March 10, 2004

eee to Noise 16

Jump Rope for Heart: Epiphany Sounds

>> Grade: A

If the fact that it’s a band front-
ed by current UNBC student does-
n't throw you off a little, the card-
board casing will surely raise a
brow. This single, however,
rewards those who dare shell out
a marginal amount of cash with
some quite impressive music that
will inevitably leave an impact on
the eardrums of anybody whose
fancy has ever dawdled towards
the earthy brands of ‘emotional

rock’ While some of the songs could use some touching-up from a more
professional recording environment, many of them actually benefit from
the tinny pang that the 4-track recording medium forces upon the
track—kind of in the same way that the old vinyl records’ crackles and
pops adds to the old Hendrix and Santana hits from the days of yore.
And now, time for the inevitable downside. Some of the songs’ ghet-
to-mixing, as was mentioned earlier, takes away from the songs, in one
track drowning out the vocals almost altogether, in another causing the
CD to crackle a bit with static. Additionally, his guest vocalists are... let’s
just say, not quite on the same page as lead singer (and drummer, gui-
tarist, keyboardist, and combination pressure-cooker and coffee maker,

who also makes julienne fries) Ryan Wugalter.

Beyond that, though, this album is definitely worth the ten bucks or so,
and just might be worth a crap-load of money someday. If you're inter-
ested in giving it a listen, send an email to jumpropeforheart@hot-

mail.com.

i |

Seabound: Beyond Flatline
Metropolis 2004
>> Grade: D-

Seabound is a German electronic duo from
Germany. Frank Spinath and Martin Vorboot
were brought together by joint friends, and
would not have met under other circumstances.
This chance meeting was rather unfortunate for
the European electronic scene, as it resulted in
yet another generic electronic group like the
hundreds that already flood the market.

The second album from Seabound, Beyond
Flatline, is a boring album completely lacking in
innovation of every kind. If you have listened to
any of the other electronic groups from the
Metropolis label, then you have already heard
what Seabound has to offer. The album is full of
basic beats, pretentious lyrics, and synthesizer
loops that one would expect from early 90’s
house. The highpoint of the album was the sec-
ond line of the first track, which goes “We have
just removed an A-port from your brain”, and
that was only because I misheard, thought they
said “8-ball”, instead of “A-port”. The rest of
the song, and indeed the whole album is totally
pretentious, full of inflated self importance.
Spare me.

>> Dana

Front Line Assembly: Civalization
Metropolis 2004
>> Grade: C+

Anyone who listens to indus-
trial will know who Front Line
Assembly is. The group has been
| around since 1986, and has
released fourteen albums under
the Metropolis label. Of course,
the band has gone through four
line up changes in that time,
with Skinny Puppy’s Bill Leeb
being the force that has kept the

project going.

Civilization, the latest release from the industrial duo, is
your average industrial album, complete with the preten-
tious vocals that are prevalent in the genre. The synth loops
are well-executed, the album is well-mixed, and there are
some very nice melodies utilized. The work that Bill Leeb
has done on Delerium shows on the album, since there are
some beautiful female vocals and synthesizer loops used
that one would expect to find on a Delerium album.
Civilization remains a wholly industrial album, however,
with some nice mellow bits thrown in for some variety.
Other than that, Civilization does not contain any large
departures from the rest of the industrial genre, so if you are
looking for something new and exciting, this is not it.

>> Dana

Great Big Sea: Something Beautiful”
Warner Music 2004

>> Grade: B

Trailing their 2003 release “Sea of no Cares”, “Something
Beautiful” follows in the same vein. This is their seventh
release since their self-titled debut CD in ‘93, holds a few less
traditional songs then normal. The band itself has lost their
bassist, as Darrel Power had decided to leave after ten years.
He left to spend more time with his family, and the band has
hired a professional bassist for the tour.

Their newest single “When I am King” holds a very simi-
lar style to the title track of their last album, “Sea of no

‘Oh God no... it’s.

Cares”. The song holds true to bittersweet romance, and
ends with the prerequisite happy ending. “When I am King”
is, like “Sea of no Cares”, one of more the more drum inten-
sive songs that the band has fielded, but it still keeps true to
their sound.

The album has only two traditional arrangements, with
only one of those using vocals. The rest of the album is filled
with poppier sounding tracks, following a similar sound
from their previous album. There is also a great use of pipes
and more melodic instruments that keep true to their
Newfoundland sound.

Lyrics are slightly simplistic, and most hold a carpe diem-
esque quality to them. Songs like “Let it Go” and the title

track “Something Beautiful” focus on moving: beyond the
hard times life throws, and loving life as it comes. Vocals are
a bit more equal between Sean and Alan then in previous
albums, and this adds an interesting aspect to the album as
well.

The album is less upbeat then the previous albums, but
still holds the essence of the band. The more upbeat songs,
“Helmethead” among others, either advocate a carefree
lifestyle or are more humorous in intent. Overall itis a decent
album, but itis not as good as their previous ones, and they
seem to have lost a bit of their band dynamic with the loss of
Darrell.

ROLL UP THE RIMJOB TO WIN!!!

Oh yes, it’s the 4th annual, a
1st most horrible contest in the

known universe!*

The rules are simple, all you have to do is spot
the picture of the rimjob we’ve cleverly hidden
in the paper, and bring it into the Over the Edge
office to claim your lousy prize!!!

=]

cdtver

This year you can win:
>> CD's!
>> Stickers!
>> Assorted crap!

>> A mystery erotic love kit!

>> Broom (just one, and it’s crappy)!
>> Crushed Velvet Monkey Picture!!

BOARD SHOP