Rise Up - Daniel Band (25th Anniversary Edition)

Rise Up (25th Anniversary Edition)
Daniel Band
(c)1986/2012 Retroactive Records
I have to put out a disclaimer here. Daniel Band holds a deep, spiritual place for me. As a teenager, they were the one of the first bands, along with Jerusalem, to have a strong influence on my ears and my heart. Their debut, "On Rock", played a heavy rotation on my turntable, to the point I wore out some of the grooves.
Fast forward a few years. I was able to catch them in concert a couple of times before this release, once I remember at a Laura Secord School in St. Catherines, Ontario. Always a heavy, dual guitar oriented band, they began incorporating synth/keyboard and synth drum pads in 1984 ("Run From The Darkness"), yet never lost their hard signature sound, which was similar to Canadian bands Triumph, with a tinge of Rush, and AC/DC. The handlebar mustached Toni Rossi dueling it out with Dan McCabe was always a favorite memory. What mattered most to these guys from Bendale Bible Chapel, though, was ministering to and sharing Christ with the youth around them. The vehicle was an endearing rock and roll formula.
"Rise Up" was their fourth release, their third on Refuge Records here in the US. Out of the gate, "Bethel" smashes through the speakers with reckless abandon. The cover song, "Rise Up", has the sweetest guitar hooks. It was definitely a crowd pleaser. Toni Rossi was sort of the back up lead vocalist to Dan McCabe, but his strength seemed to be with hard blues/metal songs, such as "Don't Walk Away" and "Fight Back". "Paradise" and "Right Heart" are also stand out tracks that again show the witness of this pioneering band from north of the border. On this remastered disc, done by J Powell, they also cover Darrell Mansfield's "That's Alright". Formulaic or not, the Daniel Band were unapologetic ministers of Jesus Christ that reached many people with their hard driven message.
8.5 of 10 clicks
thecannyshark
April 2012
thecannyshark
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The Jelly Jam - Shall We Descend

The Jelly Jam
Shall We Descend
(c)2012 Molken Music
www.thejellyjam.com

This side project/super group comprised of Rod Morgenstein (ex-Dixie Dregs/Winger drummer), John Myung (Dream Theater bassist), and Ty Tabor (King's X guitarist and vocalist) has turned into a well-oiled machine for this being their third release. I've got to admit, I'm a sucker for Ty's Beatle-esque vocals. They generally sound fluid atop the crunchy King's X vibe, and harmonically breathe well over the prog-influenced hooks of The Jelly Jam. Finding this release was somewhat off the beaten path of popular download sites being at their homepage, but I'll take indie any day.

At times, they brush up against jam band vibes, but general stick to an accessible prog-rock formula. Hey, you can't abandon your roots, you know? "Who's Comin' Now" shoots out of the gate with a crunchy rhythm guitar, bare bones riff that serves as a nuance bed of tasty guitar licks. Less is more for the majority of the disc as the next two tracks, "Stay Together" and "Halos In Hell", play an almost ambient part that is best served through headphones, meaning an orchestral type of rise/fall/rise carries each song. When these guys rock full throttle, boy, do they rock! "Same Way Down" is much of the same, but kinda downtempo with good harmony. Tasteful guitar licks accompany simply well-mixed vocals consistently throughout to let each song breathe as it should. Fans of King's X should easily find enough here to identify with.

"March Of The Trolls" is an instrumental that caught me by surprise. Ty's background harmonies mix with industrial-toned loops that don't overpower the march. "Questions" is an ambient acoustic number that is haunting in its' delivery. The title song is a slow burn rocker with a mix of echoed vocals before the full onslaught of the chorus, not to mention the layered jam that builds in the song before gently fading away. Veteran rockers know how to craft quality in each song. "Come Alive" is a full on rocker that ends too soon. "Ten", the last song, is another instrumental tune where these guys finally let loose. At over 8:00, Ty's guitar is all about feeling the groove that Rod and John are laying down. I'm sure, these boys had a lot of fun playing together. It's pure heaven listening to this powerhouse trio!

9.5 of 10 clicks
thecannyshark
February 2012


thecannyshark
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Amaziah - Straight Talker

Amaziah
Straight Talker
(c)2011 Born Twice Records

I have to admit, when I found out that something from the days of Tunesmith Records was being reissued, I took notice. The only thing I had owned by Amaziah was a sampler vinyl disc. Dated sound, but I liked the two songs from that sampler. Enter present reissue. Sometimes, the past should remain in the past, not to be dug up. For archivists of Jesus music and the early rock scene, this may appeal to a collector, but make no bones about this. Most of the "Christian" music coming out in the late 70's to the early 80's was definitely behind their secular counterparts. Production quality rarely existed then, and in most cases laughable. As a church brat, there wasn't much to sink your teeth into that was acceptable to your parents. Looking back, I honestly wish there had been a "Christian" version of Led Zeppelin or Deep Purple that held up to what was clearly inferior music. On to this disc.

Amaziah was a British ministry band that toured quite a bit in the early to mid 70's. Taken from the www.crossrhythms.co.uk website, "The origins of Amaziah go back to the early 1970s. Astonishingly, in the light of the heavy metal band Amaziah were to become, they were originally a 13-piece choir with a seven-piece backing band. The original aggregation were originally formed to perform a musical penned by America's Jimmy and Carol Owens called 'Come Together' that was being performed at Bristol's Colston Hall and had originally featured as its narrator American Pat Boone..." This is all interesting, but quality, definitely not, and heavy metal too? The liner notes even try to dress this disc up as something worthy of attention. I'm sorry, but I'd rather listen to Bryn Haworth, Giantkiller, or Andy McCarroll and Moral Support.

