Backdrifter – Sum Of Influence Review

Welcome back to The Expressionist Magazine

Grabbing their name from a lyric inspired by modern rockers Radiohead, the Culver City based act Backdrifter, from sunny California, formed in late 2008 and since then has not looked back. Steve Watkins and Nate Waxler formally of “The Hypothetical Band” had begun to search for what they knew would conclude their brand new formation Backdrifter.

Soon after the formation had come to a completion and thus the line-up was born, with drummer Terry Barajas, as well as singers Adriann Helton and Kryss Deetch. Now all that was left to do was to make music! This is of course what occurred and what lead the band to unleashing their smashing debut efforts “Sum of Influence”.

Comprising of 12 various tracks you’re divided up with your average rock blended in with some modern blues riffs with punk folk attitude driven in between. That showcases the real music being used here, like for instance, “The Great Divide”, “Sunny Days”, “Everything You Gave Away”, and “Stolen Air”, all consists of that same momentum the mellow pulsing rate of the drums with upbeat guitar riffs that tend to play against each other if not using an on and off type of method.

Lyrically the words are out spoken and overpower the music’s performance rating by drowning out the music the listener is hearing and replacing it rather than with a more aggressive affection. The listener hears what’s being said and can find themselves bobbing their head to each of the notes being played out its very catchy and makes the music bounce per each beat.

Backdrifter’s style is humble and calm breaking down the beat of the music in every which way possible never missing a beat let alone the mood you feel while listening in, makes these folk blues rockers rocking with absolute ease.

Prelude To A Dream -Review

Title: Prelude To A Dream
Singer: Jackie Evancho
Album #: Debut Album
Label: Unsigned
Genre: Crossover Contemporary
Web Site: www.jackieevancho.org

Songs On The Album:

1. Everytime
2. Concrete Angel
3. Teaching Angels How To Fly
4. Starry Starry Night
5. Think Of Me
6. Memory
7. To Where You Are
8. River Of Dreams
9. Dark Waltz
10. The Prayer
11. Amazing Grace
12. Ave Maria
13. O Mio Babino Caro
14. Con Te Partiro

Classical crossover is music that tells a story. It must be compelling and elegant in its delivery, and it must make the listener feel every emotion and become one with the song.  This genre takes a special kind of musician because you’re not only a singer, you’re a storyteller and an actor/actress in the same light.  Many musicians (singers) tend to shy away from the genre just because of its complexity, but those that stand the challenge and love it, know how to make it work.  When done right, this genre is an exquisite example of singing at its best.

Jackie Evancho’s debut album, Prelude To A Dream, is exactly what classical crossover should sound like.  This nine-year-old girl sings like a bird, with perfect harmony, passion, and heart. These very qualities allow Jackie to tell her story while providing the listener the feeling they are apart of the story she sings.  Jackie’s vocals on this CD are second to none; she has pitch perfect control and powerful vocals when needed, while delivering a sweet innocence in her voice that makes her singing oh so sweet.  What’s even more amazing is that her voice sounds mature in her songs, setting her up for a long career when her voice does change in the near future.

Jackie demonstrates her talent most in the song, “O Mio Babino Caro.”  I am amazed at the power and range she is able to achieve on this song.  You can tell from the first word out of her mouth that she loves this song and is ready to do it justice; an instant hit for her.  Some other great songs to mention on this album are “Teaching Angels How To Fly” for its sweet, soothing and heart-warming story and vocals, and also “Amazing Grace.”  I, personally, love the music compilation of this track; it helps add strength and beauty to Jackie’s already amazing voice.

We would definitely recommend this CD to anyone, and if you don’t like classical crossover, Jackie will make you a fan.  

RATING:   5 out of 5

A Fire Inside “Crash Love” CD Review

A Fire Inside or AFI for short, have been around for the past 18 years unleashing upon the music scene seven LPs to date with their eighth “Crash Love,” on the way. But the deal with AFI is a simple known fact, they’ve never seem to stick out with the same sound for more than a couple of albums. Their first being “Answer That and Stay Fashionable,” in 1995. Then the band went on to release “Very Proud of Ya,” the following year, followed up by a third three years later, “Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes.”

