Ink Spot Blog

Review by Novo Metal – Matheus Vieira – 10

“What a band! This Dare to Dream, second effort from Shadowside, is really impressive. The level they have reached is above regular and the evolution from Theatre of Shadows to this one is so big that it makes me say it without a doubt: Shadowside are the best Brazilian band nowadays.

Dare to Dream really deserves to be listened to and Shadowside, respected as a great band. I say that because as well as having this CD in hands, I also had the opportunity to check them out live and saw that their ‘firepower’ on stage is even bigger.

There is no way out. Gold medal. Deserving of lots of applause and of course, maximum score.”

Music and Reviews
“Otherside of Clearview” is a extraordinary band up and coming band, out of Fort Collins Colorado. A group of wildly talened young men who are not strangers to writing great music or working hard at their craft, giving up nothing to create their own unique sound of music. I am blown away by the songs here in their debut album they bring us the best of what is out in the music scene today!

The first track, “Space Flight of the Troubadours” … you are barely able to hear the first few tinkling bars of music… the music build here is slow folks, moving onto a drum beat that has your head bopping, toe tapping, you can’t help but want to get up and dance with anyone who is handy … Spectacularly strong vox by Matt Luizza, throughout the album, this kid has a set of lungs on him… proven over and over again in later tracks.

The title track “Sweet Release” starts out strong and then explodes into Rock/Pop music fest, the lyrics only are made better by once again Matt Luizza’s voice… can’t say enough about the talent here…being backed by a well qualified talented band…

“Suicide Polictico” is a beat driven song that changes tempo, but still pushing the beat … love this song, reminiscent of ‘war song’ lyric’s speaking of dissatisfaction or warning lyrics to what is going on in the world… but with better written music than what we heard in past era’s.
“One for the Road” is another one of my favorite tracks on the album, the music and the lyrics swirl around in your head, can’t quite hear enough… with a surprise at the end of the song that will make you put this song and hit replay again and again.

Otherside of Clearview “Sweet Release is a “Outstanding, Stellar ” First Effort! Not a bad song in the bunch!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! “Sweet Release is in my Top Ten for 2009~ These boys are definitely On the Road to success! … listen to the sample below

Marlene Palumbo ~ Indienink Music

The privilege of writing reviews is when you get to review a work that you truly look forward to hearing.

To watch, from a distance, an artist truly grow; actually explore new spaces and have the courage to re-look at their own creative voice and what they really have to say is a gift. Thus, the new Stephen Parker album, What Goes Around, is truly that sort of rare experience for me. It proudly broadcasts the results of that excavation process.

Stephen Parker has always been a tremendous wordsmith. His lyric s telegraph experience – more than mere storytelling for songwriting’s sake. They bespeak, at the same time, his pain, as well as the beauty that surrounds him.

Musically, a transition from acoustic to electric guitar, as well as an exploration of finger-picking has opened up a universe for Stephen, both as a player and as a composer. In this incarnation of the band, it has allowed him to surround himself with a caliber of musician that, together as an ensemble, are subtle, nimble, flowing, expressive and articulate and allow Stephen to take full flight. There’s a sense of new freedom and expression.

Part of Stephen’s brilliance is his arranging sensibility. He voices the band, setting textures and layers that are just extraordinary, allowing their individual expression to have space; a sense of air and openness.

What Goes Around expresses the actual joy of Stephen Parker finding new and different creative spaces as an artist, something that is rare for a player/composer. We experience it with him as he shares it with us in each track of What Goes Around.

The sound quality of the record is wonderful. His transformative musical experience has migrated over to Stephen as producer. The instruments sound as free and natural as the compositions. From the Spanish-stylings on nylon-stringed acoustic guitar in Hyaleah to the woodwind in Tabula Rasa and the acoustic piano and flute on Naples Sonata, the sound is clean, organic and open. The right choice of microphones and use of acoustic space has created beautiful sound as well as a seamless integration of music and lyric.

This record conveys a freedom, an openness. What Goes Around is yet another outstanding record from Stephen Parker. Go out and buy yourself 300 copies of it right now.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

JAMIE NUDDS(IN ITS WAKE)

