that.  I double dare you!

Time to put a bow on this methinks.  Here is the bottom line waveriders.  I love The Haunted Continents album The Loudest Year Ever more and more every time I listen to it.  If you grew up listening to nothing but 1950s rock n’ roll thanks to your parents musical preferences, or if you simply value the sonic blueprint established by those early rock acts and wonder what a 90’s alternative take on their sound would be like you absolutely must hear this album!  The rewards are bountiful!

--Penfold

http://thehauntedcontinents.bandcamp.com/

Ripple News - LO-PAN To Begin Let Freedom Ding Tour; Vinyl Out Now!

Ohio rockers LO-PAN have unveiled their latest slew of tour dates in support of their Small Stone Records debut, Salvador. After scores of shows across the country with the likes of Truckfighters, Dixie Witch, Gypsyhawk and Fight Amp, LO-PAN’s Let Freedom Ding tour – allegedly named for the many bells that mysteriously occupy the dashboard of the band’s van – will find the outfit bringing their fuzzed-out soul rock bliss to the Midwest alongside heavy hitters like Bloodcow, Droids Attack, and Chapstik.

In addition, Small Stone’s 180-gram vinyl pressing of Salvador is available now in white and red/blue clear swirl. Whatever flavor you choose, it’s delicious, and available now at smallstone.com/store. The band will also have copies with them on the road, and they take credit cards. Seriously.


LO-PAN Let Freedom Ding Tour:

08/17/2011 The Mill - Iowa City, IA w/ Snow Demon
08/18/2011 The Waiting Room - Omaha, NE w/ Bloodcow
08/19/2011 Tennyson's Tap - Denver, CO w/ Low Gravity, Black Lamb
08/20/2011 Burt's Tiki Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT w/ Muckraker, Dwellers, Top Dead Celebrity
08/23/2011 The Aquarium - Fargo, ND
08/24/2011 Triple Rock Social Club - Minneapolis, MN  w/ Droids Attack
08/25/2011 JB's Speakeasy - La Crosse, WI w/ Droids Attack
08/26/2011 Club Inferno - Madison, WI w/ Droids Attack
08/27/2011 Red Line Tap - Chicago, IL w/ Heaving Mass, Droids Attack
08/28/2011 Small's - Detroit, MI w/ Chapstick, Knife



Lo-Pan, Salvador vinyl track listing:

Side A:

El Dorado

Bleeding Out

Seed

Bird Of Prey

Deciduous



Side B:

Intro

Chichen Itza

Struck Match

Generations

Solo

Ocean Grove - Another Place To Stay

When Racer tossed me the new Ocean Grove EP release entitled Another Place To Stay.  I didn’t know what to expect.  When I queued it up for the first time I was floored.  Here was this band I had never heard of playing well-crafted rock rivaling that of Hall of Fame rockers.

The EP contains a scant five tracks - one of which is described as a “hidden track.” There is “Away” which  could have easily been written by an alternative rock Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers;  “The Best,” a song with a sound reminiscent of Paul McCartney and Wings;   the so called “hidden track,”  entitled “So Cool,”. which channels Freddie Mercury and Queen; and. “Take It Easy,”  a tune with a Graham Nash meets Warren Zevon poppiness. The final track, “Say Goodbye,” builds from a Flying Burrito Brothers-like country ballad to an uptempo alternative pop Train-like middle.  The ending, however, is like someone took the end of George Harrison’s “My Guitar Gently Weeps”  and crossed it with the end of Alvin Lee and Ten Years After’s “I’d Like To Change The World” culminating in massive rock guitar, drums, bass and tone.

When you hear music like this you have to ask, “Who are these guys?”  A quick search found that the band consists of John Taylor (vocals/guitar), Ryan Liestman (keys/backing vocals), Greg Garbowsky (bass/backing vocals) and Jack Lawless (drums).  I also learned that they have been playing together for years opening for, or backing, such artists as Stevie Wonder, Brad Paisley and Vince Gill. Now, they are on their own as Ocean Grove.

This summer Ocean Grove is touring the southwest U.S. from California to Texas.  Give them a listen or see one of their shows.  They may very well surprise you too..

- Old School

Abby Posner -The Gatherer and the Thief EP

Ever since I began writing for The Ripple Effect I’ve come across a wide variety of music artists, some good and some shockingly good. However, the one negative aspect is receiving requests from friends of friends and boyfriend’s sisters’ cousins’ uncles twice removed making requests for me to listen to their demos and CDs. Well, maybe it hasn’t been that ridiculous, but it’s not too far off. I mean a lot of people have come out of the woodwork asking for my help.

Although I respect and encourage them asking me politely, I feel weird trying to remain objective. This is probably due to the fact I have a BA in Journalism and feel morally obligated to abstain since there is a conflict of interest. Still, it’s interesting the music I have come across through these requests. There were several solid demos including one heavy metal band, but they were mostly pressed on CD-R’s and not “officially released.” Although I do have a preference for physical albums I don’t hold anything against a band with submitting a digital album. In the past I actually received a small virus from a batch of digital albums sent my way for reviews. Although it slightly hindered my ability to review music, it didn’t stop me entirely, but it made me take an unexpected break.

Now that all is well I’m up to speed with listening and reviewing music. For the past couple of months I have gone through a ridiculously nostalgia streak listening to everything 1990s. Now it doesn’t seem that long ago, but it’s hard to believe that decade was 20 years ago. Recently I saw the movies Reality Bites, Singles and Clueless on TV and it reminded me of an artist I was turned onto recently.

