Apell – Beaver Street & Beyond (Apell Music)

Apell is a multi-instrumentalist who creates many different types of electronic music – from Jazz to ambient, rhythmic to funky.  Beaver Street & Beyond is Apell’s second release, and if you like a good soundtrack or background music for your life, Beaver Street & Beyond will fulfill your wish.  I would compare it to Howie B. perhaps.  Actually, it’s hard to compare Apell’s music to others, as it is very independent, accomplished, and to the beat of his particular drummer inside.  I enjoyed this release, and hope you will too.  Contact: Antony Pell, 69 Victoria Street, Flemington, Victori, Australia, 3031 www.apellmusic.com.  -J

Common Rotation – The Big Fear (www.commonrotation.com)

The Big Fear is the second self-released album for this Long Island band.  For those who remember the “Buffy” series – baddie Adam Busch is the vocalist for Common Rotation.  His voice is quite good – Adam Duritz of Counting Crows good.  John Mayer good.  The songwriting is meaningful, and the pop hooks are there.  Think Hootie and the Blowfish meets They Might be Giants and Barenaked Ladies.  Very good for the genre – Common Rotation could find a place in many college CD players.  –J

I don’t know why I’ve been hanging onto this demo so long.  I suppose because it’s one of the few female rock band demos we get that doesn’t suck.  Actually, The Drive are rather good.  They have excellent musicianship, good songwriting skills, and snarl pretty good for a bunch of girls out of NYC.  [I’m a girl too, so I can say that…and I can’t snarl halfway as well.]  If you’re looking for a group that rocks harder than the Donna’s, but are way more accessible than Kitty, check out The Drive.  Fave track: “Cursed” – awesome song.  Contact: www.thedrive.info –J

Fkr

Fkr (say it fast) is a skate punk band out of Arizona (and OC according to their website).  Their 3 song demo has both good and bad points.  They seem enthusiastic and that comes out.  However, their musicianship has a lot to be desired -- time changes not done well at all -- sometimes out of sync entirely, songwriting skills need help too, and the back up vocals kill (not in a good way).  Good stuff: their enthusiasm, their lead singer fits in really well with the music, they do know how to play their instruments a little, and they know what they want to play and what direction they’re going in.  Wish y’all the best – keep practicing and having fun with it!  Contact: fkr.s5.com  -J

Girly Freak Show 

Oh.  My.  Gawd.  The 2004 girly-punk version of “gag me with a spoon”.  4 fun, stupid, funny, girly semi -punk songs on one disc.  I swear I even hear timpani in the back of one (“My Boyfriend”).  A more amateur Jim Carroll band (I never thought I’d say that in a sentence).  If, as one of my friends recently said, the prank-song is the next big thing, perhaps Girly Freak Show is on the cutting edge.  There’s a blow job song, a stalker song, a fat song, hell these guys are the next Butt Trumpet! Contact: www.girlyfreakshow.com -J

The Silence – Audio Alchemy (www.thesilencemusic.com)

Why the hell haven’t these guys been picked up by Victory yet?  The Silence blows the doors off Thursday, mixing melody with hardcore and metal, they kick ass on this self-released CD.  I saw the packaging and figured it was utter crap (note to the band: improve your package please!), then put it on and my jaw dropped to the ground when The Silence kicked it into gear with “Fortissimo y Vivace”.  Listening to this disc, I was imagining The Silence live show, and vowing to go see them the next time they play in LA.  SOMEBODY SIGN THEM. (Update: The Silence signed to San Diego based Whisky Records.  This CD with remastered tracks will be re-released in April.  They will also be on Warped Tour coming up later in the year.)  -J