Jamie Nudds

IN ITS WAKE

By Shain Shapiro

HAVING WRITTEN FOR this fair mag for almost three years, I continue to marvel at the breadth of talent available to write about. Every week a new band emerges and there’s always something to fresh. The live music scene seems to grow unconditionally, offering something different every week to pen a story about. Such is the case with St. Catharines’ In Its Wake, a band I had only heard about when a press release hit my inbox. The band, whose music is not all that easy to describe, is made up of seasoned musicians formerly of Sound The Alarm, Wisconsin and Pilate, and have made a strong name for themselves both at home and on the road. Their debut EP, self–released but distributed by DEP/Universal, has garnered the quintet heightened buzz, their longest Canadian tour to date and heaps of press. Talking with singer and principle songwriter Jamie Nudds about the band and its steady growth is a treat. He is as cautious to label their music as I am, because In Its Wake amalgamates the fringes of pop, but rarely bobs its melodic head through the mainstream. Instead, a patchwork quilt of sounds ranging from punk to reggae, pop and folk weave through In Its Wake, creating this tough to describe sound that is remarkably easy to enjoy. “The only theme that would be on this record and our music is a sort of realism,” explains Nudds. “It does not particularly matter if it is from our own personal experiences or those that have happened before our time. Yet, it’s hard to write and to do justice by writing about something that is not an “actual” experience that has affected you in some way.” All these sounds and ideas present themselves vividly on this EP that the band will release at home this week. Each song, and there are seven of them, is contagious, ebullient and rich in metaphorical texture,decisive lyricism and bouncy rhythms. There is a mainstream ethos permeating what is going on here, especially on the folk–rock buttressed “Unbelievable” and reggae–tinged “Give My Regards.” “Each listener thus far has had their own experience,” adds Nudds. “A lot of people like the fact that not every song sounds the same and that we have created a variety of styles, although the exact opposite could go as well that every song is too different. I guess only time will tell.” While Nudds and I agree that there is a definite disparate theme embedded in the EP, this variety the band preaches is one of their greatest strengths, as they are equally at home busting through a fast-paced country tune and as they are waxing poetic about a girl through power chords. “Each song has its own mood to it, so sometimes you have to experiment with different sounds to create a sound that compliments the song,” affirms Nudds. “The songwriting process for the band emotes that. Musically it doesn’t start out in a specific genrestyle. It is whatever we feel like playing naturally. From there the music takes on its own personality and mood. It is as open–ended and democratic as it can be, which attests to the variety you hear on the EP.” In Its Wake will release their EP with a celebratory affair on August 3 at the Legendary Red Rooster, before embarking on a lengthy Ontario/ Quebec tour. This is the band’s longest jaunt to date, culminating in big shows in both Toronto and Montreal. Live, the band is a treat as they should be, as each song on the EP takes on yet another life when experimented with in the flesh. “For starters, if someone comes expecting to see one specific thing, then they are in for a treat. With our music being so diverse, we try to make our live show just as important as the songs themselves,” replies Nudds. “We thrive on crowd interaction and try to make people feel that they helped make our show what it was for the evening, and that fans are just as important during our show as the band is itself, because the only ones that truly matter in this business are the fans. We could not survive without them, of course.” And it is the fans, in addition to the bands, that make our music scenes so strong.

*Jamie Nudds, The Voice, 02-16-08-

“This is the debut, self-titled album from four-piece Ontario band In Its Wake

The greatest track on this record is “Give my Regards,” not only because it breaks free of the rock/alternative/soul mould in favour of reggae but because the musicians are great at playing this type of music.

This song was a very pleasant surprise it made me want to sit back, light up a smoke, and enjoy myself.” – Mandy Gardner -ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY – THE VOICE

**SERIOUS ABOUT HIS PASSION

“Canadian Artist Jamie Nudds is definitely serious about his passion for music! In this his debut album you hear spetacular rhythms and clear catchy vocals and well thought out lyrics. This is a CD that I can listen to now and love, and put in the player again in 6 months and love all over again!!! This is a band to watch! In my Top Ten folks for 2007!!” -marlene palumbo – indienink music – indienink.com

***Jamie Nudds, In Its Wake – University of Guelph – Guelph, ON – The Ontarion

Publication Date:

2008-01-17

Reviewed by

Alex Brien

Independent

3 stars

Upon first listening, one would be fooled into thinking this was a Nickelback album featuring David Usher on vocals. It is that very sound which opens this seven song EP by way of “Need to Breathe”, the first single from this St. Catherines band. However, what lies within the song is surprisingly refreshing. The guitar line and lyrics on “Unbelievable” are inspiring, as are the tight melodies and full acoustics of closer “Drowning Me Out”. But the biggest shock comes in the form of “Give My Regards” – a painfully simple yet catchy pseudo-reggae/rock tune. This small set is simply a taste of what future greatness may befall this group in the near future.

****NIAGARA FALLS REVIEW – JAMIE NUDDS- In Its Wake – (Universal/DEP)

“The first effort from this Niagara/Toronto hybrid doesn’t break any ground, but doesn’t overstep its boundaries either. Jamie Nudds offers tuneful guitars, loud choruses and club-friendly rock songs, and if that ain’t your cup of cool, move along.

Even some muddy production can’t hide the potential here, or the band’s influences: The bristling rocker “Faces” recalls early Pearl Jam, “Unbelievable” has a peppy Dave Matthews Band vibe; and “Give My Regards” goes the Police route. Playing name-that-band is usually a bad sign, but there’s solid stuff found on most every track, and the band will surely benefit from a producer who can lead the way