December 2009
27 posts
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Feature: Albums of The Decade (Part Three)
Posted on AlterThePress.com in December 2009
10. Green Day - American Idiot After the mixed reaction of 2000’s ‘Warning’, Green Day returned with ‘American Idiot’ in 2004. A grand and socially-aware record that took Green Day from playing arenas to stadiums worldwide, the icing on the cake being 2 sold out nights at the Milton Keynes National Bowl in June 2005....
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Feature: Albums of The Decade (Part Two)
Posted on AlterThePress.com in December 2009
20. Bright Eyes - Fevers and Mirrors At the start of decade, Conor Obert and company released this delicate yet quirky American indie-folk record with subtle pop moments, that added a touch of charm to Obert’s mature, emotional words. Tracks like ‘A Scale, A Mirror, And Those Indifferent Clocks’ and ‘The Movement Of A...
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Feature: Albums of The Decade (Part One)
Posted on AlterThePress.com in December 2009 As the premier decade of the new Millennium comes to a close, music fans worldwide are trying to figure what is album of the decade. I am one of those music fans and over the next few weeks I will be presenting my 30 favourite albums of “noughties”.
It has been a decade that saw changes in the way we purchased, discovered and heard new music, the word...
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Album Review: Jonah Matranga/Kevin Seconds - Split...
Posted on AlterThePress.com in December 2009
In the past both Jonah Matranga and Kevin Seconds have released splitEPs with a numerous artists and bands. Matranga with Frank Turner and Seconds with Matt Skiba(Alkaline Trio). For some both individuals are known for their work in bands, such as Far (Matranga) and 7Seconds (Seconds). This brief 4-track EP starts off rather strange as Jonah’s...
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Album Review: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely...
Posted on AlterThePress.com in December 2009
If you’re a fan of 90’s Mid-West “emo” bands like Mineral, American Football and Benton Falls then Empire !Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) may just be your new favourite band. ‘What It Takes To Move Forward’ from the start sounds like a throwback to above mentioned bands, as ‘How To Make Love Stay’...
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Album Review: Harvard - The Inevitable and I
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009
Any album that has the production work of Brian Mcternan (Thrice, Circa Survive, Senses Fail) behind it is bound to be of a high standard. That is exactly what Harvard’s debut album is ‘The Inevitable and I’ is. It is a grand sounding, hour-long blend of indie rock and post-hardcore. From the start the swirling, dreamy guitars...
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Album Review: Tell It To The Marines - Bridges EP
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009
After the promising recent single ‘Fireworks’, Tell It To The Marines unleash their debut EP ‘Bridges’. The Cambridge 4-piece showcase atmospheric guitars with adrenaline-filled vocals. From opening track ‘Flareguns’, the echo-y, distant guitars compliment Timi Hyland’s confident and calm vocals, as the rest of...
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Album Review: Destry - It Goes On
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009
Last year Michelle DeRosa left Straylight Run to concentrate on a solo career. However that plan changed when DeRosa formed Destry, an indie folk group consisted of fellow Straylight Run member Shaun Cooper, Tyler Odesn of Northstar, Nicole Childrey and Sam Means from The Format. ‘It Goes On’ is a sweet, breezy collection of soft, gentle...
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Album Review: Say Anything - Say Anything
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009
Say Anything have definitely have had a coloured and well-documented history with Max Bemis’ bout with his bi-polar disorder and personal problems often being highlighted. Add to his numerous members coming and going, which have now been resolved and leads us to this ‘Say Anything’, the bands 4th album (if you include...
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Album Review: All Or Nothing/Chaos Days - Split EP
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009
All Or Nothing follow up to the ridiculously good split with The Wonder Years, with another split EP. This time they’re teaming up with British label mates Chaos Days. All Or Nothing kick off proceedings with the always good edgy, pop-punk the band do so well. ‘Hate Being The Dip Guy’ is instantly enjoyable and one of the bands...
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Album Review: Fighting Fiction - A Lesser Of Two...
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009
Bristol four-piece Fighting Fiction are described as an indie rock band with a reggae tinge and socially aware lyrics. That is exactly waht you get with the title track, as a bouncy bassline slides into a fierce rock chorus is listenable yet not overall original. ‘Cameraphones And Choruses’ proves to be more favourable, as it leans to the...
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Album Review: Person L - The Positives
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009.
Trying to make a fresh start must be difficult when you’ve been the front man for one of the most popular pop-punk bands of the last 10 years. This just the task that Kenny Vasoli has in front of him with his new band Person L. Nevertheless they shouldn’t be thought as Kenny from The Starting Line’s new band, as ‘The...
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Album Review: Every Avenue - Picture Perfect
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009.
If there is one thing Fearless Records knows, its catchy, upbeat pop-rock that the kids will eat up in big doses. The Maine, Mayday Parade, Artist vs Poet, Sparks The Rescue and Every Avenue are all part of the Fearless family. This review focuses on the latters new album ‘Picture Perfect’, the follow up to ‘Shh… Just Go With...
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Album Review: Tiger Please - They Don't Change...
