By David Thomas
February 24, 2004
Pick Of The Week
PILOT TO GUNNER, Get Saved (Arena Rock)
PILOT TO GUNNER's last album, Games At High Speeds, was a no-frills
advancement of mid-90s DC punk. With raspy vocals and guitars blazing, the
band leveled out ten somewhat repetitive rock gems. On Get Saved, the
band has grown far beyond a single cookie cutter formula and delivered a
glimpse of how good 2004 might be for new music.
The trademark guitars are still here from the opening title track, but an infectious chorus that lifts the track far above
mediocrity is also present. When the music fades into the hushed chant of "Everyone gets saved
if you join us," the song turns slightly eerie before rocketing back into the
grooving next verse. It's a triumph of indie-rock songwriting.
Sometimes albums go downhill from this point on and while "Get Saved"
is the strongest track, the next ten tracks are not just mere filler to placate
record buyers that want their money's worth. Producer J. Robbins is one of
those always-heralded producers that sometimes doesn't live up to his billing.
But on Get Saved, he does the most with what he's given. Unfortunately
there are some song structures that seem a bit too much like his past band,
BURNING AIRLINES.
Regardless, PTG is growing all on their own. The odd tempo of "The
Product" seems disjointed at first but slowly segues into a clap-along beat
that drills its way into your brain. Here, drummer Kurt Herrmann is as important
as singer, guitarist Scott Padden. The bushy-haired Padden is a terrific
frontman live and definitely took his role seriously on Get Saved.
PILOT TO GUNNER is one of the few bands that can meld intense
guitars and catchy lyrics perfectly. All the added melody they've found on
Get Saved just sweetens the deal.
Derivative Indie Pick of the Week
JUPITER SUNRISE, Under A Killer Blue Sky (Undecided Records)
Besides having one of those band names that is easily confused with
others, JUPITER SUNRISE doesn’t offer much originality in their full-length
debut, Under A Killer Blue Sky. Whether it’s the numerous song titles
with people’s names in them (Arthur Nix, Kaye, Casey, Josie’s House, Master
Suzuki) or the generic nasal vocals found in every emo band on earth, there’s
not much originality going on here.
One of the bigger surprises with the multitude of indie records I
receive is the fact that these young bands actually create solid songs that are
well crafted and performed, JUPITER SUNRISE included. Their main problem lies
in originality.
There are numerous WEEZER influences, early GET UP KIDS, HEY MERCEDES,
etc. The band could just slide over to Vagrant Records and no one would notice.
But even as catchy gems like “Kaye” show promise ultimately the sub-standard
lyrics don’t deliver. JUPITER SUNRISE could go on tour, work their asses off and
come back with a better second record. But for now, it’s safe to say they can’t
rise above the dozens of other indie bands out there fighting for the same
small market share.
Road Trip Music
This weekend, I drove to Cleveland for an upcoming magazine story on Chicago
band Pelican. Below are some of the CDs that got me there and back.
RECOVER, Ceci n'est pas recover (Fiddler)
Who knows when this promising HELMET-esque indie band will release their next
full-length but for a quick pick-me up on a long road trip this 5-song EP still
shines.
FOO FIGHTERS, One By One (RCA)
As always when you go back and listen to a FOO FIGHTERS record it will grow on
you. I didn’t love this latest at first but now it serves as a terrific car CD.
R.E.M., Document (/IRS)
How did R.E.M. write such an amazing record almost 20 years ago that still
sounds fresh with today’s music scene?
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