Zine @ MindSay

The Cab's new album Whisper War -- Augh, so before I even get into the album, I have a few complaints. I try very hard to give you guys a little bit of background about the band or the album before I get into the music; it helps set the scene for what I'm about to talk about. One of my biggest frustrations is when bands act like they're big and then don't even have a damn 'About Us' section. And sometimes, that wouldn't bother me, but with this band in particular, it's like they're nothing but pretty faces with no personality.

I'm going to be honest with you; I'm very torn on this album. Half of me loves it and the other half is disgusted with it. It's nothing but pure boy band fluff -- pretty faces (their pianist looks like a freaking girl) with pretty voices (and they do sound really good) singing trite and angst-ridden lyrics (who is this "girl" that everyone keeps singing to?). "Vegas Skies" is an entire song dedicated to (of course) "girl", alcohol references, and lyrics that sound like the poetry I used to write when I was twelve and thought my life was OVER because I got in a spat with my best friend. But if you can manage to completely ignore the lyrics, the steady piano and the light violins in the background combined with the acoustic bridge makes it a song that could really pull on your heartstrings. "One Of THOSE Nights" is the track that is most like their city- and labelmates Panic! At The Disco, but with a really shallow boy band twist. Believe me, if you're looking for a Panic! fix, don't come here. That's not to say this song isn't enjoyable on it's own, because it does have it's moments -- and can I just say, the electric guitar solo in the background near the end made me laugh the first time I heard this song. Seriously guys, what the hell was that? And "Risky Business"? Pretty sure I've heard this before... oh wait, "London Beckoned Songs About Money Written By Machines"! Except P!ATD did it incredibly better, with real lyrics and relevant references. But now I'm just poking fun at them, rather than actually reviewing them.

Now if you're okay with a boy band that literally sucks other genres into it and spits it back out onto a cd, then these guys will be great for you. I like a little bit more substance in my music, but I'm not everyone. All in all, The Cab sound like a shallow Panic! At The Disco trying to include their *NSYNC boyfriends in an attempt to build a Maroon 5 / All Time Low hybrid album. If that sounds appealing to you (and I know of a few people that it will) then go ahead and get them. I mean, they honestly make a great attempt at a boyband, and will probably be the heartthrobs of the rising generation -- but keep in mind, this is the same rising generation that has photos of themselves in their bras and panties at the tender age of 13.

Story of the Year's The Black Swan -- Story Of The Year or SOTY as they are also referred to, come back with a bound and determined attitude to take the success they felt on their first album, but couldn't generate from their second album, and get it back. This is their first album with Epitaph Records, but they've brought back their Page Avenue producer John Feldmann in hopes of reigniting the flame of success. SOTY is to be a headliner the upcoming 2008 Vans Warped Tour and then heading to Europe to play the Groezrock festival, after which a tour of Australia is in the works, all in hopes of promoting the new album. Epitaph is brutal.

So let's talk about this. They're saying their first single off of this album is "Wake Up" but it sounds far, far too much like a cookie-cutter single to have it be worth much of anything in my opinion. Trite lyrics like "one by one the pieces fall" and "are we missing what it is to be alive?" Whether I'm missing it or not is my problem, not your's; and if I am missing what it is to be alive, I certainly don't think I should be taking advice on it from you. That's not to say it doesn't sound good, it just sounds like everything else. So if you're okay with a copy of a copy of a copy, then sure, "Wake Up" is the perfect single for you. However, if you're looking for the real gem of this album, if you'll direct your attention to "Tell Me (P.A.C.)" you might actually find something worth being interested in. While a good deal of the album sounds like itself, and this track really isn't all that different, it does seem much more explosive and anthemic -- much like their singles from Page Avenue which is really what we're all looking for. The piano interlude with his desperate voice truly is what makes this song. SOTY also tries to break out a little bit with "Terrified" where they actually play the piano and it's a little bit more gentle, a little bit more emo, but again, it just doesn't stand out enough to make it really something.

The entire album subscribes to fast and hard slinging guitars and screaming, emotional lyrics. But it really doesn't set itself apart as anything special and something that you need to go out of your way to get. A decent listen except the songs all blend into each other. They don't distinguish themselves from one another. All in all, if you want angst and guitars and screams, go listen to "F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X." by The Fall Of Troy. They do it much better than these guys.

Death Cab For Cutie's "I Will Possess Your Heart". - Who would have thought that an eight and a half minute song could be so enthralling, particularly when the lyrics don't even begin until after halfway through the song? Apparently Death cab For Cutie did, and personally, I think they got this one just right. It's hard to imagine this song without the beginning being so drawn out and sprawling; I'd call it an intro but it's so much more than that. It's the steady climb of levels and sliders and slightly out of focus riffs until it builds and then tapers off into the perfect volume for Ben Gibbard's deliciously mellow voice as he strikes the same bargain that I often strike with women: Just give him a chance. Some have called this single 'creepy' or 'desperate'. I call it honest and sincere and really, it just hits the spot on all of the things I've wished I could have in a song.

"How I wish you could see the potential, the potential of you and me..." Give adorable Mr. Gibbard a chance - listen to his new single. I promise you won't be disappointed.