Since the earlier creations, AFI has indeed like most bands changed their style to blend in along with the rest of the crowd, just like today’s fads same routine goes for music – AFI went from the stick liking’s of punk down to hardcore punk to horror punk in a matter of just a few years. 1999’s “Black Sails in the Sunset,” and 2000’s “The Art of Drowning,” it wasn’t until 12 years later that the band had stuck major success when it came down to “Sing The Sorrow,” (2003) having the well known hits, “Girl’s Not Grey” and “The Leaving Song, Pt. II,” aside from the others found upon this album. Then the band had taken a brief hiatus and returned in 2006 with “Decemberunderground,” that featured break-through single “Miss Murder,” and second smash-up “Love Like Winter,” now their eighth achievement is on the floor, and “Crash Love,” isn’t all the hype that AFI has been known to establish.

“Crash love,” does play the band’s strongest points to date but goes back to blending into the modern rock n roll vibrations that they changed not so long ago, there are some “old school” influences found upon the album such as “Medicate,” that constantly builds up that classic punk style with galloping guitar riffs with fast racing drum tactics getting your blood pumped. Guitarist Jade Puget steps it up in a major way when “OK, I feel Better Now,” showcasing his standout performance to date, starting off with a trade marking chiming chord sequence, before working into the strummed octaves and some unexpected, game-changing chord effects found within the third verse.

The other songs, make a particular marking that vocalist Davey Havok stays true to his fascination with death and self-destruction, not going away from those themes one bit but encouraging them a lot more. While “Crash Love,” never seems to hit the lyrical highs that “Sing The Sorrow” had once struck – “Veronica Sawyer Smokes,” may just be the most out-standing tune offered, let alone written about Winona Ryder, having Davey’s vocal skills be at their best perfection level to date, allowing him to sing the following line is remarkable: “I saw you every time I closed my eyes, in the Hughes film I had scored, produced and starred in, in my mind.” Nevertheless, Davey’s vocal contribution makes this song work in every way possible – laying out the voices and chorus structure in the perfect combination, having the rest of the music fall simply into place.

“Crash Love,” doesn’t demand for the listener to pay attention to everything spoken yet alone played to the same chord as their previous accomplishments, but it reveals a more intricate and well-constructed album, rarely lacking any proportion of quality or anything else falling out of place.

Written By Natalie Perez

Children Of Bodom Show Review

When you enter the world of metal what is expected to normally happen? Well of course chaos should be one and that is indeed what happens when you enter this “sea of chaos” or perhaps a “sea of black”. On this night three metal bands have come together to create a unique musical atomsphere that all metal heads would be amazed and satsified with from all various angles. Be sure to capture all the chaos that Ohio metallers SKELETONWITCH build up, leding straight into the thundering force field of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, right into the main attraction of the night, Finlanders, CHILDREN OF BODOM!

Skeletonwitch

Ever attended a mini block party? Well now is your chance at experiencing your first one, how about joining in on all the fun with the spiraling circle of black! Hence I mean the crowd of people dressed all in black proudly expressing their love and devotion to one of the three musical acts that were set to set the stage that forsaken night out at the Glass House in chilly Pomona, California.

First up was an act from Athens, Ohio one who dislikes the fact that not too many people are aware of what type of music they actually perform, so I guess it would just be your plain old heavy metal if I do say so myself but a very upgraded version. Any who, Ohio’s Anthener’s Skeletonwitch brought on the fiery blaze for a non-stop 30 minutes bringing on the skull crushing beer drinking sensation left and right, as the crowd interacted from all various angles – singing such songs off “Beyond the Permafrost,” and new comer, “Breathing the Fire,” due out on October 13th. Some of the head crushing tunes consisted of “Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery,” “Within My Blood,” the title track, along with a douse of double trouble off the newbie album, “Crushed Beyond Dust,” and “Strangled By Unseen Hands”. The front man declaring his statements throughout the set – wrapping it all up when it came to a closing point with “Smoke Weed, Drink Beer, and Eat Some F**king Pussy”.

Setlist

01. Sacrifice for the Slaughtergod
02. Fire From the Sky
03. Crushed Beyond Dust
04. Upon Wings of Black
05. Beyond the Permafrost
06. Submit To The Suffering
07. Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery
08. The Despoiler Of Human Life
09. Within My Blood

The Black Dahlia Murder

Next up was a band everybody was in “die-hopes” of seeing and of course they did, known simply as The Black Dahlia Murder who threw together a 45 minute set capacity that couldn’t hold it altogether when it came to this aggressive crowd of metal heads shouting and being thrown around like a rag dolls singing along to each and every song that came pulsing out of the vocalist along with his band mates to top it all off. Once they set had came to a closing point the final contender of the night that everyone was obviously here for, was up for their hour and a half glory.

