Arcane Ghosts - Traveller

1. Pay My Dues

2. Alive

3. Flower City

4. Ghost

5. Black Forest

Arcane Ghosts have released their debut album titled "Traveller". They have made an album that shows the band in a faster pop-punk kind of way. These guys have a similar sound to that of Calling All Captains, Citizen or even a Basement. If you like those bands, you could like these guys. They have done an not too bad job here.

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty average level. When listening to some of the songs, things seem a little rough and unpolished. The vocal recording could be a little crisper and louder on here, it just sounds a little to far back in the mix. The instrumentation on this album isn't too bad. These guys can play, and they play pretty fast. There isn't really one thing that stands out in this department, just pretty alright playing for a young band on their first album.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are not bad. You can certainly hear what the singer is singing, and what he is talking about. The thing is, the vocals could be louder at spots, and could be a little crisper. We certainly don't think he's a bad singer, just a little too fast and could be clearer in spots. With a little work, this could be pretty solid, not bad though. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about shutting out the negativity, relationships, finding yourself, and more. These songs seem to have the type of subjects younger people who more commonly listen to this, are going to connect with. These song target their audience, and will bring people to this band. We think they have done a good job on the lyrics.

If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Pay My Dues" your attention, as it's the single to this album, and gives you a good idea of what the band and album is about.

Arcane Ghosts have made an album that really shows off what the band is about, and gives people their first taste of this band. It also gives the band something to play shows with, and get the band rolling. Now this doesn't quite have a defined sound or direction, but hopefully on the next album, they will give a more definitive rock, pop-punk or indie sound. Some songs sounded like one of those three genres. We look forward to seeing what they do next. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it.

Genre: Pop-Punk/Punk/Rock

Release Date: February 22nd, 2017

Location: Brampton, Ontario

Label: None

Atlantic Division - Home Opener

1. Ten Thousand Feet

2. Lighthouse

3. Now You Know

4. Save Your Heart

5. Broker Fields

Atlantic Division have released their debut album titled "Home Opener". This album shows the band in a very pop punk way. This has a really young, underdeveloped pop punk sound, but it will get there. These guys have a similar sound to that of a July or a Bearings, so if you like those bands, you could like this one. 

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has a pretty decent quality to it. The vocals on this album could use a little work in the recording quality. They have a bit of a rough sound to them. This is alright for the first album from a band though. The instrumentation on this album is pretty average. There is nothing in this department that's really going to wow you. They can certainly play, but it is certainly not turning heads, it's just good old regular playing.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are not the greatest. Their vocalist has a very generic voice and way of singing. This does hurt the band and any way of being unique, but he can sing and you can hear the lyrics. This is a positive so you can understand what the songs are about. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs all about relationships. This is something that seems to be pretty popular with pop punk bands. Having said that, their target audience will certainly be looking for songs with this topic. It does also help that this is pretty generic in songs, so they can hit a wide amount of people with them. Not bad all in all

If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the idea of the album.

Atlantic Division have made an album that shows off what the band is all about, and introduces people to their sound. This also gives them something to play shows off of, and have people know the songs. We feel like this band has a bit of a ways to go, but you have to start somewhere to go further. We look forward in seeing what the band comes up with next. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Pop-Punk/Punk/Rock

Release Date: August 23rd, 2015

Location: Hamilton, Ontario

Label: None

Courage My Love - Spirit Animal

1. Breathing Room

2. Interlude

3. I Don't Even Wanna Know

4. Do As You're Told

Courage My Love have released their album "Spirit Animal." This album was a limited edition album available only for Warped Tour. This album has the feel of their previous EP, and continues with that signature Courage My Love sound the band has established. The band has a sound that isn't very similar to others, having that female pop punk sound with breakdowns and heavy parts. This is what sets them aside from other bands. They have done a really good job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a very respectable level. They have done a solid job to bring out an album that is mostly just for the fans. The instrumentation here, isn't bad either, these guys can play. Nothing too major will turn your head, but they play good solid music. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on here are very crisp and clear. Mercedes can certainly sing, and she with great pitch, and passion. All in, all, they do a great job on the  vocals. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about needing time away from certain people, being in a relationship where you only want to find the worst in them and expose it, being curious if someone still thinks of you and more. This album feels more like an album of a relationship going sour. We have all been there and felt this, but not sure if we have in the same way the vocalist has. This is an album people can relate to though, and that helps.