[Edit!]: Just got my hands on the radio edit of their single and oh, Mr. Gibbard -- why would you let them get rid of that delicious sprawling that gave this single so much volume and strength? Rather than the climactic buildup we are simply launched into a song that just seems... empty and flat-line without the introduction. *Sighs* Such is the way with radio sometimes. I'm really grateful that we're moving towards music becoming entirely online -- it means we have to destroy beautiful songs less.[/Edit!]

To The Death - Utah county's current success story may be Victim Effect, but all I have to say is 'watch out' because unless something divine happens, To The Death is going to be springing to the top of the charts. I know what you're thinking, "How on earth can you possibly say that?" Because I've heard them. Seriously, these guys have some incredible talent, and I'm beyond proud to be able to say they come from my area. Formed in April of 2006, these guys have played at just about every local venue in Utah county, and even some out of Utah county. They released an album in 2007 called "Best Laid Plans..." which you can get here. To The Death on the whole sounds like what would happen if Muse and Coheed and Cambria had a lyrically genius love child that spoke exactly what was on it's mind. Mike Fjerstad has a wonderful voice and he compliments the talented guitar counterparts like bread compliments butter. My personal favorite on their album is "Die With A Smile" because the guitars suck you immediately, and then Fjerstad's voice comes sailing in like an anthem above the weary clouds, which is only elevated to an entirely new level by the climbing piano, stirring you on and don't worry, you're supposed to feel like rebelling. It's kind of part of what they stand for. "Pomp and Circumstance" is another track that absolutely shines on this album -- with a crunchy guitar feel that makes you feel like you want to stand up and throw something. Fjerstad's vocal capabilities are really shown off here; and believe me, he's not being pretentious, he really can sing that well. I'd try to categorize these guys, but this is my kind of band -- the kind that defies categorization and description. They've got something for everyone on this album, and it's beyond worth picking up; local or not, this is a solid, professional sounding album. My only complaint about this band is...

To The Death? Seriously? What kind of a band name is that? Did your twelve year old little brother think that up for you? Come on guys, I know you can do better than that. Hell, I can do better than that. Regardless, keep up the great sound and I hope to see you get signed and hit it big soon; I know you can do it.

If you really like these guys (like I do) you can request them on X96's Live And Local slot from 8-10pm each Sunday. You can request online (because we are the generation of technology) at their site or you can do it the old fashioned way and call it in to 1-877-602-9696. Or the third option, if you're really savvy, is you can text your request to 79640.

Elliot Smith - Elliot Smith is to indie music as Joan de Arc is to the Catholic culture: A saint. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, grew up in Texas, but lived in Portland, Oregon for most of his life, he gained popularity with his rock band Heatmiser before beginning his solo career in 1994. As a solo artist, he was mostly well-known for his guitar playing skills, but he was also rather adept at bass, clarinet, drums, harmonica, and the piano. He was also well known for using multi-tracking to to harmonize with himself. Now that you have the background information as to who he is, time for me to tell you just why this guy is such a badass.

Besides being known as one of the men to 'single-handedly' redefine the singer / songwriter genre, he has influenced artists such as Regina Spektor and Cat Power. He released five amazing albums while he was alive with labels such as Kill Rock Stars and DreamWorks. His self-titled album is my personal favorite out of the five with a single like "Needle In The Hay" that is an excellent example of who he was as a person. But in my opinion, the crowning achievement of this incredible man's career was the album that was posthumously released, "From A Basement On The Hill". This entire album is packed with music that I can't stop listening to. During his life, Smith battled with depression, alcoholism, and even ADHD, and his lyrics really show that more than ever on this album, his voice taking new heights and such a sensitive personal side that he's just too amazing to ignore. Tracks like "Memory Lane" and "A Distorted Reality Is Now A Necessity To Be Free" are lyrical genius and makes you want to lay in the grass on a warm sunny day and watch the clouds go by, picking out shapes here and there with the sweet taste of fruit in your mouth.

Now, besides being a pillar in the baroque pop genre, why is Elliot Smith truly such a badass? On October 21, 2003, Elliot Smith was living with his girlfriend Jennifer Chiba. They began to argue as happens with couples from time to time, and Chiba locked herself in the bathroom. Suddenly she heard a scream, and she opened the bathroom door to find Smith standing with a kitchen knife in his chest (!). She pulled the knife out of his chest, resulting in him collapsing and her calling 911. Smith made it to the hospital, but he passed away at 1:36 PM at age 34.

Okay, now let's step away from the facts and look at this. You're the epitome of an indie rock God, you live with your girlfriend, you get in an argument and she locks herself in the bathroom. You feel like killing yourself, and have plenty of antidepressants and ADHD medications and access to who knows how many drugs in order to do the deed. But no, no pills for you; no overdosing. You could slit your wrists, but that takes such a long time and isn't always guaranteed and more looks like a cry for help than an actual attempt at suicide. So what do you do? STAB YOURSELF IN THE CHEST.

Now, the official autopsy report that was released a couple months later in December wasn't entirely conclusive, therefore leaving open the possibility of homicide; but none of the authorities seem to be investigating this further, leaving it at the general conclusion of suicide. Also, a possible suicide note was found written on a Post-it note reading, "I'm so sorry--love, Elliot. God forgive me." What the coroner's report did reveal was that there were no traces in his system of illegal substances or alcohol at the time of death. In other words, not only did he stab himself--he did it stone-cold sober.

If that doesn't scream 'Epic Rock & Roll Badass' I don't know what does.

Rest In Peace Elliot Smith.