Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category

Review: “Shneal/Synergetic Productions”

Published by Joe Stando on August 8th, 2011 - in Album reviews, Featured



Synergetic, the new collaboration between local rapper Shneal and Synergy Productions, is serious business. It opens with clips of speeches and news reports of various conflicts and crises from the past few months, which sets a tone that holds throughout the entire album. We live in turbulent times, and Shneal doesn’t shy away from that.

Shneal’s verses discuss a wide variety of tensions and issues. Some of them are ripped from the headlines, covering topics like the Iraq War and economic recessions. Others are more personal and abstract, involving subject matter like career success and responsibilities. No matter the scale, Shneal keeps his rhymes universal and relatable. This is a very personal album, with a lot of passion and intensity behind each song.

The beats range from passable to occasionally excellent. Synergy isn’t hugely ambitious, and a lot of the tracks have pretty basic beats. This isn’t a bad thing, and it’s clear that there’s a level of craft involved beyond Soulja Boy-style Garageband loops. Most tracks are functional and to-the-point, which is in keeping with the message-based style of the album.

Synergetic’s strengths are also its greatest weakness: it’s relentlessly serious. While Shneal’s focus on real issues and emotion is admirable, the whole thing has a dour, protest album feel. War is repeatedly referenced, both literally and as a metaphor, with inconsistent levels of success. The first sign of something lighter comes five tracks in, with “Corona and Limelight”, and most of the relief is granted by collaborator Jon Harvey (who is first-rate every track he’s on). It’s not a super fun listen, and a couple party rap tracks could’ve really raised its replayability.

Still, once the album gets rolling, there are some real quality tracks here. “Flatline” has an intense beat and flow, and “Deep End” and “Relax” are great examples of Shneal’s introspection and commentary done right. “Deep End” especially has a great hook and manages to stay upbeat. “To the Moon in 24 Hours” is another song I really enjoyed, in no small part thanks to collaborator Audrey Marie. It’s a more fun track I could see myself listening to a lot, which isn’t always the case here.

Synergetic is an album designed to make you think and get you talking. It does, though sometimes at the cost of keeping you listening. Solid work by Shneal and Synergy Productions, and great verses by Jon Harvey and Audrey Marie. It’s worth picking up, and hopefully they’ll lighten up a little bit by next time.

ALBUM RATING (0-10)
7.0

Weekend Warriors: Mushmen CD release show, Bela Fleck and others are the must-see shows for this weekend

Published by Josh Spanninga on August 5th, 2011 - in Concert Calendar, Featured



The Mushmen will hit The Strutt on Saturday to release their CD. The show is free.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend…look no further. Here are the top five shows of the weekend, and you have no excuse to miss them. Unless, of course, your Grandma died or you have to wash your hair or something.

Bela Fleck

THE MUSHMEN CD RELEASE SHOW
wsg. Their Teeth Will Be Of Lions, The Real Fantastics
9:30 p.m. Saturday at The Strutt; Free)
Admit it, it’s been far too long since you’ve skanked in the pit. This Saturday, the Strutt is giving you a chance to brush up on your skanking techniques for FREE. The Mushmen will be playing energetic ska (is there any other kind?) while showcasing their brand spanking new CD “If You Ride With the Devil: Sooner or Later He’s Gonna Drive.”

BELA FLECK AND THE FLECKTONES
wsg. Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers
6:30 p.n. Friday at Fred Meijer Gardens – SOLD OUT
Bela Fleck and Bruce Hornsby both have won multiple Grammy awards for their musical efforts over the years — Bela for his jazz infused bluegrass banjo jams, and Bruce for piano mastery in a myriad of styles. Both will be performing with their current back-up bands. This will be a jam to end all jams.

MINNESOTA / THEIR TEETH WILL BE OF LIONS / THE SAILOR KICKS
10 p.m. Friday at Mulligan’s; Free
For a completely nutso schizophrenic experience, come to this free show. Minnesota will be playing their spastic post-punk, Their Teeth Will Be of Lions will showcase some eccentric alternative pop rock, and the Sailor Kicks will be chilling out with some calmer “ska Americana.”

THOSE EIGHTY ACRES / MICHAEL RILEY / SMALL HOUSES
9:30 p.m. Saturday at Founder’s Brewing; $5
This show will be one which focuses equally on beginnings and ends. Not only is it Those Eighty Acres’ CD release show, it’s also their final performance. Don’t miss out on your first chance to pick up their new CD, which oddly enough is your last chance to see them on stage.

WHITE MAGE / DRAWING MOUNTAINS / GENETICS
7 p.m. Saturday at the DAAC; $5
For only five dollars, you get some trippy and soothing music therapy from indie-prog band Drawing Mountains. Oh, and White Mage will be making a trip all the way from Columbus, Ohio to play their eccentric pop punk.

