by Michelle Rich

LUtHER - Siblings & Sevens (Black Numbers)

LUtHER has the pleasure of being one of the opening bands for The Bouncing Souls “Home for the Holidays” shows. Sadly, I am unable to attend any of the shows but would like to see LUtHER live, as I have fallen in love with them.

LUtHER first wooed me with their colored vinyl. Yes, I am a lover of colored vinyl. My only wish is that they spent a little more time on the inserts, perhaps designing a full page with a lyric sheet. Nevertheless, the music and lyrics are what sold me on this Philadelphia band.

The band presents itself as a rock band on an upcoming punk label. LUtHER is not a rock band, more of an alternative act with punk pop tendencies. Their sound is reminiscent of The Replacements and inspired by later releases of the Bouncing Souls, honest both lyrically and musically. Standouts from Siblings and Sevens include “The Communion” and “Siblings and Sevens”. Like a good friend, these songs don’t give you what you want, but what you need to see who you really are. Cannot wait to see what LUtHER will come up with next.

The Unit Breed - Always Distance the Lonely (Idiomism)

Portland: A city I love, one of the most eclectic places in the country. No matter what you are looking for, you can find it in Portland. The Unit Breed is no different, but not surprisingly since they hail from Portland. The overall packaging of Always Distance the Lonely is amazing. The pink and black swirled vinyl is cool and pretty. The colorful glossy booklet that contains the artwork of vocalist Joseph Demaree is amazing. The booklet also contains the tale of one of their adventure packed journey across the Midwest. To be honest I don’t actually want to play the album, I want to hang it on my wall along with the art from the booklet.

Musically The Unit Breed is different from most bands you hear today. A psychedelic edge that is reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison of the Doors. Like these two artists, The Unit Breed take chances with their music and lyrics to create art. “Anything for Free” and “Under Palms” are standouts.

Overall, Always Distance the Lonely is a beautifully packaged album. From the music and lyrics to the colored vinyl to the colorful booklet of art to the witty and touching text Always Distance the Lonely is a true piece of art.

The Amboys – “Led into the Woods” EP (theamboys.bandcamp.com)

On first listening of The Amboys new ep, Led into the Woods, I could not get past the banjoes that opened the first song, “Ashley Meets the Wolf”. As a Jersey girl living on the border of suburbia and farmland in East Orlando, FL it is not uncommon to hear banjoes. However, a band from Asbury Park, NJ that is another story. It turned out to be a pretty nice surprise for the ears.

After several listens the country/folk/rock sound of The Amboys reminded me of the The RaveUps, yes I am dating myself, a band that I grew to love after the initial shock of their folksy sound. Yes, I do believe that I have fallen for The Amboys as you will oncce you listen to their new ep. The surprising harmony will draw you in, but the lyics will keep you coming back for more. If you don’t believe me take a listen to “Worrisome”: “Dirty thoughts are on my mind, my pen’s been working over time. Shouldn’t think of you in that way....But I ain’t got no halo on right now.”

Lyrically Led into the Woods is a seven song ep that is thought provoking and fun. The songs talk about chances missed but opportunities to try again. If you don’t try how do you know what is going to happen? Take the chance and give The Amboys a chance. The Amboys claim they aren’t a band but a movement. So true....take a listen you won’t be able to stop dancing.

Art Institute -- Screaming Over a Dull Roar • Live Recordings • 1976-1977 cassette

The cassette comes with the following warning: “Regrettably, no overdubbing or sonic corrections were applied to these recordings.” Wish there had been some digitalizing. Don’t get me wrong I don’t have anything against cassettes. I actually have a couple hundred in my music collection. There were several things that bothered me: was this really recorded in 1976-1977? An internet search told me that Art Institute is now the offspring of the founding members. But, why release this now in 2011? Also crowd noise and talking. There are times you cannot hear the music because people talking. The sound seems to go in and out. It reminded me of listening to a seashell.

Having said all that, I have actually heard of the Art Institute and there more recent work is quite good. The older material has the seventies guitar work and remind me a bit of early work of The Damned. I am interested in hearing more of what this band has to offer. I am not sure why they would release material from 35 years ago if it is not the same band from that time.

Cecilia Celeste – “Underwater” EP (K Rizza Productions, ceciliaceleste.com)

For those who do not know Cecilia Celeste, a four piece band from NYC nominated for a Hoboken Music Award, Underwater is a good introduction.

