| | Revolution Smile Above The Noise CD Revolution Smile Discography of CDs
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The Revolution Smile is the second band to benefit from Fred Durst's A&R genius, signing to his Flawless vanity imprint in the wake of Puddle of Mudd's inexplicable success. Thankfully, the band's major-label debut sounds nothing like the Mudd's blunt hard rock, and is nowhere near the histrionic frat rap of the Bizkit. Instead, Revolution leader Shaun Lopez (ex-Far) aims to channel the sharply rendered modern rock of Foo Fighters, fueling Above the Noise with alternately churning and droning guitars accentuated by his own vocals, which emulate Dave Grohl in the same way the Mudd's Wes Scantlin apes Kurt Cobain. The churning single "Bonethrower" opens the album, but it's a faceless slice of modern metal that does nothing to establish the band. It's only with the rock-meets-new wave groove of "Payday" and "Alien" that Lopez's songs are able to eke out some breathing room, and lend the Revolution Smile some actual identity. (The latter is forgiven for hijacking its main riff from Billy Squier's "Everybody Wants You.") Besides being written almost entirely in the first person (six songs start with "I'm"), Lopez's lyrics make a minor impression; it seems like the Revolution is more about mood and general rockingness. While the tendency for the band's middle-of-the-road dynamics to suggest Filter is irritating, the application of keys and synths to tracks like "The Ride of Los Angeles" and "Gun" is an obvious stab at depth that for whatever reason actually works. The latter tune benefits especially from the atmosphere, bathed as it is in skittering percussion and vocal reverb. There are a few more "Bonethrower"-style growlers in Above the Noise's second half; indeed, it's amazing that the vituperative "Indiana Feeling" wasn't chosen as a single, if Durst et. al really wanted a heavy-hitting radio track. Unfortunately, "Cadillac Ass" and "Orange" are interchangeable, plodding parcels of metal that go nowhere fast. It's with the subtle optimism of "Looking Down the Barrel" and "I Wish I"'s slowly unfolding ache that Lopez and the Revolution Smile again make a lasting impression. These lighter, more melodic songs might not be doing much of anything new, but they're still fresher than the processed alt.metal of Above the Noise's other half. Here's hoping Durst recognizes this and markets Lopez and the Revolution Smile in turn. ~ Johnny Loftus
The Revolution Smile includes: Shaun Lopez (vocals, guitar); T.T. McCord (guitar); Octavio Gallardo (bass); Jeremy White (drums).
. From Sacramento.
Recorded at Sound City, Van Nuys, California; The Steakhouse and Track Record North Hollywood, California; Larabee East, Los Angeles, California; The Dojo, Sacramento, California.
Additional personnel: Peter Kastsis (percussion).
Q (12/03, p.136) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A welcomely cerebral calling card..." CMJ (07/14/03, p.6) - "...Hooks-from-the-heart that lesser bands would sell a pint of their platelets to write. Finally, some big rock that's not faceless." Revolution Smile Above The Noise Songs Above The Noise Music Review Purchase Above The Noise CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Reach 454 CD (2003) Enhanced CD
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| | Not To Reason Why Who Wants Flowers When They're Dead? CD (2007)
Above The Noise album
$9.59 Four people from distinctly different backgrounds, Not to Reason Why came together much in the same way a riot evolves. A determined group of people whose good intentions soon morph into something much more. Utilizing a variety of different backgrounds, this foursome represents a fully loaded arsenal. Not To Reason Why lures their audience into a relaxed malaise with pleasant piano riffs and encapsulates their souls with heavy rhythmic articulation and soaring guitar lines with some of the most intense post-rock stylings this side of Japan. This powerful quartet does not just captivate an audience, they clasp their very souls in a vice-like grip. When listening to Not To Reason Why's "Who Wants Flowers When They're Dead?" be prepared for utter destruction, but always hold the knowledge that soon you will be rebuilt close to your heart. For thirty one minutes, there is no outside world, you are at the liberating mercy of four extremely talented musicians you have likely never met before. It is this surrender and the following intense existential experience that makes this EP by Not To Reason Why a must have. Music, performed in this manner, represents more than just melodic sound. It is pure artistic expression, well worth checking out.-Craig Tierney "The sound takes you to this place; it's like finding yourself adrift on a tiny raft in a dark fog on the ocean ...when suddenly out of nowhere appears this impossibly freakin' enormous ocean liner, all lit up and glowing in the fog - this thing just looms up in font of you; it's scale is overwhelmingly humungous, you can almost touch it as it narrowly brushes by you ...and then slowly disappears into the fog."-Todd Haile "Not to Reason Why, named after a roadside flower stand in Cotati, is the newest star on the scene to specialize in orchestral indie rock reminiscent of Explosions in the Sky or Godspeed You Black Emperor. As overexposed as their chosen genre has been in recent years, Not to Reason Why nonetheless kick against its imagined barriers and create near-perfect soundscapes from piano, guitar, bass and drums."-Gabe Meline, Bohemian Newspaper"Not to Reason Why hail from California. I can tell you all about their EP, Who Wants Flowers When They're Dead?. A rather ambiguous title ...
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