The Myriad
http://www.myspace.com/themyriad
http://www.youtube.com/user/themyriadmusic
Name: The Myriad
Genre: Indie/Rock
Major/Indie/Unsigned: E1 Entertainment (Formerly Koch Records)/Epic Records
Album: With Arrows, With Poise
Released: 2008
Overall Rating (out of 4): 3
Musicality – This is a band that likes to challenge themselves with their music. They create interesting variations and layers to their songs, which add a delicious texture and makes the music always interesting. Also, you notice they mix with some sampled electronic sounds, but never overdo it to take away from their indie rock sound.
Singing – Jeremy’s vocals are subtle, but have a distinct character in his voice, almost a bit like Thom Yorke of Radiohead (meaning softer sounding breathy tenor vocals). I like how he doesn’t try to over sing, but has a good voice and knows how to use it. I would find it a little more interesting if he could vary his vocal dynamics and tones, just to bring some variety and liven up the vocals at times. As well, in the few tracks where they made the keyboard a focus, it really added a missing element (middle) with it’s melodies and chords. I wish the keyboards would be in more songs.
Lyrics – Their lyrics are very poetic and you need to search a little for the meanings to make sense to you (thinker’s lyrics). Even with the lyrics on a sheet, it would still take a few listens to adequately understand what “The Myriad” is saying. That’s a compliment.
Flow/Rhythm – Mellow/chill/cool/indie rock is what comes to mind when I think of “The Myriad’s” music. It’s music you would chill to, or even study to, and read a book to. I would almost think they are a slightly more rock sounding “Coldplay”. So, they do have a quieter vibe, but it works.
Freshness – It is pretty decent, but I think you need to be careful with the chill rock/alternative/indie sound. There are just so many people doing that style that you need really have some strong qualities in different areas to stand out.
Technicality/Recording – I’m not sold on the recording here. I think the engineers could have done a better job with the mixing. For example, i think most songs mix the instruments in a way that doesn’t maximize the best sound for the listener. The drum cymbals completely drown out the vocals, and the instruments cover the vocals a bit, which isn’t the greatest if you are a “lyrics” listener. But I’m just being nit-picky! All in all, great music!
Visuals – Top notch Myspace page. Excellent Youtube channel. Their homepage for the band is very good! No complaints on the online presence/marketing. The only thing is if they get twittering/tweeting, it will help them even more!
Top #2 Songs:
1. A Thousand Winters Melting (Just a great song, musically, lyrically, and it makes you feel good when you hear it!) – Unfortunately there was no video/live performance that I could find of this song. So I’ll choose a third.
2. You waste time like a grandfather clock (A great mix of rhythms, effects, dynamics, and amazing lyrics – just a compelling song; one that I would want to listen to multiple times).
2. A Clean Shot (A well balanced track, a bit New Wave-like, driving drums & bass, catchy vocals)
~ Jason Chu
@Chodidees
http://www.myspace.com/chodidee
http://www.youtube.com/Chodidee
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
Rubberheadbanditz
http://www.myspace.com/rubberheadbanditz
http://www.youtube.com/user/rubberheadbandit
Name: Rubberheadbanditz (Hovedstaden, Denmark)
Genre: Electro/Pop/Rock
Major/Indie/Unsigned: Unsigned
Album:
Released:
Overall Rating (out of 4): 3
Musicality – They produce a very rhythmic sound, with thudding punchy basslines, weaving guitar lead licks, and catchy vocals. I love the variety of sounds that mix together from real instruments to synthesized sounds. For example, they use the tambourine (works well!), in other tracks they use monkey sounds and even a cash register opening closing. Very creative songwriters!
Singing – Clear vocals make all the lyrics simple to hear. They have strong singing vocals, but not only that, they mix it up with rap rhyming, talking, and even a little beat boxing. You will not be bored by the vocals.
Lyrics – Entertaining, humorous, and witty. These guys sing about regular issues that everyone deals with (i.e. money problems, stress, etc.), however, these guys put a fun spin on these themes. Just listen to a their songs, you’ll know what I mean.
Flow/Rhythm – Rubberheadbanditz definitely have a funky groove that is very catchy. I’m sure it would get a whole lot of people dancing, jumping and partying to.
Freshness – Oh yeah, they have a fresh sound. I would say their sound is pretty unique and the closest similar musician that I can think off the top my head would be: Fatboy Slim and maybe Beck. It calls down to would listeners want to listen to their music repeated times, and I’m pretty confident they would playing it over and over in their Ipod’s.
