Author: Eric Pettersson

Artist: Lost Ocean Album: Lost Ocean Label: Credential Records Release Date: February 20, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Believe 2. Still Life 3. Just Glide 4. You Are 5. Mute 6. Dreams 7. Everything Is 8. Trust 9. Lights 10. Vast Imagine yourself lying in the middle of the Atlantic. The water is a comfortable 86 degrees, the sun is pleasantly bright, and you’re being gently rocked by the waves beneath you. The birds overhead are singing in perfect harmony, and there is little thought of anything else.… Continued →

Artist: The Apathy Eulogy Album: Beauty for Ashes Label: None (released independently) Release Date: April 10, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Two to Tango, One to Miss 2. Daphne Doesn’t Love Derby… She Hates Men 3. Baby, Maybe 4. Perfect Kisses 5. I Can Tell You’re Lying because Your Lips Are Moving 6. Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady 7. Be My Rescue 8. Such a Complex Situation 9. The Longest Drive Home (I Should’ve Taken the Subway) My introduction to this fine acoustic band, The Apathy Eulogy, begins like most other band introductions these days, on MySpace.… Continued →

Eric IVM: State your name and what you do in the band. Wes Blaylock-I sing Kelsey Harelson- I play drums Andy Moore- I play guitar Laura Hudson- I play piano Jonathan Childs- I play bass Eric IVM: To the average music fan, how would you describe your sound? Wes: I would describe our sound as alternative indie rock. We try to make music that is layered instrumentally and melodically. We do our best to make music we think is beautiful. Andy: Our music has a relaxed, melodic feel to it that is carried by underlying driving beats, which creates a cool feeling.… Continued →

Artist: Kiss the Gunner Album: Why Are We So Dead? Label: Harvest Earth Records Release Date: January 23, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Two Beats away from a Heart Attack 2. Drag the Waters 3. That’s Some Good Yellin’ 4. Instrumental 5. Southern Comfort Ain’t No Comfort 6. Turkey Hotshot 7. As the City Falls around Us 8. Suffer the Children 9. Outro “Kiss the Gunner” is derived from an old pirate phrase “kiss the gunner’s daughter.” To the five gentlemen who comprise this band, its name is all about loving those the world considers unlovable, as said in an interview with Buzzgrinder.… Continued →

Artist: The Stiletto Formal Album: This Is My Boomstick (EP) Label: None (released independently) Release Date: April 11, 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. The Fall of Ambrose Bierce 2. Tastes Like Black Licorice 3. I Sing the Body Electric 4.Cirrhosis of the Cinema A friend of mine once went to see Coheed & Cambria live. This tour consisted of Coheed, The Blood Brothers, and mewithoutYou, and everyday I grow a little more jealous that she made it to this show and I did not.… Continued →

Artist: The Canvas Waiting Album: In Search of Beginnings… (Special Edition) Label: Scotoma Artist Co-op Release Date: January 30, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist 1. Carousel Ride 2. These Familiar Arms 3. Opener 4. In Search of Beginnings 5. Scout 6. Exit 1028 7. Sincerely Yours 8. Weight of the World 9. Ruby 10. I Hope the West Treats You Well 11. Are You Listening? 12. Carousel Ride (music video) In Search of Beginnings… was originally released independently on February 13, 2006. The release consisted of seven tracks, but after they hooked up with the Scotoma Artist Co-op (an excellent idea that more bands should follow, by the way) they have decided to issue a re-release that is currently #79 on Smartpunk’s list of the “Top 100 CDs for the Past 3 Weeks” (although on March 2 they posted a blog stating it was at #37).… Continued →

Artist: Olivia (the band) Album: Back to Friends Where Summer Never Ends Label: None (released independently) Release Date: October 3, 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson Hawaii: home to pineapple, coconut, hula skirts, and terribly tacky souvenirs for tourists from the continental US. Or so we thought. In actuality, Hawaii is home to a band called Olivia. After a brief dance with Essential Records in 2005, Olivia have been surviving on their own, and on October 3, 2006, this underdog Christian pop-punk band released an EP that may start garnering a few more label options, if they desire to go that route again.… Continued →

Artist: Shards of Heartshell Album: I Looked at the Clock Label: None (released independently) Release Date: February 9, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. To Communicate 2. My Imperfections 3. The Sun Shines 4. (intro) 5. Rest Your Mind 6. On the Way to Town 7. It Hurts So Much 8. When 9. I Looked at the Clock 10. Gaze at Grace I recently went to see The Early November here in Reading, Pennsylvania at a venue called The Silo. At the show I was introduced to a friend of a friend whom I had already seen plenty of times around town.… Continued →

Artist: The Showdown Album: Temptation Come My Way Label: Mono Vs. Stereo Records Release Date: February 20, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson All I knew were the two song I had downloaded from PureVolume, and that I wanted to be up front for Showbread right after them, so I pushed my way to the first row of the HM Stage at Purple Door 2005 with no clue what I was about to experience. This guy with long blonde hair comes out with ripped jeans, a flannel shirt, and his own band’s t-shirt underneath (customized by ripping off the sleeves).… Continued →

