Human Switchboard - Who's Landing In My Hangar? Anthology 1977-1984
2011, Bar/None Records

No one will hold it against you if Human Switchboard has escaped your attention before now. Their debut album, Who's Landing In My Hangar? was released three decades ago, and the darlings of the early 1980's New York City punk scene never really created a national footprint, but their influence is still felt today. The Beastie Boys, Mark Lanegan (The Screaming Trees), Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) and Kurt Cobain have all paid homage to Human Switchboard in the past, with Cobain referring to the band's "Refrigerator Door" as the "Stairway To Heaven" of punk rock. On October 24, 2011, Human Switchboard makes the jump to CD for the first time, with the release of Who's Landing In My Hangar? Anthology 1977 - 1984. The collection includes the complete original album plus various live and demo tracks. The 21-song CD also includes a download card that will allow listeners to download an additional 19 tracks on-line.

The disc itself shows a young band at the intersection of 1980's pop and punk, but affected by sounds of 1960's and 1970's rock and roll. The vocals are often pitchy, wavering from key to key oft times in the same vocal phrase, but the energy is great. There is a primitive feel to the album that is appealing; sounding more like a basement tape made by good friends than a professional produced album. Human Switchboard even work in the occasional Richie Cannata-style sax solo to complete the musical menagerie. Listeners will groove to the geek/pop/punk sound of "Who's Landing In My Hanger?); the bouncy energy of "I Can Walk Alone", and the Ramones-meets-The Knickerbockers sound of "(I Used To) Believe In You". Other highlights include "In My Room", "Shake It Boys" and "Fly-In".

Human Switchboard brings an American Primitive spirit to Basement Punk (the 2nd cousin to Garage Rock) on Who's Landing In My Hangar? Anthology 1977 - 1984. The additional tracks illuminate the best intentions of a band that might have done some great things over time, but the reality is that sometimes on solid album is the best hope of a band. It's hard to say Human Switchboard went out on top, but in an increasingly Indie music world, Human Switchboard gets many nods for being years ahead of their time in approach and style. The music of Human Switchboard is probably an acquired taste beyond its novelty and arguable historical value, but is worthy of some time and effort on the part of the listener.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Who's Landing In My Hangar? drops on October 24, 2011.

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Review: Riverdies – Down Yard

Riverdies – Down Yard

2009, Riverdies

Riverdies is a Rio de Janeiro-based rock band with big dreams, big melodies and a wide variety of musical influences. Together since 2000, Riverdies has built a strong following in their native Brazil and is looking to spread their music beyond its borders. Featuring Alex Melch on vocal and guitar; Fil Buchaul and Leo Graterol on guitar, Gui Farizeli on bass/vox and Victor vonDraxeler on drums, Riverdies rocks with the best of them. Their latest album, Down Yard, just might have what it takes to make some noise in North America and beyond.

The slow burn intensity of Pearl Jam crossed with the harder edge of Soundgarden or Alice In Chains is an apt way to describe Riverdies; bringing back the days of Grunge with a melodic vengeance. Down Yard opens with I Wonder, a big angry rocker that only deviates from the Seattle sound by incorporating a classic rock guitar solo. Riverdies steps back a bit further, walking the line between 1980's Pop/Metal and Grunge on Background. Vocalist Alex Melch is an affable and competent front man with an ideal voice for this material, although he never seems to really push the limit vocally. Riverdies slows things down a bit on Morning Dies, something of a melancholy power ballad. The musicianship here is particularly notable with distortion stripped away; the layering of guitars creates a smooth sound with a lot of vitality and movement underneath.

Riverdies takes off the gloves with Build A New Life, a big dynamic rocker with guitar work reminiscent of Tommy Shaw & Ted Nugent in their Damn Yankees days. Melch finally makes the leap and goes to the wall on a demanding vocal line that stretches his limits. Fate is a sleepy tune that works well in contrast to Build A New Life. There's a lot of interesting stuff going on in the multiple guitar parts here, although it does get a little overcrowded at times. Riverdies says goodnight with Cliff, perhaps the most interesting and unusual track on Down Yard. Cliff takes a complex melody and builds it into a shifting musical framework is too involved to be improv but a little too wild to be set in stone. Cliff would allow for a lot of room to play, particularly in a live setting.

