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Damiera

M(US)ic [reissue]
2007
Equal Vision

Damiera - M(US)ic [reissue] (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Anchors
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Equal Vision Records (Logo)

Published on March 2nd 2007

Being somebody who was born in Buffalo, I can admit, there’s not much to be happy about in the city. The Sabres are having the best season in franchise history, and the food is some of the best in the country, but for every amazing eatery there’s five abandoned factories and a burned down apartment building. Musically, they boast Dead Hearts and Every Time I Die (though the latter isn’t much to be proud of these days) but there’s not much to get excited about.

Four men intend to change all that, and with the help of their newly-found record label, Damiera are more than capable.

Everything about this release is honed to perfection; from its 10 songs and half-an-hour runtime to the incredible talent of the musicians, it’s a sensory explosion that you’d have to be a terrorist not to enjoy. Yes, a terrorist. You don’t hate America, do you? Good.

The layered, intricate, driving anthems are steered at the helm by singer and guitarist Dave Raymond. Showing an incredible amount of skill and precision in each of those disciplines, he’s able to help guide the other three band members to create a record in which no two songs sound too similar, without losing a uniform flow that never stops hitting. That’s not to say the other band members don’t hold important positions in the band, however, as that couldn’t be further from the truth. Look no further than the opening track, “Immure,” for a quick glimpse into how talented a quartet Damiera truly is. The clean riffing of Raymond and guitarist Rock Whittington is heavily jazz-influenced, and that parlays very well into their fast-paced, keep-you-on-your-toes style.

“Ember Eason” is a more reserved effort, with shimmering riffs and some very tactful drumming. It’s important that they show their versatility, because people are often quick to pin a band to a particular style, and Damiera's range of talents should keep that from happening. From guitar tone to the sound of the snare drum, everything is crisp and precisely delivered while maintaining a ‘huge’ sound that permeates every aspect of their songwriting. It’s the kind of sound that’s just as fitting in an arena full of 50,000 people as a VFW with only 20 people watching.

I really cannot say enough positive things about M(US)ic, as right from the outset Damiera has proved themselves to be consummate songwriters, capable of more than any of their current contemporaries. The sky is truly the limit for these Buffalonians, and their style is only eclipsed by substance. So rarely is that the case.



People who liked this also liked:
Lifetime - LifetimeAughra / Mosh Patrol - Is There Anyone Else Outside?Pelican - The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the ThawAlkaline Trio - Remains [CD/DVD]Boy Sets Fire - The Day the Sun Went Out [reissue]Sublime - Sublime [Deluxe Edition]The Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!Alexisonfire - Watch Out!Thrice - VheissuThe Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride



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    Posted by crazytoledo on 2007-04-19 11:26:00

    Is it just me or do these guys sound extremly similiar to Kaddisfly?

    Either way, that alone makes me want to really listen to this album. I should do that tonight.

    Posted by daveiam on 2007-03-19 15:53:08

    Let's just say if Mock Orange and Minus The Bear had a kid and he sang like the singer of No Motiv and melodized(yeah I made up a new word)every now and then like Geddy Lee of Rush..........that's pretty much what you have.That's my two cents.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 5, 2007 at 10:46 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    My bad, I meant Gator Boots

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 5, 2007 at 10:44 AM (EST)

    Anchors is a fucking moron if he thinks Damiera and Coheed are one in the same. You'd think a regular would be smart enough to not even comment if the article doesn't interest them.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 4, 2007 at 11:07 PM (EST)

    "hold me up"-era goo goo dolls stuff rules...if you can't appreciated good replacements-ish power pop, than there's someting wrong with you.

    Posted by sircodric on 2007-03-04 20:42:53
    My Score:

    i saw these guys live, their guitarist fucking shreds. he broke a string and sliced his hand open but kept going. covered two guitars in blood.

    Posted by Ianw on 2007-03-04 11:26:08

    This is lame.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 4, 2007 at 11:09 AM (EST)

    since you don't know what they sound like,why don't you go listen to some of their mp3's? it's free and will only take a few minutes of your time. or spend the ten bucks to buy the record, if you don't like it,then sell or give it to a friend that does. Then you'll know what they sound like.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 4, 2007 at 8:39 AM (EST)

    all that said, i STILLL have no idea what this band sounds like.

    Posted by Anchors on 2007-03-03 23:58:00

    The spelling issue was just kind of funny to me, seeing as you try to paint yourself as the picture of brilliance.

    The real issue, though, isn't your spelling; it's the fact that you registered an account on this site for no reason other than to slander me in my review threads. What's more, is you're not even good at it!

    No, no, you're not pathetic though. Really, I'm sure you have plenty of interesting things to be doing besides telling somebody you don't know that their reviews suck. I envy your life, truly.

    Posted by Gator_Boots on 2007-03-03 20:53:44

    I hope everyone can appreciate the fact that the only fault you find in my responses is with my questionable typing ability. I suppose you've got me there; I'll have to have spellcheck on my side if I want to hang with the master. Once someone starts pointing out grammatical errors rather than forming any sort of cohesive argument in their defense, you know the well is running dry.