Technicality/Recording – A very professional sound, especially considering all the effects, samples, and real instruments that they had to mix together.
Visuals – Rubberheadbanditz are just beginning their marketing and branding on the internet. They have a good Myspace page, however, they could spruce it up with some more graphics and visuals, but a good start. As well, they just started their own Youtube channel in April 2009. So, they are getting their music out there, it’s just a matter of time before people catch on. I just encourage them to keep performing, writing new music, putting more music on the internet, and maybe start an internet “street team”.
Top 2 Songs:
1. Revolution! (Crazy beat boxing with funky sonic jumping track, with Zack de la Rocha sounding vocals) Unfortunately no videos or live performances of this song yet!
2. Stress (Super catchy tune, rhythmic bass & beats, and the vocals tell an interesting story)
2. Remember Me (Funky synth bass groove, catchy vocals, and of course tambourines!)
~ Jason Chu
@Chodidees
http://www.myspace.com/chodidee
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
Mr. J Medeiros (of The Procussions)
http://www.myspace.com/mrjmedeiros
http://www.myspace.com/theprocussions
Name: Mr. J Medeiros (of The Procussions)
Genre: Hip Hop/Rap
Major/Indie/Unsigned: Indie
Album: Friends Enemies Apples Apples
Released: 2009 Summer
Overall Rating (out of 4) 3.5
Musicality – It’s all over the place musically, yet it makes it perfect sense. Quite complex for Hip Hop/Rap.
Singing – The rhymes and transitions from one MC to the next, very smooth. I can’t argue with this…Tara Ellis is featured in a song and it sounds good!
Lyrics – Quality within the rhymes, yet easy enough to understand and for some reason leaves you wanting to hear it again!
Flow/Rhythm – Very strong! Smooth sound, it’s too bad more mainstream didn’t emulate the underground because this is good, real good!
Freshness – Well worth listening to. It’s more chill Hip Hop, where you are just listening to the rhymes and music, while nodding your head.
Technicality/Recording – Excellent!
Visuals – Not much videos to be found with them (underground mentality I guess), although Mr J. Medeiros has his own Youtube channel. His Myspace page is looking good with lots of information and cool graphics. In the end, it’s about the music, and he’s got it in spades.
Top 2 Songs:
1. Love is All feat. Tara Ellis (No vids of it, so just go to Mr. J Medeiros – Myspace link at the top of the page to hear this new track. The song is amazing. For that reason I’ll pick two other songs).
These next two songs were off his 2008 “Of gods and girls” album (available on itunes)
2. Constance (Soothing Hip Hop, with an ol’ School Vibe, so catchy, and the lyrics/rhymes amazing!)
3. Miss January feat. Talib Kweli (Slick groovin’ song with positive vibes and oodles of flow and great rhymes…try not to nod your head while listening to this track).
~ Jason Chu
@Chodidees
http://www.myspace.com/chodidee
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
Maria Z – Maria Zouroudis
http://www.myspace.com/mariazouroudis
Name: Artist Maria Zouroudis (Maria Z)
Genre: Pop/R&B
Major/Indie/Unsigned: Unsigned
Album:
Released:
Overall Rating (out of 4): 2.5
Singing – She has an amazing voice! Her voice has a very pure sound, and you emotion carries through her voice to the listener. Check out my links to the top #2 songs below. She has a wide range, and I look forward to her future music.
Lyrics – The lyrics are alright, nothing too heavy or too light. The themes relate with stuff that you go through in life, nothing too fancy here. With Maria Z, I’m listening because I just want to hear her sing. That being said, she needs to focus on writing more original music, even though her cover recordings are outstanding.
Flow/Rhythm – Versatility is the word. Slow piano ballads, mixed with acoustic songs, and a hip hop number on top of that!
Freshness – She definitely has the talent, however, I get the sense she is still trying to find her sound/voice/style to break into the mainstream with. Will it be pop (ie. Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera), acoustic (Jewel) or R&B?
Technicality/Recording – Variable quality, but for the most part, pretty good.
Visuals – Amazing set up on her Youtube channel, probably could use some sprucing up of her Myspace site, but otherwise she’s doing a great job marketing herself (I heard she’s got twitter too! )
Top 2 Songs:
1. Extraordinary Love (Just a beautiful song, that needs to be heard!)
2. You’re Not Sorry – Taylor Swift Cover (The depth, sensitivity, and strength of her voice is showcased in this one)
~ Jason Chu
@Chodidees
http://www.myspace.com/chodidee
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
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