Artist: Jason Gray Album: All the Lovely Losers Label: Centricity Records Release Date: March 6, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Being a World Vision artist, one has a pretty good idea of what Jason Gray is all about. He has worked with them especially in the area of AIDS orphans as he has traveled to Africa to directly show the love of Christ to the poor. Gray makes a point to speak of his human imperfections and the power God has to work through our weaknesses.… Continued →

Artist: Why They Came Album: Led by the Unqualified to Do the Unnecessary Label: Bad Apple Records Release Date: January 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Coming from Owensboro, Kentucky, home of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, one may form certain preconceptions about Why They Came. This preconceptions are, fortunately, misconceptions. AnDrew Mikel leads this band on guitars and vocals, while Andrew S. Barnett plays drums and sings backing vocals, and together they make Why They Came, who have just released Led by the Unqualified to Do the Unnecessary, their debut through Bad Apple Records.… Continued →

Artist: Avery Pkwy Album: You Have the Roadmap Label: None (released independently) Release Date: 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson In 2003, Brandon Jones expanded his webstore of three years into a small record company by the name of Indie Vision Music. Over the next year, Indie Vision Music released a number of stellar albums, most notably from artists like Pennylane and Dismissed. Eventually, Jones decided the label thing wasn’t working out for him, but he decided to keep the Indie Vision Music website and turned it into a webzine, which he now continues to run as a hobby.… Continued →

Artist: Psalters Album: The Devine Liturgy of the Wretched Exiles Label: None (Independently released) Release Date: 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1.Trisagion 2.Psalm 6 3. Rich Man and Afghanistan (Rich Man and Lazarus) 4. Gloria 5-6. Solemn Collects/ Amal 7. Creed 8. Sword 9. Dig It Up 10. Hosanna 11. Mysterium Fidei 12. Momamic (Man on the Moon and Man in the Cup) 13. Red 14. Ol’ Glory 15. Lord’s Prayer 16. Scarf Dance 17. Agnus Dei 18. Badlands 19. Dumpster Divers 20. All Who Are Weary 21.… Continued →

Artist: Copeland Album: Eat, Sleep, Repeat Label: The Militia Group Release Date: Oct. 31, 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson With a splashing 2003 debut, Beneath Medicine Tree, the Florida-based four-piece Copeland instantly rose to success (or at least what can be considered success for an indie rock band). Fans were drawn to their heartfelt and honest lyrics, sitting comfortably on top of mountains of relaxing yet passionate piano or guitar. Then in 2005, Copeland released In Motion, which only drew in more fans with better production and a more polished sound.… Continued →

Artist: Destroy Nate Allen Album: Awake O’ Sleeper Label: Quiver Society Release Date: 07 October 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson Upon seeing the name Nate Allen, I assumed this project would be one man with his acoustic guitar, which has been done a million times over, but I was still somewhat excited to see what Nate had to offer. As I opened the CD, I saw a picture of a guy in his twenties with a thick beard and thick black-rimmed glasses, sitting down at a piano.… Continued →

Artist: He Is Legend Album: Suck Out the Poison Label: Solid State Records Release Date: October 3, 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson After a successful EP on Tribunal Records, Solid State Records felt compelled to respond to the buzz around He Is Legend. Their fall 2004 debut, I Am Hollywood, was a great stretch for the band, giving them what vocalist Schuylar Croom called a very “sassy” sound. Their musical originality and diversity, as well as their incredible ability to balance out spurts of brutal energy with melody and catchy choruses, drew fans of metal, alternative, rock, emo, punk, and hardcore.… Continued →

Artist: Derek Webb Album: Mockingbird Label: Integrity Media Release Date: Dec. 27, 2005, then released for free online on Sept. 1, 2006. Review by: Eric Pettersson After almost ten years leading Caedmon’s Call, Derek Webb went solo in 2003. After releasing three albums, he decided about a month ago to offer his most recent work, Mockingbird, completely for free through www.freederekwebb.com. In the about section of this website, Derek explained that music can play a very important role in getting people to think, and that he, much like Keith Green, has decided that he cares enough about getting these conversations going that he is giving away his music.… Continued →

Artist: mewithoutYou Album: Brother, Sister Label: Tooth & Nail Records Release Date: 26 September 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson When mewithoutYou left the local Philadelphia scene and joined the Tooth & Nail roster in 2002 to release [A–>B] Life, there were incredibly mixed reviews. Those quite comfortable with the status quo of punk and indie rock thought they were too weird and found Aaron Weiss’s unique shouting approach to vocals to be a huge turn-off. Others instantly attached themselves to mewithoutYou because they could relate to Aaron’s deeply poetic, honest, and emotional lyrics, and because their music offered something new to an otherwise repetitive scene.… Continued →

