Blacktop Mourning - When a Counting Crows Legend Listens to MySpace, a NEW Star Band Is Born! (Yes, it does happen!)

Blacktop Mourning


Are they rock, punk or alternative? You might ask but not be able to answer. Neither can I but I don't care. I found this band on MySpace over a year ago and thought they were amazing then, with amazing vocals in particular. Some reviewers have already found them, including a contract with MTV and a record deal with Tyrannosaurus Records (Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows started this label and discovered the band on MySpace.)

Oh dear, mention MTV and that's usually enough for me to think twice about reviewing them -- after all, if a band goes commercial that quickly, I have to wonder if they will maintain the magic that attracted me in the first place, or will they go downhill as the newest victims of 'committee' and 'marketable mainstream' good intentions?

Still, I waited and came back after awhile to see how they were progressing. Some reviewers have called them similar to Fall Out Boy, especially around the vocal chords. I'm not sure it was meant as a compliment (sarcasm!), but I happen to LOVE Fall Out Boy and love their vocals, so as far as I'm concerned that is a big plus.

Can they stay a mix of rock punk and alternative and still be a hit (Fall Out Boy comparisons notwithstanding)? I think so. Complex and hard driving musicality emanate from this band. Angst driven vocals and adventurous lyrics compliment but don't overshadow the inventiveness and aggressiveness needed for hard-core rock and metal endeavors, not to mention the needed guitar riffs!

But you decide, as you are the folks they really need to please in order to prove that they can go the distance as a major music force that proves that you can mix and meld music genres.

You can find their MySpace site at http://www.myspace.com/blacktopmourning

Enjoy and happy holidays!
CG Anderson
cganders1@yahoo.com

MUSIC REVIEW: FABER DRIVE, Hands Down, A WINNER!

FABER DRIVE! B.C.'s got a Superstar in the Making Here!

Well, back to beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Faber Drive is a new discovery by major label, Universal Records, but likely is not a surprise to fans in B.C. and anywhere else this foursome plays. The rock group with an amazing hit like Second Chance is both poignant and powerful. It's a band with a sense of mission rather than entitlement or selfish whim. From the tearjerking Sleepness Nights, which focuses on a child's too up close and personal view of abuse, to the band's own honest surprise at its success to the band's amazing blend of songwriting, singing and instrumentals, this group is consistently surprising and extraordinary.

Is Faber Drive the next U2? I think so!

If I were deciding the Aha! Blogolicious! Media Innovation Awards right now (which I'm not, that's not until October), but if I were, I'd be giving the Overall title to this group, hands down. They are THAT good. Universal got it right and I'll bet the label is patting themselves on the back that they got a hold of this group before anyone else did. I've made the comment before that there are some great unknown, or relatively unknown bands out there--that all they need to take them to the very top is that ONE song, that ONE song that gets everyone's attention...worldwide attention. This group has not just that ONE song, but a WHOLE SLEW OF THEM!!

Amazing vocals, amazing songs, amazing musicality from the entire band. Scariest thing is that this is a very young and new group, not having been together very long--what's to come promises to be even more than what currently is--which is great songs, catchy tunes, heartfelt, penetrating lyrics and insight, and all of it delivered with energy, hope and passion. I wish I had the adjectives to properly describe the music, but as is usual when I find a group this above-and-beyond, I find myself hunting fruitlessly for an appropriately deserving description.

I'm always looking for the next Blue October or Nickelback or Fall Out Boy. I think I just found them.

In a word, just plain fricking AMAZING! If you're in Canada, consider yourself lucky and get to one of their concert dates right now!

Check them out for yourself...I mean it, do it right now!
http://www.myspace.com/faberdrive

I was going to review a second band in this article...but now, I'm not going to--it wouldn't be fair to another band to go head to head with this group. I'll save it for next week.

Have a great weekend! Darn it, amazing band...wow, still can't get over it.

CG Anderson
Little Dogs Media
Aha! Blogolicious! Musings and Meanings of Non-Sensical Events...and Canada!

Sherwood grooves and So You Think You Can Dance Turns UP the HEAT!

