MusicTalker’s Best Albums of 2013

1. Killswitch Engage – Disarm The Descent

The studio return of original vocalist Jesse Leach proved to be a successful endeavor and an exceptional release, pleasing many long-time and new fans alike.
https://musictalker.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/review-killswitch-engage-come-full-force-with-disarm-the-descent/
2. Black Sabbath – 13

Heavy metal pioneers, Black Sabbath, reunited in late 2011, showing the world that they still have the power after all these years through this phenomenal release and a world tour.
https://musictalker.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/review-the-past-collides-with-the-present-on-black-sabbaths-13/
3. Alter Bridge – Fortress

As a band comprised of all of the members of Creed except for singer Scott Stapp, Alter Bridge continue to portray their superior sound, much different from the former group.  With lead vocalist Myles Kennedy in the limelight, Alter Bridge are virtually unstoppable, as confirmed by Fortress.
https://musictalker.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/review-alter-bridge-fortress/
4. Eminem – Marshall Mathers LP2

The sequel to 2000’s Marshall Mathers LP, 2013’s Marshall Mathers LP2 affirms that angry Eminem is indeed the best Eminem.  With the necessary controversial insults and the use of a variety of rapping styles, this new effort is arguably his best yet.  From the Beastie Boys-esque “Berzerk” to the lightning speed spitting on “Rap God” to the voice-altering style on “Love Game,” Eminem surprises the listener with the vast versatility he possesses.

Artist of the Week [5/10/13]: Wind In Sails

Spiraling away from Boston post-hardcore band Vanna, Wind In Sails is former Vanna guitarist/songwriter/clean vocalist Evan Pharmakis’ solo project. With Wind In Sails, Pharmakis takes a more folksy path, opening some doors for a more diverse listening audience.

Brighter Days, Wind In Sails’ debut full-length release, is filled with easily accessible musical elements for many different audiences.  Incorporating extremely catchy choruses, simple yet satisfying acoustic rhythms, and relatable lyrics, Pharmakis is sure to achieve great success with Wind In Sails with proper marketing.

The eight-song album includes Pharmakis’ former Vanna bandmate, drummer Chris Campbell, on a few songs, as well as Christopher Curran and Daniel Roth.

Wind In Sails rightfully portrays Pharmakis’ growing musical maturity and sincerity.  This project is arguably a better fit for his smooth voice.  With Vanna’s aggressive and heavy sound, his voice was only used to accent the screams of Chris Preece and later, Davey Muise.  His voice is meant to have center attention, as heard on Brighter Days.

Fans of 90’s alternative rock, modern indie rock, and acoustic music should definitely give Wind In Sails a good, easy listen.  Key tracks to check out are “Abandon,” “Live,” and “Breathe.”

For more information on Wind In Sails, check out the project’s Facebook page.  Brighter Days can be streamed and digitally purchased here.

[REVIEW] Vanna Rekindle Their Inner Hardcore In “The Few And The Far Between”

Boston’s own Vanna have seemed to mature with each new studio effort.  The band’s first two major releases, 2006’s The Search Party Never Came and 2007’s Curses, had some grindcore-esque elements.  They were aggressive and somewhat noisy at times, which appealed to their growing fan base.  With 2009’s A New Hope, Vanna moved into the muddy waters of cliché metalcore.

A New Hope was also the last release featuring long-time vocalist Chris Preece.  Immediately following Preece’s departure, Seeker Destroyer vocalist, Davey Muise, took the reins.  In 2010, Vanna put out a new EP featuring three new songs and two re-recordings, titled The Honest Hearts.  Fans of Preece’s vocals might not appreciate the re-recordings.  However, the new songs were catchy, heavy, and melodic and maintained the metalcore style.

And They Came Baring Bones, Vanna’s third full-length CD, was not up to par with the rest of the band’s repertoire.  Again, they tried the metalcore thing, but it didn’t work this time around.

That brings us to March 19, 2013 – the release of The Few And The Far Between.  This new record should restore any lost faith in the band.  The Few And The Far Between incorporates more of a hardcore style than the seemingly comfortable metalcore outlet.  The songs are shorter, faster, more aggressive, and much more to the point.  The clean vocals are less prominent and don’t weigh down the impact of the music, as was the case with much of 2011’s And They Came Baring Bones.  This could be a direct result of the 2011 departure of lead guitarist/clean vocalist, Evan Pharmakis.

It doesn’t matter what caused this rekindled aggression and newfound hardcore sound.  This is a Vanna record of all Vanna records and should hopefully heed a great response.

Focus tracks include “When In Roam,” “The Dreamer/The Thief/The Relic,” “Casket Rhythm,” and “Year of the Rat.”