Choice 5 for January

Modern Rock Review January 5, 2016June 27, 2016 2014 Album, 2015 Album, 2016 Article, Articles by Ric Albano, Artists from California, Artists from Florida, Artists from Illinois, Artists from Italy, Artists from New York

Our Choice 5 for January 2016 features a rich selection of albums and EPs from around the globe.

Chasing Shadows by Black Tide

Black Tide finds a nice blend of speed metal andÂ thrash metal with elements of post hardcore on their third full-length album, Chasing Shadows. The album features fine lead guitars throughout machine-gun, kick drums, and pristine production. Song highlights begin with the opening “Intro/No Guidelines” and continue through the melodic and accessible “Burn” and the cool, vocal-driven “Before We Form”.

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Buy Chasing Shadows

Elephants Never Forget by Bubbles Erotica

On their 2014 EP, Elephants Never Forget, the Chicago-based quartet Bubbles Erotica reach the confluence of hard rock, power pop and techno/ electronica. Here they use their substantial musical ability to forge a quartet of outstanding compositions each more interesting and energetic than the last, with it all reaching a climax on the final track, “Inhaling Ghosts”. This is just a sampling of what is possible with this group.

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Buy Elephants Never Forget

Ravens & Writing Desks EP by Arsenic Unbirthday

Arsenic Unbirthday is an Italian alternative rock band who employs rich arrangements on their debut EP, Ravens and Writing Desks. With sounds ranging from the eerie and dark rocker “My Enemy”, to bluesy andÂ catchy “Another Sin to Hide”, the group employs melodic yet edgy tunes with rhythmic grooves throughout this six song collection.

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Arsenic Unbirthday website
Buy Ravens & Writing Desks

Things Moving On Their Own Together by Stephen Chopek

Stephen Chopek got his start singing songs in the New York City subways for up to seven or eight hours a day. After years of playing and refining his style, he released a couple of EPs, Things Moving and On Their Own, eventually combining these two as a single, full-length album. Drawing from a vast reservoir of musical influences, Chopek forged this interesting and entertaining album.

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Stephen Chopek website
Buy Things Moving On Their Own Together

The Struggle EP by XO Stereo

LA-based pop-rockers XO Stereo released an EP which is very assertive and animated musically. On The Struggle, the power trio finds the sweet spot between old school rock and modern metal. Some highlights here, include “Hatchet”, with an excellent guitar lead and interesting ending arrangement, and the slightly techno influenced title track, “The Struggle”, which works well with the group’s sound.

Buy The Struggle

See you on Friday, February 5^th for the next installment of Choice 5!

Modern Rock Review’s look at 5 new album and EP releases, published on January 5, 2016.