Author: UberAdmin

Earthbound – ‘Desolate’ (Self-Released)

Earthbound – ‘Desolate’ (Self-Released)

Posted by | Oct 11, 2019 | ,

The descriptions that “PR gurus” apply to bands under their wings may be designed to be helpful in giving an idea what to expect from their clients’ sound, but they also can be confusing, distracting and more often serve to pigeonhole the artist concerned into a sub-genre where they do not necessarily belong. Hertfordshire-based quintet Earthbound are a case in point: right at the outset, the press release which accompanied this, their second EP, describes them as “melodic death metallers”. So, what if you’re a music journalist who doesn’t like that particular style of metal? You’re going to reject it right away, aren’t you? Which, would be a mistake, as there is a lot more going on with ‘Desolate’ than that initial descriptive would suggest…

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Down ‘n’ Outz – ‘This Is How We Roll’ (UMC)

Down ‘n’ Outz – ‘This Is How We Roll’ (UMC)

Posted by | Oct 11, 2019 | ,

When a frontman, and especially one with the international profile of someone like Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, launches a side project – and especially one which could, if somewhat cynically, be described as nothing more than a glorified covers band – then it is perhaps understandable that there would be a certain amount of scepticism, not least in relation to his motives for doing so. But, it has to be admitted, that Elliott’s reasons seem decent and honourable.

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Third Eye Blind – ‘Screamer’ (Mega Collider Records)

Third Eye Blind – ‘Screamer’ (Mega Collider Records)

Posted by | Oct 10, 2019 | ,

Third Eye Blind is a classic. Plain and simple. You would be hard pressed to find someone that has not heard ‘Semi-Charmed Life’. Even people who are not fans of the genre will tell you that they still like that song. ‘Jumper’ was another song that pretty much everyone knew. Their sound was a staple of the time period. Instantly identifiable as the late ‘90s/early 2000s and what was good about music back then. Third Eye Blind fit right in to the music of the time then and they do now as well.

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Art Alexakis – ‘Sun Songs’ (The End Records/BMG)

Art Alexakis – ‘Sun Songs’ (The End Records/BMG)

Posted by | Oct 10, 2019 | ,

Striking out solo for the first time in a 30-plus year career, Everclear frontman Art Alexakis has opted for the bare bones approach on debut album ‘Sun Songs’. Not quite acoustic, ‘Sun Songs’ nonetheless bears the hallmarks of the “one man and his guitar” approach, stripping away the punk-adjacent ‘90s rock angst of his main band to go for something that feels a little more reflective… kind of. See, Alexakis has never struggled to express himself throughout his career, Everclear’s discography sometimes doubling as therapy and autobiography both as it exposes some of the biggest demons and instances that have beset him over the years. Instead, this is more like the spotlight Alexakis has always stood in now shines more intensely, offering less a snapshot of his thought processes and life and more a detailed portrait, warts and all.

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