Down Yard is an impressive if somewhat dated offering from Riverdies. The primary style here is the Seattle Grunge sound although it's been tempered by touches of 1980's Rock and lyric, singer-songwriter styles. Riverdies is dynamic and different enough to get attention. Their melancholic presentation usually works in Rock N Roll, and the songwriting is strong enough not to get stuck in a rut thus far. Take a chance and check out Riverdies; they just might surprise you.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Riverdies at www.myspace.com/riverdies or http://www.riverdies.com/. No online outlet could be found for Down Yard, but if you contact the band through their MySpace page I’m sure they’ll

Review: Isaac James - Too Much Horsepower

Isaac James - Too Much Horsepower
2009, Protocol Entertainment

Isaac James still believe in Rock N Roll, mixing Classic and Modern Rock with deliberate elements of the Grunge movement to create a vibrant and forward thinking sound with distinct roots in the past. James's debut CD, Too Much Horsepower [EP] was recorded in the Spring of 2009 and has already garnered James attention from media and record labels.

Too Much Horsepower opens with Hey, sounding like a cross between the Sammy Hagar of Van Halen and Soundgarden. James is a capable vocalist and guitarist, and his backing band is as tight as can be. Hey is ready for Modern Rock radio (the question is whether Modern Rock Radio is ready for James). James slows things down a tad on Reckless to mourn the loss of a connection and yearns to know whether the person on the other side of that divide feels the same. The chorus is steeped in angst and repressed anger, borne out in the detached yet rocking guitar wall that girds it. Think Twice carries a big rock stick and harkens back to the hair metal of the 1980's, but doesn't quite come up to the level of the rest of the material here. James shows a slower, bluesy side on Satisfied. This is classic hard rock balladeering; a required component of any big Rock album of the 1980's Glam/hair movement, and James fits the part perfectly here.

Too Much Horsepower is a strong first effort from Isaac James. There is a definite talent for writing that is in the process of growing here. How far it goes it mostly up to James. Too Much Horsepower has two songs ready for primetime and two that aren't quite there, but it's a great start.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Isaac James at http://www.isaacjamesband.com/. You can purchase Too Much Horsepower as either a CD or download through CDBaby.com.

Review: Chris Nunez - Chris Nunez EP

Chris Nunez - Chris Nunez [EP]
2009, PremUnite Records

Chris Nunez is a rising rock star, a former Marine, an Iraq war vet and has designs on being a strong voice for his generation. Playing rock music with an edge akin to Rage Against The Machine and a message that conveys in peace, love and understanding, Nunez isn't so much a voice in protest of the way things are but an advocate for where we should be as a society. Hard Rock, Reggae, Jazz and Blues all find their way into the five original songs presented on his debut EP, Chris Nunez. The socially minded Jersey shore rocker, who is of Colombian-American heritage, never lets up in his relentless drive for social change. Nunez embodies the work and social ethics of a young Springsteen with the steely guitar sound of Lenny Kravitz.

Nunez opens with a classic grunge-style tune in Dr. John Brown; sounding like a cross between early Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. The song is about oppression, society and what it takes to rise above it all. Gasoline Dream is a moderately catchy tune that tries to balance commercial appeal with a distinctive rock edge. Nunez plays around with some jazz elements on Club Zion, particularly in the reprise. Plenty But Few and Our Generation were okay, but didn’t leave a distinct, lasting impression

Chris Nunez is a very talented axe man, and there are indications of real songwriting talent here, but a collaborator might add the appropriate level of creative conflict to really bring out the best in Nunez. The songs on the Chris Nunez EP are very listenable but don’t dig in to find that special oomph that real makes a listener keep coming back. A decent effort.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Chris Nunez at http://www.premuniterecords/. You can purchase a copy of Chris Nunez at CDBaby.com.