If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Do As You're Told" your attention, as this is the stand out track, and really has the CML sound. Courage My Love have made an album that follows their sound and style, while updating it to a more refined version of that. This gives us an idea of what way the band is leading to in the future and something to look forward to. We thing the band has done a really good job here, except interlude, but those are never really proper songs anyways. Good job. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Pop-Punk/Rock/Pop

Release Date: 2014

Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Website: http://www.ilovecouragemylove.com/
Label: Homeskool Prom Records

Jersey - Definition

1. Right To Know

2. All Rise

3. Halfway There

4. Institution

5. Down Time

Jersey have released their fourth album titled "Definition". This is their second label release. They have followed a similar style and sound from their previous albums. These guys have a fast, but melodic punk sound that stays true to the traditional punk rock. If you are into bands like Bad Religion or Mellincolin, you will probably like this album. They have done a pretty good job here.

Looking at the recording quality of this album, the band has recorded this album to a pretty solid sounding album. it has a nice clear, listenable quality to it without taking away from the real punk sound they are going for. You can tell this is from a label. The instrumentation on the album isn't too bad either. These guys go for good old regular playing. Nothing here is too over the top, and sticks to not flashing things at you. The band can certainly, play, and they show you here. Just don't look for crazy solos or the like. Not bad.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals here are nothing crazy, but you can certainly hear his nice clear voice. He does have a bit of a rasp to it, but that doesn't hinder it at all, in fact it makes them sound more authentic. There are time where the band has chants, and that is a thing punk bands do in the vocal category as well. We think they have done well here. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs that are political, so as war and it's effects, rights, seeing things to the conclusion and more. These are not the typical lyrics you expect from bands, but it does hit the core audience they want, and hits politically charged teens wanting to make a difference. We feel there are enough people who will want to listen to this, and connect with the lyrics.

If you are looking for a s ingle to this album, listen to the song "Halfway There" as it is the song they chose to release a video for, and shows off the album the best. 

Jersey have made an album that should be able to hit more people who feel the same as they do, while giving the band more music to hit fans with. We think they have done a pretty good job with this album, and is probably the best one yet. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Punk/Pop-Punk/Rock
Release Date: May 8th, 2001
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Label: Fueled By Ramen

In Lights - Non-Album Tracks

1. Ending With You And Me

2. Consider The Following

3. On The 579

This is a collection of all the songs from In Lights that were not released on an album. They have three songs in total that didn't make it to an album and here they are. Two of these are B-side demos and one is just a random extra song that was released. They have a similar sound to that of bands like The Dangerous Summer, This Providence and even a Mayday Parade, so if you are into bands like that, you could like these songs. 

When looking at the recording quality of these songs, they do not really feel like demo songs, so it seems these songs just didn't make their album, or were for the next one before they broke up. These songs sound really good. The instrumentation isn't anything too crazy, but they do have some solid parts on the songs. When listening, you can tell there is some chugging and finger tapping, which doesn't take the most skill to do, but thats okay. Overall it's not a bad job, and they can certainly play.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on these three songs are actually really good. He can certainly sing, and they are melodic for sure. His voice is quite clear, and you can hear everything he is saying, so you hear the words and get the meaning of the songs. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about relationships and wanting someone who doesn't feel the same, putting a year of memories away and forgetting them, and finding the r ight girl. These three are very relationship based, which isn't a bad thing because their target audience is all about this topic as well. Their fans can relate to this and it seems to work.

These three songs show that the band was on the same path, with the same sound and style as their heyday. These are just three more songs the band can add to their repertoire and they sound good. Listen to these songs to decide for yourself if you like them. They have called it quits (R.I.P.) 

Genre: Pop Punk/Powerpop/Rock

Release Date:

Location: Pickering, Ontario

Label: None

July - MMXII

1. Intro

2. What We Signed Up For

3. West Coast Pimpin'

4. Right Here For You

5. Secret Is A Sleazy Word

6. Eight Nine Eight

7. Second Best

8. Collapse

July have released their debut full length album titled "MMXII". This album is a very pop driven, fast paced punk album. These guys have a more traditional pop punk sound, as opposed to the new sound. They have a similar sound to that of All Time Low, Mayday Parade or even a Hit The Lights, so if you are into any of those bands, you could really like this band. They have done a great job on this album. 

This album has many of the songs from the previous album, just redone/re-recorded to sound better, so you may recognize many of the songs. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty solid standard. Being that their drummer Sam Guaiana recorded the album, and is known for working with bands like Silverstein, Like Pacific, and We Were Sharks, you know this has been done well. This album is quite clear and has a really nice sound to it. The instrumentation on this album is pretty average all in all. There isn't really anything here that will get you to turn your head, but they can play, and they do it quite well actually. 

