Local Spins: Reviews of Valley CDs Bella
‘Bella’
Chicks rock. The women of Bella know this, and they do so on their self-titled EP while bringing a much- needed dose of girl power to the testosterone-driven local music scene. Although the harmonies and soulful lyrics are music to the ears, the group’s sound doesn’t translate as well as it could, due to the disc's production. Given the right recording studio and producer at the helm, the band would have a better shot at delivering a more marketable product next time around. B-
— by Kelly Wilson, Get Out
Next show: Nothing scheduled at this time.
Clever Eddie
‘Clever Eddie’
On their Web site, Clever Eddie deem themselves "the best punk band in Arizona." That’s a heavy title to live up to, and while the group provides 10 songs on its second release that sound like New Found Glory in training, it needs a little work to become the best punk band in Arizona. However, Clever Eddie is definitely one of the better younger groups out there. Lead vocalist and guitarist Trevor Dutson puts it best in the first track, "Guys Night Out," in which he sings “You don’t understand/ We’re just boys not men.” Exactly. B
— by Kelly Wilson, Get Out
Next show: Clever Eddie perform 8 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Cajun House, 7117 E. Third Ave., Scottsdale, . $5.
Fifteen Minutes Fast
‘Remedial Math Rock’
Fifteen Minutes Fast deliver an album that packs a heck of a punch from the head-bobbin’ opening, "Change Me, Change You," to the bouncy final track, "Song Two." The album is filled with 13 pure pop-rock bliss-filled tunes that feature four amazing vocalists and a spectacular array of experimental sounds. With a Weezer meets Jimmy Eat World sound, the group's polished release is able to capture the raw power from its peppy live performance, making it a perfect listen for a road trip or an escape from the real world. A
— by Kelly Wilson, Get Out
Next show: Fifteen Minutes Fast perform 8 p.m. Saturday at Nita's Hideaway, 3300 S. Price Road, Tempe, . $7.
Vanessa Florez
‘Time’
Singer/songwriter Vanessa Florez wears her heart on her sleeve on this disc's five songs. Looking for love or chastising herself for finding it with the wrong person, her feelings are laid bare. Composed with instrumentalist Josh Motley, Florez's songs feature strong melodies, and she coos them convincingly, but “Time” may be a tad overproduced. The excessive studio polish in general and especially the delay effects on Florez’s voice diminish the intimate feel for which she seems to be striving. B
— by Thomas Bond, Get Out
Next show: Vanessa Florez performs during the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation benefit 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort, 5401 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, . $100-$250.
Hotfoughtcold
‘Porrasturvat’
Hotfoughtcold sound like a cross between Thursday, the Vines and The Used combined with a heck of a lot of screamo. It appears as if the indie rockers have a lot of anger management issues they are trying to work through on this release. But unlike the aforementioned bands, Hotfoughtcold don’t do so in a way that’s intelligible. The music drowns out the vocals, and the vocals are so forceful that they’re sure to give you a headache. As in most music, there’s probably a message here. Good luck in understanding it. C-
— by Kelly Wilson, Get Out
Next show: Hotfoughtcold perform 8 p.m. Saturday at Nita's Hideaway, 3300 S. Price Road, Tempe, . $7.
The Hypno-Twists
'Wicked Eye'
Best known for their high-energy performances, the Hypno-Twists once again mix up a musical mélange of ska, surf, rock and Latin on their latest release, “Wicked Eye.” Though the upbeat album will keep you awake through its duration, it does little to showcase the band’s off-the-wall explosive live shows. The album isn’t bad, but the band's live shows are where it’s at for the shagadelic group. B-
— by Kelly Wilson, Get Out
Next show: After touring England this month, the Hypno-Twists will perform 8 p.m. March 13 at Modified Arts, 407 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, . Price TBA.
Los Guys
‘Los Guys’
The long-running side project of Pistoleros guitarist Mark Zubia and some fellow veterans of the Tempe music scene, Los Guys have knocked around for years without releasing anything. Their self-titled debut proves that it is better late than never with nine originals Zubia composed with his brother (and Pistoleros singer) Lawrence. Recorded live in the studio, Mark's gritty vocal delivery is perfect for the band's loose but rough ’n’ ready sound. B
— by Thomas Bond, Get Out
Next show: 9 p.m. every Thursday in February at Long Wong's, 701 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, . $2.
James Miles
‘Soul to Keep’
“Soul to Keep” is an impressive singer/songwriter album from the former leader of Propeller, now recording under his own name and performing all the music himself, save some percussion. Miles has a broad command of musical forms, sounding equally at home on breezy jazz-pop (“Speed of Sound”), country (“400 Miles”) and introspective ballads (“Don't Bring Me Up”). An unerring melodic sense unites the songs, and Miles turns some nice lyrical phrases throughout. “Soul to Keep” was recorded in glorious lo-fi, but, instead of being a distraction, that only adds to its comfortable, intimate feel. A-
— by Thomas Bond, Get Out
Next show: Miles performs solo and as a member of the Heartgraves 9 p.m. Saturday at Emerald Lounge, 1514 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, . Free.
Oktober
"Wicked Summer"
Oktober prove they can provide the local scene with a good fix of Social Distortion-style tunes on their first EP. Like that Orange County, Calif., group, Oktober dish out tight hooks and rockin' rhythms with charismatic vocals. The band — which has only been together for a year — sounds strongest on "Two Whole Days," "Nothing But Time" and "Two Cents." Lead singer Jason Marino gets a little too in touch with his whiny side on "High & Dry," but aside from that speed bump, it's smooth sailing throughout the remainder of this “Wasted Summer.” B
— by Kelly Wilson, Get Out
Next show: Oktober perform 7 p.m. Wednesday at Big Fish Pub, 1954 E. University Drive, Tempe, . $12.