Whenever a friend comes to me and says they have found “an awesome music artist I need to listen to” I’m usually not too surprised, but that changed earlier this year. During springtime one of my high school friends contacted me about a musician I should write about. Now I explained to him the policy of The Ripple and said, “I would give it an honest listen and if I like it then I shall write about her music.” Sure enough I’m doing that now. Whenever someone recommends a music artist from a genre of music they aren’t particularly fond of I know I’m in for a real treat. Instantly I become intrigued and almost always I seem to really like the artist(s) suggested.

Singer-songwriter Abby Posner recently released her first EP The Gatherer and the Thief in Spring 2011 and is currently working on her full-length studio album tentatively titled For You, The Spring. One of the things I absolutely adore about Abby Posner is her musical versatility. Whether it’s the musical instruments being used or her vocal technique, she echoes back to the late 1980s and early 1990s of classic female songwriters such as Liz Phair, Lisa Loeb and Sarah McLaughlin. Even at times I feel like I’m listening to a young  Jewel, Fiona Apple and Tori Amos.

It’s abundantly obvious Posner personifies what it means to appreciate world music using a diverse amount of instrumentation. At times, Posner sounds like the female version of Paul Simon during the Graceland period. The use of percussion in “Time to Go” is a good example.

Besides performing as a solo artist, Posner is involved in several side project bands including bluegrass-rock band Fearmia, rock band The Paper Tigers, the experimental jazz duo East Coast and the instrumental folk duo Bucket and String. Posner plays guitar, mandolin, banjo, drums, and didgeridoo, amongst other things. Talk about practically being a one person-band! Abby Posner can do it all.

 The Gatherer and the Thief starts off with “Moon,” which highlights Posner’s sultry, smooth voice accompanied by unconventional instruments. Anyone who can use an accordion (not named Weird Al) to make a song splendid is cool in my book.

 “Shame” is arguably my favorite song of this delightful debut EP from versatile visionary Abby Posner. The simplistic strumming of an acoustic guitar alongside Posner’s voice creates an incredible song you become mesmerized from beginning to end. The song continues to build and around the 1:57 mark the song just takes off with great background vocals. A must listen!

 “Darkest Winter” starts off with a banjo and is a nice crossover bluegrass rock song that is the perfect remedy for an enjoyable, relaxing song. “The Bees” starts off in a similar fashion and stings you with plenty of emotions before involving into a more experimental jazz composition. Posner’s voice is a perfect match with an acoustic guitar.

 “Time To Go” and “Sweet Love” are also true delights. This entire EP was a pleasant surprise well worth the wait. Abby Posner is practically a one woman band and I love anyone who is able to sing, write and play anything. There is just something about her folk/indie sound that captivates me. There are times where she seems to capture the essence of Alanis Morissette, the simplistic writing styles of Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) and the attitude of Fiona Apple to create a charming, creative indie sound all her own.

--Brownstone

Tyrannosorceress – Demo 2011

Tyrannosorceress is a 5 piece Blackend Doom Death band out of the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area, aka for me they are some hometown dudes. I found out about this band while clicking around through facebook pages. Honestly, there awesome name is what made me stop and take a listen to them. Tyrannosorceress, that's just an awesome fucking name! Boy, am I glad I stopped to take a listen.


There new 2011 Demo simply titled Demo 2011 is pretty bad ass. This three track demo begins with my favorite song on this demo, “Age of Vice”. Simply put, it is amazing, it's dark and it's slow methodical metal. Musically this track sounds like classic black metal mixed with a little doom. It contains double bass filled drums and simply awesome dulling guitars. The addition of blackend doom vocals gives this track a little something special. Vocally the lyrics are easily understood adding a real “I want to stand in front of this band while they play and bang my head and sing along” feel.

“Thunderous Drums Emanate in the Distance
Their Echoes are Carried Into a Vortex of Fog
Cold Void Drapes Itself Upon the Earth
To Reap Souls of the Impure
Beings of Spectral Light Beam from the Cosmos
Chanting the Death Knell; Hymn of the Great Demise
In the Era of Malice, Discord Awakens the Age of Vice
Once Buried by Time it’s Unearthed to Feast Again
Reaching Toward Skies of the Stillborn World
To Behold its Infinite Fallacy
Devourer of Light; Spews Darkness Unto Me
Reveling in its Blackness I Writhe, Writhe Eternally
Fires Consume the Forests Oceans Absorb the Shores
Fault Lines Erupt and Quake the Earth
To Sanctify the Impure
Beings of Light Surround Us
Chanting the Hymns of Death
Ascending Beyond the Gates
Cycles of Death Reborn In Another Plane of Existence
Where Knowledge of Life and Death Exist No More “


The Dallas area is not too well known for producing any black metal style bands....”this is Dimebag country” said in my most hick Pantera loving voice. Did I mention I'm not really a big Pantera/Dimebag worshiper.... Anyway, Tyrannosorceress is a band to be on the lookout for in the coming years. I see a big future in this band, not just in the Texas metal scene but nationwide.

Tyrannosorceress goes good with: Abigail Williams, Vader, Aborted, Baring Teeth, Goatwhore, Kill The Client

-Cicatriz

Stream here: http://listn.to/Tyrannosorceress/player#t=0&pos=0&p=

Get the Free Demo here: http://tyrannosorceress.com/