Pt. 2 - A Surprisingly Good Take in Birmingham
Was travelling for work in Birmingham last week. Honestly, I don't visit Birmingham without having Milo's sweet tea and a crispy chicken sandwich (with double 0 sauce), scoring a hamburger from Whattaburger, and visiting the 2nd and Charles in Hoover. I hadn't visited this used media store in around a year, so the inventory was relatively fresh! |
| 1 |  | U.P.O.
No Pleasantries
Had heard that Zoltan Bathory of FFDP was once in this band, so wanted to check them out. Unfortunately, he was not on this album in particular; but it did include Chris Weber of Hollywood Rose fame. All in all, a good listen that, while listening, I did not want to turn off. The music hits quite hard and is recorded well. The vocals are a bit AIC like and can grate after a while. |
| 2 |  | Dandelion
Dyslexicon
So...I had this album years ago in the 1990's and sold it back. Not remembering why I sold it back (and not having ripped it), I bought it this time around for $0.50. That was $0.50 too much, as this is quite the beer coaster. Imagine if Nirvana was absolute shitty and that is Dandelion. |
| 3 |  | Oceansize
Self Preserved While The Bodies Float Up
A while back I had checked out their album "Everyone into Position" and it was a good listen. So found this album and took a stab in the dark. Actually, quite an intriguing listen. The first 3 songs are quite heavy and pull you in. From there, the songs become a bit more progressive with both light and heavy moments. Definitely worth a spin. |
| 4 |  | Tweak Bird
Undercover Crops
Didn't think this band was too well known, but 2nd and Charles happened to have this EP. I tend to dig Tweak Bird, but wished that they made their songs just a wee bit longer. Their songs are well written, heavy, and catchy, but seem unfinished at times. |
| 5 |  | Sloth
Dead Generation
Remembered hearing this band on an Ozzfest sampler back in the 2000's and digging it. All in all, a good album. Heavy hitting 2000's style with clean vocals. Note a landmark album, but not bad either. |
| 6 |  | (hed) p.e.
Evolution
I am an old-school rap metal and (hed) p.e. fan, since they released their self-titled album back in 1997. Saw them at least twice live back in the day. Many seem to hate this album, especially due to the three reggae tracks at the end. I don't mind the reggae influence...actually gives the album much more diversity. Not the best Hed (p.e.) album (that is likely Broke), but honestly a good listen. |
| 7 |  | MxPx
Let It Happen
Been in somewhat of a punk kick lately, and this was one of the bands I dug off of Tooth & Nail. Haven't had a chance to fully immerse into this compilation yet. |
| 8 |  | Course of Nature
No Time At All [as COG]
Let me tell you...this pissed me off. I was so excited to see a Cog album for $2, thinking it was the progressive metal band from Sydney. I thought I had scored big time. Until I got it back and saw the pictures in the inlet...this was not the Cog I know. This was some Creed-wannabes. Yes, this album and band blows. |
| 9 |  | Anberlin
New Surrender
After buying Cities a while back, began to get into this band. In my prior list, I had found their first two albums at a flea market. Found the follow-up to Cities here at 2nd and Charles and wanted to give it a try. All in all, a good album. But it is no Cities and I can't quite place why. |
| 10 |  | Hammerbox
Numb
I thought I knew all the good grunge bands out of Seattle. I had read a tiny excerpt about this band in Grunge is Dead (if I recall), so I barely recognized the band name. Ended up purchasing this CD on a whim...and I am glad I did. This is an interesting album as it has a female lead singer and mixes many grunge styles. I was listening to one song, which was quite Soundgarden- Batmotorfinger esque. Just shows that the Seattle scene was a bit incestuous but had many, many talented bands in addition to those that "made it". |
| 11 |  | Russian Circles
Empros
Finally, the pinnacle of my visit. Anytime I find a Russian Circles album that I don't have, I jump for joy. I was sifting through the racks in "R", and I saw a tab for Russian Circles. Sure they have a tab, but they probably don't have any CDs for the band...right? What store does? But they had this one! This album is great as expected. Talk about a band that has not put out a bad album yet. |
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