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Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell (Deluxe)

This band got signed to American Recordings? I guess they're just handing out recording contracts to any copycat band lately.

Yeah, you heard me right, Noise Ratchet is a copycat band. In these 6 tracks, the band directly apes the forerunners of their emo-rock/pop genre so badly, you'd think that their royalty checks are made out to the Juliana Theory and Hot Rod Circuit than the band themselves.

From a musical standpoint, it's not half bad. The first song, "When Losing Ends," is fairly catchy while listening [although I can't hum it right now to save my life]. The problem occurs when the band moves past the first song - second track "Fiction Arms" sounds just like the first song. Loud guitars, pounding drums, wailing, plaintive vocals - I seriously can't tell where one track stops and one begins.

It only gets worse with track three, "From Your Lips." It sounds just like the first two, except the verses are in 6/8 time [but the chorus reverts back to good ol' 4/4 for the "rock out"]. The band knows how to write a good song, but apparently they don't know how to write more than one in a certain style.

The band slows it down with "A Way To The Heart," a soft ballad that is apparently re-recorded from their last album. It sounds like one of the more lush Dashboard Confessional songs that had the girl singing with him.

The next two songs split the difference, with one falling into the "loud rock" category and one falling into the "soft ballad" category, but again, they're both unmemorable. There is just nothing fresh or new on this EP to warrant it's purchase at all.

Kids, if you like this band, go to the source. Buy a Hot Rod Circuit CD, buy a Juliana Theory CD - shit, buy a fucking Jimmy Eat World CD, they molded this genre into what it is nowadays anyways. Just avoid this, please.

Think of the children.

Watch e-card here



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    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 17, 2003 at 8:50 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Also for those not liking my post drop me some hatemail or love mail firehousesk8er@yahoo.com also SICKBOY u wana get intouch with me and hook me up with some albums?

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 17, 2003 at 8:48 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    You really don't know very much.... Thier not "EMO" thier a rock band with that kinda sound. Of coarse the songs will sound similar, do we not see this with other bands ANY bands. I mean that is thier kinda music and to not like this album is luticris. What's wrong with it the writing is beutiful the riffs and the sounds are wonderfull, NEW ROOM CHANGE YOURSELF ON THE OTHER SIDE, How can you beat something like that? I understand why you don't like it because TJT and SC and HRC are not "in" any more, you know what's in hating what u call "emo" thier not emo thier Rock call them what they are, Your reviews are biased get someone who knows music, and who likes bands like TJT to review other wise why don't you have me review RAP. if you don't know what your talking about you shouldn't be aloud to speak. Thank you.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 12, 2003 at 5:48 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "This review is pretty much dead on. I think it's hilarious that these guys are on the same label as Slayer."

    Hahahaha! Slayer sucks worse than their fans. ROAR! DEVIL WILL EAT YOU! KILLLL!

    THIS SCORE IS FOR SLAYER

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 8, 2003 at 6:36 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i liked until we have faces.
    nothing new on that album either, but still solid within the "emo" genre.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 8, 2003 at 2:50 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    hey sickboi, ask your friend if he will ship them. $2.99 is a great price for an awesome CD.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 7, 2003 at 8:38 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This is in response to Bing Crosby:

    Race Car Riot were from my old home of Houston, but called it quits a few years ago. I remember a few of their shows vividly, late night at The Oven on Westheimer playing for crowds of about 15-20. Rumor has it that Deep Elm records eventually started their "Emo Diaries" series because they loved Race Car Riot so much but for logistical reasons couldn't do their record (so instead put their song on the first incarnation of that compilation is how I understand it). You can still find their releases in shops around Houston like Sound Exchange & Record Rack. If you want to get a copy, members of the band hang out at http://members.boardhost.com/hands_up alot, just head over there and post a message about wanting to get a copy of their recordings. They'll be excited to hear from you.

    Best!
    G
    http://www.scoutyoudevil.com/

    Posted by casualty on 2003-05-07 00:56:17
    My Score:

    it's bad enough that emo-(insert genre word here) exists in the first, but for a band to take it to a shittier level (if that's even possible), just takes the cake.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 7, 2003 at 12:40 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    'fiction arms' was on the sidecho sampler from january. i dug that song - but the rest of this album all sounds the same, as mentioned prior. boo for them

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 at 7:47 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    My friend's record shop is selling this band's earlier album for $2.99 NEW. And there is a whole box of em. Yeah, that pretty much says it all.

    -sickboi

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 at 5:30 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    WOW Scott! You know time signatures?! Why don't you sit on your thumb and rotate in 13/8 time?!?!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 at 2:36 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    ok, i rescind the comment below. i think they fit just a little better on the militia group roster...

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 at 2:33 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    uh, american recordings? try the militia group.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 at 12:53 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this band latches on to whatever is the cool type of music at the time.

    and they always suck at it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 at 12:23 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Honestly, I've never heard this band before, but they don't sound overlly interesting. I was actually wondering if anyone knows if Race Car Riot (amazing band) have a full length out, coming out, or are even a band anymore.
    Thanks.

    Bing Crosby

    Posted by sloppyblake on 2003-05-06 09:24:20
    My Score:

    i think you are wrong.

    and it is sad that manic hispanic got a better rating than this.

    Posted by StabbingGoldfish on 2003-05-06 02:07:53
    My Score:

    I like to see the Slayer/Noise Ratchet 2003 tour.

    btw: the cover art is a mic resting on two drum toms.

    Posted by travis on 2003-05-06 01:57:30
    My Score:

    very good review scott. thats a very great point fortyminuteswest.

    Posted by pope_schlomo on 2003-05-06 01:57:19
    My Score:

    what in the hell is that thing suppose to be on the cover art? a killer karoeke machine???

    Ramo
    (slayer will eat them for breakfast)

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-05-06 01:54:48
    My Score:

    This review is pretty much dead on. I think it's hilarious that these guys are on the same label as Slayer.

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