phenomenal talent on display (THE MEMORIALS)

The Memorials
Delirium
Self-Released; 2012

In my review of the self-titled debut record from The Memorials, I made specific mention of the phenomenal talent on display, but I was also confused by the attempts to water down the prog rock with some generic ‘60s-‘70s hard rock tropes. Not to take any real credit here, but it does seem that the band took my constructive criticism to heart when recording Delirium, since it’s difficult to detect a false step or wrong paths taken. Simply put, there’s less fluff and much more focus to the direction of the music, all of which leads to a stellar sophomore release.

From beginning to end, Viveca Hawkins reaches out through the speakers and shakes the listener around, using both the strength of her soulful voice and the weight of her sociopolitical lyrics. Criticism of the drug war and the prison-industrial complex are pared with heartfelt pleas for increased cultural awareness – admittedly, it’s nice to hear someone not within the punk and folk spheres actually sing about something specific that’s not related to tales of sex, love, or romantic longing. More importantly, Hawkins displays a very unique sort of power and intensity that I find most compelling, in that I’m not sure I’d find these songs quite as interesting if the singer was a typically histrionic male rock star type.

Musically, the songs combine hip-hop, post-prog, and arena rock with style – imagine Lauren Hill fronting At The Drive In or M.I.A. collaborating with Muse. And I would be remiss to not mention the rich fusion of funk, soul, and jazz textures, which call to mind thick slices of Parliament Funkadelic, Sly & The Family Stone, Robert Randolph, and Ben Harper. Nick Brewer’s guitar aptitude is off the charts, and Thomas Pridgen wails on the drums with a fury, purpose, and appreciation for time signature fluctuations reminiscent of Mike Portnoy. In fact, my Dream Theater-loving brothers would probably enjoy wide swathes of this record, especially in how the lengthy, embellished arrangements give all the instruments a chance to shine.

Delirium aims for the highest of heights, and achieves them easily, especially on “Fluorescent’s Unforgiving,” “Gone,” “Daisies,” and “Mr. Entitled.” On the whole, I’m really pleased to hear how much The Memorials have grown as a band in the last two years – political prog rock might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I truly enjoyed this record.

http://dryvetyme.tumblr.com/post/24604544498/the-memorials-delirium

synth sets the world spinning

Rags & Ribbons 
The Glass Masses 

Crystalline guitars and shimmering synth boost and bring focus to the smooth vocals on Even Matter, the opening track on Rags & Ribbons debut album.  There are forlorn melodies in the guitars and a sense of yearning to be found in those captivating vocals, all the while a mildly demented interplay of drums and synth sets the world spinning.  And this begins a captivating journey across the initial offering from this Portland trio.  Their alt-rock is amped up a bit more on Liar.  The guitars become meatier and the chorus is like layered angels.  Fragile U2-esque guitar lines are buried beneath what could be called a choir of vocals as The Marks You Make gets rolling.  The drum snaps away like a soldier's beat before the song surges into an upswing accented by piano.  Muted piano and lush vocals slide alongside a sorrowful guitar line in the core of Moving On.  My favorite track, Abacus Kids reminds me of the mega hit by Big Country, In A Big Country.  It has that epic, emotional and nostalgic quality to its main riff and those unmistakable vocals hooks that drag me across windswept landscapes.  The song works towards alternating rock explosions and sweet, melt-in-my-ears melodies.  The deep, shuddering guitars that open We Have Been Here Before remind me of U2, but there is some other influence playing havoc on my mind as well because I can't quite place it.  UGH.  Regardless, the track ebbs and flows in a slow rolling rhythm.  It's cold and rainy in the instruments, but the vocals continue to paint my speakers with quicksilver.  The Glass Masses is a comforting album despite the tinge of despair that lingers across the tracks.  I hear echoes of Drivin' N Cryin' and Queen and U2 sprinkled throughout this album.  The emotional depth of early 90s alternative rock is bled out in rivers by Rags & Ribbons.  

http://www.nocturnalcult.com/newcontents.htm

What I Learned at Bandcamp: Rags & Ribbons

Posted by Alexis Getscher

After making music together for three years, Portland-based Rags & Ribbons released their debut album, The Glass Masses, on Jan. 17. Tracks are available on Bandcamp and the album can be streamed in its entirety on Facebook.
The trio of Ben Weyerhaeuser, Chris Neff and Jon Hicks will begin touring in March through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Idaho and more, on their way to Texas for South by Southwest.
Recently the band posted on Facebook looking for Arizona bands to play a show with them. “Any Tucson, AZ people friends with us on here? If so, sound off below! We need your help!” Who better to suggest local bands than Arizonans themselves? Leave a comment on their page with suggestions for what bands you think Rags & Ribbons should add to the bill for their upcoming visit.

Read below to see what Hicks has to say about the band and his advice to our readers…

Who or what are your influences?
Some of our musical influences range from Muse, to the Deftones, to Brahms and much in between. But like everyone else, we have artistic, emotional, and philosophical influences, too. And we believe the influences of the people in our lives are most profound, helping us create something altogether different.
How did you come up with your name?
We spent almost a year deciding on this name. In the end, we liked the alliteration, versatility, and the imagery it evokes.
How did you guys meet/form the band?
Ben and I met in college and started making music together then. We (in a very fortunate twist of fate) found Chris on Craigslist.
Upcoming projects, where do you want to go from here?
We’re touring down to SXSW this March, and will be touring the East Coast later this year. We also have some projects in the making that we’ll publicize on our Facebook page as the year progresses.
What inspires your music?
The incredible scope of our shared human experience never ceases to be a source of inspiration for us. As musicians, we (perhaps vainly) strive with everything we do – writing, performing, etc, – to communicate that experience in a way that words can’t, with the hopes that some day we will scratch the surface.
What musicians or bands do you look up to?
Those musicians that go beyond what they’ve heard to create something new. Also, the bands we’ve had the privilege of opening for and playing with like No Kind of Rider and Symmetry/Symmetry.
Why do you make music?
Creating a work of art that can really speak to people and influence their lives in a way that nothing else can is the single greatest triumph that a musician can hope for. It’s these moments of triumph that make all the time, labor, and sacrifice worth it.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know about your band 
Listen to things you haven’t heard before. Take risks.



http://thespecblog.com/learned-bandcamp-rags-ribbons/