The Pawn Rook Four.
Stendhal Syndrome EP.
Hurray for local music. Gainesville, FL, based band the Pawn Rook
Four's latest effort, the four-song Stendhal Syndrome EP, shows
the group's maturation.
The band, with the addition of bassist Dan Smith, combines vintage
sounds of classic rock with singalong melodies and great
hooks--this time with a little more punch and a bit less pop
compared to previous releases. Though influences can be heard in
their music, the PR4 manages not to stray into that area where
good songs become mediocre because of their blatant emulation.
Rather, the EP, which was recorded in LA with the help of engineer
Malcolm Guess, showcases the PR4's ability to write and play. Be
it the guitars and their crunchy hooks and concise solos (no
pointless noodling here, thank god), pounding drums that propel
tracks forward, or the soaring vocals of guitar/vocal duo Jeremy
Morgan and Ty Popick, the Pawn Rook Four clearly is going places
with their music. Some say that their sound is growing less cuddly
and more biting, but as can be see on "Heartache in a Mother's
Home," this is one band that won't get tied down to one specific
sound. I look forward to their future releases.
- Whitney Weiss
Informatik
Nymphomatik
Metropolis Records
As you might have guessed by the title of the new Informatik CD,
it’s about two things; sex and relationships. Mainly sex, but
there some genuine pain in some of the lyrics. Perhaps Informatik
founder Da5id Din (don’t ask me why he spells his name that way)
has been through some heartbreak as of late, and is venting his
pain on his latest release “Nymphomatik.” Whatever the reason, the
music hasn’t gone sappy and lost it’s edge. If anything this is
the best Informatik CD to date. Da5vid and new member Tyler
Newman, have gone above and beyond to produce an incredible album
of massive beats and razor sharp synth lines, with Da5id’s
trademark dark, deep vocals riding on top of it all. To put it
bluntly, it kicks major ass.
One of the first things I noticed about the overall sound of this
CD is that, it reminds me slightly of Da5id’s side project Din 5.
Perhaps having Tyler Newman in the band had something to do with
that, since he was the keyboardist for Din 5 on their tour with
Haujobb and Velvet Acid Christ. If anything it is a nice hybrid of
the two projects. Another thing equally impressive was how many
really good songs there were on this CD. From the very beginning
of the album I was hooked, and it just kept getting better and
better. I would have to say that “Flesh Menagerie, Hopeless,
Oblivion, and A Matter Of Time” were my favorites. Coming in
second would be “ A Perfect Stranger” and the remix version of the
same track by Negative Format which infused a nice trance feel
into it. The only weak moments on “Nymphomatik” were the cheesy
lyrics of “Built For Pleasure” and the remix of “Perfect Stranger”
by Stromkern. I expected a little more from them as I really like
their own music, but this mix was rather dull. Regardless, these
are minor quibbles and should have no bearing on the rest of the
songs.
Overall, this a very impressive third release for Informatik. I
think fans of the first two CD’s will absolutely love this one,
and if you weren’t a fan before, I think you will be after hearing
it. Also, Dj’s are going to have plenty to choose from for tracks
to spin off this album, and I am sure they will get no complaints
from the crowds. If “Nymphomatik” is vision of things to come then
Informatik has a very promising future ahead of them.
- Craig Harvey
Mayday
Old Blood
Saddle Creek
On Mayday's Old Blood, Ted Stephens of Lullaby for the Working
Class and two other Lullaby members, Mike and A.J. Mogis, blend
organic string instruments such as banjo and guitar with
percussive instruments like timpani and vibraphone. The resulting
songs, laden with accents of piano and organ, as well as guest
vocals, evoke a melancholy feel at times ("Come Home"), while
moving in a way all of their own. An interpretation of "Silent
Night", with echoing guitar tones which build into distorted
guitars and crash cymbals, "Lullaby for the Sleeping Elephant",
leaves you wishing that Mayday would stick to a course more like
the opener, "Cinquefoils", with perfectly balanced vocals and
instrumentation, or the plunked banjos and guitars of "Pilot",
which builds as strings are added, resulting in a song that moves
slowly, but does not lose the listener or become muddled. An
interesting album, but one not without its shortcomings. Old Blood
definitely has its moments.
- Whitney Weiss
Christopher Lawrence
Around The World
Moonshine Records
It must be my lucky month for great Dj mixes. Hot on the heels of
Ferry Corsten's latest release, my audio senses are blessed by
another great trance wunderkind, Dj Christopher Lawrence. "Around
The World" is his fourth release for Moonshine Records, which also
includes two other Dj mix compilations and one 12" of his own
music. Last year he was hailed as one the top 100 Dj's by Dj
Magazine, not to mention headlined some of the biggest American
tours such as "Gatecrasher, Cream, and the Ministry of Sound." He
has made the cover of such prestigious magazines as "Mixer" and
"Remix," and has travelled around the globe as the star attraction
of many a night club extravaganza.
On "Around The World" Christopher lays down a set of dark
progressive trance that is guaranteed to keep bodies in the
groove, while showing off his impressive mixing skills. After
listening to this CD several times I can definitely see what all
the hype is about. This guy is impressive! What I liked most about
this [CD] is his choice of artists. The set starts off with not
one but two different versions of "Jet Black" by Luigi which were
just incredible, (although I like the "Arksun remix" the best)
followed by two more great tracks "Spectrum" by Manhattan and "Indya"
by Mark Lowndes. Next up we are treated to what I think are two of
the best tracks on the CD; "The Conspiracy" by Replicant and
"Galaxies" by Capetown. Both of these had some really great synth
lines and a very cool futuristic sound that I really loved. Other
tracks worth mentioning was yet another great song by Mark Lowndes
entitled "The Curse" and "Hong Kong Junkie" by Fred Numf Vs. 5.0.
Overall this is damn fine trance compilation by a great up and
coming Dj. I think that the first half of the CD was slightly
stronger than the last half, but it was still very good. I dig the
vinyl pops and clicks that accompany the tracks when the music
hits a quiet stage, reminding us that vinyl is still very much
alive and kicking. Being a fan of trance, I am really glad I got
this CD to review as I might have missed it otherwise. (There is
just too much music out there to have it all!) I also read that
Mr. Lawrence is working on his first artist CD that is due out in
the near future, so be on the lookout. In the meantime, go out and
buy "Around The World" and dance the night away.
-Craig Harvey