Island View Drive: Local Michigan Guys Have Potential
Written: Dec 14 '04 (Updated Dec 14 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Slept In and reggae-pop-rock songs...
Cons: Some songs seem a bit trendy (or is it uninspired?)
The Bottom Line: A good debut from a up-and-coming local (Fenton!) act.
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| lambchops's Full Review: What Will It Take - Island View Drive Movies |
It was the fact that the band hails from Fenton, Michigan that peaked my interest. However, had it not been for the music (a keen blend of emo, rock, and coffeehouse alt) I wouldn't have been writing about them. Island View Drive is a smidge too post-teenage punk angst for my taste but the songs are well written, nicely produced, and well performed. In all, I'm impressed--these guys exhibit some real potential.
Island View Drive is Alec Tower (vocals, bass), Luke Tower (vocals, guitar), and Brandon Maniez (drums). All in their early twenties, they are full of youthful vigor as evidenced by their energetic songs and performances. This, most certainly, also comes across in their live shows. Their debut album, What Will It Take on Acutest Records, is a short and sweet effort that is sufficiently entertaining and well made. I'm not completely sold on the locals but I can honestly say that I wouldn't be surprised if they got they got the break they are seeking. If I've got one word of advice, it would be to do something different than the rest of the herd. Don't dye your hair orange, don't take on fake personas, but do inject something unexpected--a banjo, a tambourine, or something else less than usual. That would have definitely gotten my attention.
What Will It Take is ten songs long but passes by much more quickly with songs clocking in around three minutes. I appreciate the energy the band puts forth, though it is on the slower songs that I hear the most promising performances. Opening Up is one of the best songs on the album. It's modest, light (despite the electric guitars and percussion), and melodic. The vocals are controlled which works nicely with the song. I also really enjoy the very end of the track with the fabulous guitar solo (paired with Alec's plucked bass and Maniez's occasional pounding).
The songs are entertaining and if I can flaw them for anything it would be that they are slightly cookie-cutter. I've already mentioned I would have liked to hear something off-kilter from a self-described alternative band. Screw MTV and their minions of "punk" kids--be creative and make music that you love for the sake of making music you love. I don't want to come off as negative toward Island View Drive. I like them, I think they have a good deal of potential and they are appealing to a wide audience.
Underneath the Moon is one song I particularly enjoy. Instead of paying homage to the punk-pop world they have taken an obvious appreciation for Sublime and injected reggae-ska into the song. Alec's voice is well suited to the style and comes across brilliantly. This would be another nice direction to go. Slightly different, slightly more emotional, and distinctive it sheds a more direct light on to Island View Drive. This reggae slacker swagger doesn't last long though. It is followed by the electric guitar driven What It Is and Destruction of the Sound Barrier. It is the latter that is more interesting to me, but only by a bit. I like the change in sound and pace and the spacey guitar work.
Turn Out the Light returns to a vaguely reggae style which is a nice contrast to the punk-pop-emo-rock-alt style of most of the album. It is lazy and summery and once again seems somehow more natural for the Genesee County band. Songs Strain Over My Heart and Slept In wrap things up succinctly. In particular, album ender Slept In is impressive. Acoustic and lovely, it is different than anything else on What Will It Take. It makes me yearn for more--something which I can't say about most of the rest of the album. The band clearly has a great deal of talent as exhibited by the sparkly vocals, lovely guitar, and catchy melody. I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear a more acoustic slant to future Island View Drive records. Slept In is easily my favorite offering. It makes me smile.
I am impressed by this band's ability to inject reggae into their music. I also enjoy the acoustic nature of the last song. These are impressive offerings. I am entertained but not entirely sold on the more radio friendly offerings. They are kicky and cool and probably great live but they don't translate as anything particularly good or bad on this debut. This is a fine indie debut and I look forward to hearing more from Island View Drive in the future.
Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up)
Track Lisitng:
01. Footnote
02. Opening Up
03. Running in Place
04. What Will It Take
05. Underneath the Moon
06. What It Is
07. Destruction of the Sound Barrier
08. Turn Out the Light
09. Strain Over My Heart
10. Slept In
...by the way, Fenton is located about ten miles north of my house if anybody is keeping track. It's the home of my favorite BW3 location and...uh...Wal-Mart.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
lambchops
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 - Top 50 |
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Member: Shelly T.
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
Reviews written: 1172
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About Me:
Bye-bye CL hat. Hopefully I'll write some new reviews some time soon!
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