The Noise : Rock Around Boston. - SILVER CIRCLE COMMENTS: 2008

Issue 299| March 2010

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Comments (32)

1 Endway
Written by Bob McArthur, on 17-12-2009 15:12
They give it away because it is terrible.

2 SuperVolcano
Written by superfan, on 21-09-2009 21:19
TERRIBLE REVIEW!!!! Did this guy even listen to the whole album?! Or the first minute of each song? Supervolcano is an INCREDIBLE fresh sound. Take this dude Kevin Finn's review with a grain of salt. Although, he was right about one thing--the rhythm section is pretty damn impressive.

3 50% of all reviews
Written by Slimey, on 06-07-2009 01:04
I'm starting to wonder if you guys know anything about music whatsoever.

"Ah yes Slimedog here..."

"Greetings, Zortar here from another planet..."

"Ah yes, Mrs. Slimedog here, top reviewer of the Noise..."

These are not music reviews. This is gibberish/ inside jokes for your friends.

Maybe go to college, or at least read how literate people write about music.

Maybe then your magazine will be successful enough to have the money to print in color.

Best.

4 Zagnutt
Written by James, on 09-06-2009 01:42
I really enjoyed this record, very dynamic, these guys definitely can jam. I wonder if the reviewer actually listened to the whole record....

5 MaryBeth Maes- Just Like Me
Written by Terri, on 05-04-2009 01:35
MaryBeth Maes - What can I say? She is one of THE BEST original female artists around. I didn't exactly care for the beginning tone of the review, but you redeemed yourself at the end - kudos to you for realizing you judged a bit too quickly. As you listen to her songs it is easy to visualize the story they tell and her amazing voice, an absolute gift from above, makes you forget all that may be happening around you. If you are lucky enough to catch a gig - you will find yourself transfixed not only by her powerful voice but by her unassuming, humble presence - void of the large LOOK AT ME egos that often accompany artists with the amount of talent that MaryBeth Maes possesses.
Thank you for listening!

6 The Under-Mercurial
Written by Dan-The Under, on 05-04-2009 01:37
I would summarize this review as: "I could say this is a good band, but since I don't like metal, I won't.” So metal is not your bag, I can certainly appreciate the sentiment. But to use our album as a chance to decry a specific brand of music makes the review a bit more about the reviewer than about the music. Instead of a critique we end up with little more than an outright condemnation of a musical style which seems a bit out of step with the purpose of a review (unless you happen to be reviewing metal in general). I acknowledge there is some sort of attempt to judge the music based on its merits which is appreciated. However, I would suggest that the next time an anti-metal reviewer ends up with a CD that’s a bit on the heavy side, if possible, consider passing it along to someone who might have a bit more of an objective approach. It would benefit the bands a bit more and that's what The Noise is here for right? Thanks for listening/reading!

Dan
The Under

7 The Loups - Holding Hands with the Crook
Written by Justin Graves, on 05-04-2009 01:39
Man I love this review, it's not often when the person writing the review actually seems to get the message or style the band is trying to achieve, but Joel nailed it. We hope to make it down to Boston by this summer. For now come see us in Maine. Thanks again, we love The Noise!!! Keeping local music in spotlight

JGraves

8 Mesmarines
Written by Jimi, on 22-03-2009 19:31
I saw these guys a couple of weeks ago with the Real Kids, and you can tell that they have been playing for a while. Very good musicians.

I read your review of their EP, but they struck me as more of straight ahead Boston Punk band. I'll have to check out their CD.

9 Nature/Nurture
Written by Michael B, on 10-03-2009 16:07
Hi Joel,

Thanks for reviewing our EP. I'd say that your overview of the entire work is pretty accurate. It is what it is, which is basically a document of our first few months together, and our first attempts at trying to make a recording on our own in the face of not having tons of cash to blow at a really nice studio. It's definitely a criticism well taken and we're hoping that next time around we'll have learned from our mistakes and will only get better from there.

To be perfectly honest I wouldn't mind sending you some recordings of the next round of stuff we record. You seem to have a pretty discerning ear and pointed out exactly the same things I personally found as shortcomings on the EP as well.

Let me know. I thought it was a pretty good, accurate review.

Mike
N/N

10 mercyjames & the microbatz
Written by mercyjames, on 11-12-2008 15:34
Thanks for reviewing the single!

It's free for the taking on the front page of http://www.mercyjames.com

11 The Mesmerines
Written by Roman Bornski, on 10-12-2008 21:00
I think you spelled the name of the band wrong. No problem tho'. I saw these guys at NEIA doing an internet broadcast and they were not only great musicians funny fuckers. Just picked up their CD and it is one of those things really hard to describe. Their sound is very unique. Thanks for introducing us to this great music.

