Alanna Gurr & The Greatest State - Late At Night

1. Swimmer

2. By My Side

3. Hell Or High Water

4. It's Been A Long Time

5. Golden Coast

6. Weight Of Love

7. Trouble

8. Thunder Rolls

Alanna Gurr has released her third album titled "Late At Night". This is the first album she has done with a full band supporting her. You can immediately tell that this album has a bigger sound than that of her previous two efforts.  She has a similar sound to that of Matthew Barber or CF Watkins. If you like these artists, you could like this album. They have done a good job on this album.

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty decent standard. This is probably her best quality album, it terms of recording so far. Now the vocals could be a little louder, but thats her style, soft spoken vocals. The instrumentation on this album is pretty basic. Her band can play, but it is nothing thats going to make you notice. They are pretty much just there to keep a beat, but it works in her minimalistic music.

Not onto the vocals and lyrics, with the vocals Alanna goes for a softer, melodic, pleasing vocal style that she has used now throughout her past two albums. She has a nice vocal style that works with the type of music she is making. Listening to the album, you can certainly tell that she can sing, and its pretty clear, so you can hear the words and get the meanings of the songs. We do however wish that her voice was a little louder, but thats the charm of her. With the lyrics, Alanna sings songs about relationships and being there for each other, wondering what people think, love, interactions with your person and more. We feel like these are a little more on the older peoples relationships, as opposed to youth. These do also seem to be coming from the perspective of the singer, and feel like her audience would be people in similar age to her. She has done a really good job on this music.

If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, but we think you should give "Hell Or High Water" your attention as it is the song we like the best and feel it really shows what the whole album is about.

Alanna Gurr has continued on with her style and sound on this album. We do really like how it's more than just a single person now so it feels fuller. Although her genre doesn't get tons of attention, we feel like she is going a good job and bringing people to her. This is a nice album, and we are glad to see the progression here. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it.

Genre: Folk/Indie/Country

Release Date: April 22nd, 2014
Location: Guelph, Ontario

Website: https://www.alannagurr.com/
Label: None

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

Skylines - Oneirology

 

1. Oneirology

2. Dreamscapes

3. Serotonin

4. Histamine

5. Acetylcholine

6. DMT

Skylines have released their debut album titled "Oneirology". This album shows the band in a very heavy way. The band seems to be going for a mix of metalcore and deathcore. Theses guys have a similar sound of that like an ERRA or a Periphery, so if you like those bands, you could like this one. They have sone an okay job here.

When looking at the recording quality of the album here, the album has been recorded to an alright level. The album could have been recorded a little crisper and louder, but for a first album, it's not bad. With the instrumentation, the band certainly shows that they can play, and play pretty well. We feel like the band is highlighted by the guitars and how they play. Their skills are highlighted in the song "Histamine" which is a instrumental song. Nice job here overall.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are a bit of a low point for this album. The screams are better than the sung parts, but the screams sound pretty forced in parts. Listening to the screams, they sound not bad, but you can tell there needs to be some work with them. Now the sung parts are mostly not great. You can here that they are put in to give some contrast, but also that it's mostly just getting someone who is in the band to do the best they can. It isn't bad, but full screams would of worked way better for now. Props on the attempt and for trying though. Now with the lyrics, the band goes for songs about trying to find meaning in life, and what the thing is you are supposed to do with life. These are subjects that every person is dealt with at some point in their life. This is something that can get a wider audience, and really hits with people that will become fans of this band. good job on these lyrics.

If you are looking for a single to this album, listen to the song "Serotonin" as it is the song they made a lyric video, and it shows off the band in the best light. This song would be considered the single. 

Skylines have made an album that shows off the type of sound and style the band is going for, and gives them a base to work off of, as well as something to start playing shows. We like where the band is headed, and this is a good base. We hope that the band makes some tweeks, works on some things and comes back better. Whatever is next with this band, we look forward to hearing it. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it.

Genre: Progressive Metal/Metal/Metalcore

Release Date: July 1st, 2016

Location: London, Ontario

Label: None

Eaten By Sharks - We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat

 

1. End Your Existence, Now!

2. Deep Inside The Beast

3. Shark Tank

4. Voted Off The Island

5. We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat

Eaten By Sharks have released their debut album entitled "We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat". This album shows the band in a very technical way. These guys are very heavy and chaotic in their sound. They have a similar sound to that of a Beneath The Massacre, or The Contortionist, so if you like those bands, you could really like this band. The band has done an alright job here.