Also check out…
Live, Loud n Local – Friday and Saturday at Papa Pete’s
The sheer amount of local bands on this bill make for an enticing show, not to mention it will be chugging along ALL night at Papa Pete’s. We’ll be there.

Ritual Suicide CD release show – 8 p.m. Saturday at Paisano’s (Three Rivers)
Metal heads, your options are limited. But those thunderous double bass drums will be thumping down in Three Rivers as home town band Ritual Suicide releases their album.

Review: “If You Ride With The Devil” by The Mushmen

Published by Joe Stando on August 3rd, 2011 - in Album reviews, Featured



I’ll admit it; I’m a sucker for ska. From the Specials to Reel Big Fish to Mustard Plug, if it’s ska, I’ve probably heard it. But regardless of my personal inclinations, I have to recommend “If You Ride with the Devil”, the latest album by Kalamazoo-based ska/reggae group The Mushmen.

The Mushmen, who played last weekend for the Dog Days of Summer festival, are seven members strong, and they have a “big band ska” feel. A powerful brass section and driving drums underscore their songs, which are an eclectic mix of awesome stuff, including an instrumental track which cleverly incorporates Danny Elfman’s Beetlejuice theme and an ode to long-suffering late night host Conan O’Brien.

“If You Ride with the Devil” has a slower, mellower rhythm to it, reminiscent of The Pinstripes or some Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The opening track, “Wazing,” features a long, waltzy instrumental intro, foreshadowing the band’s sometimes sparse vocals. The Mushmen don’t feel the need to overload their tracks with lyrics, which is a nice move a lot of bands forget. Recurring two-tone guitar beats help anchor most of their songs, especially “Final Round” and “Plans”. The vocals are a little hit-or-miss, but there are some genuinely good chorus moments. I can’t say I was crazy about the lead vocal track on “Wazing,” but other than that, everything sounds crisp and well-produced.

Aside from the aforementioned “Beetlejuice” track which really appeals to the nerd in me, “Final Round” and “Anxiety” are really the tracks which stuck out to me. Guitars and drums on “Anxiety” are a good encapsulation of the band’s sound, and “Final Round” has a genuine, emotional feel which isn’t always common in ska music. Lead vocalist Scott Rouse sounds great here, and the background vocals really sell it.

The album’s one drawback is that, at times, it feels a bit too slow. The Mushmen definitely fall closer to reggae than punk on the ska spectrum, and while there’s nothing wrong with being chill, I’d like to see a few more tracks like “Kalamazoo River” and “Wild Turkey,” the last two of the album which both tease a bit harder, more punky sound. I’m harsh because I see potential, like a teacher in an inspirational movie.

All in all though, “If You Ride with the Devil” is a great ska album and a good album in general. It’s scheduled to drop Aug. 6 at the Strutt, and it’s definitely worth picking up if you like supporting local bands, listening to good music and America.

ALBUM RATING (0-10)
9.0

NOISE! TV: Pleasant Drive

Published by NOISE! Staff on August 2nd, 2011 - in Featured, Video



It’s always nice to turn on your Flip Vid and discover you’ve captured an awesome performance that you previously forgot about. Such was the case with this video. This is Pleasant Drive, performing at the STRDSTR EP release party at The Globe Theatre in Kalamazoo a couple months back. Dig it.

With album on the way in November, Four Finger Five to release single “B.S. And Greed” on Saturday

Published by NOISE! Staff on July 29th, 2011 - in Featured, News



Four Finger Five


Grand Rapids rock/pop/soul trio Four Finger Five is back on the scene after a writing hiatus. The trio is prepping its newest set of tracks for a November album release. The band hopes the album, dubbed “Soul in a Suitcase”, will usher in an ever-broader fan base, a lofty feat for a band with credits like Summer Celebration and Rothbury already on its list.

Fully independent, the group has launched a Kickstarter project (www.Kickstarter.com) to support radio promotions for the record, and plans to press it on vinyl as well as CD. But first,
fans can keep an eye out for a series of singles, a sparkly new website and a whole lot of swag.

With this latest set of category-defying tracks, “Soul in a Suitcase” launches Four Finger Five right past their Billboard Magazine title “Top 5 Up and Coming Festival Bands” into a realm both wider and more distinct. The first single, “B.S. and Greed”, drops July 30 and will be available as a free download at www.fourfingerfive.com. The single is a cleanly recorded pop track that’s deceivingly dark, both a testament to the band’s years of studio experience, and evidence of their commitment to pushing themselves musically and as showmen.

And they’re more polished than ever. These days the guys stroll out to the stage in suit and tie, commanding their sets with a bigger-than-three sound, expertly finessing a rapt audience of audiophiles and hipsters alike.

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