Pomagic
‘Plant a Seed’
It’s hard not to like Pomagic: They’re the perfect party band. On “Plant a Seed,” the group fails to disappoint and proves its originality as it daringly combines elements of rap, R&B and country mixed in with a Led Zeppelin feel. Though the band clearly shines on this album, like the Hypno-Twists, be sure to check out Pomagic's live show, because that’s where it will really blow your mind. B+
— by Kelly Wilson, Get Out
Next show: Pomagic perform 8 p.m. Saturday at the Cajun House, 7117 E. Third Ave., Scottsdale, . Price TBA.
Kedron Porter
‘New Horizon’
Scottsdale's Kedron Porter is a one- man musical factory. Besides writing all the music for “New Horizon,” he also arranged, recorded and mastered the proceedings. That's not necessarily a good thing; you know what they say about absolute power. Porter is undeniably talented, but his music meanders aimlessly with some serious art-rock pretensions and lyrics about majestic waterfalls and the like (telling sign: one song's title is a symbol). He's joined by female lyricists and vocalists for about half of the tunes, but what “New Horizon” really needed was an editor to trim the fat and find the meat in these looong songs. C-
— by Thomas Bond, Get Out
Next show: Nothing scheduled at this time.
Rex Anderson and Friends
‘Big for His Age’
Music made for the simple pleasure of making music is a beautiful thing, and that's just what Rex Anderson and Friends provide on “Big for His Age.” With local guitar hero Kerry Jackson and drummer Dan Tomlinson (of Lyle Lovett's band) among the invited, Anderson's music is pop- rock that refuses to chase any trends and is all the better for it. “You Take What You Want” is a timeless slice of catchy songwriting. It doesn't hurt that the ringleader works at Livinghead Audio Recording — where the disc was made — and the album's sound is impeccable. A-
— by Thomas Bond, Get Out
Next show: Rex Anderson and the Big for His Age live band will perform 7 p.m. Saturday at Borders, 7230 W. Bell Road, Glendale, . Free.
Steppchild
‘The New Kings of Rock and Roll’
Hard-rocking trio Steppchild are serious about the claim made in their debut disc's title — in “Black Blooded Sinner,” singer/ bassist Adam Jacobson brags about being wanted in Memphis, Tenn., for killing the previous king. Their music is full of power chords and big chunky riffs married to lyrics of mayhem and mischief. A tongue-in-cheek sense of humor helps it all go down easily, except for closer “I'll Have Sex With Your Wife,” which is too excruciatingly graphic to be funny. B+
— by Thomas Bond, Get Out
Next show: Nothing scheduled at this
time.
Steve Larson Band
‘Road Trip Songs’
After serving as lead guitarslinger with Dead Hot Workshop and Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers (still his main gig), Steve Larson steps up to the mike to sing and play a disc's worth of his own tunes. The songs are roadhouse-ready, straightforward rockers about hitting the highway and all its attendant adventures. Larson's thin voice makes up for in spirit what it lacks in strength, and his guitar work is blazing throughout. No surprises there, but he may shine brightest on down-tempo gems such as “Colder” and “Joe's Goin’ Fishin’. ” A-
— by Thomas Bond, Get Out
Next show: 9 p.m. every Tuesday in February at Long Wong's, 701 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, . $2.
Ticker Tape Parade
‘You're Causing a Scene’
Considering the band is relatively new to the local scene, Ticker Tape Parade hit a home run with their first release, suitably titled “You're Causing a Scene.” The group causes a scene on this five- song EP, which includes gems such as "Sore Eyes" and "Stand Up No Show." However, the real standout is "Here It Comes," which features additional vocals from Jimmy Eat World's super-sensitive Jim Adkins. Listen for the irony as Adkins sings about photo shoots and interviews that result from making millions with the "selling records song." Maybe Adkins is predicting Ticker Tape Parade's future. A+
— by Kelly Wilson, Get Out
Next show: Ticker Tape Parade perform 8 p.m. Saturday at Nita's Hideaway, 3300 S. Price Road, Tempe, . $7.
Various artists
‘Americana’
This is the first release on Song Domain Records — an offshoot of Song Domain, the successful songwriters’ newsletter and tipsheet. Both are run by Mesa's Jack Kavanaugh, who penned six tunes here — including the charming “Rock a Billy Christmas” — and serves as executive producer. While the tracks here, performed by various artists (both male and female), are generally more mainstream country fare than the disc's title would indicate, the quality of both the songs and the recording is very good. B+
— by Thomas Bond, Get Out
Next show: Nothing scheduled at this time.
Where Eagles Dare
‘In a Thousand Words or Less’
A white-hot blast of furious punk rock, the seven songs on “In a Thousand Words or Less” fly by in less than 13 minutes. Needless to say, the music of Where Eagles Dare is all about speed, and singer Jaesyn (no last name given) barely seems to breathe while spitting out mouthfuls of words. The trials and tribulations of youth dominate the lyrics, but calls for respect and unity put a positive spin on things. Musically, the songs are too similar to differentiate, but there is strength in their simplistic brute force. B-
— by Thomas Bond, Get Out
Next show: Where Eagles Dare will perform for a video shoot 10 a.m. Feb. 16 at The Bash on Ash, 230 W. Fifth St., Tempe, . Free.
