Album Review: Sick Puppies --Connect--

(3.5/6)
Lead Vocalist, Shimmon Moor, has always had a sexy voice that is frank and rugged. On past albums, his very solid, aggressive tenor range gave the songs a hopeful tone.  On Connect More demonstrates his low sexually charged range. When he strikes a passionate note his voice becomes a velvet and steel growl that really brings an edge to his work.

Bassist Emma Anzai takes a few tentative steps into the limelight on this album. Her  wicked talent that hasn't been seen in years she dominates the low end of everything she plays on. She has been dubbed the female ‘Flea.’ On Connect we hear of her whispery, alto voice.. Looking at her with jet black, shaggy edged hair wielding the bass like a weapon you'd expect a Joan Jett fearsome voice. On the contrary, her voice is soft and smooth and complements Moor’s velvety sound perfectly. She still sounds shy as she’s ever been, but on Connect, we start to hear a little more bravery. I have every confidence that once she relaxes into the role she will explode.

Mark Goodwin’s drum work is the rope that ties the album together; it is both subtle and consistent.

The lyrics are, as always, wonderfully provocative and sharp. Where things fall apart is  in the delivery. I expected their passionate, die-trying attitude, and was met with something that fell just shy of it in many of the songs. I feel like part of their problem is that the band is feeling around stylistically. They need to regroup and hone their sound.

From an overall album standpoint, the album is really hit or miss. There are some fantastic songs on Connect, but there are also several that are stylistically clumsy and don't seem to fit on the album. However, there is an overproduced tone that permeates the album
That being said, I feel that the solid songs out weigh the unsteady ones.

Overall a solid, not amazing album, especially when held up against their previous works. I liked it, but it wasn't as magical.

Everybody's Talking: Neon Trees at Taste of Chicago (Grant Park)

Grant Park: (3/6) With it’s stellar view of Lake Michigan and  the majestic Buckingham Fountain adoring it, Grant park is beautiful. However, it makes terrible festival grounds. Grant Park has some of the worst traffic flow I've ever seen. There are no paths and the grounds sprawl over multi-block section of Columbus Drive. The Park’s propensity toward attracting multi-stage events make for a nigh impossible to navigate mess.

The Petrillo Music Shell Pavilion(The Stage):  (4/6The sound was surprisingly good for an outdoor stage, I was impressed. It loses points for being in direct sunlight to the point of making it hard to see the stage.

Neon Trees(4/6):

What continues to impress me about this little band is how far they've come. The first time I saw them live I completely wrote them off, they had a terrible live show. Every show of theirs I’ve seen has been better than the last. They've also become a much more cohesive band with a smoother dynamic.

Vocalist, Tyler Glenn is beyond energetic with a style reminiscent of both Freddie Mercury and Billy Idol. Loud in both personality and style Glenn is boldly himself. He has learned to harness and control the chaotic energy that radiates from him. Glenn has also learned to really work with his drummer Elaine Bradley

Bradley is a great drummer and her work coupled with Branden Campbell’s wonderful slap bass, give Glenn’s tenor vocals a wonderful backbone that really makes the music come to life.

Overall, I'm very impressed with Neon Trees’ progress as a band; I cannot wait to see what they do next.

Summerfest day 5: Silversun Pickups, Middle Class Rut, DoryDrive

Summerfest day 5: Silversun Pickups, Middle Class Rut, DoryDrive

Stage: Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard (4/6)

I’d never been to this stage before despite coming to Summerfest every year for about the past decade as in years past it was the country music stage and country isn’t usually my scene. This year they featured al.t rock. I prefer the Briggs stage to the Miller stage as the sound system is better and the crowds, at least for this show, weren’t as bad.

I  did  something I love to do at Summerfest for this set, but hadn’t done this trip yet. camped out at a stage and just listened to the acts prior to the band I was there for.  This is how I discover new bands

Speaking of bands, on to the shows

Shows:

DoryDrive(4/6) As they were in the 6pm slot I did no expect DoryDrive  to be as good as they were.  They came out with an energetic, alt. rock sound, and a surprisingly polished style. They had energy enough to get even a lazy mid-evening festival crowd moving. If I hadn’t known better, I would have sworn these guys were a bigger band. Very well done.

I’m going over to amazon to get their album right now, and I’d recommend you do the same.

Vocalist Mathieu Nevitt  has a wonderful gravelly voice  and demonstrates good control over its tone.. He also has energy in spades and a willingness to push the audience into participating. I am definitely going to be keeping an eye out for these guys. Lots of fun.

Middle Class Rut (2/6) Between the tragic attempts at scream vocals and the interminable fret squeaks and the drummer who couldn’t keep time with a metronome, this band was terrible. They had a surprisingly strong following, which confused me quite frankly. Middle Class Rut did have energy, I’ll give them that, but their lack of coordination and style was not only out of place on that particular stage, but generally did not work.

They felt like they wanted to be punk and fell very flat.

Silversun Pickups (5/6) Silversun Pickups is always fantastic and is one of the few bands I’ve seen that can deliver a consistent, but still innovative show. This show was particularly emotional as it was bassist Sarah Negahdari s last night with the band. Just prior to last Summerfest, Negahdari was called in with approval from David Grohl, Silversun Pickups’ original bassist, Nikki Monninger, gave birth to twins. Sara was discovered in Milwaukee and has been adored by the fans. Her style and amazing talent and will be missed. However, as a fan, I do warmly welcome Nikki Monninger back.
I really felt like the guys treated her like she was one of the family.

Vocalist Brian Aubert delivers unique vocals and a manically quirky style that make him insane to watch. He is constantly energetic and has a delicious grin that is simply contagious. His guitar work is unrivaled and distinctive, bringing an unmistakable edge to the band. Add the wicked bass lines from Monninger and you have a nicely rounded, sharp edged sound that really pumps things up even during their mellower songs.  

The show itself was beautifully paced mixing their moody, slower songs with the controlled cacophony of their harder, louder songs.

Overall, a brilliant show.