Sorry if this bothers anyone, but don't waste your time or money on this. The history of the band is an interesting read though. For that, I give it one click.(http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Amaziah_British_hard_rockers_with_an_album_worth_1500/32211/p1/)

Oh, and one more thing. You might think that based on the cover, the engine underneath is powerful. However, it feels like you've bought a Yugo. Remember those?

2 of 10 clicks
thecannyshark
February 2012

thecannyshark
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The Bloody Strummers - Return Of The Halcyon Days

The Bloody Strummers
Return Of The Halcyon Days
©2012 Independent
http://thebloodystrummers.bandcamp.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thebloodystrummers
http://www.facebook.com/pages/the-Bloody-Strummers/204269402916676?sk=info

Anybody remember the Black And White World from the early 90’s on Blonde Vinyl Records? Well, this isn’t them or any relation, though a current connection with Michael Knott exists, but I couldn’t help but transplant the fuzzed out, garage rock tendencies of the aforementioned band, especially Matt Biggers’ vocals sounding like eerily akin to Rob Gallas. Needless to say, what is old can definitely be dressed up as something new and fresh as Josh Lory (Western Grace, LS Underground) and Matt Biggers offer up a blend of late 60’s psychedelic/garage rock (The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Kinks, to name a few) with sparse and fuzzy modern rock (The Cult, The White Stripes, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, SF 59, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Out Crowd, and The Black Keys, to name a few more).

The more I absorb this disc, the more I sense what I’ve come to love about Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: reckless abandon. Masaki Lui brilliantly mixed this disc. You can almost hear the tripped out, psychedelic remnants, as they are spilled out on the stage floor, then kicked out with that reckless abandon to a swaying audience in a hole-in-the-wall club in some inner city on the west coast. A very fluid, but raucous listen all the way through, this is. Favorite tracks include “Moonlight Suite” and “Angels Runin’ Scared”.
Seriously, this is the good stuff that will fix what ails you.

10 of 10 clicks
thecannyshark
February 2012

Thrice - Major/Minor

Thrice
Major/Minor
(c)2011 Vagrant Records
www.thrice.net

Having absorbed this band only starting with the 2004 Vheissu, my history doesn't follow nearly as close as the rabid faithful fan might. Thrice is a band where all the parts contribute, but clearly Dustin Kensrue is at the helm. Unfortunately, as a touring band, they appear to be taking an indefinite hiatus, as a couple members of the band have young family pressure facing them. Unfortunately, I have never seen them. I hear they put on a killer show.

"Major/Minor" is a veteran modern rock montage that envelopes the listener with a passionate vocal paired perfectly with the backing instruments. Kudos to the production crew. Right out of the gate, the in-your-face rocker "Yellow Belly" addresses the abusive father figure with "You were built for blessing, but you only make them bleed, but you don't care//And bruises are but shadows of the blackness that you breed, but you don't care." "Promises" gives a nod to the book of Romans in referring to the deceitfulness of man's heart: "Our word is so faint and feeble//Broken by the slightest breeze or breath//Our hearts are, they're so deceitful//Sick and filled with lies that lead to death".

"Cataracts" is like a modern day Psalm lyrically. David, when fearing for his life from Saul, called out to God from his depths as a man. Very similarly, Kensrue despairingly pleas "Pin me down and take away//This heart of stone//Wind and sound//Awake my old dry bones//Cut these thorns and kick these stones//And keep those birds at bay//Plant deep and dark//And help my heart perceive the light of day". It was hard to pick a favorite from the mix; that's how fluid this release is to me. "Treading Paper" has an intoxicating rhythm that blends well with vocals and melody, hence getting my vote. Right up there, "Words In The Water" is a song where the darkening and despair of the heart bleeds through to the music. They even include stripped-down acoustic versions of "Yellow Belly" and "Promises". The high intensity of this release is a reminder how strong Kensrue is as a writer and visionary. Here's to hoping the itch to write music still burns within Dustin Kensrue, as fatherhood now takes hold of his attention.

10 of 10 clicks
thecannyshark
January 2012

A Hill To Die Upon - Omens

A Hill To Die Upon
Omens
©2011 Bombworks Records
http://www.facebook.com/ahilltodieuponband


This is one of the few times that I’ve given a black/death metal CD a chance and actually enjoyed it to the point of not wanting to claw at my ears. A technical onslaught of incredibly tight rhythm/lead guitar riffs and a double kick drummer that doesn’t quit, “AHTDU has played Cornerstone Music Festival consistently since 2005 as well as Destruction Fest in London, England and Nordic Fest in Oslo, Norway in 2009 with great reaction from their European fans. In 2010 ATHDU journeyed south to Mexico where they left the smell of blood at three festivals.” (from their info page on Facebook) The album was recorded by Whitecross alum, Rex Carroll and is well balanced in the mix, not overly strong on the low end with a good metal guitar vibe throughout, and the sick vocals sound incredible!

Killer tracks are “The Perfection Of Evil”, the down-tempo instrumental “Nehushtan”, the brutal “May The Thing Be Destroyed”, and their take on “Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down”. AHTDU stands firm with other heavyweights in this extreme genre.

9 of 10 clicks
thecannyshark
November 2011

Skies - Bane & Rebirth

Skies
Bane & Rebirth
©2011 Bombworks Records
http://www.facebook.com/skies777

Another hardcore band from the Midwest has jumped on the circling moshpit wagon. Musically and vocally, Skies brings nothing new to the table for this genre, but occasionally, breakdowns do get a tad bit interesting, as in the song “Passion”. Otherwise, the only thing that truly stands out on this debut disc is the introduction theme, which is also employed in the slower instrumental plopped in the middle, “Discord”, sort of an A1 for those into theory. The closing “Rebirth” uses a screamo vocal with extra effect, but otherwise this is a forgettable freshman disc.

3 of 10 clicks
thecannyshark
November 2011