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are nice nd soft, while still being loud and clear enough to be heard. Their vocalist can really sing, and gives the album a poppy feel. You can hear just what he is singing about, and really get the messages from each song. With the lyrics, the band sings about things like girls, relationships, weather they go bad or well, and more. These will really speak to more of a female crowd, but that doesn't mean guys can't like it. This really a relationship record, but it's done well. Good job.

If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "What We signed Up For" a listen, as it is the best song on the album, and further shows you the sound and style the band is going for. 

July have made a second album that really brings out more songs, and a bigger scale of what the band is trying to do with their sound. They have more for a better setlist live, and expanding the band. We really like this album and we think you guys should give it a listen. Listen and decide for yourself what you think about it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Pop-Punk/Punk/Rock
Release Date: July 17th, 2012
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Website: http://www.wearejuly.com
Label: None

Fairview - Lost In Translation

1. Lost In Translation
2. Walking In Circles
3. Just A Little Bit

 

Fairview's debut EP is one that definitely showcases the lighter side of pop - punk. With soft spoken vocals and  beautiful melodies, this band shows that they could be something in the future. Just good overall songs and a sound you will like, is what this band is all about. Listen to it, you won't be disappointed. They have since called it quits. (R.I.P.)

Genre: Pop - Punk/Pop/Rock
Release Date : Oct 10th, 2011
Location: Brockville, Ontario
Label: None

We Are Bravest - Eventually

1. Learn To Tell (Atlantic) Time
2. In Love With A Lisbon Girl
3. Playing Favourites
4. The Way It Stays
5. Straight On 'Til Morning
6. Digitize! Energize!
7. The Last Summer (You & Me)
8. Real Talk
9. Maybe The Best Of Things
10. Still Counting Stars
11. Eventually (We All Grow)

 

We Are Bravest's debut full length album is amazing. These guys know exactly how to put out a good record with slower songs also being included in a genre that doesn't usually go for them.  If these guys were a band from the United States, they would have already been signed, that's how good and impressed I am with this release. If you want an album you can listen to over and over again, here it is. They have since broken up (R.I.P.)

Genre: Pop - Punk/Pop/Rock
Release Date: Nov 21st, 2009
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Website: http://www.wearebravest.com/
Label: None

Fire Away - The Greatest Hits EP

1. The Coast

2. Home Is What You Make It

3. Keep Calm, Carry On

Fire Away's first album, The Greatest Hits EP shows a band that has all the pieces there, but just needs aa little bit better recording. This has the making to be three great songs, but they are just missing something. This album has a great sound that any pop - punk kid will like and support. If they were re-worked just a little as well, it could make a good difference for these songs too. All in all, great start for a band. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Pop - Punk/Rock
Release Date: April 8th, 2010
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Label: None

One Way Out - Salvage What's Left

1. Leave It All Behind

2. Anywhere But Here

3. Maybe There Is

One Way Out have come out with theirs second release entitled "Salvage What's Left". This album has a real amateur pop punk sound to it. The band has a sound that of someone like Faber Drive, Reliant K or a Simple Plan. If you like those bands, you could like these guys. They have done a pretty good job here.

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the band has recorded this album to a certainly needs more work recording here. At times it feels really rough, but on other spots the vocals and guitars sound pretty decent. There is work to be done, and the whole album could be clear and crisper, but it works as a first go around. The instrumentation on this album isn't too bad. You can tell that the band can certainly play, but it is nothing that's going to blow you away. These guys just play good old regular music. There isn't really much more than that.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, with the vocals, the singer has a really nice melodic voice that you can hear quite clearly, although the recording isn't quite crisp enough. You can hear all the words, and that helps you be able to tell just what they are singing about, to get the meaning of the songs. There is a bit of a younger sound to the vocals, but that's okay, it doesn't detract from the album. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about struggle and trying to get away and make a new life. These things are talked about a lot in music, this genre especially. The lyrics will definitely hit the audience they are targeting, as this is a common thing with listener of this genre. Not too bad all in all.  

If you are looking for a s ingle to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song, or listen to the whole thing as it is only three songs. This will give you an idea of the band. 

One Way Out have made an EP that adds to their discography, and gives them more to pull from and play in their set at shows. These guys are on a decent path to keep rising and grabbing fans. We can't wait to hear what's next. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Pop-Punk/Punk/Rock

Release Date: 2005

Location: Owen Sound, Ontario

Label: None