The Buzz: On The Run

Band Members: John Ross Green
                            Tyler Miller
                            Brian Fisher
                            Ryan Weaver


Based In: East Freedom, PA, USA
Sounds Like: Bayside, The Swellers, The Used, Relient K, Taking Back Sunday



Mood: Defiant


On The Run has really been 'on the run' ever since their formation in December 2008. Their gig calendar is choc-a-block with one exciting show after another. Needless to say, they've never looked back once.

On The Run's musical style can typically be described as Alt/Punk, especially when their lead vocalist hits those slightly off-key, but immensely effective notes that are such a trademark of the genre. The riffs are (mostly) decidedly alt/rock, though. 'Monsters Like Me' is their most popular track 'til date, and rightly so! The best part about On The Run's music is that each of their songs has a unique hook that'll keep you interested no matter how many times you've heard the songs before. Another of my personal favorites is 'Leave Me Alone.'

You can connect with them on Facebook or Fan them on Reverbnation.

Watch: (I Should Be a) Communist by This Many Boyfriends

This Many Boyfriends is a quirky Indie Pop band based in Leeds (UK) who swear they'll "knock your blocks off" if you call them "twee or cutesy". Influenced by the likes of  PJ Harvey, Spearmint and Joy Division. (I Should Be a) Communist is set to release on 21st May through Angular Records. Check out their funky, quasi-communist video here!

                            

Song Review: Heartbeat by The Fray

One of my most favorite bands is coming out with their new album this February. The Fray, whose last self-titled album was released in 2009, have released the first single off of their third studio album titled Scars and Stories.



Heartbeat is a little different from what I identify as 'The Fray style'. It is a little on 'The Script' side. The Fray have this way of making the electric guitar behave like an acoustic one. The end result is a beautiful riff that can sound just as surreal on a piano. They do just that in Heartbeat.
I love it when Slade hits the falsetto notes! Some singers sound real bad in that pitch, but he makes it work 'real horrorshow'. The chorus is very catchy, you'll find yourself humming along to it very often. I especially like the lines, "If you can love somebody, love them all the same/You gotta love somebody, love them all the same".
But I have one major complaint. What's with the generic, cliched lyrics? I mean,what happened to stuff like 'Over My Head (Cable Car)'? Those were some good lyrics. Good lyrics should present the intended imagery with different ideas, newer comparisons; they should convey their meaning while still keeping you thinking whether that's what the songwriter meant by those words. I didn't see that in this song. It was all so 'been there, done that' boring. I could remember a thousand movies with the exact same scenario - rain, lovers running away on a truck, emotions running high, yada yada. What's new?

Verdict: A good song. Don't miss it if you are a fan of The Fray. For all others, there's plenty out there if you want choices.

Song Review: How We End Up Alone by HURT

There are some songs you just can't get out your head, however hard you may try. But this time, I'm not at all trying to get this song out my head. It is just so catchy! And honestly, I have a thing for brooding, dark songs with whiny guitars riffs and crashing drums. So there.


How We End Up Alone is the first single from HURT's upcoming album 'The Crux' which hits the stores 27th March, 2012. The song starts with a heavy guitar riff that contrasts beautifully with J. Loren Wince's brooding voice as he laments: There's no more use in trying/ When there's no more use denying/ I gave you the proof/ I don't care what you'll do.

As the song progresses, the guitars turn more menacing and the drums more pronounced. And finally, just when you anticipate it, the whiny riff of the catchy bridge and chorus hit you! I just LOVED how it all comes together perfectly in the chorus - the vocals, the guitars, the drums.

But the lyrics could have been better. The chorus and the bridge don't really mean much. They're basically just the same sentence repeated over and over. Sample this: If you fear for my way/ well then you's see it from my way/ 'Cause when you see it from my way/ Well then you see it from my way// You will see things from my way/ Because you will see things my way/ I gave her my youth just to make me the proof/ That's how we end up alone.

Verdict: The song may not have eloquent lyrics, but the music is great! HURT fans shouldn't miss this one.

