Echofission
– The Straights (echofission.com)
The raw edge and striking roaring vocals
on Echofission’s “The Straights”
make for a collection of songs that have an
agenda ("Brand New God," "Woman
By The Water," "Watch You Breathe"),
which adds to the heightened energy of the
music. Without question, rhythm is the force
behind this band's sound, with steadfast pop
punk as a base. Echofission's message is at
times rebellious: There aren't any songs about
losing your girlfriend of two weeks, or how
miserable you feel because school sucks so
much. But there are songs that focus on inner
strength ("It's On You") and life's
gifts ("Illumination") that set
Echofission apart and dominate this album.
On a lighter note, the title track “The
Straights” is Echofission’s very
own theme song,which I think every band should
have! Although "The Straights" is
more like a musical road map of the band's
short but growing story, it reeks with punk
pop hooks. The overall result, then, is a
record that feels particularly refreshing
and usually upbeat, even when the lyrical
material is a little gloomy. This is definitely
Jersey Shore beach music for 2008! - Phil
Rainone
Lifeguard Nights - M (myspace.com/lifeguardnights)
I hate Lifeguard Nights!
At least that's what how I felt when I reviewed
his/ their (Lifeguard Nights’ musicians
can range for one to a multitude of musicians
on any given album or performance) first album
about a year ago. But after multiple listenings,
the music started to grow on me. I think it's
the weirdness and feeling of 'I wonder what's
coming next?’ that makes their albums
so unique.
M, the band’s current release (I think
they have about four others out,) was written,
performed, produced, and recorded by head
"lifeguard" Vincent Brue. This cat
has to have one of the wildest imaginations
since, like, Frank Zappa. Vincent takes chillingly
haunting vocal dronings and combines them
with melodically mesmerizing instruments.
Add that to layers of hums and a voice that
blends in with ambient sounds, and the result
is "M." I wouldn't call it experimental,
or Lo-Fi, but maybe a combination of both
with some bright colors added.
Kicking off the album is "Pilot To Tower,"
a song that is eerie yet vibrant, and is telling
of the rest of the seemingly art-rock inspired
tracks. Brue succeeds in creating a sound
which, rather than what could easily become
mundane in someone else's hands, is controlled
with just the right dose of psychedelic ambience.
Abstract lyrical content covers just about
every emotion. Even better, here's what the
press kit said. "M" is a tale of
love, lust, jealousy, paranoia, betrayal,
mystery, and murder." Vincent's voice
acts as another instrument among the melody
of sounds which vary from the aggressive to
the mellow, and everything in-between.
From the sad and ominous "Coming For
You," to the faster and upbeat "Fire
Engine Red," "M" explores a
range of tempos and distortions, all of which
are propelled by Vincent's ability to provide
instruments so powerful that the album fades
out as smoothly as it begins. I haven't seen
their live show yet, but it sounds like it
would be quite interesting! - Phil Rainone
CD Reviews 