Setlist

01. Everything Went Black
02. Black Valor
03. Closed Casket Requiem
04. Necropolis
05. A Vulgar Picture
06. What A Horrible Night to Have A Curse
07. Christ Deformed
08. Miasma
09. Funeral Thirst

Children Of Bodom

Finland’s finest musicians around being led by one of the most talented guitarists around, Alexi Laiho, Children of Bodom was the main attraction of tonight’s metal frenzy, starting the show off with “Living Dead Beat,” rolling right into “Hellhounds On My Trail,” finishing off the introduction with classic but true “Silent Night, Bodom Night.” But that’s not all, the band continued their classic chaos with “Hate Me,” going down the lines of other top notch tunes, “Bodom After Midnight,” “Are You Dead Yet?,” “Blooddrunk,” rounding it all off with “Hate Crew Deathroll,” dedicated to all the hardcore Children Of Bodom fans within the sea of black.

The night closed off to being as I foretold it would, a “sea of black,” and indeed that’s what it was and had becoming, its waves of triumph pushing over anyone/anything that came in its path of destruction.

Setlist

01. Living Dead Beat
02. Hellhounds On My Trail
03. Silent Night, Bodom Night
04. Hate Me!
05. Follow The Reaper
06. Lake Bodom
07. Bodom After Midnight
08. Are You Dead Yet?
09. Blooddrunk
10. Angels Don’t Kill
11. In Your Face
12. Children Of Decadence
13-.Bodom Beach Terror
14. Downfall
———–
15. Everytime I Die
16. Hate Crew Deathroll

By: Natalie Perez

Degrassi Goes Hollywood

When it comes to drama there is only one place that handles it all no matter the shape or size and that place is Degrassi High. Reuniting once again to re-live their old school drama terms, Manny (Cassie Steele), Paige (Lauren Collins), Marco (Adam Ruggiero) Ellie (Stacey Farber) along with Craig (Jake Epstein) join forces once again to showcase what friendship and love is truly about.

That’s the theme for Degrassi Goes Hollywood, when Manny bombs her audition for Jason Mewe’s new film, she must face the drama when he casts a replacement. Paige fills in for her instead unleashing a spiraling circle of chaos as soon as making her way onto the set. Paiges old friends Marco and Ellie fly out to Hollywood in Paiges time of need and support her but soon realize she’s become a Hollywood diva overnight. While out in Los Angeles Ellie reunites with an old flame Craig and old emotions begin to flutter between the former pair. Meanwhile Manny and Jay along with the band mates of The Studz board a school bus for a cross-country road trip to help Manny reclaim the lead role in Jason’s film Mewsical High. After their arrival Manny goes off to become Hollywood’s next BIG thing whereas Paige is tossed in the backdrop helping her along the way. During all this fame and fortune for the Degrassi ladies, Ellie and Craig get in yet another fund because the feelings they have for one another. When it’s all said and done, Ellie and Craig realize they’re fate. As Ellie flies back out to be at her father’s side because of his illness and remaining in the hospital.

Degrassi Goes Hollywood isn’t your typical Degrassi episode but it still impacts the same high school drama deliverance that will always linger and remain a treasured loved

Written by: Natalie Perez

Anime Expo Celebrates Independence

Southern California holds some of the most unique events around the Los Angeles County from concerts to movie premiere’s to conventions down to expos each one being more interesting than the last. But this time we’re here to discuss an expo side of L.A. And an annual one to be precise one that’s been hitting it hard since the start back in 1992. I’m talking about the one and only Anime Expo, abbreviated AX, an American anime convention that usually takes place during the 4th of July weekend festivities but varies each year.