Concert Review Artists: Copeland, The Hush Sound, Daphne Loves Derby, Safari So Good Venue: The Champion Ship, Lemoyne, PA Date: 30 September 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson Disclaimer: My personal enjoyment of this show was increased exponentially by the fact that it was a date with my girlfriend, but I will try to write from an honest clear perspective without letting that taint this review. After much driving back and forth on Market Street, we eventually followed some emo sticker covered cars down a driveway leading behind an office building to find The Champion Ship.… Continued →

IVM Eric: well, to start off, give your name and what you do in The Tide. Aaron: Aaron Newberry, I play guitar and BGV’s IVM Eric: How long have you been a part of the band? Aaron: I joined officially in June, and I relocated to Michigan and started playing with the band in early July. So, about 3 months now. IVM Eric: How long had The Tide been around before that? Aaron: A little over 2 years IVM Eric: Has your recent addition then brought any noticable changes to the band’s sound?… Continued →

Artist: Lakes Album: Photographs EP Label: The Militia Group Release Date: September 5th, 2006 Review by: Eric Seth Roberts was the mastermind behind Watashi Wa. He had some label conflict with Tooth & Nail when he tried to change his band to Eager Seas and with it change his sound, but after all was said and done, the album was released, and Seth was released from his contract. Looking to start things over again, he changed his band’s name to Lakes, and joined forces with The Militia Group, who seem to be the ideal label home for bands like this.… Continued →

Artist: ActionReaction Album: 3 Is the Magic Number Label: Hope Division/ Equal Vision Records Review by: Eric When singer Jason Gleason suddenly left Further Seems Forever a few years ago, fans were crushed, and I know that I thought I would never hear his voice again outside of the How to Start a Fire album. Then, about a year ago, I caught word of a new band, ActionReaction, which featured Jason Gleason on vocals. I was ecstatic as I clicked the link to listen to the first download, “Bang, Bang.”… Continued →

IVM Eric: State your name and what you do in the band. Ryan: Ryan, and I sing for Rookie of the Year IVM Eric: How long have you been in Rookie of the Year? Ryan: 3 years. IVM Eric: Your record The Goodnight Moon came out in April of this year. For those who aren’t familiar with you, tell us about it and what someone should expect if they decided to go buy it. Ryan: Well everybody says we’re a mix between Copeland and The Juliana Theory… The record has alot of ambient songs to more powerful songs..… Continued →

Artist: Spacepilot Album: Grab Your Coats Label: None (released independently) Review by: Eric Forgotten Arrival was one of the bands on the old Indie Vision Music label, and when they broke up after the label ended, Andrew Coughlan and Randy Felten decided to continue making music together, but it was going to be different this time. While Forgotten Arrival was had more of basic alternative/ emo rock feel, their new effort, Spacepilot explores the experimental side of indie rock, but without getting so experimental that they would turn off listeners.… Continued →

Artist: Various Artists Album: Friends with Microphones Label: One Truth Clothing Review by: Eric Pettersson Disc One 1. Paul Wright – From Sunrise to Sunset 2. Delirious? – Not Forgotten 3. Charlie Wall – Micah 6:8 4. Watashi Wa – 2:57 5. East and Waiting – Head on Home 6. Blindside – This Time 7. Anberlin – Paperthin Hymn 8. Dizmas – Saturday 9. mewithoutYou – Torches Together 10. Death Is Not Welcome Here – Beauty and the Beast 11. Seventh Day Slumber – I Know 12.… Continued →

After seeing this fine acoustic band twice, and reviewing their CD, I sent them some questions and they were cool enough to answer all of them for us. And while somehow I missed that they had actually answered them, I finally found it today, so enjoy and more importantly go to their myspace and enjoy their music. Who are you, and what do you do in the band? Rob Kelly. Self proclaimed “breaker-of-strings”. I also play guitar and sing. Who else is in your band, and what do they do?… Continued →

I recently had the great opportunity to see Vienna live at a local coffee shop and afterwords messaged them on MySpace about doing an interview for us, and guitar player/singer John Cotter agreed to talk with me for a while about music, faith, and Britney Spears. IVM Eric: Okay… well first off, thanks for doing this with us. How long have you and Matt been together as Vienna? John: About 3 years, maybe 4. IVM Eric: What made you decide you wanted to be in a band together?… Continued →

Purple Door 2006 Festival Review 10:41, Sunday night. This is the first I have been home since Friday morning. The reason? I was at a music fest in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania known at Purple Door. Well, today I just went straight to church and then some other stuff, but still… I have been to Purple Door. I have seen new bands, I have seen stages torn down, and I have met Joel and Cory. And while I have told a number of you that this review would be short and to the point, as I sit here now to write, I realize that that was a horrible idea, and less people may read this for it’s being so long, but those who do read it will enjoy it more as I give you more details.… Continued →