12 the i.z.a. (leonid)
Written by tommy the jew, on 08-11-2008 23:09
Sounds like you didnt even listen to the CD! And a couple of nasty grammatical gaffs as well. damn

13 THE VITAL MIGHT
Written by Andy, on 05-11-2008 12:36
Glad you enjoyed the album Francis! I can't say we were desperate or trying to impress anyone, we just love the idea of a recurring theme throughout an album.

Cheers!
www.myspace.com/thevitalmight

14 northern pike
Written by haha, on 30-10-2008 15:33
joel you sh*t on every band u review. u pick out all the bad things but rarely point out the good stuff. very few of these bands are signed and very few can afford the "big time" producers and studio time. Lemme ask you something... what is the name of your band? I promise I'll tell you what I think. Peace out man,
maybe you should start pointing out the good stuff.
haha

15 The I.Z.A.
Written by Dan the butcha!!, on 30-10-2008 00:46
Hey thanks for the review! You might want to keep away from punk bands in the future tho.. you know, that three chord thing and all..!

16 Left Hand Does
Written by Luke Sullivan, on 13-10-2008 23:16
Yeah, you know what? Kevin Finn has no idea what he's talking about and obviously didn't actually listen to the whole record. I'll be the first to admit that I consistently try to hit notes that aren't in my range even as I continue to stretch it (because it's fun), but what he said about Jean's vocals, doesn't really apply at all. Listen to her saying "calm down" in "No More Nightmares." Ooh... that's no good, somehow. (??) Wait... how about the first track on the damn CD?? I can't really imagine that he listened to Airplanes if he says that there's a problem every time she comes in.

Also, why do people keep comparing us to the Pixies? We sound NOTHING like them. Oh, it's because there's a girl in the band. Does anyone realize what they're implying when they suggest that we're influenced by them? The only way that could possibly be true is if Jean was a guy, listened to a lot of Pixies, and eventually got a sex change. Not that there isn't enough irony there, but also, Jean is a huge Toadies fan - again, listen to her backing vox in No More Nightmares and tell me she didn't learn from Todd Lewis how to rock like a male singer.

Looking at his other reviews, it seems that Kevin Finn consistently discourages people from listening to local music. There's no extra need for that considering that there are a ton of bands out there and only some of them are putting out consistently engaging and fresh material.

I'll take the Elliot Smith comparison though, I do listen to a crapload of Elliot Smith. Thanks!!

17 Left Hand Does
Written by LHD Fan, on 11-10-2008 19:17
Top 10 Reasons "Yeckum Checkum" is a brilliant record (or) Ten Ways to Say "Ignore this Review and Take a Listen to Left Hand Does for Yourself."

1) These guys have rock songwriting DOWN. Look no further than "No Medicine For Me" or "Airplanes."

2) The vocal interplay between Luke and Jean is captivating and fresh.

3) The drumming support of Josh Kiggans is tasty, nuanced, and it GROOVES.

4) The production is not only perfectly polished and balanced, but it is creative and serves each song well.

5) The first 30 seconds of track 1 are guaranteed to get you moving.

6) Luke takes one of the best guitar solos you'll hear this year on "Valerie." Come to think of it, all of the guitar solos on this record are memorable.

7) "Against You Both" with headphones on will make you feel like you're bathing in sound. Try it.

8) Every instrument added changes the song's character in a positive way, from creative and solid bass lines to textural pads to backing vocals.

9) "No More Nightmares" is a great ride! I dare you to not sing along with "How was I supposed to know that they were shitty friends?"

10) It doesn't sound like any other band in Boston right now. These guys do their own thing, and it WORKS.

18 Left Hand Does
Written by Luke Sullivan, on 10-10-2008 01:37
Hi Kevin, thanks for taking the time to check out our CD. We understand you had some problems with it, but we also understand that if you're going to make good rock'n'roll, somebody's going to have a problem. So we're going to be that guy (and girl) and be inspired by your negative review. Jean is going to continue to sing inappropriately and I'm going to continue singing out of my range.
All facetiousness aside, I really do appreciate that you took the time to listen to the whole thing - far as i know there's no rule saying any reviewer has to do that. Sorry you didn't like parts of it.

19 Pariah Beat
Written by nick, on 07-10-2008 16:28
I'm Nick, I play guitar for Pariah Beat. I wanted to thank Francis DiMenno for his thoughtful review, and also Joel Smiches for the one a few months ago. I appreciate you putting some substance behind your comments, ie I felt like you gave a shit about the music. It means a lot to me and helps us out as a band here in Boston. Please introduce yourselves if you make it to one of our shows and I'll buy you a drink.

20 Conservative Man
Written by Ian, on 02-10-2008 11:25
Thanks for the review Mike, hopefully i'll get ya next time!

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