thePULSEJason Paulino’s Elsewhere on Planet Crazy
By Tine Roycroft
When Pulse last interviewed Jason Paulino, we fell in love with him. From his charismatic frontman work in the Journey tribute band The Great Escape to his solo work to the way he proposed to his beloved wife under a street lamp, he had us at “Hello.”
But Paulino warned us that his next CD release, Elsewhere on Planet Crazy, would be different. And something wicked did indeed this way come.
This CD is unlike anything we’ve heard from the singer/songwriter. His incredible vocal range rings true and clear, but there’s an interesting and powerful mix of rap, spoken word and bits of electronica here, along with political and social commentary.
In short, Paulino blindsides his fans with this release, but only gives them new reasons to love him. One of the most interesting, and downright hilarious, parts of the album is a track called “News Flash.” There’s no music here, but a mix of vocalists trading witty quips about how society seems to make heroes out of complete failures. In this mix between a “Muppet Show” skit and a bit from Adam Sandler, the question “Is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence if that’s where you take your dog to piss?” is raised.
But Paulino delivers vocally, too, especially with songs like “Outta Dodge,” where his hard rock heart shows through. There are instrumental pieces on the CD, including “Estranged Interlude” and “333 Interlude,” that seem to fully represent the darker sides of Paulino’s soul despite the lack of trademark vocals. He is present in every song, every bar, every note of the CD and fans will love this journey to his other side.
You can find Elsewhere on Planet Crazy on CD Baby and iTunes, and can learn more about Jason at facebook.com/jason.paulino and myspace.com/jasonmpaulino.
Lee Villaire’s Curious
By Tine Roycroft
It’s Saturday and you’re feeling alright with your sweetheart. So go that extra step and pop Lee Villaire’s 5th CD release, Curious, into the player and add a splash of sultry bluesy rock that’s guaranteed to turn the mood from “loving you” to “I’m gonna rock your world.”
Villaire is a talent originally from Montreal, but she’s lived in and graced the stages of Central MA for ten years and during the past decade has managed to garner quite a few musical honors. She’s won Honorable Mentions in the International Unisong and Billboard songwriting competitions and her songs “Breaking You In” and “A Nice Place to Visit” were selected as part of The Best of 2010 on Cape Cod’s PIXY 103FM Homegrown radio program. Villaire has also written songs for blues legend Bob Walsh and the Scottish country band Evangeline.
It’s safe to say that she’s a busy international talent.
Curious brings a wondrous variety to the ears of her listeners. “Breaking You” has a complete country rock feel to its vocals that brings to mind classic Patti Smith. We’ve got the talented Jay Sharron, Adam Bergeron, Kris Lucander and Rich Buc lending skilled instrumental support as Villaire struts her stuff as a songbird.
“Hold On To Me” is a gorgeous ballad that in places reminds the listener of the musical styling of Kate Bush. The vocals soar, fall, pause and make the audience eager for more. Just like in all of her songs, it’s clear that Villaire knows the art of seduction and isn’t afraid to use it on her fans…and on the future fans she’s sure to win over with Curious.
For more info, go to
www.leevillaire.com/home.html.
The Hollow Glow
By Alex Kantarelis
Guitarist Ben Carroll of the alternative metal band Ra has a new project called The Hollow Glow, which marks his first time as the lead singer. The new self-titled and self-released album has already gained quite a bit of attention all over the world.
The new band’s sound is a bit different from Ra’s more metal feel. The Hollow Glow is more melodic, similar to bands like Silversun Pickups, Muse, and The Foo Fighters. As described by Carroll, “It’s definitely a little bit of a lighter sound.” But fans of Ra shouldn’t panic. “It definitely has a Ra influence, there is no denying that,” Carroll ~ who is the primary songwriter ~ added. And what about the transition to vocals? It was easy for Carroll, thanks to his having hooked up with vocal coach Jamie Vendera, who is better known as the guy who broke glass with his voice on “Mythbusters.”
The new 9 song CD was recorded into a laptop in Carroll’s bedroom, using just 2 microphones, and computerized drum and bass sounds. While the drums and bass are electronic, they manage to sound very natural in the mix. It kicks off with the song “Crazy Like You Read About,” which shows off a maturity in Carroll’s songwriting ability, and takes you on a ride from start to finish. Some notable songs include the upbeat “Isn’t Love,” and mellow jam “12 hours” in which Carroll shows off an unbelievable vocal range.
The album got plenty of press when it was released, making its way onto the front page of iTunes’ rock section in the New and Noteworthy” section for 4 weeks. Quite a feat for a band that recorded in a bedroom.
Check them out on their website,
thehollowglow.com,
and at all digital music retailers.
NOTE: Advanced Placement students at Nashoba Valley Technical High School recently competed in an entertainment review competition for Pulse. Rosey Miller’s review of Three Days Grace’s Life Starts Now was chosen by the Editor as the winner; the authors of the three reviews that follow hers tied for second place. We at Pulse congratulate all four students and wish them much luck in their future writing careers!
Three Days Grace’s Life Starts Now
By Rosey Miller
Listeners of Life Starts Now will be both surprised and thrilled by the diverse tracks on Three Days Grace’s third album. The Canadian quartet has attracted a devoted fan base that’s been drawn in by songs inspired by lead singer Adam Contier’s personal struggles; these die-hard fans, accustomed to the band’s rebellious hard rock sound, will not be disappointed by the somewhat less hard-edge sound of the new album. In fact, Life Starts Now picks up where past albums left off: Contier wrote the first two albums through the angst-filled fog of addiction, but penned the new album after a stint in rehab that allowed him to see the brighter side of life on which Life Starts Now focuses. The album name itself is a clue as to the more positive, hopeful outlook Contier now has.