This time around it held its doors open allowing more than over 40,000+ Unique Attendees at the Nation¹s Largest Anime and Manga Event. Everyone and anyone were willing to come down from all over to bear witness the fun and excitement that is offered. From karaoke contests, to costume contests to merch booths selling items you cannot find anywhere else. The Anime Expo is hosted by a non-profit Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). The SPJA has held a handful of other Anime Expo’s throughout the world i.e. New York, Tokyo that took place respectively in 2002 and 2004. Instantly growing as the time goes on. But that cannot maintain the mayhem and pure adrenaline rush that these crazed fans can’t get enough of. Hundreds roamed the many halls of the Los Angeles convention center dressed up as their favorite characters being admired by all who wanted to catch a glimpse or get a shot alongside their favorable characters. Ranging from Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist, Inuyasha, Naruto, Pokemon, Sailor Moon, Dragonball Series, Bleach the list goes on and on all sorts of anime was being tossed around. But aside from the main hole in the wall merchandise world throughout the convention several rooms were held up holding contests and movie airings, rock concerts, panel discussions, you name it. It was being showcased one way or another.

This year’s anime expo had brought in a ton of fun and pure happiness everywhere you looked. Everyone who was involved or just checking out the sights and many sounds offered throughout the convention was talking. It brought out the fun and kept it flowing throughout the entire event. Not missing a single person in attendance. Be sure to not miss out on your chance come next year’s fun and total excitement.

Written by Natalie Perez

I Love You, Beth Cooper

I Love You, Beth Cooper was not your typical teen movie of the past, which were full of nudity and reckless sex, in fact, this movie was very refreshing. This comedy was very entertaining, outright hilarious and I loved every minute and didn’t once think twice that there wasn’t any nudity.  I would easily call this one of the best comedies of the summer and dare I say the year.  Larry Doyal masterfully wrote a movie that was entertaining without the unnecessary attractions.

The movie takes place in a small town in Washington state, where a graduating high school class was about to be shaken up by someone they all least expected, the valedictorian, Dennis Cooverman.  This nerdy classmate has sat behind Beth Cooper all his life, and never had the chance to even talk to this popular head cheerleader.  With graduation commencement taking place and his speech being the last thing his class will hear, he’s faced with a now or never regret should he not profess his undying love for Beth Cooper.  Dennis Cooverman does so in the speech, in front of the entire school and also throws out some other matter of facts for some of his other classmates, causing extreme anger towards him.

After graduation, Beth Cooper confronts him and Dennis Cooverman asks her to come to his post graduation party.  Surprisingly they show up, Beth and her friends (a.k.a. The Beauty Trifecta), and what happens next is the ride of Dennis’ life.  Her angry boyfriend who is all coked up arrives at the house and attempts to kill Dennis and his friend, and Beth saves them from his rage.  She takes them on an amazing adventure with crazy driving, underage drinking, and parties across the city, each time dodging or barely leaving with their lives from her boyfriend who is tracking her every move.

The party ends up in a cabin outside of the city, where Beth and Dennis sit and discuss their plans, and Beth sadly confesses her high school life was the best ride she’ll have; her time is done from here on in.  Dennis tells her after the night they just had, that statement was a line of crap and she was in for the ride of her life.  He also sees this image he had of Beth Cooper through the years broken as she proved to be a bit more rambunctious than expected, but he fell in love with that girl, too.

Hayden Panettiere was amazing in the role.  Her character plays a typical Panettiere role; the popular cheerleader type that’s tough and is not easily pushed around.  She’s fun and lives life to the fullest, even to the point of a bully that is just a bit misunderstood.  In the end of the movie, she turns into something we are not used to seeing from her roles; a character who is unsure of herself, who has doubts and is vulnerable under that tough facade.  It was amazing watching that side of a character for her and she did it with ease.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone, and if you are a parent and afraid there would be nudity or extreme vulgarity, think again.  The closest you’ll get to nudity is a topless back shot of Panettiere, and you couldn’t see anything.  Anyone of any age would like this, but still, it is R-rated so parents should be there with their kids.

This movie receives 5 out of 5 stars.  It will make you laugh, cry and realize you can enjoy life; it doesn’t stop after high school, it’s only how you make it.

Stomp Romping Into Tampa

Downtown Tampa was rocked when the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center hosted one of the most intensely physical, rhythmic percussion shows I have ever seen.  Stomp “drummed” up a crowd and took the hearts of their patrons by storm.  I don’t think I witnessed one person not amazed by their performance in that sold out theater.

Stomp is a performance with an urban feel to it, but resembles so many different aspects that it’s hard to put it all into a list.  It’s as intense as River Dance with a blue collar urban feel, but I also see Cirque De Soleil and West Side Story, all masterfully blended into its own unique play.  This show would amaze Fred Astaire for sure.

