The
reviews section is done by Tom Schmidlin. The opinions expressed are his and are
in no way official opinions of Cincinnatishows.com or others involved with the
site. Send your responses to cincyreviews@yahoo.com
and we'll post them. To have your band's CD reviewed on here, send it along with
any helpful information to:
Cincinnatishows.com - PO Box 42815 - Cincinnati,
OH 45242-0815.
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Posted 9/13/04
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Various
Artists - Organelle (Save Your Servant/Tiberius/State Bird)
Usually I hear complaints about Cincinnati's music scene.
Once in a great while I hear hopeful whispers about it. Organelle
is a scream from the rooftops proclaiming to anyone within
earshot just how many incredible local bands we are lucky
enough to have. There are various musical sensibilities represented,
but regardless of your personal taste, every single song on
this compilation is worth your attention. The artists: Theraphosa:
angular soundtrack to the battle of rhythm vs. melody; The
Ralph Jones Band: gentle textural exploration; Caterpillar
Tracks: energetic, aggressive rock made complex by approach;
Thistle: heartfelt and catchy guitar-soaked indie rock;
Hover: airtight electronica with haunting vocals; Hilltop
Distillery: intelligent atmospheric instrumental with
an improvised feel; Covington: powerful rock with layers
of vocal harmonies; Humans Bow Down: absolutely beautiful
vocals over dynamic melodics; Ampline: gutsy hyperactive
post-punk with no patience for vocals; The Light Wires:
country-flavored tearjerking sing-along; The Strongest
Proof: mid-tempo angst rock stripped to its essentials;
Cameron Martin Cochran: settles the argument-folk isn't
always a dirty word; The Defrost Star: fast rock that
goes from sing to scream and back again; El Gigante:
soft/loud rock with a lush sound that's as big as their name. |
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Caterpillar
Tracks - S/T (Phratry Records/Save Your Servant)
Caterpillar Tracks take relatively basic chord progressions
and add refreshingly creative textural touches, particularly
with guitar, to keep the boredom at bay. The result is exciting
and aggressive rock that's 100% bullshit free. Recommended
If You Like: Kerosene 454 and other Slowdime/Dischord
bands, Rocket From The Crypt |
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Hilltop
Distillery - ...Died in the Woods (State Bird)
This disc proves that not only does compelling instrumental
indie rock exist outside of Chicago and New York, it's living
right here in Cincinnati. Well, Florence, KY, to be exact,
but close enough. Angles, atmospherics, and ambiance, if I
may alliterate a moment. Jazz from an alternate future. Thrill
Jockey fans will be, well, thrilled by this, as I was. Recommended
If You Like: Tortoise, Ui, The Sorts, Ativin |
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The
Ralph Jones Band - Drowning In Kentucky (State Bird)
The love song is not dead...it's been saved from drowning
in Kentucky. Soft, clean melodies and brushed drums with mildly
saccharine vocals. This band would fit perfectly on the soundtrack
of a Wes Anderson film. That's a good thing. Recommended
If You Like: Lambchop, Magnetic Fields, Kindercore bands |
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Posted 8/12/04
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Piebald
- All Ears All Eyes All The Time (Side One Dummy)
Piebald blend gently ironic post-punk with the finer trappings
of classic rock for a sound that's nothing if not quirky.
And they somehow manage to write catchy, singable hooks despite
the singer's refusal to, well, sing. If you're not familiar
with this band, I recommend giving any of their CDs a good
five or so listens before you pass judgement...given time
and patience, the songs grow on you like some oddly pleasant
fungus. Recommended If You Like: Ultimate Fakebook,
Weezer, Smoking Popes |
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Split
Habit - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is (Double Zero)
I feel a little guilty about liking this disc, but it's just
so damned catchy. Harmless pop punk, with the scales tipped
to the pop side. This album won't change your mind, life,
or worldview, but it does provide some good clean fun. Sometimes
that's all you need. Recommended If You Like: The Gamits,
The Scrubs, Amazing Transparent Man |
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Paulson
- Variations (Initial)
After a three-minute creepy space rock groove that shows some
potential, an audio shitfest begins. Apparently there are
a few bands out there trying to revamp their tired emo clichés
with some actual musicianship. Sorry fellas, but as the old
adage has it, you can't polish a turd. The solution: fire
your singer, or force him to stop letting his 14 year-old
'artistic' kid sister write his lyrics. On second thought,
just fucking fire him. Recommended If You Like: Brazil,
a little Rush with your emo |
Reviews
Archive
A Faith Called Chaos - Forgive
Nothing
Against Me! - as The Eternal Cowboy
Bagheera - Twelves
Brazil - A Hostage and the Meaning of Life
Caterpillar Tracks - S/T
Court Date Monday - The Half-Life EP
Cross, David - It's Not Funny
Down To Earth Approach - Another Intervention
Dynamite Boy - S/T
Duvall - Volume & Intensity
Days Like These - Charity Burns Green
Ee - Ramadan
Elvis Costello - North
Gamits, The - Antidote
Get
Up Kids, The - Guilt Show
Helicopter Helicopter - Wild Dogs With X-Ray
Eyes
Hilltop Distillery - ...Died In The Woods
Jawbreaker - Dear You re-issue
Lawrence
Arms, The - Greatest Story Ever Told
Light Wires, The - S/T
Limbeck - Hi, Everything's Great
Lost
In Translation soundtrack
Nada Surf - Let Go
Off
The Record - Nothing New
Paulson
- Variations
Piebald - All Ears All Eyes
All The Time
Punchline - Action
Ralph Jones Band, The - Drowning In Kentucky
Split
Habit - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Soviettes, The - LPII
Theraphosa - Blondi
Various Artists - Organelle
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell
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