The
reviews here are written by Tom Schmidlin, unless otherwise noted.
The opinions expressed are his or the writer's and are in no way
official opinions of Cincinnatishows.com or others involved with
the site. Send inquiries to cincyreviews@yahoo.com.
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 1/4/05
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Humans
Bow Down - A Mirror (Phratry) 
I'll try to get through this review without using the words
'haunting' and 'beautiful' together. Humans Bow Down play
that by now somewhat familiar-sounding jangly mid-tempo loud-soft
thing circa early Sunny Day Real Estate. The musicianship
on this disc is more than solid, but what really sets this
band apart from other inheritors of the SDRE empire is the
singer's pristine voice. Check out the live show, if you're
able. Recommended If You Like: early Sunny Day Real
Estate, Engine Down, Seam |
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Jimmy
Eat World - Futures (Interscope)
I've spent the last few albums conditioning myself to tolerate
the gradual castration of a band that once meant a great deal
to me, and I managed to suffer in silence through Tom's retirement
from co-vocalization, the needless (from any but a marketing
department's viewpoint) changing of an album title, and even
the incessant overexposure of 'The Middle,' but this record
is so heinously overproduced, and the lyrics so sub-Hallmark,
that I simply can't listen to this lukewarm orphanage-breakfast
bullshit any more. Yes, it's catchy, but so are the Wiggles.
Recommended If You Like: getting a Gadzooks gift certificate
for Christmas, watching Bring It On without irony, bleaching
your teeth for the prom, etc. |
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View-Finder
- View Finder (Phratry)
If someone had played this for me and told me it was a new
pressing of Built to Spill's previously unheard of first album,
I would probably have believed them, and wondered why it hadn't
been re-released sooner. This is not to say that View-Finder
don't have their own unique and pleasant foibles...perhaps
my frame of reference could use a bit of expanding. In the
meantime, I'll enjoy this record. Recommended If You Like:
Built To Spill |
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Posted 1/2/05
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The
Pinstripes - The Pinstripes
This local outfit is playing ska, still thinks it's cool...and
who are you to judge otherwise? After all, they're a tight
band. They're definitely Reel Big Fish fans, but some of the
stuff has a harder edge, reminiscent of early Suicide Machines.
Female/male lead vocals keep things interesting. If you're
into danceable music, I'd definitely check these guys out.
They're playing 1/13 at Radiodown with Mustard Plug. [review
by Droopy Dog] Recommended If You Like: Reel Big Fish,
The Hippos, etc. |
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Femme
Fatality - Never Had A Daddy (Collective)
This St. Louis duo play frenzy-inducing electro music and
look more indie rock than your mom, which I guess makes them
and indie rock group. The music is definitely well done -
not just a couple of kids fooling around with a computer.
The pop sensibilities and synths invoke a very 80s feel, and
it helps that the singer kind of sounds like that dude from
the B-52s. I'm sure this would be a great act to see live.
If you're a hipster, get into this band now so you can get
a good 6 to 9 months of elitism in before everyone else knows
about them. [review by Droopy Dog] Recommended If You Like:
The Postal Service, Q and Not U, Techno music (err...sorry,
electro) |
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Paperback
- Let's Go Ride Bikes
A local that I've heard about but had never heard. Driving
rock music thoughout the album, kind of like the Smashing
Pumpkins back when they rocked, but a little more compact.
Overall it's well done - the only thing probably holding them
back from exploding is so-so vocals and even more so-so lyrics.
At least they get credit for not trying to sound "garage."
[review by Droopy Dog] Recommended If You Like: Husker
Du, Fu Manchu, Foo Fighters |
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Star
Apple Theory - An Archaic Prologue
Homemade demo CD from a band that seems to be on the rise.
Although the demo is poorly recorded, you can tell the music
is decent, and lead singer Monti Hannah is clearly both talented
and sexy. My biggest complaint is the songs are all over the
place, each sounding different than the next, from super mellow
to noisy rock. Their bio says they're soon to work with legendary
producer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Babes In Toyland), so hopefully
with a little guidance, their full length will be an amazing
product. [review by Droopy Dog] Recommended If You Like:
Bikini Kill, Liz Phair, Hole |
Reviews
Archive
A Faith Called Chaos - Forgive
Nothing
A Small Victory - El Camino
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
Even In Blackouts - Zeitergist's Ego
Femme
Fatality - Never Had A Daddy
Gamits, The - Antidote
Get
Up Kids, The - Guilt Show
Helicopter Helicopter - Wild Dogs With X-Ray
Eyes
Hilltop Distillery - ...Died In The Woods
Humans
Bow Down - A Mirror
Jawbreaker - Dear You re-issue
Jimmy
Eat World
- Futures
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
Paperback
- Let's Go Ride Bikes
Paulson
- Variations
Piebald - All Ears All Eyes
All The Time
Pinstripes,
The - S/T
Punchline - Action
Ralph Jones Band, The - Drowning In Kentucky
Rise Against - Siren Song of the Counter
Culture
Silkworm - It'll Be Cool
Split
Habit - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Soviettes, The - LPII
Star
Apple Theory - An Archaic Prologue
Theraphosa - Blondi
Various Artists - Organelle
View-Finder
- S/T
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell
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