Awesome Underground ★ Music Review: 2015

In most cases, it is pretty simple to decide right away if a band is something I enjoy, can tolerate, or simply detest. However, when I am asked for my opinion, such quick-draw type judgment won't suffice. Why do I like this band? Why don't I like this band? What is it that they could do to sound more appealing to me? Or What is it that they do differently than the fourteen thousand other bands I've listened to this week that makes me smile and shout, "Yes!"
Had this been a band I found on my own, honestly, I would have skipped them. Don't stop reading yet. I would have skipped them because their style isn't what I normally enjoy listening to, not because of any lack of talent or fatal flaw.
The band is pushing a cover track "Talking Body," originally performed by Tove Lo and an original called "Blame."
Let's talk about that cover first, shall we?
The original version is what I would classify as bubble gum pop attempting to be badass, however not accomplishing that. This is a good song, how it is delivered by Tove Lo is substandard and mediocre. It's just "okay" but a great artist could really turn it into a fantastic song.
Five Hundredth Year covering this song is different. It's not like they're copying Tove Lo's version, they have made it their own. And I will repeat this until I can no longer utter the words: You will not do a cover song better than the original artist attempting to do it the same way as they did. If you do not make it your own, you will fail, and fail in an epic manner. We will laugh at you. Don't butcher our beloved tunes. Sorry, back to Five Hundredth year. They nailed the chorus. Fucking nailed it. They did the chorus of this song better than Tove Lo could have in an acid enhanced dream,okay? They beat her. FHY, you win.

Okay, quick intermission. I'm realizing more and more that I am extremely picky about the type of vocalists I enjoy... and those who don't fit that standard, I tend to pick apart (and I do it well). So, excuse me while I attempt to NOT do that with this band.

However, I couldn't properly call myself a critic if I didn't tell you the good and the bad, the sometimes harsh opinion more admirably known as mine. The lead vocalist is... well, his vocal chords are the doppelganger of Sully Erna of Godsmack's vocal chords, mkay? That's what I'm hearing. His delivery is okay but it tends to seem lacking a bit when he's in the spotlight. Don't argue with me, I know the lead vocalist is "always in the spotlight." What I'm getting at, is when the drums and guitars and all that magic is hanging back a bit he does not convey as much passion and enthusiasm and sense of belonging as he does when they are at closer to equal levels. Hate me for this, I know you will, but I could just do without the female vocals altogether. I do not feel like they add to any of the songs this lovely, and surely talented lady happens to be lending her pipes on. It does not seem to fit at all to me. It sounds out of place. I'm not bashing her, nor trying to downplay her gift. I'm just saying hers does not fit the sound of this band, in my opinion. I'm not sorry. *shields herself from inevitable stones thrown*

Moving on!
I stumbled upon a handful of original tracks that I actually listened to before the cover. "Blame" is the one they're pushing, but I do what I want, and I'm going to say save that for second. Why? Because "Reflection" is better. I am right about this. I believe the term "magical" was used in the discussion I had with myself concerning the guitars, the energy, and the emotional build-up. Again, I could do without the female vocals *ducks* but overall, that's the only complaint I have about this song. And if my opinion counted for anything, I would say FHY, you're pushing the wrong tune. "Reflection" is your gold star track. This is one of those tracks, you know? Those tracks that pull you out of life for 3 minutes or so and surround you. One of those that you could close your eyes and feel like you're levitating to (I swear I'm not on drugs).

"Blame" starts off high energy and immediately grabs your attention. I can't help but think of Drowning Pool in certain spots, however the song as a whole doesn't sound like any other band.What I'm saying is I see clear influences, but no lack of originality. This is another good song to find escape in... maybe not at the same level as "Reflection," but in a similar way.

This band is semi-heavy, but still manages to be melodically well structured and the lyrics are good. For the most part, the vocal delivery is good. The drummer and guitarist play well together. All in all I think this is a good band. I would advise a few changes, but what works for me does not work for everyone. And if they sit back and assess their sound and it sounds like what they want it to, then it's perfect. As for you, you should go listen to them. You can find them virtually anywhere, and you know you'll find their links below, as always. Don't forget to let me know what you think and tell Five Hundredth Year that I sent you. I'm coming back to YouTube, I have not abandoned you guys, I PROMISE.

Five Hundredth Year Links:
YouTube
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Everyone knows how much I love 37 Reasons. (If you don't, you could always read this to find out.)
I'll never forget the day. You know you have really fallen for someone's music when you always remember the first day you listened to it. So, I knew that whenever Mr. Brown released something new, I would feel that joy all over again. It's a special kind of excitement when you hear that news. "New music is on it's way." Well, for me it is.

Today, Sam Brown releases his new EP "Breakfast in N2ew York."
And let me tell you, it doesn't disappoint. There are obvious differences between this new EP and the last one. As a music lover, I must discuss these. 37 Reasons is beautiful and wonderful and it reminds one of being a teenager and really being in love. But with Breakfast in New York comes a whole different phase of life and of musicianship. With age comes growth: in maturity, in world views, in personality... and if a musician is truly talented and dedicated, in music. I'd like to compare Mr. Brown to a sponge. Because he has obviously soaked up as much as one can in the span between releasing these two bodies of music. I hear clear growth in Breakfast in New York... in all of the areas I listed before. With this new EP comes a much fuller sound and I am so proud of that.

Sam's wide array of instruments and layered vocals surround you and refuse to share your attention with anything outside of the song you are listening to. He ventures over the lines of standard pop into the edges of other genres, such as Jazz, in this EP. He never ceases to amaze me with his ability to perfectly piece together all of the right elements of a song to make it whole and he just keeps getting better at it! One thing I really love about this EP is that it does not fit in a box. It is not one genre. It is art.

I love that Sam just went with his instincts to create each song. I don't see a template here... each song is its own. And they are all different. But they do go nicely together. That is a talent that not every musician has. To have songs that are different from one another, yet can still pass as an arm or leg on the same body. You have to buy that the songs on a body of work are getting their life force from the same beating heart, otherwise, it's not a body, it's just a bunch of songs thrown together.

One last thing and I'll stop gushing. My favorite track is "The Motion." I guess that's rather typical of me, but I think it's perfect. There are things I love about each song on this EP, but that one, in my opinion, is the best track.

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