Neurosonic: Drama Queen (2007)

Somehow it feels like there isn't much to say about this band, or perhaps I'm just feeling lazy. It's been a long few days but Neurosonic has kept me going surprisingly well and thus it will be shared with you.

If you have ever listened to Out of Your Mouth the vocals should sound strangely familiar. That would be because Jason Darr had been in that band before Neurosonic was formed. It was actually the vocals that caught me when a friend initially introduced them. Are Solar is possibly my favorite track and for good reason because the rift is just so damn catchy and the lyrics are a mix between amusing and offensive, but it was about time someone ripped Ashlee Simpson up for her lip syncing fiasco in music form.

It saddens me that they aren't as well known. Sadly, they have broken up.

Sample Video: Are Solar

Econoline Crush: The Devil You Know (1997)

I know what you're thinking. "{Blogger Name Here}, how much do you rely on Pandora to find new music for you?" I actually haven't used it for a while now; this is a find from around 2007-2008 and another great one at that but they also belong in the category of bands that don't regularly release albums (as they went on a 7 year hiatus). They apparently even released an album I wasn't even aware of in 2008 that I feel stupid for not being aware of. Still, The Devil You Know is a personal favorite of mine and somewhere in my top albums.

I'm not quite sure what the first song I heard by them was. In fact, I think it was actually on Brand New History. For some reason I gave this one a try first and I was very pleased with what I found. It's no surprise that this has commercially been the band's greatest success. Each song has it's own unique sound and structure and I'm especially fond of 'Sparkle and Shine' and the vocals on 'Elegant'. They use a lot of distortion, which in most cases doesn't exactly sound pleasant but it's implemented very well.

Currently they have 4 LPs out but I have yet to check up and see if they have any more plans for the future.

Sample Video: Sparkle and Shine

Celldweller (2003)

I don't think Celldweller is exactly obscure, but I thought I would put this up anyway, seeing as I came across them recently thanks to a friend of mine.

Celldweller is (if the internet isn't lying to me) is a project started by Klayton, one of those artist/producer/etc hybrids of the music industry. I suppose his experience with all that and projects he has been a part of in the past has armed him with quite a bit of talent. I'll admit what I found the most amusing part I found in my findings was that Criss Angel was in a band? Really? I think I will seriously look into that, if only for my amusement.

But now, the music. I actually heard one of the tracks a few years back; Switchback, in it's instrumental form, was featured in one of the levels in Enter the Matrix. Yes, I played it, don't judge me. Hearing this again may have been what influenced me to look into it a little more and I am quite pleased with what I found. The contrast between tracks like 'Switchback' and (my favorite on the album) 'Stay with Me (Unlikely)' is almost sudden, yet somehow fits seamlessly into the album. It's an awesome record if you're into industrial or electronic music.

Sample Video: Switchback

The Jealous Sound: Kill them with Kindness (2003)

And now I present some more indie emo for your listening pleasure. Another find from a search about a month or so ago. The band was formed in Los Angelos and is a part of a long-running line of emo bands that are actually decent that need to release more albums especially since they appear to be kind of meandering around the concept of actually creating anything while occasionally posting in various areas about an upcoming LP. None the less I decided to look in to their one album they have, which I will now share with you.

Kill them with Kindness at first struck me as a little generic and I almost tossed it aside, but I have to say even music like that can quickly grab your attention. In my case this was especially true with Hope For Us, which I believe was the first song I heard (and also the first track on this album). There's a certain sound they remind me of and if I ever remember what it is, I'll tell you.

Sample Video: The Fold Out

Forty Foot Echo (2003)

Forty Foot Echo is a personal favorite of mine from a few years ago. Once again, this is a find via Pandora.com. By now it's probably obvious that I love the site. Unfortunately if you live outside of the USA, it's not available.

Multiply hooked me, Drift reeled me in, and Beside Me is definitely my favorite track off of the record. Unfortunately the band broke up after some complications with the record company, though Murray Yates (vocals) reformed it with a completely new line up and they released their follow-up album Aftershock. I think this is one of the few bands I've come across that their music still sounds great despite drastic changes.

Also, they're Canadian. Just thought I'd throw that out there.


