CD Review – Se7en Sided “Life On Hold”

Posted: February 29, 2012 in Alternative Rock, cd review, Edmonton AB Band, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Progressive, Rock, Rock and Roll, Se7en Sided
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CD Review – Se7en Sided – Life On Hold

Released – September 20, 2011

by Jade Sperry

Se7en Sided are a stellar band from Edmonton AB.  Their CD Life On Hold was released on September 20, 2011.  At that time I was hospitalized and couldn’t even listen the CD until I was released in early October.  The 12 song CD is a good progression from their first CD “The Silver Lining.  The band had Randor Lin produce and engineer the CD and it was mastered by Charles Carvalho at Joao Carvalho Mastering.   I really enjoy this bands’ music as it speaks the truth about how lives are lived – it’s honest music.  Not a lot of bands do that – tell it like it is.  Straight up music.

The track listing is as follows:

1.    All I Got

2.     Restart

3.    Letter

4.    Wild One

5.    Do You Miss Me?

6.    Who We Are

7.    You and the Rain

8.    Thank You

9.    Carry On

10.   I Wouldn’t Trade

Edmonton’s Se7en Sided

All of the songs on this CD are very well written musically.  Lyrically, I find this band has honest music and I think that has carried over to this new CD from the 2010′s The Silver Lining.  I hear more maturity with the songs lyrically which is good because time marches on.  Darren Rogers fronts the band and has superb vocals with a good range.  Dan Sittler is shredding with lead guitars, Marcus Engel on bass and Aaron Hanley on drums.  This band is musically tight and you can hear how well they perform as one unit in studio and onstage.  They’ve played with bands like Econoline Crush, Defualt, Armchair Cynics, The Artist Life and Social Code.

Starting out the CD is “All I Got” which starts with a female voice letting you know what’s coming up with a 30 second spot of guitar work and then full on into a fast tempo, slightly punked out guitars and then its off in another direction musically – more rock and a ballad like melody in the middle eights.  Basically it’s a song about true feelings of devotion.  Following the person who means the most to you.  This is a really well written song both lyrically and musically.  “Restart” starts out fairly slow and questions a relationship that maybe hasn’t fully ended and how to face that emotion in each other.  The bass and drums work well together as does the guitars.  Awesome song!  This writer’s favorite song is “Letter” that is pure kick ass music.  The guitars just shred so good and the melody flows out of the instruments like a waterfall.  I really dig the melody of this song in general and I honestly can say that this music is Se7en Sided and original.  “Who We Were” starts out like a ballad with slow lead in music that gets a bit more defined by about the 1 minute 50 second mark.  Going separate ways is hard to deal with at any point in time but as days goes by you realize that you’ve grown in an opposite way to your partner’s life.

Other songs that are a highlight – “Carry On” and “I Wouldn’t Trade”.  Overall this CD has songs and lyrics for anyone to listen and relate to.  Honest music through and through.

You can find the band at the following sites:  Twitter  Facebook  YouTube  MySpace

Live Acoustic Session (from October 23, 2011) which is from the band’s YouTube channel.

Jesse and the Dandelions – CD review of “The Lions Tooth”

Posted: February 24, 2012 in Alternative Rock, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Jesse and the Dandelions, Lethbridge AB, Psychedelia, Trippy Rock Melodies
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Jesse and the Dandelions – The Lions Tooth

Download the album here for FREE:  Download THE LIONS TOOTH

Released:  February 15, 2011

by Jade Sperry

Congratulations to Jesse and the Dandelions for being the 100th post here on WP blog!!  Thanks guys for this milestone that I share with you!!

Jessie and the Dandielions

This trio of musicians come from Lethbridge AB and they are Jesse Northey, Nick Vedres and Tyler Stewart.  There is an interesting story of Jesse when he was younger – he was a figure skater who was the best and the only boy who did such a thing and was known in Fernie BC for figure skating.  But, when Jesse was in grade 7, kids starting beating him up because of his passion for skating.  So he got his parents to get him an electric guitar which was a bright blue strat knockoff – a “Yamaha Pacifica”.

This band is inspired (and have toured with) Hey Ocean!, Attack In Black and We Are The City.  They have some exposure from their debut on CBC Radio 3, Canadian community radio stations as well as Alberta’s CKUA.  And they bring in the banjo and harmonica along with electric guitars.

The CD is on Esper Records, which is an indie label from Lethbridge AB.

They have their first album of 9 songs and the list is as follows:

1.  Advice

2.  Bible and a Gun

3.  Cait from L.A.

4.  Every Move a Picture

5.  In Limbo

6.  Lion and a Bird

7.  When You Die You Get A Planet

8.  Where The Wild Things Are

9.  Van

This is a really good tight musically driven band.  The music reminds me of Bob Dylan meeting Jet (from Australia).  “Advice” has a good melody and is stripped down instrument wise.  And they have musical breaks that are in time and on time.  I can hear a Nirvana influence in the guitars and it sounds really awesome in this song in particular.  Fast paced and funky with a dash of Nirvana.  “In Limbo” has a Spanish flavor in the melody.  The song is mostly in minor notes which give it a darker side but in a subtle way.  (“Torn between the yes and the no”) is a good way to describe most people in this day and age.  And it  just sounds so damn cool as do the guitars in the middle.