Band Review: Splendid Chaos

I am HOOKED! I just can't stop listening to this band ever since I found them a month or so ago. It won't be too far away from the truth if I said that their song "Staring at the Sun" has been kind of a soundtrack for some of my more intense moments. It gives me a kind of enthusiasm, a zest to tackle the difficult phase I've been facing lately. Well, that and my beloved books and close friends. The chorus that goes "I'm not the one/ who will burn out/ staring at the sun/ Inside of me/ is a fire like you've never seen", perfectly describes what I feel right now.

Band Name: Splendid Chaos

Members: Mike Hall - Vocals/Guitars

Terry Sharp - Guitars/Backing Vocals

Mike Oakley - Drums/Samples

Jake Fountain - Bass/Backing Vocals

Genre: Rock/Alternative Rock/Metal

Formed: 2000

Location: Brandon, Mississippi (USA)

The band from Brandon, MS (USA) was formed in the year 2000 and has made music that spans the Alternative/Hard Rock/Metal genres. They’ve performed with such bands as Hinder, Staind, Trapt, Saliva and Three Days Grace. Their music could well be categorized as being a reflection of the bands they’ve performed with. Emotions and angst just ooze out of every one of their compositions, painting before us a brilliant display of creativity coupled with prodigious skill.

They released the CD Burn It Down in early 2010, of which “Staring at the Sun” is a product. Mike Hall’s vocals, Terry Sharp’s guitars, Mike Oakley’s drums, and Jake Fountain’s bass do make a truly splendid chaos! “Come and Get It”, “Energy”, and the titular track “Burn It Down” literally pulsate with a raw energy that is totally infectious. The various element of the band gel together so perfectly, they seem as various limbs of the selfsame being. Okay, enough said; I better let you sample their music and decide for yourself whether YOU like them or not.

Verdict: Abso-fucking-lutely AWESOME music! \m/

Band Review: In Cages

Who knew I'd have my first request for a review so soon? And I am so thankful that it was a good band like In Cages that requested it. That means I dared not refuse them the review they deserve. So, being me, I jumped at the opportunity to spread the word about their talent!

So, our Fresh New Artist today is In Cages from Hillsdale, New Jersey, US. Formed by "Five minus one, musicians from New Jersey who had similar views", this band is a motley crew of four quirky beings.

Band Review: The Longest Night

Band Name: The Longest Night

Members: Robbi Selin - Vocals & Guitars

Will O' Donnell - Guitar

Jared Greaves - Bass

Jason Rampersad - Drum

Label: Unsigned

Location: Barbados

Band Review: Fighting Gemini

Sometimes, you just stumble upon good music when you least expect it. That is how I found Fighting Gemini   very unexpectedly. The first song I came across was 'Naked or Buried Alive', and I thought, "Cool! A new Daughtry song." But then a minute into the song, I was like, "Now wait a minute, that's not Daughtry." Fighting Gemini have their signature stamped all over the chorus of that song. Though not a completely new sound, it was intriguing enough to make check them out. And I'm glad I did too. 

                                 

                                                       Photo Courtesy Fighting Gemini

Their other song, 'New Friend', has a sound that is more their own. It is a pacy song with some awesome crunchy guitars and drums that totally hit you in the gut! 'Test Drive' has the rough, edgy quality that can get the blood coursing through your veins and rushing in your ears. The gritty guitar riffs and punchy drums woven with Mike Donnell's spirited vocals make for a great Alt/Rock number. One of them's sure going on my playlist. (Check the sidebar). 'Tonight' is a clean piece of Adult Rock that should not be passed up if you really want to know what this band is really about.

I found it amusing that they should cover "Poker Face' by Lady Gaga; they just didn't seem the type. But they've done a good job making the song more alternative than the theatrical pop it originally was. Fighting Gemini has now officially joined the ranks of rock bands who have covered a Gaga song. They're soon coming out with their first full studio album. Hmmm... the songs have sure piqued my interest enough to wait for the album. Let's see how that turns out.

Verdict: They are like a tribute band to Nickelback and Daughtry.

Official Website: www.fightinggemini.com

Myspace: www.myspace.com/fightinggemini