MySpace Record's Chooses Another Potential Hit with Sherwood...

So You Think You Can Dance! Season Three Starts Off Hot...but Kinder and Gentler (ok, a few mean digs by Nigel...but better), bucking the Fox reality trend...



It's sunny in Seattle! If you don't realize what that means, then you need to spend a year in Seattle.


Sunny and DRY days are only a bit more common that a full eclipse of the sun. Hence, the review today is short and sweet, so that I can try to get a bit of that sun to permeate my skin and toast me up beyond lukewarm. (I'll still be pale, since I believe in full sunscreen and quiver in fear when I see the leatherskin ones walk by...but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate not having to wear a coat, or even a sweatshirt! Ahhhhhh!!! Warmth! So this is what that feels like, so much better than the pictures on the Travel Channel!)

First up, looks like it's little sister and brother week at So You Think You Can Dance (season 3.) Benji's little sister as well as Travis' older brother, Danny Tidwell, are in the mix this time, as well as others. Don't know if the producers did that on purpose or not, but fans will soon have their say. Hopefully, Danny will get the heads up from those that watched the judges' reactions to his 'too calm' composure and detachment...and attempt to show a bit more involvement and emotion. Personality and a real connection to the fans (them liking you) is imperative on this show. True, Danny may be the best dancer of the bunch (haven't we heard that before?) but he needs to win over the fans and show some enthusiasm and gratitude. He has tremendous gifts and has the chance to show the world what they're missing by ignoring the world of dance. As for Lacey, Lacey's got the youthful enthusiasm, but can she, like her brother, win over fans and keep up the very strenuous pace that this show demands?

Time will tell. Next week's first competition with the chosen twenty will be something to watch, I think. And don't forget about the rest of the crew, like Hok, who have everything to gain but none of the pressure of being a 'relation.'

Season three is definitely worth watching...and kudos to the lightening up on the "Simon Cowell-esque aka Let's embarass people just for fun" attitude that those OTHER shows seem to think is a requirement.

On to music....

As promised, I'm looking at Sherwood, another MySpace Records fav. They (and MySpace Records) aren't quite in the big leagues yet, so Fall Out Boy and Blue October (two of my favs among the big timers) aren't having to look over their shoulders so far, even though Sherwood is more pop than they. However, MySpace continues to show that they have a good ear (and a good eye since the visual appeal is there as well.)

Sherwood is a pop rock group out of San Luis Obispo, California. The bouncy, high energy Middle of the Night sounds like it belongs on some TV show's soundtrack and for all I know, probably will be on one or has been already. It and the group have that energetic youthful feel so important to success in today's pop field. Just enough angst in the musicality and lyrics to make it interesting but still with a driving rock beat forcing the narrative along so that it doesn't get boring or pedantic. Listening to the lyrics yields another strong point in the band's favor, they have substance and truth. Delivered via lead singer Nate's powerful, plaintive vocals and backed up soundly by the instrumentals, this group has something to say.

And fans are listening...

See the band's MySpace page for their lengthy summer tour dates around not just the West Coast, but all over the country. Let me know if you attend one of the concerts and tell me what you think (cganders1@yahoo.com)

The bands MySpace page and four of their songs (as well as video clips) are located at
http://www.myspace.com/sherwood

Kudos to MySpace Records for picking Sherwood.

But BIGGER kudos to Sherwood for just being Sherwood.

They are memorable and it's because of their obvious talent for music and melody. The only thing that seems to be missing is that ONE song, that one, you know, that takes a band to the next level--that song that hits the charts and keeps climbing, capturing everyone's imagination. Perhaps it's there, but just not on the MySpace site yet.

And now I'm off to the sunshine before it ends all too soon (say in 4 minutes, about par for around here!)!

See you next week!

CG Anderson
owner & chief bottle washer
Little Dogs Media
blog: http://ahablogolicious.blogspot.com/ Aha! Blogolicious! Musings and Meanings of Non-Sensical Events and Canada... (a music/art/dance/media review site with a bit of humor to mix it up)

Remember, Obstacles are Actually Opportunities...look at the why behind the what...