REVIEW: SPRIGHTLY MOANS - DEMOS II

So, a sprightly moan sounds pretty sensual to me. “Moan” is one of those words that I immediately attribute to a sexual act, even though most of its supposed synonyms refer to vocal exclamations of pain or sadness. That might reveal excessive information regarding my coital preferences.

Sprightly Moans are a rock duo based in Austin, TX, where the motto “Keep Austin Weird” adorns countless T-shirts and the bustling music scene encourages experimentation. Sprightly Moans keep their sound based in the harder realms of garage rock, with Jeff Olson’s drums invoking the frantic percussive work of vintage James Gang or Bill Ward’s work with Black Sabbath. Carving out their own grungy, modern take on psychedelic hard rock, they explore the wilderness between chaotic power and gentle melody, falling somewhere between bands like The Golden Grass and Gozu. Sprightly Moans play music for beer drinking, high-fiving, and billiard disputes, capturing the raucous spirit of a bar at last call, with rhythms that roll with tumbleweed abandon and riffs that can punch holes through sheet metal. On Demos II, their sold-out limited edition follow up to the predictably titled Demos I, the duo share three tracks of amplified rebellion.

“Brinkmanship” kicks off the jam and bangs heads with heavy blues and Dave Wirth’s high-register slide guitar. The thundering drums provide a deliberate, swaggering tempo that feels like the epitome of cool-handed confidence. Although it’s a noisy, jagged musical arrangement, the song sports a smooth vocal hook, although the vocal volume does seem a bit high in the mix during the verses. “Twin Kilns” rocks loudly, with vocals that sway in a jet-stream breeze over the pulsing guitars and drums, reminding me of Canned Heat covering Mudhoney. The song has a tasty crunch to it, and seems in danger of derailing at any moment, providing a sense of danger before Olson and Wirth takes the reins back. I love music that teeters on the cliff ledge and regains composure, and this song dances on that precipice like it could perch their happily for years. “Dots and Dashes” rollicks with Pearl Jam’s Ten intensity, if their songs were crusted with bong resin and desert dust. It’s the best performance of the album and makes me eager to hear more from these trouble-makers.

Three songs may feel like an appetizer here, but I’m confident they’ll lead to an upcoming entree that should have fans of classic rock, heavy blues, and Slint-flavored noise to salivate. Give Demos II a listen over here, and enjoy Sprightly Moans bringing the volume and the groove:  http://www.sprightlymoans.com/music/

And join their Facebook family over at:  https://www.facebook.com/sprightlymoans

INTERVIEW: IVAN MIHALJEVIC & SIDE EFFECTS

Howdy, Growlers. Last month I had the privilege of reviewing an album from Ivan Mihaljevic & Side Effects, a Croatian band that has since opened for Whitesnake and received numerous accolades for their progressive hard rock. I was able to catch up with dynamic vocalist/guitarist Ivan Mihaljevic and ask a few questions about their album Counterclockwise, his young but acclaimed career, and his experiences with rock’n’roll. Read on for Ivan’s touristy aspirations and a brutal critique of the Croatian music scene:

Mister Growl: Counterclockwise is your third full-length album with Side Effects. What separates this from your earlier releases?

Ivan: The most obvious difference is that this album is focused on songs with vocals while the previous two had a lot of instrumental pieces. We tried to make peace between those two things that we did earlier, so we made longer and more progressive vocal pieces with extended instrumental sections.

Mister Growl: You have mentioned before that Counterclockwise is a concept album. Could you describe the concept to people listening to your music for the first time?

Ivan: The concept is similar to The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. It describes the pitfalls of modern society. We talk about the unquenchable thirst for more, false friends, dealing with the death of someone close to you, anxiety and depression, but also try to give those situations a solution.

Mister Growl:  What is the Croatian rock and metal music scene like? How has it impacted your own music?

Ivan: There are some really good bands here, but they almost never get their opportunity to make a living out of it. The style of music that is currently mainstream in Croatia is utter bullshit. I tried to find a milder and less offensive word for it, but that's just the least offensive term I can come up with for those repulsive sounds. That's what gets served on the radio stations and most people will just listen to whatever's "in" at the moment. Yes, I am pissed off about the current situation. Hopefully, it will change for the better in the future.

