2007 in Music Part 3: Make 'Em Say Uhhh!

20. Sleeping Giant- Dread Champions of the Last Days (Facedown) May/June

I’d like to thank HM Magazine for turning me on to Sleeping Giant, a new Facedown band (Facedown’s still around?!!) that brings it heavy and hard, and also mixes in… rap-style vocals? This is a sometimes thing, for sure (thank youuuu) but it’s used really well by these guys. Even so, the amount of praise and “spirit-filled” energy that this band cranks out is AMAZING. Why it’s up here: The second half of the album. Every track is completely different and keeps changing things up. It’s a pretty long album, and the last three songs are rock/metal-infused praise-and-worship songs. AMAZING. Why it’s down here: The first half of the album. It’s great but gets a little repetitive and doesn’t mix it up anywhere as near as the latter tracks. Also, it’s a little depressing that the best track on the album is the guest vocals one, and the album by the guest vocalist in reference (Impending Doom) isn’t even that amazing. Oh well, chalk it up to synergy! Jam This Song: “Blame it on the Holy Rollers”

19. The Brothers Martin (Tooth & Nail) January 23

2007 was quite possibly Drew’s year of Starflyer 59. If you don’t know what that is, this entry will be good for you. Starflyer 59, AKA Jason Martin, quickly became one of my favorite musical acts this year in all it’s shoegazer-lounge rock glory. How, you may ask, is this all related to The Brothers Martin? View the last name, goofus. Jason Martin and his brother Ronnie (remember Joy Electric? That’s him) have reunited after 14 years to put out another joint effort. In the past decade-with-some-change, both musicians’ styles have changed GREATLY, and the reunion brings much to the table, from Jason’s chill guitar and bass and rolling keys to Ronnie’s wacky synth-beats and uber-repetitive hooks. Why it’s up here: It’s pure genius, mixing shoegaze and synthpop. Nobody saw it coming. Well, maybe nobody but the Brothers Martin. Why it’s down here: Ronnie’s repetitive lines and girly voice bog it down for me just a little bit. Jam This Song: “Opportunities”, “Communication”

18. Eisley- Combinations (Warner Bros) August 14

Pals from Tyler, TX (yee-haw!) Eisley (formerly Moss Eisley in the Power FM dark ages) have brought us another glass of gorgeous courtesy of Combinations. If you remember 2005’s Room Noises then you can easily envision the fantastic and child-like aspects the band once held. They’ve definitely grown from that aspect a bit, crafting themselves into something fuller and a bit more elegant. Just get down for some pretty and let the DuPree family soothe your brain. Why it’s up here: It sounds LOVELY. We’re dealing with pretty girls who sing beautifully and play music (along with a couple boys) quite excellently. Not bad. Why it’s down here: I really liked the cheery and childlike feel of Room Noises, but respect the band’s new direction. Some songs don’t dig into the heart and head as deeply as other songs, however. Jam This Song: “I Could Be There For You”, “Invasion”

17. A Plea For Purging- A Critique of Mind and Thought (Facedown) July/ August

Facedown brought out some really good music this year! A Plea For Purging is a gang of goofy pranksters that love gettin’ down with some NASTY metal. It’s fun and kinda corny with really high guitars and goofy gang vocals, but man. It’s GOOD. Why it’s up here: “Make ‘em say uhh/ UNNHHH!” vocals like that, insane guitar riffs and licks, amazing chugging bass, and great drums round this band out with tons of energy, with talent to match. Why it’s down here: They’re a very new band and have lots of stuff to either polish or to just figure out. Also, the Facedown style of doing CDs might be taking a little bit away from what this band is ultimately capable of, but we’ll see in due time, I’m sure. Jam This Song: “The Betrayers”, “Resurrection of the Beast”

16. Far-Less- A Toast to Bad Taste (Tooth & Nail) October 23 “New Feeling Great”

I heard these cats when they first got signed to T&N with the single “Scorched Earth Policy”. Holy CRAP it was hardcore! The Turn to the Bright EP that followed was amazing but set the stage for what would be a more post-hardcore rock band with some heavy sounds but largely melodic and something that would journey into whatever foray it felt like checking out. The album after that, Everyone is Out to Get Us, kept plenty of the hardcore ties but took some interesting trips into jazzy, bluesy territories formerly unknown to the band. The new album is another trip down a different road, nearly erasing all the hardcore and establishing a full sound that one can easily get lost in. Why it’s up here: The new sound is definite proof that Far-Less can do whatever they want to as a band and still make excellent music. It’s easy to get caught up in the lush sounds, losing a little time to the scenery painted out by this Virginia band. Why it’s down here: This is worlds away from Everyone is Out to Get Us. They’ve basically abolished their excellent and timely use of hardcore elements, mostly probably due to a drummer change. While the new sound isn’t what it used to be, it’s still a force to be reckoned with. Jam This Song: “Gentlemen(Go To Sleep)”, “A Toast To Bad Taste”