Prurient | Time’s Arrow EP
Hydra Head
3/5
Prurient (Dominik Fernow) has made quite the name for himself in avant-garde circles for producing some of the most mind-bending, earth shattering dissonance out there as a solo artist. His performances usually consist of him and a microphone, sometimes run through with digital filters. They can only be classified as a kind of theatre that would charm the pants off the famous, dead playwright Bertolt Brecht. The record drips of emotion and anger, yet is truly difficult to understand where it stems from when taken as is. It is nearly nonsensical, very powerful, and scathingly intense.
In the past year, Prurient has made a change toward something more traditional diverging from the style of his earlier album, Bermuda Drain. The atmosphere produced from his past work is still present in this release but muted and propelled by synthesized beats that sound like if Trent Reznor scored John Carpenter’s funeral. This is evident in the title track wherein Fernow repeats a strangely eerie phrase about Elizabeth Short, the Black Dahlia murder victim. The EP breaks down into mayhem that gives way to a sweet melody at the end, a slightly predictable move for its dark nature but effective.
Ultimately, it is a fine extension to Bermuda Drain, though oddly forgettable, which is strange for a Prurient release.
—Danyal Khoral
Nick Faye and The Deputies | The Last Best West
Urban Planning Records
3/5
LIKELY UNKNOWN TO most of Ottawa, Nick Faye and The Deputies are a pop-rock band hailing from Regina, Sask. Bringing us sounds from the prairies in The Last Best West, the album is a testament to summers spent in the Qu’Appelle Valley of southern Saskatchewan. Themes about love and the love of a small town in the midwest crop up throughout the album.
Even though the content speaks about farm life, this album should by no means be considered country music. Proclaiming themselves as the rock/pop/folk genre, Nick Faye and The Deputies have a sound that appeals to an eclectic audience.
Some tracks like “Giulanova” and “Lakeland” have mainstream potential with fast-paced beats and lyrics that you can sing to. Nick Faye, writing all of the songs on the album, should be commended for his work. His lyrics and strong vocals make songs catchy, fun, and often danceable. Inspired by the midwest, this release is well suited for a country boy or girl, but it is also filled with universal themes even a city person can take something from.
—Colin Sutherland
Evanescence | Evanescence
Wind-up
2.5/5
FANS HOPEFUL THAT Evanescence will continue to amaze on their latest, self-titled release will be sorely mistaken. Most of the songs are passable, but the album lacks anything truly memorable. Long time fans or first time listeners should check out “Sick”, “End of the Dream”, and “Made of Stone”. They’re decent tracks, but they won’t stick in your head the way “Bring Me to Life”, “Tourniquet”, and “Going Under” do.
Other songs are downright cringe-worthy. In the album’s first single, “What You Want”, Amy Lee trades in her haunting vocals for an annoying performance reminiscent of Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend”—guaranteed to be stuck in your head for all the wrong reasons.
Bands may evolve with each new album, but in the case of Evanescence, they’ve evolved too far. Their material is too commercial and they’re losing their faithful fan base because of it.
Don’t bother listening to Evanescence. Old-time fans would be better off listening to the symphonic metal band Nightwish’s new album Imaginaerum, set to be released in December.
—Tegan Bridge
Frederic Pellerin | They Call Me Rico
Voxtone Records
4/5
THEY CALL ME Rico is the first solo project of former Madcaps front man Frederic Pellerin (a.k.a. Rico) and I certainly hope it won’t be his last. In an almost one-man-band style, many of the tracks feature noth- ing more than Rico: Singing, playing guitar, and working a kick drum and high-hat with his feet.
The stripped-down blues style is reminiscent of the White Stripes with a little blue-grassy Lynyrd Sky- nyrd rock thrown in. The album is almost exclusively cover songs with only three original tracks, but Rico’s original interpretations of songs like Neil Young’s “World On a String”, Paul McCartney’s “Your Way”, and Bob Dylan’s “Buckets of Rain” are fresh and excellent. The album is pleasant the whole way through and definitely worth a listen.
—Brennan Bova
Parlor Mob | Dogs
Roadrunner
4.5/5
THERE IS SOMETHING about Parlor Mob’s new album Dogs which really connects with the listener. The recently released album has an enormous amount of energy equivalent to a very delicious cup of coffee.
The New Jersey band itself is not new to the music business. They broke into the scene nearly seven years ago, but they’re still relatively unknown. Parlor Mob is not shy when discussing their struggles with gaining popularity in the music world, and with the latest record, you can feel their confidence leaking out of every lyric.
Don’t be surprised if Dogs eventually jump-starts their popularity in the music scene. If you are looking to add a little juice to your iPod, I would highly recommend adding Parlor Mob’s single, “Into the Sun”. Mark Melicia, the lead singer, has a voice slightly similar to Adam Levine’s of Maroon 5 with a splash of a dangerously awesome punk-rock vibe.
Dogs is a perfect name for Parlor Mob’s latest album. Fighting with every tooth and paw they have, Parlor Mob has finally been able to seize success with its two front teeth.
—Grace Iori
