4 stars

2006 / 4 stars / evanescence / reviews — No Comments
13
Oct 09

The Open Door (2006) by Evanescence

Evanescence The Open Door

Evanescence
The Open Door
2006, Wind-Up Records
alt rock, metal
4

All right, folks, I have a very shameful secret. Along with old-school Backstreet Boys and Britney, Evanescence is a major guilty pleasure of mine. Lead singer/songwriter Amy Lee’s whining is as addicting as whining can ever be, and she has the Pop Diva Personality down pat. On a more serious note, I personally think Open Door is a far better album than Fallen, as the latter tried to hard to stay relevant in the ‘rock’ genre and didn’t allow for any creativity (or excessive whining). But Open Door made up for it, and in many ways is a true depiction of the band (if you can still call it one, as the only original member left is Lee herself). Apparently Evanescence is back in the studio, which is a relief considering how badly I need their brand of Weepy Crack-Rock.

“Weight of the World,” “Lithium,” “Lacrymosa.”
myspace, last.fm
AFI’s decemberunderground, Poets of the Fall’s Revolution Roulette

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2009 / 4 stars / autorotation / reviews — No Comments
12
Oct 09

Everything is Everything (2009) by Autorotation

autorotation everything is everything

Autorotation
Everything is Everything
2009, TeknoStan Records
electronic dreampop
4

I’ll admit that I’m a hesitant electronica listener, at best – I fancy guitars and pianos way too much to give them up. But there are times where an electronica album will come out of no where and basically hit me upside the head, which is what I experienced with Autorotation’s Everything is Everything. I don’t claim to completely understand the lyrics nor do I completely get the medley of sounds that are melded to form each song. However, there’s a difference between not understanding lyrics and not having them at all, and with each listen it’s obvious that Autorotation falls in the former category. Every song is intricately crafted and the minimal production quality gives it a delicacy that emphasizes lead singer Robyn Sellman’s voice instead of drowning her out. It might take you a few listens to ‘get’ this band too, but knowing the lack of brilliancy in most of this year’s album releases, that would be time well spent.

“Green Army Choir,” “Metal and Wood,” “Mittelschmertz – Norway Pumpkin Remix.”
myspace, last.fm
Portishead’s Third, Years of Rice and Salt’s Service Bell EP

Disclosure: A free copy of the album was given to me by Igor Olejar of the band. Please see my review policy for more.

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2008 / 4 stars / reviews / the motel life — No Comments
18
Sep 09

We All Left Something Behind EP (2008) by The Motel Life

we all left something behind the motel life

The Motel Life
We All Left Something Behind EP
2008, UNSIGNED
indie rock, emo
4

Even though they hail fom Ontario, CA (California, not Canada), The Motel Life have a decidedly East Coast sound to them. I hear a lot of influences from As Tall As Lions, Brand New, and even some Canadians in there. That’s both a good and a bad thing, as it’s a bit hard to distinguish influences from the band’s true sound.

However, The Motel Life has some pretty intense lyrics that indicate this group is far more mature than any other two-year-old unsigned band out there. And when those lyrics are infused with vulnerable vocals from lead singer Michael Escanuelas, you’ve got a winner on your hands. I’m looking forward to more from these guys in the future, because they are definitely here to say.

Note to the band if you’re reading this: Thinking “I’ll Find Myself Another State” is similar to the Plain White T’s “Delilah” is sacrilege. Plain White T’s should be honored because that’s more praise than they deserve.

“I’ll Find Myself Another State,” “Presale,” “Ghosts.”
myspace, purevolume
Provincial Parks’s Iron Ponies EP, Annabel’s Now That We’re Alive EP

Disclosure: A free copy of this EP was provided by Nick Camacho of the band. You can now download it for free yourself – check out their myspace! Please see my review policy for more info.

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