Sample Video: Brand New Day

Cross My Heart: Temporary Contemporary (2004)

Apparently this is quite a rare find and it took me a while to get a hold of it. Anyway, Cross My Heart came up as a band similar to Sunny Day Real Estate and classified as Indie Emo. Which is good since despite the fact that screamo still holds a special place in my heart, there needs to be more like this.

I think I would describe them as a cross between Sunny Day and the early days of Juliana Theory. Quite a mix and very excellent. They released an EP called The Reason I Failed History but other than that, there are no other releases and they are now disbanded. That's no reason not to listen to them of course, so I'd at least give them a try.

Sample Video: Tonight, We'll Light Ourselves on Fire

Sold State Logic: Disarray (2006)

Once upon a time, I decided to look for more music similar to Drugstore Fanatics. I believe the result was this. Solid State Logic, if Last.fm is to be believed, finds it's roots similar to Alice in Chains and I'm not really sure I feel about that. Sure they may be inspired by the same sound but I'm not sure if I would describe them as similar. SSL is great, but it just has it's own sound.

I also really love bands who try to go out of their way to get their music out there but unfortunately that appeared to not work out too well and it's a shame because they're great in a society that's bent on ripping off everyone else. Oh, they were also apparently produced by Sylvia Massy Shivy, who produced such bands as System of a Down, Tool and Powerman 5000. Pretty awesome.

Sample video: Its Not Over

Loser: Just Like You (2006)

This was another find from Pandora a couple years back. If you're familiar with Marylin Manson, you might be familiar with John5, who was the guitarist in this. Prior to the release of the album, however, he left the band to go team up with Rob Zombie. And of course the record company decided to drop them because we can't have an awesome band without John5. It's a shame because they could have done really well.

Okay so maybe the guitar was the thing that grabbed me in to begin with when I heard the rift to 'Disposable Sunshine' the first time but the vocals kept me there; I don't think I've managed to find anything quite like Joe Grah, so props for him. Not sure where he went after this or if the band is still active (I haven't seen anything) but if he's somewhere else, I'm pretty sure I'll end up following him.

It's pretty upbeat compared to a lot of the things I tend to listen to and that's great because rock music needs more stuff like this. I say go for it. It doesn't appear to be sold anywhere, however... at least not that I can find.

Sample Video: 'The First Time'

Hourcast: State of Disgrace (2006)

Every so often I take a break from my own playlist and head over to Pandora.com just to rediscover things I may have never got around to looking into or just finding new music in general. Kinda depends on how I feel.

I actually found Hourcast sometime in 2008 (I think around January or February?) and I quite liked the two songs I heard (which at that time were Sakkara and Lunar) but then I sort of forgot about Pandora. Then about a month ago or so I went back to look through artists that had come up on one of my stations and found them again and I'm really glad I did. I think it's great to go rediscover artists you used to listen to again.

What really drew me into them was the guitar. Usually hard rock has me listening to it for the drumline but the rifts (especially for Lunar) were just too much fun to listen to. If it wouldn't drive me insane to listen to one song on repeat, I probably could do that with a few songs. I also have always liked it when vocalists can go back and forth from softer to harsh and still make the music flow rather than abruptly change style and that's just what Hourcast does.

To my knowledge they haven't broken up but I have no idea if there are any plans for a follow-up album to State of Disgrace. I really hope there will be.

Sample Video: 'Freeze'

Drugstore Fanatics: What's Born in the Basement (2009)

When I first heard the band name my first thoughts were 'quirky pop-rock'. I'm not really sure why that was in mind but since a friend managed to find them, I decided to give them a try and to my surprise, I really enjoy it.

Drugstore Fanatics debut album was actually recorded and mixed in the creator's basement and for their kind of music and being a new band, it came out very well. Last.fm describes their sound being similar to Nine Inch Nails, Tool and Devin Townsend but they really stand alone with their own unique ambirock sound. The vocals are fresh and damn he hits the notes nicely.

Currently What's Born in the Basement is on their website as a free download and another copy for $5 that contains the B-sides. I would like to encourage everyone to go ahead and buy the album since it's cheap and I'm hoping with some encouragement they'll get the recognition they deserve. Some good bands just don't get enough love.

Sample Video: 'You Got the Ball (live rehersal)'