Brett's Choice: Upcoming Release to Look for in November

Many new post hardcore bands seem to be receiving a lot of criticism for sounding too much like other bands already on the scene. Though I consider myself  a person that enjoys unique sounds in music more than most, I believe that reaching this point would be inevitable. If you look at any genre of music as a whole, you will notice it is difficult to find a multitude of artists that genuinely stick out.

This being said, the first upcoming release I want to talk about is Ten After Two and their EP, "If You Don't First" which will be available November 9, 2010.

Some have said their music sounds too similar to other post hardcore bands. However, they have a fantastic sound in which it is easy to tell that they pour their hearts and souls into their music. Since hearing this band, I have kept their music on repeat.

The guitars provide engaging riffs that encompass beautiful melodies and heavy breakdowns. I feel the drums compliment the guitars perfectly, providing the optimum beat throughout their songs. I enjoy the screaming vocals because they not only sound great to me, but sound more audible than most I have heard. The clean vocals sound natural which I really appreciate with the current auto tune craze.

I was also highly impressed with their live show. Many live performances in these days lack the tight, crisp sound that an album brings. The whole band plays exceptionally well, has good stage presence, and does a great job of engaging the crowd.

If you haven't checked these guys out yet, I highly encourage you to visit their Myspace page and listen to them.

What is your opinion of this band and their sound? Are you anticipating the release of their debut EP? What album releases are you most looking forward to in the near future?

Need to Relax?

First I must thank my friend Maddie for suggesting Mr. Dustin Kensrue to me. I have fallen in love with his music from the moment I heard it. Kensrue is the lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist of the band Thrice. In 2007 he recorded an album called Please Come Home, which I must highly recommend to any fans of acoustic music.

In today's world where the radio is dominated by artists such as Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert, Dustin Kensrue has a truly unique voice that I feel puts these Top 40 artists to shame. Have you ever heard someone mention that they can actually feel the emotion of a song? Kensrue is an artist that I honestly believe  puts his whole heart and soul into every song he has written.

Kensrue completely gains my approval in the lyric writing category. On his Equal Vision Records artist profile, Kensrue says, "I try to be an artist who aspires to find hope even in dark places: If I'm down, I don't want to bring people down to that place with me. I'm looking for a way out." This message is one that resonates with me and is evident in songs such as Consider the Ravens, Blankets of Ghosts, and I Believe. Hope is hard to find in today's world. I really appreciate when an artist takes a focus on a message of hope and redemption, instead of personal gain and status.

Whether you search any of the songs mentioned above, or you follow the link to Kensrue's video for This is War, I believe this is an unique artist that really deserves your attention. So give him a listen and let me know what you think. Do you share my opinion of him? Do you know of a similar artist that you would suggest?