Test Your Reflex

Tonight, I asked a friend to recommend a band--any band would do, but I would prefer someone new to me. He recommended Test Your Reflex, a southern California band that he described as "alternative meets indie." I went to the website, looking forward to what I would find.

Test Your Reflex

As for the visual of the site, I was very impressed. Someone did a great job, and the links were easy to navigate. I will be snagging one of the jellyfish wallpapers in the "Extras" section. I went right to what I came for--the "Music" tab. I read the reviews listed, and liked what I read although there were only a few reviews. It was noted that they covered and opened for the Smashing Pumpkins. I haven't found a copy of the cover, but I'm interested in hearing it, as I love the Pumpkins but really don't care for Billy Corrigan. I listened to most of the songs before deciding an overall feel.

Test your Reflex is a really good band. Their music is solid. They play very well together. The melodies work with the music and it pulls off a very full, solid sound. However, I've heard it before. It's not original. The lead singer sounds like Tom Chaplin of Keane, and the music is very much like The Killers. Even though I liked it, I've heard it. It wasn't interesting. Would I put it on my mp3 player? Nope, I have The Killers and Keane already on there.

Overall, I would say give them a listen. The album The Burning Hour is up on their website, with an easy pop-out window--just don't expect anything radical at this point. I think they have amazing potential in the alternative scene, but I think they need to step out of the box.

The Panic Channel

So I was listening to Pandora this morning, to my Incubus based station, when a song by the band The Panic Channel came on. At the time I didn't know who they were, I just knew I thought the song rocked pretty hard. It had a Foo Fighters feel, especially with the rather Dave Grohl-esque vocals at times. I was intrigued. I had to find out who this was.

The band is called The Panic Channel. I googled, and realized that it's Dave Nevarro's new band! Holy cow I love Dave Nevarro. I read a bit more on the site, did a bit of googling. I listened to songs on their site. I approved.

Band members include:

Dear old Dave Nevarro on guitar (of Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers fame)
Steve Isaacs on vocals and guitar ( his band bio is hilarious!)
Stephen Perkins on drums (formerly of Jane's Addiction with Dave)
Chris Chaney on bass (what an extensive bio, I'm impressed)
*click the links to go to the band bio

To hear a few songs of their debut album entitled (ONe), click here.

"Teahouse of the Spirits," the song that prompted this review, is song that will play first. This song rocks with no down time. If nothing else, listen to this track. It's followed by "Bloody Mary," a darker, driving rock ballad about that tasty hangover cure. Mary's gonna bring you back to life, indeed. This would be my favorite of their 3 slower songs on the site.

Next is "Why Cry," whose lyrics bemoan a lover lost. This is another sad, driving ballad, and even though it's love lost is a subject I usually like, I'm not very fond of this song. I find it too repetitive and not very imaginative musically. Finally they list "Night One," a superstitious story revolving around deceit and suicide. I really like the opening, and this song as a whole makes up for my distaste of "Why Cry." The music is interesting and the story is intriguiging, makeing me want to hear the rest of the album.

I think I could really get into this band. They will definitely be getting a closer listen. To hear and read more, visit their website here: The Panic Channel. There are videos on the site, as well as downloads and a store. Unfortunately, I can't get these things to load, so if you check them out, let me know what you think.

Overall, check this band out. I think they're definitely worth a listen.

Get Stranded

http://www.strandedinstereo.com/membership.aspx

Click here for free music and a DVD, and email newsletters. This looks very promising.

Come on Baby!

"Twist" named top song of Top 100 era


While I'm not sure I agree with some that are listed in the top 10 (I don't think I'd recognize "Mack the Knife") I agree totally with the number #1 slot. Well Done, Chubby Checker.

*edit to say, oh yeah, I do know "Mack the Knife." Duh. But I still agree with the choice.

Now Woodchuck!

Heart says no to usage of "Barracuda" by Republican VP nominee Palin.

There's something about the Republicans inadvertently backing Obama that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.