Meaning/Nothing
01/09/10, 08:19 PM
Branch Avenue - Ready or Not
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: December 18, 2009
There are a seemingly infinite amount of positive terms that can be used to describe the new and upcoming quintet called Branch Avenue. If you live in the Southern Maryland/DC area, then you're one of the lucky few who may be able to experience the synergy of Branch Avenue's live performances. The soaring guitar riffs found in most of today's pop-punk genre, coupled with incredible breakdowns with distinct sounds of today's metal music makes this band a force to be reckoned with. The band's lead singer, Trevor Bundy, can access intensely high notes with ease during live performances. These guys bleed the true essence of stage charisma, and so it's understandable why one would be hesitant to pick up an album by them. Is it even possible for a band to be that good on stage and still maintain their composure in studio? The answer, in Branch Avenue's case, is "yes".
Ready or Not is Branch Avenue's debut release, and it's the furthest thing from disappointing. The second track, called "Fergie Broke His Face to This One", which is preceded by a short instrumental, is simply an amazing song that helps get the listener acquainted with the band's in-your-face breakdowns. If you listen to a single song by this band, make it this one. The song, which is incredibly written and composed for a song off of your average debut album, starts off with a catchy guitar piece, which quickly transitions into Trevor's beautiful (I use this word here because there's simply no other way to describe them) vocals. Though this song is an amazing entity within itself, it is far from the band's magnum opus. However, we do see a taste of the band's original and well-composed lyrics in the bridge of this song, which is refreshing in itself, since it's rare for most bands of this genre. " Even my hands testify, as they wither and moan / To live is to die, as come is to go."
Track five is an untitled instrumental with a respectable length of almost four minutes. The song demonstrates the incredible musicianship of the respective members of Branch Avenue. However, track ten, titled "Jamie", is by far the best song on the album. Though it's a (relatively, in light of the rest of the songs on the album) slow song, it's the band's best. The lyrics tell a heart-warming story about a dying "little girl", who we can assume is named Jamie. The only thing her father can do is tell her to be strong. The emotional chorus, "Oh God, where are you now? Surely you can step down from your throne. / Oh God, where are you now? Surely you can give life to a single soul." further demonstrates the band's talent as lyricists.
There is not a bad song to be found on this album, as each one is, for all intents and purposes, an impressive masterpiece. Maybe I'm being a little ambitious, but this band is by far one of the best up and coming bands around. Their raw passion and blatant skill makes them a powerful force in today's scene.
The entire album can be found streaming on their Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/branchavenue).
Emarosa; Chiodos; Broadway
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: December 18, 2009
There are a seemingly infinite amount of positive terms that can be used to describe the new and upcoming quintet called Branch Avenue. If you live in the Southern Maryland/DC area, then you're one of the lucky few who may be able to experience the synergy of Branch Avenue's live performances. The soaring guitar riffs found in most of today's pop-punk genre, coupled with incredible breakdowns with distinct sounds of today's metal music makes this band a force to be reckoned with. The band's lead singer, Trevor Bundy, can access intensely high notes with ease during live performances. These guys bleed the true essence of stage charisma, and so it's understandable why one would be hesitant to pick up an album by them. Is it even possible for a band to be that good on stage and still maintain their composure in studio? The answer, in Branch Avenue's case, is "yes".
Ready or Not is Branch Avenue's debut release, and it's the furthest thing from disappointing. The second track, called "Fergie Broke His Face to This One", which is preceded by a short instrumental, is simply an amazing song that helps get the listener acquainted with the band's in-your-face breakdowns. If you listen to a single song by this band, make it this one. The song, which is incredibly written and composed for a song off of your average debut album, starts off with a catchy guitar piece, which quickly transitions into Trevor's beautiful (I use this word here because there's simply no other way to describe them) vocals. Though this song is an amazing entity within itself, it is far from the band's magnum opus. However, we do see a taste of the band's original and well-composed lyrics in the bridge of this song, which is refreshing in itself, since it's rare for most bands of this genre. " Even my hands testify, as they wither and moan / To live is to die, as come is to go."
Track five is an untitled instrumental with a respectable length of almost four minutes. The song demonstrates the incredible musicianship of the respective members of Branch Avenue. However, track ten, titled "Jamie", is by far the best song on the album. Though it's a (relatively, in light of the rest of the songs on the album) slow song, it's the band's best. The lyrics tell a heart-warming story about a dying "little girl", who we can assume is named Jamie. The only thing her father can do is tell her to be strong. The emotional chorus, "Oh God, where are you now? Surely you can step down from your throne. / Oh God, where are you now? Surely you can give life to a single soul." further demonstrates the band's talent as lyricists.
There is not a bad song to be found on this album, as each one is, for all intents and purposes, an impressive masterpiece. Maybe I'm being a little ambitious, but this band is by far one of the best up and coming bands around. Their raw passion and blatant skill makes them a powerful force in today's scene.
The entire album can be found streaming on their Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/branchavenue).
Emarosa; Chiodos; Broadway