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to just an okay level. The music sounds like it could be off the floor in some parts, and the vocals have a grungy and gritty sound to them. They could use a clearer, cleaned up recording in general to this album, and it could work to up this album. The instrumentation on this album is what really stands out though. This band can certainly play, and for a tech band, this is essential because this is what fans are looking for. These guys have done a really good job on this part of the album and this is the main piece to this album.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are not too bad. You can hear the growls and screams have a nice solid sound to them. There is a little bit of work to be done, but it certainly works for the sound and style they are going for, plus he can do metal vocals. With the lyrics, the band likes to go for a lot of nautical themes in their lyrics. They have themes of gore, monsters, and being frustrated with the world. These are some typical themes bands in this genre talk about. Fans that like gruesome lyrics will like tis band, and they have done a really good job with the stories on their songs. Feel like people will like this.

If you are looking for a single to this album, give the title track "We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat" your attention as it is the best song on the alum, and give you the best overall idea of what the rest of the album sounds like. 

Eaten By Sharks have made an album that shows off what the band is all about and gives them something to start from. This also gives them something to play shows with. We like what they have done so far, and are excited to see what they come up with next. Listen to this album, and decide for yourself what you think about it.

Genre: Tech Metal/Death Metal/Metal

Release Date: May 15th, 2013

Location: St. Catherines, Ontario

Label: We Make Records

Among Legends - Some Days

 

1. February 1st

2. Sit Back And Wait

3. My Heart's At Home

Among Legends have released their third album entitled "Some Days". This album has a bit of the same sound and style from their previous two albums. They have an Alkaline Trio or a Gaslight Anthem style to them, so if you like those bands, you could like this album. They have done an okay job here.

When looking at the recording quality of this album, it sounds like the music has been recorded pretty well. On the other hand, the vocals sound not quite as clear as the music. It is a bit harder to listen to when the two different qualities are fighting each other in the same song. The instrumentation on this album is pretty average as well. They aren't going to wow you with anything, but they can play at a moderate level, or go fast and sloppy if need be.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are not the greatest. His raspy, almost scottish sounding voice just doesn't go with the type of music the band is making. He can sing, but his vocals voice and the way he sings, just ain't it. With the lyrics, these songs seem to have confusing topics to them. Pushing and fighting to be a straight edge kid. Going to school. The lyrics sound like they were forced and the singer couldn't get through writers block. all in all, not great. 

If you are looking for a song to listen to on this album, I wouldn't really suggest one. We do however give credit for the effort and trying, but we didn't like any of them.

Among Legends have made an album that followed along with what they were previously doing on their first two EPs . This gives them a couple extra songs to slide into their set when playing. Listen to these songs for yourself to get your own opinion about them. 

Genre: Pop Punk/Punk/Rock

Release Date: December 7th, 2017

Location: Waterloo, Ontario
Website: http://www.amonglegends.com

Label: None

The Johnstones - Word Is Bond

 

1. No Time For The Moment

2. L.A.D.I.E.S.

3. I Know What My Name Is

4. Livin' In The Gutter

5. Sunny Days

6. What Are You Lookin' At?

7. She Said It Was Coo...

8. Bang Bang

9. Dun' Wan Lo

10. Action

11. G7C7

12. Gettin' Paid

13. No Song Here.. Must Be A Mistake??

14. L.A.D.I.E.S. (Reeeeaallly Baddass X Rated Version)

15. Gone For A Long Time

 

The Johnstones have released their third album, and first full length, named "Word Is Bond". This album shows the band in a fun ska way, but with teenage humor. They have built this album as a ska band with toilet humor. These guys are similar to that of bands like The Aquabats, The Planet Smashers, or even a band like Reel Big Fish, so if you like any of those bands, you could really like this album. They have done an alright job here.

When looking at the recording quality on this album, the album has been recorded to a very nice level. This is pretty up there for a jokester, fun ska band, and really gives the songs legitimacy. The instrumentation on this album is shown off pretty well here. Now with Ska music, it isn't quite about the ability, its more how fast and groovy you can make the song. The band does show that they can certainly play, and the brass section really shows what they can do. This isn't going to blow you away, but the band can certainly play good solid ska. 

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album aren't that great. Their duel singers can sing, but it is more about being awkward and silly with the style. This does work for the band though, and thats what matters most. With the lyrics, for the most part they are very silly, childish and bathroom humour type of lyrics.  Song about getting paid, ladies, sex etc. These are fun songs, but it isn't really the type of music that holds up and keeps you having a long career. They are pretty good songs though.

If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Gone For A Long Time" your attention as it shows off the alum the best and the bands sound. 

The Johnstones have made their second album that really shows off their style and sound. This gives them something to really push forward and able to play more longer shows. For the genre that ska is, this works and is attracting people to their music. We like it. Listen to this album yourself to get your own opinion of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Ska/Punk/Rock

Release Date: 2006

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Label: Stomp Records