Klatzke
08/12/08, 10:10 AM
Oregon Falls - Never Say Die
Record Label: None
Release Date: March 2008
About twice a month I get a call from my friends about a local show they're all planning to go to. When I accept, it's only grudgingly and after exhausting every other option. I don't mind the "headliner" that's always playing, and some of the bands really are worth my time. When I'm waiting though, I'm usually subjected to two or three "hardcore" bands that I truly cannot stand. Whether it's the ridiculously bad vocalists, the songs that sport way too many breakdowns, or the annoying clean vocals that they all implement so they can be "taken seriously," these bands always prove to be something I'd much rather skip. Unfortunately, these bands are exactly what I think of when listening to Oregon Falls' debut EP Never Say Die.
It's not that they're as bad as all of these pseudo-hardcore bands that seem to spring up anywhere and everywhere, they just remind me of them. In fact, they seem like one of these bands that just happened upon a bit of luck and rose above and beyond all of their peers. The main similarities between Oregon Falls and the score of other bands are the horrible screaming vocals and the boring and numerous breakdowns. The lead vocals are just terrible; they sound almost exactly like every other bad hardcore band, and when he tries to control his voice it fails to impress. The breakdowns are fairly boring. They don't deviate enough from any other breakdown to really set themselves apart, and they aren't significantly heavy enough to make much of an impact anyways.
The one thing that really sets them apart from the other bands are the good clean vocals. Most bands of their type just have a semi-qualified vocalist that becomes more annoying than entertaining. Oregon Falls has found themselves at least an average vocalist however, and the singing proves to be a welcomed respite from the screaming. There's also a bit more singing than what I've come to expect, and it really helps to keep the songs from getting too boring.
While I may not still have too much respect for the numerous semi-hardcore bands running amuck throughout every suburb, city, and neighborhood, Oregon Falls has earned themselves some with Never Say Die. While I'm not too impressed with their debut EP, I can definitely see glimmers of talent. Hopefully, next time, they'll put it to use and create something that'll actually set them apart.
your bad neighborhood "hardcore" bands, In Fear and Faith
myspace.com/oregonfalls (http://www.myspace.com/oregonfalls)
Record Label: None
Release Date: March 2008
About twice a month I get a call from my friends about a local show they're all planning to go to. When I accept, it's only grudgingly and after exhausting every other option. I don't mind the "headliner" that's always playing, and some of the bands really are worth my time. When I'm waiting though, I'm usually subjected to two or three "hardcore" bands that I truly cannot stand. Whether it's the ridiculously bad vocalists, the songs that sport way too many breakdowns, or the annoying clean vocals that they all implement so they can be "taken seriously," these bands always prove to be something I'd much rather skip. Unfortunately, these bands are exactly what I think of when listening to Oregon Falls' debut EP Never Say Die.
It's not that they're as bad as all of these pseudo-hardcore bands that seem to spring up anywhere and everywhere, they just remind me of them. In fact, they seem like one of these bands that just happened upon a bit of luck and rose above and beyond all of their peers. The main similarities between Oregon Falls and the score of other bands are the horrible screaming vocals and the boring and numerous breakdowns. The lead vocals are just terrible; they sound almost exactly like every other bad hardcore band, and when he tries to control his voice it fails to impress. The breakdowns are fairly boring. They don't deviate enough from any other breakdown to really set themselves apart, and they aren't significantly heavy enough to make much of an impact anyways.
The one thing that really sets them apart from the other bands are the good clean vocals. Most bands of their type just have a semi-qualified vocalist that becomes more annoying than entertaining. Oregon Falls has found themselves at least an average vocalist however, and the singing proves to be a welcomed respite from the screaming. There's also a bit more singing than what I've come to expect, and it really helps to keep the songs from getting too boring.
While I may not still have too much respect for the numerous semi-hardcore bands running amuck throughout every suburb, city, and neighborhood, Oregon Falls has earned themselves some with Never Say Die. While I'm not too impressed with their debut EP, I can definitely see glimmers of talent. Hopefully, next time, they'll put it to use and create something that'll actually set them apart.
your bad neighborhood "hardcore" bands, In Fear and Faith
myspace.com/oregonfalls (http://www.myspace.com/oregonfalls)