THE JADE SHADER - CURSE OF THE TUATARA

Hailing from San Diego, The Jade Shader brings us this seven-track EP. At first listen, the first track, "Minnesota", introduces the band's sound. It's slow to mid-tempo sound seems to flow quite naturally and gives off a great vibe. As the album plays on, the tracks become more up-tempo and turn from something natural into something more clichéd.

It's not necessarily bad-sounding, but the music becomes a bit repetitive.

The vocals glide along to mediocre guitar work, and the rest of the tracks seem to blend into one. Maybe a change will occur by the time The Jade Shader returns with a full-length effort—but for now, I'll pass.

(Review originally appeared in the December 2005 issue of Skratch Magazine)

VARIOUS ARTISTS - PRIMOSONIC RHYTHMS VOL 2

Ska isn't dead. Nor is this album, by a long shot. This disc is filled with some great ska, dub, reggae, and rocksteady tracks from some of California's best skankin' acts. The Aggolites provide some great dub with the first track, "Black Lung". Its sound is reminiscent of Lee Perry from the early 1970s. Chris Murray's one-man ska act contributes the moving song "Fourth of July". Monkey represents the Northern California ska sound with pride with "Sound System". This is perhaps one of the best compilations I have heard in years. Spark it up, my friends, and enjoy!

(Review originally appeared in the December 2005 issue of Skratch Magazine)

THE DREADFUL YAWNS - S/T

It's time to slow things down with this self-titled disc from The Dreadful Yawns. This is their first full-length album to be released on Bomp! This title ended up hitting me like a fresh breeze with its Southern folk sound and country twang. The lyrics have a bluegrass feel and are simple but stellar throughout. I was impressed with the use of harmonica and steel guitar on tracks like "You Sold the Farm" and "Get Yourself Back Home". This album hints at influences ranging from Bob Dylan to The Grateful Dead but remains unique to The Dreadful Yawns original sound. I'm still taken aback by the fact that SKRATCH is reviewing music like this. It's fresh, and its different sound is a nice change from the hard punk-rock music I'm used to hearing.


(Review originally appeared in the November 2005 issue of Skratch Magazine)

JOHN DUFILHO - S/T

This is the first solo effort for Dufilho. On this album, he takes on the task of writing, producing, and recording all the music on his own—not to mention playing all the instruments. The music is a mix of quirky mid-tempo power pop. It's clear to see that Dufilho has brought a lot of influences out on this disc, as he uses a lot of electronic loops and silly yet catchy lyrics. I loved the fact that one second you feel as though you are listening to a rough demo album and the next he hits you with a lush stereo soundscape. The one thing I took away from listening to this album is that there are still musicians out there who are talented enough to take their music and do what they wish with it. It's honest music that stays true to Dufilho's intentions as a musician.

(Review originally appeared in the November 2005 issue of Skratch Magazine)

HORSE THE BAND - THE MECHANICAL HAND

If the Super Mario Brothers formed a metal band, it would probably sound something like this. Horse the Band brings us an interesting mix of hard rock laced with synthesized sounds that remind me of the endless hours spent playing Nintendo as a kid. The music is hard and fast, and the lyrics are loud but really hard to understand. This album also reminds me a bit of bands like System of a Down. At times, the keyboards border a Van Halen sound and provide a different sound not found in today's mainstream hard-rock scene. In the end, THE MECHANICAL HAND is a truly original album that isn't afraid to be different-sounding than the rest of the music out there today. It's odd sound kept me amused...but didn't blow me away.


(Review originally appeared in the November 2005 issue of Skratch Magazine)

TSAR - BAND GIRLS MONEY

Attitude oozes out of the latest effort from Los Angeles's own TSAR. This 10-song disc is loaded with catchy, clichéd rock riffs and vocals that at times sound just too sweet for my liking. They seem to be going for a post-glam rock, Sunset Strip hair-band feeling that left me half satisfied (if that). I was not impressed with the lyrical content, which seemed to be thrown together. It's quite easy to name a song and repeat its title over and over again (as in "Straight"). I was impressed with the guitars throughout this album, as they hammer out some hot licks; but the use of echo effects on the vocals become quite humorous and annoying. Although I can say that there is potential here, the clichéd sound left me bored and searching for something else to satisfy my musical cravings.

(Review originally appeared in the October 2005 issue of Skratch Magazine)

SILVER - WHITE DIARY

They say you shouldn't judge something by its cover, and it's true—especially in the case of the debut album from Norway rockers Silver. By the looks of the cover, I was expecting a horrid Guns N' Roses cover band. I found instead a decent mix of straight-ahead rock with influences ranging from early punk to glam rock. There is nothing out-of-this-world amazing about this release, but there is also nothing too terribly wrong with it, either. Its sound is quite poppy, with catchy vocals and riffs, and it's put together quite nicely. I would say that Silver played it safely when it came to making this album, with a mix of tunes that don't stray too far from a mainstream sound. For what it's worth, WHITE DIARY proves to impress within its boundaries but is far from exceptional. www.thesilverband.com

(Review originally appeared in the October 2005 issue of Skratch Magazine)