All in all, I really dig the music in general.  The only downside for this writer is the song “When You Die You Get A Planet” which has a melody and opening that is very much like the band Jet with their song “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”.  Other than that, I think this band could go places as long as they are dedicated to the music.  Another song that is very good is “Van” which is live off the floor.  Great sound!

I’m looking forward to seeing them tomorrow night in Vancouver at the Whiskey Dix.  They are also playing in Victoria tonight (February 24) so if you need a place to go tonight for a fun atmosphere, check out Logan’s Pub.  Band is on first so get there early!

They are playing a show tonight n Vancouver at  Whiskey Dix w/ Community Trees and My Dearest Friends

A live video of Jesse and the Dandielions with a song called ONLY A ROCKET CAN SAVE US on Vimeo.

Latest EP by The Manvils – Black Tornado

Posted: January 24, 2012 in 5 song EP review, Alternative Rock, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Power Punk, Progressive, Rock and Roll, The Manvils, Toronto ON Band
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The Manvils had quite a year in 2011. They moved from Vancouver to Toronto and celebrated the new release of their EP Black Tornado. They hooked up with producer Sho Murray who recorded their debut CD Buried Love. The concept that they acquired is to record songs in each of their favorite cities – Vancouver, Toronto and Chicago. The band in general are progressing as songwriters and performers as this first EP release clearly shows the creative side of the band in general. They’ve also shared the stage with larger bands including Metric, Stereophonics, Bif Naked, Sonic Youth and Ben Harper just to name a few.

The tracks on this EP Vol. 1 are:

  1. Lions of a Lost Tongue
  2. Black Tornado
  3. Alone With You
  4. Castaway
  5. Hot Volcano

Starting with the song “Lions of a Lost Tongue” has a good melody but is a bit erratic in the beginning which works well with the Eddie Van Halen guitars. I particularly like the vocal work by Mikey Manville (singer/songwriter/guitars) and as always Greg Buhr (bass) lays down some root chords and is the backbone that is persistent in this song. Jay Koenderman (drums) keeps the beat like melted iron. The EP title song “Black Tornado” has a shifty kind of beat with straight on rock and roll but has confidence woven into the song like a heartbeat. Choppy and fuzzed out  guitars are layered in the song which makes the melody sound like it’s on the dangerous side. ”Alone with You” has a moody and dark melody with guitars that remind me of a murder and mayhem. With lyrics that say “I won’t leave myself alone with you” and “blood on my hands” confirms the feeling. “Castaway” has a definite haunting sound with a moody and dark melody which reminds me of being lost or having lost someone or something. Tense vocals throughout the song pick up the desperation that climaxes with an abrupt end to the song. Wow! “Hot Volcano” is an off-tempo, stop/stutter and frantic melody that works really well with Mikeys’ vocals. Choppy guitars end the song with a little bit of honey that makes the final notes all that much sweeter. Emotions are hard to get across to the listener through a song but Mikey manages to do this well. And his skills as a songwriter show up and are on the same page as the rest of the band. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them on an international stage in the near future.

For all things Manville their website has a lot of information including CD’s, past media articles and a tour sections to see where the band will be touring in 2012. The bands website is here.

Goodbye 2011 and Hello 2012 … musically speaking that is….

Posted: January 1, 2012 in Band, Jade Sperry, My Chemical Romance, Shoot The Image, Emily's Army, The Sheepdogs, Amy Winehouse, The Rosebuds, State of Shock, Craft Spells, Cults, Mother Mother, Year End Top 10 CD's by JP
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HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE ON THE PLANET!!!

I, for one, have had enough of 2011.  Between being harassed at my former job, getting high blood pressure due to harassment and after a 3.5 month of personal time, I took a blood pressure pill that caused 2nd and 3rd degree chemical burns on the lower legs and feet so bad that I may not ever work a full time job again.  Oh well, its done now so I just have to learn to live with what I’ve been left with.  We all are tired of the turkey leftovers of the holiday season, this post will leave you with a sense of curiosity especially if you don’t know the band.

So, this is my list of my favorite music 2010/2011:

10.  State of Shock – Rock’n'Roll Romance (Vancouver BC Canada)

State of Shock is a really tight band that has some kick ass music.  Their newest CD was released on September 20, 2011, and it is a treat to hear a real progression in their songwriting skills.  My favorites:  The F Word, Have A Nice Day and Wish I Woulda Wowed U.

9.  Amy Winehouse – Lioness: Hidden Treasures (London UK)

Although this is postmortem release it’s a very good collection of songs.  Amy had such huge talent but in the end she had a mysterious death.  RIP Amy.  My favourites: Our Day Will Come and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.

8.  Emily’s Army – Don’t Be A Dick (Oakland CA USA)

A band that consists of teenagers who have a lot of talent and play old skool punk like there is no tomorrow.  And the drummer of this band is Billie Joe Armsrtong’s (of Green Day fame) son Joey.   If this band is playing a show near you, try to go because you won’t be disappointed.  My favorites:  Broadcast This, West Coast and Loch Lomond.

