A Best Live Show Nominee in the 2009 Awards

(Photo Credits: Ember)

Live Show Rating: 5 & 1/3 Stars.

“Morning Air” is about ending a false relationship, and its lyrics are about what you’d expect from such a topic. In fact, this track’s lyrics are actually quite different from the rest of the album’s, so we’re glad they got this out of the way first.

“Move This City” focuses on making a positive difference by stopping lies, watching your words, loving those around you, and never giving up.

“This Time I’m Leaving” reminds you to live in the moment and chase your dreams.

“Wake The Regiment” is a tribute to all of the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, and is lyrically from a military member’s perspective.

“One Eye Open” is musically a bit slower; its lyrics are apparently directed at someone who was dying or very ill, imploring them to hold on.

“Price For Love” describes… exactly that.

Curiously-titled “Death By Xanga” is a short instrumental track that is discordant and somewhat suspenseful.

“479HxC (Through The Night)” brings the energy back up. Lyrically it could be another military song, although this one seems to be more metaphorical.

“Joyride” has great lyrics, which encourage you to not be what the world wants you to be, but instead to just be who you are— and to follow your heart and your dreams.

“But A Breath” (featuring Matt Thiessen of Relient K) is a piano-driven track, beginning muted, then fading in; lyrically, it reminds you that you never know how much time you have left, so use every moment well.

“Water Underneath The Bridge” (featuring Suzanne Townsend and Stephen Kiehn) is easily the best track on the disc. Musically, it’s quite different at first (rather jazzy); then, after about 53 seconds, the music suddenly kicks in with powerful, heavy guitars, keyboard accents, and very strong vocals (especially when guest Stephen Kiehn joins in).

Finally, “Song For The Broken” is a good energetic song to close out the album, with lyrics that remind you to hold on to hope.

In all, this is a fair indie first release.

Our rating for The Wedding: 4 Stars.

BEST SECOND RELEASE 2007 Award Winner!

Runner-Up: Manic Drive (Reset & Rewind).
Honorable Mentions: Eleventyseven (Galactic Conquest).

The Wedding’s second release is an astonishingly huge upgrade from their previous album— so much so, it was instantly the top runner in the 2007 Best Second race. (And, as you can see, it held that spot easily. ) This album is polished, solid, and very good.

Polarity begins with the interesting intro “The Call”, which is short and totally instrumental, featuring brass instruments and drums. It flows into the next track without a pause.

“Say Your Prayers” kicks in the excellent Rock, and lyrically it has a straightforward message.

“I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” (featuring bagpipes by Josh Robieson of Flatfoot 56), another excellent rocker, lyrically encourages you to live with a purpose and give it your all, no matter what.

“Staring At The Light” firmly guides you to true hope. It fades from rock to a piano at the end.

“This One’s For You” is a love song that begins with upbeat piano, then quickly Rocks. It’s yet another great track.

“I-540″ (featuring Davy Baysinger of Bleach) is the first slower track. It begins with piano, and slowly builds until the guitars enter in the final bridge.

“It’s Time To Rock (OK?)” (featuring Justin Driggers) does indeed get back to the excellent full Rock. In fact, the vocals near the end (courtesy of guest Justin Driggers) dip into very heavy territory.

“Rebound” is another rock song that lyrically explains true love, among other things.

“Schizophrenia” begins with a slightly suspenseful intro, after which it of course rocks. Lyrically, it describes the tug-of-war between good and evil that exists, to one extent or another, within everyone.

“The Last Stand” is a powerful tribute to the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, from the lyrical perspective of one. This is an excellent, rocking track all-around, and it’s one of the most memorable of the CD.

“Misery Loves Company”, another good rocker, reminds you that guilt can be released, and though there are consequences for your actions, you’ll always have the possibility of a second chance.

“Southside”, while lyrically a bit vague, is however another musically-solid track.

“Revelation”, featuring only piano and orchestration, is a beautiful song about a wedding.

And the final track “Fireworks” is a medium rocker with the surprise of a fast fiddle solo (courtesy of guest Chris Carmichael) at the end. Lyrically, it describes how leaving a false relationship can sometimes be difficult, but it is always necessary.

There is also a hidden track afterwards, a very humorous folk song that they made up about their home state of Arkansas.

[Note: The album also contains a pregap hidden track, consisting of about a minute and a half of "Southside" outtakes. ]

In all, Polarity is a great CD, and it’s worthy of Best Second Release.

Our rating for Polarity: 5 & 1/3 Stars.

The Sound The Steel EP kicks off with “Receive”, an energetic rock track that is a solid opener.

Next is “Return”, an excellent track with very dynamic music and vocals.

“Renew” begins with fast piano, the other instruments jumping in before the second verse. This track has an excellent, memorable chorus and uplifting lyrics.

“Reveal” is another excellent, dynamic heavy rocker with more great lyrics.

And “Redeem” is a beautiful, musically-building ballad with a chorus that you’ll be humming later. It’s the perfect finale to the main portion of the EP.

Bonus Track:

There is also one more track that you can only obtain by buying the entire EP (which we of course would recommend anyway! ): an acoustic, live performance of “Receive”. It has completely different music— mostly acoustic with just a few electric touches, yet very layered and full-sounding— and brand new vocals, as well as some new lyrics. It’s yet another great track.

To sum it up, The Sound The Steel EP is excellent (in fact we even considered bending our Music Award rules for it!), and it’s definitely recommended.

Our rating for The Sound The Steel (EP): 5 & 1/2 Stars.