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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Album Review: Punchline - Delightfully Pleased


Everyone needs a fun record to blast in their cars. Punchline's sixth record, Delightfully Pleased, is 2010's fun record. The instant you see the wacky album cover, you know you are ready to go on a journey to a magical world, where Punchline fights the Kingdom of Boring Music in order to create a musical paradise for everyone. Through the blasts of their blaring guitars and the pummels of their steady rhythm section combined with slick production, Punchline succeeds at making one of the best pop-punk records of the year.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Intercept - Symphony For Somebody Else











Who?

Intercept is a Southern California based band that combines traits from many genres, including pop, alternative, rock, folk, and even country influences. After releasing two albums that have put several tracks on college radio and performing at well known venues such as the House of Blues, their third album has enlisted an all star cast in both production with Erik Ron (Panic At The Disco, Foxy Shazam) and distribution from Universal.


How Is It?

Solid. Intercept knows how to create catchy radio rock songs. Vocalist Christian Knudson has a vocal talent, and he knows how to use it. Opener "Made To Fall" sets the tone for the rest of the album with snare beats surrounding soft acoustic strums before bursting out in sound. "Last One To Show" could easily be a radio hit with the staccato riffs and powerful chorus and is an excellent choice for a second single. "Love Is Like That" shows off the softer side of Intercept with a folky acoustic track that could easily be heard in a coffee shop. But Intercept doesn't keep their quiet side for long, immediately going into the highlight of the album, the angry "100 Times". The guitars complement the soaring vocals at all times, including the practically shouted bridge. "Every Native Face" shows even another side of Intercept, mixing a country style vocal delivery with the strongest guitar and bass work on the album. Closer "No Surprise" ends the album off with an explosion of radio rock. However, the biggest downfall of the album are the lyrics. The lyrics, while aren't awful, aren't great. Single "Rest of My Days", while one of the strongest vocal and musical songs on the album, contains some of the worst lyrics. However, for a radio rock album is that really the first priority? This album has all the traits to continue the legacy of Intercept's college radio domination.

Tracklist:
1. Made To Fall
2. Rest Of My Days
3. Last One To Show
4. Symphony For Somebody Else
5. Love Is Like That
6. 100 Times
7. So Say Whatever
8. Every Native Face
9. On My Own
10. No Surprises