Review: Strangers Pass - Strangers Pass [EP]

Strangers Pass - Strangers Pass [EP]
2009, Strangers Pass

Strangers Pass is a power-trio that derives its sound from a wealth of influences. Singer/guitarist Robert Sadowski credits Hendrix, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Tommy Iommi and Brian May, whereas Bass man Bob Mikkelsen grew up on a hybrid diet of The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Rush and Yes. Drummer Frank Gattuso leaned toward John Bonham and Bill Ward, but also had a strong affection for James Brown skins masters Clyde Stubblefied and Jabo Starks. Strangers Pass came together at an impromptu jam session in August of 2008 that was meant to be for fun but turned out to be for good. 2009 sees the release of their debut, self-titled EP. The styles and sounds that influenced each band member combine here to create a hard nosed Rock N Roll album with subtle influences and pensive interchanges.

Strangers Pass opens with Alone, an aggressive rocker that sounds a bit like what Black Sabbath might have sounded in their early, garage days. Strangers Pass does an about face on 400 Monroe, a moody and introspective rocker ala Pearl Jam. Snake Charmer is another dark and pensive rocker that calls out a manipulator. See Them All sticks to the dark musical aspect that runs through the EP, rebounding for an almost hopeful, ambient chorus before ricocheting back into darkness. Through The Maze finds Strangers Pass ending in a melodic and unthreatening fashion, with an upbeat yet mellow performance that sounds more commercial alt-pop than anything else on the EP.

Strangers Pass does an imitation of the month of March on their self-titled EP: In like a lion, out like a lamb, although Through The Maze does show some verve in the chorus. When I read the bio on Strangers Pass and saw the range of influences I was very excited. Here is an opportunity to take some grand musical traits and construct something new and original. In fact, the opposite has happened. Strangers Pass have taken the core elements and wiped away the things that don't match, much like finding the universal elements on a musical Venn Diagram. The result is essentially a mellow grunge album that sounds something like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Temple Of The Dog, etc. It's a good listen, but not necessarily what you'd expect.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Strangers Pass at www.myspace.com/strangerspass.

Review: Melting Point - Get On The Bus

Melting Point - Get On The Bus
2009, Banana Man Records

Berkeley, California has been the home bass and hiding place of Melting Point since 2005. While in relative seclusion the band has been cooking up a mix of classic sounds and downtown rounds to try to add something new to the rock n roll stew. The result is their debut CD, Get On The Bus, a mix of Garage and Noise with a Seattle poise and a lot of testosterone thrown in.

Melting Point gets right to the cusp on Get On The Bus but never quite gets gaseous. A steady mix of Garage, Noize and Psychedelia is punctuated with the occasional Reggae jam or Grunge outpouring as a means to purvey the testosterone-laden lyrics Melting Point thrives on. More American Pie than American Idol, the quartet runs through thirteen decent to good tracks with no real, "Hey, who is THAT?" moment. The closest thing on the disc is Rainbow Tincan, which sounds a bit like heavier Jethro Tull. It's the most coherent and directional songwriting on the album and you could actually here this one getting played on the radio. The other material is interesting, from the Pearl Jam/Soundgarden hybrid Ishmael to the pure teenage male chutzpah of Core and Get On The Bus. Melting Point is great party music, particularly if its a frat party, but Get On The Bus is too steeped in its influences to really get original. There’s a definite demographic for Get On The Bus, but its not a large slice of the commercial pie.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Melting Point at www.myspace.com/meltingpointband or http://www.meltingpointband.com/, where you can purchase a copy of Get On The Bus.

Review: Resin - Truth Be Told

Resin – Truth Be Told
2006, Resin

Massachussetts-based Residn are following in the footsteps of Boston icons Aerosmith, Godsmack and Staind. After barnstorming the Northeastern United States for the past couple of years, the band has perfected a sound that ranges from melodic pop/metal to thrash, covering all points in between. Resin’s debut CD, Truth Be Told shows off the charismatic vocal style of Ron Dallaire (sometimes compared to David Lee Roth for flamboyance) and the masterful guitar skills of Pat Pacheco on top of a killer rhythm section (Dave O’Brien – bass; Steve Smith – drums). Resin paces through heavy and light, poignant and prickly in one of the most wide-ranging and deliberate rock albums I’ve heard so far this year.