7.  My Chemical Romance – Danger Days:  The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys  (Los Angeles CA USA)

Even though this CD came out in November 2010, I still want to include it here.  I’ve never been a big fan of MCR but this album is very “catchy”; progressive pop-punk-metal.  The vision behind the album with the videos (directed by Gerard Way) does give it that “Mad Max” feel to them plus a comic book storyline.   I look forward to more albums in the future.  My favorites:  Planetary GO!, Bulletproof Heart and Scarecrow.

6.  The Sheepdogs – Lean and Burn (Saskatoon SK Canada)

Hailing from Saskatoon, The Sheepdogs had a fantastic year with this release,:  winning the Rolling Stone cover contest was a major step up from the bar scene clubs, which in turn made their tour awesome.   My favorites: The One You Belong To, I Don’t Know and Soldier Boy.

5.  Shoot The Image – Cranes In The City  (Toronto ON Canada)

A newer band out of Toronto that have very interesting music that has depth and feeling.  Some people know who they are.  Most people only know that the singers have excellent pipes and drama onstage from their emotions .  I definitely look forward to new songs in 2012.  My favorites:  Fortified, Vagabond and Lithograph.

4.  Craft Spells – Idle Labour (Stockton CA and Seattle WA USA)

Back in March the band released “Idle Labour” to good reviews.  I like how relaxing this music makes me feel – like floating about the earth feeling peaceful and looking down at the globe of 7 billion plus inhabitants.  My favorites:  Scandinavian Crush, Party Talk and You Should Close The Door.

3.  Cults – Cults (Manhattan NYC USA)

Cults formed in 2010 while Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin were students at The New School.  They began making music in their spare time to share with their friends, including fellow band Bedhead.  Madeline had previously recorded with punk band Youth Gone Mad on the album Touching Cloth.  Cults self released an EP, Cults 7″ with the track “Go Outside” named “Best New Music” by Pitchfork Media.  I really like the music this band performs and I’m looking forward to a new release soon.  My favorites:  Oh My God, Abducted and Bad Things.

2.  The Rosebuds – Loud Planes Fly Low (Raleigh, NC USA)

The Rosebuds are an indie rock band whose current members are Ivan Howard (vocals/guitar/ drums/ bass/keyboards/programming) and Kelly Crisp (vocals/keyboard/drums/guitar/accordion). Billy Alphin had played drums on the album The Rosebuds Make Out, Wes Phillips played drums on the E.P. Unwind, Lee Waters played drums on the record Birds Make Good Neighbors, and Matt McCaughan played the drums on both Night Of The Furies and Life Like.  Rob Lackey was behind the drum kit during the taping of The Rosebuds Live at the Cats Cradle, a charity only recording (sold at cytunes.org) to help fight for the prevention of cancer, and as well, as on the track “Second Birds of Paradise” on Loud Planes Fly Low.  My favorites: Go Ahead, Woods and A Story.

1.  Mother Mother – Eureka (Vancouver BC Canada)

Mother Mother is a five-piece Canadian Indie Rock band who are originally from Quadra Island.  They are now based in Vancouver BC.  Mother Mother consists of Ryan Guldemond (guitar and vocals), Molly Guldemond (vocals and keyboard), Jasmin Parkin (keyboard and vocals), Ali Siadat (drums) and Jeremy Page (bass).

I personally really dig this band for how well they are as writers who tell a story, much like the Toronto band Shoot The Image.  My favorites:  The Stand, Baby Don’t Dance and Simply Simple.

Thanks for reading and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 to all the readers of this blog!  Cheers!

Jade Sperry

2011 in review

Posted: December 31, 2011 in Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Year End review from WP on JP
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Once again, WordPress makes the monkeys work to get this result for every single blog on WP.  This year it looks a bit more updated with better graphics.  Ah so much for 2011 – in fact, I’m glad to see the back end of this crap year.  I’m looking forward to another year here on WP and things will change up.

A very Happy New Year 2012 awaits us all.  Cheers!

 

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 6,500 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 5 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Vancouver band CUPLA live on USTREAM tonight from The Roxy in Vancouver

Posted: December 27, 2011 in Alternative Southern Rock, Blues Rock, Cupla, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Rock, Southern Blues, Vancouver BC Band
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Hey all,

This is a late post but if you’re in Vancouver this evening, in about an hour, a really good band called Cupla are onstage and live!  So if you’re wanting to just pooh on the rain, come down and get crazy with live music!

And if you’re like me and are in your jammies with the windows closed you can watch the LIVE FEED from The Roxy in Vancouver right here:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/travisrankin

I’ll be reviewing the show from the live feed as well as testing out some new photography equipment in getting photos from a live feed.  I’m excited and you should be too!

Thanks everyone for checking out the blog during the holidays and a Happy New Year 2012!!!  Big changes coming in 2012 to this site.  Stay tuned!!

Cupla at The Shark Club November 2010.  Photo by Jade Sperry.

Jade Sperry

The Roxy, Granville Street in Downtown Vancouver

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