PERFECT MATCH

NEW MUSIC CRITIQUES
Production
8
Lyrics
7
Music
7
Vocals
8
Musicianship 8
Thoughts In Reverse
Contact: shelly@metalworksmanagement.com
Web: fb.com/thoughtsinreverseband
Seeking: Label
Style: Progressive Metal
Username: thoughts in reverse
houghts In Reverse seamlessly
Tblend the blasting of metalcore with
the heaviest and slowest breakdowns
of early hardcore. Vocalist Magee
reminds us of early Misery Signals
while drummer Stuhler is tenacious.
"Keep it Wolf" showcases more metal
with tough-guy chants… hell, even
the breakdown has a breakdown.
"Mentality" adds more melody and a
higher screaming cameo. What stands
out is TIR's determined heaviness,
even when the guitars call for a clean
chorus (with the exception of "Dead
Poet")—which may grow to be their
calling card. Keep working, guys.
Production
7
Lyrics
7
Music
8
Vocals
8
Musicianship 8
One Day Steady
Contact: onedaysteady@gmail.com
Web: reverbnation.com/onedaysteady
Seeking: Label, Booking, Film/TV, Agent
Style: Alt. Rock
Username: onedaysteady@gmail.com
T
here's good material and loads of
happy energy here (the drummer
impresses) but it all needs more help
from the production. The upbeat,
organic, earnest "Dave's Song" is
promising but the chorus doesn't
get the push it needs. The drummer
is again the MVP on "Shine," which
takes too long to get to its chorus.
"Break Break," however, is a funny
song that morphs into a drunken
frat-party singalong. Its only shortfall
is the tentative guitar of singer Ryan
Peters. Hire a gifted soloist, guys, and
let Peters command the mic.
Neverwonder
Contact: dougdeutschpr@gmail.com
Web: neverwonder.com
Seeking: Label, Booking, Film/TV, Tour
Support, Product Placement
Style: Modern Rock
Username: neverwonderband
Campaigning for Zeros
Contact: campaigningforzeros@gmail.com
Web: campaigningforzeros.com
Seeking: Booking
Style: Alternative
Username: Campaigning for Zeros
Production
7
Lyrics
7
Music
7
Vocals
9
Musicianship 7
straightahead rock quintet features
A new lead singer Alima Soul and
proves they made the right choice—
the girl can really belt it on both lead
and backups. The soulful ballad
"Spinning" brings impressive vocal
energy and varied percussion. "Help
Me," however, needs more power in the
chorus. "Let It Out" presents a funky
rhythm vibe a la Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The band's overall attack yields solid
results, but for this material to stand
out, these overly contained pocket
players really need to step up and
make something happen.
Production
6
Lyrics
7
Music
7
Vocals
8
Musicianship 7
n extremely '90s punk sensibility
Ableeds from these basement-style
recordings from Campaigning for
Zeros, as in the Green Day influenced
"Sour Glass." The low-fi sensibility
does the band little favors, though, as
their instruments, especally drums,
lack power. "Multiple Attempts, Still
Nothing" has a nice doubling effect in
the chorus, but the track sounds as if
the bassist did the mix. Eric Taylor's
angsty lead vocals provide a proper
edge to the proceedings, and if the
band were to get into a good studio,
this project would benefit greatly.
Production
7
Lyrics
7
Music
7
Vocals
7
Musicianship 7
Dead Legend
Contact: deadlegendband@gmail.com
Web: http://deadlegend.net
Seeking: Label, Booking Agent, Film/TV,
Distribution, Management
Style: Hard Rock
Username: deadlegend
ith one boot firmly in the past
W(early '90s), Dead Legend deliver
grungy, straightforward rock that's
relatable due mainly to its familiarity.
"Numbers Down" shows Nico Johns'
firm grip on the mic and his Axl Roseon-ritalin
stance. "In America" is a
heartfelt slice of love for the homeland
whose guitar solo from Otis Paul Smith
succeeds despite a squall of cymbals.
An all-out riff-rocker, "Searching"
suffers from the same affliction as the
rest—a persisently muddy organ in
need of EQing. We suggest using the
organ only on the choruses.
Production
7
Lyrics
7
Music
7
Vocals
7
Musicianship 7
Shamiah Trenae
Contact: mmusic4u@gmail.com
Web: soundcloud.com/shamiah-trenae
Seeking: Label, Distribution
Style: Pop/R&B
Username: shamiah trenae
ennessee-based R&B/pop artist
TTrenae is unable to convince us
she's a viable R&B performer with
her sexy/sultry "Love" and "Nothing
Like This." Both are handicapped by
sub-par production, including Autotune
and vocal compression. Though
her voice is competent she never
attempts to really catch fire, seeming
content to blend in. With its K-pop
groove "You Can't Tell Me Nothing" is
the artist's most commercially viable
work, a good showcase for her as a
dance/pop act, something for which
she seems much better suited.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: There is absolutely no charge for a New Music Critique. We critique recordings that have yet to connect with a label or distributor.
To be considered please go to http://musicconnection.com/amp and click on “Get Reviewed.” All submissions are randomly selected and reviewed by committee.
March 2013 www.musicconnection.com 51