    Posted by Anchors on 2007-03-03 19:32:34

    Next time you're going to insult me, try and spell things correctly.

    It's consistency. For somebody who watches films, and not movies, I'd expect you'd have at least that much command of the English language.

    Get back to me when you stop eating at the kiddie table, buddy.

    Posted by dev on 2007-03-03 19:26:55

    I'm just wondering if "Gator_Boots" might be able to point me in the direction of one of HIS published reviews. You know, since he's obviously got this reviewing thing down to a science.

    Posted by Gator_Boots on 2007-03-03 17:42:32

    If you knew that something was going to be hilarious with remarkable consistancy, wouldn't you look forward to it? If not for The Office and your terrible reviews, my week would have quite a few less laughs in it.

    Posted by Anchors on 2007-03-03 17:17:49

    The fact that you look forward to reading the reviews of somebody you clearly have an issue with says a lot about the exciting life you must lead.

    Posted by Gator_Boots on 2007-03-03 17:07:07

    Anchors, as per usual, delivers us with a completely useless and bland review. I alwasy look forward to reading your decidedly non-specific reviews filled with "colorful" language that actually doesn't mean shit. This band is Coheed and Cambria, but worse.

    Posted by Anchors on 2007-03-03 15:34:22

    I love that any review in which I don't make a comparison to another band everybody gets confused.

    "BUT, BUT, BUT UH, UH, WHAT DOES IT UH, SOUND LIKE ANCHORS HUH, U IDIOT."

    You should have to pass an IQ test to be allowed access to comment on this fucking site.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 3, 2007 at 9:59 AM (EST)

    you did this band a real disservice because i would never buy this cd based on the fact that I HAVE NO FUCKING IDEA what it sounds like.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 6:56 PM (EST)

    oh and anchors is the king of these kind of reviews that really say nothing about what the band sounds like

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 6:52 PM (EST)

    lindy ruff is a douche.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 4:49 PM (EST)

    the only thing buffalo is famous for is obesity, roadwork, mighty taco, polish people, and unemployment

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 3:01 PM (EST)

    ani difranco, b-snack pride

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 1:47 PM (EST)

    and again, who or what does this band sound like?

    Posted by writethatbitch on 2007-03-02 13:30:57

    every song on this album sounds the same.

    every album ETID has released is awesome.

    Posted by Anchors on 2007-03-02 12:24:55

    1) Snapcase did fucking rule; but they're not a current band.

    2) Have you heard Gutter Phenomenon? It's garbage. Straight up garbage.

    3) While I would absolutely encourage all of you to listen to No Knife, this band deserves your time too. I've listened to this record a good twenty times, and I just really can't get enough of it. It's not the most diverse record in the world, no, but that one dimension is more than enough as far as I'm concerned.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 12:04 PM (EST)

    This really does not describe how the album sounds

    aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand Every Time I Die does definitely eat massive, massive, amounts of cock, these days.

    Posted by tenwestchaser on 2007-03-02 11:54:11

    So tell me, again, why it is that Every Time I Die isn't to be proud of these days? Say what you will about the band not just churning out the same album they did 3 times before but Gutter Phenomenon was fucking amazing. Just because it was heavy, and catchy, and the best record they have ever put out doesn't mean you need to hate it for the sole purpose that the band is getting a little popular.

    Posted by FatTony on 2007-03-02 11:35:30

    Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 11:20 AM (EST)

    I still have no idea how this record sounds..

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 10:56 AM (EST)

    "Couple More Awesome Buffalo bands: Goo Goo Dolls & Cute Is What We Aim For" hahahaha

    Surprised at the score. Maybe I should check this record out (though I don't like what I've heard)

    Posted by minus_20_scene_points on 2007-03-02 10:49:53

    great abum. i wish i could have seen them with fall of troy and portugal the man.

    Posted by SydBarrett420 on 2007-03-02 09:11:57
    My Score:

    Not impressed.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 8:49 AM (EST)

    but what does it SOUND like?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 7:42 AM (EST)

    Couple More Awesome Buffalo bands: Goo Goo Dolls & Cute Is What We Aim For

    Posted by insinceredave on 2007-03-02 06:39:34
    My Score:

    Wow, I didn’t expect such a generous review from somebody like Anchors. It’s not a bad album but 4 and half. Hhmm not to sure about that.

    Posted by Allular on 2007-03-02 02:14:16

    Another awesome Buffalo band: Snapcase.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 12:42 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    This is a truly great album. My prediction this band will blow up over the next few years, and will reinvent themselves on each release. Live performance is top notch as well.

    Posted by shot_in_the_dark on 2007-03-02 00:31:08

    the singer sounds strikingly similar to that of Chiodos.

    Posted by maverick on 2007-03-02 00:06:55
    My Score:

    C'mon: 4 1/2 stars? That's a gross overstatement. The record's very one-sided (granted, that one side's pretty sweet); with no deviation for a half-hour, it doesn't show much in the way of innovation or breaking creative convention.

    I hate to say "Don't believe the hype," because this band's gimmick-free and quite talented, but when a hyperbolic review like this comes along, I just want to tell people to go listen to No Knife or something instead.

    -Scott

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 12:02 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    EVR is having a really good year.