band review: beyond conception

To survive in the music industry as an independent band is close to impossible, but somehow Beyond Connection is making it happen. They've dabbled in The Knitting Factory, The Coach House and Chain Reaction, while opening for names like Hellogoodbye, NOFX and Marcy's Playground. You might have heard a few of their songs on MTV and Nickelodeon.

With six years of being a band under their belt, they've managed to form a group that resembles Maroon 5, but one that isn't afraid of doing their own thing. Their lead singer (Justin Abrams) rocks out while playing the piano, with three other members. They sing of how this world will "make you into a man" and question deeper things like if there's "life after life."

There's a vulnerability to Beyond Conception's lyrics that make you want to listen to the ideals and how they wrestle with their own lives through their songs. Their latest album and the third for the band, "Stix & Stones" was released in September and has more of a rock and roll twang to it than their previous ones. "The Shoe Shiner" is the best song on the album with Abram's energy and passion with the rest of his posse's instruments blaring away like a modern jazz melody. He's not afraid to let his voice let loose and hits plenty of notes to impress almost anyone on the three albums. Sometimes his voice seems a bit strained, like on the song "Come Between Us," but the piano and drums make up for it and is refreshing to hear for a pop/rock/jazz band.

Beyond Conception is currently touring throughout California, but have jammed in China and have been in the studio with notable figures in the music industry, like Jack Douglas. Jim Wirt, producer to Fiona Apple, Incubus, and Jack's Mannequin calls them "...beautiful, raw, and elegant..." while Dean Deleo from Stone Temple Pilots says, "the music draws you in with it's melodies.

Although the music of Beyond Conception is self-produced and doesn't sound as professional at times, Beyond Conception could be one of the best independent bands out there. There are definitely hints that they're still trying to make it big, like they're PayPal donation button on their MySpace page or how you can find them doing self-promotion in So Cal, but in a lot of ways they're gaining more attention than signed artists. Their passion is unique and something hard to find, even in Hollywood.

For more info and tour dates, visit www.beyondconception.com.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

CD Review: Snow Patrol, "Up to Now"

Whether you love Snow Patrol, or have never heard of them before, they're debuting their first compilation album, "Up to Now" of their favorite hits from two of their past records. Although it's not their greatest hits, it's the ones that make them unique and prove their talent and mark in the music industry. The album includes thirty songs, with three brand-spanking new ones.

With tones that are romantic and sad, and somewhat hopeful at times, Snow Patrol comes with their own sound, singings of broken hearts and childhood memories. Their single, "Set the Fire to the Third Bar" is currently on the trailer for Dear John and taking the movie industry by storm with their music also appearing in Spider Man 3 and Grey's Anatomy.

"Up To Now" features a few singles that made the band famous, including "Chasing Cars" and "Chocolate." "Chocolate" was Grammy-nominated and one of the most hopeful and upbeat songs of the band, with unique and unusual lyrics about having a name he'd never choose and holding a lie underneath the roof of his mouth. The song sounds beautiful, but turns tragic as you realized he's lovesick for someone he's hurt.

"Just Say Yes" is an unusual track, with a different sound than the rest of the album. Again, it's romantic, but sounds like it could be played in a club and is a bit bland. It's with less instruments and more synthesizers, maybe showing the band isn't afraid to step outside of their own box and get creative, but instead it backfires.

A surprising feature of the compilation are the band's covers, including Beyonce's "Crazy in Love." They succeed in making it sound like the original, but in their own sound and style.

"Up to Now" is perfect for those looking to make a mix-tape to a lover, ex-lover, future lover, or friend. Snow Patrol allows itself to use many different instruments in most of their songs, but still seem to withhold outstretching their arms lyrically by keeping the songs restricted to romance as a melodramatic group of Irishmen.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

CD Review: Joshua Radin, Simple Times

If there's one thing Joshua Radin does best, it's to make any situation romantic with his music. For a man who seems to have gotten his heart broken more than once, twice, or five times, he is still able to make anyone with a hard heart want to fall in love again.

With his latest CD, Simple Times, a few of his songs are more upbeat and joyous than albums of past. "I'd Rather Be With You" is a reminder of faithfulness and growing old with someone. It's short and sweet, something you'd imagine Radin playing on his porch with a few neighbors around, but it brings the listener back to the roots of a love song with it's simple chords and few instruments.

"You've Got Growing Up To Do" is a duet with Patty Griffin, their two voices sounding like a train chooing on the tracks. It's a song about a wedding, but the lyrics take a twist once they both say they're leaving each other. The words are poetic and refreshing, but have a melancholy tone that runs through the song and speaks of a love that suffers long.

Although Radin is most notable for his song, "Today," on his last album, We Were Here, Radin proves he can break out of his own box with this album. He has quirkier songs like "Vegetable Car" about a girl who wears Lisa Loeb glasses who he wants to ride around all day with. The song is upbeat and something you can snap your fingers to, but doesn't stray from the title of the album.

The only thing Radin seems to keep repeating is his love of singing love songs. He doesn't stray from his mushy lyrics, even if they are original and poetic. Although they may get old, most people can listen to them and relate, feeling as if he can put it more simply than they could. It's an album you can listen to when you're feeling in a certain mood, but either way you'll walk away feeling either better or worse about your love life than when you first put the songs on. Maybe some day Radin will expand his topic of discussion, but for now he's staying true to what he knows.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Band on the Rise: Paper Tongues

Lead Singer of Paper Tongues, Aswan North, might have called it destiny when he ran into Randy Jackson at a restaurant in Los Angeles. North invited Jackson to hear their music and Jackson got a "vibe" from North so he took a chance and looked them up. He immediately signed the band to A&M/Octone Records and has since been promoting them. 

Jackson says he was looking for something different and unique, and Paper Tongues had no hesitation to make it big, believing they "are going to change history." They sound like a mix between U2 and Rage Against the Machine, but have powerful lyrics with strong political messages and songs titled, "For the People" and "Rich and Poor."

Hailing from North Carolina and playing since 2007, Paper Tongues is made up of seven guys, all currently on tour with Switchfoot on The Hello Hurricane Tour. Although it's only been a year since they were signed, they're already hitting the radio with their latest single, "Ride to California" and getting their album ready to debut this summer. 

Paper Tongue's music is positive and refreshing, but has a force that declares their music is here to stay in the music world. On the band's website North says, "I wouldn't want to start a revolution. I believe things only change from the inside out. I don't feel that we can change much unless we join hands with people who have already been bleeding." 

The say their purpose as a band is to bring healing to people, to bad politics, and to a society that needs change. For a country seeking change, Paper Tongues is the perfect dose of music to revive the arts in a way where music and action can merge. 

For more information, visit www.papertongues.com

Katie Cervantes 

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com