From start to finish, it was an hour and forty-five minutes of non-stop rhythm. The performers used their bodies, brooms, Zippos, trash cans, signs, newspaper, and anything else they could find to make incredible sounds with.  They combined karate, slapstick, juggling, tap dancing, comedy, intense lighting and the feeling of friendship that will send your emotions running all over the spectrum.  I was awestruck with the choreography of this show, and have a new found respect for the level of physical and mental endurance as well as the countless hours needed to learn this act.  They are true sportsmen and theatrical artists combined into one true package.

What I like the best about this show is the feeling of urban friends (ie. New York City) getting together on a hot summer day, behind one of their places of employment, down an alley chilling out.  They come up with some incredible sounds and dancing to pass the time away.  If you ever lived in a big city, you will know what I mean when you see Stomp.

Stomp is definitely one of the best shows I’ve ever seen; a must for anyone who loves dance and intense choreography. Stomp is a show perfect for any one of any age and race.  When they’re done, you’ll be out of breath and feel sore just from watching.  Oh yeah, they will get you involved in the show, too.

The Expressionist Magazine gives this intense show 5 out of 5 stars, and a big kudos to all the performers who made this look easy.  We also thank the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center for having this show for the people of Tampa to be amazed with.

Internet Explorer 8

Many of you know Microsoft software over the years has been hit hard by naysayers.  The monopoly victory won a few years ago sent their founder and CEO packing, not to mention their software vulnerability for hackers and viruses.  Microsoft has gone through a lot, and for me personally, I feel they haven’t been the same since Bill Gates stepped down.

They released Microsoft Vista a year or so ago, and since then the complaints have flown in. Despite the sleek look and cool features, most of the computers act like mine- constantly freezing up and crashing, programs not compatible, very slow and sluggish when it’s not crashing.  I think I wait more than get my tasks accomplished, so how is that being productive?

A few months ago I noticed across Yahoo’s homepage a link to download Internet Explorer 8.0 and immediately I was a bit hesitant towards the transition.  I put it off as long as I could, but the mandatory updates caught up with me and so I downloaded it.  Now I think I hate Microsoft; thank goodness for Firefox.

Just using this software today, the day after the install, my computer has crashed a record seven times and has been slower than usual.  Internet Explorer 8.0 will not load all of my info onto Facebook and other networking sites.  I cannot access my government log-in pages nor my bank anymore and now have to use another browser for this purpose.  I installed it on my brother’s computer a few weeks ago and his stopped working, as well. I am simply disgusted with the program, however, there are a few out there who may disagree.  Two out of two computers in my house that have this software no longer can use Internet Explorer to browse the Internet.

What’s even worse, Microsoft was known for the Internet browser and the World Wide Web, utilizing it inside their programs.  There is no excuse to the fallacies contained in something that they invented.

If you downloaded this program and now regret it, you’re not alone, but there are some simple and free options:

FireFox  - www.firefox.com or www.mozilla.com
Safari – www.safari.com   (Mac’s browser that works on Windows; just be sure to download the right platform)
Google Chrome – www.google.com/chrome  (Yes, they have a web browser now, too)

As far as a star rating, I would give this P.O.S. web browser, to say it nicely, a 0.5 out of 5 stars.  This signals the downfall of Microsoft.

The Dream

The night is cold with a comforting warmth fills the air, as the crowd waiting inside grows impatient. A handful lined up just outside the Roxy, one of the many clubs that a line the famous Sunset Strip. Located in the one and only Hollywood, California where all the fun and excitement occurs. But tonight is a night of specialties because this night is the last time we will be seeing heavy metal/rock n roll sensation The Dreaming. For they wish to full fill their desires of creating new material for our listening ears to enjoy, just as much as we did their first achievement ìEtched in Blood.îThe Dreaming combines a raw intensity of energy when it comes to performing, displaying in jumping hypertonic matter a 35 minute set list of energetic motions and movements. Singing loud and clear the many sights and shouts of Dead to Me, Sticks and Stones, “Bullet,” “Ugly (Beautiful),” “Let it Burn,” “Disconnected,” “Make It Go Away,” and “Send Me an Angel,” a handful of songs that got the audience begging for more! During the set front man Christopher Hall mentions ìIíve been singing Dead to Me, over 7,000 times, if I have to sing it one more time i’ll put a bullet in my head. Going off into the reminder of their set as the crowd watching in amazement cheered for the new beginning of what The Dreaming has in store for us coming very soon.

Written by:  Natalie Perez

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