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

Issue 303/ July/August 2010

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Comments (39)

21 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

22 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..!

23 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!!

24 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.

25 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.

26 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.

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

28 Walter Noons, Visions and Hallucinations
Written by Walter Noons, on 02-10-2008 08:00
I am really glad that you enjoyed the music and I'm sorry that my homegrown production caused you difficulty - I would've gladly sent you another disc had I known that you wee having trouble listening to it. Regarding the art - what you see is what I got. Again, I'm glad you liked the music.

29 Ghosthunter
Written by Joel Simches, on 21-09-2008 17:01
Hey.. I said if you like good, mindless rocking, then Ghosthunter is your band. If you saw them and liked them, that's wonderful for you. I thought they were pretty silly and the lyrics were laughably chliched and stupid. Does my opinion make me an ass or does your name calling and insinuations make you one? I'm going with the latter. Anyone who spells rules with a "z" will probably love listening to this band. It is most certainly up your alley. I would rather listen to a "shitty pretentious" Boston band. I've travelled around the world, playing with and working with plenty. I would rather enjoy something of musical substance than listen to a generic bar band from Maine any day of the week. That's my opinion. Take it or leave it. I'm not really inclined to care either way.

30 Ghosthunter
Written by Rain on Tin, on 20-09-2008 17:28
The person who reviewed this CD seems like a real ass to me. There is no mention of any pertinent info as to the sound quality or musicianship. I bought some tracks from the album and I liked it. I think it's fun and energetic. I would love to see these guys play live. I bet the reviewer is in some shitty pretentious boston band.

31 Ghosthunter
Written by Tony Roberts, on 20-09-2008 09:07
I've seen Ghosthunter at a Conifer show in Portland,Me. & they destroyed! A very intense live show. Bought thier record & I think it rulz. I'm from Mass. & so far have been very impressed with alot of bands I've seen in Maine. This guys out of his mind.

32 Ghosthunter
Written by Jack Tors, on 18-09-2008 17:43
And you didn't even mention Billy Anderson's involvement.

33 Ghosthunter
Written by Jack Tors, on 18-09-2008 17:39
I bought this CD. It's good. I don't know what he's singing about but it's not that funny to me. I've definitely heard worse. From Boston bands.

34 The Sneaks
Written by Joel Simches, on 04-08-2008 13:11
I told Robert Johnson to stop making music and helped him fake his own death. Look where he is today. You're welcome!!

35 The Sneaks
Written by The Sneaks, on 01-08-2008 16:19
Joel,
Our disdain for bunnies, kangaroos, unicorns, Canadians, etc. is well documented. Nobody told Robert Johnson not to make music. But then he died.

36 The Sneaks
Written by Joel Simches, on 17-07-2008 21:03
It means what it says. Happy to oblige.

Please don't make any more music. How many more innocent bunnies need to be killed in the name of satisfying your artistic needs??

37 The Horse You Rode In On
Written by Lance McVickar (producer+guita, on 09-07-2008 15:21
Thanks for the great review, the full 15 song cd will be out we hope by October/November 08.
You can check us out at www.myspcace.com/thehorseyourodeinonusa

38 The Sneaks
Written by The Sneaks, on 07-07-2008 15:32
Wow, what a review. We have no idea what it means... but it seems positive, we think. Uhh... yeah.

39 Chainsaws & Cheerleaders
Written by Sarah K, on 13-05-2008 18:10
band name and title should be switched. ZEBU! makes we wet every time.

luv,
sarah

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