Trying to pin down their style of music down to one genre will depend on which part of the ep you are listening to. “Underwater” and “Crystal Ball” reminds you of seventies rock. Musically and lyrically gifted music that nourishes and soothes the soul. The harder rock sounds of the second part of the ep reminds one of hard rock of the eighties. The seamless fusion of the two creates what is Cecillia Celeste. A nod to their influences with their own personalization and twist. They remind me of Nickleback, but are much cooler and talented.

It seems that Cecilia Celeste is the best kept secret of tri-state. It is a secret that should be shared with the rest of the nation and world. It is time for Cecila Celeste to conquer the world.

FED UP! Live at WFMU (Punk Rock Distro/Welfare Records)

One of the many things I miss about Jersey is WFMU and good hardcore/oi music. Orlando has neither of these. Recorded live in 2009 this is a must for any FED UP! fan or potential fan. It is old school NYHC/Oi! that cannot compare to most music of today. Songs that are loud fast and often 30 seconds in length, “Tattoos”. Songs about nothing and everything that is important to them not what will change the world.
FED UP! sound reminds me of Murphy’s Law, infact their song “Bodacious Ta Tas” sounds quite like “Killer Beers”. However, the loud infectious harmony of drums and guitar makes them what they are. A sign that NYHC is not dead. Listening to all seven songs will take you less than half an hour but will make you wanting more, plus the commentary and banter between songs is quite entertaining. This is a must have for any fan of NYHC.

The Parlor Mob -- Dogs (Roadrunner Records)

Ever had that feeling of driving down the open road in the middle of the night and hitting the gas and seeing how fast you can go? What album would you being playing to inspire you to go fast? Mine is Government Issue Crash. Though Dogs the latest from The Parlor Mob may just become part of the inspiration.

For those of you who do not know, The Parlor Mob, who have developed a following during their seven years playing in Asbury Park but also in Europe, have released their long-awaited full length second album Dogs. Dogs is a mix of hard rocking tunes and soulful ballads. The album kicks off with the hard rocking soulful sound of David Rosen and Paul Ritchie on guitar, Anthony Chick on bass and Sam Bey on drums of “How It’s Going to Be”. The vocals of Mark Melicia ties it all together. Halfway through the album the Led Zeppelin influence becomes quite apparent with “Slip Through My Hands” and “Holding On”. Overall, Dogs is a hypnotizing lyrical poetic journey on a road of hopes dashed but found again.

Transit -- Listen and Forgive (Rise Records)

Have to admit that Transit is not a band that usually catches my ear. However, Listen and Forgive is just what I needed when my mind and soul was in a bit of turmoil. Their first album for Rise Records, Listen and Forgive is made up of twelve songs about losing someone or something and moving on and beyond it. The soothing melodies are paired with guitar rifts that express a sense of hope and new beginnings. “You Can’t Miss It” begins the travel on the road of sorrow and redemption that wraps up with “The Answer Comes in Time”. Musically it heals a soul at unrest and gives hope for a better tomorrow.

The one complaint I have is that lyrically it is a bit cliche. For example from “Listen and Forgive”: “She said ‘Take a step back. but please keep me in frame’/(Keep me in frame, keep me in frame)/And I spent so many years/Just standing in the your way.” Though it seems to be lyrically simplistic the message is much deeper. Overall, Listen and Forgive has found its way to the top ten on my Ipod.

The Embracers -- Look What I Stole For Us Baby (theembracers.com)

Two things struck me about The Embracers, one that they were unsigned band from Fords, NJ with a great musical background and everyone in the band has a name that start with M. After doing a bit of research on them and discovering that many of the members have studied at the Juliard School and the New York Symphony, and they bought their own recording studio and recorded this album.

The Embracers are not a band that will go quietly into the night. Their first full length album, Look What I Stole for Us Baby, is a mix of jazz, blues and rock. Their sound is reminiscent of Gin Blossoms, early Blues Travelers with a dash of Grateful Dead tossed in. The album begins with the mellow vocals on “Midnight Tonight” which reminds one of the Black Crows. It seems that vocal duties are shared as the track “ I Kissed Your Sister” has the signature harmony, but vocals seem have a bit of a harder edge.

What sold me on The Embracers is their harmony. Vocally it is okay, but the harmony is what is their strength. It reminded me of Grateful Dead jams that could go on for hours. Lryically the album is strong. I am interested in seeing what else The Embracers can accomplish and where they are headed.