Mister Growl: What have been the main influences on your guitar playing style?

Ivan: I'll start chronologically. Some of these guys aren't really great guitar players, but they definitely did have an influence on me at some point in my musical development. So, let's start with the list - Noel Gallagher (Oasis) - probably the reason I started playing the guitar, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammet (Metallica), Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Steve Lukather, Steve Morse...

Mister Growl: How did you meet the other members of Side Effects, Marko Karacic (bass) and Alen Frljak (drums)?

Ivan: I met Alen when we were still in high-school. Our bands rehearsed at the same place. I clearly remember when I first heard him play the drums. I think I've never heard anyone play that well before. Years later we formed a band together which didn't really last long, but when I decided to start up a new band, he was the first one I called and he said "yes".

I have no idea exactly when and how I met Karo. I've known him for years and I knew he was a great bass player, so when Alen and I split with our former bass player, Karo was our first choice.

Mister Growl: You were already playing major hard rock/metal festivals at the age of 18. How have you seen the metal scene or the music industry change since then?

Ivan:  It's hard for me to say. I did play Wacken Open Air at age 18, but I can't really say I understood how the industry works at that point. Now I have a better insight into how things work, so you'll have to ask me in 10 or 20 years. *smiles*

Mister Growl: The sadly defunct Funeral Rain Zine once called you “The Croatian Sensation.” If you could nickname yourself what name would you choose?

Ivan: That's a flattering nickname. I don't know. I've never thought about nicknaming myself.

Mister Growl: You once played with Les Paul at a venue in Times Square. As a New Yorker I’m very interested in hearing your thoughts on the city.

Ivan: Oh, that was an amazing experience. I've had a chance to meet and play with the inventor of the solid-body electric guitar. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to see much of New York. I've seen Times Square which was very impressive and a little bit of Manhattan. I'd love to be able to come to New York again as a tourist at some point and to be able to just look around.

Mister Growl: You have also toured Europe multiple times with the band Hard Time. What’s your strangest or favorite touring story?

Ivan: The strangest ones are usually border stories... I remember once they held us for 4 hours for no real reason at the Liverpool airport and we were late for a gig. It's funny how border police tend to mistreat musicians. I think most musicians hate airports. It's also funny that our worst airport story happened in Liverpool where the name of the airport is John Lennon Airport. We joked that they should hang a huge sign in there saying "No guitars are allowed at the John Lennon Airport!"

Mister Growl: What do you consider your greatest achievement to this date?

Ivan: A couple of them -  playing with Les Paul which we already mentioned, playing Wacken Open Air which was also already mentioned, playing the Italian Heineken Jamming Festival with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Noel Gallagher, The Cure, Evanescence..., opening the show for Whitesnake in Zagreb and having the album of the month in the biggest European guitar magazine Guitar Techniques.

Mister Growl: What are you working on now and what are your long-term goals as an artist?

Ivan: We're playing some live shows and working on some new material. Our long-term goals are to have fun and play music that we enjoy!

Many thanks to Ivan Mihaljevic for taking the time for this interview, and check out their music over at their official website:  http://www.ivanmihaljevic.com/

And you can check out Counterclockwise over at CDBaby and purchase the album as a download or in CD format:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ivanmihaljevicsideeffect 

 

 

 

REVIEW: MEROE - SUITE 524

How much have you accomplished in the last year? Really think about it for a minute. I don’t mean to piss all over your parade, but Meroe, the metallic rock band out of Munich, Germany, has released two full-length albums of original material within the past twelve months. Their fourth album, Suite 524, is a skillful trek through hard-edged rock of the 1980s, when the only thing bigger than a guitarist’s hair was the number of albums sold.

The band was founded by vocalist Oliver Monroe, a deeply talented singer who could convincingly front a variety of tribute bands with the impressive versatility of his voice. Depending on the song he can invoke Dave Mustaine, Rob Halford, Axl Rose or Vince Neil, but remains a singular talent who has his own smooth croon. Musically, Meroe shares similarities with the bands that gratuitously used umlauts (Queensrÿche, Mötley Crüe), while showing an ability to write concise anthems with huge choruses and killer guitar work. Overall, Suite 524 is a throwback to a simpler time when the decibel level and tone of the guitars was all that was needed to project intimidation. No need for sinister hooded cloaks or spitting blood, the music was loud and heavy and a force to be reckoned with. At their core, Meroe are true to that spirit of early heavy metal while being more than adept at writing musical hooks and commanding song structure.