Posted on AlterThePress.com in October 2009
Tiger Please are the latest of many bands to come out of Wales and with their debut EP ‘They Don’t Change Under The Moon Light’, a record that is the first step for a band who could well be on to good things. ‘Strawberry Moon’ starts off the EP beautifully with its complex affected guitars and subtle strings that...
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Album Review: The Almost - Monster Monster
Posted on AlterThePress.com in October 2009.
I’ll start off this review by saying I thought The Almost’s 2007 debut ‘Southern Weather’ surprised me and was a very enjoyable record. For those who don’t know The Almost, for the most part, is Aaron Gillespie’s (of Christian metalcore band Underoath) side-project. ‘Monster Monster’ sees the bands full...
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Album Review: Dashboard Confessional - Alter The...
Posted on AlterThePress.com in October 2009
Dashboard Confessional has always been one of those bands that has divided people, some call them ‘sappy emo crap’, whilst others ‘beautiful mesmerizing music’. Nevertheless it can not be argued Chris Carrabba knows how to write a good song. Over the last few years Carrabba and company have transformed from a soft, underground...
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Album Review: Atreyu - Congregation Of The Damned
Posted on AlterThePress.com in October 2009
After the medicore reaction to their first post-Victory Records album (2007’s ‘Lead Sails Paper Anchor’). Atreyu’s 5th album ‘Congregation of the Damned’ is an attempt to find a return to form for the Californian 5-piece. ‘Stop! Before It’s too Late and We’ve Destroyed It All’ shows a band with energy and...
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Album Review: Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg
Posted on AlterThePress.com in October 2009
After a 4 year wait and a slight line-up change, Wolfmother have returned with their sophomore record, ‘Cosmic Egg’. A record that is business as usual for the now 4-piece. For those familiar with the band’s style, bluesy rock n roll with a definite 70’s influence. ‘California Queen’ opens the record with plenty of...
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Album Review: Untied States - Instant Everything,...
Posted on AlterThePress.com in October 2009
Atlanta seems to be quickly becoming a musical focal point of American indie rock. Untied States are one of Atlanta’s established bands with ‘Instant Everything, Constant Nothing’ being their latest release on Distile Records. Over the course of 45 minutes, the 4-piece treat us to a blend of psychedelica and garage rock. Tracks like...
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Album Review: BlessTheFall - Witness
Posted on AlterThePress.com in October 2009.
Earlier this year Fearless Records added Pheonix, Arizona’s BlessTheFall to their ever expanding roster. For the band it was a whole new start, new label and a new singer in Beau Bokan, after Craig Mabbit left the band due to personal reasons (and then joined fellow metalcore band, Escape The Fate). The band’s second full-length...
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Interview: Person L
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009
Experimental indie rock band Person L released their 2nd album ‘The Positives’. Alter The Press! talked Person L frontman KennyVasoli about the bands new album, its vinyl release, their UK deal withSyclla Records and more. ATP: You’ve just released ‘The Positives’. What can fans expect to hear from the album? ...
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Interview: Tom Beck (Walnut Tree Records)
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009.
Alter The Press! recently talked to Tom Beck of small British independent label, Walnut Tree Records. In just over 2 years WTR has released records from Alter The Press!” favourites Portman, Waiting For Sirens (now known as Towers) and up and coming UK bands Bayonets and Tiger Please. The label also recently welcomed Viva Sleep to its roster. In...
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Interview: Luke Leighfield
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009
This week Southampton-based piano-playing singer-songwriter Luke Leighfield is to release his 3rd full-length album, ‘Have You Got Heart?’. Since 2006 Leighfield has played hundreds of gigs both at home and abroad, going as far as Russia and China. In addition to this, in 2008 he played at the Latitude Festival and The Great Escape...
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Interview: Romesh Dodangoda
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009.
Alter The Press! recently spoke with producer Romesh Dodangoda, who has worked with bands such as Funeral For A Friend, Kids In Glass Houses, Attack! Attack!, The Blackout, Not Advised, Twin Atlantic and Save Your Breath. Romesh is based at the well-known Longwave Recording Studio in Cardiff, Wales. Romesh discussed how he started producing bands, the...
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Interview: Atreyu
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009.
Last week Atreyu released their new album ‘Congregation of the Damned’, their 5th album and their 2nd for Hollywood Records. Alter The Press! recently asked guitarist Travis Miguel about the recording of the album, working with producer with Bob Marlette, their current US tour with Hollywood Undead and more. ATP: You’ve just released...
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Single Review Round-Up: Straight Lines, Spectrum...
Posted on AlterThePress.com in November 2009
Our latest Single Review Round-Up includes new releases from Straight Lines, Spectrum 7, The Answer and New Rhodes. Straight Lines - Versus The Allegiance Released December 7th on Xtra Mile Recordings After supporting fellow Welsh bands Attack! Attack!, The Automatic and Kids In Glass House; Straight Lines release their debut single ‘Versus The...
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Single Review Round-Up: 30 Seconds To Mars, Frank...
Posted on Alter The Press in November 2009
Our latest single review round-up includes new singles from 30 Seconds To Mars, Frank Turner and Pegasus Bridge. 30 Seconds To Mars - Kings and Queens Released on November 30th on Virgin Records Jared Leto and company are back and sounding as brash and grand as ever with ‘Kings and Queens’, the first single from new album ‘This Is...