Three Days Grace definitely took a chance by changing up their style a bit, risking turning off fans of the first two albums, but they did it wisely and gracefully and made sure the more emotional sound of Life Starts Now didn’t enter into the realm of sappiness or…heaven forbid!…overly manufactured pop. Heavy bass and electrifying riffs give a killer punch to songs that might otherwise sound sappy, songs like “Break” and “Bully” are perfect head banging anthems for those so inclined, and tracks like “Last to Know” will likely appeal to those with an appreciation of more sensitive, reflective music.
Three Days Grace has explored new territory with Life Starts Now, but rather than abandoning their signature anger-tinged sound, they’ve instead blended it effortlessly with nuances of trepidation and hope; the album as a whole is spectacular from first note to last.
For more information,
please visit www.threedaysgrace.com.
Dropkick Murphys’ Going Out in Style
By Emily Pacht
The Dropkick Murphys have had plenty of great albums in the past, so when they released Going Out in Style on March 1st, I didn’t waste any time checking it out ~ and as I expected, it didn’t disappoint.
The album kicks off with more of the fast, upbeat bagpipe music for which the Boston- based punk band is famous. The album’s boisterous title track, “Going Out in Style,” features vocals from Fat Mike (NOFX), Chris Cheney (The Living End), and Lenny Clark (actor/comedian, maybe best known for his Boston accent and friendship with Denis Leary) and is classis Dropkick kick-ass.
But if you expect a whole album full of raucous Celtic songs, you’re in for a surprise.
The band reveals its softer side with “1953,” a solemn love song showcasing great vocals from singers Ken Casey and Al Barr, and gives fans a special treat with the cheery love song “Peg O’ My Heart,” which features vocals from none other than the Boss himself, Mr. Bruce Springsteen.
The Dropkick Murphys have always delivered high-energy, crowd pleasing anthems that balance rebellion and good ol’ Boston grit with emotions that connect with the audience. So
whether you’re a fan of the Dropkicks already, or if you’re just looking for a killer new Celtic punk rock CD to listen to, Going Out in Style is sure to satisfy.
Space Ghost Cowboys’ The Sad Album
By Max Gaj
With an undeniably indie persona, Space Ghost Cowboys have created a sound from a different time and place, a sound that we’ve never really heard before, some sort of cross between 90s radio rock and indie that manages to sound like both yet neither at the same time.
A high school grad alone in a tiny town, his love gone away: The Sad Album tells the story of a man’s struggle to cope with the loss of his girlfriend to both college and another man. A solid debut album with a consistent tone, The Sad Album is raw emotion from start to finish.
On “Hole,” singer Aaron Maine reminisces about all of the memories he and his girlfriend made back when times were good. Even this track, though, is underscored by Maine’s sadness as he sings, “Pet dogs chasing pretty birds/Climbing and falling down trees/Break my legs and dig my hole/To sleep away all my needs.” Maine has a gruff yet touching way of expressing his loss, one that makes you feel for him, feel like you’ve walked in his shoes.
The strange, symbolic “Jesus Lost His Head” illustrates the range of Maine’s writing talents. Written largely in metaphor, the song steps away from the rest of the album, but not too far; The Sad Album never loses its ominous and haunting tone. “St. Bart’s,” perhaps written specifically for radio play, is an infectious rock song full of energy and feeling, again a showcase for Maine’s unusual ability to express happiness in a dark manner. Lyrics like “Your life should be complete if you should die” suggest that perhaps that darkness comes from the mind of a somewhat tortured soul ~ but if there’s one thing the decades have taught us, it’s that tortured souls often make the best music.
www.myspace.com/spaceghostcowboys
Bullet For My Valentine’s Fever
By Mikayla Madsen
Keeping up the energy and excellent musicianship that garnered them “Best British Band” three times in a row, Bullet For My Valentine gives us a new album ~ Fever ~ that is wonderfully melodic and features extreme guitar solos. In its first week of release, it sold nearly 100,000 copies.
Bullet For My Valentine, a hard rock band from Bridgend with major metal influences including Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Slayer, formed in 1998. The band consists of Matt Truck on rhythm guitar, Jason “Jay” James on bass guitar/vox, Michael “Padge” Paget on lead guitar/backing vocals, and Michael “Moose” Thomas on drums.
BFMV released two albums prior to Fever: The Poison and Scream Aim Fire. Fever has some similarities to The Poison, but it’s unlike the band’s previous work in a lot of ways as well: the new album has incredible melodies, rhythms and lyrics and includes a full spectrum of moods and styles. Two songs of particular note are “Alone” and “Dignity,” featuring strong lyrics like “We won’t surrender” and “I won’t go quietly.” Other songs on the album, “Your Betrayal, “The Last Fight,” and “Pleasure and Pain,” are both more energetic and angrier, while “A Place Where You Belong” and “Bittersweet Memories” are slow and sorrowful.
Simply put, Fever is a great album. Anyone who loves Bullet For My Valentine will of course take to it immediately, but it’s made for all fans of hard rock and heavy metal. If you like Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace or Avenged Sevenfold, check it out!
