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| New rock ‘n’ roll releases heat
up summer |
By
Kevin DeLury
Senior Staff Writer |
 
IrIrish rockers Therapy? may go down in
history as one of the most underrated bands in history. For
over 10 years, this group has churned out albums that are
constantly evolving, yet never failing to capture the spirit
of what made Therapy? such a success: their unwavering commitment
to create the type of music they saw fit.
The most notable of Therapy?’s catalogue
is without a doubt 1994’s “Troublegum.” Released
in the middle of the grunge revolution, this album brought
a metal-meets-alternative hybrid to the table that was as
menacing as it was catchy. “Troublegum” also brought
them their only stateside success with the song “Screamager.”
Now, after countless different musical
mutations and nearly a decade, Therapy? returns to the spirit
of “Troublegum” with their new album “High
Anxiety,” which is quite possibly one of the best rock
‘n’ roll albums to come out this year.
The tracks featured on “High Anxiety”
show a side of Therapy? that’s not afraid to poke fun
at themselves. Songs such as “Hey Satan—You Rock”
take a cue from 1980’s metal ideology and mock it in
a way that still remains full of reverence.
It’s hard to find rock albums that
you are able to listen to from beginning to end, but Therapy?
succeeds on making an album that not only is listenable from
start to finish, but an album that will not leave your CD
player. Period.
 
Let’s face it: college students aren’t
buying CDs. Why bother when you can download an entire album
three months before its release date? While Lars Ulrich may
have his panties in a knot over you stealing music, The AKA’s
don’t seem to mind. In fact, their entire demo is available
online at: www.theakas.com.
Their demo is merely three songs that are to be released
on their first full-length “White Doves and Smoking
Guns,” slated to be released this September. If these
songs are anything close to their demo tracks, The AKA’s
will truly be a force to be reckoned with.
Featuring the vocal talents of Mike Ski, whose band Brother’s
Keeper disbanded earlier this month, the style is much more
user friendly than was Brother’s Keeper’s high
pitched screaming.
On the other hand, “user-friendly” may not be
the best word to describe the AKA’s. Their music is
a solid mix of punk rock and rock ‘n’ roll that
brings to mind a plethora of “The” bands (see
The Strokes, The White Stripes, The Hives, etc.).
Unlike the aforementioned groups above, The AKA’s actually
have something to say. Even more so, they continue to tour
with hardcore acts, such as their most recent outing with
Stretch Armstrong.
So what do you have to lose? You visit
their Web site, download
their demo album, and get to hear some quality rock ‘n’
roll. If you don’t like it, nothing ventured, nothing
gained.
When The Clash released their double album
“Sandista,” not many people gave it notice. A shame,
considering it took The Clash away from their punk roots and
allowed them to explore musical arenas such as dub and dance
music.
Now, New York City rockers Radio 4 help prove that The Clash
were merely ahead of their time. With dance tracks unlike
anything out there and a vocalist that conjures up the raw
emotion of Joe Strummer, Radio 4 join the new wave of rock-oriented
dance groups out there such as Hot Hot Heat, The Faint and
The Sounds.
Unlike their peers, “Gotham!” mixes electronic
dance rhythms with bongos and other percussion. Their politically
charged lyrics also call to mind The Clash, especially on
songs like “Dance to the Underground,” and “Save
Your City.”
To hear tracks of their latest effort “Gotham!”
as well as remixes of older songs, visit the Radio 4 Web site
at: www.r4ny.com.
Durham-based duo Des Ark go to prove that
it is not the amount of musicians in a band, but the amount
of talent and passion they throw into their music. While the
duo’s strength lies in their captivating live performances,
their album “Day of Prole” manages to bring a good
deal of that live energy to the record.
Des Ark’s music walks a fine line of almost childish
crooning over disarming and ethereal guitars only to explode
into a seemingly uncontrolled rage that manages to draw
the listener in more.
Most of your nickel-and-dime music critics would think it
one of the more clever comparisons of their journalistic
careers to start doling out The White Stripes comparisons.
OK, great. It’s two people in a band. One happens to
be a man. The other a woman.
They play drums and guitar, respectively. That’s about
it.
Unlike The White Stripes, Des Ark doesn’t have to rely
on clever color coordination or the novelty of “are
they boyfriend/girlfriend? Brother/sister? Mother/Uncle?
Space Aliens? Pimps? Genies? Pirates?”
Rather, Des Ark just has really, really good songs, and
the live show to back it up.
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