The album really takes off with “Crazy” and “Wink Of An Eye” back to back; they both shred with barely contained energy, feeling likes bluesy Van Halen or ZZ Top on speed. “Crazy” also features ferocious bass work by Tom Schill, whose interplay with guitarist Alex Kah dazzles and bangs heads. Other highlights include the muscular album opener “I Am” and “Blood Red Sky,” an earnest political war song that closes Suite 524 with a virtuoso guitar performance and Tom Wagner’s double-bass drum pummel. There are several “monster ballads” on this album, but none with more projected emotion than “My Heart Is Bleeding,” the sort of song written to inspire gals in the front row to re-apply their lipstick and throw their bras on stage. There are a few distracting moments (the abrupt conclusion to “I Am,” the vocals so high in the mix in the gentler songs, dwarfing the impact of the guitars), but Meroe have impressively crafted a hard rock album with hooks and heart in less than a year’s time. This is a band with serious skill and determination, mining mainstream heavy metal and hard rock of the 80s for its best traits and cutting the excess fat away. I don’t always believe in pre-determined destiny, but maybe their second track does ring true: These guys were all “Born To Rock.”

Suite 524 is now available on iTunes, check them out now. Also follow all their news on this and future releases at their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/Meroe4U

REVIEW: IVAN MIHALJEVIC & SIDE EFFECTS - COUNTERCLOCKWISE

My first time listening to Ivan Mihaljevic & Side Effects I thought, “These guys just need to play a show with Mr. Big.” Then there it is, right in there biography, they’ve played gigs with multiple members of the band famous for “To Be With You.” As a guy who will fight someone to the brink of death about the merits of the mighty Lean Into It album, these Croatian rockers can even give Mr. Big a run for their hairspray money. On their third album, Counterclockwise, Ivan Mihaljevic & Side Effects channel the monster ballad abilities of Extreme and ‘80s Kansas and combine them with the heavy progressive rock of Dream Theater and clean-singing Opeth with great success.

Let’s address this right away: Ivan Mihaljevic has a voice that can part the clouds and summon sunlight. He has serious pipes and belts these songs out with searing passion and soul. He over-sings a little on “Gilded Cage” but the rest of these songs bow to the majesty of his vocal cords. He nails some notes that just floored me, plus provides sizzling six-string solos. The rest of the band is similarly skilled and can flat out play with impressive cohesion and chemistry. Marko Karacic’s slap bass really steals the show when they play heavy funk, like on “Build Your Destiny.” Then there’s resourceful drummer Alen Frljak, who provides solid, intricate support that is so essential for music this technical. This is a supremely talented trio of musicians, but it would matter very little if they couldn’t write songs.

Luckily for us all, they can. With enormous radio-friendly choruses and guitar hooks that lure you in with deceptive grace before kicking into hard-edged rock, these are songs that demand to be heard and will have you singing along after one listen. “Driving Force” and “Gift of Life” both feature some of the darker moments on the album but Mihaljevic guides the songs to the light with his dependable croon, keeping each song focused and melodic even when the double-bass pummels and the guitars crunch. But for me the real highlight is “Eclipse,” an epic that absolutely earns its length and has endless sonic ideas. From the sweeping, orchestral intro there’s a true sense of tragedy. The song shifts with great confidence and range, morphing fluidly from progressive metal with momentum and teeth to heartfelt solos to a haunting march that ends the song. This track alone could convert non-believers to the power of Ivan Mihaljevic & Side Effects’ eternally-burning triumphant rock.

Counterclockwise may turn the clock back to pay homage to some past guitar heroes, but it still feels fresh and modern. While the length of some of their best songs don’t easily translate to radio success this band is the whole package and their polished, eclectic rock is waiting to conquer you. Set your clock: Now is the time to be conquered.

Check out their music over at their official website:  http://www.ivanmihaljevic.com/