Sunday, December 7, 2008 CRUEL HAND
Prying Eyes
Bridge Nine Records
Notice a pattern in the reviews lately? Cruel Hand is another band signed to Bridge Nine Records (Energy was in last weeks updates). Reason being I just saw both of them open for fellow Bridge Nine bandmate, H2O, in what was a great show at the Blender Theater here in NYC. Cruel Hand put on a set that impressed me so much I splurged and bought their cd, Prying Eyes. The Maine quintet continued to impress me with 12 tracks of hardcore onslaught. The breakdowns are furious and many and proved to be big crowd pleasers at the show. They have a slight metal touch which was reminiscent of old school NY hardcore legends, Leeway (they even did a cover at the show) but are a band who is uniquely its own.
TOP TRACKS: I dig em all. No lie. I have been playing this cd nonstop since I bought it. Dead Weight, Life in Shambles, Hounds, No Known Graves, Prying Eyes…the list goes on.
GDEVIL’S VERDICT: Go and buy this album. If you like fast, furious, metal and punk infused hardcore you’ll love Cruel Hand. The singer’s voice reminds me of Brian Dingledine, vocalist of holy terror hardcore act, Catharsis of the mid 90s. The riffs remind me of Leeway. What’s not to love?
KANYE WEST
808s and Heartbreak
Roc-A-Fella Records
Look. Even a crusty metalhead punk dirtbag such as myself needs some love makin music in his playlist. It shouldn’t be a surprise if you find such artists such as James Brown and Barry White shoved in along with Hatebreed and Iron Maiden on the ol’ ipod. So please don’t give me any grief on why Kanye made it in on this week’s reviews. Everything is fair game and if that’s not good enough for you I got a nice shiny boot I can lodge in your ass. Comprende? The first thing that I noticed on 808s is the presence of some serious percussion on many of the tracks. Kanye’s use of real instruments is a draw for me when it comes to his work. Another feature I noticed is Kanye’s use of synthesized vocals on most, if not all of the tracks. It gives it a “West Coast” style and personally, I can visualize myself in a tricked out Caddy with hydraulics jamming to 808s. The most interesting tidbit I also noticed on this record? Kanye doesn’t really rap on it. He’s singing for the most part. It’s more of an R&B album than a hip hop album in my opinion. I’m sure Kanye’s detractors will have plenty to say about that.
TOP TRACKS: Welcome to Heartbreak, Heartless, Amazing, Love Lockdown, Robocop...yes, a track named Robocop.
GDEVIL’S VERDICT: If you don’t buy it, try stealing it or burning it from a friend. For most of you out there I’m sure it’s not your style. But if you’re in the mood for something different, trying to get over that gal who ditched you, it’s not a half bad album. Many of the tracks tell of heartbreak and sorrow, and it’s no surprise why. Kanye’s mom passed away while writing this album and to top all off, his woman left him! If that’s not inspiration for some bluesy shit I don’t know what else is.
CIVET
Hell Hath No Fury
Hellkat Records
What do you get when you add sexy to a stripped down garage punk band? You get Civet! While not breaking any kind of barriers with their second full length, Hell Hath No Fury, they prove that staying the course is just fine….especially when you’re a quartet of hot chicks. Honestly, I would probably sell my own mother into slavery for a night out with all of these girls (sorry mom). It’s just that they really are gorgeous, and they all have that damn punk girl snarl down pat! Oh. Did I mention the record is actually good too? The album has a crunchy, old school, punk vibe and each track is fueled with gang vocals and Civet’s signature femme fatale attitude.
TOP TRACKS: Son of a Bitch, All I Want, Brooklyn (by law, I have to like any song with “Brooklyn” in it), Hell Hath No Fury
GDEVIL’S VERDICT: While its not groundbreaking material, it’s still good ol fashioned, kick in the ass, punk rock music. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!
NORMA JEAN
The Anti Mother
Solid State Records
Norma Jean cleaned up their act a little, so to speak, on their fourth album entitled The Anti Mother. The metalcore quartet from Georgia adds a little melody to their repertoire…ok, how about A LOT of melody? Without a doubt, The Anti Mother is the band’s most melodic to date. How does something as peaceful as melody work with the destructive force of Norma Jean? It will probably welcome a little more radio play and more than likely be ear-friendly to those who haven’t heard Norma Jean ever before. I applaud such actions and personally like the way the band experimented in this album. They also enlisted guest vocals by Deftone’s frontman, Chino Moreno and Saosin’s own, Cove Reber. Not only do these heavy hitters lend their pipes, but they also co-write on their respective guest tracks. Not too shabby.
TOP TRACKS: Vipers, Snakes, and Actors, Birth of the Anti Mother, Robots 3 Humans 0, Surrender Your Sons (Chino Moreno track), And There Will Be a Swarm of Hornets (a nine and half minute rager).
GDEVIL’S VERDICT: A good edition to Norma Jeans arsenal. New listeners will be pleasantly surprised I’m sure. But I would love to see their faces after they listen to Redeemer afterwards.
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