Truth Be Told opens with Song F, a great driving rock song with big guitar sound. Song F just sets the stage for Not For You. Not For You is a revelatory moment for guitarist Pat Pacheco as he shreds his way through rhythms and sounds that are practically patentable. No offense to Dallaire, but I got so caught up in Pacheco’s guitar on this song that I couldn’t even tell you what the song is about, and I listened to it several times. Resin takes a much more pop/rock turn on songs like Tomorrow, In The End and Done To Me, any of which could have commercial impact, but the gem of the album is Feel. On Feel, Resin achieve the perfect balance of heavy metal sound and hook-heavy pop rock. For A Reason is an interesting change up from Resin, opening as an acoustic piece that allows Dallaire to let the soul loose in his voice. Even once the heavy guitars come in this song retains its gentler qualities. Resin closes out the album in interesting fashion. The second to last song is the heavy-bordering-on-thrash Down The Line, breaking any sense of pop serenity that might have crept into Truth Be Told before launching into the Creed-esque anthem All My Life.

Resin seems equally comfortable with their heavy and melodic sides on Truth Be Told. Even the harder-edge songs on the album have a strong melodic pop sensibility, while even the softest of songs retains an edge. Dallaire isn’t my favorite singer, but he sure can sell a song, and Pacheco is just amazing on guitar. Rhythm sections often get overlooked, but they are the heart and soul of any band, and due of O’Brien and Smith is as good as they come. On the whole, Truth Be Told is a strong debut that should have broad commercial appeal. Resin manages to sound at times a bit like Metallica, Soundgarden or Creed, but in the end seem to have found an interesting and unique band persona that envelopes all of these myriad influences and turns them into something new. The future looks bright for Resin.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Resin at http://www.resinrocks.com/. You can purchase a copy of Truth Be Told at www.cdbaby.com/cd/resinrocks.

Review: Sugar Red Drive - Sugar Red Drive

Sugar Red Drive - Sugar Red Drive
2009, Big Machine Media

Poughkeepsie, New York’s Sugar Red Drive are a neo classic rock band by, of and for musicians. Their latest project, Sugar Red Drive, will be released on CD in early 2009. Combining the melodic and progressive phrasing of the 1970’s with the Modern Rock edge guitar sound that lights up the phone banks at local radio, Sugar Red Drive has hit on a unique mix of classic rock and pop that takes an audience by surprise. You’d better put on your seat belts.

Sugar Red Drive opens with Wicked Sister, a rock anthem buoyed by big hits and even bigger guitar in the vein of Collective Soul's heavier material. Velvet Leash barges in on the opener with as much attitude as the opener. Sugar Red Drive keeps up the intensity on One More Time, sounding like a cross between Soundgarden and Collective Soul. Grace is a decidedly more pop-oriented rocker that has "single" written all over it. This is one of those songs that stick in your head in spite of not being particularly catchy. The chorus is melodic rock candy though, and you won't be able to stop it from playing in your mind.

Millers Child finds Sugar Red Drive stripping things all the way down to the acoustic core, building slowly throughout the song into an acoustic/electric mix that stands in stark contrast to the first few songs on the album. Have no fear; Sugar Red Drive doesn't go mellow-rock after a few rambunctious tunes. The next track, Liar, opens on a guitar progression reminiscent Living Color. Overdrive lives up to its name, exploding out of guitar riff that's as dangerous as it is entertaining. Comin' Down is by far the heaviest action on the album; prepare to be pounded by the wall of guitar and bass ridden by vocalist Archit Tripathi. Comin' Down is probably the best pure rock tune on the album, and is likely to garner some attention from the Modern Rock set. The album closes out with Somebody Else, the big guitar rock epilogue you knew had to be coming.

Sugar Red Drive is an exciting Modern Rock act with sufficient attitude to satisfy their target demographic and enough musical talent to rise above it. Big guitar rock bands are a dime a dozen in the current environment, but every so often one comes along with a little something extra that might make it worthwhile for them to stick around. Sugar Red Drive has that extra sense of charisma bleeding out of their music that makes you want to hear what's next. It's also easy to see how that charisma would translate to a live show, where'd I'd guess Sugar Red Drive is at their best. Sugar Red Drive is a keeper.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Sugar Red Drive at www.myspace.com/sugarreddrive or http://www.sugarreddrive.com/. Formal release information has yet to be released, so keep checking back at Sugar Red Drive’s website for more information!