Interested in bands based right here in Denver? Psyched about the solo album by No Doubt’s frontwoman? A big fan of Emo? Well, look no further. I have three compact discs that will undoubtedly quench your thirst.
The band Love. 45’s self-titled, well-received CD was released in November. The four friends, who have played together since high school, feel that with this album, they definitely “got it right.”
Their music can already be heard on Denver’s local station KTCL, thanks to the song “Don’t Ask Me,” a catchy tune that has a pleasant balance between vocals and guitar. With the help of 3 Doors Down’s guitarist Chris Henderson, the group is excited about its new release. Undeniably, this is a disc made for rock fans. Several other songs, including “Way Down,” “So Loud” and “Smile” are made for radio. With modern, pulsing beats and crisp vocal interchange, the disc feels like a new age group waiting to become the next Incubus.
Gwen Stefani’s new album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. has pop hit written all over it. The songs show her wide range of vocal abilities and hone her innermost rocker chick. In “If I Were a Rich Girl,” Stefani and rapper Eve create a disco dance anthem that is an unique spin on the song’s original roots in the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof. In the song “Bubble Pop Electric,” Andre and Stefani collaborate to create what has been compared to Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta’s double act in “Grease.” The love ballad “Cool” sounds like a classic ’80s hit, pumped full of synthesizer-created tempos. Stefani’s first solo album effectively demonstrates her vocal and musical talents, but it still sounds like a No Doubt CD to me.
Straylight Run’s debut self-titled album begins with the established emo staple: classic, slow piano. “The Perfect Ending” is the first track, setting a confident, easy pace that is carried throughout the album. This band does a wonderful job creating textured melodies, incorporating strong vocals, guitar, drums, and piano. Eventually, Straylight Run picks up the pace with “Tension and the Terror, “Existentialism on Prom Night,” and “Tool Sheds and Hot Tubs.” What started as a relatively laidback album becomes increasingly more upbeat. The group shows amazing potential and I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys bands with expressive, moody piano rifts like the popular band Coldplay.
