But The Devil Can Hear You: My Darkest Day's "My Darkest Days" Review

InReview : My Darkest Days - "My Darkest Days"

As I turned on the radio the other day, I was absolutely stoked to hear the Canadian band My Darkest Days blasting through the speakers. I have been following My Darkest Days since their self titled debut album was released last September and was delighted that their hugely successful single ‘Porn Star Dancing’ has now graced Australian airwaves. Hearing My Darkest Days on the radio has prompted me to write this review and showcase a band that is destined for success.

The first track on My Darkest Days self titled debut album is a catchy riff-laden number called ‘Move Your Body’, which immediately demonstrates what this band is capable of. The song is heavy, yet maintains a dancy beat and is followed by the massively popular track ‘Porn Star Dancing’, which follows the same musical direction. ‘Porn Star Dancing’ is another sex fuelled party anthem that is much stronger than the previous track. The inclusions of Chad Kroeger, Zakk Wylde and Ludacris, strengthen this track and have helped it attain the success it deserves.

Strangely enough the rest of the album strays away from the sexual themes, which the first two tracks relied on. In my opinion My Darkest Days sound much more natural when they don’t try to be the life of the party. Songs such as ‘Set It On Fire’ and ‘The World Belongs To Me’ feature great hooks and are very catchy, whilst not being very groundbreaking are still going to be popular with listeners. My Darkest Days also tone it down even more with songs like ‘Like Nobody Else’ and ‘Can’t Forget You’, which also shows little, hints towards pop rock. These two songs are perfect inclusions to make the album more diverse and appealing to a wider audience.

Overall My Darkest Days have created a record that is extremely catchy and maintains a strong sense of modern rock throughout it. The album is very polished for a first released and has been well produced. A number of these songs were stuck in my head after only one listen, which proves they know how to write a hook. Many people and critics will disagree with me, saying that these guys bring nothing new to the table, but that doesn’t bother me. I hope these guys continue to receive air play on Australian radio, because they are a band that deserves to be heard. This is a great release and I would like to see many more from My Darkest Days in the future.

Rating: 8/10

Stand Out Tracks: Can't Forget You, Like Nobody Else, Porn Star Dancing, Set It On Fire

Check Out My Darkest Days At:

http://www.mydarkestdays.com/

www.myspace.com/mydarkestdays

www.facebook.com/MyDarkestDays

Rock Music Videos Segment Launch

2011 is truly going to be a massive year in rock music and below are some new music videos to get you excited about some upcoming albums! I have also included a music video which i have just discovered, but will rock you just as hard! I will try to make this a bi-weekly segment, with all your latest music video news. Cheers!

3 Doors Down - 'When You're Young'

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/j7h_b-YA5qM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Rise Against - 'Help Is On The Way'

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JHiqGqoIGII" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Trust Company - 'Heart In My Hands'

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/poZFDBz32CQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Foo Fighters - 'Rope'

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kbpqZT_56Ns" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Hollywood Undead - 'Hear Me Now'

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pdoIs1jZbCY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Bleeker Ridge - 'Small Town Dead'

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rSwkRQ2pHU8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Cheers, Joel

Present Me A Reason, Why You Should Take Our Freedom: Dam Few's "The Bitter Beginning" Review

The first attempt at any project is a tough ask, with many chances to fail.  It is especially hard to create your debut EP in the music industry and to be able to set yourself apart from all the bands before you. It takes a very special kind of band that draws ideas from their influences and uses it to excel in their own musical territory.

A local Perth outfit, ‘Dam Few’, have found a perfect balance in their music and have crafted a strong debut EP tiled ‘The Bitter Beginning’.  The first track of the EP ‘Americide’ is the strongest song from the EP and gives listeners an ideal first impression of the band. ‘Americide’ takes time to build up and combines intelligent lyrics with soaring vocals. The song rebuilds itself through the second chorus only to be broken down again by a collection of audio clips during the bridge. The addition of these audio clips taken from various speakers throughout history, reflecting the effects  of war, further pushes the point of what the song’s about –the futility of war  The next track ‘Break’ starts off energetic, before flowing into a section of catchy riffs. This song is nowhere near as accomplished as ‘Americide’ but does have an extremely well crafted guitar solo in the bridge. The bass guitar receives a good work out, thundering along the whole song while the use of clapping hands keeps the band’s unique little twists flowing. ‘Dining With the Jackals’ follows next and regains the catchiness the band displayed on the opener. This song is mostly upbeat and the ending shows off the band’s ability to be tight with their musicianship. The remained songs of the EP run together a little, with the highlight being the track ‘This Life’. But it’s the first song of the EP that gets straight into the singing and features excellent harmonies with layered vocals. The drumming that drives this track, keeps your feet tapping and helps make it the catchiest song out of the lot.

Overall the whole EP flows really well, but some tracks do sound alike and require a few spins in order to differentiate them from one another. ‘Dam Few’ are a very talented young band, whose tight musicianship and amazing vocals will help them hit the big time one day. The EP sounds raw, yet full of unique little surprises which keep the ears entertained. The strong ending of the EP makes the band’s future seem all the more hopeful and exciting. ‘The Bitter Beginning’ is a very strong attempt at a debut EP and even though the albums cover is terribly boring, the music is anything but.

 

Rating: 7/10

 

Stand Out Tracks: Americide, This Life, Dining With The Wolves

 

Check Out Dam Few At:

 

www.myspace.com/damfew